## Book Card | Key | Value | | :--- | :--- | | **Title (IT)** | Non chiamatemi Jessica Fletcher | | **Title (EN)** | Don't Call Me Jessica Fletcher | | **Author** | Alice Guerra | | **Series** | Alice Guerra (2) | | **Type** | novel | | **Genre** | Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Chick Lit | | **Genre (Save the Cat)** | Whydunit | | **Tropes** | Amateur Sleuth, Red Herring, Manic Pixie Dream Girl, Clingy Jealous Girl, Sympathetic Magic, Will They or Won't They? | --- ## Review: Don't Call Me Jessica Fletcher In "Don't Call Me Jessica Fletcher," Alice Guerra returns to the detective game. This time, the grumpy Mestre influencer must reluctantly investigate bizarre sentimental thefts (from snails to cookies) while managing the return of her problematic ex-best friend, Vespasiana, and the complicated romantic tension with Commissioner Lo Cascio. The work establishes itself as a regional "Cozy Mystery" with strong "Chick Lit" undertones. Structurally, it adheres to the Hero's Journey, with the hero's "Refusal of the Call" being particularly strong. However, the main investigation plot suffers from passivity: the "Ordeal" (discovering the culprit) occurs via spying rather than direct confrontation, and the emotional "Resurrection" (the final kiss) is thematically disconnected from the mystery plot. The use of tropes is effective. The theft of the Mona Lisa serves as an excellent "Red Herring," masking the true, personal "Whydunit" driven by an original "Sympathetic Magic" motive. Compared to the first novel ("Ten Things I Learned from Jessica Fletcher"), this sequel maintains the humor and charm of its setting, but the investigative plot feels structurally weaker and less central, relying more on chance than active deduction for its resolution. Recommended for fans of "Bridget Jones" and light mystery readers who are looking more for a self-deprecating romantic comedy than a methodical investigation. --- ## Structural Analysis (Hero's Journey & Archetypes) > [!INFO]- (click to expand) > # Structural Analysis: Don't Call Me Jessica Fletcher > ## Logline > A Mestre influencer, reluctant to repeat her past detective experiences, is forced to investigate a series of bizarre sentimental thefts while managing the return of her problematic ex-best friend and a complicated relationship with a police commissioner. > ## Brief Summary > Alice Guerra, a Mestre influencer, refuses to investigate a wave of small thefts hitting the city, despite her aunt's requests. Her life is complicated by the return of her ex-friend Vespasiana, in crisis after being dumped by a pop star, and romantic tension with Commissioner Lo Cascio. While the police focus on the theft of the Mona Lisa, Alice discovers the minor thefts (snails, photos, Pan di Stelle cookies) are Vespasiana's work, using them for magic rituals. Alice must confront her friend and solve the mystery, ultimately choosing to pursue a relationship with Lo Cascio, who decides to stay in Mestre. > ## Archetypes and Characters > | | | | > |---|---|---| > |**Archetype**|**Corresponding Character(s)**|**Brief Description**| > |**Hero**|Alice Guerra|The reluctant hero ("muso da can"), torn between a desire for isolation and the drive to solve problems.| > |**Mentor**|(Function divided) Zia Rosanna; Past Experience.|Zia Rosanna provides the call and moral motivation. Alice's "Jessica Fletcher method" serves as an internal guide.| > |**Threshold Guardian**|Salvatore Lo Cascio; Alice's own reluctance.|Lo Cascio initially hinders her investigation (despite his attraction). Her refusal ("Don't call me...") is the first obstacle.| > |**Herald**|Zia Rosanna; Vespasiana.|Zia Rosanna announces the theft of the _bovoletti_. Vespasiana's arrival shatters Alice's Ordinary World.| > |**Shapeshifter**|Vespasiana.|She presents as an Ally in distress (victim of Giustino) but is secretly the Shadow/antagonist of the sentimental theft plot.| > |**Shadow**|Vespasiana (for the thefts); The Mona Lisa thief.|Vespasiana is the perpetrator of the personal thefts. The Mona Lisa thief is a public "Shadow" who serves as a misdirection.| > |**Ally**|Salvatore Lo Cascio; Zia Rosanna, Ornella, Teresina.|Lo Cascio (reluctantly) and the "maranteghe" (comically) provide information and support.| > |**Trickster**|The "tre maranteghe" (Zia Rosanna, Ornella, Teresina).|Their outlandish theories (suspecting Luigino, Mariano) and actions create comic complications for the investigation.| > ## The Hero's Journey Stages (Alice's) > | **Journey Stage** | **Event(s) in the Story** | > | ----------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | > | **1. The Ordinary World** | Alice's life as an influencer in Mestre, seeking peace on her sofa and managing the awkwardness of her night with Lo Cascio. | > | **2. The Call to Adventure** | Vespasiana arrives; Zia Rosanna reports her _bovoletti_ stolen and demands Alice's help. | > | **3. Refusal of the Call** | Alice explicitly refuses to investigate, stating "Don't call me Jessica Fletcher" and wanting to be left alone. | > | **4. Meeting the Mentor** | A weak function. Zia Rosanna (as Herald) provides the moral push. Lo Cascio (as Guardian) unwillingly provides information. | > | **5. Crossing the First Threshold** | After more thefts (photos, lipstick), Alice relents and decides to actively investigate, starting to gather clues. | > | **6. Tests, Allies, and Enemies** | Managing Vespasiana's emotional crisis (her Tinder dates); Investigating Luigino and Mariano (false leads); The theft of her _Pan di Stelle_. | > | **7. Approach to the Inmost Cave** | Alice discovers the theft of Luigino's bicycle and, connecting the clues, realizes Vespasiana is the culprit. | > | **8. The Ordeal** | Alice searches Vespasiana's makeup bag, finds the stolen goods and the rhymes, confirming her guilt and motive (to find love). | > | **9. The Reward** | Understanding the mystery; Vespasiana's catharsis who, returning from London, is "cured" of Giustino and won't steal again. | > | **10. The Road Back** | Managing the breakup and kiss with Lo Cascio at New Year's; Preparing for Piercoglione's wedding. | > | **11. The Resurrection** | The Epilogue. After Chiaretta gives birth, Alice realizes what she wants. She runs to Lo Cascio's house and kisses him, overcoming her reluctance. | > | **12. Return with the Elixir** | One year later. Alice and Lo Cascio are a couple. She has found a balance between her private life (relationship) and her public identity. | ## Narrative Trope Analysis > [!NOTE]- (click to expand) > # Narrative Trope Analysis: Don't Call Me Jessica Fletcher > ### Amateur Sleuth > - **Definition:** A character who is not a law enforcement professional but finds themselves solving crimes. Their interference often annoys the official police. > - **Description and Context:** Alice embodies this trope, albeit with extreme reluctance. Her fame comes from the previous book ("Ten Things I Learned from Jessica Fletcher"), and people turn to her before the police, much to Commissioner Lo Cascio's annoyance. > ### Red Herring > - **Definition:** A clue or suspect inserted into the plot to distract the reader from the real culprit or solution. > - **Description and Context:** The theft of the Mona Lisa. It is a high-profile crime that occupies the police and the reader, but it is completely disconnected from the main plot of sentimental thefts, which is Alice's real mystery. The suspicions about Luigino and Mariano also serve this purpose. > ### Manic Pixie Dream Girl > - **Definition:** An eccentric, vibrant female character whose main function is to teach the protagonist (often a brooding male) to enjoy life. > - **Description and Context:** Vespasiana functions as a platonic version of this trope for Alice. She disrupts Alice's orderly and "grumpy" routine, forcing her to socialize, deal with chaos, and, ultimately, investigate. > ### Clingy Jealous Girl > - **Definition:** A character (often female) whose behavior is defined by possessive and irrational insecurity. > - **Description and Context:** Vespasiana exhibits this trope to an extreme in her subplot. Her entire identity revolves around Giustino, leading her to obsessive behaviors (social media stalking) and desperate rituals (the thefts) to win him back. > ### Sympathetic Magic > - **Definition:** A type of magical ritual based on the principle that "like produces like" or that objects once in contact maintain a link. > - **Description and Context:** This is the motivation behind Vespasiana's thefts. She steals items that symbolize lasting love (the _maranteghe's_ photos), passion (the lipstick), or comfort (the _Pan di Stelle_), believing that stealing these _symbols_ of love will bring her love itself. > ### Will They or Won't They? > - **Definition:** A romantic dynamic between two characters characterized by prolonged sexual tension and obstacles that keep them from getting together. > - **Description and Context:** This defines the relationship between Alice and Commissioner Lo Cascio. The prologue establishes that they _already did_, but the rest of the novel is a post-coital "Will They or Won't They?", with awkwardness, work, and his potential transfer serving as the obstacles.