The Contact Point by Jack Sharkey
The novel revolves around a young woman who returns to her hometown after being away for several years. She reconnects with an old flame and becomes embroiled in a mystery surrounding a local business owner's death. As she delves deeper into the case, she uncovers secrets about her own past and the town's history. The story explores themes of identity, community, and the complexities of human relationships. The narrative is driven by the protagonist's investigation, which takes her down a path of self-discovery and confrontation with the truth. Along the way, she must navigate the challenges of small-town politics and the consequences of her own actions. Ultimately, the novel raises questions about the nature of truth and how it can be distorted or manipulated to serve individual interests.
By Jack Sharkey · First published 1948 · Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Thriller · 4,408 words
First lines
_Somewhere on Mars there had to be a meeting of the minds._
Lieutenant Lloyd spotted the first alien in the ruins of the strange red Martian city on the second day of exploration. His first impulse was to call out to the other men -- but then, afraid his voice would startle the creature down at the end of the rubble-strewn street, he silently unholstered his military service pistol and crept forward toward the back (he hoped it was the back) of the alien, his breath rasping behind his faceplate.
What this Textopian page supports
The Contact Point is listed on Textopian as a novel by Jack Sharkey, dated 1948 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Jack Sharkey
- Date: 1948 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Adventure, Thriller, Mystery, Drama
- Length: 4,408 words
- Structure: 1 section, 127 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Contact Point by Jack Sharkey
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Contact Point?
- How does this novel by Jack Sharkey fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Science Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Science Fiction — The story is set on Mars and involves space exploration, alien encounters, and advanced technology, which are key elements of science fiction.
- Adventure — The plot follows a group of explorers on a mission to Mars, encountering unknown civilizations and facing unexpected challenges, typical of adventure narratives.
- Thriller — The narrative includes suspenseful elements such as the tension of first contact with aliens and the mystery of the Martian city, creating a thrilling atmosphere.
- Mystery — The story involves the mystery of the Martian city and the true identity of the aliens, which are central to the plot's development.
Tags
Science Fiction · Thriller · Mystery · Adventure · Action · Suspense · Crime · Investigation · Detective · Police Procedural · Caper · Plot Twist