 First edition cover | |
| Author | Daniel Ehrenhaft |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Trevor Ristow |
| Genre | Young adult fiction |
| Publisher | HarperTeen |
Publication date | April 25, 2006 |
| ISBN | 978-0-060-75252-1 |
Drawing a Blank, or How I Tried to Solve a Mystery, End a Feud, and Land the Girl of my Dreams is a 2006 young adult novel written by Daniel Ehrenhaft and illustrated by Trevor Ristow. [1] [2] [3] The novel is set in the United States and Scotland, featuring a 17-year-old comic book fan as the protagonist.
At the beginning of his junior year at Carnegie Mansion, a prestigious private school, Carlton A. Dunne IV attempts to go through the year without attracting attention to himself as he has done for the past two years. He has a fondness for art and a "secret" identity as a Connecticut comic strip artist.
When his father is kidnapped by a Scottish clan exacting revenge for a feud nearly a thousand years ago, Carlton is drawn into the battle. After arriving in Scotland, he meets Aileen, an 18-year-old Scot who plans to become a cop and wants to be on Cops in America. After learning of Carlton's story she vows to help him on his quest.
The pair venture to Northern Scotland where they attempt to solve the mystery surrounding Carlton's dad. They are gradually drawn into the clan's mythology, a mythology that both Carlton's dad and his kidnapper strongly believe is true.
The first quarter of the book is set in Connecticut while the rest is set in the northern part of Scotland, in the area known as Orkney.
The majority of the action takes place in small towns or villages, occasionally in a forest or a castle. The castle of Castle Glanach is on the coast of the Loch of Stenness.
Daniel Ehrenhaft is the author of several novels, including Tell It to Naomi, The After Life and 10 Things to Do Before I Die. Other books include The Last Dog on Earth , The Thing Under the Bed and Killer Clowns of King County.
He attended Columbia University.
Trevor Ristow illustrated the comic books sections of Drawing a Blank. He is a film editor whose projects include the 2003 film Book of Love and 2004's Poster Boy .
He lives in New York City.
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