protagonist; main character; hero(ine) (of a story); head of household
well connected; well known; having a large, diverse circle of acquaintances
to fuss over; to be particular about; to be obsessive about; to be fixated on; to obstruct; to hinder
to be too numerous; to be too much
careful; scrupulous; thorough; conscientious; elaborate; deliberate
middle; halfway; half (of); one half; half (e.g. done, jokingly); partly
dumbfounded; overcome with surprise; in blank amazement; in a daze
mystery novel; detective novel; whodunit
enthusiast; fan; lover; devotee; aficionado
small-format paperback book; pocket paperback
to engrave an inscription; to call (designate) itself; to mark; to label
questionnaire; survey; poll
to be delighted; to be glad; to congratulate; to gratefully accept
one copy (of a book, magazine, etc.); one volume
rate; ratio; profit; assignment; 10%; unit of ten percent; match
what percentage; what ratio; what rate; what proportion
to take (all of) into consideration
from the standpoint of; as a matter of (e.g. fact); aboard (a ship or vehicle); on top of; first volume (e.g. book); superior quality; best
ill will; malice; evil intent
exit; gateway; way out; outlet; vent; leak
actual spot; scene (of a crime, accident, etc.); (on) site; (on) the ground; filming location; (movie) set
layout (of a house or apartment); arrangement of rooms
character (in a play or novel); dramatis personae
to run past from behind; to run through (e.g. gate, one's mind)
pure; true; genuine; unmixed
impossible; unlikely; improbable
it does not mean that ...; I don't mean that ...; it is not the case that
apparent; obvious; very clear
to nail; to knock; to bang (e.g. one's head); to throw (e.g. a rock); to fling
setting a question (for an exam, quiz, etc.); setting a theme (for composition of poetry)
ennui; languishing; feeling of exhaustion; lassitude; lethargy
to be closed; to be blocked; to be clogged; to be plugged up; to be occupied; to be taken (e.g. accommodation)
fruitless effort; wasted effort; abortive scheme; futility
ability; performance; efficiency
two places; two spots; two locations; two parts; two passages