Both novels use information from a library or librarian that
originated from old newspapers to convey historical tragic news of
multiple deaths (Keller’s Den page 210, Miami Herald -- Duma
Key pages 135, 200, Tampa newspaper). Additionally, both stories made the headlines.
Does this fool actually think his circa-2002 slushpile offering was the first-ever example of that trope? Not to mention the implication "A crapload of people all dying at once wouldn't ordinarily make the headlines in whatever local paper covered it."
Both novels use the following in regards to the old ladies: Keller’s
Den is Old Lady Baxter (pages 89, 91), while Duma Key is Ole
Miss Elizabeth (page 120).
Same question; I'd bet my entire savings account you can find examples of an old lady called "Old Lady Lastname" or "Ole Miss Firstname" well before Rod vomited his literary genius onto the world.
Mrs. Baxter has a roadmap of creases on her skin in Keller’s Den
(page 89). Edgar has a roadmap of scars on his skin in Duma Key
(page 581).
Okay, that makes sense -- surely Stephen King would never have thought to scar an accident victim without first reading Rod's description of some old lady whose skin has lost its youthful tautness.
The black sari in Keller’s Den (pages 86, 87, 119, 142, 212, 238,
240) equates to the red cloak and robe in Duma Key (pages 68, 74,
159, 265, 326, 367, 430, 467, 471 565, 580). They are both
referenced to the curse and are worn by females.
Yeah, the idea that a given article of clothing might be cursed NEVER appeared before 2002. And as for the idea that females might wear such cursed garments -- never!
Both novels have a secondary character that is diagnosed
with “chemical imbalance.” (Keller’s Den, pages 101, 133 – Duma
Key, page 378).
Serve Rod right if Kurt Vonnegut's estate sued him for stealing that idea from Breakfast of Champions.
Both novels reference younger days of a character that went to
church on Sunday (Keller’s Den, page 193 -- Duma Key, page 560).
A novel set in America with a character who remembers being dragged to church on Sundays as a kid? That SOB Rod plagiarized my own life.
In reference to other people looking at each of the main character’s
paintings or drawings:
In Keller’s Den (page 39), Martin asks Janet, “What do you
think?”
In Duma Key (page 73), Edgar asks Ilse, “What do you think?”
In Duma Key (page 166), Edgar asks Jack, “What do you
think?”
Mmm hmm. Next time anyone says "I love you" in a novel, I am so going to sue that author for plagiarism.