Fault Lines

Despite the fact that this storyline has been done many times (ideas seem limited among certain genres), Fault Lines offers a refreshing spin on this a tale of a released convict seeking out a shrink who knows too much about him. Readers are introduced to Psychiatrist Michael Stone who fears that pedophile and sadist Alex Willy, recently released from prison on a technicality, will seek to harm her because she is the only one privy to his sick and demented thoughts. Attempting to continue her practice and help other patients while looking over her shoulder makes for great suspenseful reading and it all comes to a finale with an awesome twist!

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel by Anna Salter. I thought her character Michael was likable despite having some quirky almost neurotic character traits. I found that I couldn't turn the pages quickly enough towards the end.

Fault Lines and Dr. Michael Stone could lead to a television series. Why? Child molester, tried and convicted, exits prison after serving his term. He plots his course against Dr. Stone, who put him there in the first place, and her clients. Does he win, or does the Doctor? Developed client histories and background scenes of the forensic psychologist, Dr. Stone, would make for a very interesting and informative series. The book is both well written, and a "can't put it down until the end" story. Bravo to Anna Salter and let's put it on the screen!

Fault Lines is the second in what I hope will be a long line of stories involving Dr. Michael Stone. This time Dr. Stone is really the main target in the story. No one has ben killed...yet. Within the first chapter we learn the our favorite sadistc child molester has been let out of prison on a technicality. This puts Michael in a dangerous position because after several "interviews" with Willy, many of which she has recorded, he has admitted to, and actually bragged about a lot more than was ever uncovered in court, etc. Obviously with the possibility of a retrial, her information could be damaging to his case. Her best friend Carlotta and her part time lover/police chief, Adam, would like her to run and hide. But, as anyone who has read her first book, Shiny Waters, will know, Michael does not take orders well. And she certainly does not "run and hide". There is a rather simplistic game of cat and mouse that Michael and Willy play via email, and the impending confrontation. There are also several important clients of Michael that play key roles in the story. Once again, we learn more about Michael and her psyche. We watch her friendships and relationships, grow and suffer huge violations of trust. You find yourself understanding her and why she does what she does and yet at the same time comiserating with her loved ones and their great desire to just shake her sometimes. The climax of the book does not leave us disappointed in the slightest. That's 2 for 2 for Anna Salter

Forensic psychologist Michael Stone has received a detailed confession on audiotape of Alex B. Willy, a convicted child molester. The inside look into the mind of the psychopath has given Michael and her peers much needed information on profiling deviant behavior like that of a pediophile. Though she knows Willy has obsessed on her, Michael is not worried since the man will be incarcerated for many years. However, Willy has been released from his imprisonment after a retrial due to a technicality. His obsession has become his target. Willy has set up a strategic plan of attack that the military would be proud to possess. He methodically invades Michael's professional and personal life. She knows that someday soon she will have to confront the monster who has changed her life dreams into a nightmare. The second Stone novel, FAULT LINES, is an absorbing thriller that realistically portrays the role of forensic psychology. Michael is a redeeming protagonist, who is extremely intelligent yet a risk taker who sometimess takes stupid chances. As a counterpoint to her stands Willy, a truly vile vile villain. Though the story line starts a bit slow, fans of a genuine feeling abnormal psychological thriller will love Anna Salter's latest novel. Harriet Klausner