Rating: 
Summary: Whether legal thriller or mystery, more show than substance
Review: "Show of Evil" is the sequel to the novel "Primal Fear". In that first book, the morally ambiguous defense attorney Mart Vail saves from an almost certain conviction a young man who murders Chicago's archbishop. In the face of an almost certain conviction, Vail managed to squeeze out an insanity plea based on the youthful defendant's split personality - normally he's the sweet and unassuming Aaron Stampler. When aroused or angered, he becomes the cruel and sadistic Roy, neither one able to recall what happens when the other takes over. At the end of "Primal" Vail is convinced that Aaron/Roy's disorder is invented - but by then, he's won and Aaron/Roy is institutionalized and immunized from prosecution. "Show picks up 10 years later. Vail is now Chicago's No. 2 prosecutor, the head of a gang of rapacious homicide ADA's who show no mercy. While his office juggles two high-profile homicides, Vail is forced to confront the impending release of Aaron. Hardly convinced as his doctors are that Aaron/Roy is cured (and has shed both previous egos for a new honest one named "Ray"), and learning of a string of copycat murders in which Aaron's former friends have become victims, Vail is determined to crack Aaron/Roy/Ray. This was a pretty shallow story - with Aaron barely making a dent in a plot that spends much of its time concerned with the two other murders being prosecuted by Vail's office. The events of "Primal" mostly arise as a consequence of "Show"'s focusing on Vail's renewed romance with Jane Venable, the prosecutor in "Primal" and - to complete the reversal of roles here - the defense counsel in one of Vail's homicide cases. (When the hints prove insufficient, Diehl just drops Aaron's name in spots of narrative that have nothing to do with the case). Finding improbably close links between Aaron's handiwork and that of a serial killer who claims two of Aaron's former friends, Vail struggles to tie the murders to a man who's been institutionalized for a decade. Diehl, like Aaron, doesn't know when to leave well-enough alone and, once Aaron returns to the novel, he quickly and unceremoniously spills the beans. Suffice it to say that those looking for a real twist will go hungry (I thought Aaron, Venable and Vail would team up and implicate a high-level Chicago fixture much as they cooked the archbishop in "Primal", or otherwise link the copycat crimes to the other seemingly unrelated ones ala "Hollywood Confidential"). The mystery of Aaron's power to manipulate from beyond the walls of an insane asylum isn't even a mystery (although it might have been to some in 1993, only a couple of years before Netscape's legendary IPO). Instead, "Show" is incredibly fake - everything from the ambitious and merciless ADA's who run Vail's office (as if the Cook County DA's Office existed to prosecute only a few homicides) to the pseudo-hardboiled dialog of his cops ("look, we ain't lookin' to cause the lady no grief.") Even the setting seems unreal - Diehl's Chicago lacks the verisimilitude of the fictional Kindle County of the Turow novels. That "Show" is supposed to be a mystery is undermined by how little detail Diehl gives us to work with. (After the climax, Vail's team turns up details that explains everything - ala "Scooby Doo". What really kills me is that this is supposed to be a legal thriller and, despite pumping us up to the legal talent available, very little of "Show" takes place in a courtroom, and Diehl's ADA's talk about "maxing out" the people they prosecute without doing much to prove they could prosecute a shoplift. (The cops, on the other hand, are dismissed as inept apes, who parade the prisoners they collar like war-trophies, without much regard for their possible innocence.) Had he taken the defendant in one of "Show"'s subplots to trial, Diehl could have substantiated his opinions about his prosecutors and his cops in one swoop, but that's obviously more effort than its worth.
Rating:
Summary: Whether legal thriller or mystery, more show than substance
Review: "Show of Evil" is the sequel to the novel "Primal Fear". In that first book, the morally ambiguous defense attorney Mart Vail saves from an almost certain conviction a young man who murders Chicago's archbishop. In the face of an almost certain conviction, Vail managed to squeeze out an insanity plea based on the youthful defendant's split personality - normally he's the sweet and unassuming Aaron Stampler. When aroused or angered, he becomes the cruel and sadistic Roy, neither one able to recall what happens when the other takes over. At the end of "Primal" Vail is convinced that Aaron/Roy's disorder is invented - but by then, he's won and Aaron/Roy is institutionalized and immunized from prosecution. "Show picks up 10 years later. Vail is now Chicago's No. 2 prosecutor, the head of a gang of rapacious homicide ADA's who show no mercy. While his office juggles two high-profile homicides, Vail is forced to confront the impending release of Aaron. Hardly convinced as his doctors are that Aaron/Roy is cured (and has shed both previous egos for a new honest one named "Ray"), and learning of a string of copycat murders in which Aaron's former friends have become victims, Vail is determined to crack Aaron/Roy/Ray. This was a pretty shallow story - with Aaron barely making a dent in a plot that spends much of its time concerned with the two other murders being prosecuted by Vail's office. The events of "Primal" mostly arise as a consequence of "Show"'s focusing on Vail's renewed romance with Jane Venable, the prosecutor in "Primal" and - to complete the reversal of roles here - the defense counsel in one of Vail's homicide cases. (When the hints prove insufficient, Diehl just drops Aaron's name in spots of narrative that have nothing to do with the case). Finding improbably close links between Aaron's handiwork and that of a serial killer who claims two of Aaron's former friends, Vail struggles to tie the murders to a man who's been institutionalized for a decade. Diehl, like Aaron, doesn't know when to leave well-enough alone and, once Aaron returns to the novel, he quickly and unceremoniously spills the beans. Suffice it to say that those looking for a real twist will go hungry (I thought Aaron, Venable and Vail would team up and implicate a high-level Chicago fixture much as they cooked the archbishop in "Primal", or otherwise link the copycat crimes to the other seemingly unrelated ones ala "Hollywood Confidential"). The mystery of Aaron's power to manipulate from beyond the walls of an insane asylum isn't even a mystery (although it might have been to some in 1993, only a couple of years before Netscape's legendary IPO). Instead, "Show" is incredibly fake - everything from the ambitious and merciless ADA's who run Vail's office (as if the Cook County DA's Office existed to prosecute only a few homicides) to the pseudo-hardboiled dialog of his cops ("look, we ain't lookin' to cause the lady no grief.") Even the setting seems unreal - Diehl's Chicago lacks the verisimilitude of the fictional Kindle County of the Turow novels. That "Show" is supposed to be a mystery is undermined by how little detail Diehl gives us to work with. (After the climax, Vail's team turns up details that explains everything - ala "Scooby Doo". What really kills me is that this is supposed to be a legal thriller and, despite pumping us up to the legal talent available, very little of "Show" takes place in a courtroom, and Diehl's ADA's talk about "maxing out" the people they prosecute without doing much to prove they could prosecute a shoplift. (The cops, on the other hand, are dismissed as inept apes, who parade the prisoners they collar like war-trophies, without much regard for their possible innocence.) Had he taken the defendant in one of "Show"'s subplots to trial, Diehl could have substantiated his opinions about his prosecutors and his cops in one swoop, but that's obviously more effort than its worth.
Rating: 
Summary: Sweet William Diehls up another ripper*.
Review: "Show Of Evil" can be read and understood without having read its predecessor - it stands up nicely on its own. Marty Vail is a tough, pugnacious, witty, workaholic D.A. who used to be one of the most effective defending attorneys the world has ever seen - well, almost. Aaron Stampler once pulled the wool over Vail's eyes, and the con affected him deeply: he became obsessed with not allowing any more guilty people to walk free amongst us. But Stampler (surely one of the most satisfying bad guys ever created by an author - and that includes your friendly neighbourhood cannibal, Hannibal) didn't entirely walk free. He was sent to an asylum for the truly evil - and, after 10 years incarceration, it appears he is somehow managing to bump people off even while being locked up. I mean - being locked away in a high security bug-house is a fairly good alibi, wouldn't you think? Vail and his team try to sort things out, in the midst of various day-to-day OJ-level cases. Vail finds that he's not so busy that he can't fall in love and enjoy a very healthy sex-life. And Stampler? Well, he smiles his gentle little smile, and makes sure another body is found.. and another. Vail, meanwhile, is going nutso trying to pin the killings on a man in the bin. The problem with a purely evil charcater is that they can seem a little one-dimensional, but Aaron is as skillfully written and developed as the Dark Knight's nemesis, The Joker. He's complex, works on many layers, and is as committed to following his own nasty little star as Vail is in stopping him. The whole book works well. There are exciting courtroom and love scenes, the violence is played just right, the plot's intricate enough so you never get bored or bogged down. Diehl has, once again, done everything right. It's a pity he didn't do the same for "Reign In Hell," the third part of the trilogy. But hey - even the best of writers have a bad day. "Show Of Evil" is amongst the best of its genre. You can, if you like, read "Primal Fear" first, but you don't have to. I'm also sure, dear (and hugely intelligent) reader, that you'll agree that casting Richard Gere as Marty Vail was a mistake. *Two bad puns in a six word sentence. It doesn't get any better than that.
Rating: 
Summary: blah de blah de blah
Review: ... rehash of Primal Fear story plus added attraction of [imitation]killings - or are they? ... some irrelevant sub-plots, terrible writing and/or editing, wooden characters and characterization, stupid dialog. Murderous villain only half-way interesting character and only if keep visualizing Edward Norton....
Rating: 
Summary: Evil can be so agonizingly good! - M. Diamond
Review: Diehl has out-done himself again. This time he delivers more of everything- from psycopaths to clever twists to wilder adrenaline roller-coaster rides to hideous quotes, you name it. It is not the kind of book you read with a cup of tea. I especially like the smart dialogues and clues scattered across Diehland. The characters are strong but not over developed. The shocking revellation of Rebecca is brilliant.
Want to know more? Go get your own copy. Enjoy
Rating:
Summary: Great sequel to Primal Fear
Review: A one-two punch with Primal Fear. Make sure you read the super Primal Fear first then enjoy the continued story...it just keeps getting better. Left the door open for a continuance with another unexpected ending. I hope there is more!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Show of Evil is a "No Show"!
Review: After reading Diehl's thriller, Primal Fear, I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book, the sequel. I was very disappointed in this story even though it was entertaining. Diehl has too many things going on in this one. Too many distractions that take away from the main story line kept me having to go back and refigure what was going on. This book does have it's exciting and chilling moments so it is definately worth the read. The loving scene is torrid, to say the least, and no one describes things just exactly like Diehl! It was a good book but not a great one like Primal Fear. This one you can sit down and think about. You don't have to check out of reality for a few days until you've read the whole thing with this book like you will with Primal Fear. I strongly recommend to read Primal Fear first because it will be a lot harder to follow and appreciate Show of Evil otherwise.
Rating:
Summary: JUST A SHADOW OF "PRIMAL FEAR"
Review: After reading Primal Fear, the gripping, skip-work-until-you-finish-it Martin Vail novel that pre-dates this book, I couldn't wait to get into "Show of Evil." But once into it, I found it disappointing, not up to the high standards set by Primal Fear. The story here seems to get lost, as if Diehl can't decide whether to write a straight sequel about Aaron Stampler (now "cured" of his mental illness), or a new mystery for Martin Vail to solve, with just hints of Stampler. The book gets better towards the end, when Diehl gets off the sidetracks and brings us Stampler in all his evil genius, and Vail's attempts to bring him down. Another thing I questioned in the book is the dramatic change in some of the characters after Primal Fear. Vail, the great defense attorney, is now the DA? Venable and Vail, once sworn courtroom enemies, now sliding between the sheets together? I know 10 years is a long time, but some of the transformations seemed to stretch credulity. And the close of the book, seeming to leave the door open for yet another sequel? Please, Mr. Diehl, move on to a new evil genius. This isn't a bad read, and in parts is quite good. But it isn't "Primal Fear."
Rating:
Summary: Great book, but not as good as 'Primal Fear'
Review: After riding the roller-coaster of a lifetime while reading 'Primal Fear' I just KNEW I had to get to know William Diehl better. When I found out that he had written a SEQUEL to one of the (in MY opinion) BEST legal thrillers of the past 20 years I nearly sprained my wrist reaching for my wallet to buy the thing. I have to say, it's a great 'whodunnit' filled with intrigue and suspense...but was it as good as 'Primal'?? Nope. Diehl raised the bar so high it was almost too high for even HIM to reach a 2nd time, and unfortunately even though this is a great legal murder/mystery, it's just not as good as the incredible 'Primal Fear'. Yes, this book can stand on it's own even if you haven't read 'Primal'. However by reading 'Show Of Evil' you may spoil the utterly shocking surprise that comes at the end of 'PF'. On it's own merits, 'S.of E.' is GREAT. I in NO WAY wish to say it isn't worth reading. In fact, if you are a fan of the genre at all, you OWE it to yourself to pick it up and be enthralled. Unfortunately book #3 (Reign In Hell) falls almost totally flat and nowhere near as entertaining as 'PF' OR 'S.of E.'. I have to say, the plot in this book really IS cool.
Rating:
Summary: wait for the movie
Review: didn't do much for me as a book. better to wait for Richard Gere and the movie.
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