Primal Fear

Rating:
Summary: ONE HELLUVA THRILLING SUSPENSFUL NOVEL BY DEIHL
Review: "Primal Fear" by William Diehl is just as riveting and absorbing on the second read as it was on the fist go around.

Knowledge of the astonishing conclusion enhanced rather than diminished my satisfaction, as I read with a different perspective.

It was intriguing to know just who the manipulators were and appreciate their diabolical natures.

Mr. Diehl is a marvelous writer and impressive storyteller. He illuminates the main characters skillfully. You feel you are on a first name basis with them as he introduces their back-story in an almost conversational manner.

The DA's team, defense attorney Martin Vail's contingent, as well as the victim and suspect are positively vivid characters.

The pacing is taut and the denouement is electrifying.

"Primal Fear" was a favorite of mine when first published and remains so today. It holds up.

As good a legal thriller as I have read.

Rating:
Summary: First-rate legal thriller
Review: Aaron Stampler is found in a confessional booth holding a knife, proclaiming his innocence, after someone killed the revered Bishop of the city. Martin Vail, a quick-witted lawyer who isn't afraid to leap before he looks, is basically coerced into defending the young man who appears guilty in every sense of the world. Every politician in the city seems to have a vendetta against Vail and looks foward to seeing him lose the case.

Liked the movie. Loved the book. As with most book-to-movie adaptations, the book was better. Unlike his movie persona, Vail isn't cool, well-dressed sauveness that Richard Gere presented. The Vail in the book is a man who isn't overly concerned about his personal appearance, and he isn't afraid to grab at straws, and he makes lawyers tremble just at the mention of his name.

The book also provided more insight on Aaron. You get a taste of his childhood and find out more about what molded him. In the book, Aaron is a genius, despite the accent and his angelic appearance. His childhood wasn't the best thing, and he's even described as being able to detach himself from tragedies. Is that enough to make him a killer? Is he mentally stable?

I'm sure by now, most people have heard about the twist, but that doesn't take the impact away from reading it for yourself. I read the "twist" over and over again, even though I've seen the movie and knew what to expect. A first-rate legal thriller. I can't wait to read the sequel.

Rating:
Summary: First-rate psychological thriller
Review: Although past its prime, this book is an absolute classic and has withstood the test of time to prove itself to be one of the very best psychological thrillers. Fast-paced and thorough, this thriller combines the best elements of the legal and psychological thriller genres to make for a fantastic read. As someone who is generally very critical of the realism in modern legal thrillers, I found little not to like in Primal Fear. Diehl is a first-rate writer.

Rating:
Summary: A splendid who-dunit
Review: An archbishop is brutally murdered.

A young boy found covered in blood.

Secrets emerge about the archbishop emerge.

Martin Vail is a womanizing attorney who must find the truth, wherever it leads.

A shocker of an ending

This is an utterly fascinating novel that is turned into a great movie. Diehl is an excellent writer who narrates a thought-provoking read.

Totally awesome, to coin a phrase from the late 1980's.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful !!
Review: I had happened to see bits and pieces of this movie on HBO a couple of years ago..including the ending. But I got around to reading this book only now. Why did I read this book since I already knew what was goin' to happen?? I wanted to read n see for myself why this is a classic. I am glad I did it.

I sat up thru most of the Saturday night, went to bed at about 3:00 AM clutching the book, woke up at 10:00 AM and started reading it again. Same thing happened Sunday night and as a result I came late to office. But, what the heck..it was well worth it.

This timeless story of Aaron Stampler and the lawyer defending him, Martin Vail must be one of the greatest courtroom dramas ever. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Well researched and well written, witty dialogue ("Is that like curbing your dog ?" etc)..you would be a quasi-psychologist yourself by the time you are through. The courtroom scences are sizzling and you keep thinking 'Is Aaron for real ??'.

I know that there are a couple of sequels out there. Would it come close to this ? That I have to see for myself. Well, the next thing I have to do is to go to Blockbuster, rent the movie and see it properly.

Rating:
Summary: Good from every angle
Review: Primal Fear tells the story of attorney Martin Vail's efforts to defend Aaron Stampler, who is accused of killing a very prominent influential and popular Catholic bishop. The book is solid enjoyment, well researched, and all of the main characters are well developed. There are shifts and surpises, but none so ridiculous as to be unbelievable. The courtroom scenes are well done and very interesting.

This was my first first book by Diehl and I have never seen the movie, although I remember it coming out. I enjoyed this book as much as I have enjoyed books by Michael Connelly and James Patterson. Diehl's better than Grisham without a dobut. After this one, I can't wait to read another book by him.

I don't want to say too much about the plot, except that you'll know early on who the killer is, and so will everyone else on Vail's defense team. Don't rest on that. Before the end that will change before your very eyes.

Enjoy.

Rating:
Summary: Great Suspense, Highly Recommended
Review: The city of Chicago is shocked when their "saint of Lakeview Drive," Archbishop Richard Bernard Rushman, is brutally murdered in his own rectory.

Nineteen year old Aaron Stampler is found crouched in a church confessional, covered in the bishop's blood, mumbling, "Didn't do it, Mama."

Attorney Martin Vail is known for his rough tactics as well as his brilliant performances in the courtroom. He is hated by every prosecutor in the city. Vail loves and lives the law.

Vail is forced to defend Aaron Stampler as sort of a "slap on the wrist." Aaron's Appalachian mountain accent and angelic appearance is only the beginning to a great defense.

Author William Diehl hits the jackpot with this tale of murder and suspense. His characters are so real in their descriptions and dialog, it's easy to love and/or hate them. Great book to recommend.

Rating:
Summary: The Movie Scared Me
Review: The movie scared me, so I bought the book, which is the opposite of how I usually operate: book first, movie second. While I enjoyed the movie (Richard Gear in rare form!), I must say I like the book much better. There are quite a few thrills in it, psychological, visceral, and even sexual . . . (every man gets his turn with the nice country teacher, oh what fun). But this is no run of the mill thriller; the thing reads like it's actually true, and that is hard to do with such a far out plot. So I asked myself, How did William Diehl accomplish this? The answer is versimilitude.

Put all of the spooky stuff aside, and you hold in your hands a well written legal investigation/courtroom drama. Diehl knows his way around the courtroom as well as the cigar smoke-filled political backrooms. Diehl's understanding of how the "game" is played--this is the backbone of the book, and while that is clicking on all cylinders, we are more likely to miss the occasional plot contrivance.

A truly excellent book, down to the last word.

Rating:
Summary: A must read.
Review: This is a great read. Martin Vail is a brilliant lawyer on the roll. He is asked to take on a Pro bono case in which he stands no chance of winning. Turns out his client is not what he seems, and herein lies the beauty of the book.
You are kept fully engrossed as the story unfolds. I liked the way Vail went about building his case, but better yet i was left in owe as to how Aaron Stampler (client) soooo totally manipulates everyone. What more can i say , but read the book.

Rating:
Summary: A real breath-holder
Review: To read any book by William Diehl is to experience a seasoned master at "the very acme and pitch" of his writing power. Diehl wields his eloquent pen like some mighty Zeus, flinging lightning thoughts that breathe and words that singe. His books are not for the timid. It's hard to realize that a mind so bright and playful creates such iniquitous villains.

When legendary attorney Martin Vail is forced by his political enemies to defend Stampler with his invincible legal team--a retired judge, an ex-boxer investigator and a gorgeous psychiatrist, Vail sets out to prove Stampler not guilty. He strides toward his goal, bending with each unexpected blow, through a plot as complicated as a biblical genealogy and infinitely more intriguing--until he comes to a shattering ending.

Diehl's writing is so vibrant that his books are not for the squeamish. The reality he paints is often stark and harsh but he's always accurate. Characters romp through the story as the reader becomes caught in their lives. You'll find yourself holding your breath in this one. And if you've seen the movie -- read the book. There's more story here and it's even better.