authors
data
Product: Book
ISBN-10: 0-345-38877-1
ISBN-13: 9780345388773
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Country:
Year: April 2, 1994
Edition: Other Printing
Size: 10.59 x 17.35 x 2.74cm
Number of pages: 432
Weight: 209gr
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ISBN-10: 0-345-38877-1
ISBN-13: 9780345388773
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Country:
Year: April 2, 1994
Edition: Other Printing
Size: 10.59 x 17.35 x 2.74cm
Number of pages: 432
Weight: 209gr
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
editions
William Diehl, Will Patton (reader)
Random House Audio; 1999
Audio Cassette
14.) Primal Fear (Bookcassette(r) Edition)
William Diehl, Buck Schirner (reader)
Bookcassette; 1993
Audio Cassette
order
description
Amazon.com Review
In Chicago, a sainted archbishop is murdered, mutilated, and dismembered in his rectory. Aaron Stampler, an angelic-looking young man, is found crouched in a confessional, covered with blood, clutching a butcher's knife, swearing his innocence.
In Chicago, a sainted archbishop is murdered, mutilated, and dismembered in his rectory. Aaron Stampler, an angelic-looking young man, is found crouched in a confessional, covered with blood, clutching a butcher's knife, swearing his innocence.
Martin Vail is the brilliant lawyer every prosecutor and politician loves to hate. It is up to him to defend Stampler, the young human monster. But first he must uncover the horrifying truth about the crime.
Product Description
»Spine-tingling … Mr. Diehl can sustain suspense.« THE NEW YORKTIMES Martin Vail, the brilliant »bad-boy« lawyer every prosecutor and politician love to hate, is defending Aaron Stampler, a man found holding a bloody butcher's knife near a murdered archbishop. Vail is certain to lose, but Vail uses his unorthodox ways to good advantage when choosing his legal team--a tight group of men and women who must uncover the extraordinary truth behind the archbishop's slaughter. They do, in a heart-stopping climax unparalleled for the surprise it springs on the reader …
»Spine-tingling … Mr. Diehl can sustain suspense.« THE NEW YORKTIMES Martin Vail, the brilliant »bad-boy« lawyer every prosecutor and politician love to hate, is defending Aaron Stampler, a man found holding a bloody butcher's knife near a murdered archbishop. Vail is certain to lose, but Vail uses his unorthodox ways to good advantage when choosing his legal team--a tight group of men and women who must uncover the extraordinary truth behind the archbishop's slaughter. They do, in a heart-stopping climax unparalleled for the surprise it springs on the reader …
reviews
More suspense than fear 
This first of a series set the stage. It's all there – the driven, self-made brilliant defense lawyer, the loving assistant, grouchy judge, legal buddies and enigmatic client. The only problem with the book was that the prelude predominated. An inordinate amount of time was spent before the trial and in some ways, the trial could have been an afterthougth. Still, it held one's attention, especially the star of the show. (Can't help but picture Richard Gere saying those lines!) My Grade – A-
This first of a series set the stage. It's all there – the driven, self-made brilliant defense lawyer, the loving assistant, grouchy judge, legal buddies and enigmatic client. The only problem with the book was that the prelude predominated. An inordinate amount of time was spent before the trial and in some ways, the trial could have been an afterthougth. Still, it held one's attention, especially the star of the show. (Can't help but picture Richard Gere saying those lines!) My Grade – A-
Formulaic with Little Substance 
This book had a good plot but weak dialoge and characterization. A Catholic Bishop is hacked to death. Did the suspect really do it? Or is he a good little alter boy? The premise of this book annoyed me. Something about the plot keeps the pages turning but it's all formulaic instead of substance. I can't really recommend this book.
This book had a good plot but weak dialoge and characterization. A Catholic Bishop is hacked to death. Did the suspect really do it? Or is he a good little alter boy? The premise of this book annoyed me. Something about the plot keeps the pages turning but it's all formulaic instead of substance. I can't really recommend this book.
This book is an absolute classic and one of the very best psychological thrillers.
This book is an absolute classic and one of the very best psychological thrillers. In Chicago, a mutilating crime is committed against an archbishop. A suspect confess to the crime, But Aaron Stampler is not your ordinarily criminal. He has multiple personality disorders. His attorney, Martin Vail, after being forced to take the case, assembles a great team to prive that his client is innocent. Fast-paced and thorough, this thriller combines the best elements of the legal and psychological thriller genres to make for a fantastic read. Diehl is a first-rate writer.
This book is an absolute classic and one of the very best psychological thrillers. In Chicago, a mutilating crime is committed against an archbishop. A suspect confess to the crime, But Aaron Stampler is not your ordinarily criminal. He has multiple personality disorders. His attorney, Martin Vail, after being forced to take the case, assembles a great team to prive that his client is innocent. Fast-paced and thorough, this thriller combines the best elements of the legal and psychological thriller genres to make for a fantastic read. Diehl is a first-rate writer.
One Of The Best Thrillers With Major Twists And Turns!
Primal Fear is such an awesome story and we certainly have Richard Gere and Edward Norton to thank for bringing these characters to life on the movie screen. This movie really was a thriller that had major twists and turns that hit you with shock and struck you with awe by the end of the movie. You are left thinking, 'like,oh my God,who would have ever thought Stampler was faking multiple personality disorder all along when he acted as though he really had it and had Vail and Molly the psychiatrist buying it. It is no wonder Vail says at the end to Stampler, 'You're good … you are really, really good,' And when we find out that Aaron never existed and that it was Roy all along, by the end of this movie you are thinking 'Wow, this was a shocker!!!' I think that was the classic shocking part of the movie. Who would have ever thought a criminal was that crafty to fake multiple personality disorder syndrome to get away with the crime and get off on insanity. The Aaron/Roy character really was SOME character!!! Edward Norton really played it to perfection!!! Originally they wanted Leonardo DiCaprio for the role of Aaron/Roy but apparently DiCaprio turned down the offer and Norton took over the role. I give Norton 10 stars all the way because he played the role so cool and natural and sly. Richard Gere gets 10 stars all the way as big shot defense attorney Martin Vail because he really gave a powerful, dramatic performance as a lawyer looking to make it big on the cover of magazines and in the public eye. I own the movie and practically know every line to it. This is a definite favorite thriller of mine for life. I recommend seeing the actual movie and compare it to the book and you will see how the book comes to life on screen by two very talented performers.
Primal Fear is such an awesome story and we certainly have Richard Gere and Edward Norton to thank for bringing these characters to life on the movie screen. This movie really was a thriller that had major twists and turns that hit you with shock and struck you with awe by the end of the movie. You are left thinking, 'like,oh my God,who would have ever thought Stampler was faking multiple personality disorder all along when he acted as though he really had it and had Vail and Molly the psychiatrist buying it. It is no wonder Vail says at the end to Stampler, 'You're good … you are really, really good,' And when we find out that Aaron never existed and that it was Roy all along, by the end of this movie you are thinking 'Wow, this was a shocker!!!' I think that was the classic shocking part of the movie. Who would have ever thought a criminal was that crafty to fake multiple personality disorder syndrome to get away with the crime and get off on insanity. The Aaron/Roy character really was SOME character!!! Edward Norton really played it to perfection!!! Originally they wanted Leonardo DiCaprio for the role of Aaron/Roy but apparently DiCaprio turned down the offer and Norton took over the role. I give Norton 10 stars all the way because he played the role so cool and natural and sly. Richard Gere gets 10 stars all the way as big shot defense attorney Martin Vail because he really gave a powerful, dramatic performance as a lawyer looking to make it big on the cover of magazines and in the public eye. I own the movie and practically know every line to it. This is a definite favorite thriller of mine for life. I recommend seeing the actual movie and compare it to the book and you will see how the book comes to life on screen by two very talented performers.
William Diehl-One of the best for Mystery and Suspense
Primal Fear. A believable story. It could happen. Aaron Stampler, accused of murdering a church Bishop plays to the reader's compassion with his stutter and country charisma. We think that Aaron is truly innocent, as we subconsciously help his defense attorney, Martin Vail, to get his client acquitted. But Aaron is not your typical country bumpkin. He is equipped with a clever psychotic mind that manipulates his attorney and the reader's mind and leads them on a trail of doubt of his guilt. The story is suspenseful and well written with great character development and a look into the mind of a person with multiple personality disorder. Diehl cleverly masks the truth through Primal Fear and keeps the reader turning pages until the real truth of the murder is revealed in an unsuspected ending.
Primal Fear. A believable story. It could happen. Aaron Stampler, accused of murdering a church Bishop plays to the reader's compassion with his stutter and country charisma. We think that Aaron is truly innocent, as we subconsciously help his defense attorney, Martin Vail, to get his client acquitted. But Aaron is not your typical country bumpkin. He is equipped with a clever psychotic mind that manipulates his attorney and the reader's mind and leads them on a trail of doubt of his guilt. The story is suspenseful and well written with great character development and a look into the mind of a person with multiple personality disorder. Diehl cleverly masks the truth through Primal Fear and keeps the reader turning pages until the real truth of the murder is revealed in an unsuspected ending.
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© 1994–2010 Sascha Hendel
last update: 3/18/2010
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