Show of Evil [Paperback]

William Diehl (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 15, 1996

When Linda Balfour, a young mother, is found butchered in small-town southern Illinois, a coded inscription stamped in blood on the back of her head brands her mutilated body. For Chief Prosecutor Martin Vail, the Bloody insignia drags up memories he'd like to forget - memories of Bishop Rushman, slashed and dismembered ten years ago by an altar boy, Aaron Stampler. But if Stampler is locked away, he cannot have murdered Linda. With his career - and his life - on the line, Vail needs answers fast before the killer signs someone else's life away.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this sequel to Diehl's Primal Fear, an incarcerated serial killer's enemies begin meeting grisly deaths.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

From Library Journal

Diehl, the author of previous hits Chameleon (1982) and Sharky's Machine (1978), has the makings of another best seller here. Defense attorney-turned-district attorney Martin Vail comes to regret having saved a murderer, Aaron Stampler, from the death penalty; Stampler wasn't suffering from multiple personality disorder but was merely a vicious killer who has many more scores to settle. When Stampler proves smart enough to convince an egotistical psychiatrist that he is now sane and can return to society, Vail has to out-think him to save not only his own life but the lives of everyone who contributed to the killer's ten years in a mental institution. The action is gripping, and the characters are well drawn. Buy for suspense collections and for Diehl's established fans.
--Marylaine Block, St. Ambrose Univ. Lib., Davenport, Ia.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Random House (July 15, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 009942942X
• ISBN-13: 978-0099429425
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,270,928 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars JUST A SHADOW OF "PRIMAL FEAR", June 1, 2000

By 

"justicewriter" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Show of Evil (Mass Market Paperback)

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."

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great sequel to Primal Fear, September 11, 2003

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Show of Evil (Mass Market Paperback)

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!!!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing and Unnecessary Follow-Up to Primal Fear, August 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Show of Evil (Mass Market Paperback)

Primal Fear is one of my favorite books whose success should have warned me about the inevitable sequel. As with most follow-ups, Show of Evil, although a decent read in its own right, pales in comparison to its predecessor.

It is not as suspenseful or mind-boggling as the first - how could it be, since Aaron Stampler's true nature is known from the beginning. His plan becomes obvious in the prelude. Also, the romance between Martin Vail and Jane Venable seems too unlikely considering the events that took place ten years ago.

The book's most glaring flaw is its length. Diehl devotes far too much time to the Darby and Stoddard sublots. These filler sections concern minor characters in the novel and add nothing to the main plot - Aaron Stampler and his unknown accomplice. Show of Fear would have been much more effective as a novella.

Aaron Stampler remains a fascinating character, but any sequel deadens the impact of the closing line in Primal Fear. Aaron's last words are most powerful when the implications are left to the imagination.