Book Review: Faces of Fear

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Faces of Fear     Amazon US TPB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada TPB Amazon Canada HC
Christine Spindler
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Psychological Suspense   Thriller
Series: Inspector Terry # 3
Avid, Jun 2001, $22.95, 228 pp.

London psychiatrist Dr. Joy Canova specializes in phobias. She chose that avenue of practice because she has some personal severe phobias such as hydrophobia and nymphomnania. Add migraines to her ailments and that means Canova has no joy in her non-existent social life.

Joy's life goes into deeper upheaval when a patient shows her a letter threatening to use her fears to kill her. Joy recognizes the handwriting as that of her own father. When the client dies under a bridge (her phobia being bridges), Joy fails to give the letter to the police. Another letter surfaces followed by another death, but Joy still isn't totally honest with the police. She fears for her father and for her career if a sociopath is actually stalking her. Other incidents follow leaving the police to wonder what the Canovas are hiding behind the public masks they wear.

This is a very haunting British police procedural because even the killers are victims. FACES OF FEAR is a well written psychological drama driven by strong characterizations. There are many subplots, but all seem necessary and seamlessly tie back to the main story line. Christine Spindler shows her remarkable story telling abilities as she spins a web that catches the audience from the start of this strong novel.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner