Book Review: The Fault Tree

Reviewed By: Pat Reid - RAM

The Fault Tree     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Louise Ure
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Woman Main Character   Thriller   Amateur Sleuth
St. Martin’s Press, 2007, 352 pps.

One of the most exciting and exasperating books I’ve read in a long time. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, I found out I was wrong. The Fault Tree is a book that you will want to read from cover to cover without stop but if that is not possible you will find yourself hurrying to get back to it.

Cadence Moran is blind. She was blinded in a tragic car accident but that didn’t stop her from continuing on with a fulfilling life. Cadence is an auto mechanic. It doesn’t seem possible that a blind person could be an auto mechanic but Cadence can find problems others can’t. Since she was blinded she has learned to use her other senses to an ability few sighted people can manage.

Walking home from work one night Cadence hears a scream. She didn’t know it but it was the scream of a woman was being murdered. She did hear the vehicle pull away from the house and she was spotted by the murderers. The murderers did manage to run her down and hurt her but didn’t kill her. The fact that Cadence is blind is a fact not known to the killers so they feel she can identify them and Cadence is a target.

Cadence lends her assistance to the police. One of the police officers really listens and the other one in charge pretty much ignores what Cadence has to say.

I thought Forcing Amaryllis was a great book but I have to say I think The Fault Tree tops it. It is hard to understand how the author can write so well about a person who has lost their sight. Louise Ure really makes you feel what it must be like to be blind and terrorized.

Pat Reid - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Pat Reid - RAM