Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Reviews of Primal Fear (Martin Vail, Bk 1)

Primal Fear (Martin Vail, Bk 1)
Primal Fear - Martin Vail, Bk 1
Author: William Diehl
PBS Market Price: $8.09 or $4.19+1 credit
ISBN-13: 9780345388773
ISBN-10: 0345388771
Publication Date: 4/2/1994
Pages: 432
Rating:
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
 92

3.9 stars, based on 92 ratings
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

23 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

reviewed Primal Fear (Martin Vail, Bk 1) on + 30 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
One of the best murder mysteries in a long time. Execellent plot with a great twist.
reviewed Primal Fear (Martin Vail, Bk 1) on + 683 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
A first class psychological thrill- fast paced readablity-very cleverly plotted. The more we learn about Aaron Stample, the more the plot twisted until you don't what is real and Aaron wants to believed himself.
reviewed Primal Fear (Martin Vail, Bk 1) on + 2 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
this book was made into a movie starring Richard Gere.The book is so much more descriptive than the movie. YOU GOTTA READ IT!!!!!!!!!!
toni avatar reviewed Primal Fear (Martin Vail, Bk 1) on + 351 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Great courtroom thriller! A classic!
debs avatar reviewed Primal Fear (Martin Vail, Bk 1) on + 641 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Wow, what a bone-chilling story; couldn't put it down. The ending will freak you out! If you like this book, you'll love "Show of Evil", the sequel to this book.
reviewed Primal Fear (Martin Vail, Bk 1) on + 40 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Wow! WHAT AN ENDING!
reviewed Primal Fear (Martin Vail, Bk 1) on + 51 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is the very first Martin Vail mystery. It's a blockbuster--it would make one heck of a movie. Great characters, strong plotting, and some serious twisting of the tale! If you like this one, be prepared to seek out the follow-ups. 5 stars for sure.
marcijo28 avatar reviewed Primal Fear (Martin Vail, Bk 1) on + 282 more book reviews
A dark and twisting psychological drama. I could not put the book down. The battles in the courtroom were terrific. I read it in less than two days. I didn't see the ending coming and it left me stunned. Primal Fear has been around for a while, but it's a great read. Highly recommended.
Kit avatar reviewed Primal Fear (Martin Vail, Bk 1) on + 68 more book reviews
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, cluthing a butcher's knife, swearing he is innocent.

Martin Vail is the brilliant "bad-boy" 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 behind the archbishop's slaughter.

This book has so many twists and turns, you'll be thinking you're reading while being driven on a road course. It's a great read and one that keeps you riveted. Don't take your eyes off because the killer might just slip away. Excellent!
reviewed Primal Fear (Martin Vail, Bk 1) on + 33 more book reviews
Older story but excellent reading.
reviewed Primal Fear (Martin Vail, Bk 1) on + 6 more book reviews
A page turner
midnitebutterfly06 avatar reviewed Primal Fear (Martin Vail, Bk 1) on + 36 more book reviews
One of the most suspenseful and chilling novels I've ever read. And the movie with Richard Gere as Martin Vail and Edward Norton as Aaron Stampler was a first class psychological thriller. Their performances in the movie were superb. I had never read anything by William Diehl before, but I am anxious to read more of his books.
reviewed Primal Fear (Martin Vail, Bk 1) on + 118 more book reviews
much more intense than the movie that is based on it. a good read.
reviewed Primal Fear (Martin Vail, Bk 1) on
I really enjoyed the book. Was different than the movie. Excellent
reviewed Primal Fear (Martin Vail, Bk 1) on + 54 more book reviews
Better than the movie.
reviewed Primal Fear (Martin Vail, Bk 1) on + 9 more book reviews
Great book! Movie starring Richard Gere. set in Chicago, an archbishop is murdered and a young man is found covered in his blood, but professing his innocence.
reviewed Primal Fear (Martin Vail, Bk 1) on + 242 more book reviews
Psychologically suspenseful thriller. Fast-paced with surprise ending. Eerily predicts the more recent crimes committed by Catholic priests.
reviewed Primal Fear (Martin Vail, Bk 1) on
real good!
cozynblue avatar reviewed Primal Fear (Martin Vail, Bk 1) on + 36 more book reviews
"Now a major motion picture from Paramount Pictures starring Richard Gere. Shocking...As much psychological thriller as legal drama...Taut dialogue and unnerving suspense...Diehl delivers!"
romeo avatar reviewed Primal Fear (Martin Vail, Bk 1) on + 334 more book reviews
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 knife, swearing he is innocent.
reviewed Primal Fear (Martin Vail, Bk 1) on + 39 more book reviews
"In chicago, a sainted archbisoph is murdered, mutilated, and dismembered in his recotry. Aaron Stamper, an angelic-looking young man, is found crouched in a confessional, coverd with blood, clutching a butcher's knife, swearing he is innocent"
reviewed Primal Fear (Martin Vail, Bk 1) on + 26 more book reviews
They made a movie starring Richard Gere on this novel.

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 he is innocent. Martin Vail is the brilliant "bad boy" 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 behind the arhcbishop's slaughter...
reviewed Primal Fear (Martin Vail, Bk 1) on + 64 more book reviews
spellging book. very interesting