Fault Line: A Novel
by Barry Eisler
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Book Summary Information
Author: Barry EislerEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2009-03-10
ISBN: 0345505085
Number of pages: 308
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Book Reviews of Fault Line: A Novel
Book Review: "Sometimes saving lives involves collateral damage."
Summary: 3 Stars
In Barry Eisler's "Fault Lines," Alex Treven is a Silicon Valley lawyer and computer scientist who hopes to make it big, thanks to Richard Hilzoy, the brilliant inventor of "Obsidian, the world's most advanced encryption algorithm" that was "destined to render all other network security software obsolete." Treven, who applied for a patent on Hilzoy's behalf, has arranged a meeting between Obsidian's creator and a major venture capital firm. If their plans proceed without a hitch, Hilzoy will become a very rich man and Alex will have the prestige and power that he has always craved. Unfortunately, disaster strikes, and Alex finds himself and his colleague, a beautiful and intelligent lawyer named Sarah Hosseini, on the run from unidentified assassins. In desperation, Alex turns to his estranged brother, Ben, a highly trained and deadly operative for the U. S. government, to rescue him and Sarah.
Eisler derives his knowledge of technology, the intelligence community, and martial arts from personal experience, since he has worked for the CIA, was a technology lawyer in California, and holds a black belt in judo. Eisler's background enables him to write authoritatively about computer software, intelligence gathering, and hand-to-hand combat. He effectively depicts the brothers' stormy relationship, which stems from a troubled childhood marred by a series of heartbreaking tragedies. A world of hurt separates Alex and Ben, and if it were not a matter of life and death, Alex would never have spoken to his brother again. Ben, who is an expert in surveillance techniques with a unique ability to assess and handle dangerous situations, does what he can to keep Alex and Sarah safe until he can neutralize the threat against them. Inevitably, the siblings revisit their painful past, trying to find some common ground that will enable them to forgive one another.
"Fault Lines" is an engrossing enough spy thriller that is occasionally marred by trite dialogue, clichéd situations, and hackneyed prose, such as, "The thudding in Ben's chest got stronger. Adrenaline surged through his system." In addition, there are several awkward paragraphs in which the author pontificates about the ways in which America's leaders have tarnished her image and inflamed her adversaries. Ben is reminiscent of Lee Child's Jack Reacher in his superhuman ability to identify and disarm almost any foe, whereas Alex relies on brains rather than brawn. There is a standard romantic subplot, the usual complex political machinations (whom can you trust?), and the final twist that is standard these days. Although the conclusion is not particularly surprising or electrifying, it does raise timely and controversial questions about the morality of conducting secret missions that target innocent people, supposedly for the greater good. What price must Americans pay to remain safe from our enemies? There is no easy answer. Eisler is content to raise the issue; it is for us to draw our own conclusions.
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