The Fault Tree

A reviewer

In Tucson, Arizona, Cadence Moran is a highly regarded auto mechanic in spite of her being blind. Her acute sense of hearing is so fine tuned she can hear car trouble. However although she has adapted physically, she has never forgiven herself for her part in the accident that cost her sight and killed her toddler niece. --- The blind mechanic never expected her uncanny skill with sound would involve her in a serial killer case, but it does as a speeding vehicle almost kills her. Apparently the driver was fleeing a crime scene after killing Cadence¿s elderly neighbor. Her sonar skill makes her a reliable witness to ending this horrific murder spree. --- THE FAULT TREE is for the most part an interesting police procedural starring a unique witness. Cadence is a terrific protagonist and the insertion of the tragic accident is done over the course of the story line as a series of timely look backs so it enhances the plot rather than decelerates it. The story line is excellent until the climax, which seems unlikely. Still fans will enjoy this fascinating Arizona cat and mouse thriller as Louise Ure provides a heroine who is the cheese as the cops chase after killer rodents. --- Harriet Klausner

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great Book!!

The plot and characters are wonderful. To place yourself in the role of Candance is a thrilling and chilling ride. You can't help but admire her. I feel this is a very well written book and I'm looking forward to reading more by Ure.

COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN !!

Read this book...just read it. I couldn't put it down what a great story...it had me guessing until the very end. Just started the author's first book, 'Forcing Amaryllis,' and I know I won't be disappointed.

Newest Louise Ure book is great!

This book has a great protagonist, and very unique, an auto-mechanic who is blind AND female! As tough as they come, Cadence Moran, is a heroine you won't forget easily. She helps solve the crime and puts herself in jeopardy and her friends too! The ¿bad guys¿ are reminiscent of Bonnie & Clyde. Naïve, stupid, and keep making matters worse and worse trying to get out of trouble. This is a sure winner and will keep you reading to the very exciting end. Her first novel, Forcing Amaryllis, was a winner and her second book is even better!

Shamus-Award Winner Does It Again

'A Fault Tree analysis is touted as one of the best methods of identifying and graphically displaying the many ways something can go wrong.'--NASA 'At the end, there was so much blame to spread around that we could have taken a few shovelfuls home and rolled around in it like pigs in stink. But that's not the way it goes with most of us. Most of us like to think that blame belongs on somebody else's doorstep. And I'm no different. ...You're always the hero of your own story. Even if that's not the way it happened at all.' And so Cadence 'what an appropriate name!' Moran begins to tell us how it all went down, how it all went bad, how it all went wrong. Her story grows like a tree, branching out with suspects in a robbery-gone-bad murder she witnessed, with her 'help' to the detectives who catch the case 'one scoffs and one wants to believe her', and with her own peril as the murderers try to eliminate the sole witness. Ure draws her characters vividly, fleshing them into three dimensions, giving them their quirks and idiosyncrasies. Her friend, Juanita, enjoys pointing out the ambiguity of signs, especially traffic signs 'is 'Double Fine Zone' a really nice area, or...?', and Detective Dupree has a habit of sketching people in his notebook as he interviews them. The action is believable and everything is more than adequately prepared for, the prose is lean and tight, saying so much more with less. THE FAULT TREE moves quickly, thrillingly: 101 chapters in 352 pages that will chill you, thrill you, scare you. The story will keep you turning those pages to the end, then make you sorry you read it so quickly. It will leave you drained. THE FAULT TREE is surely going to win awards for being the best of the best of the year. Do yourself a favor: don't wait for the paperback. Treat yourself.

The Fault Tree is particularly well-written

THE FAULT TREE is an especially good book. Louise Ure¿s use of language makes you stop and reread the last sentence or two. Often. She builds word structures which swirl about your mouth like chocolate¿-the flavours burst¿-the shock makes you feel as though you¿d been asleep. You eye the words with a new kind of respect. By the time you¿re well into the book, you¿re in love with the wordmaster. But it isn¿t just the clever words which get you there. THE FAULT TREE has a fine protagonist: acute, sympathetic and determined--and plenty of angst. Louise Ure¿s fine writing exposes the protagonist¿s history, along with current storylines, laying out the threads of each tale in long simple strands, then she weaves them into a tapestry rich with colourful motivation, patterns of behaviour, blame and resolution. THE FAULT TREE is not too cozy. A good tale is one which keeps you on the edge of your seat worrying about the safety of people you just met. You will worry about dangers to the protagonist and the people close by. THE FAULT TREE is not too dark. People do die senselessly 'after all it is crime fiction' but the story isn¿t gruesome. Most importantly, the reader doesn¿t feel ashamed to be human. THE FAULT TREE is just right. Theresa de Valence, Mystery Fiction Reviewer

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