Anna Salter

As one could guess from the title of this book, this was one of the more harrowing, hard to read nonfiction books I've engaged with in a long time. Nevertheless, I pushed through it, finished it, and came away in a bit of a hard-to-shake off daze. There's very few books I will give the title of "important" or "must read," but this is certainly one of them. It's a very even handed and sensitive book despite the content of it. It's quite a scientific, data driven read, and features many first show more person accounts of things I would rather not recall. The author does not fearmonger or tries to lull you into a sense of false security concerning the world. She simply gives the reader the cold, typically uncomfortable facts concerning the why, the how, where, and potential safety measures involving mankind's universally loathed classes of criminals. Hard to stomach. Deeply unsetttling. Not a feel good read. But one that is enlightening with its darkness. show less

This is the first review? I LOVE Anna Salter. Her heroine, Michael Stone, a female forensic psychologist is a fascinating character. My favorite thing about her is that after a devastating personal event she saves her sanity by simplifying her life. She lives out in the woods, and never allows herself to own more than 250 things. I just love playing with that idea...what would be essential...what I could live without. Her storytelling is wonderful as well. Highly recommended.

Shocking. Disturbing. Everyone should read this well-researched book.

One warning from the author re. Chapter 9, "Sadists." She said: "...you can skip this chapter and the rest of the book will still make sense. To be honest, you'll like the world more if you don't read it." I skipped the chapter. But I did watch her interview one of the sadists in a video. That was enough.

A difficult but important read. Highly recommended.

Great debut novel for Anna Salter, although if reading about child molesters bothers you this would not be a book for you. Dr. Michael Stone (female) is a forensic psychologist who evaluates children who have claimed to have been molested prior to court cases. She also has a private practise where she counsels molested children. Sometimes like in the case of the Southworths divorce there isn't a really good parent to award custody too but she must make decisions. Dad was the molester but Mom show more is certifiably crazy. Dad is a prominent surgeon, guess who the court gives custody too? Then the children end up dead in Mom's house. This is the beginning of a nightmare of questions for Michael.

I'm looking forward to finding a copy of Fault Lines her next book with Dr. Stone. show less