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Speaking in Tongues    by Jeffery Deaver Amazon.com order for
Speaking in Tongues
by Jeffery Deaver
Order:  USA  Can
Simon & Schuster, 2000 (2000)
Hardcover, Audio, CD, e-Book

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* *   Reviewed by Hilary Williamson

This is the tale of Aaron Matthews, a silver tongued madman with a background in psychotherapy and an ability to perceive people's vulnerabilities. He's out for revenge against prosecutor Tate Collier, whose success has also built upon his rhetorical ability. Collier is divorced from his wife Bett and rarely sees their daughter Megan, whose anger is exploited by Matthews.

The weakness of the story is that everyone caves in to Matthews much too easily and, when he poses as an FBI agent, not even fellow law enforcement officials ask to see proof of identity. It strains credibility, but otherwise is an interesting and well presented plot constructed around the issue of special talents - the responsibility that comes with them, and what can happen when they are abused.

Of course there is a happy ending after the author's usual harrowing scenes. In an interesting twist, Matthews has provided to the survivors of his victims successful, though unintended, therapy. Though nowhere near the level of writing of the author's Bone Collector, Speaking in Tongues is still a gripping read.

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