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    Fault Line
    Fault Line
    Fault Line
    Audiobook9 hours

    Fault Line

    Written by Barry Eisler

    Narrated by Barry Eisler

    3.5/5

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    About this audiobook

    In Silicon Valley, the eccentric inventor of a new encryption application is murdered in an apparent drug deal.

    In Istanbul, a cynical undercover operator receives a frantic call from his estranged brother, a patent lawyer who believes he is the next victim.

    And on the sun-drenched slopes of Sand Hill Road, Silicon Valley's nerve center of money and technology, old family hurts sting anew as two brothers who share nothing but blood and bitterness wage a desperate battle against a faceless enemy.

    Alex Treven has sacrificed everything to achieve his sole ambition: making partner in his high-tech law firm. But then the inventor of a technology Alex is banking on is murdered…and the patent examiner who reviewed it dies…and Alex himself narrowly escapes an attack in his own home. Off balance, out of ideas, and running out of time, he knows the one person who can help him is the last person he'd ever ask: his brother.

    Ben Treven is a Military Liaison Element, an elite undercover soldier paid to "find, fix, and finish" high-value targets in America's Global War on Terror. Disenchanted with what he sees as America's culture of denial and decadence, Ben lives his detached life in the shadows because the black ops world is all he really knows—and because other than Alex, who he hasn't spoken to since their mother died, his family is long gone.

    But blood is thicker than water, and when he receives Alex's frantic call, Ben hurries to San Francisco to help him. Only then does Alex reveal that there's another player who knows of the technology: Sarah Hosseini, a young Iranian American lawyer who Alex has long secretly desired…and who Ben immediately distrusts. As these three radically different people struggle to identify the forces attempting to silence them, Ben and Alex are forced to examine the events that drove them apart—even as Sarah's presence, and her own secret wants, deepens the fault line between them.

    Fault Line centers on a conspiracy that has spun out of the shadows and into the streets of America, a conspiracy that can be stopped only by three people—three people with different worldviews, different grievances, different motives. To survive the forces arrayed against them, they'll first have to survive each other.

    "The first blogosphere thriller…Eisler's novel, which turns entirely on a super-secret assassinations program, is looking less like fiction and more like the work of someone who has a firm grip on what's really happening." —Scott Horton, Harper's Magazine

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBrilliance Audio
    Release dateFeb 11, 2014
    ISBN9781480553132
    Author

    Barry Eisler

    Barry Eisler spent three years in a covert position with the CIA’s Directorate of Operations, then worked as a technology lawyer and startup executive in Silicon Valley and Japan, earning his black belt at the Kodokan Judo Institute along the way. Eisler’s bestselling thrillers have won the Barry Award and the Gumshoe Award for Best Thriller, have been included in numerous “Best of” lists, have been translated into nearly twenty languages, and include the #1 bestseller Livia Lone. Eisler lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and, when he’s not writing novels, blogs about torture, civil liberties, and the rule of law. Learn more at www.barryeisler.com.

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    Reviews for Fault Line

    3.5/5

    327 ratings78 reviews

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    • 4/5
      Fault Line is probably just an average thriller, but given that I live in Palo Alto, California - which serves as the geographical center of the novel - I found it more intriguing as I could easily identify with the many landmarks sprinkled throughout this story of a new technology that was potentially so powerful that our own government will do anything to keep it secret and exclusive.
    • 5/5
      Awesome!! Loved getting the background of Ben from the John Rain series.
    • 4/5
      Fault Line is an interesting and fast-paced story. The battle is not so much the race to find out who is targeting Alex as the body count surrounding a new software program piles up, but the long-simmering contest between Alex and his brother, Ben. Barry Eisler hints at a sequel that delves into Sarah's life; I would like to read it if he does.
    • 3/5
      I enjoyed this book and plan to try more of Eisler’s works. The story was intriguing and moved quickly most of the time. I found myself impatient with the specific placement of Sarah’s “character development” passage, but overall it was a good fast read.The author’s awareness of the locations and environment was evident, and that made the book ‘believable’, but sometimes the dialogue didn’t seem to pass muster. The initial dialogue between Ben and Sarah seemed too contrived. The best part of the character development, and subplot, was the author’s use of the two brother’s different perspectives on their family tragedy and how those perspectives created an estrangement between them.Hort’s walking away from the three characters at the end and leaving them unharmed was probably the weakest part. This part of the story was too quick, totally unbelievable, and undeveloped. This book would be better if it had a more creative and believable ending.
    • 3/5
      I got this book and knew nothing of the author or what to expect. The book is very fast paced, which I thought might not work. However, I loved the character development, I loved how the three main characters interacted with each other. I also liked the authors style of writing. After I got itno the story I found it hard to put down. The book has it all espionage, assassians, secret government agencies, etc. All in all I tought that this was a great book, and I would definately read book from this authors other series.
    • 3/5
      The characters are fantastic and feel very real, until the last chapter where in my opinion author Barry Eisler drops the ball with Sarah's character. So close!! Instead of capitalizing on the opportunity for her to demonstrate some growth and strength, he finishes the book with a rather cheesey, indulgent chapter in which she regresses into a weak, indecisive, even pathetic version of herself. I don't buy this at all after what has happened between herself and Ben up to that point. (I won't say more for those who haven't read it) So frustrating, but oh well no one is perfect! I've read over a dozen of Eisler's books and given them all 5 star reviews until this one. And I thought the rest of this book was fantastic. I don't know why people complain about the prevalance of technology in the plot. It's fascinating yet easy to understand - even now, over 10 years after it was published. Some people just want bad literature with nothing but action I guess, but Barry Eisler's books are always more than that. Not sure if I will read the sequel after the mixed feelings I have here, but let's be honest I will probably get over it eventually and read on.
    • 5/5
      I really enjoyed this book and thought that it was excellent until the last 50 pages. The contrasts and ironies between the three main characters Ben Treven, Alex Treven, and Sarah Hosseini really added to the book. You had the self-entitled lawyer brother (Alex) who blames his older brother Ben for their sister's death from when they were teenagers and never speaks to him. However, Alex stumbles onto a piece of software going through the patent office that the government is willing to kill for. His older brother Ben is an Army assassin and Alex calls for his help and protection. Sarah is an Iranian lawyer who Alex is in love with, but Ben treats her as a threat. Ben eventually starts to fall for Sarah, which is ironic because he was killing Iranian scientists in the beginning of the book, and ends up ruining their relationship and her relationship with Alex.The Treven family blame and hatred between the two brothers really plays a thick role in the background throughout the book and causes both brothers to do stupid things based on their past. This secondary storyline really added to the book and everyone can relate to the issues in some way that affect each of the characters.The only downside to the book for me was the ending. All three of the main characters are captured by Ben's commander (who plays a role in the attempt to find the important software and destroy it). Alex distributes the software on the internet just as they are about to get captured/killed and the commander calls off the mission because they failed. That was it?!? It felt like there needed to be more of a conclusion other than..."Well I guess we didn't get it done this time..mission over." The same group was killing people all over the place 5 pages before. I just didn't get it.Overall, a very good book and highly recommended.
    • 4/5
      An interesting techno-thriller that I highly recommend. For the highly tech-savvy, some parts of the book may seem like they are glossed over, but that is what makes it accessible to anyone. Overall, a good, recommended read.
    • 2/5
      An awful book, though the plot, at a high level, was pretty interesting. Mediocre writing, terrible dialogue, silly dynamics between brothers, and a ridiculous ending sink it, though. It's readable in an action-novel sense, but if you're looking for something well-written and intricately plotted, this isn't it.
    • 5/5
      Brothers Alex and Ben Treven are as different as two brothers can be. Alex is a brilliant, up and coming lawyer in a Silicon Valley law firm and Ben is a government assassin who hasn't had contact with Alex in over seven years. When an inventor Alex represents is murdered Alex begins to question if the murder has anything to do with the new encryption program his client was working on. Then within hours the patent clerk working on the invention coincidently dies of natural causes and Alex himself is attacked in his home. With no where else to turn he calls upon Ben for help in staying alive.

      This was my favorite Barry Eisler book. I especially liked the character interaction between the two brothers. They each felt the other was at fault for the rift in their family stemming from a tragedy when the boys were in high school. At different times in the book I'd find myself rooting for one brother or the other while hoping for reconciliation. The ending was realistic and not too over the top or too "happily ever after". I highly recommend this book for all suspense/thriller lovers.
    • 4/5
      There are some similarities between this book and Eisler's "Rain" series. Even cuter, Rain's assassination specialty gets a casual 'cameo' mention in it, lol, clearly establishing it as the same world as the Rain series. And hey, Ben just happens to be an assassin who works for the US government.I enjoyed the family history and dynamic Eisler uses here between the brothers. I think he made Alex too unsympathetic until nearly the very end. Hard to believe that having his own life threatened wouldn't force him to be more civil to and focused on whoever was saving him.The law office 'frame' around the story was nicely done as well.For all the positive play between the brothers, the added female interest, and gripping action scenes, somehow the plotting felt uneven. I wanted to give this book four stars but I think it only earned 3.5. Perhaps the main plot twist was too improbable? Can't say for sure.Eisler does his usual magnificent job of researching the setting. Felt like I was back in the SF bay area again. I've said it before but I need to say it again. Eisler breathes authenticity into his novels and I appreciate it.You say there is a sequel book to this one? See you later, I'm off to the book store! :-)
    • 4/5
      started out really well, middled quite well, fizzled out a little at the end as most mysteries do.great reader
    • 5/5
      Really enjoyed this fast paced story.
    • 4/5
      Great! And----the sequel is almost available. I didn't know there was one coming when I started this---good news! Now I'm curious about his series. It was a perfect fast paced listening experience.
    • 4/5
      Although "Fault Line" was the first Barry Eisler book I’ve read, you can be darn sure it won’t be the last. It had the intriguing, fast-paced plot you'd expect, but also added another element I always love: a dramatic personal story among the characters.The book starts as an inventor is murdered, just before he can patent his encryption program. His lawyer, Alex Trevyn, appears also to be on the short list for murder, along with his associate, Iranian-American Sarah Hosseini. Alex has no choice but to call his estranged brother Ben for help, and Ben, a secret American military assassin, comes home, albeit reluctantly, to help.During the whole cat-and-mouse game they play with their deadly pursuers, the brothers trade accusations and bitter recriminations, finally being forced to address the various family tragedies that had driven them apart years ago. Ben takes Alex and Sarah on the run while they try to discover what makes the encryption program so important. And both brothers face betrayals that finally force them either to work together or kill each other, with Sarah caught in the middle.The book makes you constantly eager to know what will happen next, as the three fugitives barely manage to stay a step ahead of the people who want to kill them. You really feel for Ben and Alex as you learn more of what happened to their family when the brothers were in high school. You keep hoping you’re not going to see the final destruction of what used to be a five-person family.You also really enjoy how Sarah stands up to Ben, frequently letting him have it in ways that he — the guy with the guns — probably hasn’t been stood up to in years. He regards her, as a person of Iranian background, as an automatic source of suspicion, but she forces him to re-examine his views of politics, the secret espionage world, and his own place in that world.Eisler keeps things moving, and each new revelation – both about the mysterious program and about the brothers’ past – unfolds naturally. These are characters you care about, living an intriguing story. I love how Eisler incorporates the internet world into the story, referring at one moment to political sites like MoveOn.org, or at another moment to open source software sites like SourceForge.net. This is the first thriller I’ve read where the internet connections are so matter-of-fact and everyday.The only thing that made me hesitate was the way the three main characters' fates wre resolved. I just can’t quite buy that they’d get the consideration they do, in the real world. However, given that Eisler himself has done covert work for the CIA, and also worked as a technology lawyer, maybe he knows something we don’t. Or maybe he just knew the reader would find this a more satisfying way to end to the story. Either way, he writes a very exciting, and at times quite moving story, and I recommend it very highly.Can’t wait to find my next Barry Eisler book!
    • 4/5
      Eisler is one of my favorite authors, and this book lived up to my expectations. I wasn't completely happy the use of computer/software issues as the foundation for the action. In another year or so, it will be out of date. Only out-of-date slang is faster at dating a book than out-of-date computer technology. So when I re-read this book in a couple of years, I'll probably just skip the first chapter and get right to the action.
    • 4/5
      Eisler has written another thriller that incorporates his knowledge of law and intrigue. Covert operations that are sanctioned by government operatives create havoc here and abroad. The story centers around a conflict that occurs when brothers areunknowingly are enmeshed in an alledged cyberterrorism threat. A good read.
    • 4/5
      Fault LineBy Barry EislerThis book was received from LibraryThing in their Early Reviewers program.As a lover of thrillers, I looked forward to my first Barry Eisler book. I was not disappointed. I plan on reading more of his writings.This story opens with a young lawyer, Alex Treven whose client is mysterious killed. The client’s invention of a new encryption technology seemed to be caught in limbo. Next to die is the patent examiner and then Alex is attacked in his own home.The only person Alex feels he can trust is his brother Ben, a military hit man. Ben travels from across the world to assist his last family member.The back story of the Treven family only adds to the fast paced adventure. Alex’s assistant Sally adds a special spark to the situation.If you want to read an intriguing thriller, this is for you. You will not want to put the book down.
    • 4/5
      This is a good read. The story keeps you in suspense for a long time. Development of characters was excellent and it was a great technique employed where the two brothers were living their stories separately and then team up to finish what was the main theme.
    • 4/5
      There was alot of technical info in this book but it was written so the average person could understand, The family drama that went on between the two brothers was believable and realistic, not allfamilies get along. The book was well paced and easy to follow all in all a enjoyable read.
    • 4/5
      I've been a big fan of the John Rain series, and found this one hard to get into, at first I thought we were following the doomed and it was too far a stretch from the Rain books. As I got a little farther, I discovered it was different but also had enough of what I liked about the Rain series and soon I was fascinated and enjoyed reading this very much. I don't like most spy books and I don't like senseless violence, so its really odd at first glance why I would like books about thinking professional killers. Its that quality of redemption at work. Also present in Greg Rucka's books.
    • 4/5
      Alex Treven has found a client that has created a blockbuster new encryption technology. He goes to his boss and makes the pitch to take on this client, even though he has no money, explaining that it will pay off in the long run. His boss gives him the green light and a warning that his reputation is on the line. How could Alex know that his client would be gunned down for what he had created?Once it becomes clear that someone is eliminating the people involved with this new encryption technology, Alex seeks help the only place he knows, his brother. Ben has been involved in undercover operations since leaving college early. Can he discover the nature of his brother's problems and save him from certain death?Fault Line is a very fast paced read that you will tear through in no time. One aspect of the book is clearly danger and evasion from the bad guys. But the other part explores the relationship between two brothers, a relationship that has been overburdened with grief from the loss of their teenage sister.The story is well thought out and flows smoothly. There is enough reality to serve as a base for the incredible intrigue surrounding the main characters. I loved the interaction between the brothers and the revealing moments from their past. This added to an already exciting thriller and made it a step above in my eyes.Fault Line was published in March of 2009 by Random House.
    • 5/5
      My Rating: A-My Review:This is a wonderful book for a person who normally reads mainstream fiction and wants to break into thrillers. I found that the back story was just as wonderful and thought out as the main plot. I enjoyed how well rounded these characters were and how they worked together, or didn't.The reason I think it's so perfect for someone looking to ease into this genre is because the back story was very elaborate and surrounded Ben and Alex's family history. This worked into the way that the reacted to the events that were unfolding around them wonderfully.The 'thriller' part of this book was also very exciting and easy to get into. I was a bit wary by the fact that it's a technological thriller and I don't know quite enough about the subject matter, but the author explains everything like a 101 class but works it into the story in just the write way to keep you interested.The only issues I had with the book was the fact that I thought the ending was a bit flat. The climax was a bit short lived, but for the most part it made enough sense to keep me from being completely disappointed.I would recommend this book as an easy read and for anyone who doesn't usually read thrillers and is trying to start.
    • 3/5
      Alex Treven's client is dead and his own life is in danger. A software patent attorney, Alex calls upon his estranged brother Ben, in military special ops, for help. The brothers end up fighting not only for their lives but also for their sense of family. The brothers represent opposite viewpoints in a rather simplified hawk vs dove political conflict which, while not subtle, is a least somewhat thought-provoking. The technological aspects of the plot were plausible enough to carry the story without being overwhelming - a balance that seems difficult for many authors to achieve.While the quick action and lively plot make it likely I would pick up the next book in the series, more deeply developed characters would make it more likely I would actually search out the sequel.All in all, Fault Line is an entertaining suspense novel and made an enjoyable summer read.
    • 3/5
      Alex Treven, a fast rising attorney, makes connection with Richard Hilzoy who has an invention, The Obsedian Toolbar, which could be a revolutionary encryption device. Alex goes to his superior, David Osborne, and asks if the law firm will back the project.Just as Hilzoy is to sign contract papers, he's murdered, then the patent examiner dies suddenly and Alex is attacked at his home and the info on the project is missing from his office.He calls his brother, Ben, for help. Ben is a Jack Reacher, character, working for the military in terminating people who could be a problem to the United States.Ben returns and tells Alex and his assistant, Sara, that they may be in danger. He gets them to go into hiding and to create the info on the project from the papers that had been kept in a secret place.Ben then goes out to find who has been following his brother and who is behind the plot.The story starts off well but gets bogged down. There is a great deal of technical information about the invention and the characterizations were not well done.Alex comes across as an effite character, Sarah's character is never developed and Ben is just too convenient.Eisler's Jack Rain novels have been superior but this is not one of his better works.
    • 4/5
      Fast-paced, easy-to-read, and just a touch of familial drama made this a nice read, and not a bad introduction for me into the writing style of Barry Eisler. The interaction between big-brother Ben and baby-brother Alex is probably what made this work stand out for me in a land and personal library filled with thrillers. This novel broaches the idea that 'fault' in something hard to determine. Everyone needs someone to blame, but is that really who they should be blaming? It's a theme that plays out between the brothers and within the overall plot. If you like the genre, it's worth picking up.
    • 4/5
      This was first book by Eisler, but it won't be my last. A very good, character and plot-driven thriller. After reading this book I did some more research on Barry Eisler and discovered that he has several other books in print. I watched an interview with Bethane Patrick of The Book Studio. I really enjoyed listening to Eisler talk about the brothers and their relationship. And I was happy to hear that Eisler's next book will feature Ben.
    • 5/5
      The plot seemed like it had been done before in other books and movies. The relationship between the brothers needed to be dug in to some more. The actual writing of the book was good and took the plot beyond that of similer stories.
    • 2/5
      As you can see I gave 2 stars. Must have been busy. The story was catching and the characters were wee described. I did go and see if I could locate prior nlvels by Mr. Eisler so his novels ae well written.
    • 4/5
      I am a huge fan of thrillers and this book did not disappoint. Alex Treven is a lawyer who has been estranged from his brother for years due to a family tragedy. However, Alex finds himself in dire need of his brother's help to protect him because one of his client's dies a very suspicious death and Alex is next on the hit list. Ben, a special forces operative reluctantly agrees to help his brother. The friction between the brother's is ongoing and complicated by the fact that both are attracted to the same woman. This is the first book I read by this author and it was thoroughly enjoyed. There was lots of action, the characters were believable and realistic, and the story moved along fluidly. The writing style was great...not too wordy or technical, although there was a lot of techno jargon. This is a book I would recommend!