Two-Faced Monster

Primal Fear (William Diehl)
Shared by Julia

The book was made into a movie starring Richard Gere and Edward Norton but I would recommend that you read the book instead of watching the movie.

The story is about the murder of a highly respected archbishop who was found mutilated. The accused - a young altarboy (Aaron Stampler), who was discovered at the scene with a butcher's knife in his hand and blood all over him. The book is a crime thriller, a psychological drama and a fine example of twist-in-the-tale.

Compared to the movie, the book provides more insight on Aaron, where you find out more about his childhood and what molded him. Aaron is a psychotic genius with an angelic appearance. With his tragic past, he could be seen as both the victim and the 'monster'.

Primal Fear is the first in a trilogy - with the 2nd book titled Show of Evil and the last Reign in Hell.

For more about the book, see Primal Fear
For more about the movie, see Primal Fear (1996) and Primal Fear: Edward Norton Information Page