Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “Fault Line (Ben Treven, #1)” as Want to Read:
Fault Line
(Ben Treven #1)
by
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 hu
...moreGet A Copy
Kindle Edition, New Edition, 306 pages
Published
March 10th 2009
by Barry Eisler
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Reader Q&A
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30

Start your review of Fault Line (Ben Treven, #1)

A pretty good thriller. I liked Ben, the hero, better than John Rain. Wonderful mystery & great ending, but pretty typical "shoot 'em up, bang, bang" as my boys used to call media of this type. Tough guy op, a gorgeous girl, & some real bad guys to whack. It's all that, but a bit more as well. Not everyone is as good or bad as they seem & there's a brother & old family history to contend with, too. Anyway, it was fun & relaxing. I think I'll read another. (Think potato chips.)
Eisler is an author ...more
Eisler is an author ...more

A very cool political thriller, set mostly in Silicon Valley, about the struggle to gain possession of a new high-tech encryption code. I had a great time cheering on Alex, Sarah, and Ben, the main characters, as they tried to evade a shadowy crew of villains from one end of the Bay Area to the other. The scenes in North Beach, San Francisco's Little Italy neighborhood, were especially vivid and enjoyable. I also appreciate the author's underlying message about the dangers of top-secret U.S. gov
...more

Oct 31, 2011
Mohammed
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
espionage-and-other-thrillers
A exciting action,spy thriller and more politically realistic novel than i expected.
I would have rated it 4 stars because i enjoyed it very much but the action scenes it could have been better ,like his John Rain series.
I would have rated it 4 stars because i enjoyed it very much but the action scenes it could have been better ,like his John Rain series.

I'm a big fan of Barry Eisler (both his books AND his narrations) but this really didn't do it for me. There was just...TOO.MUCH...

That's not why I read thrillers. I want action, excitement, kick-assery on an atomic level. Not family fights, recriminations or whining. All of the characters were so annoying that I wanted to repeatedly kick them in the soft parts.
Alex Treven is a lawyer in Silicon Valley. After one of his clients is murdered and he realizes he's next, he calls his big brother for ...more

That's not why I read thrillers. I want action, excitement, kick-assery on an atomic level. Not family fights, recriminations or whining. All of the characters were so annoying that I wanted to repeatedly kick them in the soft parts.
Alex Treven is a lawyer in Silicon Valley. After one of his clients is murdered and he realizes he's next, he calls his big brother for ...more

Apr 04, 2009
Jeffrey
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
suspence, thrill fans
Shelves:
read-in-2009,
thriller
A really superior thriller that grabs hold of you and takes you for a wild and satisfying ride. Unputdownable. Read it in a day.
Alex Trevian is a lawyer in California who has one client, who has invented a special technological project, but which also has a sub program inside it with a secret. Its a secret that some government and various nefarious people want to keep quiet permanently. The inventor is terminated with extreme prejudice is what looks like a drug killing. A patent officer employer ...more
Alex Trevian is a lawyer in California who has one client, who has invented a special technological project, but which also has a sub program inside it with a secret. Its a secret that some government and various nefarious people want to keep quiet permanently. The inventor is terminated with extreme prejudice is what looks like a drug killing. A patent officer employer ...more

What a good book! Very believable, which is sometimes a problem with this genre. Our "good" guy is a tough guy to beat all tough guys, but you find out he's not a machine after all. I'll be looking for more in this series!
...more

Not my favorite Barry Eisler Book. But still good. Good narration by Barry Eisler (audible review)
3.5 stars story. This wasn't my favorite book Barry Eisler book but it was still interesting. I like his story telling, it is easy to follow along and flows very well.
The story line and plot were okay. I wasn't a big fan of Ben or Alex at first, especially Ben. But then he kind of grew on me. I wasn't a fan of the "it was Ben's fault" him blaming himself was understandable but his brother blaming h ...more
3.5 stars story. This wasn't my favorite book Barry Eisler book but it was still interesting. I like his story telling, it is easy to follow along and flows very well.
The story line and plot were okay. I wasn't a big fan of Ben or Alex at first, especially Ben. But then he kind of grew on me. I wasn't a fan of the "it was Ben's fault" him blaming himself was understandable but his brother blaming h ...more

Overall, Fault Line was a well-written thriller. The characters had depth, but I didn't personally care for their personalities--they were all rather self-centered and self-righteous for most of the book.
The world was fully realized and made me feel like I was there and this could really happen. In my opinion, raising awareness about the potential dangers we face and questions about the morality of certain secret operations was one of the strengths of this book. It really made me think. However, ...more
The world was fully realized and made me feel like I was there and this could really happen. In my opinion, raising awareness about the potential dangers we face and questions about the morality of certain secret operations was one of the strengths of this book. It really made me think. However, ...more

I fortunate to pick up an ARC of Barry Eisler's new stand-a-lone novel Fault Line when I was at Bouchercon this year. You should know I adore John Rain, so I was a little miffed that Barry dared write about another character. I needed my Rain fix. So I'm biased.
His new character Alex Trevens, a patent lawyer at a prestigious law firm becomes involved in the murder of his client who wrote a new encryption program. As luck would have it Alex's big brother is a undercover operative who reluctantly ...more
His new character Alex Trevens, a patent lawyer at a prestigious law firm becomes involved in the murder of his client who wrote a new encryption program. As luck would have it Alex's big brother is a undercover operative who reluctantly ...more

I really enjoyed the first John Rain book I read. It was fun to see a nod to that character in this book. There's a lot to like--the spycraft, as before, is very polished and slick. However, I'm finding this book tedious.
The conflict between the two brothers is annoying. There is scene after scene of them rehashing the same emotional baggage, expressing the same internal thoughts, making the same judgements about each other. Alex was an idiot that didn't have the survival instinct God gave liza ...more
The conflict between the two brothers is annoying. There is scene after scene of them rehashing the same emotional baggage, expressing the same internal thoughts, making the same judgements about each other. Alex was an idiot that didn't have the survival instinct God gave liza ...more

Fault Line departs from the John Rain series that Barry is famous for but nerveless the story is wonderful. This is one which I finished off in only a few sittings within a day and a bit. Barry has created new fresh characters all with their merits and flaws as human beings they different beliefs and conflicts that help builds up a brilliant plot and creates tension between all characters in the story, This book is filled with Espionage, assassins, sex. It is all in here. I would highly recommen
...more

I enjoy the John Rain books, but this stand-alone (or perhaps the first in a new series?) didn't even remotely match up. It spend most of the book on the emotional disconnect between two brothers and the action was secondary. It also ended strangely, too easily wrapping up the plot. It was a bit like Eisler decided he was done with the book, so he finished it off as quickly as possible.
...more

I really liked this book. I decided to read it because I have been working on Barry Eisler's other thriller series with John Rain, and I understand that Ben will cross paths with John in the series I'm reading, so I figured it would help to start reading about Ben Treven. I'm glad I decided to do it because Fault Line was actually a really good story. It wasn't just a thriller but also a story about reconciling one's past and reconnecting with family. I felt that made a deeper character with Ben
...more

Richard Hilzoy and his attorney, Alex Trevan have arranged a meeting with Kleiner Perkins. A company who is considered to have the Midas touch. Richard is really excited to meet with the people of Kleiner as he has come up with a really great inventor. It is called the Obsidian, the world's most advanced encryption algorithm, that is it will be the world's most advanced as soon as he and Alex can seal the deal. Alex has been striving hard for the past few years to move up in the law firm he work
...more

Yesterday, I had the privilege of reading Fault Line by Barry Eisler. Apparently, Eisler is quite well-known for his previous books, but to be honest, when I got asked to review the book, I had never heard of him (such is the life of an English professor, I suppose — too many literary novels, not enough thrillers). And a thriller this is. Set in Northern California (particularly Silicon Valley and San Francisco), the story pursues the life of Alex, a lawyer who has come upon the “hottest” softwa
...more

4.5 stars
POV: 3rd Person: Alex Treven, Ben Treven, Sarah Hosseini
Mystery: Above Average
Sensuality: Warm
First in a new series about Ben Treven.
Alex Treven lives a simple life. He wakes in the same house he grew up in, works as an ambitious lawyer, goes back home to sleep in his childhood house, and does it all over the next day. When the case of a lifetime drops into his lap, he sees himself becoming partner in his law firm. When his client winds up murdered and Alex's life is threatened, he call ...more
POV: 3rd Person: Alex Treven, Ben Treven, Sarah Hosseini
Mystery: Above Average
Sensuality: Warm
First in a new series about Ben Treven.
Alex Treven lives a simple life. He wakes in the same house he grew up in, works as an ambitious lawyer, goes back home to sleep in his childhood house, and does it all over the next day. When the case of a lifetime drops into his lap, he sees himself becoming partner in his law firm. When his client winds up murdered and Alex's life is threatened, he call ...more

Brothers Alex and Ben Treven may have grown up in the same house, but they couldn't be any more different. Alex is a Silicon Valley lawyer who has found his fast-track at his firm when he allies himself with an eccentric programmer whose written a new encryption software. Ben in a special-forces operative, on assignment in the Middle East.
When the creator of the encryption software is killed and Alex narrowly avoids an attempt on his life, he's forced to reach out to his big brother for help. Be ...more
When the creator of the encryption software is killed and Alex narrowly avoids an attempt on his life, he's forced to reach out to his big brother for help. Be ...more

For some bizarre reason, this reminds me of what might happen if an action thriller author seized hold of a romantic suspense plot and had his way with it. Two handsome estranged brothers, one a smarty-pants do-good lawyer, the other the line-backer, Special Ops bad boy. Gorgeous 1st year lawyer gal is stuck in between, who works with the lawyer brother, but has a background the bad-boy mistrusts. Sparks fly as you would expect. Also, since this is an action thriller first and foremost, lots of
...more

Bear with me -- this is a review of Fault Line but I am reminded of Russell Blake who wrote this brilliant series about an assassin with great plots and equally great character development. I guess he found that too much work so he started a series about this super-sexy, kickass operative Jet. He quickly discovered he could churn out that crap, sell more copies and hence make more money. Well, now it looks like Barry Eisler is doing something similar. This book is okay and it's an easy read but
...more

All of Barry Eisler’s books leave me completely satisfied and ready for more. This book, like all the others, has all the elements I crave in a novel: action, intrigue, personal turmoil, resolution, etc. I feel like I understand Ben Treven a little better now. He was a character in one other Barry Eisler book I’ve read, and I wasn’t really sure about him and his motives. Now it all makes sense, and I absolutely LOVE that all of Eisler’s books are both stand-alone and connected to all the others.
...more

Ben is a hired assasin for the U.S Government. He recieves a desperate email from his brother (Alex) telling him he is in trouble and that he thinks that maybe someone is trying to kill him. Ben once again must come to Alex's rescue just like when they were kids.
A good book and I am glad to see Eisler go away from his John Rain character, but it was not as good as the John Rain novels. ...more
A good book and I am glad to see Eisler go away from his John Rain character, but it was not as good as the John Rain novels. ...more

I became a fan of Barry Eisler reading his novels about the assassin, John Rain. This new series, involving members of an "un-named government counterterrorist agency" is as good, or better, with all of Eisler's hallmark, meticulous attention to the details of trade craft, and believable close combat sequences. "Fault Line" is a great start to the series.
...more

now i am hooked. This was such a great, easy and creative book. i was hooked after the first page.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.

As always, good writing and more sophisticated politics than most thrillers. Being ignorant of the details of coding encryption software, I believed the Macguffin, and I suspect you'd have to be quite an expert before you felt like nitpicking about that.
...more

Good solid American thriller that lacks some of the cosmopolitan and cultural charm of Eisler's previous Japan-arena John Rain novels. But it's a good thriller, well-researched and covered with Eisler's usual boots on the ground experience.
...more

Sat down and couldn't put it down. Read it in one sitting.
...more
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
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 International Judo Center along the way. Eisler's bestselling thrillers have won the Barry Award and the Gumshoe Award for Best Thriller of the Year, have been included in numerous "
...more
Other books in the series
Ben Treven
(4 books)
Related Articles
We're four months into 2019 and we can now reveal the biggest mysteries and thrillers of the year...so far!
We've crunched our...
105 likes · 98 comments
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“Gerçek şuydu ki, kötü anılar asla silinmiyordu. Hayır, en fazla duraksıyorlardı; açılmayı bekleyen bir kutunun içinde bekler gibi duruyor, Bizi özledin mi? Merak etme, hala buradayız! Ve hiçbir yere gitmiyoruz! diyorlardı.”
—
1 likes
“+ Benimle ilgili hiçbir şey bilmiyorsun.
- Seninle ilgili birçok şey biliyorum. Benim işim insanlarla ilgili bir şeyler öğrenmek.
+ Öyle mi? Ne biliyorsun?
- Senin kadar güzel bir kadının bir ilişkisi olmadığında, bunun sebebinin kimseyle tanışmaması olmadığını biliyorum. Sebebi istememesidir.
Sarah, oturuşunu değiştirme arzusuna karşı gelerek, ''Ve neden istemiyor muşum?'' diye sordu.
''Birçok sebepten. Ofise bu sabah kaçta geldin? Yedide mi? Demek ki bir avukat olarak büyük bir sıçrama yapmak istiyorsun? Bir erkek arkadaş dikkat dağıtabilir. Ve ofisteki insanlar erkek arkadaşın olduğunu bilirlerse o kadar umutlu olmayabilirler. Ve umutlu olmadıkları zaman, onları bu kadar kolay manipüle edemezsin.”
—
1 likes
More quotes…
- Seninle ilgili birçok şey biliyorum. Benim işim insanlarla ilgili bir şeyler öğrenmek.
+ Öyle mi? Ne biliyorsun?
- Senin kadar güzel bir kadının bir ilişkisi olmadığında, bunun sebebinin kimseyle tanışmaması olmadığını biliyorum. Sebebi istememesidir.
Sarah, oturuşunu değiştirme arzusuna karşı gelerek, ''Ve neden istemiyor muşum?'' diye sordu.
''Birçok sebepten. Ofise bu sabah kaçta geldin? Yedide mi? Demek ki bir avukat olarak büyük bir sıçrama yapmak istiyorsun? Bir erkek arkadaş dikkat dağıtabilir. Ve ofisteki insanlar erkek arkadaşın olduğunu bilirlerse o kadar umutlu olmayabilirler. Ve umutlu olmadıkları zaman, onları bu kadar kolay manipüle edemezsin.”