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Em Hansen Mystery #7
Fault Line
With the Winter Olympics approaching, Salt Lake City is trembling with excitement-literally. A real life earthquake has torn fissures into the city's preparations, and now forensic geologist Em Hansen has a rare opportunity to get some field work in before her home is overrun by tourists and athletes.
But murder can spoil anybody's plans, and when the body of the state geologist turns up in the wake of the 'quake, the FBI enlists Em's unique expertise to sort through the rubble. When the case takes her into the byzantine bureaucracy of the city's building codes, Em runs headfirst into an assortment of intimidating suspects and corrupt government officials-and an uncomfortable clue that points to her own boyfriend, Ray. On shaky ground as her personal and professional lives collide, Em must use fascinating geological science to capture a murderer before her whole life come crumbling to the ground.
But murder can spoil anybody's plans, and when the body of the state geologist turns up in the wake of the 'quake, the FBI enlists Em's unique expertise to sort through the rubble. When the case takes her into the byzantine bureaucracy of the city's building codes, Em runs headfirst into an assortment of intimidating suspects and corrupt government officials-and an uncomfortable clue that points to her own boyfriend, Ray. On shaky ground as her personal and professional lives collide, Em must use fascinating geological science to capture a murderer before her whole life come crumbling to the ground.
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
1 person is currently reading
170 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Andrews
46 books81 followersSarah Andrews is a geologist who writes mystery novels about a geologist.
She currently lives in northern California and invests her free time on community pursuits and flying, skiing, and sailing with her husband and son.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
She currently lives in northern California and invests her free time on community pursuits and flying, skiing, and sailing with her husband and son.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 25, 2019
Em Hansen #7. Em is living n Salt Lake City, seeing if life with BF Ray will work out even though he is a devout Mormon and she doesn't want to convert. It's 2002 and Salt Lake City is preparing for the winter Olympics, when it's hit with an earthquake. Shortly thereafter, the head of the state Geological Survey is found dead. She had just held a press conference and seemed to be on the verge of revealing problems with the new stadium that would be a main feature of the Olympics.
Em's friend, FBI agent Tom, asks her to help investigate on the sly. She meets some area geologists, and the local science reporter. Meanwhile, a building inspector discovers cracks in the joints of the stadium. The science reporter investigates and ends up dead, too.
It turns out there is corruption involved in the Olympic building process and Ray's family is involved. As it is, his sister Katie seems intent on driving a wedge between Ray and Em. Her husband Enos is involved in the stadium project and possibly in the murders. Tom and Em cook up a scheme to get the killer(s) to out themselves in the end. Em realizes she and Ray aren't meant to be and finally moves on from him.
Having been to Salt Lake City and knowing some Mormons in the building trade, the story rang true - other than the extremely unlikely murders.
Em's friend, FBI agent Tom, asks her to help investigate on the sly. She meets some area geologists, and the local science reporter. Meanwhile, a building inspector discovers cracks in the joints of the stadium. The science reporter investigates and ends up dead, too.
It turns out there is corruption involved in the Olympic building process and Ray's family is involved. As it is, his sister Katie seems intent on driving a wedge between Ray and Em. Her husband Enos is involved in the stadium project and possibly in the murders. Tom and Em cook up a scheme to get the killer(s) to out themselves in the end. Em realizes she and Ray aren't meant to be and finally moves on from him.
Having been to Salt Lake City and knowing some Mormons in the building trade, the story rang true - other than the extremely unlikely murders.
March 3, 2018
"With the Winter Olympics approaching, Salt Lake City is trembling with excitement-literally. A real life earthquake has torn fissures into the city's preparations, and now forensic geologist Em Hansen has a rare opportunity to get some field work in before her home is overrun by tourists and athletes.
But murder can spoil anybody's plans, and when the body of the state geologist turns up in the wake of the 'quake, the FBI enlists Em's unique expertise to sort through the rubble. When the case takes her into the byzantine bureaucracy of the city's building codes, Em runs headfirst into an assortment of intimidating suspects and corrupt government officials-and an uncomfortable clue that points to her own boyfriend, Ray. On shaky ground as her personal and professional lives collide, Em must use fascinating geological science to capture a murderer before her whole life come crumbling to the ground."
Again, lots of geological information -- this time it's earthquakes, and our heroine treats us to several detailed 'lessons' on how they work and what causes them, etc. Romantic beginnings and endings, which is one component of why I keep reading this series addictively. Nice plot, and of course a surprise ending.
But murder can spoil anybody's plans, and when the body of the state geologist turns up in the wake of the 'quake, the FBI enlists Em's unique expertise to sort through the rubble. When the case takes her into the byzantine bureaucracy of the city's building codes, Em runs headfirst into an assortment of intimidating suspects and corrupt government officials-and an uncomfortable clue that points to her own boyfriend, Ray. On shaky ground as her personal and professional lives collide, Em must use fascinating geological science to capture a murderer before her whole life come crumbling to the ground."
Again, lots of geological information -- this time it's earthquakes, and our heroine treats us to several detailed 'lessons' on how they work and what causes them, etc. Romantic beginnings and endings, which is one component of why I keep reading this series addictively. Nice plot, and of course a surprise ending.
August 18, 2019
I decided to read this after the author was tragically killed in a private plane crash. I had previously read the first book in the series, and not entirely liked it, but I saw that this one had received much better marks and decided to try it out. It is indeed much better, although I should probably have rewound at least 2 books back to #5 to truly get all the interpersonal relationships that are roiling around this book.
The mystery was pretty interesting, though there were some points that still puzzled me in the end. The geology-speak was getting a wee bit much so it was good that the author restrained herself where she did. The interpersonal/romance stuff was...decent, it certainly added colour to the book. There was a touch of melodrama that didn't 100% appeal to me.
I guess my overall feeling is that this wasn't an overwhelming yes-I-must-read-all-the-others, but it certainly was a good book. So tragic to read in the acknowledgments thanks to her husband and son, who were also killed in the plane crash. RIP.
The mystery was pretty interesting, though there were some points that still puzzled me in the end. The geology-speak was getting a wee bit much so it was good that the author restrained herself where she did. The interpersonal/romance stuff was...decent, it certainly added colour to the book. There was a touch of melodrama that didn't 100% appeal to me.
I guess my overall feeling is that this wasn't an overwhelming yes-I-must-read-all-the-others, but it certainly was a good book. So tragic to read in the acknowledgments thanks to her husband and son, who were also killed in the plane crash. RIP.
July 18, 2023
I read this for a geographical challenge (Utah). It worked fairly well, with discussions of the local culture, politics, and the (literal) landscape. The 3 stars are for that, as the mystery part of this mystery was “eh.” However I quite liked the first person accounts of earthquakes at the head of each chapter, pulled from a wide range of historical sources, and the geology and safety discussions.
Em has made major life changes for her relationship, but things aren’t working. Her approach to dealing with this annoyed me for a lot of the book, but things improved significantly near the end.
Content note: exceedingly heteronormative, with possibly excessive angst on Em’s part about the state of her life. (Though I can relate to trying on a new life and realizing that it isn’t fitting.) Some discussion about parenting and abortion.
Em has made major life changes for her relationship, but things aren’t working. Her approach to dealing with this annoyed me for a lot of the book, but things improved significantly near the end.
Content note: exceedingly heteronormative, with possibly excessive angst on Em’s part about the state of her life. (Though I can relate to trying on a new life and realizing that it isn’t fitting.) Some discussion about parenting and abortion.
March 31, 2018
I finished this, but I could never really get into it. It was the first book in the series I had read, maybe you have to read them in order? The only character that I liked in the entire book was Jack the FBI agent. The protagonist came across as not very bright, and the whole thing was kind of boring.
October 3, 2024
Em Hansen on the case. I love the combination of ‘whodunnit’ with a big chunk of geology. Each of these books teaches me about a new subject, in this case, the perils and permutations of the Wasatch Fault in Salt Lake City. And the inimitable Em Hansen brings us along on her adventure.
August 13, 2019
Ummm. I finished it.
August 29, 2022
Includes background on how geologist study earthquakes.
June 3, 2023
I’ve read some of the others in the series. Different angle on a mystery but also silly fun. And as a person who lived in the Beehive State I appreciated the details about the people and the place.
January 29, 2014
Ah, so much better than the previous book in the series! Thank goodness!
While somewhat political in nature, this story was not bogged down preachiness or educating science. That isn't to say there wasn't a great geological message to the story or that I didn't learn things about geology that I didn't know before reading the book, but this time it supported the story rather than overshadowing it. In reading these series I find it is fairly common to find a title every now and again that isn't quite up to par with the others and I'm glad to discover that was the case and that Andrews returned to form with this title.
While somewhat political in nature, this story was not bogged down preachiness or educating science. That isn't to say there wasn't a great geological message to the story or that I didn't learn things about geology that I didn't know before reading the book, but this time it supported the story rather than overshadowing it. In reading these series I find it is fairly common to find a title every now and again that isn't quite up to par with the others and I'm glad to discover that was the case and that Andrews returned to form with this title.
November 26, 2014
I'm reading these SO COMPLETELY out of order! Ah well.
This was a good one. There's something about earthquakes and the terror they cause that I can really understand (living in Northern CA and growing up near the geysers and all). I like the switch in writing (alternating characters in chapters), and I think my favorite parts were the earthquake quotes at the beginning of chapters. It's natural to feel completely helpless when the ground you stand upon betrays you.
A good, solid murder mystery. Nothing too special, but nothing awful or embarrassing. An easy, enjoyable read!
This was a good one. There's something about earthquakes and the terror they cause that I can really understand (living in Northern CA and growing up near the geysers and all). I like the switch in writing (alternating characters in chapters), and I think my favorite parts were the earthquake quotes at the beginning of chapters. It's natural to feel completely helpless when the ground you stand upon betrays you.
A good, solid murder mystery. Nothing too special, but nothing awful or embarrassing. An easy, enjoyable read!
December 2, 2009
This one was definitely better than the last one, that's for sure. She manages to cram some geology, but it's much less educational-film-strippy. The protagonist hit a bit close to home, with her unemployment, no career path, and age, but, well.
Plus it finally explained some important developments that I knew about but missed, accidentally having skipped three books. Overall, it was good enough that I requested the next one from the library, whee.
Plus it finally explained some important developments that I knew about but missed, accidentally having skipped three books. Overall, it was good enough that I requested the next one from the library, whee.
January 11, 2010
If you like geology, you'll like the Em Hansen books. They are all good and most are situated in the western states. Good clean reads w/ enough plot to interest the reader and her people are well rounded. Little violence, profanity and sexual situations.
January 11, 2015
Definitely an enjoyable read, especially for rock-hounds. Picked this up because of a recommendation by Lee Allison, the former state geologist of Utah and current state geologist of Arizona. Thanks, Lee!
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June 14, 20097th in the series
July 19, 2012
Good good book!!!
(read a few books in the last week..but was without computer to update)
August 28, 2012
Good story, Ray's family is pretty crazy, I saw the Jack thing coming right away.
November 5, 2012
Good story and characters, with a lot of interesting information on earthquakes included.
June 5, 2013
I'm hooked on this series about a forensic geologist. There's a great mix of suspense, science/geology, and romance. I've read almost all the books in the series. Easy/escape reading.
April 13, 2014
Love geology, love Em Hanson.
March 15, 2015
Interesting plot and good characters. Sometimes a little wordy on the geology information but otherwise a good read.
December 1, 2012
"Cute mysteries" according to my Book Log from 2002.
June 28, 2016
Very good
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews