Page Updated: 24/05/99
Faye Sultan
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Help LineHelp Line
Over the LineOver the Line
About the Author
Bibliography


British Pbk Original - Fourth Estate (1999)
Help Line
and Teresa Kennedy
The second book in the psychological thriller series featuring Dr Portia McTeague, based on the real-life cases of one of America's most prominent forensic psychologists.
'I think there's some kind of link. Maybe the guy keeps looking for help. Maybe there's something wrong with him. Something nobody can fix.'
When a serial killer strikes the peaceful magnolia-lined neighbourhood of Charlotte, North Carolina, the media frenzy that follows causes panic amongst the populace. Confidence that the police will catch the murderer is waning daily, and the situation deteriorates rapidly when the Charlotte Star's chief reporter, John Campion, publicly challenges forensic psychologist and profiler Dr Portia McTeague to find the killer before he does.
Unknown to McTeague, though, Campion has the scoop on the latest victim, Tamara Meredith, psychic healer and cable TV show host - strangled, stabbed and mutilated in her own home.
McTeague's credibility is on the line and her leads are petering out. But then, at the help line where she does volunteer service, someone by the name of Ivan calls and suddenly she knows not just the name of the killer, but also his next victim: McTeague, Portia...
'Dr Portia McTeague is the latest embattled female professional to rival Patricia Cornwell's popular Dr Scarpetta. Yet McTeague is the first really intelligent and liberal heroine of these crime and courtroom dramas.' New Woman
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Paperback - Fourth Estate (1998)
Over the Line
and Teresa Kennedy
Introducing Dr Portia McTeague and based on real-life cases in the career of prominent American forensic psychologist Dr Faye Sultan.
When Jimmy, a not-too-bright but apparently harmless delivery boy, murders and eviscerates two elderly women in a sleepy South Carolina small town, the defence team calls in forensic psychologist Portia McTeague to evaluate his mental state. If she doesn't deem him insane - or can't convince the jury - he's certain to receive the death penalty.
Portia is burnt out - tired of being beaten up by prosecutors on the stand and tired of seeing her clients die despite her best efforts - but she agrees to see Jimmy. And is immediately both repelled and seduced by his craziness. The more Portia uncovers about Jimmy's past, the better she is able to understand his pain. Finally the last piece of the puzzle falls into place. There's no doubt that Jimmv is insane, and for that reason alone he doesn't deserve to die.
In this gripping psychological drama, packed with page-turning suspense, Faye Sultan vividly depicts the often baffling but always emotionally intense interaction between forensic psychologist and killer.
'... a brilliant debut.' New Woman
'A gripping thriller' The Times
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About The Author
Dr Faye Sultan, the Director of University Psychological Associates in Charlotte, North Carolina, is one of America's foremost forensic psychologists whose cases include that of Susan Smith, who drove her children into a lake. She is a passionate advocate for the abolition of the death penalty which is in force in North Carolina where she lives. She has consulted on some of the most high-profile murder cases in the United States.
Teresa Kennedy, who lives in New York, is a former book editor and a professional writer with more than thirty books to her credit.

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Bibliography
N.B. dates and publishers in dark red indicate British First Editions. Dates and publishers in black indicate recent reprints.

  • Help Line (Fourth Estate Pbk, 1999)
  • Over the Line (Fourth Estate, 1998) Piatkus Mar 98 Fourth Estate Pbk Jul 98

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