Who is Charlie Stone?
Dr. Charlene "Charlie" Stone is the main character in Deadly Compulsion. She is a psychologist who works part-time for an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for substance abuse.
At first glance, she looks like Barbie-goes-to-the-office, but underneath is a keen intuitive mind and a deep compassion for people. In fact, she cares too much, and this is one of her debilitating flaws.
Backstory
Charlie decides to become an FBI trained community profiler after a teen named Jennifer is found raped and murdered on a hiking trail on MoneSano Mountain. Jennifer was in Charlie's prevention group at a local high school. After months passed with the killer still at large, she decided to help, took the training, and won the part-time position to consult with the Huntsville, Alabama police department. To her disappointment, her first case involves a murdered man, not Jennifer's case.
Charlie's Family
Charlie is twenty-eight and has an older brother who lives up north. Both parents are deceased, and both died of lung cancer from smoking. In effect, Charlie feels somewhat orphaned and adrift. Her inheritance allows her to live comfortably if she's careful and to work part-time.
Charlies Marriage
When the story begins, Charlie's recovering from a divorce that occurred almost a year earlier. To find out the interesting details that have eroded Charlie's trust, you'll have to read the book.
Charlie's Dog
Spanky is a six-month-old Beagle who adores Charlie and food. She has two speeds: Fast and stop. Sometimes she achieves the stop without mishap. She is Charlie's family and plays a more relevant role in the second book, Deadly Lesson.
