From the bestselling author of The Bone Collector and Devil’s Teardrop comes this spine-chilling new thriller that pits renowned criminalist Lincoln Rhyme against the ultimate opponent—Amelia Sachs, his own brilliant protege.
A quadriplegic since a beam crushed his spinal cord years ago, Rhyme is desperate to improve his condition and goes to the University of North Carolina Medical Center for high-risk experimental surgery. In a twenty-four hour period, the sleepy Southern outpost of Tanner’s Corner has seen a local teen murdered and two young women abducted. And Ryhme and Sachs are the best chance to find the girls alive.
The prime suspect is a teenaged truant known as the Insect Boy, so nicknamed for his disturbing obsession with bugs. Rhyme agrees to find the boy while awaiting his operation. Rhyme’s unsurpassed analytical skills and stellar forensic experience, combined with Sachs’ exceptional detective legwork, soon snare the perp.
But Sachs disagrees with Rhyme’s crime analysis and so ensues a battle of wits and forensics between Rhyme and Sachs, his best friend and soul mate.
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"This was my third Jeffery Deaver book featuring Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs. I actually started out with some later books and then went back to the beginning. My favorite was The Coffin Dancer. This book (The Empty Chair) was good, but it didn't have the big slap-you-in-the-face ending I was expecting. Was a little slow in places and Lincoln Rhyme's abilities didn't seem to be as developed in this book. That being said, I'm ready for the next one!"
— Patricia (4 out of 5 stars)
“[A] pulse-racing chase.”
— New York Times Book Review“[The] thrills...come thick and fast...jaw-dropping climactic twists.”
— People“Rhyme’s specialty combines the minute scientific analysis of physical evidence gathered from crime scenes and his arcane knowledge of, it would seem, every organic and inorganic substance on earth. Deaver combines engaging narration, believable characters, and his trademark ability to repeatedly pull the rug out from under the reader’s feet. Lincoln Rhyme’s back all right, and the smart money’s betting that his run has just begun.”
— Amazon.com editorial review“For thrills and surprises, Deaver is still aces.”
— Publishers Weekly“This new Lincoln Rhyme mystery is as intricate, well written, and enormously satisfying as its predecessors...Deaver is the master of the plot twist, and readers will only drive themselves crazy trying to outguess him. Better just to enjoy the ride. A magnificent thriller.”
— Booklist“Lincoln Rhyme is back in Deaver’s outstanding new thriller...Terrific.”
— Library Journal“The author combines wonderful examples of the powers of forensic detection along with plenty of bad guys and girls, plot twists, murder, mayhem, and environmental crime...The surprise ending will leave readers impatient to read the next installment of Rhyme’s adventures.”
— School Library Journal" Great, as always. Many of these twists were more far fetched than usual, but still grossly entertaining. "
— Jeffrey, 2/11/2014" The first time I was exposed to this book it was a sample through my beloved eReader on my old PDA. I was quickly hooked and buying the full copy to read. It wasn't long until I was determined to have the actual book for my collection. It's a brilliant book that leaves you guessing to the last chapter. "
— Julia, 2/4/2014" You never know what's the truth with this story - is he right or is she right? Or is neither of them right? "
— Dev, 1/29/2014" This started a little slow and quickly picked up. It was nice to see Lincoln and Amelia out of NYC and in North Carolina, but there are some familiar characters that join the scene. Pretty good book with Deaver's twists and turns keeping you in suspense! "
— Jen, 1/29/2014" A Gripping psychological thriller with twists, turns & research on insects.. "
— Rupesh, 1/27/2014" Another great mystery with Lincoln Rhyme. This one of the stranger stories, with a twist ending. "
— Snohotom, 1/26/2014" Mr. Deaver always tries to put something at the end of the book that you don't see coming....anyway I didn't. The pace is fast and he keeps the technical jargon down to a minimum "
— Daniel, 1/25/2014" These books have been out for a while....but I just discovered them based on a recommendation by my sister in law. I love them....Jeffrey Deaver is a clever writer.....lots of twists and turns! "
— Joan, 1/23/2014" This started a little slow and quickly picked up. It was nice to see Lincoln and Amelia out of NYC and in North Carolina, but there are some familiar characters that join the scene. Pretty good book with Deaver's twists and turns keeping you in suspense! "
— Jen, 1/23/2014" Bone collector is still the best. Coffin Dancer is a close second. This book had turns and twists, but the action kind of got dull and the turns/twists were just one after the other near the very end. Didn't love it, but it was entertaining. Mr. Deaver is a spellbinding writer. "
— Adam, 1/21/2014" slow start but gripping finish. can never predict how his books will end. Jeffrey Deaver is always one step ahead of his readers. "
— Alyn, 1/21/2014" You know a book is riveting when you are reading #3 in the series, you have #4 waiting on you in the book bag, and you are STILL terrified that Deaver has killed off and/or jailed all the characters!!! "
— Kadesha, 1/19/2014" The book started off slow, and I learned more about insects that I really care to know, but by the end I couldn't put it down. "
— Jim, 1/18/2014" This is a large print copy. The more of Jeffery Deaver I read the more I like him. He holds my attention and writes a story that is informative but not to the point where you are bored. "
— BC, 1/17/2014" Lincoln Rhyme is the master detective. "
— Jackie, 1/16/2014" This book kept twisting and turning. Just when you thought that you had figured it out, it would go into a whole new direction. I found myself never wanting to put the book down! "
— Stephanie, 1/4/2014" Thought it was pretty darn extreme way to make your detective stand out but ended up being intrigued and read the whole series. One after another. And then what usually happens when I do this happened. Which is to day I am sick to the death of the series. Not sure why I do this. Put it down to complete lack of self control. Was not enthralled with the main relationship but the actual solving of the cases was nearly always well done. "
— Nevermore, 12/25/2013" This was a great read...twists and turns right to the end. "
— Cathy, 12/23/2013" It was nice, Deaver was flawless as usual.....There were enough twists in the novel to keep the reader interested. "
— Kaikobad, 12/22/2013" Decent detective novel, GREAT ending. "
— Libby, 12/16/2013" Mr. Deaver always tries to put something at the end of the book that you don't see coming....anyway I didn't. The pace is fast and he keeps the technical jargon down to a minimum "
— Daniel, 12/12/2013" This was a great read...twists and turns right to the end. "
— Cathy, 11/13/2013" First Deaver book I read and I was hooked! Had to get and read more of his. Still remember this book. I read it in mid 2000s. "
— Vivian, 11/3/2013" Kept me on the edge of my chair.........as always, Deaver is so enveloping......... "
— Judith, 10/6/2013" A captivating detective story with an unpredictable outcome "
— Oleksiy, 10/1/2013" A captivating detective story with an unpredictable outcome "
— Oleksiy, 10/1/2013" I have been trying to get through this book for over 2 weeks now, just not that interested in it. There are too many parts that I wanted to skip over. "
— Missy, 8/12/2013" Enjoyable yarn with plenty of twists and turns (some a little unbelievable). "
— Neil, 7/4/2013" Another really good Lincoln Rhyme book. A little long in the middle, but worth reading though to the end--surprises up to the last chapter. "
— Debbie, 7/1/2013" Took awhile before I found this book interesting, but once it did it was one twist after another. All the way to the last chapter! "
— Chrisse813, 6/20/2013" Deaver made dizzy turns and twists that I can't guess. "
— Belle, 5/27/2013" Excellent; Continuing character: Lincoln Rhyme; criminalist is brought in to solve small town murder/kidnappping by "Insect Boy", and turns up a conspiracy. "
— Joe, 5/13/2013" I have enjoyed reading a few of the other Deaver stories, but I found this one to be too farfetched and unbelievable for my taste in a good mystery. "
— Su, 4/12/2013" these books are brilliant, im hooked from the start "
— Shel, 3/27/2013" This was a fantastic book with a few twists :) "
— Jessica, 3/25/2013" Sometimes the twists and turns are just too farfetched to take. Likable characters as always. "
— Meredith, 1/8/2013" This book is a bit silly. The second half of the book revolves around the consequences of Amelia Sachs doing something completely ridiculous and unbelievable. Stereotypical supporting characters and an overly neat windup to all the mayhem. "
— Mariesa, 1/4/2013" Dall'autore de "Il Collezionista di Ossa" un altro bel libro carico di mistero e dalla trama mai scontata "
— Simona, 11/24/2012" As always, a good solid read. You know to expect twists and turns, but he still manages to surprise! "
— Tuesday's, 10/20/2012" I love great surprise endings to a good murder mystery... And Deaver delivers!!!! "
— Ron, 8/21/2012" First one I've read by Jeffery Deaver and I loved it. "
— Curlyhair, 7/13/2012" One of the most thrilling Deaver novels - the best of the Lincoln Rhyme series. "
— Shannon, 7/11/2012" I enjoyed the suspense and the twists and turns. Found one occurrence near the end just not believable (the O.R. scene - an alien in the mix), and a couple of other things that didn't ring true, but it is still worth reading. Wish I could write like this! "
— Kw, 5/11/2012" For those who enjoy James Patterson, this is a good book to read. Interesting plots and twists and turns. Unfortunately I have this image of Denzel Washington as Rhymes and Angelina Jolie as Sachs in The Bone Collector in my head as I was reading it! "
— Ai-lin, 4/7/2012" found this one a little more difficult to dig into then the first two lincoln rhyme novels but Deaver never lets me down with the surprise twist endings "
— Debra, 3/25/2012" I love this series. I like it when there are surprises at the end - concerning who the bad guys really are! "
— Allison, 2/15/2012" This was a wonderful book, very creepy with enough twists and turns to keep me guessing. Definitely worth reading. "
— P.A., 12/4/2011" It was too good. I finished too soon : > "
— Maya, 10/5/2011" I enjoyed it and have liked all the Lincoln Rhyme novels. "
— Mason, 9/27/2011" The book started off slow, and I learned more about insects that I really care to know, but by the end I couldn't put it down. "
— Jim, 5/4/2011" compared to Deaver's other books of the same series, I am not fond of this book. It drags too long, and there isnt any climax in the storyline. "
— Estellesim, 2/20/2011" Definitely one of my favorite authors and favorite series. I love the characters and the stories told in the Lincoln Rhyme's series. "
— Laurie, 2/18/2011" Sometimes the twists and turns are just too farfetched to take. Likable characters as always. "
— Meredith, 2/14/2011" This is my first reading of this series. It started slowly with too much detail, but the character is a forensics expert, so I suppose it is necessary. Once Deaver decided to start the action the story moved quickly. He is always a good read. "
— Pat, 1/30/2011" I really enjoyed this one. Lots of plot twists and surprised. The main villain has an infatuation with insects. "
— Tim, 1/17/2011" Deaver made dizzy turns and twists that I can't guess. <br/> <br/> "
— Belle, 12/20/2010" CSI fiction at its very best. <br/> <br/>This is the third in the Rhyme/Sachs novels, and they're starting to settle into a pattern that worries me a little bit as far as their freshness over the longer term. But this one delivers what fans of the first two will have come to expect. "
— Bart, 10/11/2010" I have enjoyed reading a few of the other Deaver stories, but I found this one to be too farfetched and unbelievable for my taste in a good mystery. "
— Su, 9/22/2010" It was nice, Deaver was flawless as usual.....There were enough twists in the novel to keep the reader interested. "
— Kaikobad, 9/13/2010Jeffery Deaver is the New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty novels, three collections of short stories, and a nonfiction law book. His books are sold in 150 countries and translated into twenty-five languages. His novels have won the Nero Wolfe Award, three Ellery Queen Readers’ Awards, a British Thumping Good Read Award, and the Ian Fleming Steel Dagger and Short Story Dagger awards from the British Crime Writers’ Association. A former journalist, folksinger, and attorney, he was born outside of Chicago and has a bachelor of journalism degree from the University of Missouri and a law degree from Fordham University.
Joe Mantegna is a versatile, seasoned actor on both stage and screen. He first garnered national prominence for his work with writer-director David Mamet, earning a Tony Award for Glengarry Glen Ross in 1983. His name has become synonymous with Robert B. Parker’s Spenser since he has narrated the entire series.