A Sherlock Holmes Quality
I'm currently reading a novel by Jeffery Deaver, The Burning Wire; the latest addition to the Lincoln Rhyme series. I thoroughly recommend this series for anyone who likes crime mysteries, and particulary if a Sherlock quality in the character's method and/or personality strikes a chord with you. He's a crime scene investigator, who became paralysed (quadriplegic), due to an accident at a crime scene in an underground subway. Most of his spinal chord was destroyed, leaving him with direct control of only his head, shoulders and left ring finger. Rhyme is a scientifically-minded genius, he possesses an insatiable thirst for mysteries to stimulate and test his mind. When focused on a crime and tracking down the perpetrator, he can appear disinterested and insensitive to anything (or anyone) besides the factual, hard evidence. Bouts where he succumbs to a hot-temper, tend to occur when frustrated by limitations in his condition, lack of evidence or not observing a clue that he feels is staring him in the face, or sheer boredom.
His long-suffering aide, Thom, is a lovely creation, dedicated, acute and patient, he is able to parry Rhyme's sarcasm and abrasive remarks. Their sparring is exquisite and gives a genuine dynamic.
Amelia Sach, is a brilliant female character with great depth. Originally reluctant to work with Rhyme, a mutual respect grows and she becomes his protege in crime-scene forensics. Their friendship is complementary and takes on a romantic dynamic later on.
The 'villains' personalities, motivations and methods are chilling and brilliantly written. The plot twists and crime intricacies keep the reader on their toes; the pace and style is engaging and creative. Never to the point of cheating the reader, which I think is important.
The Bone Collector is probably my favorite. The film, by the same title, starring Denzel Washington, who I thought did a fabulous job portraying Lincoln Rhyme, is worth seeing. I was disappointed Thom's character was replaced, but the new aide was acted creditably.
As with most series of books, some are better than others or are more to a person's taste. However, The Cold Moon and The Broken Window, I really enjoyed too. The Devil's Teardrop, although Rhyme only has a consultant cameo-role *, is a brilliant thriller in its own right.
The novels in the Lincoln Rhyme series:
The Bone Collector
The Coffin Dancer
The Empty Chair
The Stone Monkey
The Vanished Man
The Twelfth Card
The Cold Moon
The Broken Window
The Burning Wire
The Devil's Teardrop *
Collection of assorted short stories, including a Lincoln Rhyme story.
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