Book #26 for 2023: The Bone Collector by Jeffery Deaver
The Bone Collector by Jeffery Deaver
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I'd previously read the second book in the series, "The Coffin Dancer", and was keen to read this one since it seems to be quite a well-known title.
So, this book introduces the paraplegic detective, Lincoln Rhyme, and his first case - the Bone Collector - is as grisly as the character's nickname suggests. The killer's MO is particularly sadistic, and involves kidnapping victims and finding inventive ways to kill them, all so he can ... collect bones.
A lot of this book felt heavy on psychological analysis, and police and forensics procedures, so at times it felt a little inaccessible. I did start to get into it more as I read it, and I enjoyed reading Lincon's notes about what he has deduced about the killer's background, which he adds to throughout the book, which are written in table form. I checked The Coffin Dancer, and confirmed that Jeffery Deaver appeared to drop that after this book.
As well as the main story, there was a lot to take in about Lincoln's personal life; for example, the book turned him and Amelia Sachs into a romantic pairing quickly. The narrative also took a very dark turn about three quarters of the way in when Rhyme made a particularly drastic personal decision.
I'm not sure if I'd try to get through all of the Lincoln Rhyme books, but I'd definitely consider reading some of the others.
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It's May 17, and finally I've managed to finish a book that relates to this month's Calendar of Crime; author Jeffery Deaver has a May birthday. Happy belated birthday for the 6th, Mr. Deaver.
January: 3/10
February: 4/10
March: 2/10
April: 3/10
1. May in the title
2. Author's birth month
3. Primary action takes place in this month
4. Memorial Day
5. Other May holiday (May day in the UK, plus this year we had the Coronation)
6. Original publication month
7. Book title has word starting with M
8. Graves, flag, a mother or flowers on the cover - all related to US holidays: Memorial Day and US Mother's Day - I expect a maypole on the cover would suffice
9. Year of the Dragon
10. Military figure or mother has major role