Review: The Empty Chair

Criminalist Lincoln Rhyme arrives in Avery, North Carolina to have an experimental operation that may give the quadriplegic back some of the moment he lost in the accident that forced him to retire. Travelling with him are his partner Amelia Sachs and his aid Thom. Both his friends are worried because although there is a slight chance the surgery may help Rhyme, it could also make things worse or kill him. The Doctor never gets a chance to try as the trio are suddenly drawn into an investigation by a neighbouring police force. Pasquenoke County Sheriff Jim Bell brings Lincoln a case he cant refuse. A local juvenile offender Garrett Hanlon, also known as Insect Boy, has allegedly killed a local man and kidnapped two women.

The Police believe the first woman may be dead and they are running out of time to find where Insect Boy is holding the second. They need Lincolns crime scene skills to give them valuable clues. Amelia is teamed up with the unappreciative locals to walk the scenes and try to catch a killer in the Great Dismal Swamp. Also joining them in the evidence hunt is local businessman Henry Davitt who helps them with the geology of the area. Complicating the search is a reward offered by the mother of one of the victims leading to gun-toting bounty hunters with no respect for the law or the crime scenes.

The Empty Chair is the third book in Jeffery Deavers Lincoln Rhyme series although Rhyme did make a cameo in Deavers stand alone The Devils Teardrop. Each book in the series seems to get better and better. Lincoln is a highly original character who gets the readers sympathy and respect without appearing pitiful and helpless. His physical vulnerability is overshadowed by his brilliant mind. The change of setting from New York to North Carolina gives Lincoln another obstacle to overcome and he does it well. As usual Deaver keeps the reader on her toes with a mountain of twists and turns leaving one quite shocked by the end result. If you havent started this series yet, what are you waiting for? get to it.

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Jaynie - Australia

Book Review: The Empty Chair