Rating: 
Summary: Simply Average
Review: I've read a large number of Deaver's books, from the Lincoln Rhyme series to The Blue Nowhere, The Devil's Teardrop and A Maiden's Grave. As such, I've come to enjoy his work, as well as expect certain things from him. Deaver puts many twists and turns into all of his stories, some expected, some from out of the blue. But throughout, Deaver has kept the going fast-paced. Not so with Speaking in Tongues.Tate Collier is a former county prosecutor who is still having issues with his ex-wife and estranged daughter. But now, his daughter has run away...or was she kidnapped? Deaver attempts to have the reader travel through his many twists and turns again, but it just doesn't seem to work this time. The villian's ability to manipulate everyone involved in the case merely by reading their eyes and therefore revealing their innermost secrets is a bit far-fetched. The pace of the book was slow compared to his other books, only reaching the traditional Deaver pace with about 60 pages remaining. Overall, I'd rate this as my least favority of Deaver's work so far. If you have a few days to waste, go ahead. But borrow the book or check it out of the library - don't spend money on it.
Rating: 
Summary: Another feather in the cap of this gifted author. Jeffrey
Review: Deaver again succeeds in presenting the reader with a taut, well-written, exciting and convoluted novel. The title is well-thought out and apt for the story line. Tate Collier in his pursuit of a legal career seemingly neglects his wife, Bett and his daughter Megan. When Megan is three Bett and Tate divorce and Tate's contact with his daughter is minimal. At sixteen, Megan is kidnapped setting off a series of events that will keep you captivated. The adversary and Lawyer Tate, assisted by Bett, are pitted against each other in intigueing circumstances,and with far more intrigueing results. And Megan herself , while imprisoned in a closed hospital, rises to the occasion and in a brave medlay of moves tries to outwit her captor. The reason for the title of this gripper is slowly but clearly brought to light as we find a battle of words among the principal players. On the cover page, a quote from Henry Miller reads:
"In the beginning was the Word. Man acts it out. He is the act, not the actor." Amazingly fitting for both the plot and the unraveling of same in encapsulated scenes that will have you holding your breath waiting for the next word. This is not just a casual read, but an enjoyable, tense novel from one of today's top novelists. Leave yourself time for this one because you will not be able to put it down! The ending is a superb surprise that is not likely to leave your thoughts for some time to come.Good Job, Jeffery and keep those books coming, please!
Rating:
Summary: Delightfully Twisted!
Review: "Speaking in Tongues" is the ultimate novel for readers who enjoy a suspsenseful, gripping, thrilling, violent, and intelligent psychological thriller. Jeffery Deaver is a brilliant author, and he brings such raw emotions to his characters. Megan's emotions were well written, and Dr. Aaron Matthews is one of the most brilliant villains, because he understands that words are the most dangerous weapons. This book kept me turning the pages; I couldn't stop reading until it was over. This book is a masterpiece, in my opinion, and I consider it one of the best thrillers I have read. Mr. Deaver, you have done a superb job!!
Rating: 
Summary: An ultimate battle of wits
Review: I always preferred thrillers, which leaned more towards a battle of wits, then a battle of fists. True, a car chase or a shoot-out are exciting, but when the hero has to outthink his adversary, not just shoot him ... well, that excites me more.
"Speaking in Tongues" is, maybe, the ultimate battle of wits novel. A young girl goes into a shrink office. He is very sympathetic, and she really likes this new doctor... right until he drugs and kidnaps her. Then we turn to the girls' father - a lawyer who can talk a jury into any verdict he wants, a real courtroom king. But does he stand a chance against a psychopath who can talk people into committing suicides? "Speaking in Tongues" is more of a suspense novel, then a thriller - there is not much actual action - i.e. fights, chases, - mostly it's talking, but it's really involving. Maybe not as involving as another Deaver great "A Maiden's Grave", but the difference in suspense is minimal. And not many novels can give you a scene, were the hero has to argue, why a person should not be shot, not plead, or appeal to reason, but really give an argument. This scene alone is worth the price of admission. The one thing I can say against the book is that the villain sometimes seems to be too clever, unrealistically so, but if that wasn't a problem for you in the Hannibal Lector novels, then it won't be a problem here also. One last thing: ordinary it takes me about a week to read a 300 pages novel, as I don't have much time to read with work and everything. This one I finished in two days.
Rating:
Summary: Delightfully Twisted!
Review: "Speaking in Tongues" is the ultimate novel for readers who enjoy a suspsenseful, gripping, thrilling, violent, and intelligent psychological thriller. Jeffery Deaver is a brilliant author, and he brings such raw emotions to his characters. Megan's emotions were well written, and Dr. Aaron Matthews is one of the most brilliant villains, because he understands that words are the most dangerous weapons. This book kept me turning the pages; I couldn't stop reading until it was over. This book is a masterpiece, in my opinion, and I consider it one of the best thrillers I have read. Mr. Deaver, you have done a superb job!!
Rating: 
Summary: Chico Rio
Review: I've really enjoyed many of Jeffery Deaver's books, he is one of my favorite authors. However, this book was a HUGE disappointment! If written by anyone else I would have quit after 50 pages. I find it hard to believe Jeffery Deaver wrote such a boring book.I gave it one star because Deaver has always rated 5 stars with his other books,in my opinion, until this flop.
Rating:
Summary: A Turning Point
Review: I've begun reading some of Deavers earlier works lately. I had already finished Praying for sleep and really wasn't that impressed. I did however, like Speaking in Tongues. Had alot of Deaver's signature style. I would say that this one is the turning point from his older stuff to the better newer stuff!
Rating: 
Summary: Kept my attention
Review: Summary:
Tate Collier is a retired prosecuting attorney that has mastered the art of rhetoric. When he convinces a jury to put the son of a famous but mentally unstable psychiatrist, Aaron Matthews, into prison for life he sets off a chain of events that will ultimately change his career, his relationship with his daughter Megan, and his ex-wife Betty; and not all of the changes are for the better. The book begins as Aaron kidnaps Megan during a supposed therapy session. However, Aaron isn't after a ransom; he's out for revenge. Having meticulously studied the lives of all of those near and dear to Tate, Aaron then begins a reign of havoc that ultimately results in a number of deaths and near deaths ranging from dog attacks to car wrecks and arson. But in the end it all boils down to rhetoric and manipulation - who is the master of the tongue. My Comments:
I listened to this book on CD on a road trip. The story kept my attention and was admittedly well thought out - setting up all of the right information to allow numerous twists and turns later in the book. Two of the main characters, Tate and Aaron, seemed convincing, but I was never really able to understand and imagine Megan, the other main character. Connie, a secondary character, also seemed to be well-developed, but Betty, Tate's ex-wife, wasn't convincing and ultimately played a smaller part in the story than her character warranted. The story itself had enough surprises to keep it interesting, though it was pretty implausible and required a substantial suspension of belief (which is fine with me but I always like to mention it). It also seemed as though the author had some points he wanted to make about the power of words, kind of an odd point to be made by an author, or, well, maybe it isn't seeing as how words are his livelihood. I guess if he can convince his readers of the power of words he can continue to convince them to buy his books. Anyway, some of the messages seem overt and some of the dialogue is a bit over the top. Overall, the book has a great story structure that doesn't necessarily keep you guessing but does keep you wondering what morbid thing is going to happen next. Most of the characters are well-developed, but some are pretty enigmatic and don't work very well. The book kept me entertained for the five hours that it took to listen to, but I can't speak for the text version. Not a bad book to take on a road trip; I'd recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Words Are Powerful
Review: Aaron Matthews is a psychologist who can draw out the intermost secrets of his clients. He can convince people through analysis and persuasion to do his bidding. Aaron is criminally insane. Tate Collier is a prosecutor who also uses his words to convince others, i.e, juries, to do his bidding. They are both extremely good at persuasion. The suspense in Speaking in Tongues begins when Aaron kidnaps Tate's daughter. Megan, a disturbed teenager, doesn't understand why her parents have never had the time for her that she has searched for through undesirable behaviors. Aaron's son had been convicted of killing a girl and sentenced to life in prison. Tate Collier had been the prosecutor. The book is about revenge and survival and understanding. The suspense never lessens. Deaver can write well with or without Lincoly Rhyme to solve the case.
Rating:
Summary: I Couldn't Even Finish This Book
Review: I usually like Jeff Deaver books, especially the Lincoln Rhyme series. I thought I'd try this one to see if I should read some of his non-Rhyme books. I perservered through 2/3 of the book, and then I realized that I was forcing myself to read any further. Luckily I didn't buy the book. I borrowed it, so I decided I'm not going to bother finishing something I'm not enjoying. After reading some of the previous reviews, maybe I should have persevered to see the twist at the end, but I just couldn't do it.
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