Rating: 
Summary: Twists and Turns....a very good read.
Review: Jeffrey Deaver knows how to weave a plot. He is also excellent at the classic twist and turn. This book however has a few too many twists. The first half revolves around a search for a kidnapper and his victims, which is very intriguing and well paced. In the second half of the book Amelia Sachs, Lincoln Rhyme's girlfriend, does something with the kidnapper that I did not find to be credible. However, you need to accept what she does in order to follow the second half. Lincoln Rhymes, the brilliant quadraplegic forensic scientist is in North Carolia for medical treatment when he is called in to assist on this North Carolina crime. Mr. Deaver knows forensics and it is fascinating to see how dirt and other physical evidence is chronographed and each physical piece of evidence is dissected psychologically and scientifically by Lincoln Rhyme to yield clues. The interplay between Lincoln and Amelia is not as tense and consuming as I would have preferred. All in all, this is a very good read. Though not his best book, I recommend it highly.
Rating: 
Summary: Rollercoaster? How About White Water Rapids and a Waterfall?
Review: Deaver has surpassed himself with this latest edition to his works. I fell for the mind of Lincoln Rhyme, (and Deavious Deaver's) in Lincoln's 'introductory' novel and, was excited that Deaver was bringing him back. Turns and twists in the plot were expected and looked forward to - but this one really caught me off guard! I loved it! The geography and demographics for the setting added extra suspense to the plotline, while, the characters were captivating and believable. Garrett, Amelia, Lucy, Jesse, Mason...Deaver provides enough background to both empathize and suspect everyone. Not knowing how this particular puzzle was going to come together was a real treat. If you are the type of mystery/thriller reader I am...the type that likes to do his/her best to figure out whodunit, best to just jump in the kayak and let the river have it's way with you on this one. And enjoy the ride...it'll be worth every minute you're nose is in the book!
Rating:
Summary: Great reading but not his best work
Review: Deaver hooks us in again with another Lincoln Rhyme Novel and keeps us guessing all the way to the end. I particularly enjoyed the way he used the "Insect Boy" and his reading material to instruct us forensics as well as life.The ending seems slightly contrived and using MCS to explain some of Garret's symptoms does not work for me because MCS is a highly controversial diagnosis of a "syndrome" that is considered to be more psychological than physical. Toxaphene is not proven to be a human carcinogen so to blame Lucy's cancer and the cancers and illnesses of others in the community on that one chemical also seem to be stretching it. Despite these flaws, I thoroughly enjoyed reading the latest adventures of Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs and hope that we will see more of them. I also hope that Deaver will remember to write the books for his readers--not for a potential movie audience.
Rating:
Summary: Empty Chair Full Of Satisfaction
Review: Following the development of Jeffrey Deaver's writing talent has been full of rewards for the reader. Especially rewarding is the creation of Lincoln Rhyme, a brilliant criminalist who happens to be quadriplegic. I didn't think Deaver could do any better than "The Devil's Teardrop" but this story he has created for Rhyme and Amelia Sachs is hypnotic. Like the proverbial onion, this multi-climactic roller-coaster ride is multi-layered, full of twists and surprises that kept me guessing and totally immersed in the characters and the plot. On a most basic level, Rhyme goes to North Carolina for experimental surgery and while there is asked to help find two women allegedly kidnapped by a teen who is also accused of murdering a teenage boy. The fugitive teenager, Garrett Hanlon, has been monickered Insect Boy because of his fascination with insects and their unique survivalist behavior. Within this framework, Deaver has developed a story that seems to peak at least three times, including a difference of opinion between Rhyme and Sachs that ultimately jeopardizes Sach's freedom and reveals Rhyme's true feelings toward her. The Insect Boy is the creative core of the story. From him the reader has to determine the level of his involvement in the murder and kidnappings and therefore determine in how much danger Sachs finds herself. Garrett's knowledge of insects is phenomenal and guides much of his behavior. The information about insects adds to the interest and fascination of the book. There were points in the story where I wondered if Sachs would be able to extricate herself from a seemingly hopeless predicament. As the end of the book rapidly approached, I kept wondering how it was going to have a satisfying conclusion. When it appeared Rhyme's character may be coming to an end, I found myself begging it wouldn't be true. I don't feel comfortable adding too much more. I know I'd be very angry if, by reading a review, the story's secrets were hinted at or revealed. With that being said, Deaver cleverly gave the book a title that has more than one meaning.
Rating: 
Summary: Read his others first
Review: If you haven't read Deaver's book, pick up the others first. This is OK but certainly not as good as "The Coffin Dancer", "The Bone Collector" or "The Devil's Teardrop"
Rating:
Summary: Deaver does it again!
Review: The somewhat slow pace of the first 1/3 of this book does not prepare you for the great roller coaster ride that follows. The completely unforseen twists and turns that Mr. Deaver takes the familiar characters Rhyme and Sachs on are well worth sticking around for. Another great read!
Rating:
Summary: Deaver returns with a gutty novel!
Review: Deaver has given us another Rhyme/Sachs book. This one takes us to North Carolina where Lincoln wants to try an experimental surgery to help him regain any mobility. He is then thrust into a criminal investigation involving dead kids and kidnappings. What follows is a tour de force of evil in a small town. The best aspect of this novel is that Rhyme is out of his element ( New York City) but still must use his vast knowledge of trace evidence to locate the killer(s). Amelia is a strong character and does something so surprising that it pits Rhyme vs Sachs in a battle of the minds and convictions of the soul. Deaver has let both of these characters grow up and evolve and their love for each other is gettting closer to fruition. The secret of this town seems pretty small...until Deaver lets us know what is REALLY going on here...the implications are far reaching, indeed. I enjoyed the character of Garrett, who is a master of insects. The first 40 pages or so are a bit slow but after a certain capture, the novel hits its speed and you can NOT put it down. Looking forard to SPEAKING IN TONGUES in December! Buy it now!
Rating:
Summary: A real roller coaster of a book
Review: This ended up being a surprising book. I say that because during the first 80 pages, I had the feeling that it was going to be the typical Lincoln Rhyme book with Rhyme talking to his assistant Amelia while she walked the grid. (which would still get the book a good rating). Then bang! The book takes off, like a roller coaster that eases you up the hill, then sets you down your way. You find that you can't let go, as it twists and turns you with the plot and storyline. Just when you think you know what's going to happen next, it twists. It doesn't let you go until you have turned the last page, and then some humor in the Author's Note.
Rating:
Summary: The Empty Chair
Review: The Empty Chair is the best Jeffery Deaver novel I have read to date. The story is very gripping. I literally could not stop reading. I have enjoyed every one of Deaver's books and just when you think they couldn't get any better he tops the last one. Well worth the money - just don't start it if you can't finish it in one day!
Rating:
Summary: Convoluted and rather unbelievable plot
Review: Deaver is a terrific writer, and Rhyme and Sachs are an engaging pair, but this is far from his best work. I can almost excuse the Southern cliches, but as he piles one ridiculous plot twist on top of another, he buries any credibility he established in the beginning. One of the only things that works here is the character of Garrett Hanlon. I enjoyed his awkwardness and his obsession with insects. I also liked the way Deaver wove different aspects of entomology into the story. Lucy Kerr was another believable character. Her tenacity and courage were much appreciated amidst a cast of villains. Finally, the empty chair metaphor worked well within the context of the story, but by story's end, you knew that everything would be hunky dory. I would rather have seen some cliff-hanging threads that carried over to the next novel. All of it seemed much too neat to me.
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