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Summary: Rhyme Keeps You Guessing Right Up the End as Usual
Review: This latest installment in the Rhyme and Sachs duo is a good one. We are kept on the edges our seats as usual with Deaver's fast-paced plot. There are all kinds of twists and turns and reading the book leaves you breathless. I espeially liked the Chinese Cop - Sonny Li in this book. Rhyme continues to become more human, and we see that his realationship with Sachs has progressed since the last book. The story is based on the lucrative human smuggling business, and we learn about the sad people that are reduced to trusting these very criminal and sadistc traders in human flesh. We also get a rare insight into the Chinatowns that are found in various cities throughout the US and Canada. This is an excellent book, and I'm finding Deaver's characters are becoming more and more real and believable.
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Summary: A Chinese Ship Filled with Illegals and a Killer...
Review: My first from Mr. Deaver and this series. Filled with action and suspense, this one delivers! I was pleased to see that the paralyzed lead detective shows that his disability will not slow him down on order to track down a sadistic killer bent on murdering an entire ship full of illegal Chinese immigrants.The main character, a disabled criminologist named Lincoln Rhyme and his beautiful protege Amelia Sachs must track down a Chinese ship headed for New York City carrying over two dozen illegals.
The problem? The ship is run by notorious human smuggler and brutal killer known as the 'Ghost'.
When the Ghost's capture goes horribly wrong, the FBI and the Immigration and Naturalization Service mut do the immpossible...find him before he tracks down the surviving two familes from the ill-fated ship.
Finding the families will be tricky as they have vanished in the labryinth known as Chinatown deep in New York City. Over the next tense 48 hours, Amelia is on a race against the clock while Lincoln guides her from afar. She forms an unusual alliance with one of the immigrants that may have bad consequences in her relationship with partner and lover Rhyme.
Very tense and action-packed. Also very different from what I've read, not the usual fare here. Some really good plot twists and a surprise. I was completely pulled in! Kudos to Mr. Deaver for a great getaway and a very unique look into the world of human smuggling and immigration... Tracy Talley~@
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Summary: Jeffrey Deaver, You never let me down
Review: Lincoln Ryhme is still going strong as is Deaver.
As usual, I was sorry to see this book end.
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Summary: Intrigue at its Best
Review: In "The Stone Monkey," Deaver and his popular character Lincoln Rhyme once again draw readers into the midst of a case that has the INS mystified. Rhyme pits his wits against the invisible and infamous 'Ghost.' Deaver is a master at the twists and curves of a supurb suspenseful narrative. Lincoln Rhyme fans will not be disappointed with this page turning well-plotted tale. A not-to-be-interrupted read.
Beverly J Scott author of Righteous Revenge
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Summary: The author of Unusual Destiny says...
Review: A revealing departure! Despite the cover, this novel isn't all about Lincoln Rhyme, but rather -- and refreshingly -- we see his protegee, Amelia Sachs featured. Her past relationship with her father, her present mind set and her possible future with Rhyme are put forth in a whole new light. The reader discovers who Sachs is, what she wants and how her physical limitations may demand compromise. That said, inventing a believable super sleuth with Lincoln Rhymes' physical limitations was no small endeavor. Keeping him in the good graces of his fans given his fits of temper and at times grumpy nature is even harder. We do however forgive and understand Rhymes' psychological scarring and focus instead on his strengths; his mind and the considerable body of forensic knowledge stored there. For all of this Mr. Deaver has earned our respect as a skillful craftsman. Also notably developed in this offering is the character of Sonny Li, an engaging Chinese detective whose street smarts and dogged use of shoe leather trump technology on more than one occasion. He jumps from the page, real and likable, many times dominating a scene. Others have outlined the plot, so I'll offer this in closing: For those interested in exploring other cultures, Stone Monkey offers some interesting facts and insightful asides that run the gamut from downright tragic to most amusing. Mr. Deaver's story of "the Ghost" is compelling, complex and well worth any mystery buff's time ... and admiration. A great read.
Rating: 
Summary: An Entertaining Read.
Review: I have always been a loyal fan of Jeffery Deaver, but his latest piece fell a little short of my incredibly high expectations. The Stone Monkey is the fourth Lincoln Rhyme novel, and it doesn't live up to the high standard it's predessessors had set. The novel is about a human smuggler known as the 'ghost', who while sneaking a few families into the big apple run into trouble from none other than the hero we've all come to know and love, Lincoln Rhyme, and his beautiful sidekick Amelia Sacks (note: they changed the surname in The Bone Collector Movie). After these immigrant flee from his grasp, the ghost being the meanie he is decides to kill em all before they can expose his vast operations. The novel avoided those big plot twists that I found rather disappointing, and although still a good novel, it's nowhere near the quality of Deaver's other books, but overall it's a decent read and should provide you with a good days entertainment.
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Summary: Deavers best in a while
Review: This is a better book than anything Deaver has written recently. He had started falling into the James Patterson Churn Em Out regardless of quality philosophy but thankfully returned to form with this one. Very character driven and a good story....you really root for the Asian immigrants. This is his best since the Devils Teardrop. The book does not focus much on Rhyme and Sachs relationship but we are introduced to a real neat character in Chinese cop Sonny Li. Sonnys wisecracks lighten the book up and provide the books best dialog. Highly recommended.
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Summary: Good Rhyme Novel
Review: Still doesn't compare with BoneCollector but a good face paced read that keep me interested until the end. I commend Mr. Deaver on his commitment to detail and enjoy learning something new each time I read his novels.
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Summary: It'd be thrilling, if it weren't so sad for immigrants!
Review: I really think Deaver is one of the better American writers of this genre...but is it absolutely necessary to cram his stories full of offensive language? I was always taught by both my parents and my professors in writing and English, that if a writer had to resort to constant use of foul language, that those people did not have anything of import to say. It's getting to the point very quickly with Deaver that I will cease to pick up his books if he doesn't curtail the language a bit. It's not that I am prudish (ok, well maybe I am) or naive that this stuff doesn't go on in the 'real' world. As a deaf person, I am lucky. I don't have to hear this constantly. I certainly don't want to read it constantly either! Having said that...I thought the plot was plausible and intriguing. I am always sad to read about the absolute indignities and dangers that immigrants risk trying to come to our country. I am also aware that we Americans tend to be less than cordial for whatever reasons, even though I figured and Deaver clarified that those coming over here from Asia are more educated and less liable to be users of our welfare system, then many of the people who have been here for centuries. Deaver threw a few curveballs in here, and even though I thought about the possibility that a certain character was involved as the 'bad guy' everyone was looking for, the plot device that Deaver used ended up surprising me a bit. Other than the language, the book was enjoyable. Since Deaver is a mystery writer, I don't expect him to pad his stories a lot with romance. If I wanted that particular genre I'd look at other authors. As always, the forensic science is interesting, and Deaver keeps up-to-date with the new technology coming out involving care for quads and also assistive technology that makes it possible for those of us with disabilities to participate in the real world through computers. Karen Sadler
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Summary: MONKEY BUSINESS
Review: After reading this latest in the Lincoln Rhyme series, I have to wonder if Mr. Deaver finally caved in to all the critics who faulted him for his "preposterous plot twists..". I have been a Deaver fan since reading "Praying for Sleep," and have appreciated all the nifty off-the-wall twists that left my mouth agape in wonder! "Stone Monkey" is Deaver's most predictable and least surprising work so far. You can pretty much see all the plot twists coming in this one, and they are not as grandiose as in his previous works. Although Lincoln and Amanda remain interesting characters, I felt Rhyme wasn't used very much in this one, and it is also a slower paced novel than one expects from Deaver. The character of Sonny Li is a great addition, and he seems to be sharper than both Lincoln and Amanda. The subplot involving William Chang is both meaningless and uninteresting, and is never really resolved.
The settings are unique, some of the dialogue is great, but overall "The Stone Monkey" is not one of my favorite Deaver books. Hopefully, he'll ignore the erudites who think incredible plot twists aren't good reading....
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