Rating: 
Summary: Gripping Thriller with plot twists and great characters
Review: I haven't read a Lincoln Rhyme book since Bone Collector and I now see what I have missed. Stone Monkey was a great addition to the series, again featuring Lincoln Rhyme, Amelia Sachs and some great new characters, particularly Chinese cop, Sonny Li.The scene is set off Long Island on a Chinese ship carrying illegal aliens who come to the U.S. to avoid persecution in China. When the human smuggler, the Ghost, sees that the ship is to be intercepted by the Coast Guard, he blows it up. Thus begins a cat-and-mouse tale of intrigue, following the trail of the escaped Chinese aliens, the Ghost determined to track them down and kill them, and Lincoln Rhyme, FBI, INS, and NYPD, looking to find the Ghost before he kills the Chinese. Good forensic investigation of trace evidence at the crime scenes, including one nifty search of the submerged ship, produces some near dramatic near-misses and face-offs. The plot twists and red herrings really surprised me and turned the plot in new directions that I would not have suspected. Deaver also uses the tool of letting the reader know some pertinent info before the police so you are almost shouting at them to look at the new evidence to catch the Ghost. I really liked the new character, a chinese cop named Sonny Li. He describes himself as "one good f--- cop, I'm saying". His Tao philosophy and insights at first annoy Rhyme and Sachs but when some of his guesses prove right, they begin to pay attention. Li also provides some insights to Rhyme who is considering some risky surgery that might give him more movement in his hand. I also enjoyed the discussion of Chinese medicine and Feng Shui, the art of designing to provide good luck. Many stories either start slow, plod in the middle or drag on in the ending. This plot took off at a breakneck pace and never slowed down. Highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Not the best Deaver, but still a good read
Review: I am a big fan of Jeffrey Deaver, and especially his Lincoln Rhyme series. The newest entry in the series is another fast paced thriller, but far less involving than his previous books. I am not sure if I am getting tired of Rhyme's domineering manner, or the relationship between Lincoln and Amelia, but some spark was missing from the book in regards to their relationship. On the other hand the introduction of the Chinese police officer Sonny Li was a great addition, and he virtually steals the book whenever his character is around. The story of a group of illegal Chinese immigrants who are hunted down by the smuggler who brought them to this country was
very interesting, and I learned a lot about a subject I never gave much thought to. The villainous Ghost almost seems indestructible, however I figured out his identity long before the revelation in the book, so it was not much of a shock to me. There seemed to be far fewer of Deaver's trademark twists and turns here, and I never had that edge of my seat feeling until the last forty or so pages of the book. Overall a pretty good thriller, but those of us who love Deaver probably expect more, because he is so good at what he does. Still an average book from this author is much better than most books of this genre out there.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent (again)
Review: Deaver's books just keep on getting better and better. This one is no exception. All the usual characters are back in full force, as well as some new excellent subsidiary characters. John Sung, Sony Li, Sam Chang, and the captain of the Fuzhou Dragon, who, even though he only features in the first couple of chapters, is an incredibly strong presence. Deaver packs it all again, knowing exactly what his readers want. Quirky characters, a quick, tense, suspenseful and original plot, which has complex and interesting twists. (It is a good thing that here he has cut down on his twists...he still has some (really good ones) but just not quite as many. sometimes he can go over the top.) The relationship between is Rhyme and Sachs is moving along nicely. I like the fact that Deaver is not rushing their relationship. It tells us a couple of things. First, the he plans at least several more Rhyme books, during which their relationship will progress. Second, he is a talented writer who thinks ahead. Some writers who write series characters develop their characters really well early on in a series, but in the later novels there is nothing left to develop, so the characters begin to seem wooden and very two dimensional. (james Patterson, this is you im talking about.) Wise writers choose to develop their characters more slowly, giving room for a series to seem fully developed. It is the mark of a really good writer that even though the characters are still being developed, they do seem fully fleshed out in all the novels, even though they are not fully devloped. Deaver manages to do this so well. There are still things we have yet to know about Rhyme and Sachs, but still their characters are wonderfully vivid. there is less interaction in this novel between the two leads, because interaction is not always needed any more. Sachs KNOWS what Rhyme will say, she doesnt need to hear him say it. It shows how far their relationship has gone, and is a reflection of it. It also gives us an opportunity to see how both characters work almost on their own. When the two characters do interact, it really gives the reader a kick. This time round, Deaver concentrates a little more on his other stock characters (Dellray, Sellito, etc) and it gives the book a really good, well rounded feel. (Although i have always felt that Deaver sometimes gives Thom unnaceptably short shrift.) Deaver does his research wonderfully, and his little tidbits about Chinese culture (and other things) which he feeds to the reader really are wonderful. The beginning of the book is great. It begins with a scene of incredible suspense and does not let up all the way through. (It was almost as if i had stepped into the book right at the exciting climax.) I was amazed at how he built the suspense up so well over just a couple of pages. Deaver's books always have essneitally very bad crimes in them, and wonderfully chilling villains. THis one is no exception. Justice is meted out in the end, as always. A brilliant book. Possibly his best yet.
Rating:
Summary: The Master of Surprise Twists Strikes Again!
Review: Even though I know surprises are Deaver's specialty, he "got" me again and again with this one. And I loved it. I don't believe in giving away plot details (I myself hate spoiler info). So all I'll say is that this is a series novel that won't turn off readers new to the series. Deaver quickly explains what you need to know about a couple recurring characters...and then it's on with the chase!
Rating:
Summary: Good, but not like Bone Collector
Review: Although I did enjoy this book, Bone Collector still remains my favorite. Stone Monkey doesn't have nearly as many surprises and twists as Deaver's usual books (not entirely a bad thing). Also, the relationship between Rhyme and Sachs doesn't develop much further that it has, although she does want something from him . . . The book reads fast (only about 420 pages) and does't seem nearly as detailed as previos efferts.
Rating: 
Summary: THE STONE MONKEY
Review: T his is about people smuggling, and in particular one man
H e's Chinese, wanted for murder, and approaching America on a tin can
E lusive as his name suggests, he's known to all as The Ghost S o Lincoln Rhyme is brought on the case because he's cleverer than most.
T rying to track him down requires all his forensic skill
O nly, The Ghost is hanging around and he's continuing to kill.
N ormally when working a case, the focus is on Rhyme
E xternal characters are used, adding greater interest this time. M ain extra characters are Sonny Li, plus the immigrant family getting away,
O ne thing on their minds, fade into obscurity, try not to become The Ghost's prey.
N othing seems to faze Lincoln as he tracks down every lead
K eeping emotions well in check, you're pretty sure he's gonna succeed.
E xcellent thriller again from Deaver, it's a category he's leading
Y ear in and year out, his books prove top notch reading
Rating:
Summary: Lincoln Rhyme Chases A Ghost
Review: A Chinese people-smuggler and ruthless killer is heading for American shores and is being hunted globally for his crimes. But anyone known as The Ghost is going to be difficult to find. Enter Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs. Although The Ghost is on the run, he is also hunting down the latest boatload of illegal immigrants that he has personally brought to the US. For some reason he is trying to eliminate them all. Rhyme teams up with a very interesting character in Sonny Li, a Chinese policeman who is also chasing The Ghost. Sonny adds a tremendous off-beat perspective to the investigation that is very refreshing. One of the most interesting aspects of the book was in following the movements of two families of Chinese immigrants as they try to blend in to life in their new country. All the fears and uncertainties of living in a new country, combined with the fear of possibly being hunted down themselves manages to build the tension and gives you the feeling that confrontation will be inevitable. Once again, Lincoln and Amelia are hard at it, gathering evidence and solving crimes with their own unique brand of teamwork. The funny thing is, although they are brilliant at what they do, neither of them are particularly likable characters. I find that I'm beginning to find it difficult to feel a great deal of affinity towards either because of their cold, defensive and downright rude attitudes to other people, colleagues and enemies alike. Rhyme's home is now set up as a fully functioning forensic laboratory complete with experts in each particularly field to man it. Maybe it's because we're up to our 4th Lincoln Rhyme book, but the forensic part of the book is starting to feel a little mechanical and anti-climactic. That being said, the addition of the Chinese people and their customs has served to keep the story fresh and interesting.
Rating:
Summary: not as bad as his last few
Review: I've reviewed Deaver's last few books, saying how much I hated them, and questioning why I keep reading the new ones as they arrive. I suppose I held a glimmer of hope that the books would improve, since some of his older books were quite good. The Stone Monkey is not back to the level of his early books, but it isn't awful, either. Many of the other reviewers comment on how much they like his constant twists. Personally, I find them overused (if you get to the point where every other page contains "what you thought you knew is totally wrong", then you lose interest in trying to follow the story). For this book, Deaver has scaled back quite a bit with his twists, although a few major plot elements still depend on the concept of one of the characters not being who they claim to be; I suppose we couldn't expect him to give that cliche up cold turkey. In terms of story line, this is keeping very much in line with the previous Lincoln Rhymes novels; if you liked those, you will probably like this one.
Rating:
Summary: My Expectations Were Too High
Review: 'The Stone Monkey' is an excellent thriller, a quick starter, lots of action and tremendous twists and turns. If it were by anyone else but Jeffery Deaver, I would give it an unqualified five stars. Unfortunately, JD set such a high standard for his Lincoln Rhyme series, (and let's not forget my favorite 'Devil's Teardrop'!) that this latest addition could best be called average Deaver. The plotting is sharp, but he has done better and, for once, I anticipated most of the fireworks. A ship full of illegal Chinese immigrants is steaming toward NYC and is spotted by the Coast Guard. Rather than be caught, the 'snakehead' (the businessman who sponsors the immigrants) sabotages the ship, which explodes and sinks leaving only a few survivors. The 'Ghost' ruthlessly hunts them down and kills them to eradicate any trace of their existence. While the Ghost gallops through Chinatown and beyond, Rhyme and associates are just a step behind. This time out, Deaver wrote in such a marvelous character, Rhyme/Sachs were left in the shade. Sonny Li, a wisecracking, cynical, many faceted undercover Chinese cop completely steals the show. I got bored with Sachs' Svengali-ordered crime scene takes and, when not directly under Rhyme's thumb, she appeared distinctly flighty. Omnipresent Rhyme was bested many a time by Sonny's intuitiveness, which put Rhyme's character off-balance. The Chinese patriarchal information was interesting and was well blended into the story. A good read, worth the time and money, but not ultimate Deaver.
Rating:
Summary: Deaver is still the master of the crime scene novel!
Review: The Fuzhou Dragon nears the shores of Long Island bearing its cargo of undocumented Chinese citizens (piglets) who are being brought to America by a snakehead (smuggler) known as the Ghost. It has come by a most circuitous route and its captain believes he will be able to deliver its human cargo to the shores of the United States undetected until a fast moving radar blip alerts him to an approaching Coast Guard cutter. How could this small and unobtrusive ship have been intercepted? Who knew? Back in Manhattan, Lincoln Rhyme nods in satisfaction when told by the Coast Guard that his deduction as to the location of the ship was correct. His anticipation that the ship will be routinely intercepted and boarded with the arrest of the Ghost could not have been more wrong however, and the operation spins dangerously out of control when the Ghost sabotages the ship and send her to the bottom of the ocean. The Ghost and some from the ship make it to shore and the chase is on. Two chases actually. The first is the hunt for the Ghost and those who made it to shore by crime scene specialists, Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs, and the FBI, INS and NYPD. The second is the hunt for all who survived the sinking so that they can be silenced by the Ghost. In his usual fashion, Deaver has created interesting characters and an intricate plot which introduces the reader to the vaguries of international smuggling as well as the importance of proper crime scene investigation. The plot twists and turns with the reader sometimes wondering if some of the good guys are really good and if some of the bad guys are really bad. Getting to that answer is a real treat for the reader. If you have not found Mr. Deaver's books before, this is your lucky day. If you have, you know the good reading that awaits you. A win, win situation for all concerned.
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