Rating: 
Summary: A+ to you Mr. Deaver
Review: I scrounged through all those Deaver books that had been reprinted. Those little 230 page mysteries that were his first works. While I continued to read them, they were not like his latest. I'm so glad that he is back. Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs make for such a wonderful team. Kind of like Dennis Lehane's duo. I enjoyed the premise of "the Ghost" bringing the
"piglets" to the U.S...the "lord" who brings illegals to the United States. A ship, an explosion, survivors, clues and more clues. Deaver gives us those we love to love, and those we love to hate. Sach's "walking the grid" and Rhyme's observations of the evidence are never a repeat. New, new, new. That's why this one is so interesting. Loved the information about Chinese lore. A 2 day read. Can't wait for the next.
Rating: 
Summary: Well-researched but characters are shallow
Review: Why doesn't this author just write non-fiction? His facts are interesting and he obviously does his homework. However, his characters seem contrived to fit the framework of the plot, rather than driving the plot itself. A good thriller is akin to an exciting biography. That's the genius behind works by people like Lawrence Block. Unfortunately, Deaver's books read like term papers -- good term papers, but dry nonetheless. I left this book feeling that I wasn't so much drawn into the story as informed about an interesting subject. Not time wasted, but not that entertaining, either. Depends what you are looking for, I guess.
Rating:
Summary: Deaver's Lincoln Rhyme is back and getting better
Review: The movie "The Bone Collector" started me reading Deaver and his characters of Rhyme and Sachs got me hooked, so I read the other 2 in the Rhyme series. I could not put "The Stone Monkey" down once I started reading. It is really that good, and as usual, suspenseful. I agree with another reviewer that the relationship between Rhyme and Sachs should be explored more fully, but no complaints about this book; I only wish I hadn't read it so fast.
Rating: 
Summary: What's the reason for "benching" Rhyme!!!!!
Review: I am a die-hard fan of Jeffery Deaver and Lincoln Rhyme. The Stone Monkey is engrossing, the characters and plot interesting. I couldn't put the book down - then wished I had not read it yet so that I could read it again for the first time. I was, however, disappointed that Rhyme seemed to take a "back seat" in this book. It was as though he was thrown in just to make everything legitimate. If its a Lincoln Rhyme book, I want to see him front and center - he is a fascinating character. I will go "Kathy Bates" should he ever be killed off. After all is said and done I recommend this book - highly.
Rating: 
Summary: 3 Stars for plot 0 for character development
Review: I have greatly enjoyed Deaver's Rhyme novels since Bone Collector. The pacing and storylines are always fascinating and Stone Monkey is no different. I had a fun time following the story through the twists and turns that Deaver weaves so deftly into his books. The sticking point that keeps Stone Monkey at 3 stars and not 5 is the lack of character development. Deaver introduced us to a cast of fascinating people in Bone Collector and it's a reader's investment in those characters that have kept me coming back to his other 3 Rhyme novels. Yet for some reason Deaver seems to feel a need to interject new characters into his stories, rather then expand on the ones he's already hooked his readers with. Beyond that lack, Stone Monkey was a very enjoyable and gripping read and I do recomend it to veteran Deaver fans.
Rating:
Summary: Welcome Back Lincoln!
Review: Yet another excellent work by Deaver. Having the saavy, irascible Lincoln Rhyme back in action is like seeing an old friend again. Deaver seems to be at his best with Lincoln - and this new novel ranks among his most compelling, but also with the most heart (e.g. chapter 29). Our usual cast of characters is back, and although I agree that I would've liked more development on the relationship between Amelia and Lincoln, I was not disappointed. The plot is masterful, and the addition of Sonny Li will tug at the heartstrings and funny bones of all faithful Deaver followers. Simply a must-read. Thank you Jeffery.
Rating:
Summary: Somewhat disappointing
Review: Two of thriller fiction's favorite characters, Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs, are back in a thriller that has the pair racing the clock to stop a madman. A cargo ship is headed for New York, and onboard it carries two dozen illegal Chinese immigrants, also onboard is the human smuggler known as "the Ghost". When the capture of the Ghost goes horribly wrong, Lincoln and Amelia must find him before he finds the only two surviving families from the ship. As the survivors struggle to find peace in the underground world of Chinatown, the Ghost is following close behind...killing everyone in his way. Over the next forty-eight hours Lincoln and Amelia must make every right move, for the wrong move will be their last. 'Stone Monkey' is not the best entry in this series, while the book starts off quick, it takes a nose dive down into slow pacing as the Chinese culture comes into play. Also adding to the slow pacing is the unusually large cast of characters. This is one of my favorite series, and although is has some elements of previous Rhyme novels, the whole Chinese setting makes it un-interesting. Jeffery Deaver is one of my favorite authors, but unfortunately this novel lacks the page-turning thrills of some of his previous work. Nick Gonnella
Rating:
Summary: SUSPENSE AND ACTION FROM START TO FINISH
Review: This is my favourite Lincoln Rhyme novel to date and written in much the same style as James Patterson's novels. The author takes us through a maze of twists and turns, murder and mayhem. When two immigrant families are murdered, Deaver takes us in pursuit of "The Ghost" (the scheming and calculating villain) and into a criminal investigation deep in the heart of Manhattan's Chinatown. The author vividly portrays Chinese culture and develops strong characters who instantly come to life as the pages turn. The plot is liberally sprinkled with forensic criminology and the thrill of the chase is on. There is plenty of drama, suspense and action to keep the reader shuddering in anticipation well into the late hours of the night. This is Jeffery Deaver at his finest and the novel would make a breath-taking film production!
Rating:
Summary: A "Stone" Good Thriller!
Review: The fourth thriller featuring NYPD criminologist Lincoln Rhyme is the best one yet. Deaver has finally crafted a fascinating, twisted plot that is worthy of his compelling creation. "The Stone Monkey" is a fascinating thriller, rich in its intricate details and insightful portrayal of Chinese culture and the life of Chinese-Americans. Deaver has continued to develop his main characters since they were introduced in "The Bone Collector" (1996), and they have emerged as more-rounded and interesting. The author has also turned out the best plot so far in this series, with just the right mix of tense action, suspense, and -- his trademark -- fascinating forensic investigation. This ranks as his best book so far. Reviewed by David Montgomery, MysteryInkOnline.com
Rating:
Summary: As Fine a Suspense Novelist as you will find!
Review: Simply put, Jeffery Deaver is one of the best suspense novelist writing today. No other author can match his plot twists or attention to intricate detail. Best of all, he seems to be improving with each novel he writes, particularly with his Lincoln Rhyme series of books. The Stone Monkey is no exception. The Stone Monkey is the fourth book in the Lincoln Rhyme - Amelia Sachs series (the others are, in order, The Bone Collector, The Coffin Dancer, and the Empty Chair). Rhyme is a quadriplegic and a famous forensic scientist. His partner, Sachs, is a redhead who acts as Rhyme's legs, 'walking the grid' at crime scenes. Together, they make a formidable crime fighting team. The Stone Monkey picks up with the Coast Guard closing in on a ship filled with illegal immigrants trying to enter the US. Rhyme has found the ship and the police are trying to apprehend the notorious human smuggler known as the ghost. After blowing up the ship and killing most of the passengers, the Ghost escapes. Rhyme must find him before he kills the two familes that survived. From this point, the plot rides like a roller coaster. The trademark Deaver twist are present and nothing is as it seems. The characters are well developed and interesting. Sonny Li makes a great addition to the team and provides some comedic relief. As readers have come to expect from Deaver, the ending is great as well. Highly recommended to fans of Jeffery Deaver, James Patterson, John Sandford, and anyone else looking for a suspenseful thriller.
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