Part of Lincoln Rhyme, book 1
First published 1998
Lincoln Rhyme once dominated the field of criminal forensics until a devastating accident destroyed his body and spirit. Now confined and broken, he faces his most dangerous case yet. A calculating murderer has begun leaving elaborate clues across New York City, each one designed to test Rhyme's legendary analytical skills. The killer treats their deadly game as an intellectual duel, forcing Rhyme back into active investigation despite his physical limitations. Police detective Amelia Sachs becomes his eyes and hands in the field, following the twisted trail of evidence. Together they must decode a complex puzzle that connects to New York's buried history. The murderer's ultimate goal becomes clear as the investigation deepens. This predator will continue killing until he reduces everything to its most basic elements. Rhyme must overcome his shattered confidence and physical constraints to stop a mind that matches his own brilliance but uses it for destruction.
Genres: mystery, crime, thriller, detective
Vibes: dark, fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: amateur-sleuth, enemies-to-lovers, intellectual-duel
Setting: New York City
Period: 21st-century
528 pages · Mass Market Paperback · Signet Book
Content warnings: violence