Part of Lincoln Rhyme
First published 2026
Lincoln Rhyme confronts his most dangerous case yet when an arsonist torches a Manhattan building. His wife Amelia Sachs, a skilled crime scene investigator, rescues a victim from the flames and discovers the fire starter has left behind a package of mysterious clues. These hints may reveal both motive and the location of the next attack. As Rhyme and Sachs race to decode the evidence, they team up with Desdemona Vale, a determined Long Island detective hunting the killer of a young neighborhood woman while caring for her two granddaughters. Their separate investigations converge on James Harper, a renowned historian who hosts a popular history podcast. Harper might hold the key to understanding the arsonist's identity and purpose. The case takes a shocking turn when Rhyme discovers he faces a new adversary, a formidable enemy who could prove as dangerous as the notorious Watchmaker. With multiple plots interweaving and the killer preparing another strike, Rhyme must solve the puzzle before more victims die.
Genres: suspense, mystery, crime, adult-fiction, thriller, detective
Vibes: dark, fast-paced, gritty, intense, suspenseful
Tropes: converging-investigations, detective-partnership, formidable-adversary
Setting: Manhattan, Long Island, New York
416 pages · Hardcover · G.P. Putnam's Sons
Content warnings: murder, violence