Part of Lincoln Rhyme, book 4
First published 2003
Lincoln Rhyme receives an urgent call from federal agents. A cargo ship somewhere off the coast carries two dozen Chinese immigrants and their ruthless smuggler, a killer known only as the Ghost. The FBI and INS need Rhyme's forensic expertise to locate the vessel before it reaches American waters. Rhyme partners with detective Amelia Sachs to pursue their quarry through a maze of physical evidence and false leads. The Ghost proves to be more than a simple smuggler. He kills without hesitation and stays ahead of law enforcement through cunning and violence. As Rhyme and Sachs close in, they discover the immigrants face mortal danger from their supposed savior. The investigation becomes a race against time to prevent mass murder on the high seas. Rhyme must rely on his analytical mind while Sachs risks her life in the field, testing the partnership that defines both their careers.
Genres: mystery, crime, thriller, detective, action
Vibes: fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: partnership, race-against-time
Setting: America, Coast
Period: Contemporary
657 pages · Paperback · Large Print Press
Content warnings: violence