Book info

• Title The Vanished Man
• Author Jeffery Deaver
• Year 2003
• Genre Thriller

A killer flees the scene of a homicide at a prestigious Manhattan music school and locks himself in a classroom. Within minutes the police have him surrounded. Then a scream rings out, followed by a gunshot. The police break down the door. The room is empty. Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs are brought in to investigate. For the ambitious Sachs, solving the case could earn her a promotion. For the quadriplegic Rhyme, it means relying on his protégé to ferret out a master illusionist they've dubbed 'the conjurer', who baits them with murders that become more diabolical with each crime. As the fatalities rise and the minutes tick down, the pair must move beyond the smoke and mirrors to prevent a terrifying act of vengeance that could become the greatest vanishing act of all.

Thoughts

Lincoln Rhyme and his partner Amelia Sachs team up again to solve another mystery. Who is this magical serial killer who’s list of crimes is both diabolical and impressive at the same time? Each crime scene reflects a brilliant illusion from a master magician, but there’s no getting past the forensic skills of Mr Rhyme.

The partnership between the two main characters continues to get both deeper and more interesting as each big case (and book) arrives. They’re starting to see inside each other’s heads, and it’s fascinating to watch them develop as a team.

Deaver manages to combine stories and characters together in a surprising and intriguing way. Building tension and prolonging the suspense seem entirely natural, and it seems the characters are always racing against crime. This book is similar to the other Rhyme, but there are more twists and turns along the way, building on previous ideas to keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

Rating: 4 / 5