The Stone Monkey

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Format:	Paperback 528 pages

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Synopsis

Lincoln and Amelia are recruited to track down a cargo ship carrying two dozen illegal Chinese immigrants, as well as the notorious human smuggler and killer known as the Ghost. But when the capture goes disastrously wrong, Lincoln and Amelia find themselves in a race to stop the Ghost before he can track down and murder the two surviving families who have vanished deep into the labyrinthine world of New York City's Chinese community. Over the next forty-eight hours the Ghost ruthlessly hunts for the families while Rhyme, aided by a policeman from mainland China, struggles to find them before they die and Sachs pursues a very different kind of policework - forming a connection with one of the immigrants that may have consequences going to the core of her relationship with her partner and lover, Lincoln Rhyme.

Book details

Published
28/12/2002

Publisher
Hodder & Stoughton Ltd

ISBN
9780340734018

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Jacket review

'The best psychological thriller writer around' - The Times 'Teeth-chattering suspense' - Daily Mail 'Stunning' Scotsman 'This is Deaver as his followers expect him to be, crackling and compulsive' Publishing News

UK Kirkus review

Set in the world of Chinese organized crime in America, this is Deaver's fourth novel featuring Lincoln Rhyme, consultant to the New York Police Department. Following an accident, quadriplegic Rhyme's expert forensic detection skills are delivered from his battery-powered wheelchair; he is partnered by Amelia Sachs who intuitively embodies his presence at crime scenes. His apartment becomes the hub of a select team of federal and state law enforcers formed to trap the faceless 'Ghost': Kwan Ang, human trafficker or 'snakehead', infamous for brutality, murder and rape. Rhyme tracks the latest hapless 'cargo' of Chinese, and the Ghost, en route from Russia to America aboard the ship Fuzhou Dragon. The Coast Guard head to intercept but, not wishing to be captured, the Ghost kills crew and 'cargo' with impunity as he flees. Some escapees reach the shore, led by Sam Chang, an anti-Communist dissident, and his family. But the Ghost, whose watchword is 'patience', wants to eliminate all witnesses and immediately starts picking off the survivors. Appalled at the loss of life, Rhyme knows he must find the Ghost and bring him to justice. The stone monkey itself is a talisman of the wily Monkey King from Chinese mythology, who tried to cheat the gods and live forever - he failed and was punished. Chang and the other escapees know they are living on borrowed time. As always Deaver builds believable characters - personal issues merge effortlessly within the main plot, and hopes and fears are real. There are private choices for Rhyme and Amelia to make, misgivings and distrust within Rhyme's team, but Rhyme must stay focused on the facts. Like the pieces in the Chinese war-game Wei-Chi, Rhyme's people are locked into a psychological battle with the Ghost. Deaver twists and turns his plot, steadily increasing the tension, and delivering many surprises en route to a climax that is well worth the wait. (Kirkus UK)