Harucki87's Full Review: Jeffery Deaver - The Stone Monkey: A Lincoln Rhyme...
Do you believe in luck? Many do. While many will think nothing of tossing some spilled salt over their left shoulders, other would rather wear a good luck charm – or talisman. Either way, do these good luck charms work? Some say yes while others are still skeptical.
Yet, some so-called talisman charms are actually proven wrong but to those who believe, that is only a coincidence.
Take for instance, THE STONE MONKEY.
= = = = =
Main characters:
(Ret.) Capt. (and quadriplegic) Lincoln Rhyme
Patrol Office Amelia Sachs
Detective Ron Sellitto
Detective Roland Bell
Caregiver Thom
= = = = =
A very small bit of the plot:
Human trafficking is not only illegal but it’s morally wrong. Yet, it is one of the biggest smuggling acts known to man.
For more money than they have, people are promised a lavish way of life in America. Unfortunately, what most find, once here, is a life of hardship.
This brings us to the Fuzhou Dragon. Supposedly a cargo ship headed from China to America. The captain has made a deal to convert his cargo to a few dozen men, women and children who seek a greater life with a promise of freedom.
What they don’t know is that on board the ship, waits a man with a more diabolical plan – a plan to blow up the ship with its passengers still on board.
This man is nick-named “The Ghost” because while the police know about him, he has always been able to elude capture. Now, not only is he wanted for human trafficking since the sinking of the Fuzhou Dragon, he’s wanted for murder.
Although most of the passengers on the Fuzhou Dragon went down with the ship, a handful escaped and as they began their swim to the shoreline, the Ghost began shooting at them. Fortunately, for them, his aim wasn’t accurate and they made it to shore. Unfortunately, for them, the Ghost still wants them dead and he’ll do anything to find them.
It’s now up to Rhyme and Sachs to find them first and place them in protective custody while searching for the Ghost and place him in custody.
Rhyme’s problem is that since the survivors are here illegally, no one is talking.
And the Stone Monkey? Has it really saved its owner or does the owner face another twist of fate?
= = = = =
A tidbit from the subplot:
Quadriplegics like Rhyme, who have suffered a C-4 break suffer immobility that in most cases, spans from the shoulders to their toes. In Rhyme’s case, few areas were unaffected by this condition. He can move his head, neck, shoulders and the ring finger of his left hand.
While for years, he contemplated suicide, his current feelings for Sachs has turned his focus in another direction.
Due to the current case, he has had the opportunity to meet a Chinese Detective who has helped Rhyme see that his has more of a future than he once thought. All he needs to do is be satisfied with himself as he is. Detective Li’s theory is that Rhyme’s paralysis makes him a better detective because now he makes full use of his mind.
= = = = =
My conclusion:
Jeffrey Deaver began this novel taking us into the helm of a cargo ship where we meet the ill-fated captain and a man who is knows as the Ghost.
While this might not seem too exciting, all you need to do is read to Chapter Two in order to see the problem The Ghost is facing. Yet, again, while this begins to stir your juices, read on to the end of Chapter Three when all hell breaks loose – and the action doesn’t stop from there.
Deaver, it would seem, has spent much time in New York – and for this book, the County of Queens because he has captured each scene with incredible accuracy. His descriptions of the shops and apartments are right on.
But let’s get back to the story. Deaver tackles a subject that many people try to ignore – after all, human trafficking goes against everything we believe in yet, Deaver, although shows that the people being smuggled into America are aware of illegality, also want a life that they can’t find in their native home. They want something better and they will just about anything to get it. You can’t help but feel sorry for what these people suffer in order to find a bit of happiness.
Because of Deaver’s excellent writing and demonstrations of what some illegal immigrants face, you can’t help but wonder if we can help – or if we do, how.
= = = = =
My opinion:
THE STONE MONKEY is an excellent book you won’t want to miss. It brings your human emotions to a height they normally don’t reach when contemplating something that isn’t extremely personal.
I think it’s the kind of story that brings out the humanity in us all.
In any case, I did enjoy this book immensely as I’m sure you will.
Forensics expert Lincoln Rhyme and his protge, Amelia Sachs, are recruited by the FBI to capture the Ghost, a homicidal immigrant smuggler whose next ...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
Mystery & Detective - General Fiction - Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs, along with INS, are in hot pursuit of the criminal mastermind and internationa...More at Barnes and Noble
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.