Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Reviews of Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1)

Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1)
Bone Collector - Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1
Author: Jeffery Deaver
ISBN-13: 9780451193940
ISBN-10: 0451193946
Publication Date: 7/1/1997
Pages: 432
Rating:
  • Currently 4.3/5 Stars.
 10

4.3 stars, based on 10 ratings
Publisher: New American Library
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

71 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 26 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Welcome to the world of Lincoln Rhyme - quadripelegic extraordinaire. One who uses others senses combined with his keen brain to unravel truly great mysteries. An excellent author and story teller. I wouldn't start this one too late, you won't want to put it down.
reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 14 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Great book. Anyone who enjoyed the movie must read this book! Much better than the movie. Much more detail, and the plot is slightly different. Great read. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.
reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 61 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Creepy and suspenseful, I loved the interesting characters. Police detective work at it's best. Highly recommend this one. The movie wasn't nearly as good as the book.
kevinsbebe avatar reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 165 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Great book, had me hooked from the start. I will be reading more from this series and author. Great mystery, fast paced, and just a good read overall. After finishing I have to see the movie again!
scrapbooklady avatar reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 472 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoyed "The Bone Collector". Wonderful details and excellent descriptions made the crime scenes come to life! Great characters, and I really enjoyed the complicated nature of each of them. Good read - I recommend it to anyone who has the stomach for some brutal crime scenes.
reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 105 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Thrilling but forced. A third of this book is suspenseful and chilling. A third of this book is somewhat tedious crime scene analysis. And a third of this book covers the strange relationship of a paraplegic and a cop.

2.5 stars out of 5
reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 6 more book reviews
Very intense - as usual much better than the movie
amis avatar reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 14 more book reviews
Great fast paced thriller that never had me bored. This was much better than the movie.
reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 121 more book reviews
Excellent book. Recommend this one. Made into a movie.
jdocop avatar reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 66 more book reviews
Very gripping. One smart cop/Criminalist.
reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 21 more book reviews
It was ok. I found it slow at first and almost put it down but by the encouragement of my friend I kept on reading. Once you get past the first quater it turns out to be decent read.
reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 3 more book reviews
If you like Deaver's Rhyme series, you will love this book. It is the first in the series and even if you've seen the movie, you should read the book. Great read.
reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 41 more book reviews
This was my first Lincoln Rhyme book I read and it is fantastic! I also has lots of New York history, if you like history. In my opinion this is Mr Deaver's best book.
reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 47 more book reviews
This is my first Lincoln Rhyme book and I will certainly read more. A good mystery involving police and forensics...definitely a good and captivating read.
reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 149 more book reviews
The Bone Collector (1997)

Lincoln Rhyme, ex-head of NYPD forensics, was the nation's foremost criminalist, the man who could work a crime scene and come away with a perfect profile of the killer, frozen in time. Now, Lincoln is frozen in place permanently. An accident on the job left him a quadriplegic who can move just one finger, a great mind strapped to his bed, mulish and sarcastic, hiding from a life he no longer wants to live.

Until he sees the crime-scene report about a corpse found buried on a deserted West Side railroad track, its bloody hand rising from the dirt. It belonged to a man who got into a cab at the airport and never got out. Reluctantly, Lincoln Rhyme abandons retirement to track down a killer whose ingenious clues hold the secret to saving his victims if Rhyme can decipher them in time. The search leads him to the Bone Collector, whose obsession with old New York colors every scrap of evidence he leaves for Rhyme and his new partner, Amelia Sachs, whom he drafts as his arms and legs. But she's never worked a crime scene in her life and he can only whisper in her ear as she does the exacting work he loved more than anything else.
Sarah13Rose avatar reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 35 more book reviews
This is a great story....lots of twists.
reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 4 more book reviews
I loved the book it is the first book I have read from Jeffery Deaver. it was so exciting I couldn't put it down. it is a real page turner that you can't put down.
BarnBabe avatar reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 38 more book reviews
Classic Jeffery Deaver. First in the series featuring Lincoln Rhyme/Amelia Sachs. You can always count on suspense from Deaver. Fascinating forensics. Basis of movie of the same name--absolutely NOTHING like the book.
reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 3 more book reviews
In my opinion the book is even better than the movie it inspired (starring Angelina Jolie and Denzel Washington) and I really liked the movie! The story is fast-paced, scary and forensically interesting as well. Very clever.
mcrow avatar reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on
The Bone Collector centers its story on Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs and their mission to capture The Bone Collector, as serial killer. Rhyme is an ex-CSI who was paralyzed during an accident at a crime scene and Sachs is an everyday patrol cop, handpicked by Rhyme.

It's clear that fans of the T.V. show "CSI" will love this book. It gets into the technical bits of CSI procedures and equipment. I have no doubt that if you like "CSI" you will enjoy this book.

Another thing that is interesting about the book is that has a lot of cool New York history woven into the story. I found that very interesting and it made for a unique reading experience.

However, this is not just a good book because it's like "CSI" and has some cook historical stuff in it, no; it has other things going on as well. First, the quality and style of Deaver's writing is great and easy reading. His pacing is very good and the plot is outstanding. The Bone Collector also has some of the most believable and compelling characters of any novel I've read.

This is the first book in a long time that I gave 5 stars, in my opinion The Bone Collector is a can't miss read.
scottgross avatar reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 25 more book reviews
Excellent book that covers the origin of Lincoln Rhyme and what led up to his being physically crippled. I now want to see the movie.
reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 204 more book reviews
Deaver has written a book that wasted very few clues and those clues kept the reader guessing as to the identity of the killer. He placed a few clues that would set the stage for the end of the story. I feel the characters were underdeveloped but the story is fast paced and exciting.
reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 22 more book reviews
The first of the series. Read this and you'll be hooked! Luckily, there are plenty of books in the series to follow!
reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 7 more book reviews
This was a great mystery!
lileyeore91 avatar reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 7 more book reviews
Absolutely an amazing read! I can usually tell who the killer is but in this book I had no clue til the last chapter! Definitely kept me on my seat til the very end!
myanniecat avatar reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 218 more book reviews
My introduction to Deaver and I've been a fan ever since. Fast-paced, scary, and exciting.
patmat avatar reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 175 more book reviews
Deaver never disappoints. He takes situations and puts new and even more macabre twists on them. Lincoln Rhymes is the best and this book gives you goosebumps. I read the last part late night and then slept with the light on in the hall, LOL.
reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 2 more book reviews
Very intense. Held my attention and surprised me with the ending.
reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 94 more book reviews
First of the Lincoln Rhyme series
Read them all.
Great series!!
reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 46 more book reviews
Very, very good, but grim.
mommytsunami avatar reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on
Great story if you love thrillers.
reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 15 more book reviews
A criminal thriller with great characters. I couldn't put it down.
reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 588 more book reviews
From the back cover:
Lincoln Rhyme was once one of the nation's most brilliant criminologists, a genius in the field of forensics. Now an accident has left him physically crippled and emotionally stunted. But he's about to be dragged into the most explosive case of his already distinguished career. A diabolical killer known as the Bone Collector has been stalking unsuspecting prey on the streets of New York, and it will take all of Rhyme's investigative skills to stop him. With beautiful police detective Amelia Sachs at his side, Rhyme must uncoer a labyrinth of clues to prevent the next grisly crime. But a race against the clock becomes a terrifying battle of wits as Rhyme is drawn, step by chilling step, into the mind of a monstrous madman who won't stop until he has stripped lie down to raw bone...

Earl H., Meldrim, Ga.
KellyP avatar reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 143 more book reviews
An edge-of-your-seat thriller! This is the first Lincoln Rhyme novel & is a great suspense novel!
tish avatar reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 384 more book reviews
being a jeffery deaver fan i knew i would like this book. the very scary story is tight thriller that is a race against time.
reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 50 more book reviews
This will probably remain my favorite Lincoln Rhyme books. It's exciting, fast paced and you just don't want it to end.
reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 7 more book reviews
The movie was good, the book was great!
reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 53 more book reviews
Gripping, suspenseful. . .
reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 95 more book reviews
Great book. Better then the movie and wow what an ending!!
robinmy avatar reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 2106 more book reviews
Lincoln Rhyme is a forensic genius who is crippled after an accident on the job. Now a quadriplegic who is planning his own death with the help of a doctor, Linc is brought out of retirement when a serial killer starts preying on people unsuspecting people in New York City. With each abduction, the killer leaves clues as to where the next victim will be found. With the help of Amelia Sachs, the police officer who discovered the first body, Linc must put the clues together to find the next victim before it is too late.

This was a fast paced suspense thriller with interesting characters. My only problem with it was the overload of forensic information in this book. I ended up skimming some of it. But, by the second half of the book I was hooked and wanted to find out how they would catch the killer. My rating: 4 Stars.
Sunshine avatar reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 142 more book reviews
Great book! This is the first in the Lincoln Rhyme series and I have already ordered the next one.
hillcoker avatar reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 18 more book reviews
This was the first Jeffery Deaver book I read and was hooked immediately on the Lincoln Rhyme series!
morebooks avatar reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on
Great story with so much information on old New York. Definitely liked book better than movie but I still like movie.
reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 125 more book reviews
Lincoln Rhyme was once one of the nation's most brilliant criminologists, a genius in the field of forensics. Now an accident has left him physically crippled and emotionally stunted. But he's about to be dragged into the most explosive case of his already distinguished career. A diabolical killer known as the Bone Collector has been stalking unsuspecting prey on the streets of New York, and it will take all of Rhyme's investigative skills to stop him.
With beautiful police detective Amelia Sachs at his side, Rhyme must uncover a labyrinth of clues to prevent the next grisly crime. But a race against the clock becomes a terrifying battle of wits as Rhyme is drawn, step by chilling step, into the mind of a monstrous madman who won't stop until he has stripped life down to raw bone....
blak329 avatar reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on
I really enjoyed this book. It was the first book in a long time that I just couldn't put down. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the Lincoln Rhyme series!
reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 16 more book reviews
1st in the lincoln rhyme series - an excellent, fast paced read!
reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 19 more book reviews
A bit slow in the beginning, but hard to put down and a great ending.
Fulltimer avatar reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 179 more book reviews
The first Lincoln Rhyme book, we loved it so much we went out and bought all the rest of the series including the new hard bound edition.
dizzylizzy avatar reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 17 more book reviews
This is a teriffic Lincoln Rhyme mystery. Deaver is a master of suspense.
reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 108 more book reviews
Lincoln Rhyme, a disabled ex-head of NYPD forensics & Amelia Sachs, a rookie beat cop in New York, New York, are featured in this series 1st book
MELNELYNN avatar reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 669 more book reviews
In The Bone Collector, the first in a series featuring Lincoln Rhymes, we are introduced to probably one of the best criminalist minds that have ever been written about. Perhaps it's because the main character, Lincoln Rhymes, does not have the day to day trivialities that cloud up one's mind on a daily basis. Rhymes is a quadriplegic and can only move one finger. He is a former NYPD criminalogist whose spine was severely injured while working a crime scene. Now he is confined to his townhouse apartment in Manhattan where, with the help of some state of the art electronics and equipment, he is still able to help the NYPD solve some gruesome crimes.
Enter Amelia Sachs, a beautiful policewoman, who becomes Lincoln's protege, possible love interest and eyes and ears on upcoming crime scenes. I read this book after the movie trailers were out so it was easy to picture Denzel Washington as Rhymes and Angelina Jolie as Sachs. Deaver is a master at explaining and detailing police procedure and is so adept at analyzing a crime scene that by the time I was finished, I felt as if I could "walk the grid" and "bag the evidence". The homicidal maniac in this book is as evil as they come but Lincoln is able to stay one step ahead of him. If there is a book that can honestly be termed a "page-turner", this is it. Upon its completion, however, I don't know if I'll ever be able to ride in a NYC cab and, if I do have to and I see some little toy hanging from the rear view mirror, "I'm outta here".
reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 35 more book reviews
Very good book. I saw the movie first a looong time ago and didn't remember it too well, so it made the book that more exciting to me.

The detail is wonderful but not overwhelming. You really get a feel for the main characters ....
azariel avatar reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 5 more book reviews
This isn't the best book I've read, but then I'm not really a mystery sort of person, although it did make a hard impression on me!
reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 128 more book reviews
This is the first Lincoln Rhyme book and started my fascination with this author. It's superb, and after you read it, try the movie.
daedelys avatar reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 1218 more book reviews
I have watched the movie several times, and even though it has its differences from the book, I think they are both equally good.

The book, however, is a page-turner. Going to bed and not finishing it was not an option. I really liked how it ends on a cliff-hanger and makes you itch to pick up the next one in the series.
reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 5 more book reviews
Good Book
reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 29 more book reviews
This book was absolutely great!
reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 113 more book reviews
A great "who-dun-it" with lots of info on forensics. Very interesting and definitely keeps you wanting more.
reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 242 more book reviews
Don't read this book if you have a heavy work schedule because you won't be able to put it down. A real suspenseful thriller with forensics thrown in. Even if you're tired of plots with serial killers, this one has enough going for it in terms of an exciting plot and interesting characters that makes it stand above the usual fare.
reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 56 more book reviews
very good
squeakers244 avatar reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 67 more book reviews
Great read, you feel like you are present with the characters.
nrezac avatar reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 160 more book reviews
Excellent book!
mwelday avatar reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 148 more book reviews
Wow! Super Page turner. Better than the movie.
reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 18 more book reviews
A Lincoln Rhyme Novel. A killer is challenging Rhyme to a duel of wits. Rhyme and police detective Amelia Sachs must follow a labyrinth of clues that reaches into the dark chapters of New York City's past.
reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 119 more book reviews
Good Read
reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 24 more book reviews
I love Lincoln Rhyme! This was a book full of twists, turns and surprises; I cannot wait to continue the series!
reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 130 more book reviews
Few books are worthy of a second reading. This one is.
reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 3 more book reviews
Good book
reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 82 more book reviews
JUST a great thriller and Great Characters
reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 223 more book reviews
Very good book!
reviewed Bone Collector (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 1) on + 12 more book reviews
Lincoln Rhyme was once one of the nation's most brilliant criminologists, a genius in the field of forensics. Now an accident has left him physically crippled and emotionally stunted. But he's about to be dragged into the most explosive case of his already distinguished career. A diabolical killer known as the Bone Collector has been stalking unsuspecting prey on the streets of New York, and it will take all of Rhyme's investigative skills to stop him.
(discription from the back of the book)