Helpful Score: 2
I don't think I've ever read a book with more twists than a plate of rotini. The story's antagonist is a magician/illusionist, and every misdirection that he produces ends up in another twist to the story. You don't know what to believe or how it's going to end, until the last word you read. Excellent storytelling and character development. Teaches you a lot about illusion, too.
The primary character in "The Vanished Man" is known as the Conjurer because he uses magic, escapist and illusionist techniques that result in the death of several people. Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs must discover who this madman is before he commits more crimes.
I learned a lot about magic and tricks that have been used by great magicians over the years. As a rule I am not interested in magic but I found myself very curious about how the crimes were committed. I liked the book a lot.
I learned a lot about magic and tricks that have been used by great magicians over the years. As a rule I am not interested in magic but I found myself very curious about how the crimes were committed. I liked the book a lot.
Book was very intriguing
A great thriller. characters are interesting
Prime Deaver indeed. A wonderful addition the Lincoln Rhyme series. All Deaver's work is great!
A Lincoln Rhyme novel.
Another great Jeffery Deaver book with Lincoln Rhymes and Amelia Sachs as characters. It has an interesting 'magic' twist.
Forensic exper Lincolyn Rhyme and his protege are called to work a highprofile investigation of a killer who disappeared into thin air.
This was a great book. It definitely followed the Deaver formula but the magic and illusion references were very interesting. Deaver is a master. This was about an illusionist who was killing people. The murders were actually a diversion. The identification of the murderer was also a diversion. Kara, a local magician, was used to help give some great information on illusion. Deaver does an excellent job with the suspense and also intermingling the character development of the series. There were twists right up until the very end. This by far was one of his best
Catherine M. (readitagain) reviewed The Vanished Man (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 5) on + 47 more book reviews
Love Lincoln Rhyme
Mystery about a killer who seemingly disappeared into thin air just as police closed in.
Excellent read.
It took me a while to get through it but worth sticking with.
Majic turned to murder .. fun and fast to read.
ShaiLynne J. (LoveBeingMOM) -
Excellent book. The author keeps you "hooked" with his Lincoln Rhyme character and the "magic" killer.
I couldn't put this book down. Deaver is a great writer and this books has many twists and turns. Every time you think you have figured out who did it, you're wrong again.
This is the first book I've read by Jeffery Deaver. Even though its part of a series it can and does stand alone.
A gent at Costco recommended this series, said it was a modern Sherlock Holmes. While I felt this particular story fell short of Sherlock it did pack a punch and was a fun read.
A gent at Costco recommended this series, said it was a modern Sherlock Holmes. While I felt this particular story fell short of Sherlock it did pack a punch and was a fun read.
The twists and turns in this book were unbelievable.
This was my first Jeffery Deaver book and I was very impressed. Very good book. I'll definitely read lots more!
Good Read
Lincoln Rhymes matches wits with a killer dubbed "The Conjuror" for his use of traditional magician's techniques in committing and escaping from his crimes. Like all the series entries, this one is marked by more plot wriggles than a bucket of night crawlers.
Jeffery Deaver delivers well-written, well-structured suspenseful stories, and this one is no exception. Deavers has put together a story, set in the world of magic, filled with twists and turns and surprises!
Rhyme and Sachs fans will not be disappointed in The Vanished Man. Once again, the dynamic duo puts together forensic evidence that leads to the arrest of the "bad guy" in spite of smoke and mirrors, disappearing characters, interwoven story lines... A good read, and one recommended for any mystery/suspense junkie!
Rhyme and Sachs fans will not be disappointed in The Vanished Man. Once again, the dynamic duo puts together forensic evidence that leads to the arrest of the "bad guy" in spite of smoke and mirrors, disappearing characters, interwoven story lines... A good read, and one recommended for any mystery/suspense junkie!
Another great Lincoln Rhyme novel!
Michelle C. (Shellaree) -
Another Lincoln Rhyme book! Lincoln and his protegee are called in to work the investigation of a killer that has seemed to vanish into thin air. A very intricate plot that keeps you guessing.
Jeffrey Deaver has shown a tendency to overwork the same plot mechanisms in his previous volumes, causing me to have a few second thoughts about buying and reading this volume. Nor am I a big fan of the kind of suspense story where we are introduced to the villain of the piece immediately and the only mystery is which way the plot will twist next.
So I was surprised when 'The Vanished Man' caught my interest from the onset and kept it to the end. Part of the spell comes from the subject matter - stage magic and it's mysteries. Deaver shows an unexpected mastery of the subject - the tricks, the psychology, and the personalities. He introduces a you magician in training, Kara, to the investigative team, and she holds her own against the strong personalities of Amelia Sachs and the paralyzed Lincoln Rhyme.
When most murderers leave glaring clues they are asking to be caught. But as Rhyme and Sachs investigate a string of gruesome crimes it becomes obvious that a skilled stage artist is dragging them through a trail of misdirection - cold-bloodedly setting a grandiose trap. It is up to the team to try to pinpoint the real object of the crimes before the last grim strike. Not without a lot of help from Kara as well.
Most of the story is Amelia's, Rhyme's active counter part. She has developed quite a bit from being the foil of a brilliant quadriplegic investigator. Her character has a fluidity that makes her a vibrant character with issues of her own - independent of the challenges facing Rhyme himself. If anything, it is Rhyme who has flattened out a bit, becoming something of a caricature of himself.
The story's only fault is that their opponent is a little too good and a little too lucky. Be that as it may, it is excellent reading. Between the magical overtones and a plot that never goes in the same direction for more than a chapter or two, there is enough depth to keep a readers attention. The story stands well by itself, as all of the volumes of this series do. If you haven't looked into them, and like intricate procedurals, it is time to start.
So I was surprised when 'The Vanished Man' caught my interest from the onset and kept it to the end. Part of the spell comes from the subject matter - stage magic and it's mysteries. Deaver shows an unexpected mastery of the subject - the tricks, the psychology, and the personalities. He introduces a you magician in training, Kara, to the investigative team, and she holds her own against the strong personalities of Amelia Sachs and the paralyzed Lincoln Rhyme.
When most murderers leave glaring clues they are asking to be caught. But as Rhyme and Sachs investigate a string of gruesome crimes it becomes obvious that a skilled stage artist is dragging them through a trail of misdirection - cold-bloodedly setting a grandiose trap. It is up to the team to try to pinpoint the real object of the crimes before the last grim strike. Not without a lot of help from Kara as well.
Most of the story is Amelia's, Rhyme's active counter part. She has developed quite a bit from being the foil of a brilliant quadriplegic investigator. Her character has a fluidity that makes her a vibrant character with issues of her own - independent of the challenges facing Rhyme himself. If anything, it is Rhyme who has flattened out a bit, becoming something of a caricature of himself.
The story's only fault is that their opponent is a little too good and a little too lucky. Be that as it may, it is excellent reading. Between the magical overtones and a plot that never goes in the same direction for more than a chapter or two, there is enough depth to keep a readers attention. The story stands well by itself, as all of the volumes of this series do. If you haven't looked into them, and like intricate procedurals, it is time to start.
Think of a real life Master Magician who uses misdirection, illusion, slight of hand, quick changes into other costumes and personna and his ability to escape from any lock in seconds.
Now what if all those skills were used to commit a crime ? How could you figure what he was really up to since anything he did could be to throw you off what he really wants to do ?
And if you "did" catch him how could you hold him if he can get out of any lock in seconds ?
That is the plot of this riveting and fascinating book as we follow the great criminologist Lincoln Rhymes and his sidekick Amelia as they face what may be their most difficult case of all time !
This book is Lot's of Fun and the author obviously did his homework researching the World of Illusion.
Now what if all those skills were used to commit a crime ? How could you figure what he was really up to since anything he did could be to throw you off what he really wants to do ?
And if you "did" catch him how could you hold him if he can get out of any lock in seconds ?
That is the plot of this riveting and fascinating book as we follow the great criminologist Lincoln Rhymes and his sidekick Amelia as they face what may be their most difficult case of all time !
This book is Lot's of Fun and the author obviously did his homework researching the World of Illusion.
Classic Lincoln Rhyme thriller. The plot twists, turns, twists again and then ... It's excellent.
Deaver always has a twist.
One of the best books I have read. Could not put the book down
I love the Lincoln Rhyme series! Makes me want to get into the CSI type field investigation business. How cool!!
Psychological thriller.
Excellent, excellent book. Esp. like the periodic summaries of the evidence, really helps keep track of things. This book is a must-read for all fans of the basic mystery novel.
A roller coaster ride of a book! Deaver has done it again...
Lincoln Rhyme and his protege Amelia Sachs are at the top of their game. Very good book
Fast paced and interesting
Joanne K. (Jerseygirl-exit30) reviewed The Vanished Man (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 5) on + 79 more book reviews
This is a great Lincoln Rhyme book, with a couple of memorable characters who get pulled into the mystery, as well as the creepy killer.
It marries magic with murder, and lincoln rhyme too!
"It begins at a prestigious music school in New York. A killer flees the scene of a homocide and locks himslef in a classroom. Within minutes the police have him surrounded. When a scream rings out, followed by a gunshot, they break down the door. The room is empty.
A brilliant thriller that pits a forensic criminologist and his partner against an unstoppable killer with 1 final horrific trick up his sleeve."
An adrendaline rush every page.
A brilliant thriller that pits a forensic criminologist and his partner against an unstoppable killer with 1 final horrific trick up his sleeve."
An adrendaline rush every page.
Good mystery!
Tammy P. (bookluver-in-sc) reviewed The Vanished Man (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 5) on + 229 more book reviews
A very good Lincoln Rhyme novel. A lot of magic and tricks make up this story. Deaver is one of my favorite authors.
Best selling author of the Stone Monkey. LA Times calls his novels "thrill rides between covers". NY TImes hails them as "dazzling" The Times of London crowns him "the best psychological thriller writer around. He is a master of ticking-bomb suspense. A thriller.
Excellent Lincoln Rhyme novel. I believe this is the 5th in the series. Follow Amelia Sachs and Lincoln Rhymes as the seek out "the conjurer".
Lincoln Rhyme novel. Good read although I felt there were a few too many twists and turns.
Quadraplegic forensic detective Lincoln Rhyme and his partner Amelia Sachs are back to solve another case or two, or three. As each page turned the plot got more and more intricate. I really enjoy Jeffry Deaver's books.
Forensic expert Linconl Rhyme and his protege Amelia Sachs are called in to work the high profile investigation of a killer who seemingly disappeared into thin air just as the police closed in. As the homicidal illusionist baits them with grisly murders that grow more diabolical with each victim. Rhyme and Sachs must go behind the smoke and mirrors to prevent a horrific act of vengeance.
Forensic expert Lincoln Rhyme and his protege Amelia Sachs are called in to work a high profile investigation of a killer who's calling card or feat seems to be that of a ghost.
Excellent reading and suspenseful novel.
Excellent reading and suspenseful novel.
Angel S. (AngelWings) -
Another Lincoln Rhyme novel. He and his protegee Amelia Sachs are called into work the high-profile investigation of a killer who seemingly disappeared into thin air just as the police closed in. Another book by Jeff Deaver who also wrote "The Bone Collector" which was made into a TV movie starring Denzel Washington.
great read as usual from great author
Not one of my favorite Lincoln Rhyme books.
This is another great Lincoln Ryme book.
Who doesn't like Lincoln Rhyme?
Definitely a page turner. I always enjoy Deaver, but I do have to say, this went on a little too long. There were so many twists, you didn't have a chance of figuring it out. I like to at least have a "chance". Enjoy!
Ingriguing but almost endless escape (no pun intended) into the life of a homicidal illunionist, which requires the expertise of forensic expert paraplegic Lincoln Rhyme and his protegee Amelia Sachs. Good but geewhiz, the man keeps on disappearing... for me it got a little boring reading through yet another disappearance but kept me intrigued as to how exatly they were going to figure out how to pin down the man expecially with a paraplegic hunting him.
Forensic expert Lincoln Rhyme and his protégé Amelia Sachs are called in to work the high-profile investigation of a killer who seemingly disappeared into thin air just as the police closed in. As the homicidal illusionist baits them with grisly murders that grow more diabolical with each victim, Rhyme and Sachs must go behind the smoke and mirrors to prevent a horrific act of vengeance that could become the greatest vanishing act of all...
A KILLER FLEES THE SCENE OF A HOMICIDE AND LOCKS HIMSELF IN A CLASSROOM.WITHIN MINUTES,THE POLICE HAVE HIM SURROUNDED.WHEN A SCREAM RINGS OUT,FOLLOWED BY A GUNSHOT,THEY BREAK DOWN THE DOOR. THE ROOM IS EMPTY.
Forensic expert Lincoln Rhyme and his protegee Amelia Sachs are called in to work the high-profile investigation of a killer who seemingly disappeared into thin air just as the police closed in. As the homicidal illusionist baits them grisly murders that grow more diabolical with each victim, Rhyme and Sachs must go behind the smoke and mirrors to prevent a horrific act of vengeance that could become the greatest vanishing act of all...
Cameron-Ashley H. (BigGreenChair) reviewed The Vanished Man (Lincoln Rhyme, Bk 5) on + 461 more book reviews
It was fun in the beginning, but then I began to feel the 'clicks' as in, click left, okay now click right, now turn around and dance; repeat click left, click right, etc. You get it. It wasn't that the story wasn't a fun idea, it was just too rhythmic. Like a recipe for a book: put in a dash of this, now add a dash of that, etc etc etc. Too packaged, too jaded I guess you could say.
Rhyme and his protegee Amelia Sachs are called in to work the high-profile investigation of a killer who seemingly disappeared into thin air just as the police closed in. As the homicidal illusionist baits them with grisly murders that grow more diabolical with each victim, Rhyme and Sachs must go behnd the smoke and mirrors to prevent a horrific act of vengeance that could become the greatest vanishin act of all.
Janet H. (garnetfairy) -
a Lincoln Rhyme mystery
