I have to say this one cannot stand in the same grade with the first two, or three of Lincoln's series. I mean when reading those ones, I couldn't help stopping because I was so eager to know what happened next; but as for the Stone Monkey, I put my iPad down several times to do other things with the "ability" to predict what was going on - I had had good guesses.My first language is Chinese, and I read the Chinese version, online for free. I was pretty interested to see how Deaver would apply his Chinese culture knowledge: at first it looked like showing off, as anyone could pop up some foreign language phrases or stories, and then I figured out Deaver really digs hard for information collection to finish this book. I think the author had spent some time in some southern Chinese cities before or when writing this book, and he did a great job. I felt teardrops falling over my face when I read the letter from the old dad - this kind of resonance never happened with the previous ones, that's why I say Deaver had learned how Asian people express their feeling: they seldom say love or "you are so amazing", but if you understand the deep meaning underneath their words, it really breaks your heart. The relationship between William and his father is typical in Chinese families: obeying / rebelling, fear / respect, without much oral communication.There is another thing I would like to clarify: no Chinese girl in China (except for ABCs/CBCs) would want to look like Lucy Liu. Lucy even cannot beat the third class of Chinese actresses. If some American tells me I look like Lucy Liu I will say thank you; but would certainly get angry if I were in China and somebody says that. In China, beautiful women are like: Chen Hong, Cecilia Cheung, Zhang Ziyi, Fan Bingbing, Liu Yifei, etc. Lucy? Not even close! I know she is hot in Hollywood, and she does look like Hua Mulan in the cartoon movie, but no Chinese thinks this cartoon figure is pretty...I plan to read the novel again for its English version. The conversation about the nicknames "Ghost" made for Sachs and himself was really a good one! But as for the whole plot, the Stone Monkey is merely an OK product while its precedents seem much more successful.
This fourth entry into the Lincoln Rhyme series contains all of the usual hallmarks, intrigue, forensic insights and interesting characters that the previous three books have but yet still it seems as Deaver was running a little short on ideas when it came to the actual plot.A snakehead is transporting illegal Chinese immigrants to the US only for the coast guard to interrupt the operation leading the snakehead to blow up the ship. Unfortunately for him a number of passengers survive forcing to try and chase them down. Lincoln Rhyme and his team are tasked with catching the snakehead before he can kill again.All the basis for an excellent story are here and it still moves along a nice pace but unfortunately The Stone Monkey lacks the twists and the surprises that the previous entry had. The books main twist is blatantly obvious from the outset, anyone with a brain can figure out who the snakehead is which leads to a somewhat underwhelming conclusion. It's still an entertaining read and well worth your time but isn't quite at the same standard as the previous three Lincoln Rhyme books.
What do You think about The Stone Monkey (2005)?
I should probably come right out and say this, I'm a big fan of Jeffrey Deaver. The first Lincoln Rhyme book I read was the Vanished Man this got me hooked on his disabled criminologist. Recently, I also read his latest novel, the Kill Room. From that point, I decided to go back and read the whole series in order so I started with the Bone Collector.The Stone Monkey is the fourth in his series and develops the characters even further. We send into the murky world of Chinese people smuggling and there's the usual hard-core scientific background with lots of mystery and murder. It's great to see Deaver developed several characters throughout a number of novels. The plots in science get more more complex and resentful about is individual characters.This book really doesn't disappoint. He tackles complicated themes and issues, and all the time keeps you guessing about exactly what's going on. Without giving too much away, the ending is brilliantly plotted, there were clues all throughout the novel which I missed and it kept me entertained all the way to the end.Can't wait to read the the 12th card.
—Jonathan
The Ghost has murdered before and he certainly will not hesitate to do it again, and again, and again. The Ghost is on a ship smuggling people from China to America. He has brought these people here for a reason though and it is not to set them free.When the ship capsizes and many people are lost, some drowned, and others are shot, but why? This becomes a baffling case for Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs as they try to save the people who managed to escape into the city. It remains to be seen who will get to them first when The Ghost seems to be everywhere.A good story with an interesting twist at the end. Jeffery Deaver is very good at twists.
—Linda
Meh. Got about a third of the way through it and realized I just did not care anymore. If you liked the first two books in the series, you know what you're getting yourself in for. If you, like me, were interested in the characters but the writing style was a little stale after the first book, it doesn't get much better. I'll say this: the POVs from the "bad guys"' definitely keeps improving and feeling more relevant and/or necessary with each book, so that's something. And there's nothing really WRONG here, except that I realized the things I liked about the series were kind of steadily becoming less and less what the story is about. What gets Deaver excited is having that Droopy guy run something through the chromatograph, and telling us how that's going to burn the evidence, but it's a risk worth taking. And where every piece of dirt and sediment in NYC is from specifically. Yeesh. It felt like a necessary evil in book 1, but it's starting to become pretty fetishistic at this point. Still, well put together, so if that's your thing, by all means ...
—Michael T Bradley
