The Burning Wire: A Lincoln Rhyme Novel

Jeffery Deaver

Jun 2010 · Sold by Simon and Schuster

About this ebook

From New York Times bestselling author Jeffery Deaver—Lincoln Rhyme is back, and on the trail of a killer whose weapon of choice cripples New York City with fear. Now a major television series starring Russel Hornsby, Arielle Kebbel, and Michael Imperioli.

The weapon is invisible and omnipresent. Without it, modern society grinds to a halt. It is electricity. The killer harnesses and steers huge arc flashes with voltage so high and heat so searing that steel melts and his victims are set afire.

When the first explosion occurs in broad daylight, reducing a city bus to a pile of molten metal, officials fear terrorism. Rhyme, a world-class forensic criminologist known for his successful apprehension of the most devious criminals, is immediately tapped for the investigation. Long a quadriplegic, he assembles NYPD detective Amelia Sachs and officer Ron Pulaski as his eyes, ears and legs on crime sites, and FBI agent Fred Dellray as his undercover man on the street. As the attacks continue across the city at a sickening pace, and terrifying demand letters begin appearing, the team works desperately against time and with maddeningly little forensic evidence to try to find the killer. Or is it killers…?

Meanwhile, Rhyme is consulting on another high-profile investigation in Mexico with a most coveted quarry in his crosshairs: the hired killer known as the Watchmaker, one of the few criminals to have eluded Rhyme’s net.

Juggling two massive investigations against a cruel ticking clock takes a toll on Rhyme’s health. Soon Rhyme is fighting on yet another front—and his determination to work despite his physical limitations threatens to drive away his closest allies when he needs them most…

Ratings and reviews

I am a Jeffery Deaver fan in every sense of the word, but this book was below average. It might be considered good coming from another author, just not from Deaver. The story is slow, the villain is revealed too early for the complete lack of suspense, and the crimes are gory and uninspired. I read it all the way through because it was in my bathroom and I couldn't reach another book.

The well-paced, convincing plot with familiar characters concludes surprisingly to suggest that Deaver will release another Lincoln Rhyme title to enjoy. Some plot development slowed the story's pace. J.P. Miller, Cambridge, MA

If it hadn't given me something to read for a couple rainy days I'd give it 1 star. This book was slow, dragged on and on. Not captivating. Left me feeling like, " Did I really just waste my time reading that?".

About the author

Jeffery Deaver is the #1 internationally bestselling author of forty-four novels, three collections of short stories, and a nonfiction law book. His books are sold in 150 countries and translated into twenty-five languages. His first novel featuring Lincoln Rhyme, The Bone Collector, was made into a major motion picture starring Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie and a hit television series on NBC. He’s received or been shortlisted for a number of awards around the world, including Novel of the Year by the International Thriller Writers and the Steel Dagger from the Crime Writers’ Association in the United Kingdom. In 2014, he was the recipient of three lifetime achievement awards. He has been named a Grand Master by Mystery Writers of America.