Frank H. (perryfran) reviewed on 8/4/2019 + 1223 more book reviews

I've read several Deaver novels including others in the Lincoln Rhyme series and have always found them to be fast and interesting reads. Deaver is a master of putting twists into his storylines which make them all the more intriguing. In this one, Rhyme and his protege, Amelia Sachs, are up against a potential serial killer who calls himself The Composer. The Composer snatches a businessman off of the streets of New York and leaves a miniature hangman's noose as a calling card. Then a video surfaces on the internet of the man being used as part of a musical piece showing him gasping as a background to the music. Rhyme and his team are able to rescue the man but The Composer escapes and is headed for Europe eventually turning up in Italy where Rhyme and Sachs head to help out on the case. The Composer seems to be focused on using immigrants from Africa and the Middle East as his next victims but why? Rhyme gets involved with the police in Italy who sometimes can be most hindering in the process but eventually are able to work together. One of the most interesting characters in the story is Ercole Benelli, a Forestry Officer with the Italian police, who gets drawn into the case when he is near the first kidnapping in Italy. Ercole is trying to get into the regular police force and has a lot of insight into the crimes much to his superiors' surprise. He also provides some humor along the way.

I thought overall that the background of Italy was pretty interesting, the characters were well developed, and the story was fast-paced. And Deaver does throw in a major twist towards the end of this novel, but somehow this one didn't seem as compelling as others in the series. I also thought that Rhyme was portrayed as less likeable than in the earlier books. Only a mild recommendation for this one.

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