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bmg20's review
4.0
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
A copy of A Textbook Case was provided to me by Grand Central Publishing/Netgalley for review purposes.
'It was clear that the classic textbook procedure for running a case forensically wasn't going to work.'
Lincoln Rhyme is renowned for his forensic knowledge but even he is tested when a recent murder is buried, literally, in evidence. The perpetrator has attempted to cover any evidence they personally left in the smartest way possible; by flooding the scene full of incidental evidence. Extremely smart, except he detailed that exact scenario in his highly prominent forensic textbook. The more digging his team does in uncovering the relevant pieces of evidence, the greater Rhyme's suspicion that someone may be using his textbook against him to get away with murder.
I've read eight of Jeffery Deaver's 'Lincoln Rhyme' novels but this is my first short story of his. His books always contain a mystery so skilfully constructed it's almost as if you're watching a puzzle slowly disassemble itself as you turn each page. All of his novels are quite large and the disassembling takes time so I was interested in seeing how well he's able to build a mystery with so few pages. Admittedly it doesn't have the same flair that his full-length novels have but it was still an enjoyable and quick read. Any of the Lincoln Rhyme novels work fairly well as a stand-alone, but if you're a newbie to Deaver's works I'd recommend A Textbook Case to give you a glimpse at what he's capable of.
A copy of A Textbook Case was provided to me by Grand Central Publishing/Netgalley for review purposes.
'It was clear that the classic textbook procedure for running a case forensically wasn't going to work.'
Lincoln Rhyme is renowned for his forensic knowledge but even he is tested when a recent murder is buried, literally, in evidence. The perpetrator has attempted to cover any evidence they personally left in the smartest way possible; by flooding the scene full of incidental evidence. Extremely smart, except he detailed that exact scenario in his highly prominent forensic textbook. The more digging his team does in uncovering the relevant pieces of evidence, the greater Rhyme's suspicion that someone may be using his textbook against him to get away with murder.
I've read eight of Jeffery Deaver's 'Lincoln Rhyme' novels but this is my first short story of his. His books always contain a mystery so skilfully constructed it's almost as if you're watching a puzzle slowly disassemble itself as you turn each page. All of his novels are quite large and the disassembling takes time so I was interested in seeing how well he's able to build a mystery with so few pages. Admittedly it doesn't have the same flair that his full-length novels have but it was still an enjoyable and quick read. Any of the Lincoln Rhyme novels work fairly well as a stand-alone, but if you're a newbie to Deaver's works I'd recommend A Textbook Case to give you a glimpse at what he's capable of.
ericbuscemi's review
5.0
Me before reading this story: Ooh, a Kindle Single from the author that wrote the latest James Bond novel, [b:Carte Blanche|10483475|Carte Blanche (James Bond)|Jeffery Deaver|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328315858s/10483475.jpg|15388957]. I'm definitely going to check that out.
Me after reading the first chapter: Wait a second, this story has a paraplegic forensic analyst in it? Just like that Denzel Washington movie? That's a bit much to be coincidental. [Goes to Google] Hey, that movie was based on a book by this author, with the same character starring in it.
Me after two later, separate points the story: I've figured out the killer pretty early on. Wow, I am either really clever, or he is telegraphing who it is.
Me at the end of the story: He fooled me twice -- I did not see that coming at all. Well done, man who is famous for reasons other than I previously thought!
Me now: How have I not read any of his Lincoln Rhyme novels? Time to lengthen the to-read list again...
Me after reading the first chapter: Wait a second, this story has a paraplegic forensic analyst in it? Just like that Denzel Washington movie? That's a bit much to be coincidental. [Goes to Google] Hey, that movie was based on a book by this author, with the same character starring in it.
Me after two later, separate points the story: I've figured out the killer pretty early on. Wow, I am either really clever, or he is telegraphing who it is.
Me at the end of the story: He fooled me twice -- I did not see that coming at all. Well done, man who is famous for reasons other than I previously thought!
Me now: How have I not read any of his Lincoln Rhyme novels? Time to lengthen the to-read list again...
beth_books_123's review
4.0
YESSSSSSSS, DEAVER!!!!! - 4.5*
This book is literally 50 pages of goodness and I only read it so I can read The Steel Kiss (#11) but this was actually awesome! I've felt low in my confidence of Deaver after the Kill Room (#10) but this restored my faith that he can write good stories.
This was nearly 100% perfect.
I missed this, Deaver. I have expectations.
This book is literally 50 pages of goodness and I only read it so I can read The Steel Kiss (#11) but this was actually awesome! I've felt low in my confidence of Deaver after the Kill Room (#10) but this restored my faith that he can write good stories.
This was nearly 100% perfect.
I missed this, Deaver. I have expectations.
meiko's review
3.0
It's a short story, so naturally my expectations included a lot less of the common twists and turns in the Lincoln Rhyme series.
So when a twist did come about I was thrown off, a bit.
The LR or KD series are the only ones I've read by Jeffery Deaver (actually, I tell a lie, I think I've read [b:The Lesson of Her Death|1050404|The Lesson of Her Death|Jeffery Deaver|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1358384478s/1050404.jpg|1036861]). I've always felt it was probably part of what drove me to absolutely love the science-y crime solving police procedural series on telly.
Essentially LR is the first CSI that hit the screen, I think. So naturally when the police procedurals took a turn and started focusing on the techs behind the crime fighters instead of the police force prowling the street, they grabbed my attention.
JD usually reads like a movie. Not always a good movie, but a gripping action-esque movie that you can lose yourself in for a while. Sort of a guilty pleasure.
This one was rather, a series episode. The plot wasn't as fully developed as the movie, the characters not as detailed, and you kinda figure out who it might be sooner rather than later.
But hey, it's Lincoln Rhyme. I do look forward to the actual novel in June.
So when a twist did come about I was thrown off, a bit.
The LR or KD series are the only ones I've read by Jeffery Deaver (actually, I tell a lie, I think I've read [b:The Lesson of Her Death|1050404|The Lesson of Her Death|Jeffery Deaver|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1358384478s/1050404.jpg|1036861]). I've always felt it was probably part of what drove me to absolutely love the science-y crime solving police procedural series on telly.
Essentially LR is the first CSI that hit the screen, I think. So naturally when the police procedurals took a turn and started focusing on the techs behind the crime fighters instead of the police force prowling the street, they grabbed my attention.
JD usually reads like a movie. Not always a good movie, but a gripping action-esque movie that you can lose yourself in for a while. Sort of a guilty pleasure.
This one was rather, a series episode. The plot wasn't as fully developed as the movie, the characters not as detailed, and you kinda figure out who it might be sooner rather than later.
But hey, it's Lincoln Rhyme. I do look forward to the actual novel in June.
rakeshpoluri's review
4.0
Not bad, but could have been a bit lengthier. What disappoints most, is that Lincoln Rhyme does not use much forensics. The ending seems a bit of an anticlimax.
flattrash's review
1.75
Read from the Trouble in Mind: The Collected Stories, Volume 3. The classic formula of Lincoln Rhyme.
latas's review
3.0
For those who have read other Lincoln Rhyme novels, there is nothing new. This novella is like a filler. It has been a while since i last read this series, but i haven't forgotten any of the details that Deaver repeats in every book - The forensic procedures that Rhyme and team follows (walk the grid etc), Rhyme's condition, Amelia's super-model looks, arthritis, her quirks (itchy scalp).
The mystery was ok. But I doubt any detective would analyze a whole lot of garbage minutely to solve a crime (there are so many DNA samples - both human and animals - a garbage dump, how is it possible to figure which ones belong to the perp)
I am glad that this is a short story and I didn't waste much time on this one.
The mystery was ok. But I doubt any detective would analyze a whole lot of garbage minutely to solve a crime (there are so many DNA samples - both human and animals - a garbage dump, how is it possible to figure which ones belong to the perp)
I am glad that this is a short story and I didn't waste much time on this one.
faviator's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
1.0
Lincoln is particularly insufferable in this one.