The Coffin Dancer

A Novel

By: Jeffery Deaver

Narrated by: Jeff Harding

Length: 13 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

Detective Lincoln Rhyme, the foremost criminalist in the NYPD, is on the hunt for an elusive murderer, the Coffin Dancer. He's a brilliant hitman who changes his appearance even faster than he adds to his trail of victims, only one of whom has lived long enough to offer a clue: The assassin has an eerie tattoo on his arm of the Grim Reaper waltzing with a woman in front of a casket.

Like his previous best-selling novels A Maiden's Grave and The Bone Collector, Jeffery Deaver's latest psychological thriller combines spine-chilling forensic detail with a turbocharged plot. In The Coffin Dancer, Rhyme, tragically paralyzed from a line-of-duty accident, continues to tutor his beautiful protégé, Detective Amelia Sachs, in the art of criminal hunting. Rhyme is certain he's seen this killer before, and his suspicion of an earlier encounter fuels a bitter taste for vengeance. When the chameleonlike assassin targets three federal witnesses for death, the stakes reach a new high. Rhyme's brainpower and Sachs' legwork are the only tools they have to track the cunning murderer through the subways, parks, and airports of a darkly painted New York City. And they have only 48 hours before the Coffin Dancer strikes again.

With The Coffin Dancer, Deaver - already an internationally best-selling author whose acclaimed novels have been translated into a dozen languages - uses his trademark plot twists to keep this fast-paced, masterly thriller steamrolling along with breathtaking speed. This is gripping suspense of the highest order.

©1998 Jeffery Deaver (P)2016 Simon & Schuster

Good story

Good story, even better twist. This was my first book after watching the movie years ago. wasn't fond of the narrator.

loved it

The story kept me guessing until the end, and I never saw it coming. The narrator did an excellent job. I look forward to listening to the next book.

Jeffery Deaver did it again

Another superb performance by Jeffery Deaver encompassing every element needed for a great story. I was practically on the edge of my seat when Amelia finally caught him. I can't wait to dive into the next book.

Biased opinion

I’ve read this series several times, so nice to gather them on audio. Some of it hasn’t aged well, but not as bad as Twain hasn’t aged.

Can't Wait to hear the next one In Series

I am really loving these books Going to Listen to the next one right away

Great book

I loved the book but the different voices the narrator used was a bit distracting.

Mixed feelings-new review

After my second time or reading this novel, I was greatly annoyed with the narrator. His version of Lon Salito was a mush mouthed bad Italian imitation which was difficult for me to listen to. And his southern accent of detective Bell was just as bad. It made me want to stop listening but I didn't. His narration of Sacks made her sound like a weak, whining weakling. I will watch for Jeff Harding now and not listen to anything he narrates. The story was interesting with some twists.

Good Story, Irritating Narration

The story good, though dragged a bit at times. One big flaw was the prime antagonist who who was supposed to be an amazingly bright strategist but had an idiotic obsession with worms and “cringiiness.” This conflict was distractingly unrealistic and challenged the notion that Rhymes was this great criminologist. The narrator was very good 80% of the time but his voice got the “bad guys” was grating comical and belonged better in a cartoon than a serious book.

a goodread

many twists! holds my attention. but am able to still work! I plan on listening to each one in the series.

Great book, just what I was searching for!

Loved the story, full of twists and turns. Loathed the narrator, he wasn't good. I loved the movie "The Bone Collector" didn't know it was a whole series. The story of Rhyme and Sachs was elevated because I had faces to put it to. It was all unfortunately soured by the voice of the narrator. It sounded like he was gargling hot gravel. I loved the story it would have gotten 5 stars if I wasn't listening to Bluto reading to me. Getting past the narrators voice I recommend everyone read it.