The Skin Collector

Lincoln Rhyme, Book 11

By: Jeffery Deaver

Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini

Length: 13 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

In his classic thriller The Bone Collector, Jeffery Deaver introduced listeners to Lincoln Rhyme - the nation's most renowned investigator and forensic detective.

Now, a new killer is on the loose: A criminal inspired by the Bone Collector. And Rhyme must untangle the twisted web of clues before the killer targets more victims - or Rhyme himself.

The Skin Collector

The killer's methods are terrifying. He stalks the basements and underground passageways of New York City. He tattoos his victims' flesh with cryptic messages, using a tattoo gun loaded with poison, resulting in an agonizing, painful death.

When a connection is made to the Bone Collector - the serial killer who terrorized New York more than a decade ago - Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs are immediately drawn into the case.

Rhyme, Sachs, and the NYPD must race against time to answer the many questions the investigation uncovers: Whom will the killer attack next? What is the message behind the victims' tattoos? Does the killer's own inking - a fanged centipede sporting a woman's face - hold any significance? And what is his ultimate mission?

As time runs out, Rhyme discovers that the past has returned to haunt him in the most troubling way imaginable....

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2014 Jeffery Deaver (P)2014 Hachette

The punt

One of deavers best
I love it. He keeps the brain cells active. So many twists and turns along with an amazing ending. Great listening

it's gotten way too implausable

I really like the characters. I love Rhyme's knowledge and collection of facts. I like that Sachs has arthritis which hurts her a lot sometimes when she has to run or bend. This makes her more realistic.

I enjoy learning whatever it is that Deaver has researched in order to write the book. This time it is tattoos. I appreciate the artistry, knowledge and dedication of the really good tattoo-ers.

But I have grown a little tired of the very convoluted plots, like the poisoned wine in The Princess Bride. Although they are immensely clever, I just don't see these as being very plausible. In this book, I thought there was a mistake in the action; I thought the female tattoo artist would have been killed because of what she told Rhyme, and how smart the bad guy is.

Deaver used to be even with Baldacci in my book, but I think I will go back to Baldacci.

Keeps you on tenterhooks

The many unexpected turns off events kept me riveted and on tenterhooks right up to the end.

Not Up to Expectations

Huge Lincoln Rhyme & Jeffery Deaver fan. I'll buy the next one in the series but if it's not better, then I'll give up. The last couple just haven't been anywhere near as good as the earlier ones. I like the characters but if you didn't know the characters, this book would be completely disjointed. I'll remain hopeful, however.

Excellent! 2 Old Nemesis plus 1 and a Cliffhanger

What did you like about this audiobook?

This book is so well written, it's right up there with The Bone Collector and The Cold Moon which are my two favorite Rhyme books. This book brings the shadow of the Bone Collector back and actual conflict between Rhyme and the Watch Maker which is outstanding. The end if this book is one heck of a cliffhanger setting the listener up for the next in the series which I'm sure will be just as good.

Does the author present information in a way that is interesting and insightful, and if so, how does he achieve this?

Oh yes. Deaver leaves clues all over the place but they are so randomly placed and innocuous that you don't realize they are even clues until Rhyme unearths and points them out as clues. The story is told in a very methodical well thought out way, very complex but none the less easy to follow.

What did you find wrong about the narrator's performance?

Nothing at all wrong with Edoardo Ballerini's performance. I thought he did a great job. Good inflections and character changes with out over dramatizing.

Do you have any additional comments?

I highly recommend this book. Of all of Jeffrey Deaver's books this one rates right at the top!

Great Story

I really enjoyed this book, another great one by Deaver. Grabs you by the seat of your pants.

I finally figured out who perp was B 4 finishing

What did you like about this audiobook?

Love all his book's. People should read/listen to all of his book series, not just the Rhyme book's. Listeners please read/listen to The Devil's Teardrop. IMO his best book

How has the book increased your interest in the subject matter?

I can't get any more interested in the genre.

Does the author present information in a way that is interesting and insightful, and if so, how does he achieve this?

He is the voice of Rhyme, an ass and a good guy (when he wants to be) all in one.

What did you find wrong about the narrator's performance?

Nothing. Perfect as all his other read's.

Do you have any additional comments?

No guessing this time. FINALLY I deduced who the killer was before the end of the book! No spoilers here. Use the evidence board's. It's there. I'm so freaking happy with myself I'll never read or listen to a book again. BAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good, but predictable

Deaver is beginning to resemble the "M. Night Shyamalan" of detective fiction. Every one of his books seems to contain a bunch of unrelated stuff until, in a Shocking Twist(TM), they all come together to be part of a whole. If you've read or listened to most of his books, however, you'll see this one coming a mile away.

The narrator isn't bad, but whoever directed and produced the audio should have kept him from saying "gas chromatograph SLASH mass spectrometer." Boy, did the use of the word "slash" grate on the nerves.

Another winner

Jeffrey Deaver does an amazing jobs with misdirection. I hope my own books reach the level of forethought that he continues to show in his Lincoln Rhyme series.

Too clever

Mr Deaver became too complicated this time in my opinion I skipped a lot as it became too tedious for me and lost interest didn't mean to give 4 stars but finger slipped but The narrator was excellent and deserved recognition