The short version: This book is perfect. Buy it immediately.

The long version: Sometimes you get caught off guard. I picked up The Bone Collector because I have a long-standing mission to read and review books with disabled protagonists. (Soon-to-be-updated list here.)

I really wasn't expecting this one to be any good. Quadriplegic who's retained the ability to move one finger? And what miraculous feats will he be accomplishing with his single finger? Yeah; I was totally prepared for the "super-powered cripple" travesty.

Actually, as it turns out, Lincoln Rhyme doesn't do much of anything with his finger; at least, he doesn't do anything he couldn't also do with his mouth or head, if necessary. Mainly, he uses it to run a computer, which, at the time of publication (1998) was not a magical device that compensated for everything.

In fact, Lincoln Rhyme is severely depressed, a borderline recluse, as one might reasonably expect of a formerly active man who's been paralyzed from the neck down. More than that, Deaver has clearly done his research. He gets all the details right, and he isn't squeamish about stepping into the awkward territory of bodily functions. There is a bit at the end which is somewhat over-the-top, but I will gladly chalk that up to literary license. I honestly don't have much to say here, because Deaver gets everything right, from the equipment to Rhyme's physical capabilities and his mental state. It's all spot-on.

But wait - there's more! Lincoln is not the only masterfully drawn character in The Bone Collector. I was, if it is possible, even more surprised and delighted by the character of Amelia Sachs. Contemporary fiction is sadly lacking in three-dimensional female characters; I've learned to put up with either the "dude with boobs" or the cookie cutter being of pure emotion.

Sachs is neither of these. She is... good lord, she's a person. Rather than trying to ignore the fact that she happens to be female, Deaver tackles the reality of what it's like for an attractive woman to constantly tailor her behavior to cope with men's responses to her appearance. There's no "poor me" moping going on here; Sachs is rational, flawed, strong, vulnerable, beautiful, insecure, frightened, determined, and blessedly individual. A woman - a human being - I can actually identify with.

That covers the characters; for the rest, I'll say the plot is perfect. Like a diamond. And the level of detail given to police and FBI procedures is amazing; I really thought Deaver had to have lived in New York and been on the force at some point. In fact, he's just done his research. ALL OF IT. The writing style itself is nothing to remark upon, but in a mystery/thriller you want the prose to disappear as you devour the pages, and that's exactly what happens. No fluff provided; no fluff necessary.

Can I give this book more than five stars?