January 2022 Group Read: The Bone Collector, by Jeffery Deaver

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Your space to discuss The Bone Collector by Jeffery Deaver along with Cherie. Please note that there is a separate spoiler thread for this book.

[RJ - Slayer of Trolls]

I have read some short stories by Deaver and also the non-series historical thriller Garden of Beasts and rated them all 4 stars. But I've always avoided this one due to the awful movie version which I remember hating even though I thought Denzel and Angelina did great in their respective roles. I'm pleased to say that I like the book better than the film so far. The characters of Rhyme and Sachs are well drawn and I like their chemistry - I do think of Denzel and Angelina in those roles as I'm reading, even though I have the feeling Rhyme was originally supposed to be Caucasian (I don't think this is ever stated in the book however, or if it is I missed it).

I remember one reason I didn't like the film is because I didn't think the crimes themselves were very realistic (although the crime solving processes seemed authentic), and if I can't believe the crimes are real then it's hard for me to get into the plot or feel like there is a real threat to the main characters. Without getting into any spoilers, I will say I am having some of the same concerns with the book, but a bit less so.

I should be done in a couple weeks then I'll post some more thoughts in the Spoiler thread.

Who else is in for this read?

[Sallie]

I am going to start this one in a few days, after I finish up a couple books each with less than 100 pages to go. My first foray into this Goodreads Mystery, Crime and Thriller Group.

[Jim]

This book is just too bloody and gory for me. That doesn’t usually stop my reading, but this one was too over the top. I tried to read it. I really tried. I am trying to shake off the last scene that I read.

[Robert]

I remember buying this at an airport bookstore and finished reading it on that trip. I was lucky to read it before the movie came out, so I made a mental image of Lincoln and Amelia before I saw Denzel and Angelina in the roles. I loved the book and when the movie came a couple of years later I loved that too (not nearly as much as the book though!). For me what is great with the duo of Lincoln and Amelia is the dynamic of her being his eyes, ears, and mind at the scene relaying her experience of the crime scene back to him and then his “reading” of it leading to the next clue/scene. I’ve reread the book once and rewatched the movie a couple of times and I never tire of the duo of Lincoln and Amelia. If you like this first Rhyme mystery I recommend the other books in the series as well!

[Sallie]

I’ve made it to chapter 6. So many acronyms! I don’t read a lot of police procedurals and all the acronyms are driving me crazy. I can’t remember what all of them stand for. But I’m liking what I’ve read so far. Plus the details of his medical condition and what it would be like to lose the use of your entire body!

[Nico]

Finished the book and was found it well written and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I watched the movie many years before, and even if I could not remember much of the plot, but I knew Denzel Washington played Lincoln Rhyme, and thus I envisioned him as the book character. Found it quite strange, almost halfway through the book, when I read he was a blue-eyed Caucasian male. Lol

I will definitely be buying the whole series over time. Thank you for the suggestion.

Ty for the suggestion

[Leena]

I'll get started only around Saturday. Too many committed group reads.

[Tom]

I enjoyed the book and the movie. Both, I thought were well done.

[Sallie]

I am now halfway through. I think the premise is interesting as well as the details of life as a quadriplegic. I’ve not seen the movie, bit kid like to see Denzel Washington playing the part.

[???!!!]

Usually the movie rendition of the book are not as good as the book. Needless to say there aren't many who first watch the movie then felt compelled enough to read the book. But this is what happened to me and I feel both are excellent. The other books in Lincoln Rhymes series are not as good as this one IMO. So perhaps it's because it's the ignition of this unique understanding btwn the two characters that's the sparkle.

[Leena]

I'm halfway through and I remember watching Denzel in this role,but nothing more. so I'm reading it with fresh eyes.

what I found strange is why was he made in charge? After 3yrs of being out if circulation there's no explanation given to why Lincoln? They must have had other stalwarts in the past 3yrs? This isn't to undermine him. I think that guy's just fantastic-he's on top of the case -esp his observations are top notch.
but ,in the end it like Sachs asks " is he always right?"

[Cherie]

When I first watched the movie years ago I was so busy working that I didn’t have time to read books for pleasure, yikes I admit this to my fellow bibliophiles. Nowadays I read voraciously but I was so pleased to discover that the movie I had so enjoyed starring Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie was based on this author’s book, with liberties taken. The movie was terrifying but of course couldn’t contain all the scenes of the book, understandably. Jeffery Deaver is an amazing author though I agree this is his best book by far. Please see the “spoilers “ section as to answers for some of your inquiries.

[Leena]

I finished the book and the answers were there. I liked the unexpected twist and its really plausible unlike some of the newer vks where the twist doesn't add up and is a sensational addition.

for me, this book stands out for the camaraderie in that small room. the reminisces and the leg pulling was touching. Lincoln's super quick brain is outstanding, he's constantly working and reworking the little clues. This was a great book and I really enjoyed it.
4 Star rating .

[Leslie]

This was my first Book read by this author. I enjoyed it. Just the right amount of creepy. I do want to read more of this series.

[Katya]

This was the first book read by this author. In the beginning, I couldn't get into the story, the first half dragged out and was boring for my taste. I liked the second half though and especially the ending - it was interesting and unexpected. I will watch the movie for sure.

[Sallie]

I finished it mid last week. I will likely read more of this series. I didn’t think the scene where Sachs got into his bed was very believable!

[Leena]

Yeah... 😄 towards the end their relationship was quite cringy.

[Karen]

I really enjoyed this book, It was action packed with an extremely evil bad guy and an interesting duo of detectives, the tragic but brilliant Lincoln Rhymes with Amelia Sachs the newbie. A thrill ride with tragedy and sexual tension rolled into one. I sort of want to see the movie to see how they handled it all but from the feedback I'm reading maybe not.