Synopsis

Lincoln Rhyme is in court acting as expert witness in the prosecution of Viktor Antony Buryak a man who is a broker of information to the criminal underworld. Lincoln is uncharacteristically evasive, and the Defending Council is able to discredit his testimony. This results in the case being lost.

There is a new adversary for him in town in the guise of ‘The Locksmith’ who is an expert lockpicker. So far, he has broken into women’s apartments whilst they have been asleep but he has made his presence felt by moving objects, eating or drinking and by leaving his ‘calling card’ a page torn from a newspaper with a message written in their lipstick. These home invasions have been disturbing but so far there has been no physical harm, the fear is of escalation to rape or even murder.

The newspaper leads to the Whittaker Media Group a group full of tabloid excess run by a dysfunctional family. The patriarch and major shareholder has had a change of heart though and is in the process of winding up the Group’s businesses and reinvesting the proceeds into a better journalism centre. There’s certainly need for it to counter the rise of fake news and a conspiracy theorist blogger Verum who is warning of ‘The Hidden’.
However, before Lincoln and his team can make much progress a decision with monumental implications is made. The mayor with an eye on poll ratings cannot risk further humiliation so he decides that the NYPD can no longer use external consultants, including Lincoln. His team are reassigned, and his townhouse operations are closed. Catching The Locksmith has suddenly got a whole lot harder…

My thoughts

What is the enduring appeal of the character? From my point of view, I think it’s that a seemingly vulnerable man, a quadriplegic, can thrive and save the day purely through his intelligence and inventiveness. The antipodal of the all-action hero. His character and situation have developed over the series and even though he can be insufferable the interactions with his team and outsiders are well thought out. I guess it’s not true that nobody likes a ‘smart ass’.

Lincoln was originally portrayed as a man considering suicide who rediscovers his zest for life, even in his restricted capacity, through his work as a consultant. He has then had a resurgence in his inner strength, his strength of character, so to see him being portrayed as fallible and even incompetent at the start of the book is an interesting shift. Lincoln truly is a man who lives for his work.

The plot is multi-strand and gets a little bit convoluted but is adroitly pulled together at the end. It keeps a fairly keen pace throughout and the reader doesn’t get chance to get bored. There are plenty of action pieces where a major character is in trouble, but these of course are defused. With the main character being confined to a wheelchair the author regularly relies upon surprise intervention which is then explained after the event. As he cannot fight his way out of trouble he must think ahead and recognise trouble in advance and while the surprise intervention eventually stops becoming a surprise the other option would make for a boring read. There are also twists and false dawns aplenty, with the identity of The Locksmith apparently revealed more than once before it becomes clear who it really is.

This is a book for modern times though, touching on current themes like fake news, conspiracy theories and over exposure on social media, but these provide a backdrop rather than a specific theme. Much is about the power of familial relationships both good and bad and the desire for redemption.

The science can be a fascinating part of the story and the skill of the author is that of including enough to interest but not to get tedious. Whether it is all genuine I have no idea, some of it does seem to be a little bit far-fetched (autopsying a fly?) but we must remember it is fiction after all.

Enjoyable escapist stuff that delivers just what the reader expects, I’ve no doubt this will keep his legion of fans happy.

I would like to thank the author, publisher and of course Net Galley for granting me access to this book in exchange for a fair review.

This is a great read and i would recommend you read this! This was a really fun read which I read so so quickly. I was kindly gifted an e-book in return a honest review.

The Midnight Lock is a new novel from Jeffery Deaver in his long standing Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs series.
Having read several of these books already I was familiar with all the main characters and the first half of the book had a worrying similarity to previous stories; the usual minute attention to detail, the evidence reviews on the whiteboard, the easy banter between Rhyme and the other members of his team, however as the story progressed the plot managed a few unforeseen twists and turns once again showing Deaver to be the master storyteller that he is.

When I chose this book I didn't realise it was part of a long series normally this puts me off as I like to start at book 1 and read through but as I had so kindly been given a copy for review I decided to give it a go. I'm so pleased I did I really enjoyed it and unlike some series it wasn't hard to start with this book. Lots of action to keep me reading very late I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it. I'm off to find book 1 now. Thank you so much for my advanced copy

Another Jeffery Deaver thriller is an amazing author who brings the words off the page, you are hooked and need to see what happens next.

I would like to thank Net Galley and Harper Collins for supplying an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Now I was really looking forward to reading this as I have loved this series, having read 12 of the previous 14 books. The other 2 books are waiting to be read. But sadly, this one well short of his usual high standard.
Lincoln Rhymes is an unusual character and very different from other sleuths. Formerly a NYPD Homicide Detective who since an accident at a crime scene is now a a quadriplegic, but that doesn’t stop him working as Forensic Consultant. The other main character, Amelia Sachs a NYPD detective acts as his eyes as she walks crime scenes and much more. There are a growing number of other recurring characters, that work in the background.

This book starts quite well, and I was enjoying it, and enjoying getting re acquainted with the “cast”. But then I realised that my mind had wandered off somewhere and I had lost interest. I tried to pull it back, but no avail. There were points where I could have even just given up on it. I really struggled to connect with the characters and the plot was … shall I say not up to the usual standard.

Looking at the average score, I am probably in the minority. Wrong book at the wrong time? Maybe. I will read the other 2 books in the series and will try the next one. Hopefully a one-off slump!

I devoured this book. My crime reading addiction started with Jeffery Deaver’s The Cold Moon. I didn’t realise it was the middle of a series so went to book one and 14 years later the Lincoln Rhyme thrillers have been auto buy purchases for me.
I found that around book 13, the ‘thriller’ aspect of his books had become somewhat diluted, but with The Midnight Lock, Deaver is at the top of his game.
As is the norm in a Rhyme and Sachs novel, there are several cases going on; the main one and a couple in the background. Rhyme and Sachs have given the main perp the moniker: The Locksmith. At first glance The Locksmith seems to enjoy breaking into women’s apartments and messing with their heads. Of course it goes much deeper than that. There was more politics and bureaucracy at play in this book, which I enjoyed. Rhyme also finds similarities in The Locksmith with his nemesis (still at large) The Clockmaker, which happened to be the perp in my first Rhyme & Sachs, The Cold Moon. On that note I would say all the Rhyme books can be read as standalones, as I picked up on the series at book 7 it’s been easy to read in order, although torture waiting on the next book!!
As always there are many layers in this book, a definite fast paced thriller with enough suspense to keep you up all night. A solid 5 *s for me.

I have loved the Lincoln Rhyme books for many years and this one did not disappoint. Any criminal has to be pretty sharp to avoid Lincoln and Sachs and this story is full of attempts to do so. Well worth the read to find out...

First time reading 'Lincoln Rhyme' series, and I wasnt disappointed. I feel I was helped before reading the book as I have watched the Bone Collector series recently on TV so I felt I had a good grasp of the character as I approached the book.

Lincoln and his wife Amelia are tasked with finding the man behind the recent invasion of women's homes as a man dubbed 'the Locksmith' breaks in to these homes and moves items around the home / leaves traces behind that someone was in their home as well as his signature with a newspaper article and'Reckoning' signed on the paper in the home owner's underwear drawer.

After the blowback from a case that Lincoln was brought in to testify on - NYPD has banned consultant use on cases going forward. So Lincoln must watch from the sidelines, as Amelia leads the Locksmith case. Of course, Amelia isnt going to play along with this new rule so she brings home evidence and help to their home to try solve the case.

Lots of twists and turns and many moments that I didnt see coming. Really enjoyed it - took me a bit longer to read than usual - but got there in the end.

Thanks NetGalley

Setting the shivers in your spine from the very start, Rhymes' investigation into a perpetrator who breaks into womens rooms and leaves signs of his intrusion is truly disturbing.
There are several "shout out loud at the foolishness of the character" moments as the creeper escalates and women put themselves unwittingly in his sights.
The small details in the writing about locks and lockpicking and the pride which the Locksmith takes in his work all add to the realism.

JEFFERY DEAVER – THE MIDNIGHT LOCK ***

I read this novel in advance of publication through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Though I watched The Bone Collector, based on one of his novels, I had never actually read anything by Deaver. He is of the breed of popular authors like Forsyth and Grisham who has been a journalist and attorney and obviously has the clout to research each of his subjects, in this case a locksmith.

The story starts conventionally with a young woman waking in her apartment after a heavy night out, suddenly realising that things have been moved, a lipstick message has appeared, and the perp is in her apartment.

Twists and turns and surprises aplenty keep you turning the pages, but I was never gripped as I feel I should have been. This because the characters are mere cyphers to the intricacies of the plot, and you don’t actually care about any of them. It’s all very clever, when you unlace who the locksmith is, and why they are doing what they do. But it’s also very forgettable. Would I like to have written it? Of course, it will sell millions. But not because of the quality of the writing. For me, a disappointment.

Jeffrey Deaver keeps the reader on his toes with this one. Lots of twists and turns as usual I had to reread some parts to keep up with the thread. Another great read in the Lincoln Rhyme series.

Rhyme and Sachs are back and this time, the locksmith is making it personal.

I did enjoy the Bone Collector so I like reading about Lincoln Rhyme. I wouldn't say the books are amazingly inventive at all and I found the end of this a bit confusing; hence the 4 rather than 5 stars. A perfectly solid read but it felt a little bit formulaic.

Entertaining as usual. I generally enjoy the Lincoln Rhimes novels although I still think The Bone Collector is my favourite. Lincoln loses a case! Oh no! But.......all is not as it seems.
By the beach or by the pool or just by a winter fire this will keep you out of mischief for a few hours

As great as always. I haven’t read one of Jeffery Deavers books about Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs, and thought it was well written, fast paced and structured brilliantly. It keep me hooked from the start and would recommend it.

A typical, gripping thriller by Deaver at his best. His regular characters all appear plus a couple new recruits. It’s like reading about old friends. Rhyme has to deal with trying to find the Locksmith and avoid getting involved with the politics and ambition of the NY mayor. You think it is all over, but, with the Deaver flair for the unexpected, there is a twist at the end. Really good read keeping you turning the pages trying to find the answers.

I've been a fan of Jeffrey Deaver's books since the early 2000s, and his Lincoln Rhyme series is my favourite.

However, I felt that the last few books, particularly the Colter Shaw series, really didn't live up to the standard I'd come to expect.

Not so with The Midnight Lock.
I was excited to be back with Rhyme and Amelia, who remain complex and consistent characters, despite the series spanning over a decade.
This book is well researched and intricately plotted, it engaged me throughout.
There was no extraneous detail or overly long explanations.

For me, this is Deaver on his A game, I would definitely recommend!

I received this book from the publishers via Netgalley for a review. Rhyme and Sachs are back in a riveting new thriller. Well written and plotted novel. Jeffery Deaver never lets you down highly recommended.

Great Jeffery Deaver book as always. I’ve read a few books in the Lincoln Rhyme series so was familiar with all the characters. The story was good although I felt there were too many subplots going on at the same time. That being said, the book has plenty twists and turns to keep people gripped. Definitely recommended and am now looking forward to the next book in the series.
Thank you HarperCollins UK for an advanced copy of this ebook and giving me a chance to review this book!

A very enjoyable book, full of the twists and turns you expect from a Jeffrey Deaver novel, with all the typical sleight of hand and misdirection that keeps you guessing and reading. There are several story lines skillfully intertwined to add to the mystery. Excellent book.