Lincoln Rhyme Is back with a bang! A brilliant story set up. The watchmakers hand is cleverly woven through the plot.
Absolutely brilliant.

My thanks to the Author publisher's and NetGalley for providing me with a Kindle version of this book to read and honestly review.
Quality in every meaning of the word that I have come to expect from this Author. Quality characters and storyline with more than enough surprises and twists to baffle this ancient brain of mine. While this is book sixteen in the series, and I am way behind it worked as a standalone story. The start to the book is one of the most exciting and gripping sequences I can recall, with tension that had me holding my breath.
Completely and utterly recommended.

As ever Jeffrey Deaver is a master of complicated plots full of twists and turns. The book moves along at a blistering pace - though I did find some of the technical details re the mechanics of cranes a little tricky. All the usual characters in a Lincoln Rhyme novel were present. Rhyme himself did seem to take a little bit more of a back seat compared to other novels in the series. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Another book in this popular crime series. Another good read. Recommended.

When Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs are called to investigate the sabotage of a construction crane they know they are on the clock. A political group has claimed responsibility for the disaster, which killed several people, and have given the city an ultimatum that they will bring down more cranes around New York if their demands aren't met. As the team race to identify and catch those behind the crisis, evidence starts pointing them in the direction of an old foe, someone who has a personal vendetta with Rhyme.

This is book 16 in the long running Lincoln Rhyme series, which is definitely one that would be better read in order so that you have the backstory of the characters, and particularly the battle between Rhyme and the Watchmaker.

I started this one late at night, because I always read before bed and had just finished my previous book. Rookie error, I should have known that it would lead to a late night for me! We dive right in to the action with the scene of the crane going down, and I was hooked instantly. I had to keep reading to find out what happened to the crane operator.

Enter Rhyme and his team to investigate. As usual with Deaver's books there are several different threads running through this book. Some are linked to the main case, some aren't, but it's hard to know which are which until things play out. There are several of the main or regular characters at risk throughout this book, and I can honestly say that I wasn't sure who would live and who would die until the book finished.

Rhyme and Sachs (and us as readers) know that the Watchmaker is behind the crane sabotage from very early on in the book, so the main part of the story focusses on both trying to catch him, trying to determine who he is working for and trying to foretell his endgame. It really is a battle of the mind, with Rhyme and the Watchmaker trying to anticipate how the other will act or react, siilar to a game of chess. Not all of the evidence and thought processes are clear at times, but once the scenarios have played out Deaver explains the thought process that led the characters to where they were.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this, and appreciated the hints Deaver dropped throughout the book as to where the series may head in the future. Sixteen books in and as good as ever.

Thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK and Harper Fiction for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

'A CITY IN TURMOIL, A DEADLY CONSPIRACY, A RACE AGAINST TIME.' Lincoln Rhyme is back and you will want to read this new book. It is a pretty full on read so I found I really had to get into it and not be disturbed so I wouldn't loose my train of thought. A great paced read with plenty of suspense, great characters and plenty of action.

I quite enjoyed it and also enjoyed the characters but I did find the details a bit over the top which took away from the story slightly. But once I got past that I was quite fine as the story itself was thrilling and enthralling and kept me wanting to know more and if time would run out... I won't say more!

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

As usual, a very (overly) complex and gripping tale. I have read lots of Jeffrey Deaver books and have enjoyed them all but I got a bit lost in this one with too much technical detail about acids and cranes. There didn’t seem to be as much Lincoln Rhyme investigative work in this one, and my favourite character by far was Ron Pulaski. A good and comfortable read, but not as good as previous books. Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the early copy.

The Watchmaker’s Hand by Jeffery Deaver is a very clever, well thought out storyline which at times is so complex that the reader is trying hard to keep up with all the twists and turns and sheer deviousness of the author’s imagination.
In this latest Lincoln Rhyme episode, Amelia Sachs and Rhyme are investigating why a New York crane should suddenly collapse and cause damage and destruction, as well as deaths. Then a political group threaten to demolish another crane unless their demands are met. As Sachs and Rhyme realise this involves the work of the Watchmaker and they need to stop him before more people die.
Highly recommended

Another case for quadriplegic Lincoln Rhyme and his now wife Amelia Sachs a PD detective but also works for Lincoln as with a few valued friends, and Lincoln also has an A1 lab so all work is done at his town house, but along the way Lincoln has picked up some competition, and one assassin called the Watchmaker who has been trying to kill Rhyme obviously without success.
A very large crane has been sabotaged to collapse on a building site and is suppose to take a lot of casualties along the way and a group for affordable housing are claiming responsibility.
This does not sit with Lincoln but with Amelia working the grid nearly comes unstuck realising there is more to this than meets the eye.
Deaver can certainly create a story a brilliant mind, which makes this a compelling read for all thriller readers.

Full of suspense in working towards tracking down and eliminating the Watchmaker. The Rhyme series continues to entertain. I like that you feel drawn into the storyline and compelled to follow through trying to outguess but never quite managing

What a very good book this was to read. Great characters and a plot line that really had you gripped!

Absolutely superb thriller. I was totally engrossed in this intriguing plot and more than once my heart was in my mouth.

I love this series and can't wait for the next book

Jeffery Deaver never disappoints. This is his latest book in the Lincoln Rhyme series and it was great to be enjoying this long time running special series.
The plot grips you at the start, twists and turns, and with Rhyme in danger himself, the tension builds and keeps you reading on.
A true page turner I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

Lincoln Rhyme, the brilliant New York forensic scientist, has a nemesis. He first crossed paths with Charles Vespasian Hale – the Watchmaker – in 2006’s The Cold Moon, but their paths have crossed several times since then, with Rhyme persistently thwarting Hale’s intricate schemes. Enough is enough – a mechanism cannot work if a piece of grit constantly gets in the way, and the Watchmaker has returned to New York City determined to stop Rhyme’s interference once and for all.

But Lincoln Rhyme and his team have enough on their plates as it is. A giant crane has toppled in the city – were it not for the heroics of the operator, it would have killed hundreds of people. A message is received saying that if demands are not met, then another crane will fall – and another, and another… Is this the work of the Watchmaker? And even if it is, can Rhyme prevent another crane from toppling while watching his back at the same time?

The sixteenth outing for Lincoln Rhyme, Amelia Sachs et al, and I do think that this is my favourite series of out-and-out thrillers. I’ve been here from the start – I’ve no idea what prompted me to pick up The Bone Collector from the old Blackwell’s Paperback Shop in Oxford, but something about it caught my eye and I’ve been hooked ever since. I’ve often cited The Coffin Dancer as one of my favourite thrillers ever, something that I still stand by, and picking up another Lincoln Rhyme book feels like I’m revisiting old friends.

And after first appearing in the eighth book – I’d forgotten he’d been around that long – the story of the Watchmaker comes to a head. He’s been lurking in the background ever since, playing minor or major roles in other books, but finally he decides enough is enough and it’s time to kill his nemesis. And we do get a good chance to get inside his head, to see what (sorry about this) makes him tick.

We also get a sense that because this is a significant return for the villain, finally bringing him and Rhyme face to face once more, that this is an ending of sorts. As such, the stakes are higher. When one character becomes exposed to the substance being used to bring the cranes down, it’s conceivable that this might be more than a bit of a cough. When another character gets kidnapped, it’s conceivable that this might be the last we’ll see of them. Interestingly, Deaver seems to have dialled back on something he used to do quite a bit – chapters often end in cliffhangers, and in past books, it wasn’t uncommon that he’d dial it back like a Saturday morning black and white serial (for old timers like me) and play that “things weren’t what you thought” card. It happens once here, and to be honest, I doubt anyone believed what apparently happened had happened in that case…

There’s nothing here that I didn’t enjoy. Oh, hang on, one little niggle – it takes an age for Rhyme to figure out one aspect of the delivery mechanism for the crane sabotage which was the first thing that occurred to me. There you go, it’s not a perfect book!

Fans of the series won’t be disappointed. Fans of thrillers won’t be disappointed. This is the master of the genre at the top of his game, and if somehow you haven’t been reading the series, there are sixteen to enjoy! And some short stories too… Now I really must get round to reading his Colter Shaw series… or just go back to the beginning…

4.5

Is there a series that you will always read?

One of mine is the Lincoln Rhyme series by @jeff... without fail they do not disappoint.

I spend the stories looking for hidden clues & always miss them, getting sucked in by clever red herrings. They're always layered with so much more going on. True entertainment, great characters, fast paced & attention grabbing.

In this installment Rhyme is facing an old adversary who is out to kill him, The Watchmaker. But things are never simple for Rhyme & the team - this is a cat & mouse race against the clock.

And one of the best bits of a Rhyme novel is that by the end Deaver has set you up for the next book - not a cliffhanger as such, more an 'in the next episode' teaser.

Lincoln and Amelia are back in this riveting race against time thriller. What can you say that's not been said before. A read in one sitting. Tense plotting with Jeffery's trade mark twist. Get this book you'll not regret it. I received this book from HarperCollins UK and Netgalley for a review.

Panic on the streets of New York after a crane collapses in busy Manhattan.
A radical group of activists seem to be behind this sabotage.
This sounds like a case for Lincoln Rhyme and his team.
But time is short as there is another crane due to fall in a few hours, but could this be just a ruse to get Rhyme to drop his guard, and let his old enemy and assassin The Watchmaker finally get revenge.
In the ultimate race against time, in this life or death game of cat and mouse, who will prevail?
I found this book to be Jeffery Deaver at his brilliant best.
The story keeps you guessing throughout and has so many twists you are never sure of the outcome until its finale.
I have to say I’m not sure anyone writes this kind of novel better than Jeffrey Deaver.
His use of language and writing style is simply sublime. This is one of best books I’ve read this year. Truly outstanding.

4.5⭐

I've not read a Lincoln Rhyme novel in ten years. But when I saw this one available for review on NetGalley, I jumped at the chance. Especially as the synopsis sounded so intriguing and honestly I'm glad I did. 

As I'd forgotten just how good this series is and particularly how complex and detailed the stories are. 

And certainly The Watchmaker's Hand is no different. As Lincoln faces his nemesis.

The one who got away: Charles Vespasian Hale.

And I loved how the story built with all the different elements and characters involved. From the supposed terror attack that takes place at the beginning when a crane is tampered with causing death and destruction in New York. To the murder of a stock broker and a policeman. Everything has a reason, and it all comes together brilliantly.

Not to mention you have Lincoln who knows someone wants to kill him and has made plans to make it as hard as possible and is desperate for that one piece of evidence that keeps him a step ahead.

Then there's the watchmaker who is out to kill Lincoln and has everything meticulously planned. But always worries Lincoln has found something that will catch him out.

And I loved the cat and mouse aspect as they tried to out do each other and come out on top. 

And with great supporting characters, some of whom are familiar from my last foray into Lincoln's world and some not. I was gripped from start to finish, and I will certainly be reading the five or so books I've missed out on.

I would happily recommend this story to crime fiction fans everywhere.

Well this one hit the ground running - kinda - and didn't let up until the very end! Sucking me in and spitting me out when it was all done!
We start with a nasty accident when a crane collapses. I say accident, obviously it wasn't. As just after it happens, someone takes responsibility for it and threatens that this is only the start. Demanding more affordable housing. The case falls on the lap of Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs who need no introduction. Rhyme is already on a case though, that of the theft of a bunch of documents which detail the underground infrastructure of the city.
And that's all I am saying as by the 16th book, you'll know what you are getting into. And if this is your first foray into the series, I would really suggest you go back and start from the beginning. There are quite a few series characters with complex back stories that you would be better off knowing before you go in. Especially as the main baddie is an old enemy!
I would also advise that you have your wits about you as you read this book. Be prepared to hold certain things until they are explained. It's a bit convoluted and interconnected but, have faith, it all comes good at the end.
I also learned quite a bit about cranes, and it wasn't boring!
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

I'm ashamed to admit I have not read a Jeffrey Weaver book before and what an eye opener this was. The latest in a series involving Lincoln Rhyme, a man with such an immense knowledge of crime and crime scenes, who had my head spinning with his expertise at solving this latest against the clock mystery. When a crane is deliberately sabotaged to cause maximum impact and destruction it soon becomes clear it is a race against time to prevent further disasters. The sheer quality of the plot and the gradual unpicking of the clues is breathtaking as is the writers ability to keep the reader so absorbed in the story. A stunning crime thriller!