Customer Reviews
big brother is watching you - By: RD, 09 Oct 2008 
The latest installmentin the Lincoln Rhyme series, 'The Broken Window' is a case a little closer to homein that it involves a close relation being the main (if not only suspect)in a murder.
Rhyme quickly deduces that this is the work of a master criminal who's MO includes making sure he has a fall guy set up. 'The Broken Window' is fascinatingin terms of the realism of the world it describes, with the whole big brother fear brought to the forefront. The tendency to this means there is less high octane, heart pounding tension of the previous booksin the series.
Definitely worth reading for hardcore fans or first timers alike though I suggest the later start with the older books first for some background. At the very least I suggest reading (re-reading if you have already) the previous bookin the series as it is heavily referencedin this story. I found myself struggling to remember the details of the last plot which made certain aspects of the book less interesting.
What's happened to the "twist"? - By: John Holmes, 22 Sep 2008 
This book is an eye-openerin terms of its overall theme, ie, the loss of individual privacy (although I don't believe that's ever really existed)- & the exploitation of personal data - again, nothing newin that.
Sadly, however, it is increasingly evident that Deaver's skill as an author arein decline. Underneath the central premise, this is a pretty average crime thriller, & for some reason, Deaver has lost his ability to develop the "killer twist". In fact, the killer's identity, when it is revealed, is a crushing anti-climax.
There hasn't been a decent Rhyme thriller since the Coffin Dancer.
Coupled together with the seriously banal Katherine Dance, I don't see where Deaver goes from here, apart from maybe more stand-alone novels - which he is rather good at.
Overall, a big disappointment.
Excellent - By: M. V. Clarke, 12 Sep 2008 
Jeffery Deaver's Lincoln Rhyme series are well known for their depth of factual information, clever plotting, great characters & many twists, & the Broken Window is no exception. Here, Rhyme & Sachs are pitted against a computer expert intent on wreaking havoc & leaving many dead bodies & framing many innocent parties. One of the latter is Arthur Rhyme, cousin of Lincoln, & best friend of his childhood. Through his detention, Lincoln is brought into the case. The complex plot features a data-mining company, the US government, internet rights activists & high level law enforcement. The technical details, as expected, are thoroughly researched & presentedin great detail, which gives complexity & interest to the plot; Rhyme's predilection for physical evidence also proves invaluable & the two combine into a fast-paced plot with the trademark Deaver twists & turns. Along the way, there's perhaps more human interest than is sometimes the casein this series; Rhyme often muses on his childhood & his relationship with Arthur, as well as the causes of its breakdown; Sachs, meanwhile, remains heavily involved with Pam, a character who reappearedin the Cold Moon. Rhyme is also involved with the London Metropolitan Policein a case that features the perpetrator from the Cold Moon, & which provides a nicely open ending...
Excellent - read it!
Another hit! - By: Daren Fulwell, 01 Sep 2008 Lincoln Rhyme, Amelia Sachs & team are reunited for another thrilling instalment of cops' lifein New York. This time, they are brought togetherin the hunt for an identity thief who makes the mistake of framing Lincoln's estranged cousin Arthur for a murder he didn't commit.
Deaver does his usual excellent job of setting the scene with atmospheric sketches of New York coupled with a commanding knowledge of police procedure. His characters - familiar to millions of readers now - instantly slot into their roles & a couple of newbies are added for interest. The tension starts to be cranked up right from the start with the team appearng to make quick headway into their new case before it stalls - you can almost feel the frustrationin Rhyme as issues outside the investigation seem to distract the team, & he wrestles with the history of his relationship with his cousin.
But then, things click into gear, & after a number of dead ends are quickly backed out of (and a breathtaking twist or two is disposed of) the chase is on. The climax of the story is Deaver's usual quick-fire, hard-hitting finale which seems to come too soon as it is quickly followed by a further little twist or two to finish.
Putting the scary side away (the vast amount & the huge level of detail of information stored relating to each & every person "on the grid") & the minor technical weaknessesin the story (peoplein IT security would perhaps suggest that the perp wouldn't have realistically found himselfin such a situation to obtain that level of information?!), this a cracking read - you won't want to put it down.
The mark of a good novel: it leaves you wanting more. The good thing about that? You know there will be more. The bad thing? You've got to wait til 2010!
The reality of this novel is mind numbing - By: D. L. Foster, 28 Aug 2008 I was fortunate to get this book for my birthday & took it with me on hoilday, well what can I say The book is, well its scarey not the fact Sachs & Rhyme are tracking down a serial killer , but its the fact that how Jeff Deaver manages to incoparate computer theft & fraud into this story, Fans of Jeffery Deaver will no doubt have read The Blue Nowhere which is one of my favorite story,s which again computers play a huge partin the story & it real makes you sit back & think is this realy going onin the world we live in, & the truth is it is ,any one who enjoyed BLUE NOWHERE will throughly love this book , plus you tend to develope a kind of love for the charactersin the Lyncoln Rhyme novels with their own personality traits 10/10 well recomended
