YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

Lincoln Rhyme was once a brilliant criminologist, a genius in the field of forensics -- until an accident left him physically and emotionally shattered. But now a diabolical killer is challenging Rhyme to a terrifying and ingenious duel of wits. With police detective Amelia Sachs by his side, Rhyme must follow a labyrinth of clues that reaches back to a dark chapter in New York City's past -- and reach further into the darkness of the mind of a madman who won't stop until he has stripped life down to the bone.

Kinda early but starting this one today.

First quarter - (view spoiler)[This is already such an immersive read. I can truly feel the terror of being abducted by the unknown taxi driver. I wonder what he wants? Why did he keep the woman alive but steal her ring and place it upon her partner, whom he buried?

I usually dislike police procedural crime stories, preferring standalone thrillers, but I really like the multiple police perspectives we have so far been given here. One is Lincoln, who is contemplating suicide due to his paralysed state but feels he has to give one more piece of advice and aid before he dies. The other is the young police officer who stalled all traffic around the body she unearthed and received a dressing down in front of everyone for so rigorously following protocol. Both are going to be interesting characters to explore. I know we see more of the former, given the series title, but I hope we see more of the latter too. (hide spoiler)]

I’m going to try to get to this soon but as I’ve been late to everything this month I’m sure this will be the same. Looking forward to it though so hopefully soon lol

I'm late to almost every other BR but really felt in the mood for this one 🙈🤣

Second quarter - (view spoiler)[Amelia was sent to discover the remains and I felt as sick as she did at the depictions of the woman's flesh, burnt away in the steam.

I was also just as sickened by the bone collector's perspective when he was scraping Hannah's bones with his knife and then the rats she had to contest for dominance with once he had gone. I'm so glad she was saved but why the constant mentions of her as 'pretty but fat'? I hate this sort of prejudice and pointlessness, which can often be found in slightly older crime/thriller books it seems. (hide spoiler)]

Third quarter - (view spoiler)[Rhyme is a pretty tough boss to deal with and I'm glad Amelia stuck up for her beliefs as it both brought the two of them together and allowed more respect for each other to grow.

They are getting closer to finding the bone collector. They know he poses as a taxi driver but that is all, at this point. He masks even his hair colour by dropping brown strands likely stolen from a hairdresser's rubbish bag. I thought this both super clever of him as well as clever of the team for being aware of it. He also used the finger print of another when he felt them closing in on him. (hide spoiler)]

Fourth quarter - (view spoiler)[Amelia saved the day, after recklessly travelling to the church and saving the bone collector's next victim before the explosion could claim them both. I really love her characters and am not sure she features throughout the rest of the series but I really hope so!

I loved the twist about the woman she saved actually having an agenda of her own!

Lincoln is also a complex character and I'm looking forward to learning more about his history and see him strive to overcome his present difficulties. He adds some well-needed diversity to this genre and so I hope he manages to come to terms with his daily ordeal. (hide spoiler)]

25% (view spoiler)[Even though it’s been years since ive seen the movie it’s hard to not see Denzel and Angelina as the MCs lol. Didn’t remember Rhyme being so obsessed with ending his life though, so sad especially how alone he became after the accident (hide spoiler)]

50% (view spoiler)[So ummm the t8meline here is absolutely nuts. Kidnappings and rescues are happening in the same day and I have little faith law enforcement especially in nyc is that on the ball lol. Glad to see Lincoln getting his passion back even if his knowledge is a bit gruesome lol (hide spoiler)]

78% (view spoiler)[Omg made him put rubber bands on his wheelchair wheels, love it 😂😂😂 it’s crazy how true the movie is to the book. A few chnages here and there but wow I’m impressed. (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[This was good, felt a little choppy feeling at times but that could just be because I make my kindle read to me and it misses a lot of inflection etc. I’m so glad Amelia was able to make him rethink his plans to die and even better (yet not for the victims) that there’s more murders out there where his help is needed. I think I’d like to read on just to experience something new, felt like there was less shock or scares happening since I knew the whole storyline, (hide spoiler)]

Dannii wrote: "First quarter - This is already such an immersive read. I can truly feel the terror of being abducted by the unknown taxi driver. I wonder what he wants? Why did he keep the woman alive but steal h..."

(view spoiler)[Agreed, they work well as a team. (hide spoiler)]

Dannii wrote: "Second quarter - Amelia was sent to discover the remains and I felt as sick as she did at the depictions of the woman's flesh, burnt away in the steam.

I was also just as sickened by the bone coll..."

(view spoiler)[As much as I too hated that part it also goes to show how perspective changes over time. To him death is nothing new and it’s all about gathering evidence to stop more from happening, but this is all new to her and I can’t imagine her emotional state the way she is thrust so deep into this case. And to be asked to remove the woman’s arms (I believe it was) )well that was honestly mind blowing. (hide spoiler)]

Dannii wrote: "Fourth quarter - Amelia saved the day, after recklessly travelling to the church and saving the bone collector's next victim before the explosion could claim them both. I really love her characters..."

Omg yes (view spoiler)[I was so shocked by that woman bombing that convention. Holy shit like was not expecting that at all. (hide spoiler)]

❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "25% [spoilers removed]"

I really need to watch the film, now I've finally started the series. I agree, (view spoiler)[his focus on suicide was super hard to read about and not something I expected from this. (hide spoiler)]

❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Dannii wrote: "Fourth quarter - Amelia saved the day, after recklessly travelling to the church and saving the bone collector's next victim before the explosion could claim them both. I really love..."

(view spoiler)[Such a shock ending. I loved this concluding twist! (hide spoiler)]

Are you planning on continuing on with the series? I have book two I'm planning to read this month :)

Dannii wrote: "Are you planning on continuing on with the series? I have book two I'm planning to read this month :)"

Just checked and I am able to get the second book on audio so I can read it with you. Probably not until the far end of the month though, I've been so far behind this month lol