Book Review: The Cutting Edge by Jeffery Deaver

 

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Jeffery Deaver is the #1 international bestselling author of more than thirty novels, three collections of short stories, and a nonfiction law book. His books are sold in 150 countries and translated into 25 languages. His first novel featuring Lincoln Rhyme, The Bone Collector, was made into a major motion picture starring Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie. He's received or been shortlisted for a number of awards around the world. A former journalist, folksinger, and attorney, he was born outside of Chicago and has a bachelor of journalism degree from the University of Missouri and a law degree from Fordham University. 

DESCRIPTION

Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs return to New York City to confront a killer terrorizing couples at their happiest-and most vulnerable.

In the early hours of a quiet, weekend morning in Manhattan's Diamond District, a brutal triple murder shocks the city. Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs quickly take the case. Curiously, the killer has left behind a half-million dollars' worth of gems at the murder scene, a jewelry store on 47th street. As more crimes follow, it becomes clear that the killer's target is not gems, but engaged couples themselves.

The Promisor vows to take the lives of men and women during their most precious moments-midway through the purchase of an engagement ring, after a meeting with a wedding planner, trying on the perfect gown for a day that will never come. The Promisor arrives silently, armed with knife or gun, and a time of bliss is transformed, in an instant, to one of horror.

Soon the Promiser makes a dangerous mistake: leaving behind an innocent witness, Vimal Lahori, a talented young diamond cutter, who can help Rhyme and Sachs blow the lid off the case. They must track down Vimal before the killer can correct his fatal error. Then disaster strikes, threatening to tear apart the very fabric of the city-and providing the perfect cover for the killer to slip through the cracks.

What The Crime Warp thinks:

The Cutting Edge, is just that - Cutting Edge fiction at its best.  Deaver, is clearly a detailed researcher who takes keeping the details accurate very seriously. One of the things i loved most about The Cutting Edge was the factual stuff. It's so in keeping with Rhyme's character and it's what i look forward to in Deaver books.  I found out more about diamonds than I realised there was to know.  Having visited Surat myself, i was amazed to discover it had a huge diamond industry.  
Sach's and Rhyme's relationship is beautifully crafted.  the understated love and respect , beautifully portrayed.  I love seeing kick ass Sachs  at her most vulnerable, then picking herself up and getting on with it.  The earthquake scene was beautifully woven to show Sachs'  human side, whilst juxtaposing this with another 'human' struggle.  
The Promiser is eerily written, with just the right amount of menace followed by the drip feeding of his backstory. The sub story of Vimal Lahori and his family drew me in and really had me rooting for the lad. 
All in all another triumph from the Deaver camp.

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