Cover Image: The Watchmaker's Hand

The Watchmaker's Hand

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Another good mystery with Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia.
I like it a lot. The only thing that was a bit difficult was there were quite a few threads to tie up at the last third of Book and the ending was tied up quickly.

Was this review helpful?

Another fine Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs book by Jeffery Deaver! I enjoyed reading about their episodes and near death experiences once again. The Watchmaker’s Hand is an intense, entertaining, intriguing mystery.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Was this review helpful?

I received this as an advanced copy from NetGalley

A New York construction crane collapses and no one knows what happened. Rhyme and Sachs are immediately on this case. A Terror group claims responsibility and says another crane in the city will suffer the same fate unless the demands are met.

As clues unfold Rhyme realizes the person behind this is someone he has battled before. So, can they keep more cranes from falling? The race is on.

Amazing book! Great twists and suspense! I really enjoyed it!!

Was this review helpful?

The watchmaker is back! I like this character but the dynamic between Lincoln and Hale wasn't showcased. Instead, the focus is on the other characters and the mastermind criminal for hire. A little too much in the multiple plot lines. A little too much in the twists. A little too much with the detailed explanations. A little too much period. Not my favorite in this series.

Copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley

Was this review helpful?

I was eagerly anticipating this new addition to Deaver’s Lincoln Rhyme series. It starts off with a BANG as a seasoned crane operator finds he cannot control his machine and tries desperately to prevent a lethal accident. I was so into this character and the potential for disaster. The story quickly moves along in great detail to explain the fundamentals of crane construction and operation; not too compelling for me., as Lincoln Rhyme seeks to identify an unknown subject terrorizing New York City with the threat of more crane disasters if his demand for affordable housing is not met.

I read mysteries and police procedurals for pure enjoyment of the genre, And Jeffery Deaver is a master in that field, with books featuring Lincoln Rhyme at the top of my must reads.
The Watchmaker’s Hand is written in Deaver’s usual masterful style in that surprises abound and it’s almost impossible to guess what will happen next or who can be trusted. For me, it fell short in the details which were oppressively ever present, as the story line became stuck on the operational details of crane operation and the potential harm of hydrofluoric acid - much more complicated then my interest level in those technicalities.

While I always like reading what Deaver writes this one fell short with three merely average stars from an author who is usually at the top of my rating scale. Many thanks to NetGalley and Putnam Books for this advance copy in return for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

There is something seriously wrong with you if you don't like the Lincoln Rhyme books. I have been a fan of this series since the beginning and this newest book doesn't disappoint. Sachs and Rhyme are called in to investigate when a huge crane in New York City suddenly collapses and causes mass destruction and causalities. A political group has come forward and claimed responsibility for the collapse and says another with happen in twenty four hours if their demands aren't met. Sachs and Rhyme are racing against the clock to find out what is going on and stop the next attack. Things get even more dire when Rhyme realizes that realizes that his old enemy The Watchmaker is behind everything.

Was this review helpful?

Lincoln Rhymes and Amelia Sachs are at it again. New York is being attacked by sabotaged Construction Cranes set to crash every 24 hours if the city doesn’t stop building new developments for the working class residents. The demands are that the neighborhoods be built for low income housing. At first it is believed that a foreign political group is behind the demands. But once Amelia Sachs walks the first crime scene and is over come by the fumes of a very toxic acid does the team realize it’s the work of Rhyme’ nemesis, the Watchmaker. And this time the Watchmaker is out to complete his final job, killing Lincoln Rhyme. Soon it’s a battle of wits, putting Rhyme’s successor Ron Pulaski in harms way. Will it cost Rhyme his best friends life to save his own???

Was this review helpful?

It's been a while since I read a Lincoln Rhyme novel. It took no time at all for me to jump in and enjoy the familiar characters as they raced against time to stop the Watchmaker from doing harm to them and to NYC. The story is peppered with interesting tidbits about forensics and has a few twists and turns in the plot.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This book is another good example in the Lincoln Rhyme series. You can’t tell as you read along where it’s going or who’s involved, which makes it a great read! I highly recommend this latest entry in the series!

Was this review helpful?

I ALWAYS love a new Lincoln Rhyme novel. I always learn so much. Jeffery Dealer’s latest, THE WATCHMAKER’S HAND again taught me things I didn’t even know existed, ie SHOTSTOPPERS, GAIT PROFILING. WOW! Learning and entertainment all in one swoop!
When a construction crane is sabotaged and the WATCHMAKER is sent to kill Rhyme, he is fighting two different enemies. Or is he? With twenty six such cranes in the city it is up to Rhyme, Sachs and the rest of the team to find out who is responsible because they have threatened that another crane will fall every twenty-four hours until more affordable housing becomes available in the city. At the same time Rhyme’s heir apparent, Ron Pulaski, has a few new tricks to teach Amelia as far as working a crime scene, but will he be around long enough to teach her more.
When Rhyme must choose between his life and that of one of his team members I really thought I had seen the end of Lincoln.
I love these books. The powers of deduction that are used in all of Deaver’s books just leave my mouth hanging open but especially the Lincoln Rhyme novels. I love to learn new things like chemical compounds and the latest technology and techniques. My heart was beating out of my chest as I read the final showdown between Rhyme and the WATCHMAKER and it just blew me away. Well done, Mr. Dealer! BRAVO!
Thank you to Netgalley and G. P. Putnam’s Sons for this ARC opportunity. All opinions are my own and I am leaving them voluntarily.

Was this review helpful?

What an awesome read. Deaver is at his best in this novel. This book is fun and is a real page turner. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone.

Was this review helpful?

In the latest Lincoln Rhyme novel, he must once again try to solve bizarre, sophisticated crimes perpetrated by his nemesis, The Watchmaker. What starts with the sabotaging of a construction crane, with the threat of more such calamities to follow, finds Rhyme and his team embroiled in a series of cases including such things as political campaigns, shady real estate dealings and an international assassin. The longer the story goes, the deeper the plot gets. Soon, the lives and careers of the team members are in more danger than they could have imagined. This was one of the most complex plots yet of the Rhyme series, and every time it seems conclusions can be made, more layers unfold. - 4.5/5*

Was this review helpful?

The Watchmaker's Hand is another Rhyme and team novel.
Politics enter the picture with a huge explosion killing people and destroying things. A political group claims credit and makes demands that must be met or another explosion will happen

A fast read, as are all of Deaver's books. It is always comforting to me to read about Rhyme and the crew because I know they will solve the mystery - whatever it is

Was this review helpful?

The newest installment in the Lincoln Rhyme series is excellent. Rhyme, a quadriplegic criminalist along with his wife detective Amelia Sachs become involved in solving a series crane collapses resulting in the death and injury of New Yorkers. A political group takes credit for these acts of sabotage but Rhyme determines they were perpetuated by his archenemy, The Watchmaker. The story is fast paced and absorbing with a satisfying ending. Highly recommend!

Was this review helpful?

I haven't read a Lincoln Rhyme book in a while but was able to jump right in. Although this is the 16th book in the series you could read it without having read the other books, it's just more satisfying when you know the backstory on some of the characters.

When a crane is brought down in New York City and an unknown terrorist group takes responsibility, Lincoln Rhyme is brought in to solve the case. The city is in a panic as there is a threat of another collapse in 24 hours if their demands are not met. Lincoln quickly deduces that The Watchmaker, a known criminal for hire and his nemesis, is behind the chaos.

The short timeline forces the plot to move very quickly. The story is intense with lots of info on cranes, chemicals, and watches. So much happens that I have to spend some time thinking about it all. Lincoln Rhyme is brilliant and being a quadriplegic never seems to slow him down.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Was this review helpful?

Great read

As expected by this author, this was a great, intelligent read. Lincoln Rhyme and his spouse Amelia Sachs are trying to find out who is behind the destruction of construction cranes in New York. And a guy called the Watchmaker is trying to kill Rhyme. There are a couple of sub=plots that tie together nicely at the end,

I had never thought too much about construction cranes. I had to pause reading for a while to dig a little into how they work. It is quite interesting.

I enjoyed this book a lot and am looking forward to the next in the series.

Was this review helpful?

I love Jeffrey Deaver's books, but this one was way too technical and left me never quite understanding what was going on. I got overwhelmed with all the different chemicals and how cranes work and it seemed half the book was big long chemical and technical words one could never remember, let alone understand. At the end of the book I was left very unsatisfied. Oh well maybe his next book will be more enjoyable.

Was this review helpful?

As a fan of Jeffrey Deaver’s novels, I was looking forward to reading The Watchmaker’s Hand. Unfortunately, I was disappointed and found the story extremely dull and difficult to read. There is too much time and too many pages devoted to crane operations and descriptions of their component parts. There is a lot going on in the novel; however, I never felt the tension of being in a race against the clock.
I thank NetGalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to publication.

Was this review helpful?

A crane collapses on construction site in New York City and demands are made and if demands are not met another crane will crash in 24 hours. This has the city in a panic as Lincoln and Amelia hurry to figure out who is behind it.

They soon learn The Watchmaker is behind the crane collapsing. Now, it becomes a battle of wits as who can out maneuver the other between Lincoln and the Watchmaker. Who will be the winner? This has a lot of moving parts so you need to pay close attention as it escalates quickly and has you riveted until the end.

It have loved this whole series. At one point I may have been screaming at my book as I was so shocked but I won’t ruin it for you.

Was this review helpful?

The Watchmaker's Hand is a welcomed reminder of how good the Lincoln Rhyme series is. Jeffery Deaver long ago proved himself to be a master of the genre and I'm happy to report he is still at the top of his game. His latest entry in the Rhyme series is among the best he has produced--and that's saying a lot. This is a book that can be enjoyed by both longtime fans and those who will experience these characters for the first time. Rhyme and his team are at their exhilarating best . The Watchmaker reminds us again he is one of the most memorable villains in the genre and the perfect foil for Rhyme. This is a terrific thriller which will feature on Top 10 lists at the end of the year. Thank you to PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons, & NetGalley for the advance reading copy in exchange for my honest opinion. #TheWatchmakersHand #NetGalley.

Was this review helpful?