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STONE MONKEY by Jeffery Deaver Simon & Schuster, March 2002 414 pages $25.00 ISBN: 0743221990

Perhaps it was a premonitory reflection of Jeffery Deaver's need to research his books so thoroughly that the former journalist attended Law School : he wanted a better position as a legal reporter. His career did not proceed as he had intended, however, as he was recruited by a law firm where he practised within that profession until becoming a full time writer in 1990. Deaver ( The Bone Collector, The Coffin Dancer, The Empty Chair, The Devil's Teardrop, The Blue Nowhere, Speaking in Tongues, Death of a Blue Movie Star, amongst others) invented his arguably most popular character when he conceived of Lincoln Rhyme, the forensic criminalist, with The Bone Collector. Deaver was honoured with a Dream Award from Western Law Center for Disabled Rights for his creation.

It is fascinating, when attempting to dissect the attraction Deaver has for his admirers, to note that the research that goes into his novels never appears as simple regurgitation of facts. Other, less able, authors, perhaps not wishing to waste facets of what they have earned, simply cram tedious facts and figures into their books, slowing the action thereby. Not so Deaver. Any gem of knowledge that he has uncovered is implanted into his narratives solely to move them on. His characters are built from initial concepts - for example, as a helpless victim, Lincoln Rhyme could have been immobilised with, as Deaver has said, duct tape, but that would have been inadequate. Instead, Rhyme is a quadriplegic who can only move his head, neck and one finger. As the series progresses, Rhyme's character becomes more fleshed out, as does that of his lover, Crime Scene Officer Amelia Sachs. A little more of each is revealed in progressive stories.

This book is particularly topical, dealing as it does, with illegal immigrants attempting to find new lives in a different country, in this instance the United States. A 'snakehead', the Ghost, who enables 'piglets' or asylum seekers, to voyage to a new land, is attempting to bring his cargo to shore near New York City. Lincoln Rhyme has deduced what is happening and where the boat, the Fuzhou Dragon, will land. A coastguard vessel is sent to intercept them, with all the forces of law on hand, but the Ghost imprisons his cargo and scuttles the ship but manages to escape. He is not the only refugee to arrive on dry land. Two families, the Changs and the Wus, as well as John Sung, a Chinese doctor, and the mysterious Sonny Li, also manage to preserve their lives. The ruthless Ghost attempts to kill all the witnesses and the book is devoted to how he tries to wipe them out while Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs endeavour to thwart his pleasant plan.

Perhaps I am becoming accustomed to Deaver's writing, but I did not find his descriptions of gore quite as nauseating as in previous books. Or perhaps the author has modified his style. Combined with the hardheaded forensic detail and the fascinating advances that are being made on behalf of incapacitated people by way of scientific achievements, there are overtones of mysticism in this work. Rhyme is virtually able to take Sachs into the minds of those they are pursuing as she walks the grid of the crime scene. The Chinese medicine touched on in this tale is also redolent with spiritual aspects. The narrative could also, perhaps, alter the prejudices of those people who see asylum seekers as some sort of monsters. Deaver portrays these people as varied members of another society - some good and some bad, but all desperate. The notion of family is another theme of the book.

The action of the tale is spread over only a couple of days. The plot has its characteristically Deaverish twists and turns, with the reader never being sure of just who is a goodie and who a hitherto unidentified baddie.

The action of this author's books is never slow nor is the language laboured. The dialogue is well done and the prose straighforward. Deaver's characters are well and truly believable. The plotting is impeccable and the reader's interest maintained throughout. Full marks, Mr. Deaver, on every level for this further Rhyme adventure.

Editoržs Note: This is a review of the Australian edition.

ISBN 0340734000, Hodder & Stoughton, released April 11, 2002. Au$29.95

Reviewed by Denise Wels, May 2002

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