In what is the seventh entry into Jeffrey Deaver’s (The Bone Collector, The Coffin Dancer, The Vanished Man) Lincoln Rhyme series, The Cold Moon might leave some longtime fans feeling just that – cold. But if you haven’t picked up a Deaver novel in a while, this just might tickle your fancy.
There is a new serial killer on the loose, and his calling card left at crime scenes is a clock. The killer is quickly dubbed “The Watchmaker,” but there isn’t much mystery as to his real identity. The suspense in this thriller is not your typical whodunit; it runs more along the lines of whether or not Rhyme can catch the meticulous Watchmaker before commits his dastardly deed once more.
That part of the story runs parallel with Amelia Sachs’ investigation into the apparent suicide of the wealthy Ben Creely. Her investigation leads her in the direction of police corruption. As if that isn’t enough, new to Rhyme’s team is one Kathryn Dance, a kinesics expert visiting from California. Her expertise in the study of body language helps the case as she interviews suspects and witnesses and has a hand in solving the case. The plethora of plot twists and multiple point-of-view shifts can become tedious as the narrative bounces around. There are even those forensic lists, which Deaver loves to put in his novels.
Despite its strain on credulity with so many twists, The Cold Moon audio book has one huge advantage over the novel, and that is Joe Montegna’s performance. The actor, best known for his film (Godfather III, House Of Games) and television work delivers Deaver’s material with a gritty authenticity. Overall, The Cold Moon is a solid audio book with Montegna’s performance elevating the material.