Customer Reviews

The Devil's Teardrop: A Novel of the Last Night of the Century (A Lincoln Rhyme Novel)

5 star:		(84)
4 star:		(41)
3 star:		(21)
2 star:		(11)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

Devil's Teardrop is an edge of the seat thriller that is the perfect introduction into the diabolical world that is Jeffrey Deaver's mind. If you read any of his prior works, then you pretty much know what to expect. For those of you who is a first time reader of Deaver's books, such as myself, then prepare for the most intensifying reading before Y2K. Which is ironic, because that is exactly the date that this story takes place. At 9a.m., Dec. 31, 1999, a mass murder takes place in the Metro Station of Washington D.C. committed by a man only known as the Digger. After the murders, a note is left in a phone booth near the Mayor's office. It warns that if $20 million is not paid in full within the next four hours, another mass murder will commence. This will happen every four hours all the way until the midnight hour until the money is paid. To make matters worse, if the writer of the note is killed, the Digger will continue to kill. If the writer of the note is captured, the Digger will continue to kill. With time against them, former forensics expert Parker Kincaid and Special Agent Margaret Lukas have only four hours to decipher the note before another massacre occurs.

Devil's Teardrop is wonderfully written. Deaver's knowledge of forensics and law enforcement slang thrusts the reader into the psychotic and dangerous life of the FBI. The characters have real personalities that help bring the book to life and it successfully thrusts you into this alternate world of chaos and disorder. A highly recommended anyone who likes suspense and thrillers. Then again, it's a highly recommended book for just about anyone who likes to read.

This book was phenonmenal! The plot was completely original: using an extortion letter to figure out the criminal's next target and steps for capture on New Year's Eve. The author researched the information very very thoroughly. I had no idea so much detail was entailed in document forensics! From the writing of the words, to conjuctions and sentence structures. It was about thrill to read this book! Each page revealed and new twist. The ending seemed a bit cliche, but Mr. Deavers provided an original twist.

This is a must read. Great GREAT JOB!

Author Jeffrey Deaver does it again! This is an immensely entertaining, page turning read for all thriller enthusiasts. The story line centers around an unknown killer unleashed upon Washington, D.C.. Known as the "Digger", this maniacal killer proceeds into D.C.'s Metro Station at 9:00 AM on New Year's Eve 1999 and begins a shooting spree that leaves many dead. The Digger has been instructed by an unknown criminal mastermind accomplice to kill hordes of people at clocked intervals on the eve of the millennium, unless a twenty million dollar demand for ransom is met. The ransom note is the only communication from this criminal genius who alone can control the actions of the killer. D.C.'s mayor agrees to pay the staggering ransom, but on the way to the drop, the accomplice appears to have been killed in a freak traffic accident. Who can now stop the "Digger" from his appointed rounds?

Enter Parker Kincaid, document examiner extraordinaire and former FBI agent. Kincaid has been called back as a consultant to assist the FBI who need to stop the killer before he kills again. Kincaid is a wonderful, fully fleshed character. A single parent with his own share of troubles, he is as interesting as is Lincoln Rhyme, another of Deaver's characters around whom several of his books have revolved. Interestingly enough, Rhyme has a cameo appearance in this book which should give Deaver's fans an added kick while reading this book. Like Rhyme, Kincaid is a master of deductive reasoning and is a thinking person's detective. It is interesting how his analysis of the ransom note provides clues for the FBI to follow up in their quest to stop the killer before it is too late.

The book is filled with numerous plot twists and turns, which should provide even the most jaded devotees of thrillers with a satisfying read. This action packed book keeps the reader guessing. Just when you think it's all over, you are yet once again surprised. The only criticism is that the end of the book strains the imagination. It almost borders on the absurd. Yet such is Deaver's writing that this does not impact unduly on the absolute enjoyment one will get from reading this book. It is a riveting read!

I really enjoyed this book, but several things about it bugged me. First of all, I think I'm getting tired of Deaver's writing style. The problem is that because it's a Deaver book, I knew well ahead of time that there would be a twist at the end. I didn't know exactly what it would be, but I knew it was coming. So when it did, I wasn't all that surprised; instead, I just thought, Yep, there he goes again. Secondly, I'm well aware that to read a story like this one must suspend disbelief, but the stuff that happens in this one is really very ridiculous. I won't go into any of that for the sake of anyone who hasn't read it yet, but quite a few scenes had me rolling my eyes. I find it really odd that what starts out as an intelligent, very well researched novel descends into a sort of comedy of errors where every scene plays out in the least believable way.

But despite all my whining here, I enjoyed the book for what it was: a thriller that's meant to keep you guessing until the end, more fantasy than reality. It's not as good as A Maiden's Grave, but it's a good time-killer.

Let me start with the negative. This story line towards the end falters slighty as it becomes a tad unbelievable. It seems as if he struggled a little in ending the story. Fortunately though, the one negative is out-weighed by the positives.

Deaver has created another page turner of twists and turns. This time pitting retired FBI document examiner Parker Kincaid against a maniacal killer who's been unleashed on Washington DC on the eve of the new millenium. The madman, who conrols the killer and has set deadlines for ransom money, has been accidentally killed.

Now Parker, teamed with a combined force of FBI and DC police, sets off to battle the killer as well as his own personal demons. With little clues to help, the must find and stop the killer before the next deadline which approaches ever so quickly.

Once again Deaver creates charcters that grab your attention, making you feel for them and bond with them. You are instantly drawn into the story from page one. A quick and enjoyable read.

I started this on Sat. afternoon - finished Sun. morning. I learning more about document identification and had a great read --- probably his best book yet! If you haven't read any of his try this one James Patterson would be proud!

No need to go to your local rollercoaster for chills and thrill this summer; just read Jeffery Deaver's "The Devil's Teardrop." Parker Kincaid gave up the FBI in order to gain custody of his two children. Now, on the last night of the year he is called into action to decypher a note left by an assassin. The target, various places in Washington,D.C. The purpose, to gain $20 million to stop the carnage. As a forensic document examiner, Kincaid pulls from the note various clues as to who the gun man is and where he will strike again. Into the mix Deaver has added Special Agent Margaret Lucas, Cage another FBI agent with extra ordinary influence and various other characters. Everyone has a hidden aggenda and everyone wears a mask. This novel starts out slow, but picks up speed after the first two gun incidents. From there on it is one puzzle after another. Parker Kincaid reminds the reader of Deaver's other hero, Lincoln Rhyme, in that their area of expertise is beyond the norm. Rhyme is used as a minor consultant in this tale, but is it Parker who captures the reader and makes you hold on tight. Every twist and dead end added up to an in your face thriller. Each time you believe the problem is solved, another facet is added to the maze. This is a great read and shouldn't be overlooked. Parker Kincaid and Lincoln Rhyme give Jeffery Deaver excellent characters to build multiple novels on. I can't wait for the next tale of either men...Hope Jeffery Deaver doesn't wait too long!

This was my first Deaver book and I'm looking forward to reading more. His characters had depth and interest and the story was engrossing with unexpected twists, heroes, and villains. I finished it in 2 days. Mr. Deaver also managed not to commit one of my major pet peeves - setting a story in a major city without adequate research as to the geography and local vernacular. The book, set in DC, differentiates between DC and the NoVA suburbs just as people who live here do, but others do not. His characters also weren't referring to Dupont Circle as on the way from the White House to the Capitol, or similar gaffes, as one major network TV show regularly does. One warning, if you live in DC Metro, this book might make you check over your shoulder and notice those on the Metro with you a little more closely.

Jeffrey Deaver delivers another chiller thriller in "The Devils Teardrop". Imagine yourself partying on New Years Eve of the new millenium in Washington, D.C.....suddenly bursts of bullets hammer everyone & everything around you. Who could be doing these horrid acts every 4 hours and why?

Enter Parker Kincaid and Margaret Lukas. Along with an elite hand picked team, these two experts are fighting multiple "dead"-lines by the Digger.

I thouroughly enjoyed this book. I liked the intricate character developments. Especially between Parker, a model father, and Lukas, an introspective woman fighting her own demons. And the title? Clever. After learning so much about handwriting analysis....I always watch for dotted "i's".

As I anxiously thumbed each page,I kept thinking, "Ah-Hah! Thats it!". Wrong. Riddles abound. Read it & hold on devishly tight!

other reading suggestions: "Bag of Bones" by Stephen King , "Messiah" by Boris Starling"....

Once again Jeff Deaver pulls out all the stops in "The Devil's Teardrop". Deaver takes the reader on another rollercoster ride that does not let up until the very end. His remarkable characters and very scary plot make this one of the best summer paperbacks out there this year.

The story centers on shootings that occur on New Year's Eve 1999, in Washington D.C. An extortion note is delivered saying that the gunman will kill again at certain times unless the city pays 20 million dollars. Plus the note claims if the extortionist if caught or killed the gunman will keep on killing. Then the extortionist is killed in a accident, and the FBI headed by Margaret Lucus must find the gunman. She enlists the help of Parker Kincaid a document expert, to track down the gunman through professional assesment of the extortion note.

Deaver use the timeline series so well in his book. It is very similar to "The Bone Collector" which there is a race against time before the next killings. All the characters are very well rounded and Deaver's devilish sense of humor pops up a lot in the dialogue. Once again there are many surprise endings so hang on tight!