I can always count on Jefferey Deaver to deliver a well-written crime novel where nothing is at it seems. If you have read Deavers previous books, then you know what I mean. That is why I suspected that not everything is what it seemed when everything seemed to go smoothly in the book.

Newly married Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs are tasked with finding not only a crazed killer that seemed to be targeting couples that are to be married but also a witness to the first crime. A triple murder in Manhattan's Diamond District. Of course, this is not easy tasks, the killer is maiming and killing his way and looking for the young witness while the witness tries to get away from the town.

And, this is just a small fraction of the story. And, the rest of it well spoilers! It's darn hard to review a book like this because there are so many things going on that you just need to find out for yourself when you read the book. All I can say that Jeffrey Deaver has done it again! As usual! The book is thick, but never boring, filled with fabulous twist and an absolutely marvelous ending. Kind of cliffhanger-ish, but still a satisfying ending. I had a blast reading this book and it's a series that keep going strong with each book deliver a satisfying story. I can't wait to read the next book!

If you have never read a Jeffery Deaver book before, then I urge you to do so. Start with the first book in the Lincoln Rhyme series, The Bone Collector!

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Debbie Krenzer
Debbie Krenzer's Reviews > The Cutting Edge
The Cutting Edge by Jeffery Deaver
The Cutting Edge (Lincoln Rhyme, #14)
by Jeffery Deaver (Goodreads Author)
12691311
Debbie Krenzer's review Apr 09, 2018 · edit
it was amazing
bookshelves: ebooks, net-galley-books

Wow!!!!

Lincoln Rhymes and Amelia Sachs are back!! In this new tale, they are set against a plot that has many cover ups included to not give away the real reason or what is really going on with all these crimes in this book.

Seriously though, I have to ask first. Does anyone not read the Lincoln Rhyme books and not see Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie in the characters while doing so? Not that that is a bad thing. It's just where my mind goes.

The crimes are against people who are getting married. It has something to do with the mining of diamonds and the fact the perpetrator wants those diamonds whole, just like they were in the earth, not cut up and worn on "miserable fat fingers of rich women". Someone is killing engaged couples and brides to be.

There is absolutely no way to figure out the end with all of this scenario. The reason, exactly, that I love Jeffery Deaver's books. You just never know where all these little hints are eventually going to take you. Then when you do see the whole picture, I was like "how in the heck does he do that?".

An excellent read that I just sped through. I could not put it down. Vimal was lose and being chased. He had just happened upon the scene when the murderer was there killing his sometimes boss. A young guy who is just wanting to make sculptures. However, his father had another idea for him. Hence, a familiar theme placed in the book to create empathy. And it worked.

The action is relentless and the criminals are as well. With diamonds, there is a lot of money at stake and everyone wants their part or maybe that don't want some parts. One would be a recently found diamond mine in the middle of New York City.

This book kept me guessing for hours!!!

Thanks to Grand Central Publishing and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

So what do diamonds, earthquakes, and murder have in common? In Jeffery Deaver’s latest Lincoln Rhyme novel, The Cutting Edge, the answer to that question would be ‘a whole lot’. The story begins with the murder of a prominent diamantaire as well as two of his customers. The diamantaire’s protégé, Vimal Lahori, makes the unwitting mistake of walking onto the murder scene while the murderer is still there and barely escapes with his life. Lohori is now a witness on the run.

The media dubs the murderer as the Promisor, who targets engaged women or couples that have recently purchased an engagement ring showing off a large diamond. The Promisor wants to save what he considers to be the most perfect geological specimen from being cut and used on as what he refers to as baubles and is willing to kill for that cause. It is up to Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Saks to find him before he kills again.

For any of you that have read a Jeffery Deaver thriller, knows that what seems obvious on the surface is only a cover-up for something considerably more complex and The Cutting Edge is no exception. Once again, Deaver, who is well known for the master of the ticking-clock plot, entertains with heart-stopping thrills. Entertainment is not the only feature of this novel, but it is educational as well, with interesting tidbits on the often unscrupulous world of the diamond industry. Deaver ends The Cutting Edge with a bit of a cliff hanger, so I am looking forward to the next addition to the series.

Any new Lincoln Rhyme book is a cause for celebration. However, too much information about diamonds makes The Cutting Edge one of the least interesting books in the long-running series.

Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs are chasing a serial killer targeting engaged couples in The Cutting Edge, the 14th book in the series. A diamond cutter and the engaged couple in his shop are killed but only a few diamonds are stolen. The diamond cutter appears to have been tortured. In addition, there is evidence that someone walked in on the scene and was wounded by the killer and then left the scene. The novel just adds more and more plot twists and turns until its conclusion.

Usually I adore Mr. Deaver’s books. I was so happy to have received the digital ARC of The Cutting Edge. However, this particular book in the series left me shrugging my shoulders. Some of the motivations seemed contrived. I saw the final twist coming about 100 pages before it was revealed. The author obviously did a lot of research into diamond mining, cutting and grading. While that is great, I don’t need to read all of it. There was a large quantity of information that I just skimmed because it didn’t interest me. I realize that the author wouldn’t necessarily know what would interest me personally (like the US spends $40 billion on diamonds each year, which is a full 50% of the world’s sales). However, 30% of the book reads like a non-fiction book about the diamond trade and none of that information is needed to solve the mystery.

Without revealing any spoilers, there were several twists in the book that I was genuinely surprised by and the characters were different from the usual police procedural suspects. Overall, The Cutting Edge deserves 4 stars.

Thanks to the publisher, Grand Central Publishing, and NetGalley for an advanced copy.

#netgalley #CuttingEdge
Synopsis:
Lincoln and Amelia are in NY and trying to solve a case in the Diamond District: a triple murder. There is evidence that a witness got away. Also, a man who had an appointment at the diamond cutter's prior to the killings could be in danger. Since the killer had access to lots of diamonds and it appears he hasn’t taken any, the investigators have some work to do. But it doesn’t take long for the killer to strike several times making it evident that he is targeting engaged couples picking up rings. We also have NY experiencing a rare phenomenon for their part of the country - earthquakes. This story twists and turns and even intertwines with another case Lincoln takes. It’s a very intricate plot.

Cons: This felt like a slower methodical mystery. It had a hard time keeping my interest.

Pros: It was well written and contained lots of interesting information.

The Cutting Edge is the 14th of the Lincoln Rhyme/Amelia Sachs series.

It's Saturday morning and the Diamond District is extremely quiet. A man follows an engaged couple into a specialty diamond designer's office, kills them both, tortures and kills the proprietor, and steals just a few gems. Unfortunately, the assistant walks in and is shot, but gets away injured. The killer tracks down the proprietor's other morning appointment, Saul Weintraub, and murders him. But why? And the assistant, who only saw the killer with a mask on, is on the run avoiding the madman. In the meantime, the killer begins to track down engaged couples and attacking them as well. To make life even more interesting, NY is experiencing a rare phenomena for their part of the country - earthquakes.

This is an incredibly intricate mystery with multiple levels. There is so much going on and the pace so incredibly fast. A great thrill ride!

Back in the saddle with Jeffery Deaver and his crime fighting duo Amelia Sachs and Lincoln Rhyme. Although I've read most of the books in this series I can't help but picture Rhyme as Denzel Washington and Sachs as Angelina Jolie because of The Bone Collector movie I saw year before picking up the book of the same title. I know, I know Rhyme is nowhere near being a black dude but this is what happens when I see movies before reading the book. The actors used in the movie are somehow imprinted on my brain and I can't quite get them out. But that's neither here nor there.

Let's get to The Cutting Edge and unsub 47.

Jeffery Deaver begins The Cutting Edge similarly to how he begins other titles in the Rhyme series. An unwitting victim encounters a killer who shows no mercy. Unsub 47, aka the Promisor is no different. He kills with no remorse. Rhyme and Sachs are hired on a consulting basis to analyze the evidence and assist the police in catching the SOB.

What is so enticing about Deaver novels is that yes, they are somewhat formulaic, there's still no shortage of misdirection and suspense. The chapters are short so reading his titles are fast and easy. For those, like myself, who are familiar with the main characters, Deaver doesn't spend much time on them. Instead, we are privy to the inner workings of the deranged killer that's attempting to stay a step or two ahead of the Rhyme team in an effort to complete his goal. It's the moments when getting acquainted with the unsub I feel are the most engaging and probably the reason I love Deaver novels so much.

Those looking to read the Rhyme series in the hopes of some amazingly, well written, literary trope through the gritty world of forensic science is barking up the wrong tree. Even though I do feel like I was given a ton of interesting knowledge into the world of diamonds, that fact is simply a plus. There's nothing complicated here except whodunnit. I'm not even trying to be a snob when disclosing this information. I'm simply letting anyone who happens to read this novel and wants to dive into Deaver's world, there's nothing but action here.

I suggest you strap in for the ride.

Suffice it to say, The Cutting Edge is a formidable addition to the Lincoln Rhyme series. I am happy to have taken this wild ride full of colorful, ruthless characters that may or may not have a secret hidden agenda. Jeffery Deaver grabs your attention and refuses to let go until he's ready.

Copy provided by Grand Central Publishing via Netgalley

Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs are back to investigate the brutal and torturous killings of a soon to be wed couple and their jeweler at his diamond district establishment. Simultaneously an additional story unfolds in Brooklyn where a drilling construction site is home to numerous and extremely rare earth quakes that set off gas leaks and explosions resulting in a few fatalities. Rhyme and his team must conclude whether these two circumstances are connected and race to solve them before any other lives are claimed. Deaver delivers with another fast paced installment of this ongoing series.

I love the Lincoln Rhymes series. He is like a modern day Sherlock Holmes in a way. Great storyline with lots of twists and turns. I always learn a lot of new things when I read a Jeffery Deaver novel and this was no different. Awesome characters who evolve which each book, but are like old friends you look forward to spending time with. Good luck figuring out who dunnit without the author's help. This book also leaves the door open for next time where I am sure more exciting adventures await.

The Cutting Edge is a well written, thorough, and complex mystery with many twists and turns throughout the story. Identities evolve and change with allies becoming enemies. All threads were tied together in the end and seemingly unrelated side stories were fully incorporated. Although interesting, I found the story overly complex and the.numerous plot lines contrived.

I've always loved this series and while I've missed a few books, I was excited to jump back in. And I'm still not disappointed!

Technical, suspenseful, surprising are all good words to describe this. Add the fact hat my jaw dropped at the end. I love those extra twists :)

Always fun to catch up with Lincoln Rhyme, and I loved the research and history of diamonds that lead the team on the latest adventure. And the fact that the Watchmaker is back is an added incentive. I read it on holiday and enjoyed it, but I must say that the last third ran a bit long, and a bit uneven and cartoony, but as a longtime fan, I’m looking forward to the next one!

A diamond merchant is tortured and murdered. The young couple in his shop to pick up an engagement ring are also brutally murdered on what should have been a happy occasion. Lincoln Rhyme, his new bride Amelia Sachs and their team are called upon to work the case. All is not as it seems in the latest Lincoln Rhyme novel, as the case twists and turns quicker than a rattlesnake. When the action pauses, prepare to learn about diamonds from mining to finished products, geothermal energy and the ins and out of Brooklyn where most of the action takes place. I enjoyed this book very much and found the case to be quite complex and not easily solved.

Deaver continues to turn out highly complicated and interesting novels that keep the reader turning pages. While The Cutting Edge is no exception, it’s not quite up to his previous efforts and it’s slow start almost made me put the book down. But zi persevered and I’m glad I did. By now, returning readers know all the regular characters well, and there’s really nothing more to learn about them in The Cutting Edge. It’s the intersection of several stories that carries the book. Regular readers will no longer be amazed at the ways in which Rhyme, Amelia, and their supporting cast operate, but only by what they learn through their regular methods, their access to near-instantaneous results to requests they make of the police, the FBI, and others for information, results of test analyses, and the like. One sometimes has to suspend belief to enjoy the story. These cases hold up well to their methods, insight, daring, and brilliance. However, the book takes a dip just before its half-way mark (at 46% on my device). First, I realized the identity of the perpetrator of one of the major series of crime. The clues are more obvious than usual. Second, there are parts of that same section that read as if they were written by someone other than Deaver. Perhaps it’s just poor editing, but we get both short, clipped sentences and very long descriptions that should have been condensed into a sentence or two. This latter flaw shows up towards the end of the novel when Rhyme explains the factual background of what is another important clue. Despite these flaws, I kept reading until the end, knowing that in usual Deaver fashion there would be a final twist or two. There were, making this a most satisfying read.

The Cutting Edge – Jeffrey Deaver

I was fortunate to receive this novel as an Advance Reader Copy, in exchange for an objective review.

Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs are back in another complex mystery – this one involving the diamond industry. This novel opens as a young couple are arriving at a quiet Midtown New York building to see a reticent jeweler/diamond cutter, who has created the perfect engagement ring for them. All of a sudden, an armed assailant enters the suite, and both the couple and the artisan are found dead moments later by a young associate, Vimal, who narrowly escapes being mortally wounded himself.

Soon, Lincoln Rhyme and his investigative crew are asked to assist with the Diamond District murders, and Amelia’s first run of the grid at the crime scene leaves her with more questions than answers. Then another murder attempt takes place, by an assailant seemingly fixed on the diamonds that the women are wearing, and their relationship to mother Earth.

From there the novel gains complexity, as Lincoln is asked to consult for the defense for a known Mexican cartel leader, whose team of attorneys feel that he is being set up and that Lincoln can help prove their case. Meanwhile a local geological project is creating dissention, and a series of mini earthquakes and gas leaks begin to plague the city.

Are these all separate incidents? Or are they all somehow related? Lincoln, Amelia and his criminalist team seek answers as ‘Unsub 47’ continues to elude them, Vimal goes on the run, and danger lurks ever closer to home, culminating in an ending that you’ll never see coming!!

Jeffrey Deaver is a master storyteller, and his latest does not disappoint!! Fabulous

5 stars

A vicious triple murder takes place in New York Diamond District on a Saturday. Having just returned to New York, Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs are asked to assist with the case. As Amelia examines the scene, Lincoln gathers the team.

There is evidence that a witness got away. This is young Vimal Lahori who is a diamond cutter. Wounded by the gunman, he flees. The man who had an appointment prior to the killings, Saul Weintraub, is also in danger for the reader has already learned the identity of the killer who is named Vladimir Rostov and he is tracking down these two “witnesses.” He calls himself “The Promisor.”

Another couple gets attacked and Lincoln and his team learn more about the perpetrator from their story. Luckily, they survived the attack. The team locates additional clues from both the crime scene and the items the killer threw in a storm drain.

As more assaults occur, the tension in the story ratchets up. The higher-ups demand action from Lincoln and his team. Vimal is in trouble, and he runs from here to there trying to elude the Promisor. There is an exciting and intense chase to the denouement to not only save Vimal, but other potential victims.

This is an extremely well l written and plotted novel, as are all of Jeffery Deaver’s novels. The writing is superb. The story has just the right amount of tension. I learned about diamond cutting and drilling for geo-thermal construction. These were very interesting asides. The research is impeccable. The descriptions are clear and concise. I truly enjoy Mr. Deaver’s books; I always learn things as well as enjoying myself.

I want to thank NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for forwarding to me a copy of this most wonderful book to read and enjoy.

Another Deaver masterpiece! He remains the undisputed thriller king.

Another amazing adventure mystery by Jeffery Deaver staring Lincoln Rhyme ameliand his calm and patienct partner Amelia Sachs. I must admit that I was a little worried when Lincoln got involved in the El Halcon case. I felt he was looking for trouble and it seemed like he was going to get it. However everything worked out and he knew what he was doing! I enjpy his books a lot and always look forward to their next adventure.

So, the other day, after a series of disappointing reads, I turned to Jeffery Deaver and Lincoln Rhyme for a sure thing.

Sure enough, in a few pages, I was deep in a complicated mystery, compelling characters, and learning more than I ever knew about diamonds and diamond cutting. I had no idea the subject was so fascinating!

Now, I’ll admit that, for a while, I thought Deaver had made a misstep with his villain. At times, the villain seemed more silly than sinister. But, really, I needn’t have worried. Deaver had a little something up his sleeve.

I think I would have liked if our primary characters – the ones we love to read – had been in more personal jeopardy in the book. We basically know our victims for a page or two before they meet our villain, so it’s hard to feel anything deeply there.

But this definitely was a good read!

Criminalist Lincoln Rhyme to Detective Amelia Sachs: "Didn't we say this whole plot was complicated?"

Thirteen books in the Lincoln Rhyme and I am still thrilled and eager to crack open the latest in the series. And Book 14 in the series, The Cutting Edge, is an …" Oh, wow!" Actually I give this book five "Oh Wows!" on the Richter scale (which does have relevance to the story.)

At this point, Lincoln and Amelia need no introduction other than to say that if there's an impossible crime to be solved, they are on it with their keen minds and intense investigative procedures.

I don't want to give away any spoilers, but I can tell you that you will learn about the brilliant side of diamonds- such as the story of the Cullinan Diamond. This stone was cut into the Great Star of Africa and the Lesser Star of Africa which are part of the British Crown Jewels.
You will also read about the dark side of the diamond business- murder, sabotage, threats. I appreciated that each section of the book was named after a diamond creating process.

Vimal is a young and passionate sculptor and apprentice diamond cutter. He witnesses a crime and we are off! Every page brings villains, such as The Promisor, and their horrific acts with Amelia roaring around in her Gran Torino and Lincoln with his intrepid mind also firing on all cylinders to solve the mystery in time.

In addition to the usual well-drawn main characters, this book is flavored with cameo character appearances that add vibrancy to the story. There is Carmella Romero, who often said gravely, that she was a spy. She added so much to my enjoyment!

This book seemed to focus less on the psychological aspects of Lincoln, Amelia and the evil-doers than earlier books, which I liked because the plot was enough to keep me engaged until the amazing and unexpected ending. Highly recommend.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an advance copy of The Cutting Edge.