Book review: Jeffery Deaver's new novel a spy stumper

The celebrated quadriplegic detective Lincoln Rhyme investigates the assassination of an American activist in the Bahamas in Jeffrey Deaver's The Kill Room.

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The Kill Room
Jeffrey Deaver
Hodder and Stoughton

An American activist is assassinated while hiding in the Bahamas.

A tenacious attorney hires the celebrated quadriplegic detective Lincoln Rhyme to help find those responsible.

The "million-dollar bullet" used in the murder leads the investigation into the higher echelons of the American spy services, where the war on terror trumps human rights.

Jeffery Deaver's 10th Lincoln Rhyme installment is his most political, but it shouldn't scare the faithful.

The novel remains true to the series' success, with sharp plotting, efficient dialogue and several cliffhangers.

The Kill Room finds Rhyme more cantankerous than previous outings.

Bemoaning his lack of "intriguing" cases, the resulting adventure is his most challenging, as it includes second guessing a shadowy government service not shy of dispatching people of concern, even if they are American citizens.

The Kill Room's expansive plot is a shrewd move by Deaver.

It opens up the series to a new legion of fans weary of the techno-heavy jargon of previous offerings.

It is disposable fun and ideal for that long flight home.