Arson, genocide history, and forensic brilliance. I lost sleep and have no regrets.
When I saw a new Lincoln Rhyme novel from Jeffery Deaver was coming out, my first reaction was a mental YIPPEE with a cartwheel. I’ve always loved the Rhyme and Sachs books, and this one reminded me exactly why.
The story begins with a homeless man getting trapped in an arson fire. Soon a disturbing pattern begins to emerge: the fires seem to follow chapters from a book about mass murderers and genocides throughout history. As the investigation unfolds, Rhyme and Amelia Sachs work to figure out who is behind the crimes and why arson would be connected to figures like Pol Pot and others.
At the same time, Detective Vale is investigating the murder of a young woman and turns to Rhyme and Sachs for help. The two investigations gradually intertwine, creating a tense race to identify the killers before yet another fire is set.
One of the things I’ve always admired about Deaver’s writing is the research. Because Rhyme is such a cerebral character, the science and forensics in these books need to be rock solid, and they always are. The investigation here involves detailed work with chemicals, artifacts, and tiny linguistic clues. At one point, something as small as the difference between “a” and “the” becomes an important piece of the puzzle. Those subtle details are what make these books so satisfying to read.
Of course, the heart of the series is the partnership between Rhyme and Sachs. I love watching them work together, each bringing different strengths to the investigation. Their marriage has deepened their mutual respect, and that dynamic really shines in this book. Thom, Rhyme’s personal assistant, is another favorite of mine. He does an admirable job keeping Rhyme in line, and however inappropriately, his character makes me laugh.
Detective Vale was also a welcome addition. I really enjoyed her investigative style, especially the way she builds timelines to solve cases. Her home life adds depth to her character, and I found myself hoping she might appear in future books.
The pacing kept me turning pages, and once the investigators started getting close to the truth, I had a hard time putting the book down. While I had a rough idea of who might be responsible for the crimes, the motivation behind it caught me completely by surprise. The tension builds beautifully toward a very satisfying conclusion.
Content warnings include murder, domestic violence, and addiction.
For me, this was an easy five-star read. In my personal rating system, five stars means I lost sleep because I couldn’t stop reading, and The Collateral Heart absolutely earned that rating.
Fans of Rhyme and Sachs will feel right at home here, and readers who enjoy intelligent crime thrillers with strong forensic detail (like Patricia Cornwell) will find plenty to love.
A special thank you to Putnam for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
