Jeffery Deaver, THE KILL ROOM: And Have You Read the Nero Wolfe Mysteries?

I won't give a full review of Jeffery Deaver's THE KILL ROOM today, as he's had plenty of press for this newest Lincoln Rhyme detection novel. It features both Rhyme and Amelia Sachs, and the most significant killing in it takes place in the Bahamas.

And that's what makes this an intriguing book in the series. Rhyme's quadriplegia limits his travels sharply, as well as what he can "put his hands on." He depends on an intimate group of police and forensic investigators to find his way to a solution.

But in THE KILL ROOM, Rhyme leaves Manhattan and flies to the scene of the crime.

And that makes the book strongly parallel to The Black Mountain, in which Nero Wolfe -- limited in his travels by both his large size and his personal preferences -- unexpectedly leaves Manhattan for Montenegro. If you haven't read the Wolfe detection series, written by the late Rex Stout, I recommend them now. Read a few as "summer reading" for the pleasure of the narrative and to get the feel of the characters, before opening The Black Mountain.

I'll look forward to hearing what you think in terms of parallels and sharp differences.