The Angel's Horn cover

The Angel's Horn

Rating 4.3
Word count
233K words
Chapters
10
ISBN
9787513344876

Tags

Summary

A new killer is on the loose—and his methods are chilling. Lurking in damp basements and the tunnels beneath New York City, he uses a tattoo gun loaded with lethal poison to leave mysterious designs on his victims' skin. The victims die in grotesque and agonizing ways, and the scenes are horrifying.

The suspect draws inspiration from the serial killer known as the Bone Collector, who terrorized New York more than a decade ago, and has devised his own "skin law." Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs, who once solved the Bone Collector case, are swiftly drawn into the investigation.

Rhyme, Sachs, and detectives from the NYPD must race against time to uncover the truth: Who is the killer's next target? What message do the victims' mysterious tattoos convey? What is the meaning of the killer's own tattoo—a hideous centipede with a woman's face and fangs? And what is his ultimate mission?

As the investigation deepens, Rhyme becomes increasingly convinced that nothing is more maddening than the ghosts of the past that will not stay buried…

Editor's review

The Angel's Trumpet is another tour de force in Jeffery Deaver's Lincoln Rhyme series, published in Simplified Chinese by New Star Press. Deaver is renowned for his scalpel-precise crime-scene investigation details and relentlessly twisting plotting, and this book is no exception. The story revolves around a series of perfect murders seemingly carried out by an "angel": the victims all die inexplicably in full public view, leaving behind only an antique trumpet emblem. Bedridden forensic expert Lincoln Rhyme and his partner Amelia Sachs must race against time to unravel the killer's "impossible crime" method.

The book's value lies in its极致 fair-play deduction. Deaver strictly adheres to the rules of classic puzzle mysteries, presenting all clues honestly to the reader and challenging them to think alongside the detective. Yet he is even more adept at wrapping traditional puzzles in a tense, high-stakes manhunt narrative using modern technology and forensic detail, with pacing that is textbook-level. The deep analysis of criminal psychology, especially the exploration of the boundary between "justice" and "vigilantism," gives the work an intellectual weight beyond the average thriller. The figure of Lincoln Rhyme—a detective physically limited but mentally formidable—and his默契 interplay with Sachs are also enduring charms of the series. For readers who relish high-intensity intellectual challenges and meticulous detail, this book is an unmissable feast for the mind.

Who it's for

A good fit for

  • Mystery fans obsessed with high-IQ crimes and intricate fair-play puzzles
  • Readers who follow the Lincoln Rhyme series and want to continue with this unique detective
  • Those with a strong interest in crime-scene investigation (CSI) and forensic science details
  • Readers who enjoy plots with multiple twists that reveal the truth only at the very end

Not a good fit for

  • Readers seeking light, casual reading who cannot tolerate detailed crime descriptions and tense atmosphere
  • Those impatient with hardcore deduction that relies heavily on technology and technical jargon

Reading tips

  1. Set aside uninterrupted reading time, as the tight plot and interlocking clues make the book hard to put down once started
  2. Pay attention to the descriptions of crime-scene physical evidence, which are often key fragments of the puzzle
  3. After finishing the ending, revisit earlier passages to savor the author's ingenious clue-planting and narrative tricks

About the publisher

New Star Press China · Founded in 1989

New Star Press focuses on classic works, mystery and detective fiction, science fiction, history, foreign literature and art, and its 602 titles in the library show a balance between popular reading and humanistic depth. Representative books include The Complete Works of Shakespeare: Illustrated Collector's Edition, And Then There Were None, Murder on the Orient Express, The Player of Games, Local Government in Qing China, A Good Man Is Hard to Find and A Collection of Fine Ukiyo-e Prints, spanning classic literature, detective fiction, science fiction, local history and visual art. Its authors and contributors include William Shakespeare, Agatha Christie and Iain M. Banks, as well as translators such as Zhu Shenghao and Su Fuzhong and illustrators such as John Gilbert and George Cruikshank. Known for the detective series Midnight Library and for social-science and humanities titles, the press emphasizes edition design and reading experience; public information is limited, so this profile highlights the publishing features reflected in the library's books.

Contents

  1. 版权信息
  2. 作者简介
  3. 序一
  4. 序二
  5. 第一部分 绝版书
  6. 第二部分 地下人
  7. 第三部分 红色蜈蚣
  8. 第四部分 地下女
  9. 第五部分 重逢
  10. 第六部分 皮与骨

FAQ

Can I read this without having read previous Lincoln Rhyme books?
Yes. Although the series features continuing characters, each case is standalone. The book briefly introduces the protagonist's background without affecting comprehension of the core mystery.
What style of deduction is this book?
It is modern hardcore fair-play mystery, blending top-tier forensic science details with the classic 'fair play' principle, emphasizing physical clues and logical deduction.
How is the pacing? Is it scary?
The pacing is very fast, plunging into the case from the start, with a tense and thrilling investigation. It focuses more on intellectual suspense and the pressure of the manhunt than on supernatural or gory horror.

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About the author

Jeffery Deaver Author · United States · 1950

Jeffery Deaver is an American suspense and crime novelist born in 1950. He graduated from the University of Missouri School of Journalism and Fordham University School of Law. His writing is known for intricate plotting and narrative tension. His representative works include the Lincoln Rhyme series, featuring a paralyzed detective, beginning with The Bone Collector, which has been adapted for film and television multiple times. His other works include The Sniper's Room, The Angel's Horn, The Coffin Dancer, The Broken Window, The Empty Chair, The Stone Monkey, and The Burning Wire. In the Chinese book market, his works are often categorized as suspense and mystery, premium fiction, and foreign literature. Deaver has also been invited to continue the 007 series, reflecting his broad influence in genre fiction.

邓悦现 Author

Deng Yuexian is an author about whom little public information is available. Only one work by this author can currently be identified: The Angel's Trumpet, a work of suspense and detective fiction. Based on the available information, Deng's writing centers on this genre, and this book is the main entry point for understanding the author's work. Because details such as dates of birth and death, nationality, education, and writing career are not clearly recorded, it is difficult to outline the author's life, and it would be inappropriate to speculate extensively about writing style. As for The Angel's Trumpet, readers may regard it as an attempt by a writer of suspense and detective fiction, focusing on the puzzle design, narrative pacing, and genre appeal of the work itself rather than on the author's personal background. Readers who wish to learn about Deng Yuexian are advised to start with this work and to supplement their understanding as further public information becomes available.

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