The Stone Monkey

Name: The Stone Monkey
ISBN: 9787802255074

Jeffery Deaver / 谭端New Star Press · ChinaAug 2018

4.2

Word count: 245K words
Chapters: 7
ISBN: 9787802255074

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Summary

Lincoln Rhyme takes on an almost impossible task: together with his partner Amelia, he must track a cargo ship carrying more than twenty stowaways and a snakehead nicknamed 'the Ghost.' When they locate the ship on the open sea, a mysterious explosion drags most of the stowaways to the bottom, and the survivors are hunted by the Ghost. Rhyme and Amelia must find the two families who narrowly escaped the shipwreck in the maze-like streets of New York's Chinatown and flush out the cruel and mysterious Ghost.

Editor's review

Deaver's Lincoln Rhyme series has always won readers with 'forensic detail plus countdown manhunt,' and this book moves the stage from a closed crime scene to the space between New York's Chinatown and a cargo ship at sea, giving it a broader scope and even greater urgency. The core of the story is not simply finding a killer but tracking clues simultaneously across two spaces—the drifting ship and the maze-like streets: on one side, the stowaways' struggle to survive; on the other, the fear created by the snakehead known as 'the Ghost.' Rhyme's physical limitations and Amelia's fieldwork complement each other, and readers are constantly thrown into situations where 'information is incomplete but decisions must be made immediately.' The book's portrayal of migration chains, maritime smuggling, and urban ethnic communities gives the suspense a thickness of social observation beyond mere puzzle-solving. It is best read in long, continuous sittings, because chapters often end with a new clue or reversal, and interruptions weaken the urgency; if you are familiar with earlier books in the series, you will better appreciate the changes in Rhyme and Amelia's partnership.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers of genre fiction who enjoy high-paced crime suspense and forensic reasoning
Followers of the Lincoln Rhyme series who want to see him face a new challenge of cross-regional manhunts
Readers interested in New York's Chinatown, stowaways, and immigration themes
Readers who prefer dual narrative lines and countdown structures

Not a good fit for

Readers sensitive to plot elements such as maritime disasters and the plight of stowaways
Readers expecting pure orthodox locked-room puzzles who do not want social-school elements
Readers who rarely read series fiction and want a completely standalone book with no background burden

Reading tips

Read continuously by chapter if possible, especially in the manhunt sections after the cargo ship explosion; interruptions weaken the tension of the countdown.
While reading, note the alternating rhythm between how Rhyme obtains information and Amelia's fieldwork; this is key to the book's structure.
Readers unfamiliar with the geography of New York's Chinatown may want to look up street locations, which will help them better understand the spatial logic of the 'maze manhunt.'
After finishing the main plot, look back at the opening cargo-ship mission and consider how the author uses a failed operation to establish the book's urgent tone.

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.

版权信息
杰夫里·迪弗重要作品年表
第一部蛇头
第二部美丽的国家
第三部生死簿
第四部砍幽灵的尾巴
第五部等待时机

FAQ

I haven't read the Lincoln Rhyme series. Can I start with this book?

Yes. The case in this book is relatively standalone, and the core manhunt plot does not depend on earlier installments. However, Rhyme's physical condition, his partnership with Amelia, and the series' usual forensic procedures are developed more fully in earlier books; starting here may give you a slightly shallower sense of the characters' rapport, but it will not affect your understanding of the story.

Is the reasoning in this book more forensic or more action-manhunt oriented?

It has both, but because the settings span sea and land and involve a cargo ship and city streets, action and manhunt elements are more prominent. Forensic details still run throughout and drive the clues to a conclusion, but the overall pace is closer to a countdown thriller than to static locked-room deduction. Readers who like fast pacing will adapt well.

Is the portrayal of the stowaways grim?

A considerable portion involves casualties during the smuggling voyage and coercion by the snakehead, and the atmosphere is tense and oppressive. The author does not deliberately sensationalize gore, but the maritime disaster and manhunt plot may still discomfort sensitive readers. If you prefer lighter suspense, choose with caution.

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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.

谭端 Author

Tan Duan is an author about whom limited public information is available. At present, only one work by this author is included in the collection: a suspense and mystery novel titled Stone Monkey. Because details such as dates of birth and death, nationality, English name, and educational background cannot be verified, it is difficult to sketch a personal profile. Judging from Stone Monkey, Tan Duan's writing leans toward the suspense and mystery genre. The title carries symbolic overtones and readily draws readers into an atmosphere of mystery and pursuit. Based on currently visible materials, the author's work remains at the stage of a single collected title, with its subject matter centered on building suspense and advancing through deduction, while characters and plot are likely to unfold around a case or hidden clues. Constrained by the available information, it is impossible to describe the full range of the author's style or literary influence. Readers seeking to learn more can only refer to Stone Monkey; a more complete picture of Tan Duan's writing must await further materials.