The Cutting Edge By Jeffrey Deaver

 

One of New York's most fascinating districts is the Diamond District.  Here diamonds are cut, polished and sold, often to newly engaged couples.  When Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs hear of a murder there, they are more than glad to serve as the police department's consultants.  One of the merchants and an engaged couple have been shot down and left dead.  Another employee managed to escape as he was just arriving to work as the crime was occurring.

This is the work of the Promisor, a serial killer who delights in killing couples during their happiest time.  It becomes clear that he plans to track down and kill the witness, who is trying to leave the diamond business and become a sculptor.  But more is going on.  Someone is also planting bombs on gas lines throughout the city and it becomes clear that this is also tied to the diamond thefts.  Can Lincoln and Amelia find him before scores are killed in a gas explosion?

This is the fourteenth Lincoln Rhyme novel.  Lincoln and Rhyme are now married after years of being in love.  Lincoln is still a quadriplegic although over the years he has gained a bit of movement in his hands.  The same intricate collection of trace evidence is found in this book and allows the team to get valuable clues to the criminal and where he is hiding.  Readers will learn not only crime solving techniques but about the diamond trade from mining to selling.  There are lots of twists and turns and suspense mounts throughout the book which is recommended for mystery readers.