It was mostly okay but was boring in some parts, especially the ones that had a lot of numbers being read.

This book was a slower than the other Rhymes books. There was so much computer information in the story. It only got faster and more interesting during the last half of the book. I'm listening to the CD now and find myself going forward on sections of the CD.

Great book -well written,clever plot-further development of main characters and a lead in to a new book.

This is your standard Jeffery Deaver novel. Since I lilke his Lincoln Rhyme novels, I enjoyed this one, too. If you have read others, you will notice that they include people from past novels and if you haven't, this will not be a deterent.
Very good CSI features and you always learn about detective work.

A great page turner from Deaver. Not as formulaic as some of his past Rhyme books - I hate that it took a real life identity theft to spark his creativity. A bit paranoia-inducing (I did re-check my credit report), but quite entertaining!

When Lincoln Rhymes reluctantly agrees to drop an important case to pursue the solution to his cousin's recent murder charge, he enters the world of identity theft and data mining. For the first time, he faces an uncommonly evil adversary who "knows everything", which is exceptionally frustrating for a person like Rhymes.

I, like many other reviewers, have read all of this series and found this one to be a super page-turner. I frequently neglected my computer or watching the Olympics to get back to my book. I remember as I read that I bet Deaver put a lot of work into his books, so be sure to watch the 3-min. video that Amazon includes after the PW review - it's amazing!

While most of us worry about identity theft, I also remember thinking, go ahead and try to quantify me (data mining companies), I just don't think I'm quantifiable. But I don't think I ever want a dossier on me as large as the one on Amelia Sachs no matter how correct or incorrect. Is this for real? Perhaps fiction based on future truth.

Well said, Mr. Deaver. At any rate, knowledge is power in anyone's book!

I liked this one a lot. Not my favorite, I think my fav is one of the first Lincoln Rhyme novel ( Bones) but this one rates right up there. For the most part Jeffery Deaver writes really good mysteries with unusual twists that keep you really interested, and this one fit the bill. If your a fan this one is a don't miss, if you have not read one of these books maybe this is the time to start. It is a good read whether on the beach or in the car.

This latest Lincoln Rhyme mystery has him chasing an intriguing criminal who uses data mining to change people's identities and backgrounds much less rob, rape and murder his victims. With his paramour and partner, Amelia Sachs, along with the rest of his partners, Lincoln has to accept some of today's computer and data-gathering techniques.

The trail leads to the largest and most successful data-gathering company, Strategic Systems Datacorp, which has amassed individual profiles on hundreds of millions of persons in the United States and overseas. This information furnishes the culprit with all kinds of knowledge to enable him to plan and execute his c rimes, including one against Lincoln's cousin, who is accused of murder.

Written with Deaver's accustomed meticulous detail, with the usual twists to keep the reader turning pages, the novel is well up there with the best of the series. Too bad we'll have to wait two years before the next one. But that's OK, the author plans to have us reading the next in the Kathryn Dance series next year, as well as a standalone--a possible new series-due out in November of `08. They too should be well worth looking forward to. Recommended.

So glad to read this novel! Once again, Deaver has brought us a thriller worthy of the characters he created. Very interesting story that included a lot of information about identity theft and data mining and gives a person a lot to think about in regard to how much information someone could possibly have on you with all the computer generated files that private companies are beginning to amass. Quite scary really. Especially what someone in possession of that info could do. As they said,
"Knowledge is power." I gave it a 4 which is the highest rating I usually give a thriller. I possibly would have given it more except for some annoying distractions in the book and some petty stuff. I wasn't interested in the England side story nor do I like those lists written down in the book. I know I'm in the minority probably over that one. Another wish of mine is that Deaver would make more effort to detail the nature of Rhyme and Sach's relationship and private personal interaction with each other. Highly recommend!!

Deaver does it again! I haven't read one bad Lincoln Rhyme novel, and this one fulfills all my expectations. Twists, turns, plot changes, several possibilites for the killer--Lincoln and Amanda are like Alice down the rabbit hole in this one. The reader never knows what to expect--I like that. My favorites about a Lincoln Rhyme novel: the forensics and the relationships all these characters have with this old curmudgeon who always turns out to be a softie at heart.

although reminescent of another Deaver book,(the blue nowhere,by the way an excellent read)this still produces all that you would expect of the author.But,not his best to date.can only give this 4 stars,not the 5 that i would usually give him.lacks a little something.not as tightly scripted and unputdownable as per usual.not the usual page turner that keeps me up half the night,but still head and shoulders above the mass produced stuff that james patterson(an ex-favourite of mine)now produces.i would sooner wait a year for a deaver than i would 4/6 months for a patterson.looking forward,in anticipation,to his next book.

If you like a good mystery peppered with cliff hangers then this book won't disappoint. Great summer read. Oh and make sure you take out the rfid tag out of the book before you start - you'll understand soon enough why..

This is one of the best books I have read this year. I spent many enjoyable hours lost in this world. While reading this book, I noticed there were times when I was actually becoming stressed out for the characters! I even noticed increased heart rate! This was a fun book to read. It kept me guessing until the very end. I have loved all of the books in the series and this was one of my favorites.

This is one of the best books I have read this year. I spent many enjoyable hours lost in this world. While reading this book, I noticed there were times when I was actually becoming stressed out for the characters! I even noticed increased heart rate! This was a fun book to read. It kept me guessing until the very end. I have loved all of the books in the series and this was one of my favorites.

I'm about 3/4 of the way through this book and it's been a very good listen. I've never read a Lincoln Rhyme novel, so I can't compare to others in the series. The story is interesting - makes you never want to use a credit card again! The reader has a good voice - not over dramatic and the characters are identifiable by voice tones and inflections.

I'm about 3/4 of the way through this book and it's been a very good listen. I've never read a Lincoln Rhyme novel, so I can't compare to others in the series. The story is interesting - makes you never want to use a credit card again! The reader has a good voice - not over dramatic and the characters are identifiable by voice tones and inflections.

I still like Deaver, but lately his books seem more formulaic. This book was good, but not exciting, about the same as his previous few novels.

I thought the last Lincoln Rhyme novel was very average so I thought I would give Deaver one more try. After reading "The Broken Window", I think I'm done.

Rhyme was his usual, cranky self. He directs investigative traffic form his "Fortress of Solitude" that is probably better equipped as a crime lab than most major city police departments. His foil, Amelia Sachs, contiunes her role as a super cop and still has time to mentor a young woman through the trials and tribulations of having an affair with a married man. This was totally unecessary and bogged down a story about information gathering that is timely and topical in today's world. The best part of the book was the back story about Rhyme's relationship with his cousin (who, coincidently, is framed for a murder he did not commit) and how he grew up to be the man he is today. This was far more interesting than the rather routine police procedural Deaver presents.

I know I will be in the minority on this one but different opinions are what make the world go round. What was original with Rhyme and Sachs has become tedious to me. There are other protagonist's that are far more interesting than Rhyme and Sachs. Unless Deaver changes it up, he will have lost this reader for sure.

Mr. Deaver has once again given us a great story featuring Lincoln, Amelia, and the gang. Whether you are an established fan, or this is your first Lincoln Rhyme novel, I am sure you will find it enjoyable and entertaining. And you might even learn a thing or two, also! That is one of best things about this series from the author.

And, without giving away too much of the story, I do want to thank the author for allowing Pulaski to make an appearance in the next book. I really like that rookie!

Enjoy, everyone!

Another enjoyable lincoln rhyme novel. I read the book in two days, could't put it down.

Written in a style similar to The Bone Collector (one of Deaver's more successful novels). The pace is fast moving, keeps the reader guessing, and incorporates today's electronically linked world into the story telling.

Good reading (or listening-CD),is light enough, yet absorbing enough to take your mind off of your problems.

One of the best novels that I have listened to this year and perhaps the best Lincoln Rhyme mystery to date.

This book was excellent; one of those thrillers that keeps you on the edge of your seat page after page. Easily one of Deavers' best novels to date! Gritty characters, unpredictable plot twists.....In terms of forensic thrillers, Jeffrey Deaver is truly one of the best authors around right now. A master of his craft!

What would you do if you woke up one day to discover that your bank accounts were at zero, your mortgage unpaid according to the bank, your car repossessed even though you'd paid it off, and your job terminating your employment because your most recent drug test came back positive even though you've never used drugs a day in your life? Even worse - what if you were arrested with slam dunk evidence for a murder you didn't commit? The Broken Window is just that - a series of murders committed by a sly and highly intelligent criminal that has access to all of the data for every person in the United States. But to the shock and horror of those arrested, he has managed to frame innocent people for the murders by planting evidence that corresponds to their recent purchases. Your favorite condom brand? He'll use it in a rape. Your favorite beer? Will just happen to be in the tread of the shoeprint he leaves behind - with your shoe brand and size!

Lincoln Rhyme has his attention brought to this scary serial killer because his cousin winds up arrested for a brutal stabbing. Lincoln hasn't been in contact with this cousin for many years, but has trouble believing that he could be a murderer. With his partner Detective Sachs and the others that typically assist Rhyme in solving crimes, they trek through the layers of physical evidence and transfer evidence in an effort to learn something about their latest adversary and try to stay one step ahead of the man that knows everything.

This thriller is Deaver at his finest. He hasn't written a Lincoln Rhyme novel this strong in a while. The bad guy is super scary, the premise frighteningly possible, and the pages just turn and turn and turn. This is a book that will be difficult to put down at night but could cause nightmares for the faint of heart. This book references past cases, characters, and killers as well as foreshadows books to come. A fantastic thriller!!

I have often commented on reading a Deaver novel, that I would not want this man's nightmares. He is solidly on his game in his latest Lincoln Rhyme novel.

Others have gone into great detail about the pieces of the puzzle that the paraplegic crime scene investigator, Lincoln Rhyme and his intrepid sidekick and lover, Amelia Sachs must piece together.

The villian (there is always a villian) in this piece is "the man who knows everything." Through his access to people's identities he is able to commit crimes and have others blamed for them. How he gets this acess and what drives him is the meat of this book and the less revealed about the plot, the better, I believe for future readers.

All one needs to know is that this is Deaver, still at his best, with a pot boiler of a story which has more twists and turns than a Le Mans race course and which will also get the reader thinking about the technology of our times, its use and its abuse and what that can mean to all of us.

Don't let this one slip by you.

No spoilers

As I've said in my last several Deaver reviews, this book is another example of Deaver being Deaver. Sometimes I wonder if it's even possible for him to come up with a boring and tedious story--especially after eight books in the Lincoln Rhyme series alone--but of course, it is not.

I'd have to say that my favorite thing about The Broken Window is what has been my favorite thing about all of Deaver's novel (both within and outside of the Rhyme series) ever since I first stumbled upon them, and that is how it is the perfect balance between an easy read and captivating story. While some easy reads are so primitive and simplistic as to not be entertaining, and some captivating stories are so complex they require absolute concentration, this novel has some elements of both, so that whether you're in your private study or the middle of Newark International Airport (like I was while reading parts of this), you'll still be enthralled either way.

Basically, as is the case with any Deaver novel at this point in the series, if you never read any of it, go back and start at the beginning (of the Rhyme series at least) with The Bone Collector. Otherwise, if you've gotten this far, why are you even reading this review? You know you're going to read and enjoy anything by Deaver so why bother?

PS: His stand-alone novels are just as good. My personal favorite is still the first Deaver book I ever read that got me hooked, called The Blue Nowhere. Read it!

Another case solved with the infamous whiteboards - and technology to help. A scary too-true description of the amount of information kept about all of us by who-knows-whom...not for those who are paranoid about computers storing TMI. Those who like the characters will not be disappointed - entertaining and exciting.

If you have not read a Jeffery Deaver book you are missing out. This book complete my whole collection of his books and they are great.

There are great joys in reading Deaver. The most obvious in the Lincoln Rhyme series is that you are always assured of a great mystery, lots of cerebral challenges mixed with action and a great cast characters. The other great joy is that the reader will always learn something about a subject - be it insects, bones, magic or, as here data mining.


In this novel, Rhyme's cousin is arrested for murder. All the evidence points to him and the case is a slam dunk. Rhyme soon sees that the evidence could well have been planted and learns other crimes have been committed in NYC with similarly possible planted evidence. The chase is on. Rhyme is the ultimate CSI investigator, but tt is soon obvious that the killer "knows everything" about his victims. This gets the book into the Orwellian world of data mining - the accumulation of data about every person, seemingly endless and extremely personal. Besides the scary nature of the mystery, the backdrop of this type of data mining is even more alarming.

Like all the Lincoln Rhyme novels, this one stands alone. If you read it, I guarantee you will go back for the earlier ones so you can get to know the cast more intimately.

This iteration of Rhyme got only four stars because there was a slow period in the middle of the book. Probably more technological folks than I would enjoy that portion more than I did. A slow portion for Deaver, though, is about 55 mph rather than his usual 70.

Highly recommended as a cerebral mystery/thriller that puts "CSI Miami" to shame.

A great read for the lovers of Lincoln Ryme mysteries, especially if you're a savvy computer expert. The story circles around computer information and if you're not up on computer-speak, you'll learn a lot from this one. The characters are colorful and Ryme is still wonderful.

Broken Window is the first Jeffery Deaver novel I've read. All in all, it was an interesting and entertaining read.

What I liked:

* I liked the character of Lincoln Rhyme. He reminds me a little of Nero Wolfe from the old Rex Stout novels.
* I found the information on identity theft interesting and well researched.
* The concept of the novel is intriguing. If evidence can be manufactured and manipulated, how do you know what evidence is real? How can you catch a killer when the evidence you are using may be a lie?

What I didn't care for:

* Deaver bogs this novel down with excessive detail, redundancies, and unrelated subplots. The subplots are a by-product of `the series', the need to develop storylines for recurring characters and keep fans of the series up to date on information that has no bearing on the current story (For example: Pam's romance with a teacher, Rhyme's efforts to track a hired killer from a previous novel). The narrative flow is further bogged down with detail and redundant information. For example: Lists of evidence are repeated over and over again throughout the novel, whenever anything new is added to the list.
* The ending is drawn out with far too many attempts at `gotcha' moments where the author leads the reader to think someone is the killer, only to reveal "surprise" they are not. I started to get a little impatient with Deaver near the end.
* The killer is revealed and one of our heroes is saved as a result of some extraordinary coincidences and some huge leaps in deductive reasoning. It strains credibility and because the novel is generally well researched and is attempting to be realistic, these improbabilities are harder to accept.
* I was troubled by inconsistencies in the motivation and behaviour of the killer in this novel and by a glaring oversight in the investigation. The plot requires these behaviours and demands that the investigation follow a specific path, and while I understand why Deaver makes the choices he does, it felt a little false to me even though they are relatively minor issues.

The bottom line: This is a smart novel with an intriguing premise. Yes, it gets bogged down with detail and features many of the same types of contrivances that are found in most crime fiction, but all-in-all Deaver delivers a well researched, interesting suspense novel. 3 ¾ stars.

I LOVED THIS BOOK AS I HAVE LOVED ALL OF MR. DEAVER'S BOOKS. HE ALWAYS KEEPS YOU THINKING UNTIL THE END AND THEN SUPRISES YOU. I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO EVERYONE WHO ENJOYS MYSTERIES. I LOVE ESPECIALLY THE LINCOLN RHYME'S SERIES OF BOOK. BUT HAVE READ ALL THAT HE HAS WRITTEN.

I'm a fan of Deaver's Lincoln Rhyme series and this is my favorite of the series so far. A highly recommended read from a great mystery author!

Data mining and identity theft drive the fast-paced plot as quadriplegic detective Lincoln Rhyme and his partner/lover Amelia Sachs attempt to clear Rhyme's estranged cousin, Arthur, of murder charges.

A look at the slam-dunk evidence suggests to Rhyme, a consultant for the NYPD, that someone may have framed Arthur. A little more digging produces several other cases - closed, the supposed perps jailed - with the same anomalies. If he's right, some sophisticated identity theft is involved.

Point of view switches to the real killer, a self-satisfied collector who attaches numbers to people before he adds them to his macabre - and extensive -collection. He's awaiting his next victim, a young woman whose life has been thoroughly mapped out, as has that of the designated fall guy.

While the police are none too happy about re-opening solved cases, Rhyme comes achingly close to nabbing the guy, managing at least to intercept his manufactured evidence and get the NYPD on board. His investigation leads to a huge data mining company with clients that encompass not just corporations but government - including the NYPD.

And when the killer realizes the law is on his trail he doesn't run - he fights - with all the data at his command.

The chase twists and turns as Deaver ramps up the suspense, cutting between characters and scenes. As the pages flip by, Orwell's "1984" casts a long shadow and the reader shudders to realize how the foundations of society (to say nothing of the individual) rest on electronic data more solidly than on the bedrock of the earth. Pretty scary - and a fun read too.

As usual, I couldn't put this book down - it moves at lightening speed. I highly recommend this book!

This is quintessential Deaver. The killer, 522, has been killing people, calling in anonymous tips and then plants evidence on an innocent victim so they are accused of the crime. The question is, where does he get the information about these innocent victims so he can get the evidence to plant? Answer? SSD. This company gets all sorts of computerized data on people and sells it to other companies. Keeping up with federal and state privacy laws, of course. When Arthur, Lincoln's cousin, is caught up in 522's scheme, to be convicted of rape and murder, Lincoln decides to investigate the case, with the help of all the usual characters, Amelia, Ron, Mel and Lon.

There are 2 things I love about Deaver's books. The first is the author's style of putting the reader inside the killer's head throughout the book. Not many mystery writers do this. I think because they may be afraid it will give clues away but Deaver has a talent of helping the reader see through the eyes of the killer which helps pull you deeper into the story.
The other thing I like is the way he sets up the reader into thinking the killer has the edge and the plot is headed for a bad scene and then BOOM, Amelia or Rhythm have jumped ahead and figured something out while you were off in some other character's head. Then the story takes an unexpected twist.
Deaver's books are loaded with interesting information, (like identity theft in this one) as well as, suspense and drama. It is rare for me to rate a Deaver book anything less than a 4 or 5.
I've read every one of the Lincoln Rhyme series and if you are a thriller-mystery type reader, you don't want to miss adding this series to your repertoire. Deaver is one of the best.

This one kept me guessing all the way to the end. Great story with a very frightening premise. A good summer read.

Another good Lincoln Rhyme read, although I wasn't as impressed with it as some of the former titles.

I will say, though, Mr. Deaver did his research on identity theft, and knowing how easy it is for people to find out a whole lot about you on the Internet is eye-opening, to say the least.

Fans of the series will want to pick this one up, just to stay up-to-date.

Jeffrey Deaver is one of my favorite fiction authors, and he did not let me down with this book. I never saw the ending coming! You won't want to put it down!

I really enjoyed this Lincoln Rhyme book and was amazed at what data exists and could possibly be collected on a person. I only wish the author had made a comment on how true the scenario he presented is in today's world!

You may think that identity theft involves someone else charging to your credit cards, or someone gaining access to your bank account. Think again. Things could be worse. People may do evil things using your identity. You could go to prison for someone else's crime. You could even be murdered. What if someone has a grudge and wants to do damage, or what if a psycho just wants to have fun? As noted in the novel, people believe the data, not the truth. The information is there in the records, but is it?

Lincoln Rhyme gets a call that his cousin is in jail charged with rape, robbery, and murder. He initiates inquiries and finds a pattern. But how does someone get detailed information about another person? And what are the motives? It's an intriguing case as Rhyme calls in various assistants for specialized work. The solution starts becoming obvious part way through the novel, but there are complications.

The novel does seem to have a mass of detail on personal data files, forensic science, crime scene investigations, and Rhyme's family and past. (also a little information about the problems a man can have inside a jail, they won't rape you yet but maybe later )- the reason I gave the novel four stars instead of five. Much of it is interesting, but it makes for slow reading. It is an interesting storyline dealing with a contemporary issue, and action picks up some towards the end.

The novel has violence, much of it by reference, and some sexual content, mostly by reference.

Readers might also be interested in Sue Grafton's "T is for Trespass" which deals with an individual using a stolen identity for evil purposes.

I agree with reviewer Cynthia when she says Jeffery Deaver's "Broken Window" is a wow! Read it this week and I believe it to be Deaver's best yet. I loved it. A marvelous story and fabulous read.

Editor of TV director Raymond Austin's mystery The Eagle Heist (Beauford Sloan Mysteries)

No more need be said about this book but WOW! Yes, it's that good. I read it in two sittings and didn't want it to end. I anxiously await the next in the Lincoln Rhyme series. Please, Mr. Deaver, don't make your fans wait too long. Tick, tock ... tick, tock.

"Broken Window" is a great read. I hope there is a movie to follow!

Lincoln Rhyme, Amelia Sachs and crew are back in the 7th book of this series by Jeffery Deaver.


Lincoln's estranged cousin, Arthur Rhyme is arrested on murder and rape charges. He claims he is innocent. Against his wishes, his wife Judy contacts Lincoln for help.

For those of you unfamiliar with this series, Lincoln Rhyme is a former police captain, injured on the job and now a quadriplegic. Amelia Sachs was a young aspiring policewoman who became Rhymes eyes as she "walked" crime scenes, gathering evidence for him. Together they have solved many crimes based on Lincoln's expertise with forensic evidence.

And that is what bothers Lincoln about Arthur's case - the evidence is just too perfect. The case seems airtight.

Some digging unearths two other cases similar to Arthur's. Further investigation leads to SSD - a data mining corporation. It seems the real perpetrator might be hiding behind walls of SSD.

Data mining is real and very scary. When you get to page 352, there's a dossier put together on one of the characters, listing literally everything. Purchases, habits, relationships, financial data, lifestyle, communications and lots more. It's quite frightening - think of all the loyalty cards you have, the debit and credit cards you swipe, the searches you do on the web.

The perpetrator is using this information to commit crimes and have someone else take the fall. He's always one step ahead of the police. Then he starts messing with their personal information and things take a turn for the worse.

The novel opens, closes and contains references to a case involving an assassin the Lincoln last encountered in 'The Cold Moon'. If you've not read it yet, you might find these references a bit confusing. I believe this is what the next Rhyme novel, due in 2010, will focus on.

Deaver is always a great read. The clues, evidence and the ingenious way they are used to pursue the case are fascinating. The Broken Window was very hard to put down at the end of the day.

I always enjoy finding a series that you can follow the character's lives as well as the mystery presented.

Fans of TV shows like CSI will enjoy this series. Faithful readers of John Sandford would enjoy it as well.

This is perhaps his best novel so far. Lots of twists and turns. It's one of the great ones you can't wait to get back to. Very current and very disturbing, in an area we should all get very disturber about.

Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs, two of my favorite partners in crime solving, return in a very satisfying and entertaining thriller. This time around they're looking for an elusive criminal who uses peoples personal data to frame them for the crimes he commits.
I think Jeffrey Deaver fans will find this novel to their liking. Both topical and eye-opening. Identity theft and data mining, two subjects that will get you thinking after reading this.

I have always been a fan of Jeffery Deaver and my favorites are the Lincoln Rhymes series. This to me, so far has been the best. You can't put this book down. Can't wait for the next.

Although I found it slow and rugged going at first, I found that I was utterly fascianated about 1/3 of the way through. This book is about identity theft, and it is really scary! We all know that all kinds of information is out there about each and every one of us, but I don't think we realize the scope of this, and we certainly don't realize the dangers! In this book Lincoln Rhyme is after a particularly devious killer that uses information and identity theft as part of his arsenal to gain power. It is not an easy book to read since some of the stuff that occurs is particularly frightening (as in how easy it is to set a completely innocent person up as a scapegoat or to steal everything that person has). This is the ultimate conspiracy theory book, and it's frightening in the fact that it does hit so close to home. Trust Jeffery Deaver to open up our eyes on this very timely issue! I highly recommend reading this book if you are a lover of thrillers because it will keep you guessing until the end.

The Broken Window: A Lincoln Rhyme Novel (Lincoln Rhyme)
Jeffery Deaver does it again with an inventive well researched thriller. I judge a book according to the amount of sleep I loose reading it. The bags under my eyes are now the most prominent feature on my face. Get it as soon as possible and I dare you to put it down. I think I'll go take a nap!