The focus of my blog is to review book series and not individual novels, but writers are going to continue writing novels within a series even after I have done my review, so I plan on reviewing the individual novels as they come into circulation.   Jeffery Deaver just recently added book #12 entitled The Steel Kiss, to the Lincoln Rhyme series.

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I am pretty sure that the elevators in my building are possessed.  One of them takes forever to close except when you are trying to enter it, then it closes before you can get on. If you enter too slowly then in ‘talks’ to you in an ominous female voice with the statement, “PLEASE STEP AWAY FROM THE CLOSING DOOR.”  As the door slowly closes there is a loud shrill alarm which sounds until the door is fully closed.  At least it says, please, though I don’t think it really means it. The other day I was on it, and it started acting up, it kept trying to close the door but couldn’t completely, instead the door would continue to open and shut.  My first thought was that I was doomed to a horrible death if I didn’t immediately get off of it.  I was able to get the door open and quickly jumped off only to realize that I had a cart and there was no way I was going to get it up the stairs, so I had to get on it again.  Luckily, the second go round was smoother, but from then on I take the stairs whenever I can.

So you are probably wondering why I am blabbering about elevators and what this has to do with Jeffery Deaver’s The Steel Kiss. I bring this up because the bad guy in The Steel Kiss uses a rather disturbing modus operandi in murdering his victims by taking advantage of the latest technology and the everyday conveniences that we have become so dependent on, such as elevators, escalators, and microwaves, by using them as weapons. Recently, Chapman University survey was released on the top fears of Americans, and technology, whether it be cyberterrorism or use of artificial intelligence, was found to rank very high on that list. Our modern culture requires that we become increasingly more dependent on technology and this has made many people uncomfortable. For many, technology is something that is esoteric and difficult to understand for which they have little or no control over, but are required to use in order to function in society. Deaver uses this fear, like my fear of riding in the elevator, to make a terrifying serial killer that I think his readers will appreciate.

There are several stories going on in the Steel Kiss.  Besides the search for the serial killer, Amelia Saks’ is confronted with a number of emotional issues; her mother’s upcoming surgery, the release of her ex-lover from prison, and Lincoln Rhymes’ recent retirement from law enforcement. Additionally, Ron Pulaski has his own little questionable project going on, and finally Lincoln Rhyme has a new assistant for which he shares a lot in common. All together this makes for a fun read though you may have second thoughts about riding an escalator.

Deaver is well known for his convoluted plots and unexpected endings, and he doesn’t disappoint with The Steel Kiss. For those real die-hard fans, Deaver has also recently released a short story, The Deliveryman, which includes some more insight into events leading up to The Steel Kiss.

The Steel Kiss will be released to the public on March 8, 2016

I would like to thank NetGalley for my Advance Reader Copy of The Steel Kiss.

To learn more about the series check out  Jeffery Deaver’s Lincoln Rhyme series.