The Empty Chair - Book Review

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The Empty Chair by Jeffery Deaver is the third novel in his acclaimed Lincoln Rhyme series, following The Bone Collector and The Coffin Dancer. Published in 2000, the novel takes Rhyme, a quadriplegic forensic detective, out of his familiar New York setting and transports him and his partner, Detective Amelia Sachs, to the small town of Tanner’s Corner, North Carolina. This change of setting introduces new challenges, new dynamics, and forces the characters—and readers—to navigate a rural environment quite different from the urban backdrop of previous novels.

The book’s title, The Empty Chair, symbolizes various elements of the story, including Lincoln Rhyme’s physical condition and the absence of certain pivotal characters who affect the narrative’s events. Beyond that, the empty chair can be seen as a metaphor for the unresolved mysteries and moral dilemmas that haunt both Rhyme and the town’s inhabitants throughout the novel.

The plot of The Empty Chair centres on Lincoln Rhyme’s trip to North Carolina for an experimental surgical procedure that may potentially improve his mobility. However, shortly after arriving, Rhyme and Sachs are roped into a local criminal investigation that forces them to postpone the surgery. A teenager named Garrett Hanlon, known as "The Insect Boy" due to his fascination with insects has been accused of kidnapping two young women and murdering a local resident. The local authorities are desperate to capture him, viewing him as a danger to the community.

Garrett, however, manages to evade capture, leading to a tense manhunt through the dense, insect-infested marshes surrounding Tanner’s Corner. Rhyme and Sachs are asked to lend their forensic expertise to the case. But as they dig deeper, they begin to suspect that Garrett’s involvement in the crimes may not be as clear-cut as it seems. The investigation soon spirals into a complex web of deceit, prejudice, and hidden motives as Rhyme and Sachs uncover disturbing secrets about the town’s residents and local authorities.



In The Empty Chair, Lincoln Rhyme is far from his home territory, and the novel emphasizes his struggles in this unfamiliar, rural environment. Used to the high-tech labs and resources of New York City, Rhyme is forced to adapt to working with limited tools and a less experienced team. The novel explores his adaptability and tenacity as he finds ways to make his forensic skills work in this new environment.

Rhyme’s physical limitations are also a focal point. The story revolves around his internal struggle with undergoing risky surgery that could either improve his mobility or leave him worse off. This dilemma affects his decisions and contributes to his character’s growth. As a quadriplegic, Rhyme relies on Sachs and his team to execute his instructions, and The Empty Chair highlights how he copes with the vulnerability that comes with his condition.

In this rural setting, Rhyme is also challenged by the local law enforcement’s scepticism. The small-town officers are wary of his methods, seeing him as an outsider who’s intruding on their territory. Rhyme’s clash with local authority highlights his need for control and his frustration with the limits placed on him—not just by his disability, but by the constraints of his new surroundings.

Amelia Sachs: Amelia Sachs plays a crucial role in The Empty Chair, both as Rhyme’s partner and as a character navigating her own moral challenges. As Rhyme’s physical proxy, she’s essential to his investigations, carrying out forensic tasks in the field and serving as his hands and eyes. However, the small-town setting puts Sachs in situations where her loyalty to Rhyme and her sense of justice come into conflict with local laws and norms.

Sachs is deeply empathetic, and this empathy drives her to question the official narrative around Garrett Hanlon. Despite the accusations against him, she’s intrigued by Garrett’s background and begins to doubt whether he’s guilty of the crimes. Her sympathy for Garrett creates a rift between her and Rhyme, as he is more focused on the forensic facts, whereas she is swayed by her gut instincts and sense of fairness. This tension builds throughout the novel, as Sachs takes greater risks and even defies Rhyme in her quest to uncover the truth.

Garrett Hanlon: Garrett Hanlon is a fascinating antagonist—or rather, an antihero. Nicknamed "The Insect Boy" due to his intense interest in insects, Garrett is a loner who doesn’t fit in with the locals and is often bullied and ostracized. He has an eerie quality, and his knowledge of insects and the swamp gives him an almost mythical status in the town. Despite his peculiarities, Garrett is not portrayed as purely villainous. As Rhyme and Sachs delve deeper into the case, they discover that he may be more a victim of circumstance than a ruthless criminal.

Deaver expertly uses Garrett’s character to explore themes of prejudice and fear of the “other.” The townspeople see Garrett as dangerous and untrustworthy, primarily because he’s different from them. As Sachs uncovers the truth about Garrett, the novel invites readers to question assumptions about guilt and innocence, examining how prejudice and fear can shape people’s perceptions and lead to dangerous misconceptions.

One of the unique aspects of The Empty Chair is its setting. The small-town backdrop adds a layer of claustrophobia and tension, as everyone seems to know everyone else's business. Tanner’s Corner is steeped in Southern culture, with its own codes and traditions that don’t align with Rhyme and Sachs’s urban perspectives. This cultural clash creates friction, especially when Rhyme’s scientific approach clashes with the town’s more instinctive and sometimes superstitious beliefs.

The rural landscape also becomes a character in its own right. The swamps, marshes, and dense woods are not just a backdrop but a challenging and dangerous environment that Garrett knows intimately and uses to his advantage. This setting amplifies the suspense, as the natural obstacles hinder Rhyme and Sachs in their pursuit, creating a unique set of challenges compared to their usual urban investigations.

The Empty Chair delves deeply into themes of justice and prejudice. Through the character of Garrett and the way he is perceived by the townsfolk, Deaver explores how quick judgments can lead to tragic outcomes. The town’s rush to label Garrett as a criminal reflects societal tendencies to fear and marginalize those who are different. Deaver uses this theme to critique the biases and injustices that often pervade small communities, particularly those with insular attitudes.

Another theme in the book is redemption. Both Rhyme and Garrett seek redemption in different ways—Rhyme by considering the surgery as a means of regaining some physical control, and Garrett by hoping to clear his name and escape the oppressive stigma placed on him by the community. Sachs’s character also embodies the idea of redemption, as her determination to understand Garrett’s story gives her a chance to stand up against injustice, even at the risk of her own safety.

Deaver’s attention to forensic detail is one of the highlights of the Lincoln Rhyme series, and in The Empty Chair, he pushes his protagonist’s forensic skills to the limit. Rhyme is forced to work with rudimentary tools, relying on his creativity and ingenuity to analyse evidence in a setting where high-tech equipment is unavailable. This aspect of the story underscores Rhyme’s brilliance and adaptability, showcasing his ability to think on his feet and make the best of what he has.

The use of insects and the natural environment as forensic evidence adds a unique twist to the investigation. Garrett’s expertise in entomology is not just a quirky trait but becomes a vital part of the plot, as Rhyme has to understand and interpret clues related to the insect life in the area. This novel approach to forensic science adds depth to the story and reinforces Deaver’s skill in weaving scientific detail seamlessly into his narratives.

The Empty Chair builds to a surprising climax filled with Deaver’s trademark twists. Just when it seems the case has been solved, new revelations come to light, forcing Rhyme and Sachs to rethink their conclusions. The book’s ending is both satisfying and thought-provoking, leaving readers with questions about morality, justice, and the complexities of human behaviour.

The conclusion highlights the moral ambiguity that permeates the novel. Not every character is entirely good or evil, and the final resolution forces both Rhyme and Sachs to grapple with their own biases and assumptions. This complexity makes The Empty Chair a compelling read that lingers in the reader’s mind long after the last page is turned.

The Empty Chair is a standout entry in Jeffery Deaver’s Lincoln Rhyme series, offering a fresh setting, a complex mystery, and a deeper exploration of its central characters. The rural North Carolina backdrop, the clash of cultures, and the themes of prejudice and justice make this novel more than just a thriller; it’s a story about human resilience, the consequences of fear, and the quest for truth in a world where appearances can be deceiving. Deaver’s skilful storytelling, intricate plot, and richly developed characters make The Empty Chair a must-read for fans of crime fiction and psychological thrillers alike.

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