home > mystery novel reviews > the twelfth card

The Twelfth Card

by Jeffery Deaver

The Twelfth Card refers to the Tarot's 'Hanging Man' – but this book isn't about esoteric subjects. Jeffrey Deaver has written another Lincoln Rhyme novel, and to those of you not familiar with his work, the Lincoln Rhyme series is about a detective quadriplegic whose girlfriend, Amanda Sachs, does the legwork. Interestingly enough, the book is dedicated to Christopher Reeve, the courageous actor who ended in a similar wheelchair after playing Superman onscreen so many times. The Twelfth Card is all about a black high school girl from Harlem (the upper end of Manhattan) and the forces attempting to kill her before she discovers something long buried about her ancestor…

Geneva Settle is in the library of the African-American Museum reading old microfiche about her freed-slave ancestor, Charles Singleton, when Thompson Boyd makes his initial attempt to kill her. Boyd has been hired by someone else, and as a professional hit man, killing doesn't bother him. He's also got a 'rape kit' to leave at the scene, which he does when Geneva escapes. The kit contains a number of items intended to fool the police – including a Tarot card.

The librarian is brutally murdered, as well as a witness – and we gradually learn a great deal about the black community. Lincoln Rhyme is called in to investigate. Geneva is guarded by the police. Gradually, the suspects are eliminated – each one finally appearing as they really are, instead of what they first seem to be. Geneva herself has secrets which are only revealed near the end – and when Rhyme and the police figure they've eliminated the final threat to Geneva, she's suddenly attacked by the person who put the whole thing in motion.

The Twelfth Card is a tour through black history as well as enlightening the reader about present-day ethnic problems. Jeffrey Deaver writes his usual clever plot, with both Geneva and Rhyme one step ahead of the bad guy in almost every case. Thompson Boyd isn't the only one trying to contact Geneva, of course – and that's where the other suspicious characters come in.

Constant referral to The Hanged Man and its meaning as explained in esoteric literature helps Lincoln Rhyme throughout the novel to focus on the correct way to observe every unusual situation – and ultimately leads the good guys to apprehension of the individual behind it all. I've read many of Mr. Deaver's books, and each one is a whole different atmosphere – you can't help but learn something from his writing, regardless of where he chooses to take you; Jeffrey Deaver's research is impeccable – and combined with great story-telling, he's a winner.

Alan Paul Curtis

back