The Sleeping Doll

By Jeffery Deaver

Book Overview

Lincoln Rhyme is back The brilliant criminologist returns with his partner and paramour Amelia Sachs, in a blistering bestseller that tests forensic detective work in a brave new world. When Special Agent Kathryn Dance--a brilliant interrogator and kinesics expert with the California Bureau of Investigation--is sent to question the convicted killer Daniel "Son of Manson" Pell as a suspect in a newly unearthed crime, she feels both trepidation and electrifying intrigue. Pell is serving a life sentence for the brutal murders of the wealthy Croyton family in Carmel years earlier--a crime mirroring those perpetrated by Charles Manson in the 1960s. But Pell and his cult members were sloppy: Not only were they apprehended, they even left behind a survivor--the youngest of the Croyton daughters, who, because she was in bed hidden by her toys that terrible night, was dubbed the Sleeping Doll. But the girl never spoke about that night, nor did the crime's mastermind. Indeed, Pell has long been both reticent and unrepentant about the crime. And so with the murderer transported from the Capitola superprison to an interrogation room in the Monterey County Courthouse, Dance sees an opportunity to pry a confession from him for the recent murder--and to learn more about the depraved mind of this career criminal who considers himself a master of control, a dark Svengali, forcing people to do what they otherwise would never conceive of doing. In an electrifying psychological jousting match, Dance calls up all her skills as an interrogator and kinesics--body language--expert to get to the truth behind Daniel Pell. But when Dance's plan goes terribly wrong and Pell escapes, leaving behind a trail of dead and injured, she finds herself in charge of her first-ever manhunt. But far from simply fleeing, Pell turns on his pursuers--and other innocents--for reasons Dance and her colleagues can't discern. As the idyllic Monterey Peninsula is paralyzed by the elusive killer, Dance turns to the past to find the truth about what Daniel Pell is really up to. She tracks down the now teenage Sleeping Doll to learn what really happened that night, and she arranges a reunion of three women who were in his cult at the time of the killings. The lies of the past and the evasions of the present boil up under the relentless probing of Kathryn Dance, but will the truth about Daniel Pell emerge in time to stop him from killing again?

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743491580
• ISBN13: 9780743491587
• Release Date: May 2008
• Publisher: Pocket Star
• Length: 608 Pages
• Weight: 0.89 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 4.2" x 7.5"

Customer Reviews

Deaver only gets better with each new addition to the literary world!

This new series with Kathryn Dance (introduced in the last Lincoln Rhyme novel) is like a rocket blast. Usually the 'surprises' are finished in most crime novels a few chapters before the end and both story and characters ride off into the sunset. Not here! I did not return to normal breathing until the very last word was read.The characters : Dance and her family, O'Neil ( a favorite of mine) and Dances long-time best bud and side-kick, and just loved TJ too, another co-hort of hers. They just seem to be in each others' heads and are so human and true to life. They are up against Daniel Pell, a convicted murderer/ cult leader who butchered a family of four (leaving behind a young daughter sleeping in an upstairs bedroom...thus THE SLEEPING DOLL). Pell escapes after Dance ( a kinesics expert) interviews him. He seems to almost always be one step ahead of everyone. But the close calls are thrilling. A feebie is brought in to help. Winston Kellogg; shrewd, intelligent, cunning, bringing in one of the many sub-plots that make this novel one of, if not THE BEST of Deaver's contributions to the world of crime fiction. Jeffrey Deavers' brilliant mind shines through all the intrigue and unwinding of the plot which is written in his usual flawless prose-etic style. Thanks for another great one!

Best Deaver Ever!

I have been a Jeffery Deaver fan for many years and have read all of his books. I think this is the best book since the Bone Collector. The plot is fantastic and the twists and turns will keep you on the edge of your seat and unable to put the book down. I wasn't sure about Kathryn Dance as a lead character, but she has proven her place in the fiction hero world. I look forward to her return and the next book.

One of Deaver's Best

With Deaver, you always can expected the unexpected, and The Sleeping Doll is no exception. Riveted with tricks, turns, and things which are not what they seem, heroine Katherine Dance must use her abilities to see through the lies and deception to catch Daniel Pell. Pell is possibly the most chilling villain Deaver has ever created. With Lincoln Rhyme is an expert at forensic evidence and Katherine Dance at body language, Pell is a master in the art of manipulation and control of people. Deaver expertly gives a look into the dark mind of a ruthless control freak. In short, the book is a Deaver classic, and it is not to be missed.

Excellent Kathryn Dance debut book

We were introduced to Kathryn Dance in Deaver's The Cold Moon - we saw a brilliant agent from California who helped Lincoln and Sachs with the Clockmaker - Here in Doll, she is on her own turf. And she has her hands full - A young man, Daniel Pell, a Charles Manson wannabee, escaped prison shortly after Kathryn interviewed him. We see her analytical interviewing skills - super body language that makes her a 'human lie detector'. Pell goes on a rampant killing spree, getting even with people who hurt him. Kathryn works with her California Bureau of Investigation buds to capture him and anticipate his next moves. It is a fascinating read. Kathryn Dance is a great character - she's vibrant, a great Mom, has great parents, two kids who love her, and she's a straight shooter. There is nothing on her agenda - she does what she loves and is an expert at. The interaction between Pell and Dance and other agents makes for a great book. It will keep you involved until the last sentence. One hopes Deaver will continue Dance's story in future books. There looks to be a 'Kay Scarpetta/Benton Wesley' type of relationship/flirtation forming - It did not work for Patricia Cornwell. One hopes Deaver will not even go there for Dance. There are plenty of characters for her to interplay with, and not muddy the waters where she works. Although Lincoln Rhyme is Deaver's mainstay, Kathryn Dance is a wonderful character, whether on her own or a collaboration with her New York friends.

A page turning thriller...

I think Deaver has done us all a good turn by turning away from the Lincoln Rhyme novels. Kathryn Dance is an interesting character on her own and when combined with Deaver's rather deep reserve of storylines you have a sure-fire stable of future bestsellers. In Sleeping Doll we're introduced to Daniel Pell, a killer of terrible repute. Having been convicted of the murder of four members of the Croyton family, Pell is serving his time. Kathryn Dance an investigator with the California Bureau of Investigation wants to interrogate Pell for another unsolved murder that predates his conviction. Instead of going to where Pell is serving his time, he is brought to Dance. This sets up his escape and also starts his murder spree and launches you on a read you're sure to remember. Deaver is a master of ingenious plots, twists and turns as he leads the reader through his stories. The Sleeping Doll is a winner. Great characters with terrific development through the book, fast paced, you won't want this read to end but you won't be able to keep from devouring each line.