The Sleeping Doll: A Novel [Hardcover]

There can be no doubt Deaver is a master of plot twists. In the past, his novels have kept me guessing throughout the story. Unfortunately, somewhere along the line he became known as a "plot twist writer", and started adding more and more to each story. In "The Sleeping Doll", I'm afraid he's gone so far as to almost seem a parody of himself. There are so many plot twists in the story that the only plot twist would be if what LOOKED LIKE was going to happen actually DID.

Let me say it like this (and none of this happens in the book so I'm not giving anything away, but it happens LIKE this): The victim is home helpless as the killer sneaks into her house...he raises a knife to kill her...BUT the victim knew the killer was coming so it's actually a cop dressed as her waiting to stop the killer...BUT the killer knew the victim would be ready for him, so he waited outside while sending in a flunky to do the actual murder...BUT the FBI knew he'd do this so they waited outside to catch him...BUT he figured someone would be watching so he... You get the idea.

Books like "The Vanishing Man" and of course, "The Bone Collector" showcase Deaver's style at his best. His two short story collections are perfect examples of suspense fiction. But lately it seems like his editors have been wanting him to focus more on the twists, and now the entire story is nothing more than one after the other.

The last five minutes of "The Sixth Sense" took your breath away because of the plot twist ending you should have seen coming but never did. If the whole movie had been that same way, you'd have walked out of the theater in frustration because nothing at all is as it seems at any point in time during the story as the rules keep changing every few minutes. That's the same way "The Sleeping Doll" plays out. While there were a few moments that I honestly didn't see coming and found pleasantly surprising, most of the things happening in the book lost their impact after the first few chapters as you realized everything you THOUGHT was going to happen, actually wasn't.

I'm sure Deaver will trim things back a little for his next story. But even with all the twists in this one, it still makes for a good novel. It's by no means bad...just not at the same level as his previous books.

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.

Kinesics - reading every little movement, smile, grimace and eyebrow askew. That part was scary - a Charles Manson character and how he gages others is totally frightening - knowing how many nuts are "out there" now. The book - not so much scary - the ending -- flat and totally NOT like Deaver. He must be getting tired of writing. Not a bad read --- but definately NOT a good Deaver read. Read in between your other "good" books.