Lincoln Rhyme, the renowned criminalist from The Bone Collector and The Coffin Dancer, faces his ultimate opponent: a kidnapper and murderer dubbed the Insect Boy. But Rhyme is in for a surprise when he learns that catching a criminal is one thing.., keeping him is another. Now Rhyme finds himself hunting a ruthless killer in the heart of a southern swampland--and going head-to-head with his protege, Amelia Sachs, in a rivalry that tests the limits of both their expertise and their love.

Lincoln Rhyme, the renowned criminalist from The Bone Collector and The Coffin Dancer, faces his ultimate opponent: a kidnapper and murderer dubbed the Insect Boy. But Rhyme is in for a surprise when he learns that catching a criminal is one thing.., keeping him is another. Now Rhyme finds himself hunting a ruthless killer in the heart of a southern swampland--and going head-to-head with his protege, Amelia Sachs, in a rivalry that tests the limits of both their expertise and their love.

With intricate forensic detail, breathtaking speed, and masterful plot twists, THE EMPTY CHAIR is page-turning suspense from "the current master of pure detection" (San Jose Mercury News).

I

North of the Paquo

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46