This is my second reading of this book, it turns out, having bought a cheap paperback edition at the local charity shop. I did not remember the ending, so it must have been some years ago!
The titular empty chair has two meanings – one is that of a technique used in the book, to encourage the suspect Garrett to talk about his feelings by imagining the person he wants to talk to is sitting on the chair (even his sadly departed father). The other chair belongs to Lincoln Rhyme, who is considering an experimental operation that might improve his mobility – or possibly kill him.
The plot follows the hunt to recover Mary Beth, who has been kidnapped by Garrett, and also Lydia (a nurse at the hospital) who is also kidnapped by Garrett. Garrett has an obsession with insects, and is rather uncared for, with itchy skin and blemishes. He is, however, very smart – and it turns out that his traumatic past (his family were killed in a car) triggered his truancy from school and bad behaviour at the foster home.
To add to the complications, Amelia Sachs (Lincoln’s partner) is sympathetic towards Garrett and assists him to escape from jail, in order to locate Mary Beth. In the ensuing chase, she comes under fire from the police, with deadly consequences.
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musingstudio 