Crime · Thriller
The Bone Collector
A forensic expert left paralysed after an accident is persuaded to help the police track a killer who leaves clues at each scene. A young patrol officer becomes his eyes and legs.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 1997
- Pace
- Fast
- Length
- Medium
- Pages
- 472
- Format
- Book 1 of 17 in Lincoln Rhyme
Read this if you like forensic thrillers with an inventive twist and a pair of strong, contrasting leads.
Skip this if you do not enjoy gruesome killings or a stack of cliffhanger chapters.
The feel
Content warnings
Quick answers about The Bone Collector
- What is The Bone Collector about?
- A forensic expert left paralysed after an accident is persuaded to help the police track a killer who leaves clues at each scene. A young patrol officer becomes his eyes and legs.
- Who should read The Bone Collector?
- Read it if you like forensic thrillers with an inventive twist and a pair of strong, contrasting leads. Skip it if you do not enjoy gruesome killings or a stack of cliffhanger chapters.
- How long and how fast is The Bone Collector?
- It is a fast-paced, medium read of about 472 pages, first published in 1997.
- Does The Bone Collector have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Violence, Death, Gore, Kidnapping.
- Can I borrow The Bone Collector for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends The Bone Collector; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after The Bone Collector?
- Readers who liked it often move on to The Silence of the Lambs, Postmortem, The Snowman.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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