The Recurring Cast
Character · Rhyme’s Manhattan · 17 books

Mel Cooper

Forensic technician · Jeffery Deaver

Mel Cooper is a mild-mannered forensic technician with a passion for ballroom dancing.

Spoiler-free profile written for The Recurring Cast.

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Character facts

First appearance
The Bone Collector (1997)
Latest appearance
The Watchmaker’s Hand (2023)
Books
17 (17 minor)
Series
Lincoln Rhyme
Author
Jeffery Deaver
Circle
Rhyme’s Manhattan

Where to meet Mel Cooper

Mel Cooper first appears in The Bone Collector (1997), in a minor role, book 1 of the Lincoln Rhyme series.

Buy The Bone Collector

Every book with Mel Cooper

In publication order, with the size of their role in each.

  1. 1997·The Bone Collectorminor role · Lincoln RhymeBuy
  2. 1998·The Coffin Dancerminor role · Lincoln RhymeBuy
  3. 2000·The Empty Chairminor role · Lincoln RhymeBuy
  4. 2002·The Stone Monkeyminor role · Lincoln RhymeBuy
  5. 2003·The Vanished Manminor role · Lincoln RhymeBuy
  6. 2005·The Twelfth Cardminor role · Lincoln RhymeBuy
  7. 2006·The Cold Moonminor role · Lincoln RhymeBuy
  8. 2008·The Broken Windowminor role · Lincoln RhymeBuy
  9. 2010·The Burning Wireminor role · Lincoln RhymeBuy
  10. 2013·The Kill Roomminor role · Lincoln RhymeBuy
  11. 2014·The Skin Collectorminor role · Lincoln RhymeBuy
  12. 2016·The Steel Kissminor role · Lincoln RhymeBuy
  13. 2017·The Burial Hourminor role · Lincoln RhymeBuy
  14. 2018·The Cutting Edgeminor role · Lincoln RhymeBuy
  15. 2021·The Midnight Lockminor role · Lincoln RhymeBuy
  16. 2023·The Watchmaker’s Handminor role · Lincoln RhymeBuy
  17. 2026·The Collateral Heartminor role · Lincoln Rhyme · forthcomingBuy

Appears most often with

CharacterBooks together
Amelia SachsNYPD detective and Rhyme’s partner17
Lincoln RhymeQuadriplegic forensic scientist and former NYPD captain17
Lon SellittoNYPD detective17
Thom RestonRhyme’s aide17
Ron PulaskiRookie officer who joins the team11
The WatchmakerMaster criminal2