Acho que encontrei!
Crystal Phoenix por Michael Berlyn (1980)
A capa, como você pode ver, corresponde à "mulher na frente de um cristal, em azul"
A partir da descrição:
In the brave new world of angels and procurers, rentadeath prostitutes will let you sexually abuse them and even hack them to pieces for a fee. In anticipation of your own death, be sure to keep up payments on your life crystal. After you die, you can enjoy life to the hilt in a very attractive new body with your memories intact. Young body, old memories. Violent death is the ultimate repeatable pleasure.
Que abrange o ângulo "tortura paga por diversão".
E a partir da pesquisa no Google Livros, encontrei referências à regra de ferramenta "um e apenas um" e à luva de agulha em particular:
He looked on every shelf, studying each weapon, pondering the vast array of tools from which he would have to choose one, and only one, to use on tonight's victim. It was a difficult choice.
e
He took a glove from one of the dust-covered glass cases and slipped it on. It smelled of old leather. Its fur lining was silky smooth, warm and comforting next to his skin. He flexed his hand a few times to stretch out the seams, then turned it over, opening it so he could see the thousands of tiny razor sharp pins that covered the palm and fingers. He could puncture a large portion of his victim's skin by slapping him.