First Class Killing

Having read and enjoyed the first two "Alex Shanahan" novels, I was happy to see that a third one was available and quickly added it to my personal library. Let me say that except for one area (more on that in a moment) it does not disappoint. The story moves along at a brisk pace, and there were times when I couldn't put it down. I hope that this series and its aviation themed mysteries is around for a while. I'm going to enjoy "seeing" Alex become a full-fledged private eye. I would have given this novel five stars, except for the one disappointing aspect of it-namely the final chapter. There is a resolution, but it's only hinted at, leaving the reader to fill in the blanks on their own. I thought I knew what happened, but it would have been nice if the ending had been as fully fleshed out as the rest of the story. Finally, for those who thought more of the story should have taken place in the air, I am glad that the old "Make love in the lavatory," routine was absent from this story.

Lynne Heitman's latest mystery is yet another fast, absorbing read, and she proves once again just how well she knows the innerworkings of the airline industry. She has built a fascinating, believable story around flight attendants turned prostitutes whose customers always travel in first class. And, with this saga, she takes her main character, Alex Shanahan, through the difficult first steps necessary to become a real private detective, though Shanahan seems lucky to be alive after this physically brutal adventure. It's also clear that one of Heitman's favorite new characters is a hired thug with a penchant for wildly colorful sports coats. I hope he returns for her next book.

I am a big fan of Lynne Heitman. Her previous works have all been on my bestseller list.First Class Killing takes our heroine Alex into the undercover world in order to "catch" a ring of hookers operating from a pool of flight attendants.While this book was very enjoyable, I missed one vital ingredient. This story was NOT set on a plane. Not even at an airport.What I love about Heitman's books is that her previous stories involved high intrigue and suspense in either a plane or an airport. This is what makes the stories SUSPENSFUL for me. When the author removes this component, she is simply writing another thriller.While this book was exciting and a very good read, I felt disappointed.Please, Ms Heitman, for the next book - go back to the planes...

For fourteen years she was the vice president of operations at Majestic Airlines based at Boston's Logan Airport. Needing a career change, she tendered her resignation and went to work as an apprentice to private investigator Harvey Baltimore who is suffering from multiple sclerosis. Alex Shanahan does most of the leg work while Harvey does the research; together they make a great team. Right now Alex is undercover as a flight attendant for Orange Air trying to get close to Angela Velesco, a senior flight attendant.The chief of security at Orange Air wants Angela's prostitution operation disbanded and that takes proof. Alex believes that Angela might have killed a competitor but that doesn't stop her from trying to get Angela to hire her as a business consultant. Since Angela has major trust issues, Alex must pretend to pass the test that is set for her. As Alex gets a closer look at the operation, she finds that Angela uses blackmail to get what she wants, making the private detective even more determined to stop her even though she has to put her own life in danger to do it.It is a long time (too long) since readers had a chance to read something new about Alexandra Shanahan but it was well worth the wait. The well written storyline is plausible leading to the audience eagerly turning the pages to see what happens next. There is a lot of action in FIRST CLASS KILLING especially the scenes when the heroine comes very close to getting caught in her masquerade. Lynn Heitman tells a very compelling crime thriller complete with blackmail, murder, and an internet run prostitute ring.Harriet Klausner