Likely to Die

This is one talented author, basing her stories on the work of an Assist DA, working on sex crimes in NYC, which, coincidentally, is her real life job, as well, she would be someone that I would love to meet and talk to, her enthusiasm for her work and the way that she communicates are wonderful, and I think that she has a great future writing books with Alexandra Cooper, her character. Linda does it all so well, this story is tight, Alexandra is likeable, and there are added bits which make her a more rounded human being, she works horrendous hours, but she may have more than one case in her life at any one time, without which there can seem to be a one-sided-ness about the characters. I really enjoyed the authentic detail, and I would imagine that those little anecdotes that creep into the stories are probably some of the more tame day to day details that Ms F has had to deal with in her working life, but even so, they add to the feelings that you get about the job that she does, and that has got to be good for the books.

Although I confess to having loved Fairstein's first book, "Final Jeopardy", I thought it was really a fluke. It was extremely well-written and thought out, but I didn't think that she could do it again.Well, I'm happy to report that Fairstein has proved me wrong, in grand style. "Likely to Die" is the second book in her series featuring Alex Cooper, the head of the sex crimes unit of the New York City District Attorney's office. This entry in the series involves the rape and murder of a prominent doctor in a city hospital. Or was there a rape? As the investigation proceeds Cooper and her associate, New York City cop Mike Chapman, begin to wonder. To say any more would spoil the plot.As the real-life head of that same unit, Fairstein knows her stuff, and also knows the city backwards and forwards. It's the little things that make this book so good - e.g., Alex wakes up to Don Imus and mentions Jim Ryan, the host of the morning news show on the local Fox station. There are one or two misses - she apparently doesn't take the subway too often - but overall she's right on target with her description of life in the greatest city in the world.She also makes Cooper, Chapman, and Chapman's partner Mercer Wallace seem so real you believe they actually exist - and she keeps up the "Final Jeopardy" gimmick of Cooper & Chapman betting on the answer for each night's Final Jeopardy question. I'm still hoping that Cooper & Chapman become more than just friends and partners - the signs are all there - but I won't be unhappy if they don't.

Linda Fairstein's second foray into the world of New York Assistant DA Alex Cooper is even better than the first. Before you start it, though, lock yourself into a padded room, turn off the phones, the computer, the TV et al., send the kids off to grandma, and your significant other off to Zanzibar. Because, and yes it's been said before, you will NOT be able to put this one down.The fast-paced story begins with the bloody murder of a brilliant neurosurgeon at a prestigious New York hospital. One of the few women in her field, Gemma Dogan has been a superstar all of her professional life. Her murder, occurring as it has within hospital walls and without apparent motive, becomes front-page news faster than you can say "perpetrator."And who IS the perp? Alex has been called into the case because the victim was found in a state suggesting sexual assault, and Alex heads the sex-crimes unit. She and her sidekick, homicide cop Mike Chapman, along with their good bud Mercer (also a homicide cop) are stumped. The more clues they gather, the more clueless they become--nothing adds up. The reader is in the same boat. Unlike the majority of crime novels, "Likely to Die" does not give the reader a single possibility of who the murderer might be. This is absolutely NOT an "aha!" type of book!When at last, through much detective work and personal danger, our team figures it all out, one of them is already in the hands of the murderer. And about to die.I can say no more. But I can assure you that, unlike the tabloid press in the book, which suddenly bulges with witnesses who "knew it all along," the reader is in the dark from start to finish. This is one heck of a good novel. If you are looking for an intelligent, nonstop, well-written, spine-tingling mystery, give this one a try. it is well worth the eyestrain you'll get from reading all night long!

Alex Cooper's daily routine day made me exhausted as she walked me through the Criminal Justice system, made me understand what Alex's job entailed that left no questions in my mind---- except who did it! I found that out at the very end of the book, totally surprised that all of my guesses were so far off the mark of "who dunnit". If this is Linda's second novel, I can't wait to see what her next will be. Ms. Fairstein is a must read, and Alexandra Cooper is one smart attorney that I want only on my side of the law!

In this second novel by Linda Fairstein the writing style is better and the story is superb. Alex Cooper is back and better than ever. You travel with her on her journey in finding the killer of talented physician. The suspense starts with the first call to come to the doctor's office and investigate the crime scene and follows thoughout the twists and turns of this wonderful book. Mike Chapman is back and the sexual tension with him and Alex is still under the surface. After reading this book, I'll be very careful before I check into a hospital. The only thing bad is that it will have you begging for another episode in the life of Cooper. If you enjoy a good thriller, then grab this book and enjoy