Review: Terminal City by Linda Fairstein

I was hovering between giving Terminal City by Linda Fairstein 2 and 3 stars. Obviously I've settled on 3-stars. 

Alexandra Cooper is back in the saddle with the Special Victims Unit because of a gruesome rape and murder of a woman in the Waldorf Astoria. What makes this case so pressing is that the POTUS is soon to be visiting that very same hotel. Cooper and company are in a race against time to ensure that motive for the crime isn't in some way political.

For those unfamiliar with Alexandra Cooper, she is an Assistant District Attorney who assists the police, in the SVU, with investigating all sexually motivated crimes. Similarly to the showLaw & Order: SVU. Sidebar: I'm a huuuuuuggge fan of that show.

Anyway, Cooper narrates as they travel into the darkest, deepest, smelliest depths in order to catch the killer as the body count rises. It is here that Fairstein rises above the rest. She knows the inner-workings of New York in a way that most thriller novelists ignore. She goes into detail about "Mole People" and the history behind Grand Central Station. It is during these moments I was interested and glued to the pages. And then... that ride pulled in at its final stop.

What didn't appeal to me this time around with this author is the flatness of the characters. Cooper isn't much better. I gave her a pass on the last novel I read by her because I didn't begin the series at the first adventure. But, there was nothing more given. Cooper is either following the police around as they present better ideas or worrying about her strange relationship with Mike Anderson. That was emotionally taxing for me because I just wanted the action to continue.

Long story short, Terminal City by Linda Fairstein is a fast read, loaded with information I never even knew I was interested in: The rails and its people. But, the police procedural is not enough to make me wholeheartedly give a recommendation simply because of what it lacks: thrills, interesting characters, or an exceptional killer. Surprisingly, I do look forward to this author's next book. 

Copy provided by Penguin Group via Netgalley

Review: Death Angel by Linda Fairstein

I have finished reading the fast-paced Death Angel by Linda Fairstein. This is the first novel I have read by her but this isn't the first novel she's written. Death Angel is 15th in the Alexandra Cooper series. Alexandra is an Assistant DA for the Manhattan Special Victims Unit (yes like Alex Cabot on Law and Order). The latest case she's been called in on involves a girl found dead in Central Park in one of their ponds/lakes under the watchful eye of the Bethesda Angel.

Mike Chapman and Mercer Wallace help to investigate the murder along with Alexandra. Before long, a second attack makes the trio think that they may have a serial killer on their hands similar to a past offender that Alexandra helped to put away. Then Fairstein introduces a few other red herrings to keep the reader guessing. I had no clue who was the killer. I appreciate that deeply. There's also a simmering scandal in the background that seemed like it could be more interesting than the actual initial murder... but maybe there will be more there in future Cooper novels.

What I loved most about this novel is the plethora of information that Fairstein gives in reference to one of the most famous parks in the world. I had no idea that Central Park had such a jaded history and I can't thank Fairstein enough for bringing that information to me in the form of educational entertainment. What's also great about Death Angel is that it feels like she gave a lot of information about the characters. Usually by a series 3rd installment, let alone a 15th, authors get a little lazy with the character development or providing background info.

My one gripe about this novel is that Alexandra's voice was very bland and absent of emotion. I didn't find her to be that interesting. Although I wasn't too impressed with Alexandra Cooper, I will read more by this author. Once I have the chance I will definitely go to book one and catch up on anything I missed, and didn't catch up on in Death Angel. 

 In conclusion, my first experience reading Death Angel by Linda Fairstein has me interested in reading more in this series. Existing fans of this series will be happy with this addition. I recommend this novel to fans of suspense mystery lovers.