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Alexandra Cooper #7
Entombed
From New York Times bestselling author and famed former Manhattan prosecutor Linda Fairstein comes a chilling new Alexandra Cooper novel, Entombed, in which Alex matches wits with the master of detective fiction himself-Edgar Allan Poe...
Workers demolishing a nineteenth-century brownstone where Edgar Allan Poe once lived discover a human skeleton entombed -- standing -- behind a brick wall. When sex crimes prosecutor Alexandra Cooper hears about the case, it strikes her as a classic Poe scene...except that forensic evidence shows that this young woman died within the last twenty-five years. Meanwhile, Alex's old nemesis the Silk Stocking Rapist is once again terrorizing Manhattan's Upper East Side. The attacks soon escalate to murder, and the search leads Alex and detectives Mercer Wallace and Mike Chapman to the city's stunning Bronx Botanical Gardens. There, an enigmatic librarian presides over the Raven Society, a group devoted to the work of Poe. In exploring the fabled writer's tormented life for clues, Alex will cross paths with a cunning killer and face some of the greatest challenges of her career. Entombed is masterful, exhilarating crime fiction from one of crime writing's most dazzling stars.
528 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 4, 2005
127 people are currently reading
1,742 people want to read
About the author
Linda Fairstein
93Ìýbooks1,594ÌýfollowersLinda Fairstein (born 1947) is one of America's foremost legal experts on crimes of violence against women and children. She served as head of the sex crimes unit of the Manhattan District Attorney's office from 1976 until 2002 and is the author of a series of novels featuring Manhattan prosecutor Alexandra Cooper.
Like Fairstein, Alex ('Coop') Cooper is in charge of the Special Victims Unit of the Office. She works closely with NYPD detectives Mike Chapman and Mercer Wallace. The 17th book in her best-selling series - DEVIL'S BRIDGE - launches in paperback in June, 2016. The 18th novel - KILLER LOOK - debuts on July 26th.
This year, Fairstein will debut a new series for Middle Grade readers - 8-12 years old. Her kid sleuth, Devlin Quick, appears in INTO THE LION'S DEN in November, 2016. The series is an homage to Nancy Drew, whose books inspired Linda's two careers - in crime fiction and in the law.
Ms. Fairstein is an honors graduate of Vassar College (1969) and the University of Virginia School of Law (1972). She joined the Manhattan District Attorney's office in 1972 as an Assistant District Attorney. She was promoted to the head of the sex crimes unit in 1976. During her tenure, she prosecuted several highly publicized cases, including the "Preppy Murder" case against Robert Chambers in 1986.
Linda Fairstein left the District Attorney's office in 2002, and has continued to consult, write, lecture and serve as a sex crimes expert for a wide variety of print and television media outlets, including the major networks, CNN, MSNBC among others. Ms. Fairstein is often called to provide her opinion on high profile prosecutions including: Michael Jackson's molestation charges in 2004, Kobe Bryant's sexual assault charges, and Scott Peterson's trial. She is also a frequent speaker on issues surrounding domestic abuse.
Ms. Fairstein lives in Manhattan and on Martha's Vineyard with her husband, Michael Goldberg. Her novels draw on Ms. Fairstein's legal expertise as well as her knowledge of and affection for the rich history of the city of New York.
Series:
*
Like Fairstein, Alex ('Coop') Cooper is in charge of the Special Victims Unit of the Office. She works closely with NYPD detectives Mike Chapman and Mercer Wallace. The 17th book in her best-selling series - DEVIL'S BRIDGE - launches in paperback in June, 2016. The 18th novel - KILLER LOOK - debuts on July 26th.
This year, Fairstein will debut a new series for Middle Grade readers - 8-12 years old. Her kid sleuth, Devlin Quick, appears in INTO THE LION'S DEN in November, 2016. The series is an homage to Nancy Drew, whose books inspired Linda's two careers - in crime fiction and in the law.
Ms. Fairstein is an honors graduate of Vassar College (1969) and the University of Virginia School of Law (1972). She joined the Manhattan District Attorney's office in 1972 as an Assistant District Attorney. She was promoted to the head of the sex crimes unit in 1976. During her tenure, she prosecuted several highly publicized cases, including the "Preppy Murder" case against Robert Chambers in 1986.
Linda Fairstein left the District Attorney's office in 2002, and has continued to consult, write, lecture and serve as a sex crimes expert for a wide variety of print and television media outlets, including the major networks, CNN, MSNBC among others. Ms. Fairstein is often called to provide her opinion on high profile prosecutions including: Michael Jackson's molestation charges in 2004, Kobe Bryant's sexual assault charges, and Scott Peterson's trial. She is also a frequent speaker on issues surrounding domestic abuse.
Ms. Fairstein lives in Manhattan and on Martha's Vineyard with her husband, Michael Goldberg. Her novels draw on Ms. Fairstein's legal expertise as well as her knowledge of and affection for the rich history of the city of New York.
Series:
*
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 325 reviews
September 20, 2017
I have to admit that it was the connection to Edgar Allan Poe that got me to read this book. I have a weakness for books with some connection with famous authors/actors/people. So, when I read the description of the book about a dead body being found entombed standing behind a brick wall in a house that Edgar Allan Poe had lived in, then I just had to read the book!
Since this is the first book I have read in this series, and also the very first book I have read by Linda Fairstein was I curious to see how the book would be. Sometimes it's easy to get into stories despite it being a book in the middle of a series. Luckily, I quickly found myself intrigued with the story and I absolutely loved the characters. I found Alexandra Cooper to be a woman to my liking. Recently single, but not a depressed, but a strong and competent woman that doesn't mind being single. Her tragic past with her dead fiance made me like her even more and I read the book wanting to get to know more about her. Then, we have her friends and colleagues detectives Mercer Wallace and Mike Chapman, both two great guys. I loved this dynamic trio and they made the book truly enjoyable. It didn't hurt that the story got pretty intensive now and then.
The cases in the book, both the rapist case and the-dead-woman-behind-the-wall case was interesting, though I have to admit that the case with the entombed was a bit more interesting to follow than the rapist case (hence the 4.5 rating). Still, it's a pretty awesome book and I have already ordered two books from Amazon since I want to know what happens next!
So, I have found this series to my liking and I'm looking forward to reading more books by Linda Fairstein.
4.5 stars
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Since this is the first book I have read in this series, and also the very first book I have read by Linda Fairstein was I curious to see how the book would be. Sometimes it's easy to get into stories despite it being a book in the middle of a series. Luckily, I quickly found myself intrigued with the story and I absolutely loved the characters. I found Alexandra Cooper to be a woman to my liking. Recently single, but not a depressed, but a strong and competent woman that doesn't mind being single. Her tragic past with her dead fiance made me like her even more and I read the book wanting to get to know more about her. Then, we have her friends and colleagues detectives Mercer Wallace and Mike Chapman, both two great guys. I loved this dynamic trio and they made the book truly enjoyable. It didn't hurt that the story got pretty intensive now and then.
The cases in the book, both the rapist case and the-dead-woman-behind-the-wall case was interesting, though I have to admit that the case with the entombed was a bit more interesting to follow than the rapist case (hence the 4.5 rating). Still, it's a pretty awesome book and I have already ordered two books from Amazon since I want to know what happens next!
So, I have found this series to my liking and I'm looking forward to reading more books by Linda Fairstein.
4.5 stars
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June 4, 2019
#whentheyseeus
September 2, 2010
My husband recommended this one because the setting included references to Edgar Allen Poe, the New York botanic gardens, and NYC history. All that was true; but the writing was boring, the murder mystery tedious, the setting obviously staged, and the overabundance of characters confusing and poorly delineated anyway. Five hundred pages of yawn, but once I started, I was, as almost always, obliged to finish.
April 29, 2023
Ähm, was war denn dieses Ende? Ich mag das nicht. 😣 hoffentlich bekrabbelt sich das alles wieder im nächsten Band. Nicht hopplahopp, das wäre nicht glaubwürdig. Aber... #MikeDeservedBetter
Insgesamt ist diese Geschichte wieder total von dem Mordermittlung abgeschweift. Es ging so viel um Edgar Allen Poe, dass ich vollkommen vergaß, wie es eigentlich zu dem Thema kam. Das Opfer geriet total in Vergessenheit. Schon gut zu lesen an sich, aber weniger Poe hätte dem Buch echt gut getan.
Insgesamt ist diese Geschichte wieder total von dem Mordermittlung abgeschweift. Es ging so viel um Edgar Allen Poe, dass ich vollkommen vergaß, wie es eigentlich zu dem Thema kam. Das Opfer geriet total in Vergessenheit. Schon gut zu lesen an sich, aber weniger Poe hätte dem Buch echt gut getan.
April 27, 2011
I'm lost in the maze. This novel kept bouncing around and I kept losing the focus. Yes, as the protagonist stated, a real life detective is involved in more than one case at at time. I think this novel tried to emulate that concept. There were two distinct cases that Alex Cooper and her partner were working on along with references to other cases that didn't add anything to the story. I think I would have preferred the book better if they'd cut out the story line about the silk stocking rapist and just concentrated on the Edgar Allen Poe copycat murder.
I've turned into a book snob and have trashed some books lately. I know that can be painful to an author who has spent countless hours creating a body of work. So, to be fair, I must try and look for the positives as well.
Perhaps it was my own fault that I kept losing focus. I would find that I had read a page and hadn't absorbed it. At other times, I would be completely absorbed in the story. If I hadn't found the story somewhat absorbing, I wouldn't have perservered through 500 pages. I liked the tie-in with the history of Edgar Allen Poe. I remember trying to memorize "The Raven" while in highschool. I loved his work. It was this reason that I was drawn to the book in the first place.
I've turned into a book snob and have trashed some books lately. I know that can be painful to an author who has spent countless hours creating a body of work. So, to be fair, I must try and look for the positives as well.
Perhaps it was my own fault that I kept losing focus. I would find that I had read a page and hadn't absorbed it. At other times, I would be completely absorbed in the story. If I hadn't found the story somewhat absorbing, I wouldn't have perservered through 500 pages. I liked the tie-in with the history of Edgar Allen Poe. I remember trying to memorize "The Raven" while in highschool. I loved his work. It was this reason that I was drawn to the book in the first place.
February 13, 2013
Once upon a midnight dreary…I always learn something about a random subject usually unrelated to law in Fairstein’s books. Last time it was book collecting; this time it is Edgar Allen Poe. The plot is centered around Poe writing and enthusiasts. Prosecutor Alexandra Cooper attends a fundraiser in a building where Poe briefly resided, when a skeleton is discovered in a brick wall as it is being dismantled. Cooper is also on the trail of a serial rapist who has operated far too long in NYC. Are the cases related? A phone number trace leads Cooper and her team to a mysterious group called The Raven Society, which is the thread they need to unravel the mystery. I like Cooper and her team. They are dogged. They dodge the rules, sometimes, but they don’t live their lives flouting their authorities as do some detectives (which can grow tiresome). They are smart, and they work and play together well. I get a little tired of the Jeopardy games, but that’s just me. Definitely worth a read.
December 23, 2016
Man, Fairstein really missed the mark on this one. The plot dragged and the ending is really whack-a-do. She failed to close all the loops on all the semi-interesting plot lines that came from Poe. She truly does describe a great New York meal though - pour me a Dewers. Hopefully the next one will be better!
December 19, 2015
Very good, very eyrie, and very atmospheric. Alex, Mike, and Mercer have their hands full between a skeleton found behind a brick wall in the basement of a house in which Edgar Allan Poe once lived, the return, after a hiatus of several years, of a serial killer, and other seemingly unrelated cases. Fans of Poe will enjoy this story and its references to his poems and takes; people who aren't fond of Poe will enjoy the thrilling who-dun-it tale with a handful of red herrings to keep them guessing.
September 13, 2007
This is my favourite Linda Fairstein book, I enjoy reading about Alex, Mike and Mercer. The books are well written and you never know who the killer is until the end.
August 30, 2016
This was a new author for me. The story was ok but nothing I'd scream about.
October 9, 2018
Good premise, but executed poorly. Full of cliches and one-dimensional characters. Not worth your time.
June 11, 2022
2 1/2 star read. I must say, I was very disappointed with this selection. There didn't seem to be much "meat" to this story. I felt that this book was more an "infomercial" on Edgar Allan Poe than a mystery.
Alexandra Cooper is investigating a serial rapist when another body is discovered, killed in a very unusual manner. As Alex tries to solve them both, there is suddenly a wrench thrown into the mix. Lots of strange things happen and The Raven Society, a group of people dedicated to the memory of none other than Edgar Allan Poe, get added into the mix. I feel that the author got confused and thought she was writing a thesis on Poe. There is such a thing as too much information.
Not a fan of this series if this is the authors style.
Alexandra Cooper is investigating a serial rapist when another body is discovered, killed in a very unusual manner. As Alex tries to solve them both, there is suddenly a wrench thrown into the mix. Lots of strange things happen and The Raven Society, a group of people dedicated to the memory of none other than Edgar Allan Poe, get added into the mix. I feel that the author got confused and thought she was writing a thesis on Poe. There is such a thing as too much information.
Not a fan of this series if this is the authors style.
October 13, 2017
Entombed was fascinating. Truly, wonderfully fascinating. Privilege, Poe and personal tragedies entwine in Alex Cooper's search for a long-dormant rapist as well as for the identity -- and murderer -- of a long-entombed corpse. At first the focus on Poe seemed like a distraction but, as is often the case in Fairstein's novels, it turned out to be key to finding the murderer.
I'm very much looking forward to see how personal matters play out over the next book, even though I have a few (okay, 4) books already waiting for my attention.
I'm very much looking forward to see how personal matters play out over the next book, even though I have a few (okay, 4) books already waiting for my attention.
September 20, 2020
Overall, good suspense. Maybe if I had read the previous books, I would have enjoyed this more.
February 25, 2017
Well, only good thing I can say is that listening to this audiobook has provided me with valuable information: never again pick up a book written by Linda Fairstein or narrated by Barbara Rosenblat. Come for the misogyny, stay for the offensive narration!
I picked this up because it promised a mystery with ties to the writings of Edgar Allan Poe, but instead got bogged down in a biographical novel, with a bare-bones police procedural tacked on. I could've skipped an entire disc without missing anything, as it appeared to be the author's intent to regurgitate every bit of research she did on Poe's life in New York for all of Disc 7! And don't get me started on the character of Mike. This man should be spending every day in HR offices, defending himself against harassment charges, for all the uncomfortable comments he makes to the female protagonist regarding her weight, appearance, and sex life. Especially laughable is when she is outraged by the misogyny of another character, while never calling out her colleague for the same behavior.
And the narration! It wasn't as bad when listening to the CDs in a car, but when on headphones, all that can be heard is a constant smacking of saliva. I'm currently listening to another book which is beautifully narrated, with none of that distracting sound; don't know if it's the fault of the woman reading or the engineering of the recording, but it sets my teeth on edge. Add in the racially stereotyped vocalization choices and this is the last book I'll risk listening to by this narrator.
I picked this up because it promised a mystery with ties to the writings of Edgar Allan Poe, but instead got bogged down in a biographical novel, with a bare-bones police procedural tacked on. I could've skipped an entire disc without missing anything, as it appeared to be the author's intent to regurgitate every bit of research she did on Poe's life in New York for all of Disc 7! And don't get me started on the character of Mike. This man should be spending every day in HR offices, defending himself against harassment charges, for all the uncomfortable comments he makes to the female protagonist regarding her weight, appearance, and sex life. Especially laughable is when she is outraged by the misogyny of another character, while never calling out her colleague for the same behavior.
And the narration! It wasn't as bad when listening to the CDs in a car, but when on headphones, all that can be heard is a constant smacking of saliva. I'm currently listening to another book which is beautifully narrated, with none of that distracting sound; don't know if it's the fault of the woman reading or the engineering of the recording, but it sets my teeth on edge. Add in the racially stereotyped vocalization choices and this is the last book I'll risk listening to by this narrator.
March 16, 2014
It is probably hard to believe that as someone who often enjoys a good mystery/suspense novel that this is the first novel by former DA Linda Fairstein that I have read. Fortunately I was not at all disappointed with this engrossing novel. Entombed features attorney Alexandra Cooper who is the heroine in all of Fairstein's novels to date, yet in this tale while trying to find a serial rapist who has eluded her partner Mike Chapman and herself for years Alex also finds herself trying to find a murderer who quite obviously was trying to frame this serial rapist. Now finding this copycat has become a priority for Alex as she learns of its connection to a murder committed twenty-five years ago in the former home of poet Edgar Allen Poe. The investigation leads Alex and the detectives to a group of Poe enthusiasts known as the Raven Society who seem to have many secrets that they do not wish to have unearthed.
This novel takes many twists and turns as Alex searches not only for a murderer but a serial rapist as well. However, the chemistry between Alex and detective Chapman, as well as the slight cliffhanger between the two, is what will keep me reading more of these Alex Cooper novels as well as searching out Fairstein's previous novels!
This novel takes many twists and turns as Alex searches not only for a murderer but a serial rapist as well. However, the chemistry between Alex and detective Chapman, as well as the slight cliffhanger between the two, is what will keep me reading more of these Alex Cooper novels as well as searching out Fairstein's previous novels!
November 29, 2015
In Linda Fairstein's Entombed, the 7th installment in the Alexandra Cooper legal thriller series, she told us a chilling thriller that raised a notch up in the chill factor. For Alexandra Cooper, she had a lot on her hands. First she tackled the return of a serial rapist who returned after a hiatus. Meanwhile, she investigated the murders of Emily Upshaw and the shocking entombment of a corpse, 20 years ago. While she worked on both cases, her friend Michael Chapman learned about the devastating loss on his girlfriend from a freak ski accident. With a lot of twists and turns, it all odds up to the Raven Society and the connection to Edgar Allen Poe and who was behind what happened to everyone who tried to stop them in the end.
July 21, 2022
This is one of my favorite crime thriller series. Fairstein’s characters are well drawn and completely relatable her plots are tightly and tautly written, and her insider look at the NYC AD’s office is always interesting. I especially liked that with each book, she weaves in parts of the city and its history - this time, the Bronx Botanical Gardens, and the life and living spaces of Edgar Allan Poe. I read the whole book midair between Barcelona and Atlanta and was completely immersed and entertained.
May 20, 2022
Picked this book up by chance and was blown away. I was completely engrossed in the story. The author wove Poe history and a clear understanding of the justice system together wonderfully. Her 25 years of experience in the DA's office truly shines through her writing. I was unaware there was an entire series based on her main character and have already ordered the next book. I can't wait to see what happens next in Alexandra's world.
July 20, 2022
Overall an great read. I loved the literary references to Poe's work and learning details about his life and the amazing placed he lived in and loved throughout his life. Brilliantly tied in aspects of his fiction to the crimes. Had me guessing until the end. I feel the other, unrelated crime spree that was simultaneously going on was unnecessary to the story and there were a couple of slow parts that dragged on. For the most part I really enjoyed this one.
December 8, 2014
This book felt like it was all over the place at times, and not always a cohesive story. It was too dragged out too, and didn't need to be 500 pages. Didn't love this one like some of her others. I'll always be a Linda Fairstein fan though.
June 29, 2017
Enjoyed this book. I felt like the story kept evolving. There were lots of twist and turns and some very sad parts. Looking forward to reading the next one!
Side note, make sure you are reading these books in order!
Side note, make sure you are reading these books in order!
May 22, 2019
This book freaked me out. It is scary..maybe a bit to much? I loved the premise though and finished it in one sitting.
SPOILERS:
The ending was unpredictable which I liked. I read an awful lot of mysteries and this one stands out for the creepy factor and for originality. 3.5 stars.
SPOILERS:
The ending was unpredictable which I liked. I read an awful lot of mysteries and this one stands out for the creepy factor and for originality. 3.5 stars.
October 16, 2021
The only reason that I kept on reading this book was because I learned a lot about Poe which who is a fabulous writer for his genre other than that the book was dragged out a little too much.
January 8, 2019
The storyline of "Entombed" revolves around the work of Edgar Allan Poe. The title refers to several of Poe's stories of premature burial and the discovery of a skeleton behind a brick wall in a house Poe once lived in. But these remains are contemporary, a murder that happened in the past 25 years when the victim was buried alive. As the police investigation unfolds, protagonist Alexandra Cooper starts to wonder if someone is re-enacting other Poe tales.
There are several interesting sub-plots to keep the story sufficiently complex to hold interest and the action is well-paced. Author Linda Fairstein spent 25 years as a Manhattan prosecutor and writes with those years of legal expertise and first-hand experience. There are no points in the book that stretch credulity � no instant forensics or super-computer program that magically provide all the answers. Other reviews complain it's disjointed and difficult to follow, but I had no such problems.
Being a Poe fan, I also enjoyed the many biographical tidbits about him that were integral to this storyline. If a reader has no familiarity with Poe and has never read any of his work, they'll miss the extra dimension this provides to "Entombed". I'd encourage them to expand their horizons and explore one of the most important and influential American writers of the 19th century. Poe created the mystery/crime genre and greatly contributed to the birth of science fiction, so his body of work continues to have a profound world-wide impact on every such novel published. The prestigious Edgar Award presented annually by the Mystery Writers of America is named for him.
"Entombed" is an entertaining read I'd recommend. It is seventh in the "Alexandra Cooper" series of novels but Fairstein has constructed it as a stand-alone story so it's not necessary to read them in order. An amazingly prolific and successful author, Fairstein has published 19 books in this series, beginning in 1996. The next anticipated series release is "Blood Oath" in late March 2019.
There are several interesting sub-plots to keep the story sufficiently complex to hold interest and the action is well-paced. Author Linda Fairstein spent 25 years as a Manhattan prosecutor and writes with those years of legal expertise and first-hand experience. There are no points in the book that stretch credulity � no instant forensics or super-computer program that magically provide all the answers. Other reviews complain it's disjointed and difficult to follow, but I had no such problems.
Being a Poe fan, I also enjoyed the many biographical tidbits about him that were integral to this storyline. If a reader has no familiarity with Poe and has never read any of his work, they'll miss the extra dimension this provides to "Entombed". I'd encourage them to expand their horizons and explore one of the most important and influential American writers of the 19th century. Poe created the mystery/crime genre and greatly contributed to the birth of science fiction, so his body of work continues to have a profound world-wide impact on every such novel published. The prestigious Edgar Award presented annually by the Mystery Writers of America is named for him.
"Entombed" is an entertaining read I'd recommend. It is seventh in the "Alexandra Cooper" series of novels but Fairstein has constructed it as a stand-alone story so it's not necessary to read them in order. An amazingly prolific and successful author, Fairstein has published 19 books in this series, beginning in 1996. The next anticipated series release is "Blood Oath" in late March 2019.
December 17, 2024
C - Characters - 9/10 - I really liked the characters who were in law enforcement
A - Atmosphere - 10/10 - I'm familiar with most of these places in The Bronx.
W - Writing - 9/10 Fast-paced, but sometimes confusing
P - Plot - 5/10 - Problematic - Two different stories that don't have any connection other than the law enforcement involved
I - Intrigue - 8/10 - The first story is not quite satisfying. The second story is fascinating and informative about poet Edgar Allen Poe.
L - Logic - 6/10 - The flow gets caught in kinks in the hose.
E - Enjoyment - 8/10 - I loved the story that had to do with Edgar Allen Poe.
Total: 55
Linda Fairstein's book, Entombed, is a Frankenbook. It starts off with the hunt for a serial rapist, but abandons that plot temporarily while the plot changes directions to investigate the remains of a woman who was found buried alive in the brick wall of a place where Edgar Allen Poe once lived. The background of the famous writer is explored quite meticulously, but the story about his devoted researchers and followers is over the top. The EAP storyline takes up most of the book, and then suddenly the plot twists back to the search for the rapist before twisting again to EAP.
I would still be interested in reading another book by Fairstein, but if the plot is knottier than macrame, I'm done with her books.
A - Atmosphere - 10/10 - I'm familiar with most of these places in The Bronx.
W - Writing - 9/10 Fast-paced, but sometimes confusing
P - Plot - 5/10 - Problematic - Two different stories that don't have any connection other than the law enforcement involved
I - Intrigue - 8/10 - The first story is not quite satisfying. The second story is fascinating and informative about poet Edgar Allen Poe.
L - Logic - 6/10 - The flow gets caught in kinks in the hose.
E - Enjoyment - 8/10 - I loved the story that had to do with Edgar Allen Poe.
Total: 55
Linda Fairstein's book, Entombed, is a Frankenbook. It starts off with the hunt for a serial rapist, but abandons that plot temporarily while the plot changes directions to investigate the remains of a woman who was found buried alive in the brick wall of a place where Edgar Allen Poe once lived. The background of the famous writer is explored quite meticulously, but the story about his devoted researchers and followers is over the top. The EAP storyline takes up most of the book, and then suddenly the plot twists back to the search for the rapist before twisting again to EAP.
I would still be interested in reading another book by Fairstein, but if the plot is knottier than macrame, I'm done with her books.
January 3, 2018
A rapist is stalking and attacking women on the Upper East Side of New York City. After several attacks and a clear DNA profile, the attacks suddenly ceased. Now, five years later, the Silk Stocking Rapist has returned. Alex Cooper, an assistant DA with the New York District Attorney's Office is working with the NYPD to identify and catch him before too many attacks occur. Emily Upshaw is attacked, but this time there is no rape, and she is killed. But Alex is not convinced that this is the work of the Silk Stocking Rapist. Instead it seems that this crime is linked to that of a body found inside the wall of the basement of Edgar Allen Poe's New York home. Weaving Poe's poetry and story ideas into a modern mystery, Linda Fairstein attempts to engage us in the hunt for this two disparate criminals. However, for me, this story did not work, it all felt a little too contrived, a bit forced. Even the dialogue between Ms Cooper and the police was too remote to be believable. Only ok.
July 29, 2021
This is the first book I've read by this author. I had really mixed feelings about the book. It's a typical murder mystery, with bad guys and good guys. But for some reason, I had difficulty following the plot. There are ins and outs, as is typical of any good mystery, but I didn't always see the path between them. I wanted to like the characters - and for the most part, I did, but they weren't well enough developed that I wanted to refer to them by name or go back and visit them again. What I DID enjoy was the dependency of a lot of the plot on the stories and poems of Edgar Allan Poe. I haven't read any Poe since high school, I'm sure. But who doesn't remember learning about his life and work? And the creepiness of it is enticing to anyone - and to the adolescent me, for sure! I may read another one of this author's books just to see if there are any more literary references. But otherwise, I'll go back to the tried and true. Baldacci, anyone? Or Laurie King?
April 16, 2023
I didn't really get on with this book from the very beginning. Alex is an Assistant District Attorney and goes to a house where a woman is walled up in the wall, well that's a daft sentence if she's in the wall she's in the wall. Anyway the house is one where the writer Edgar Allan Poe lived. I have heard of him but have never read a book by him, don't think I've seen any copies this side of the pond, but if he's that famous there must be some around somewhere you would think. Just not where I've been, well not lately.
The story revolves around the dead woman and the silk stocking rapist. I rapidly became bored with the tale it just never held my interest and I stopped reading about a third of the way through and then skipped to the last chapter to see who "dun it" and more importantly "why". I have read that Ms Fairstein is a celebrated author but sad to say I'm not in a hurry to read another of her books.
The story revolves around the dead woman and the silk stocking rapist. I rapidly became bored with the tale it just never held my interest and I stopped reading about a third of the way through and then skipped to the last chapter to see who "dun it" and more importantly "why". I have read that Ms Fairstein is a celebrated author but sad to say I'm not in a hurry to read another of her books.
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