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Read advance reader review of Killer Heat by Linda Fairstein, page 4 of 5

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Killer Heat by Linda Fairstein

Killer Heat

by Linda Fairstein

  • Critics' Consensus (0):
  • Published:
  • Mar 2008, 384 pages
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There are currently 31 member reviews
for Killer Heat
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  • Karen, Great Falls, VA (Great Falls VA)
    Killer Heat and Killer Pacing
    I think this is Linda Fairstein's best book to date. Fascinating history surrounding New York Harbor islands and sand dunes, excellent accurate legal analysis that entertains, great plot twists, and her pacing is superb. I completely forgot I was home with the flu! Plus, I'm a sucker for the characters and their banter. They're very fully developed personalities at this stage in her writing. Now, if only I could once guess the answer to the Jeopardy question they bet on each night!
  • Peggy (San Marcos CA)
    Hot Time in the Big Apple
    I was pleasantly surprised to find "Killer Heat" so enjoyable. I've read Linda Fairstein before and I had not been happy with the last couple books.

    This book kept the tension high and the characters, old and new, interesting enough to keep the pages turning.

    I like Alexandra Cooper and her pals. In this book Alex has to face trouble in a variety of directions and the multiple plotline keeps the book interesting. She has a rape case that looks like a done deal but in the justice system you never take that for granted. Now dead girls are showing up all over the city and the clues are scarce. You can feel the heat yourself as you immerse yourself in the story.

    It is an added bonus to learn a lot more about the history of New York's landmarks.
  • Joan (Ellicott City MD)
    Killer Heat
    The thing that keeps me reading Fairstein is her careful description of locations in and around New York. I would never have known about all of the small islands close to Manhatten. They were carefully described and an intricate part of the plot. I like Alex Cooper and her buddies. It is obvious that the author is familiar with the job they do. There were too many dead bodies in a short period of time to suit my taste. That being said, the antagonist was portrayed as a serial rapist. The book was a page turner.
  • Barbara (Hilton Head SC)
    Killer Heat
    Linda Fairstein is a former Sex Crimes Prosecutor from New York City, and her knowledge of the law makes this book both educational and entertaining. She tackles two different cases in this novel.

    Alex, Cooper, the main character in Fairstein's novels,retries a case using new DNA evidence in a rape trial which resulted in a hung jury 30 years previously. Fairstein does a great job in describing the emotional scars which linger for the victim after so many years.

    The second thread in the novel revolves around a present day serial killer who brutally rapes and murders his victims. Fairstein does a great job of solving the crime in a way that keeps the reader guessing until the end.
  • Ashley (EASTON PA)
    Fairstein dishes out another
    I've read a total of two of Linda Fairstein's Alexandra Cooper novels previously and felt extremely let down by the poor character development and often boring chapters within the book. However, "Killer Heat" far outshined my minuscule expectations. The plot is fast-paced without the boring and unnecessary chapters mixed in.

    There's also a plot within a plot that takes up what could have been used as filler space, making it an interesting and quick read.

    "Killer Heat" was definitely worth the time to read it, with its interesting plot and thoroughly developed characters (even the "villain" was highly developed, and it was obvious in the writing). I'd definitely recommend this to someone who likes crime mysteries; and even a Fairstein reader who has been disappointed in the past.
  • Marganna (Edmonds WA)
    Killer Heat
    I finished Killer Heat with more enthusiasm than my slogging through the middle. Overall I was disappointed with the book and thought the characters were very flat & 2-dimensional. About 1/2 way into the story I realized I didn't have feelings for the people in the story. By the final drama I did care enough to hope the killer would not harm any of these folks. This late-to-arrive caring is not enough for me to rate the book over a 3. Maybe reading earlier Alex stories would have provided me with a better understanding & background and therefore more involvement in the story. The historical setting and information about the NY islands were interesting details and well done. The various plots and courtroom issues were realistic and did not distract from the story with the exception of the character Clarita. Overall this book just didn't get me involved and I probably won't read more books by Linda Fairstein.
  • Geralynn (Hobart IN)
    Courtroom Dram & Police Procedural
    This was my first Linda Fairstein book, but I found it fairly easy to catch on to the back story of the main characters. The murder mystery held my interest and kept me guessing to the end. If you enjoy a very straightforward courtroom drama and police procedural that is fast paced and easy to read, I think you will enjoy this one.

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