What do readers think of Killer Heat by Linda Fairstein? Write your own review.

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 …more solving the crime in a way that keeps the reader guessing until the end. (less)

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, …more 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. (less)

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 …more 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. (less)

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.

Linda Fairstein books are not great literature but that is not a criticism. She writes thrillers, and Killer Heat delivers a good thrill. It is a fast paced story and she does a fine job of fleshing out her characters and giving them each a unique "voice". My only criticism would be that there are a couple of sub-plots that detract from the main story. These sub-plots are not developed and come across as filler material rather than complementing the main plot.

Overall, the book is a good rainy afternoon read that will not disappoint either fans of the series or those reading their first Alexandra Cooper adventure.

I LOVE mysteries, especially those with female sleuths. I've heard about Fairstein's work and was anxious to read some of it. That done, I'll go back to reading authors whose work I can really enjoy.

Killer Heat was overwrought, totally predictable, and insulting on a couple of levels. If Alex Cooper is as smart and cool as she's portrayed, why does she tolerate the guff that the cops constantly dish out? I would expect her to tell them where to get off, thereby gaining their respect instead of more insults. Secondly, I appreciate authors who can inform while entertaining. I do not, however, appreciate the …more information being presented in a condescending tone. Throughout the book, I was disgusted by the way we were "informed" as though we were 5th graders. Overall, a very unsatisfactory and disappointing read for me, and one I would not recommend to friends. (less)

The breezy prose and conversational style allow this formula mystery an easy flow. The interjection of historical perspective fits well with the plot. What detracts from its content is the improbable situations the reader is expected to believe. Too many coincidental encounters take away from the credibility of the story and some of the subplots are unnecessary. The historical content is what keeps the reader interested rather than the story which is unconvincing.