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Dead Connection (Ellie Hatcher #1)

by Alafair Burke (Goodreads Author)

3.57 · rating details · 386 ratings · 71 reviews

Two young, single women are murdered on the streets of New York City, exactly one year apart. Their only connection: Both had posted profiles on the popular online dating service, FirstDate.com. Enter NYPD Detective Ellie Hatcher. She fits the profile of the victims, and is called in for a special assignment to the homicide team.

FirstDate.com promises its online cli

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Mass Market Paperback, 352 pages

Published November 4th 2008 by St. Martin's Paperbacks

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Jul 25, 2009

Kathleen Hagen added it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2009-audio-books, 2009-mysteries

Dead Connection, by Alafair Burke, B-plus, Narrated by Christopher Lane, produced by Brilliance Audio, downloaded from Audible.com.

This book is part of the Ellie Hatcher series. Ellie, assigned to burglaries on the NYPD, is suddenly requested for a space on a special homicide taskforce set up to catch what police are beginning to see as a serial killer. It’s never quite clear to me why Ellie, a fairly new detective, would have better qualifications for this taskforce than others, b...more

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Jun 04, 2010

DH rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: 2010, books-i-own

I haven’t read a good mystery novel in a while and Dead Connection definitely satisfied my hunger for one. It had everything I could ever ask for in a mystery novel. Great characters, check. Suspenseful, check. Fast pace plot, check.

I love the characters in the book and even more than that I love the relationships and interactions they had with one another. The characters were drawn extremely realistically and they were fully fleshed out. Each character carried around their own perso...more

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Dec 18, 2011

Spuddie rated it

· review of another edition

#1 Ellie Hatcher mystery. Singularly uninspired first in series about a NYC detective, pulled from general duty to the murder squad to help with a serial killer who's using an online dating site to choose victims. Ellie Hatcher has a haunted past herself, trying to convince the world that her father did not commit suicide but was the victim of the serial killer he was after and never could catch.

While this book was competently written, and wasn't horrible, it felt sort of like an "...more

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Oct 21, 2010

Nonsequiteuse rated it

· review of another edition

Definitely a just-for-fun murder mystery read, but I enjoyed it.

The plot has a technology component, and the author does a better job than many in balancing how much to explain (through the device of having an IT-savvy character explain how something works to a cop who is presumably not tech-literate). Still, it does seem like people in the future will be able to date books very accurately by how much or how little explanation authors feel is necessary. At what point will someone not n...more

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Nov 06, 2010

Monty rated it

· review of another edition

I had trouble getting into this book initially, but I was away on a short trip and had plenty of time to immerse myself in it. I am glad I did because this turned out to be a satisfying read by the last third of the story. I was thankful that I finished it in two days because my short term memory issues would have been overly taxed if I had spread this out for a longer period of time--a new character or plot twist would emerge frequently, except near the end when characters described earlier a...more

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Mar 23, 2011

Jeanne rated it

· review of another edition

In Dead Connection, we are introduced to Ellie Hatcher, a New York rookie detective who is temporarily assigned to the homicide unit to help with the investigation of a possible serial killer. The victims are young and attractive whose only connection seems to be the use of an online dating service. Working with veteran detective Flan McIlroy, the two make their way through the many leads and misleads to eventually head in the right direction.

Ellie is smart, works hard, and stands up f...more

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Sep 20, 2008

Evelyn rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: mystery

Detective Ellie Hatcher is specifically sought for a special assignment on the homicide task force when a clue left at the scene of a murder seems to connect two cases to an online dating service.

like 1 like

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Jul 06, 2011

Sarah rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: july-11

Really enjoyed this one. Two women are murdered a year apart and the only connection between them seems to be that they were both members of the same online dating agency. Ellie Hatcher is transferred onto the case along with the slightly unorthodox McIllory who is convinced that there is a serial killer at work.

This book introduces us to the background of how and why Ellie became a police officer, her relationship with her mum and brother. I'm looking forward to reading the nex...more

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May 18, 2010

Maddy rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: 2007-reads

PROTAGONIST: Ellie Hatcher, NYPD detective
SETTING: Manhattan
SERIES: Standalone thriller
RATING: 4.0

Taking a break from her series featuring Oregon-based DA Samantha Kincaid, Alafair Burke has written a timely standalone thriller set in Manhattan, using the world of online dating as the playground of a killer.

Ellie Hatcher is a rookie detective in the robbery division who receives a special assignment to work in homicide alongside crusty detective Flan...morePROTAGONIST: Ellie Hatcher, NYPD detective
SETTING: Manhattan
SERIES: Standalone thriller
RATING: 4.0

Taking a break from her series featuring Oregon-based DA Samantha Kincaid, Alafair Burke has written a timely standalone thriller set in Manhattan, using the world of online dating as the playground of a killer.

Ellie Hatcher is a rookie detective in the robbery division who receives a special assignment to work in homicide alongside crusty detective Flann McIlroy. McIlroy has a reputation for being a bit of a loner as well as liking to appear in the news. Ellie has had her share of publicity as the result of a situation involving her cop father and a serial killer many years earlier. The case that she and Flann are working on involves two murders conducted exactly one year apart. As they investigate, they find a common thread between the two victims. Both of them had used an online dating service called FirstDate.com. However, the company that runs FirstDate is resistant to providing any information about their subscribers. So other means are called for to flush out the similarities between the two women.

With the help of her down-and-out musician brother, Ellie reluctantly creates her own profile, which closely matches that of the victims. It's more of an interesting adventure than she expects. How do you trust anyone that you meet online? And when you meet them in person, how do you know if you are dealing with a potential love interest or a psychopath? Ellie doesn't know what to think when she meets one of her online acquaintances and experiences a strong attraction. She has to put that possible relationship aside as she and Flann move closer to finding the perpetrator who has changed his pattern and killed yet again.

It was a relief to find that Burke did not rely on the standard serial killer thriller clichés that are so prevalent in many books these days. She didn't devote chapters to exploring the killer's psyche and twisted childhood. She didn't feel the need to include graphic torture and sadism. Instead, she relied on good old-fashioned investigation.

Ellis is a great character, and I hope that Dead Connection is not a standalone. She has great people skills and a natural intuition about things that serves her well; she's also a bit stubborn and vulnerable. The plot had some surprising twists and turns with an incident involving Flann that had real emotional impact on me as a reader. I could have lived without the inclusion of the Russian mob; from their popularity in the books out there today, you'd think that they were running the crime syndications in the United States. The sub-plots around the Russians just created confusion in following the narrative.

In an amusing aside, the author paid homage to her father, noted author James Lee Burke. She created a connection to Louisiana for the villain and had to call a detective in the New Iberia parish to get information. She couldn't say his name – Dave Robi-something, a "seemingly unpronounceable Cajun last name".

Burke doesn't need to rely on her familial connections to build her reputation. She is a talented author in her own right. I particularly liked the way that she developed the resolution, with not every thread tied up in a neat package. There was just enough ambiguity around the conclusion to make it feel realistic. With complex and interesting characters, a well-developed plot and a resolution that works, I found Dead Connection a very satisfying read.

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Mar 23, 2010

Vanessa rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2010

I read this book based on a good review from Entertainment Weekly and I'm thankful I did as otherwise I'm not sure this writer would have entered my radar. It's quite good for the mystery genre and fills the most essential requirements of a likable hero/heroine and unputdownableness (is that a word? It totally should be.) Burke has created a heroine in Ellie Hatcher who is wonderfully believable and sympathetic so I'm happy to see this is the first in a series--the third book is due out in April...more

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Jun 26, 2008

Jennifer (JC-S) rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: librarybooks

Detective Ellie Hatcher is specifically sought for a special assignment on the homicide task force when a clue left at the scene of a murder seems to connect two cases to an online dating service. Detective Hatcher is a rookie NYPD detective but Detective Flann McIlroy, seeks her involvement anyway. Why? I don’t want to spoil the novel for anyone: suffice to say there is an explanation in the novel.
This thriller is set in the murky world of identity theft and anonymity: both made easy...more

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Jan 23, 2008

BookBitch added it · review of another edition

Burke takes a break from her terrific Samantha Kincaid legal thriller series (Judgment Calls; Missing Justice; Close Case) with this novel of Internet dating, murder and high tech mayhem. Young New York City police detective Ellie Hatcher is temporarily re-assigned from the robbery division to maverick homicide detective Flann McIlroy. McIlroy is trying to tie together the murder of two young single women and wants some input from someone who can relate. An email is found on the body of the s...more

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Dec 10, 2007

Toni rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: Everyone

Ellie Hatcher learned the cruel ways of reality at the young age of fourteen. Her father, a well respected Wichita police detective had literally given his life to the force. Ellie’s memories of her father poised at a make-shift desk in the basement pouring tirelessly over evidence and eye witness accounts desperately trying to solve the Collegeville Strangler murders were constantly present in her mind. Her father never did solve the case, he was found in his car, slumped over the steering whee...moreEllie Hatcher learned the cruel ways of reality at the young age of fourteen. Her father, a well respected Wichita police detective had literally given his life to the force. Ellie’s memories of her father poised at a make-shift desk in the basement pouring tirelessly over evidence and eye witness accounts desperately trying to solve the Collegeville Strangler murders were constantly present in her mind. Her father never did solve the case, he was found in his car, slumped over the steering wheel with a single gunshot through the head.

The harsh reality Ellie faced was that even after all his hard work and dedication his death was ruled a suicide. This left her family in turmoil and her mother with no pension to help care for Ellie and her brother Jess and her only companion, a bottle of liquor. Ellie had decided then and there that she would not rest until the truth was revealed, her father was murdered. Ellie rallied to any source that would listen, press interviews, lawyers etc.

Her father had always encouraged Jess to follow in his footsteps but, surprisingly it was Ellie who decided to choose that path after following her brother to New York in order to keep an eye on him.

Ellie had made her way to detective at the Thirteenth precinct and was very satisfied to handle the small mundane cases of robbery and petty theft. That is until a serial killer strikes targeting young single women and Detective Ellie Hatcher is summoned to assist one of Manhattan’s most notorious homicide detectives, Flann McIlroy. Flann has not had a partner in years and his colleagues believe his theories about cases are usually a little “out there” but, he believes Ellie is his best bet for catching the man responsible for several young women’s early demise.

The murders seem to have on the surface, one important connection, they all used FirstDate. FirstDate is an internet website that allows men and women to search for love with the security of anonymity and the speed of high-tech. However, it seems that it is also the perfect playground for a serial killer to stalk his prey. Although she is from Kansas, Ellie is a perfect match to the profile of the murdered women and sets out to lure him in.

Will Ellie and Flann find the killer or will they discover a multitude of connections that reach much further then they could have ever imagined?

DEAD CONNECTION is one novel that never disappoints. Each character is believable and Ms. Burke does an excellent job introducing the reader to each one at just the right pace. This book is an exciting thrill ride from the very first page right up to the last. Normally, I am very good at guessing who the killer is about half way through a book, but Ms. Burke did a fantastic job with twists and turns no one can see coming. I recommend this book to every reader; I truly believe no one will be disappointed. I look forward to reading more of Ms. Burke’s astounding and thrilling prose.
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Nov 26, 2007

Tim rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: 2007reads

Lawyer and college professor Alafair Burke is the daughter of renowned crime novelist James Lee Burke, and following in his footsteps she has written a police procedural mystery set in New York City. NYPD detective Ellie Hatcher is called by a more experienced detective to help in the case of young women who are being stalked and killed after posting ads on an Internet dating site. It’s an interesting plot device that combines technology, sleuthing and Hatcher make for an interesting tough femal...more

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Jun 27, 2008

Jen rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: police-fiction, female-author

Ellie Hatcher is a young New York detective working scams and robberies when a special request is made for her to work a homicide case....possibly a serial homicide case. But Ellie also comes with baggage. Her father was a police detective who supposedly committed suicide over a serial murder investigation he conducted years before.

In Alafair Burke's first Ellie Hatcher novel, DEAD CONNECTION, Ellie is called up for a case that involves Internet Dating, and she enters the homicide s...more

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Jan 23, 2011

Thomas Pluck rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: nook

An excellent police thriller starring the memorable and funny NYPD detective Ellie Hatcher. This is the first I've read of Alafair Burke, but won't be the last. I think any reader would find this story compelling, but us internet folks will enjoy it more, as the story is internet-aware and written by someone who knows her stuff, and makes it uncannily realistic.
A great page-turner and a fine introduction to Hatcher. I look forward to the next book, 212.

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Jul 10, 2011

Brian Lunde rated it

· review of another edition

Dead Connection was a truly excellent read. I am glad that Alafair Burke's novels were recommended to me, and I fully intend to read more of her work!

I think what I enjoyed the most was the writing style. You can tell the author knows about crime and the legal system. This story is a little suspenseful, it is intelligent, and it is extremely realistic and believable.

I just picked up Angel's Tip, the second novel featuring the Ellie Hatcher character. I can't wait to g...more

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Feb 23, 2009

Jackie rated it

· review of another edition

An innocent college student from Indiana is murdered after a night out on the town. To new detective Ellie Hatcher there seems to be a connection to some previous muders of young women although some of those happened years ago. The story was gripping initially but towards the final 100 pages there were so many characters it became a little confusing.

· see review

Sep 01, 2011

Lynda rated it

· review of another edition

This one started off a bit slower than 212 and I did not think I would like it nearly as well, but once it built up momentum it was terrific. Could not put it down. Especially liked a certain phone call Ellie Hatcher made to a New Iberia cop to follow up on some details of a case....nice touch. I will definitely be reading more of Alafair's work.

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Jul 02, 2009

Ashley Lucas rated it

· review of another edition

I needed something light to read in between heavier things, and though I didn't expect much from this book, it surprised me. It's quick, easy, and captivating. I've been a fan of the author's father, James Lee Burke, for a long time, and in a fun nod to her dad, Alafair Burke actually includes a brief conversation between her detective, Ellie Hatcher, and her father's most beloved detective, Dave Robicheaux.

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Jan 28, 2010

Rachel Brady rated it

· review of another edition

I "read" this one on audiobook. Both the story and the narrator were fantastic! Lots of twists and turns in this one with a variety of unique characters, each with personal demons (I like that). The mystery revolves around murders that are connected to an online dating service, a hook that internet junkies like myself will enjoy. I'll be back for more Alafair Burke.

· see review

Apr 29, 2011

Bernadette rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: audio-book, america, crime-fiction, read-2011

The first book in Burke's Ellie Hatcher series, featuring a New York rookie Detective on the trail of a serial killer (of sorts). I simply cannot think of anything (not setting, characters or story) that distinguished this book from any other American police procedural featuring a serial killer (of which I have read more than a few).

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Dec 30, 2008

A. rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: 2008, fiction, mystery

Ooooh, I think I liked this even more than I liked her Samantha Kincaid novels, plus the Dave Robicheaux cameo made me laugh out loud on the bus yesterday. (Her dad is Robicheaux's creatore, author James Lee Burke.) I hope we get some more novels about Ellie Hatcher.

· see review

Nov 13, 2010

Michelle rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: library-book

getting ready to start this one today. I just discovered this series via Facebook!

I really wanted to love this book. I enjoyed her other books, but this one just didn't keep my attention like I want a good mystery to. It was just meh. Not sure if I'll continue with this series.

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Jan 30, 2011

Anna rated it

· review of another edition

this was a good book! This was the first book I've read by the author and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I will be picking up the next book in the series as soon as I go to the Public Library tomorrow. The suspense was great with a few unexpected twists. Plus, she left an opening for the next book just perfectly!

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Jan 23, 2009

Erin rated it

· review of another edition

Entertaining, for the first book in a new mystery series. I particularly enjoyed the connections that the main character, Ellie, shares with her family. It makes her seem real.

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Aug 08, 2010

Lois rated it

· review of another edition

Premise: Man manipulates online dating service to kill women.

Best part: e-mails and dialog between Ellie and Peter.

Worst: Writing got clunkier as the book went along.

like 1 like

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Apr 15, 2010

Susanna rated it

· review of another edition

First in series of detective stories. An easy engaging read - I am resisting reading the second one until I finish a couple of other books on the go. Great plane/travel reading.

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Nov 19, 2008

Robin marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Alafair Burke is a terrific new voice in suspense/thriller category. This is the first in her new series featuring NYC detective, Ellie Hatcher.

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Apr 10, 2010

Beth rated it

· review of another edition

Basic murder mystery. In the beginning I kept thinking it was cliche but it ended up being good. I liked the main character.

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About Alafair Burke

Alafair Burke is the bestselling author of what the Sun-Sentinal has hailed as "two power house series" featuring NYPD Detective Ellie Hatcher and Portland Deputy District Attorney Samantha Kincaid. Alafair's novels grow out of her love for writing, her experience as a prosecutor in America's police precincts and criminal courtrooms, and her ability to create strong, believable, and emin...more

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Dead Connection (Ellie Hatcher #1)

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