In Linda Fairstein’s outstanding new novel, the New York Public Library houses dazzling treasures—and deadly secrets.
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reviews
Jan 07, 2009
Jen
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Tina Barr, a conservator of rare books and maps, is discovered bound and drugged in her apartment with the suspect fleeing the scene in a fireman's gas mask. Assistant District Attorney Alex Cooper is called to the scene to discover if Tina was sexually assaulted in the attack. And when Tina refuses to cooperate and disappears, Alex is directed by District Attorney Paul Battaglia to find her. Alex does find Tina. She finds her dead in Bryant Park.
The search for Tina's murderer and t More...
The search for Tina's murderer and t More...
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May 30, 2010
Maddy
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PROTAGONIST: Alexandra (Alex) Cooper, Assistant District Attorney
SETTING: Manhattan, New York
RATING: 2.0
There are many authors whose books are not only associated with a specific protagonist but also a particular setting. George Pelecanos writes of the Washington, DC, area; Michael Connelly of Los Angeles. Linda Fairstein focuses on New York City and includes many little known facts in her books featuring Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Alexandra ("Alex") More...
SETTING: Manhattan, New York
RATING: 2.0
There are many authors whose books are not only associated with a specific protagonist but also a particular setting. George Pelecanos writes of the Washington, DC, area; Michael Connelly of Los Angeles. Linda Fairstein focuses on New York City and includes many little known facts in her books featuring Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Alexandra ("Alex") More...
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Aug 03, 2011
Elaine
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Genre: Thriller
Publication Date: 2009
Number of Pages: 367
Geographical Setting: New York, NY
Time Period: Contemporary
Series: Alexandra Cooper novels, Book 11
Three Words or Phrases Best Describing this Book: Fast-paced, detail-packed, atmospheric
Plot Summary: In the eleventh entry in her Alexandra Cooper series, Fairstein sets a quick pace with an assault, an ancillary trial, and a murder, all in the first 50 pages of this thriller. Readers jump right i More...
Publication Date: 2009
Number of Pages: 367
Geographical Setting: New York, NY
Time Period: Contemporary
Series: Alexandra Cooper novels, Book 11
Three Words or Phrases Best Describing this Book: Fast-paced, detail-packed, atmospheric
Plot Summary: In the eleventh entry in her Alexandra Cooper series, Fairstein sets a quick pace with an assault, an ancillary trial, and a murder, all in the first 50 pages of this thriller. Readers jump right i More...
Jun 09, 2010
Denise
rated it:
3.0 out of 5 stars Not a particularly "thrilling" thriller...(3.5 stars), July 22, 2009
This review is from: Lethal Legacy (Alexandra Cooper Novel): A Novel (Hardcover)
Although there are bloody murders, this isn't your typical thriller. Instead of chills and suspense, we read what is essentially a rather long-winded narrative of the history of map making, old books, and conservation, as well as learning about the inner workings and politics of family legacy and the More...
This review is from: Lethal Legacy (Alexandra Cooper Novel): A Novel (Hardcover)
Although there are bloody murders, this isn't your typical thriller. Instead of chills and suspense, we read what is essentially a rather long-winded narrative of the history of map making, old books, and conservation, as well as learning about the inner workings and politics of family legacy and the More...
Mar 02, 2010
Lynne
rated it:
New York prosecutor Alexandra Cooper and her two best friends, cops Mike Chapman and Mercer Wallace, run into roadblock after roadblock in their latest outing. It begins with the victim of an apparent hourslong assault, a quiet young woman named Tina Barr, who won't open the door to them and who flees attempts at treatment. She is soon found dead.
Barr worked within the rarified field of antique maps, including at the New York City Public Library, that magnificent institution with the More...
Barr worked within the rarified field of antique maps, including at the New York City Public Library, that magnificent institution with the More...
Aug 02, 2009
Marlyn
rated it: 
The most recent Alex Cooper novel was particularly resonant for me: it deals with books and libraries, but we don't discover this until a few chapters into the story.
A refresher: Alex is an ADA attached to the NYPD sex crimes unit. She works primarily with Detective Mike Chapman, who just might harbour an unrequited love for her.
Alex and Mike are summoned to an apartment building on Manhattan's Upper East Side by a resident who fears that his neighbour may have been assaulted. More...
A refresher: Alex is an ADA attached to the NYPD sex crimes unit. She works primarily with Detective Mike Chapman, who just might harbour an unrequited love for her.
Alex and Mike are summoned to an apartment building on Manhattan's Upper East Side by a resident who fears that his neighbour may have been assaulted. More...
Jul 18, 2009
Judy
rated it:
If I have to rate the plot of this book, I give it two stars. However, if I am rating my interest in the setting and the information that I gained about the world of research libraries, rare maps, and the race to obtain historical artifacts, I would raise the rating to three stars. Unfortunately, the story and the characters intervened. This is the 11th offering in the Alexandra Cooper series. She is an assistant district attorney in New York City, which is, apparently, a much more exciting
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May 26, 2009
Lethal Legacy, by Linda Fairstein, B. narrated by Barbara Rosenblatt, produced by Random House Audio, downloaded from audible.com.
This is the latest Alex Cooper mystery. Fairstein continues to dangle the possibility of Alex getting together with her cop friend, Mike, which many of us hope never happens. I was not so enthralled with the mystery elements of this book. Fairstein does an incredible job of researching her books, and we learned a great deal about the care of old books More...
This is the latest Alex Cooper mystery. Fairstein continues to dangle the possibility of Alex getting together with her cop friend, Mike, which many of us hope never happens. I was not so enthralled with the mystery elements of this book. Fairstein does an incredible job of researching her books, and we learned a great deal about the care of old books More...
May 12, 2009
Kayeb
rated it:
A familiar character and series....what made this book enjoyable in part were the glimpses of library life in New York. An advantage of being a well known author is the access to places that are behind the scenes,and she writes as tho she indeed visited some of these not usually seen places of the NY Public library.
When Assistant District Attorney Alex Cooper is summoned to Tina Barr’s apartment on Manhattan's Upper East Side, she finds a neighbor convinced that the young wom More...
When Assistant District Attorney Alex Cooper is summoned to Tina Barr’s apartment on Manhattan's Upper East Side, she finds a neighbor convinced that the young wom More...
Jul 04, 2011
Sharon
rated it:
The setting for much of this story takes place in the New York Public Library. There is an abundance of historical information about the libraries origins. It delves into the art of restoring old books and maps. Alexandra Cooper, Assistant DA, is joined by fellow detectives Mike Chapman and Mercer Wallace in solving two murder cases. You are taken to the underground library stacks. (Of course the stacks start closing on someone.) Then there are the underground burial vaults.
Th More...
Th More...
Mar 18, 2009
Monica
rated it:
If you can't tell already, when I find an author I like I read everything they write (well almost). This is the lates in the Fairstein series featuring Alex Cooper an Assistant DA in New York specializing in sex crimes. I know, I know, sounds scary and icky to say the least. But really these are not slasher books with scores of victimized women. Granted, there are victims or there wouldn't be a book. But the violence isn't gratuitous. I'ves stopped readings several authors who seem intent on fin
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Mar 16, 2009
Christia
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Jul 14, 2009
Caitlin
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I like Linda Fairstein's books, even though I don't always like elements of her characters & stories - sometimes Mike's snarkiness is just snarky & not a cute element of character & most times I don't care how rich & blondely feminine & delicate Alexandra is. Having said all of that, her books just about always deliver in terms of a good quick entertaining read - mind candy at its best.
One of the things I really like about these books is that Fairstein just about always uses them to More...
One of the things I really like about these books is that Fairstein just about always uses them to More...
Mar 14, 2009
Catherine
rated it:
Loved my free copy -- which I'll now donate to the library! Great story, especially with the rare books and even more fascinating rare maps theme. Wishing I'd read others in series [Alex(andra) Cooper Crime Series:] first so I'd be more familiar with the characters, that'll come next.
Jun 18, 2009
Sara
rated it:
My first thriller by a best selling author! I was in a real fiction rut, not finding anything I liked, so I thought I'd take someone's recommendation and try out Linda Fairstein. My recommender suggested this book because of the involvement of rare books and the behind-the-scenes action at the NYPL. And ultimately, that's what made me enjoy the book.
I had to get past the casually tossed out descriptions of the tough-as-nails-but-smart-with-a-heart Alex Cooper and her fabulous Fren More...
I had to get past the casually tossed out descriptions of the tough-as-nails-but-smart-with-a-heart Alex Cooper and her fabulous Fren More...
Mar 22, 2009
Joy
rated it:
Update 2: Finished this Thursday March 19, 2009. Was so enthralled by all the trivia about rare books, the NYPL and ancient maps featured in the story I had to visit the NYPL website. More about that at my blog Joystory.
This was a page turning treat. A thriller and a thrill. I loved the setting of the NYPL. I nearly feel as though I've walked its hallowed halls and twisty tunnels, if only in a dream.
Update: I'll be starting this for real today, March 13, 2009. Will More...
This was a page turning treat. A thriller and a thrill. I loved the setting of the NYPL. I nearly feel as though I've walked its hallowed halls and twisty tunnels, if only in a dream.
Update: I'll be starting this for real today, March 13, 2009. Will More...
Mar 11, 2009
Cori
rated it:
Usually I try to stay away from crime books and books where the author's name is bigger than the title, but free is free.
In a nutshell, the story revolves around sex crimes expert Detective Alexandra Cooper (However, the main plot does not actually involve a sex crime.) and friends. A woman named Tina Barr who worked for the New York Public Library is attacked in her apartment, which leads to Cooper discovering a plot to steal a rare map. The map in question consists of twelve panels, al More...
In a nutshell, the story revolves around sex crimes expert Detective Alexandra Cooper (However, the main plot does not actually involve a sex crime.) and friends. A woman named Tina Barr who worked for the New York Public Library is attacked in her apartment, which leads to Cooper discovering a plot to steal a rare map. The map in question consists of twelve panels, al More...
Apr 03, 2010
Sam
rated it:
Lethal Legacy brought together two of my favorite things - libraries and mysteries. Alex Cooper, ADA, finds herself mixed up in a scheme involving the uber-wealthy and the New York Public Library. It's fast-paced, with short chapters that make it perfect for commuter reading. Because this is the middle of the series, the character development was minimal, though I had little difficulty keeping track of them all. I now feel like I have to go re-acquaint myself with the library - though I am a res
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Jan 05, 2010
Jessica
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Jun 17, 2009
Kelly
rated it:
I loved this book & not just because I am a newly minted librarian. It had libraries, history, mystery after mystery (to keep you guessing), entertaining characters, a smidgen of romance and extremely witty dialogue.
This book came to me via a patron recommendation and while I am normally the one handing out the recommendations I thought it only fitting that I return the favor and indulge in something new that someone else thought I would love.
Wow! Am I ever glad I took More...
This book came to me via a patron recommendation and while I am normally the one handing out the recommendations I thought it only fitting that I return the favor and indulge in something new that someone else thought I would love.
Wow! Am I ever glad I took More...
Jul 07, 2009
Joy
rated it:
It is so much fun to see a new book on the "new books" shelf at the
library by an author I know. I've been reading all of Linda Fairstein's books the past six or so years. I actually liked this one
least of all. The story centered around collectors and donors of
rare books and maps. There was lots of info on the interworkings of the
New York Public Library (interesting). What I didn't like was the
confusion of characters and collections. It was just hard More...
library by an author I know. I've been reading all of Linda Fairstein's books the past six or so years. I actually liked this one
least of all. The story centered around collectors and donors of
rare books and maps. There was lots of info on the interworkings of the
New York Public Library (interesting). What I didn't like was the
confusion of characters and collections. It was just hard More...
Jun 25, 2010
Victoria
rated it:
I'm normally a Fairstein fan, but this book disappointed me. The subjects--rare books and the New York Public Library--interested me, but I just didn't find the mystery here compelling. The book is very long, 450+ pages, and the payoff only comes in the last 80 pages. The camaraderie between Alex Cooper and her police buddies Mike and Mercer falls a bit flat here. I've enjoyed the authenticity of Fairstein's writing, since she actually worked as a NYC district attorney, but I wonder if the subje
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Nov 23, 2010
Nathan
rated it:
Not so much a review as some commentary on the hype.. I read an ARC of this title which was hyped like the Da Vinci Code of the New York Public Library.... it wasn't.
Good story, essentially a police procedural more than a mystery. The marketing promised that this book would plunge the reader into the mysteries of the NYPL and the world of book collecting. As an antiquarian bookseller, I can say that this plunge was more of a dip in the shallow end.
Learned a bit of trivia on More...
Good story, essentially a police procedural more than a mystery. The marketing promised that this book would plunge the reader into the mysteries of the NYPL and the world of book collecting. As an antiquarian bookseller, I can say that this plunge was more of a dip in the shallow end.
Learned a bit of trivia on More...
Sep 13, 2009
jo
rated it:
i'd start listing all the ways in which this book is objectionable if it hadn't kept me out of my book funk for a good three-four days. for this, it gets stars. and a hug. but here are the good parts: lots about old books, old maps, the new york public library, and the way in which beautiful ancient documents are preserved and come to be part of our cultural patrimony. wish fairstein had managed to keep the cute & helpless female trope to a minimum, but if i started complaining about that i'd co
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May 11, 2009
Another solid installment in Linda Fairstein's mystery series featuring Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Alexandra Cooper. Fairstein invariably offers up a suspenseful plot, much witty banter between Alex and the police officers with whom she works (Mike Chapman and Mercer Wallace), and good dollop of New York City history along the way. In this one, the plot centres on rare books and maps, and the inner workings of the New York Public library, which is an added bonus for readers like me wh
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Jan 24, 2012
Cheryl
rated it:
I liked this book for the same reason some other reviewers disliked it! I found the history of the New York Public Library and antique books and maps fascinating! And, of course, Alexandra Cooper and crew were as great as always. The descriptions of "the rich" who expect their donations to the library to get special treatment above all others was amusing, also.[return]Even better, the audiobook is narrated by Barbara Rosenblat again, after the last book had a different reader - that ch
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Jul 17, 2009
Leah
rated it:
I really liked the historical aspect of this detective/crime novel. Seeing the behind the scenes workings of the New York Public Library was really fascinating. However, I feel like Fairstein never really explains all of the intricacies of the crime. Also, there is no point to the abrupt sex scenes. She should just leave them out because they feel forced and have inadequate descriptions. I might pick up another book by this author for a quick, mindless read on vacation but I doubt she'll make it
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Mar 17, 2011
Bree
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Apr 22, 2009
Donura
rated it:
4.5 out of 5
It is surprising that a high intrigue mystery could take place in the halls of the public library but this setting held my interest throughout and had me turning the pages faster than I wanted to. There were times that I actually gasped out loud and my kids asked me what was wrong. Oh, nothing…… just reading. :>) I don’t want to post any spoilers but I will say that I never knew book bindings could be so ghoulish.
This was my first introduction to Alex C More...
It is surprising that a high intrigue mystery could take place in the halls of the public library but this setting held my interest throughout and had me turning the pages faster than I wanted to. There were times that I actually gasped out loud and my kids asked me what was wrong. Oh, nothing…… just reading. :>) I don’t want to post any spoilers but I will say that I never knew book bindings could be so ghoulish.
This was my first introduction to Alex C More...
Nov 15, 2011
Macjest
rated it:
Very compelling book with the added bonus of a little history of New York City and the New York Public Library. I love books that do a good job of intertwining action and history lessons. This was exceptional. My eyes never glazed over even during the most detailed sections. Rare books, antique maps, family rivalries, and book collectors all collide with a murder mystery to boot. The author has a great note at the end which talks about bibliophiles and her research that went into the book.
