Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
189th out of 1,715 books
—
402 voters
Silent Mercy (Alexandra Cooper #13)
Watch a video
In the latest thriller in Linda Fairstein's bestselling series, Alex Cooper dives deep into the byzantine, sinister world of New York City's powerful religious institutions.
It's the middle of the night. Prosecutor Alexandra Cooper is called to Harlem's Mount Neboh Baptist Church, a beautiful house of worship originally built as a synagogue. But the crowd gat...more
In the latest thriller in Linda Fairstein's bestselling series, Alex Cooper dives deep into the byzantine, sinister world of New York City's powerful religious institutions.
It's the middle of the night. Prosecutor Alexandra Cooper is called to Harlem's Mount Neboh Baptist Church, a beautiful house of worship originally built as a synagogue. But the crowd gat...more
Hardcover, 400 pages
Published
March 8th 2011
by Dutton Adult
(first published January 1st 2011)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
2,852)
‘Silent Mercy’ By Linda Fairstein
Published by Little Brown, March 2011. ISBN: 978-1-4087-0241-3
This latest thriller featuring Assistant DA Alex Cooper and NYPD Detective Mike Chapman opens with the discovery of a headless body on the steps of a church in New York. Within days a second body turns up also left at a church, and not just any church, it is clear that the killer is making a particular point
To try and get in the mind of the killer Alex and Mike explore various religious beliefs trying...more
Published by Little Brown, March 2011. ISBN: 978-1-4087-0241-3
This latest thriller featuring Assistant DA Alex Cooper and NYPD Detective Mike Chapman opens with the discovery of a headless body on the steps of a church in New York. Within days a second body turns up also left at a church, and not just any church, it is clear that the killer is making a particular point
To try and get in the mind of the killer Alex and Mike explore various religious beliefs trying...more
This deeply researched series highlighting New York landmarks featuring Alexandra Cooper and Mike Chapman takes the reader in a somewhat different direction from previous entries. This time the author tackles religion, albeit in a non-controversial manner.
While New York continues to be the prime real estate, the murderer the duo is chasing has committed the same crime in other states, ending up on Cape Cod. But various religious institutions set the stage for the chase as the culprit leaves his...more
While New York continues to be the prime real estate, the murderer the duo is chasing has committed the same crime in other states, ending up on Cape Cod. But various religious institutions set the stage for the chase as the culprit leaves his...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
May 01, 2011
Kathleen Hagen
added it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2011-audio-books,
2011-mysteries
Silent Mercy, by Linda Fairstein, B-plus, Narrated by Barbara Rosenblatt, Produced by Penguin Audio Books, downloaded from audible.com.
Alex and Mike and Wallace are called to a crime scene in the middle of the night. They find the body of a woman whose head has been disconnected and removed from the scene, burned beyond recognition. She is found in front of one of the beautiful old churches. Her head is found later in another place. A couple of days later, another woman’s body is found at anothe...more
Alex and Mike and Wallace are called to a crime scene in the middle of the night. They find the body of a woman whose head has been disconnected and removed from the scene, burned beyond recognition. She is found in front of one of the beautiful old churches. Her head is found later in another place. A couple of days later, another woman’s body is found at anothe...more
The latest in the Alexandra Cooper series, this book started with a burnt body being discovered on the steps of a church. The church is behind a tall, locked gate, and the church itself is locked. How did the body get there? Cooper, her close friends and police officers Mercer and Chapman, begin investigating this murder when another burnt body at a neighbouring church shows up.
Meanwhile, Cooper is attending to her daily duties as the chief of the Sex Crimes division of the District Attorney's o...more
Meanwhile, Cooper is attending to her daily duties as the chief of the Sex Crimes division of the District Attorney's o...more
I didn't realize this was a series when I started reading, so imagine my surprise when I discovered it was release 13. How I managed to miss this author, I can't imagine, but I'll be watching for her next release in the future.
Now to the book. I really enjoyed it. The characters are well developed, have good relationships, the plot moves along at a fast pace and the premise could have jumped off the pages of any major city newspaper. I loved the tidbits of historical trivia about the various dif...more
Now to the book. I really enjoyed it. The characters are well developed, have good relationships, the plot moves along at a fast pace and the premise could have jumped off the pages of any major city newspaper. I loved the tidbits of historical trivia about the various dif...more
If you’ve read my other reviews you’ll know that I don’t usually reveal anything about the story, I prefer to tell you my opinion of it and leave you to enjoy the story for yourself if you choose to read it. However, as I’m deeply unimpressed with something about this book I’m not sticking to my usual principles!
I loved the synopsis on the back of this book, it hooked me by saying the was based in New York (I love it there) and starts by saying “In the middle of the night, the burnt headless bod...more
I loved the synopsis on the back of this book, it hooked me by saying the was based in New York (I love it there) and starts by saying “In the middle of the night, the burnt headless bod...more
Prosecutor Alexandra "Coop" Cooper of the New York's District Attorney's Office becomes involved in crimes that may have their origins in religious or female bias.
Most of the story takes place in Manhattan and centers on its old religious institutions.
A young woman is found murdered on the steps of Mount Neboh Baptist Church. She has not only been murdered but decapitated, and her head is missing.
Several days later her head is discovered at St. John the Devine Church.
The situation does not get a...more
Most of the story takes place in Manhattan and centers on its old religious institutions.
A young woman is found murdered on the steps of Mount Neboh Baptist Church. She has not only been murdered but decapitated, and her head is missing.
Several days later her head is discovered at St. John the Devine Church.
The situation does not get a...more
I've read all the other books in the series. After the last one, I wasn't sure I was going to bother. Mike Chapman isn't really endearing enough to pull off all of the offensive and obnoxious stuff he says. I don't see how it's necessary. I mean, he says horrible things but then the main character, Alex Cooper, thinks "well, I know he's a really good guy deep down". Yeah, ok. So he's a cop and saves lives. It's hardly an excuse to be a complete a-hole about absolutely everything else.
Anyway, he'...more
Anyway, he'...more
Linda Fairstein is one of handful of writers with series that I enjoy enough to always read whatever the latest is. It's a relatively select group that provides me with great reading comfort food and sometimes that's just what you need. I have a lot of respect for Linda Fairstein and her pioneering work as a Sex Crimes DA back in the days when the victim deserved it. As bad as it is now, it is much much better than it used to be and women like Linda Fairstein helped make that happen. Bonus that...more
1 like · like · see review
I usually really enjoy an Alex Cooper novel. However, this one just didn't do it for me.
It started out quick with a gruesome murder. We had a slice of Alex in court. However, the writing just wasn't that taut, and several things were repeated in the text (a bit about Alex's religious background).
I thought the writing wasn't as good as in previous novels. I had a hard time following the plot and the motivations of the characters.
There was a really dumb subplot too that just distracted from the...more
It started out quick with a gruesome murder. We had a slice of Alex in court. However, the writing just wasn't that taut, and several things were repeated in the text (a bit about Alex's religious background).
I thought the writing wasn't as good as in previous novels. I had a hard time following the plot and the motivations of the characters.
There was a really dumb subplot too that just distracted from the...more
Jun 22, 2011
Karen Syed
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
unabridged-audio,
thrillers
I love the Alex Cooper books. This was no exception. The story has a religious theme, and that made me a little hesitant, but Linda Fairstein always does a good job of evening out the touchy subjects.
I will say I was pleased that there was considerably less "personal" stuff than some of the other books in the series.
The pacing was fairly solid, the story was interesting, and the author keeps the characters in complete sync with previous stories in the series.
I would have given this a perfect 5 s...more
I will say I was pleased that there was considerably less "personal" stuff than some of the other books in the series.
The pacing was fairly solid, the story was interesting, and the author keeps the characters in complete sync with previous stories in the series.
I would have given this a perfect 5 s...more
Slow getting slarted with this one, but it picks up once Alexandra gets back to New York City. As with all of Fairstein's books, this one focuses on a historical aspect of the city, and this novel zeroes in on the classic restaurants such as 21, Delmonico's, and others. From secret passageways in the basements of some of the restaurants left from speakeasy days to history of clientele, Fairsten weaves two adjoining plots into all that is going on into her books, and you don't get lost! Linda Fai...more
I love Good Reads, because, in theory, one can look at their own reviews, then pick up books by authors you liked and spurn those you didn't. The problem is, I don't go back and look, then forget when I'm in the library. So it went with this Linda Fairstein book. It's not bad, but as I reported in my review of Killer Heat, there is too much lecturing about New York laws (less in this book) and trivia, that is really interesting, but interferes with the flow of the story. Alexandra Cooper's partn...more
I've read all 13 books in this series now and this was a good addition as #13. There were a few things that bugged me, mostly the ending with a villain you probably couldn't deduce from the storyline and an action-packed ending that was well just too Hollywood for me.
The idea that someone was killing women active in their Faith was a hot button for me and something I could see happening, no doubt about it. Some of the stuff here with the catholic church is why I left the church in the first plac...more
The idea that someone was killing women active in their Faith was a hot button for me and something I could see happening, no doubt about it. Some of the stuff here with the catholic church is why I left the church in the first plac...more
Alexandra Cooper gets a late night call out to Harlem's Mt. Neboh Baptist Church where a body is on fire on the steps and behind the locked fence surrounding the property. When the fire is finally out the discover the body, minus the head, of a young woman. This begins the search for a killer who seems to be targeting women who have become ordained in one church or another. Alex and company are not having a great deal of luck before another woman is killed and they begin to at least get the idea...more
In this latest installment of the Alexandra Cooper series, Linda Fairstein takes us on a wild thrill ride on her latest case yet. We're so deeply involved into this one, when it deals with females and religion, and their beliefs. We root for Alex to find out a connection between old and new murders of this serial killer, which takes us all over to New York. There's plenty of surprises in this one, that would leave you breathless on every twist and turn she has in store for you, the fellow reader...more
2 likes · like · see review
This was the latest of the Alexandra Cooper (head of sex crimes unit of NYC) books. It was especially interesting because the victims are found at old churches around NY. Many of these churches were originally synagogues when the Jewish population was large. There was quite a bit of information regarding Union Seminary and it's history. I also learned that there are major leper colonies: in the East River of NYC, off the coast of San Francisco, Penikese Island off New England, and Molokei in Haw...more
Well, the crimes are still fascinating, but the scaffolding holding the book together is getting a little stale. The rivalry and anger between Alex and her bosses often is there as a set piece with very little justification. The Jeopardy questions are becoming routine and often awkward, especially because the author doesn't even get Trebek's wording right. Lately, Fairstein writes about Alex's "lover" Luc's plan to visit Alex at the start of the novel; he breezes in at the end, and there is prec...more
She gave enough clues to figure out the profession of the killer, but no more. I prefer mysteries where you have at least a chance of figuring out who dunnit. Also, I found the conversations difficult to follow at times, especially when 3 or 4 people were talking; you had to guess from the context who was speaking. And little inconsistencies like, "I'm not sure how he got the information to find my home," when the man had explained that on the previous page. She does include lots of interesting...more
"Silent Mercy" is the 13th installment in the Alexandra Cooper series by Linda Fairstein. I love this series. Alexandra is the prosecutor in charge of the Sex Crimes Unit in the Manhattan District Attorney's Office. She is the alter ego of the author who held the same position for 26 years. This series is believable, readable and interesting, every installment provides facts about the history of New York, it's people and architecture. Besides Alexandra, the other 2 main characters are the 2 dete...more
#13 in the Alexandra Cooper series. NYC ADA in charge of sex crimes, Alexandra Cooper, is the protagonist of the series, but New York City is the star. There is always some aspect of the city central to the mystery and in this case the novel includes an engrossing look at some of NYC's historical houses of worship.
Alexandra Cooper series - When the burnt headless body of a young woman is found on the steps of a Baptist Church in Harlem, Assistant DA Alexandra Cooper is one of the first on the sh...more
Alexandra Cooper series - When the burnt headless body of a young woman is found on the steps of a Baptist Church in Harlem, Assistant DA Alexandra Cooper is one of the first on the sh...more
At a Manhattan Baptist church, the headless charred remains of a woman are found. Soon, her decapitated head is found outside the Cathedral of St. John Divine. Another victim whose tongue is cut out is found outside Old St. Patrick’s Church. ADA Alexandra Cooper thinks that because of the locales these could be the work of some religious fanatic, until she investigates more and opens a huge can or worms. As always, Linda Fairstein adds in some of New York City’s historical facts; this time the o...more
Apr 17, 2011
Susan
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
mystery/detective lovers
Shelves:
adult-level-mystery
Linda Fairstein gets better and better with every book. Her endings have a surprise twist that tie the story together with an intelligence far beyond anything John Grisham does. No one ever goes into witness protection! Don't get me wrong - I love John Grisham books for great escapism. Silent mercy takes you through some wonderful old houses of worship in and near New York City, and the background information is fascinating. I love the Final Jeopardy thread that goes through all of her novels. H...more
I love this series and the author and narrator and the characters! I love the primary characters and the voices/accents given them by the narrator!
Prosecutor Alexander Cooper and her crew are interesting characters as they solve crime. In this case, the victims are women who want bigger roles in their respective religions.
Why are they the targets? Who is behind the murders? Why so violent? How many lives will be lost? Will all Alex and her friends be unscathed?
You are going to have to go to yo...more
Prosecutor Alexander Cooper and her crew are interesting characters as they solve crime. In this case, the victims are women who want bigger roles in their respective religions.
Why are they the targets? Who is behind the murders? Why so violent? How many lives will be lost? Will all Alex and her friends be unscathed?
You are going to have to go to yo...more
Linda Fairstein is one of those authors I like to read when ever she has a new book available. This story started out with the inevitable dead body, this one found in a chruch area. Are there relgious overtones? Another body is found. Same questions. Are these victims outcasts that need to be silenced for their relgious views? Who else is at risk of bodily harm? Alexandra seems to take this case personally- esp when she and Mike travel outside of NYC to follow the leads. Who is killling these wo...more
This was my first and last Alexandra Cooper mystery. I got halfway through this before abandoning it. The characters were completely bland and the mystery itself was boring. The descriptions of urban characters were out of touch and often cringeworthy. Fairstein feels compelled to explain terms such as "shorty" or illustrate tensions between generations by having an older uncle get mad about the baggy jeans the boys are wearing. Crazy kids these days! Once I decided I wouldn't finish it, I wasn'...more
I won this from Goodreads-Thank You!
This book is a detective novel, that had an interesting plot. I have read one of Ms. Fairsteins books with the same characters as in this novel so I was familiar with the some of the characters. This story takes place in New York,with a young woman being decapitated and left in front of a church.From there it takes a little curve with the happenings of a spoiled teenager who isnt getting her way, so she causes a different kind of trouble. As the two detectives...more
This book is a detective novel, that had an interesting plot. I have read one of Ms. Fairsteins books with the same characters as in this novel so I was familiar with the some of the characters. This story takes place in New York,with a young woman being decapitated and left in front of a church.From there it takes a little curve with the happenings of a spoiled teenager who isnt getting her way, so she causes a different kind of trouble. As the two detectives...more
A solid mystery, which begins when the headless body of a woman is found at a historic church in New York City. The mystery focuses on the role of women in the church (uh, sort of) and the history of religious institutions in New York City. It follows the formula of Fairstein's other books, which is getting a bit predictable. I kept hoping Fairstein would make a statement about the role of women in religion, but she steers clear of saying anything controversial. Still, it's entertaining, escapis...more
Make that a 4.5 star rating.
My review to follow later.
Alexandra Cooper and NYPD cop Mike Chapman are amongst the first officials on the scene when the body of a young woman is discovered on the steps of a Baptist church. The body is naked, burnt and headless.
Their investigation has only started when a second body is discovered. Again it is a young woman, but this time her throat was slashed and her tongue cut out, and the church is a Catholic one.
When a link is made between the two women, it be...more
My review to follow later.
Alexandra Cooper and NYPD cop Mike Chapman are amongst the first officials on the scene when the body of a young woman is discovered on the steps of a Baptist church. The body is naked, burnt and headless.
Their investigation has only started when a second body is discovered. Again it is a young woman, but this time her throat was slashed and her tongue cut out, and the church is a Catholic one.
When a link is made between the two women, it be...more
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Linda 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. Ms. Fairstein is married to Justin N. Feldman, retired counsel to the New York offi...more
More about Linda Fairstein...
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
Jun 20, 2011 02:47pm