Title: 212
Author: Alafair Burke
Publisher: Harper Paperbacks
Publication Date: June 7, 2011
Paperback: 368 pages
ISBN: 978-0061561320
Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Suspense
A celebrity mogul’s bodyguard is slain in his boss’s luxurious penthouse at an exclusive Manhattan address. At NYU, a sophomore is menaced on the Internet, stalked . . . and murdered.
The two cases, equally sordid and shocking, end up falling to NYPD homicide detective Ellie Hatcher and her partner—who soon find out that this is just the tip of a terrifying iceberg.
Because in the city that never sleeps, death doesn’t either.
My Review:
212 by Alafair Burke is the third book in her Ellie Hatcher series, her sixth published book and the first book of hers that I have read. I do not make it a secret that I thoroughly enjoy a well-written suspenseful mystery and am rather surprised that Alafair Burke’s books had not made it onto my radar screen until now. Readers do not need to have read the previous two Ellie Hatcher books, Angel’s Tip and Dead Connection, but I wager after finishing 212, readers will want to read the previous two books in the series. The protagonist, Ellie Hatcher is a no-nonsense NYPD Detective who finds herself with two cases which at first glance appear to be unrelated and the further the investigation proceeds the more Ellie and her partner J.J. Rogan realize the Manhattan penthouse murder and the NYU student stalking are indeed related. Burke creates a delightfully complex case, which begins as two separate cases. Not only are her plots, twists, and dead ends well placed, her characters are thoroughly developed, multi-dimensional and exceedingly realistic. While I do enjoy a mystery series with a strong female protagonist, and this one has it in the character of Ellie Hatcher, I much preferred her partner J.J. Rogan as he just came off as far more believable to me. Bare in mind, I have not read the previous novels and it is possible this view of mine will change when I do read them. All told, 212 is a well rounded, “ripped from the headlines” suspense mystery which will keep readers engaged until the end. I look forward to reading more books by Alafair Burke and would recommend 212 to those who are looking for a good suspenseful mystery.
Alafair Burke is the bestselling author of six novels, including 212, Angel’s Tip, and Dead Connection in the Ellie Hatcher series. A former prosecutor, she now teaches criminal law and lives in Manhattan.
Learn more about Alafair at her website, connect with her on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter.
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I received a copy of 212 by Alafair Burke from TLC Book Tours to be a part of this tour and offer my honest review of the book. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned book.
I’ve been in a mystery mood lately so I think I’ll have to check this book out after all. Or maybe the whole series.
I did not realize it was the third in a series, had I known, I would have started from the beginning.
I haven’t heard of the series or the author, but this definitely sounds like a book I’d enjoy
Great review, thanks.
The book was quite good and I just received the latest book released by Alafair Burke and look forward to reading it.
Tough NYPD female detective… that’s a good start. Suspenseful mystery always a plus. Thanks for the review.
She writes wonderfully and I look forward to reading more of her works.
I’m glad you’ll be looking for more by this author – that’s always a good sign!
I have the next book and cannot wait to get a moment to read it.