Rating: Summary: Worst Crime Novel Ever Review: I really did not like this book at all
Rating: Summary: Fair story, poor prose Review: I would have found this story of mystery and murder more engrossing if Fairstein's prose had been less murky, and the dialog less stilted. Conversations read like narrative, and it was often difficult to figure out who was speaking. The overall tone, even given the hard-boiled prosecutor and seen-it-all detectives, was flat and expressionless. With all the tightly written, literate crime novels out there, I wouldn't be inclined to try Ms. Fairstein's works again.
Rating: Summary: Great First Novel Review: It took me a few chapters to get used to Fairstein's style, then the story, the characters and the suspense pulled me along at a thrilling pace. Alex Cooper is one of the most interesting characters I've read in a very long time. Her relationship with Mike Chapman has the possibility of being one of the most exiting I've read. Fairstein made me feel like I was in the middle of the DA's office participating in this investigation. I am thrilled that this is the first of many books with Alex Cooper leading the way. Erma Arthur, Reading Forum Assistant, MS
Rating: Summary: Extremely predictable. Review: It was a quick read, but didn't stimulate much thought. The mystery man and the murderer were very easy to pick out early on. While descriptions of work in the DA's office are interesting, character and plot development need work. Over-romanticized the island, too. Good first start for a non-writer, though.
Rating: Summary: First-Rate First Novel! Review: Linda Fairstein has served for many years as New York's Assistant District Attorney in charge of prosecuting sex crimes. And according to all accounts, she is brilliant at her job. Well, Fairstein can put another notch in her belt, because she is a fine writer as well--right up there with the best of the genre."Final Jeopardy," her debut novel, introduces Alexandra Cooper, coincidentally an Assistant District Attorney in charge of prosecuting New York's sex crimes. Along with her very likeable sidekick, wisecracking but brilliant cop Mike Chapman, Alex works diligently to see that "her" victims, dead or alive, get justice. It's a grueling, wrenching task, but Alex thrives on it. The book is off to a racing start as Alex, more than a little bit startled, reads her own obituary in the morning papers. And it never lets up from there. The confusion about Alex's "death" is solved quickly, but tragically. It seems that a good friend of hers, sexy bombshell actress Isabella Lascar, has been murdered while spending a supposedly incognito weekend at Alex's private Martha's Vineyard retreat. Was the murderer after Isabella? Or was it a case of mistaken identity--was the bullet really meant for Alex herself? Those questions are only the beginning as Alex finds herself increasingly tangled in an incomprehensible web of intrigue. Who is the murderer? Try and guess. I did--and wasn't even close. There are enough colorful characters in the book, nefarious and otherwise, to make the reader keep turning the pages to find out who the "perp" is--and even more importantly, why the crime was committed in the first place. From the first page to the breath-stopping last, this book has a ring of authenticity, and why not? Fairstein has lived what she writes, and it shows. Rumor has it that Ms. Fairstein has recently retired from her day job. Good! That means she can devote ALL her time to writing more juicy crime novels for those of us who are hooked! I'm thrilled to have found her, and have already started the second in her Alexandra Cooper series. If you haven't treated yourself to Ms. Fairstein, give her a try. You will not regret it.
Rating: Summary: Good read for real life anecdotes Review: Linda Fairstein is a stellar prosecutor in the N.Y. D.A.'s office and the head of its sex crimes bureau, a background that she shares with her narrator. The anecdotes she includes in her book of cases that the narrator has worked on are fascinating and excellently done. The rest of the book is not quite up to that standard
Rating: Summary: Meet Alexandra Cooper..... Review: New York City Assistant District Attorney in charge of sex crimes, Alexandra Cooper, couldn't believe her eyes. There on the front page of the Post was her obituary under the headline "SEX PROSECUTOR SLAIN-FBI, STATE TROOPERS JOIN SEARCH FOR KILLER." What the police didn't know, was that she had loaned her secluded, Martha's Vinyard beach house to beautiful actress and friend, Isabella Lascar. Isabella had said she needed a solitary retreat to read scripts and regroup. The shooting had taken place along the house's winding drive, and the shotgun blast to the face had made identification impossible, so the authorities naturally assumed it had to be Alex. But who was the real target, Alex or Isabella? As Alex and her favorite sidekick, Homicide Detective, Mike Chapman, begin their investigation, they wonder if this could this be a case of mistaken identity, and if so, was Alex in danger, and would the murderer try again? If not, who else, if anyone, knew that Isabella was going to be staying at the beach house, and why would they want her dead.....? Linda Fairstein has written a well-paced, legal thriller that sets you on the edge of your seat, and promises to keep you there until the very last page. Her well crafted, compelling plot is full of twists and turns, intriguing scenes and strong, interesting characters. But it's her indepth knowledge of the legal system and D.A's office, and her expertise in prosecuting sex crimes, that really makes this novel stand out. With a suspenseful ending that brings all the story lines together, and ties them up into a very satisfying package, Final Jeopardy is the beginning of a terrific series that mystery/thriller fans shouldn't miss. So turn off the phone, and lock the door, Alexandra Cooper and company are about to keep you up reading all night.
Rating: Summary: Meet Alexandra Cooper..... Review: New York City Assistant District Attorney in charge of sex crimes, Alexandra Cooper, couldn't believe her eyes. There on the front page of the Post was her obituary under the headline "SEX PROSECUTOR SLAIN-FBI, STATE TROOPERS JOIN SEARCH FOR KILLER." What the police didn't know, was that she had loaned her secluded, Martha's Vinyard beach house to beautiful actress and friend, Isabella Lascar. Isabella had said she needed a solitary retreat to read scripts and regroup. The shooting had taken place along the house's winding drive, and the shotgun blast to the face had made identification impossible, so the authorities naturally assumed it had to be Alex. But who was the real target, Alex or Isabella? As Alex and her favorite sidekick, Homicide Detective, Mike Chapman, begin their investigation, they wonder if this could this be a case of mistaken identity, and if so, was Alex in danger, and would the murderer try again? If not, who else, if anyone, knew that Isabella was going to be staying at the beach house, and why would they want her dead.....? Linda Fairstein has written a well-paced, legal thriller that sets you on the edge of your seat, and promises to keep you there until the very last page. Her well crafted, compelling plot is full of twists and turns, intriguing scenes and strong, interesting characters. But it's her indepth knowledge of the legal system and D.A's office, and her expertise in prosecuting sex crimes, that really makes this novel stand out. With a suspenseful ending that brings all the story lines together, and ties them up into a very satisfying package, Final Jeopardy is the beginning of a terrific series that mystery/thriller fans shouldn't miss. So turn off the phone, and lock the door, Alexandra Cooper and company are about to keep you up reading all night.
Rating: Summary: A Good First Novel Review: The author did a great job of making you think about who the killer might be. She varied the storyline back and forth between suspects and made it appear as though any one of them could have done it. As Alex tries to help find out who killed her friend, famous actress Isabelle Lascar, her own life is put in jeopardy as the killer targets Alex next.
Rating: Summary: Lots of pulp, lots of fun. Review: The best thing that "Final Jeopardy" has going for it is its utter lack of pretension. Fairstein seems to know exactly what she's writing: fun, fast pulp fiction. The writing is servicable, the characters somewhat straight out of central casting -- but the pace never lets up, there's great humor on display (if not a lot of tension), and the end is -- surprise! -- a genuine surprise. I can't remember the last time I read a debut that actually made me want to read the rest of the series. Patricia Cromwell take note: this isn't literature. Fairstein gets the point and has come up with a welcome addition to the genre.
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