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muddypuddle's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book over the course of at least a month, and for some reason had no difficulty remembering details during the spans of nonreading time. The storyline was interesting with a number of surprises, and the protagonist, Ellie Hatcher, was smart and real. She took chances, sometimes without thinking things entirely through, and was willing to bend rules a little bit. I liked her a lot, as well as her brother, Jess, and the guy she ended up "seeing" by the end of the book, Peter. There are a handful of Ellie Hatcher books following this one, and I'm looking forward to reading at least the next.
stagasaurus's review against another edition
4.0
Great reading via Bolindia Audio.
I liked this. Reading anything computer related dates fast and this was no exception but it was enjoyable. Characters very likeable. I guessed the solution but that didn't spoil it for me. I'd definitely read another Ellie Hatcher book.
I liked this. Reading anything computer related dates fast and this was no exception but it was enjoyable. Characters very likeable. I guessed the solution but that didn't spoil it for me. I'd definitely read another Ellie Hatcher book.
tasmanian_bibliophile's review against another edition
3.0
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 by the use of the internet. While Hatcher and McIlroy set out to solve the crimes, they uncover other crimes that may be related and a number of potential suspects. Along the way, both Hatcher and McIlroy break a number of rules and individual readers may find this irritating if not unbelievable.
And the conclusion? Some aspects are more clear-cut than others, and I found some parts of the storyline more satisfying than others. Overall, though, this was an enjoyable read and well worth picking up if you have a couple of hours to fill.
This thriller is set in the murky world of identity theft and anonymity: both made easy by the use of the internet. While Hatcher and McIlroy set out to solve the crimes, they uncover other crimes that may be related and a number of potential suspects. Along the way, both Hatcher and McIlroy break a number of rules and individual readers may find this irritating if not unbelievable.
And the conclusion? Some aspects are more clear-cut than others, and I found some parts of the storyline more satisfying than others. Overall, though, this was an enjoyable read and well worth picking up if you have a couple of hours to fill.
caredavidson's review against another edition
2.0
Unnecessarily complicated for book one of a series.
vanessakm's review against another edition
3.0
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 2010.
It's difficult to write a synopsis of a mystery novel without giving too much away or sounding formulaic (which would do this book injustice), but the basic story is about a rookie detective in the NYPD who finds herself assigned for complicated reasons to a homicide case that looks to be the work of a serial killer who is selecting victims from an online dating site. Once you start reading, expect to do little else until you get to the end.
This was fun but it isn't a mystery that will give you something to think about when the book is over. If you want that, check out Dennis Lehane. But if you want an above average heroine and well-written, tense, sad and funny plot, Burke is your girl. She is also the daughter of novelist James Lee Burke (whose detective Dave Robicheaux has a funny cameo here) and a law professor at Hofstra. She has another series about Samantha Kincaid, an ADA in the Pacific Northwest, that I intend to check out as well.
It's difficult to write a synopsis of a mystery novel without giving too much away or sounding formulaic (which would do this book injustice), but the basic story is about a rookie detective in the NYPD who finds herself assigned for complicated reasons to a homicide case that looks to be the work of a serial killer who is selecting victims from an online dating site. Once you start reading, expect to do little else until you get to the end.
This was fun but it isn't a mystery that will give you something to think about when the book is over. If you want that, check out Dennis Lehane. But if you want an above average heroine and well-written, tense, sad and funny plot, Burke is your girl. She is also the daughter of novelist James Lee Burke (whose detective Dave Robicheaux has a funny cameo here) and a law professor at Hofstra. She has another series about Samantha Kincaid, an ADA in the Pacific Northwest, that I intend to check out as well.
jenennap29's review against another edition
5.0
I first fell in literary love with Detective Ellie Hatcher in Alafair Burke's recent novel "The Ex" and now I am even more in love with Hatcher! What a strong, female, kick but and take names character. I was riveted following along with the story and its unique, and complicated, twists and turns. It was one of those books where I kept telling myself: just one more chapter and I still kept reading on.
I was able to figure out who the real killer was just about the same moment Ellie figured it out so I felt a cool, probably weird, bond with the main character at the moment. That's what I like about mystery novels like these because you get to go right along on the journey with the main character to figure out who the killer is- I love it!
I was able to figure out who the real killer was just about the same moment Ellie figured it out so I felt a cool, probably weird, bond with the main character at the moment. That's what I like about mystery novels like these because you get to go right along on the journey with the main character to figure out who the killer is- I love it!
jakewritesbooks's review against another edition
3.0
After the first third of this book, I almost quit. Just felt like a rote mystery read with bland characters.
And then the first twist dropped...to be followed by several more.
So I pressed on and I’m glad I read it. Though the dialogue frustrates at times, Alafair Burke knows how to write a story. It was tough to connect with the characters but I eventually became invested in what was happening. Still gets docked a star for wooden dialogue and a boring villain but I’ll definitely be checking out the others in the series. This was a fun Manhattan mystery.
And then the first twist dropped...to be followed by several more.
So I pressed on and I’m glad I read it. Though the dialogue frustrates at times, Alafair Burke knows how to write a story. It was tough to connect with the characters but I eventually became invested in what was happening. Still gets docked a star for wooden dialogue and a boring villain but I’ll definitely be checking out the others in the series. This was a fun Manhattan mystery.
tpanik's review against another edition
4.0
Ellie Hatcher is a force of nature, perfectly tailored to Burke’s strong, suspenseful writing.
dontmissythesereads's review against another edition
4.0
Book #29 read in 2012
I really like this as a first novel in a series.
I really like this as a first novel in a series.