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nomadreader's review
4.0
The backstory: Death Angel is the fifteenth (!) mystery in Linda Fairstein's Alexandra Cooper series. I've read (and loved) them all. (A series note: while you could enjoy this mystery if you haven't read others in the series, the personal storylines likely won't be nearly as satisfying to new readers.)
The basics: When the body of a young homeless girl is found in Central Park, detectives Mercer Wallace and Mike Chapman, along with prosecutor Alexandra Cooper, work quickly to identify her and figure out if there's a connection to a series of cold cases in New York City's lowest crime area.
My thoughts: Fairstein's mysteries all feature a deep history of one aspect of New York. In Death Angel, it's Central Park, something most readers think they're familiar with. When Fairstein is at her best, which she certainly is in Death Angel, the New York history is as riveting as the mystery (or in this case mysteries) itself.
I discovered this series in the spring of 2003 (when several books had already been published), and I've been reading the for ten years. It's challenging to strike the right balance between the comfort of the familiar and feeling new. Death Angel is the perfect combination of the two. There are the classics of a Fairstein novel: Alex takes a trip to her Martha's Vineyard home, New York history, sexual/romantic tension between Alex and Mike, Jeopardy!, and work tensions in the DA's office. Here, they feel fresh and comforting. While the pace of Alex's personal life is sometimes slower than I'd like, as I read Death Angel, I was shocked to realize Alex is now only a few years older than I am. So little time has passed in this series because each mystery covers only a few days or weeks. Over the years, these novels have taken place in different seasons and at different times of years, but in reality, only a few years have passed.
The verdict: Death Angel is Linda Fairstein at her very best. The mystery is compelling and surprising, the history and detail of Central Park is fascinating, and the developments in Alex's personal life make this long-term reader and dreamer very happy. Most importantly, all three fit together beautifully in this well-crafted, entertaining and spellbinding mystery.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
The basics: When the body of a young homeless girl is found in Central Park, detectives Mercer Wallace and Mike Chapman, along with prosecutor Alexandra Cooper, work quickly to identify her and figure out if there's a connection to a series of cold cases in New York City's lowest crime area.
My thoughts: Fairstein's mysteries all feature a deep history of one aspect of New York. In Death Angel, it's Central Park, something most readers think they're familiar with. When Fairstein is at her best, which she certainly is in Death Angel, the New York history is as riveting as the mystery (or in this case mysteries) itself.
I discovered this series in the spring of 2003 (when several books had already been published), and I've been reading the for ten years. It's challenging to strike the right balance between the comfort of the familiar and feeling new. Death Angel is the perfect combination of the two. There are the classics of a Fairstein novel: Alex takes a trip to her Martha's Vineyard home, New York history, sexual/romantic tension between Alex and Mike, Jeopardy!, and work tensions in the DA's office. Here, they feel fresh and comforting. While the pace of Alex's personal life is sometimes slower than I'd like, as I read Death Angel, I was shocked to realize Alex is now only a few years older than I am. So little time has passed in this series because each mystery covers only a few days or weeks. Over the years, these novels have taken place in different seasons and at different times of years, but in reality, only a few years have passed.
The verdict: Death Angel is Linda Fairstein at her very best. The mystery is compelling and surprising, the history and detail of Central Park is fascinating, and the developments in Alex's personal life make this long-term reader and dreamer very happy. Most importantly, all three fit together beautifully in this well-crafted, entertaining and spellbinding mystery.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
valeehill's review
5.0
Death Angel (Alexandra Cooper Mystery #15) by Linda Fairstein As much as I love reading romance I still need my occasional mystery fix. I make a point to keep up with several mystery series, and the Alexandra Cooper Series is one of them. I've read books four through fifteen, and always find the history at the crux of each mystery compelling...
You may find my entire review for Death Angel here: http://www.valeehill.net/2013/08/book-review-death-angel-by-linda.html
You may find my entire review for Death Angel here: http://www.valeehill.net/2013/08/book-review-death-angel-by-linda.html
stephms's review
4.0
For some reason, the dialogue always sounds a bit stilted to me in these novels, but the stories keep me coming back. I learned some fascinating things about Central Park in this outing. It's actually really surprising that none of the other books involved the park extensively.
vaderbird's review against another edition
3.0
5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
slc333's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this one more than the previous book. Each book in the series features an iconic NY landmark which Fairstein has researched thoroughly. While I sometimes get bored by the level of detail about these landmarks that is included, this time around I was actually interested in about 80% of the info dump on Central Park & the Dakota so that improved my enjoyment of the story as a whole because less skimming was required. I also kind of liked a return of a more feisty Alex and I am keen to see where the relationship between Mike & Alex is going to go - this is actually why I started reading this series again cause I admit to wanting to see something develop there when reading the early books. However, i don't like that the formerly friendly banter between Mike & Alex now seems to just be mean and nasty digs and criticisms of one another. Altho Alex repeatedly tells us they are best friends I cant'see it. The only time they spend together is on the job or dinners with Mercer when they attack one another. I don't know about you but in my opinion best friends should actually like one another and support each other.
nutti72's review against another edition
4.0
Another solid book. Really interesting information about Central Park.
literaryfeline's review against another edition
3.0
This is the 15th book in the Alexandra Cooper, New York Assistant District Attorney, series, the book I thought I read but hadn't. Thank goodness I had it on hand. Set in Central Park, this murder mystery takes some interesting turns, including carrying several different story lines: the homeless, a missing child, murder, stalkers, a hint of romance, the very wealthy to the history and geography of Central Park. And of course, the usual office politics. There was a lot going on in this novel, maybe too much (so many different threads, not all of which came together in the end), but I enjoyed it. And now I'm officially all caught up with the series!
psalmcat's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, did I learn a lot about the Dakota and Central Park! Add to that the shadow of the Lindbergh kidnapping and the personalities of the characters... Good book, really well done.
ultm8este's review against another edition
5.0
This was surprisingly amazing. I’m definitely going to continue this series. Sadly I didn’t start with the first book, but it’s fine. At least I enjoyed it. Alexandra cooper is really smart and funny.
dianecori's review against another edition
5.0
Keeps getting better.
The vivid details and imagery keeps me coming back, not to mention the great storytelling. Coop, Mike and Mercer are like old friends that I just can't wait visit with. Another winner Ms. Feinstein.
The vivid details and imagery keeps me coming back, not to mention the great storytelling. Coop, Mike and Mercer are like old friends that I just can't wait visit with. Another winner Ms. Feinstein.