Customer Reviews

212: A Novel (Ellie Hatcher)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Ellie Hatcher is back with a vengeance. A vengeance that lands her butt squarely in jail. Smart, independent Ellie Hatcher proves to the world everyday that she's far more than a pretty face. She can "bring home the bacon and fry it up in a pan." She juggles her job, her older brother Jess, Assistant District Attorney Max Donovan, even her mother back in Wichita. And while she may not be as hip as her brother would like, she still manages to do it all with panache.

Burke's work is the epitome of art imitating life. Her plot lines are "ripped from the headlines;" the characters and dialogue are infused with pop culture; and she brings to life the New York City she so loves. 212 has no shortage of Burke's signature wit, which often comes out in her crisp, commanding dialogue. Ellie's exchanges with both her brother Jess and her partner J.J. could walk off the pages they are so believable. Burke's strengths are numerous, but her dialogue is quite possibly my favorite. Conversation is clear, it's sharp, it's witty. When a reader believes the dialogue, he/she believes the characters delivering it. For my money, no one does this better than Alafair Burke.

The complexity of 212's plot is carefully balanced. Burke peals back layer after layer, creating numerous unexpected twists throughout the book. But the twists never go over the top, nor do they become too numerous for belief. Instead the keep the reader gripped to the pages. I tried to slowly savor this book, but the plot simply wouldn't let me.

In addition, the plot of 212, like each of Burke's previous novels, reflects current events. But more than that, it examines some hefty "why" questions that are floating around these current events as well. And whenever Burke addresses a "why" question in her writing, she illustrates that the answer to that question is never a basic one, like so many people want to make it out to be. Afterall, it's humanity she's addressing, and humanity is certainly never basic. In 212, Burke takes a 348 page back swing allowing her to masterfully stroke her theme straight down the fairway and sink a hole-in-one on the final page. It's a monumental ending, one that won't quickly leave your thoughts.

I waited over a year for Ellie Hatcher to return to action, and 212 was worth every minute of that wait.

There's a rumor going around that an ex- New York Governor, who resigned amid a sex scandal, is being considered for an hour-long CNN program. The wags are pointing out that it would be a switch: This time he would be paid by the hour instead of forking over money to a working girl for services. Then, of course, there were a former President and a certain southern Governor also involved in sex scandals.

Of course there is nothing new about the sex trade; just look back to the Bible and Mary Magdalene or David and Bathsheba. But the topic is timely. Just consider the murder of a Boston woman who advertised her "services" on Craig's list about the time the manuscript for the present novel was submitted. Such a topic plays an important role in helping Ellie Hatcher and her partner, J.J. Rogan, to solve at least three murders in this well-written police procedural.

The novel moves forward, with either one or the other of the two detectives uncovering possible facts or motives in a confusing array of clues, each raising different theories until the pieces finally fall into place. The author utilizes her deep knowledge of the legal system, pitting it against a contemporary issue, to create an absorbing story line, replete with all the necessary twists to keep the reader turning pages. With characterizations to match.

Highly recommended.

Alafair Burke gains greater depth with each novel. In this third Ellie Hatcher story, we find the erstwhile NYPD detective from Witchita involved in a complicated murder case that leads her and her partner J.J. Rogan into the intricacies of escort services and the high-profile clients those services often entangle.

Borrowing from recent headlines without ever copying them--or, for that matter, telegraphing her intentions to the reader--Burke gives us a fast-paced mystery. Ellie and Rogan think they are nearing the truth about one particular murder at 212 Lafayette in the 212 area code of Manhattan, when things get murkier from another murder, this time of an NYU college girl. More will die before the plot twists to its final knot, and Burke does a fine job of going deeper into Ellie's character and her relationships with her brother, partner, and lover. She also creates a plausible scenario that is not all that it seems. There are a few pages near the end where antagonists conveniently spout off all the info Ellie needs to tie things together, but this is a longtime characteristic of mystery novels.

Yes, this is more mystery than thriller (ala Harlan Coben and Linwood Barclay), but the use of multiple viewpoints helps ratchet the intrigue throughout. Burke continues to grow into a fine mystery writer, and this is her best yet.

Another suspenseful read from Alafair Burke! In this Ellie Hatcher novel, the third in the series, Ellie and her partner Rogan investigate a murder in an upscale New York building known as "The 212." To make heads or tails out of their case, and another homicide they're working concurrently, Ellie must sort through a cast of multi-dimensional suspects and, not surprisingly, none of them are easy to read. In fact, there are quite a few "double lives" going on here, and all of them lend themselves to a real head-scratcher. In typical form, Burke twisted and turned the plot long after I thought I knew what was going on, and in the end, she wrapped it up nicely. This book takes a very honest look at what motivates people and leaves the reader with a reminder that things are often not as they seem on the surface. Highly recommended for those who enjoy a New York City setting, police detective novels, or determined female protagonists who don't take crap. :)

A thoroughly enjoyable and believable book. This novel entails murder, blackmail, sexcapades, and lots of secrets. Ellie Hatcher and her police partner J.J. Rogan investigate the shooting death of a body guard at 212 apartment building in Manhattan. From that come all the other facets of the book.

The intricate plot weaves in a lot of detail about the scene--about how the sex-trade works, the urban landscape of Manhattan, cops, real estate, rich folks and bars where cops hang out. She makes them all very real, like someone you would know if you were a detective. I will admit that I thought I had figured out a plot point only to be foiled and pleasantly surprised at the end. By taking stories from the news and reworking them to suit her story, she keeps the plot fresh, her main characters smart and savvy.

This is my first Alafair Burke book. It won't be my last. First-rate entertainment for all mystery fans.

Par for the course in an Alafair Burke book, 212 provides an entertaining, mutli-layered plot that is loosely based on some real news event, pretty well-developed, interesting characters, realistic dialogue, and a strong depiction of the 'sights and sounds' of NYC. Burke's writing style, similar to her father's style (James Lee Burke) is one that enables me to "get lost" in her stories, and 212 is the fourth Alafair Burke book I've read (i.e., the three books featuring Det. Ellie Hatcher and her newest book, a stand-alone, called Long Gone). Of these four books -- all of which I enjoyed -- I would rank 212 slightly below Long Gone and Angel's Tip (the second book in the Ellie Hatcher series) and slightly above, the first book featuring Hatcher called Dead Connection.

Without going into too much detail, 212 involves Det. Hatcher, sort of a wunderkind among NYPD Homicide detectives, and her partner J. J. Rogan assigned to solve the murder of an NYU student who was murdered after receiving personal threats posted to a Web site specializing in campus gossip. Shortly after starting their investigation, Hatcher begins to wonder if the coed's murder was more than just the culmination of a cyber obsession. From this point on, Hatcher and her partner uncover layer upon layer of events that keep the plot moving at a pretty fast and interesting pace.

Despite, the positives mentioned above, 212 had two flaws that causes me to rate it 4 (instead of 5) stars. Actually, if Amazon allowed I would give this book a 3 1/2 star rating. One flaw is that Burke has so many characters, several of whom use false identities, that it, at times, became difficult to keep track of them without "a scorecard." The second involves a slight credibility issue with Det. Ellie Hatcher, who you'll learn from the previous books in the series, is a relatively new member of the Homicide bureau and viewed as a wunderkind. Yet despite her more limited experience relative to her more seasoned partner, Burke enables Hatcher to outthink/outsmart/outguess her superiors as well as the baddies in regards to "unhatching" the plot and solving the case.

Nonetheless, 212, similar to Burke's other books in the series, is a satisfying and one I think you'll like when you are in the mood for some good escape reading. I would suggest that, to maximize your enjoyment of the series and your appreciation of the main character, you read them in sequence.

Quick paced, well balanced book. There was a bit too much editorializing at the end ~ people can draw their own conclusions without being directed but on the whole, well done. Alafair Burke is a solid author in her own right with a style that is her own. Looking forward to more of the same.

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Alafair's newest book stands on its own as a product of great life experiences much like the works of James Lee Burke. This is truly a must read. Don't wait and buy it for a mid-summer beach read. Order it now and savor the fruit for yourself at its ripest before your friends start talking about it.

Alafair Burke's latest novel, 212, blends a series of crimes into a brain-twisting puzzle for the reader and for NYPD Detective Ellie Hatcher. A fiery, bold cover design hints at the intensity to come, and Burke definitely knows how to start in the middle of the action. The first chapter produces a shooting, sex, and an anonymous police report. From there, the story speeds up. Bodies fall so fast, in so many different scenarios, it seems impossible they are all connected.

Even in a city like New York, few crimes involve victims as diverse as hookers, college students, a bodyguard, an artist, and a real estate agent. Burke's characters live in today's high tech world, where students and criminals know how to post on websites, and use forums, without being traced. Add in phony names and a stolen identity, and the list of suspects seems endless. The challenges in this case keep Ellie awake all night, and that's before she discovers her boss's romantic relationship with a suspect.

By chapter seven, Detective Ellie Hatcher already aggravated a judge and infuriated a rich and influential businessman, which earned her a night in jail for contempt. Ellie didn't earn the Police Combat Cross by being afraid to take action though. She's stubborn and independent, but her instincts are sharp. When backup doesn't arrive and another victim's life is at stake, will her tenacity solve the crime or get her killed? How will her boss react to the news that the criminal might be her boyfriend?

Burke's descriptions of New York City provide a true feel for the culture, diversity, and violence packed into that huge metropolis, along with colorful details that portray everything from the street life to the architecture well. The authenticity of the descriptions is easy to recognize for those who've been to the great city. However, a few of the author's movie and television character references may lose people who aren't familiar with the shows, and this may be primarily a generational issue. On the other hand, explaining each of them would be awkward and interrupt the flow of the story.

The amount of information packed into each chapter is unbelievable. Some chapters are only two pages long, but there's no choppiness or gaps. Burke has a talent for keeping the pace moving and providing exciting plots and sub-plots, as well as choosing smooth breaking points. This is the third book in the Ellie Hatcher series, and Burke's inspiration for this series comes from a childhood home and a case that took over thirty years to solve. Don't miss reading the entire story on her website.

Samantha Kincaid stars in another mystery series written by Burke, which is set in Portland, Oregon, where Burke attended college. Coincidentally, I've spent time in Portland and in NYC, and the recognition of the settings adds a familiar feel to this story. Burke's research and story-telling skill takes me to new places within those cities, as well as adding a bit of history from time-to-time. What surprised me is that the story in 212 is intense without being so graphic as to be unpalatable to my personal "gruesomeness" threshold when describing horrific crimes. You can be sure that all of Burke's books are now on my reading list.

by Penny Leisch
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women