Likely to Die [Abridged, Audiobook] [Audio Cassette]

Linda Fairstein (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2003

LIKELY TO DIE

Read by Diane Venora

New York City's oldest medical center is the scene of a ghastly attack: top neurosurgeon Gemma Dogen is found in her office, where she has been sexually assaulted and designated by the cops as a "likely to die." By the time assistant D.A. Alexandra Cooper has plunged into the case, it's a high-profile, media-infested murder investigation. As Alex's passion to find the killer intensifies, she discovers that she is the next target for lethal violence.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Head of the sex crimes unit of the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, Fairstein put her knowledge to work in Final Jeopardy (LJ 4/15/96), her best-selling Alexandra Cooper thriller. Now Alex handles a sexual assault whose victim is "likely to die."
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Fairstein has run the Manhattan D.A.'s sex-crimes unit for more than 20 years. A popular lecturer, she's now turned her talents to writing crime thrillers about--guess what?--a sex-crimes prosecutor in Manhattan. Her first novel, Final Jeopardy, created a bit of stir, and this follow-up seems primed to follow suit. Respected neurosurgeon Gemma Dogen is found brutally murdered in her office at Mid-Manhattan Hospital. She may have been sexually assaulted, which is where sex-crimes prosecutor Alexandra Cooper comes in. Along with her detective pal Mike Chapman, Alex slogs through suspect interviews, hospital records, and police files, but in the end, she finds the same old story: a murder that's all about greed, revenge, and ambition. Fairstein's grasp of grim forensic details, her savvy heroine, and her suspense-thriller plot will draw comparisons to Patricia Cornwell. But, frankly, there is no comparison. For one thing, Fairstein can't decide if she's giving an informative (if pedantic) lecture about sex crimes; writing a kind of yuppified true-crime story; or actually creating fiction. For another, the plot meanders through 400 long pages when 250 could have done nicely. And Alex Cooper, finally, isn't nearly as charismatic as Kay Scarpetta. Still, with plenty of publicity, the numerous Cornwell comparisons, and the seal of approval from the Mystery Guild, the Literary Guild, and the Doubleday Book Club, heavy demand is an inevitability. Emily Melton --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio; Abridged edition (October 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743532503
• ISBN-13: 978-0743532501
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 4.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,210,214 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another Great Mystery in the Alexandra Cooper Series!, March 16, 2004

By 

Silmarwen (Huntington Beach, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Likely to Die (Alexandra Cooper Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

Alexandra Cooper, head of New York County's Sex Crimes Prosecution Unit, hadn't been involved in a major case since her actress friend was murdered six months previous so she was a little surprised when Detective Mike Chapman woke her at 5:30 am about a new case. Turns out Gemma Dogan, head of neurosurgery at Mid-Manhattan Medical Center, brain surgeon and professor for the prestigious hospital was found stabbed six times in her office. It also appeared as if she had been raped and then left for dead. Alexandra was a little uncomfortable with the comparisons to her own personal life, or lack thereof, and put all of her energy into finding out who hated Gemma enough to do this to her.

Unfortunately, Alexandra soon finds herself with a long list of suspects. There is John DuPre and Coleman Harper, both neurologists who claim to have evidence regarding the murder, but details of their interviews conflict and don't quite add up. There is William Dietrich, the director of the hospital, who is desperate to clean up the hospital's public image. Then there are the many applicants for Mid-Manhattan's neurology unit that Gemma denied. Failing those, there are the hundreds of homeless people who live in the tunnels and basements of the hospital and wander about at will, including one that is know simply as 'Pops' who was found wearing scrubs covered in human blood. As Alexandra sifts through one lead after another, she uncovers a lot more dirty secrets at Mid-Manhattan, secrets that someone will do anything to keep hidden...

Likely to Die is the second book in the Alexandra Cooper series (after Final Jeopardy) and I enjoyed it just as much. I love the way Fairstein accurately portrays the ins and outs of the judiciary system and police methods. Alexandra doesn't just drop everything to take on this case, she has many other cases that she is supervising and advising and it is interesting to follow her throughout her day as she preps witnesses and aids her fellow prosecutors. I also enjoyed the banter between Alexandra and Mike, especially their bets on the Jeopardy games. I really felt like I was reading a book about what it is like to work in the Sex Crimes Prosecution Unit in New York. I loved the author's attention to detail and clear, crisp writing style. Definitely an author that I will keep reading.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Fails to grab my interest, April 28, 2005

By 

Bill Garrison (Oklahoma City, OK USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Likely to Die (Alexandra Cooper Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

Likely to Die is Linda Fairstien's second entry into the Alexandra Cooper series and the first I've read. At no point during reading this novel did it really grab my interest and therefore it'll probably be the last book I read by this author. A good thriller has to catch you from the beginning, and Likely to Die just doesn't do that. Fairstein's experience as a prosecuter of sex crimes does add some interesting sidebars about sex crimes that are interesting, but irrelevant to the story.

The story revolves around a respected neurosurgeon, Gemma Doggen, being brutally murdered. Alex Cooper takes the case as the District Attorney and joins with the cops as they try and find the killer. In the first 100 pages or so, there is a lot of interaction between Cooper, and detectives Chapman and Mercer. They investigate the crime scene and organize the investigation. What Fairstien leaves out is a reason to care about Gemma Dogen or some reason to fear the killer.

The entire story is from Cooper's point of view, so witnesses aren't interviewed until well into the novel and Dogen's background isn't explored until it was too late. Likely to Die could have been a good novel if it dove right into Dogen's past and why she might have been killed. As it is, this novel provided little mystery and even less suspense. It also could have used some editing because there is way to much of Cooper's personal life with names of friends being dropped constantly that have nothing to do with the story.

As a second novel, I guess this was pretty good. I recommend reading Fairstien's latest works and go back to this one if you like them.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Likely to enjoy..., June 5, 2000

By 

Judith Lindenau "dulcie22" (Traverse City, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Likely to Die (Alexandra Cooper Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

"Likely to Die" is a standard police procedural. All of the elements are there...investigation, standard cop characters, junk food and bad coffee, and an unknown violent killer on the loose.

But it has an additional element that saves the novel from the fate of some of its more lackluster police procedure companions: it has a totally engaging and witty heroine. Alex Cooper is a smart, savvy, and classy lady...and well she should be! Her creator, Linda Fairstein, is a veteran of 20 years in the DA Sex Crimes Unit in Manhattan, the very job Alex holds. And Alex/Linda bring to the novel a no-holds-barred look at this topic. In addition, Alex characterized as a real woman with a real career, one who cares about her career, friends, and her life style.

The result is catchy, fun, and -- at times -- shocking in its subject material. Its a mystery well worth picking up, with strong background, good plot, and some characters to care about.