Alexandra Cooper Mysteries: vol. 12

Hell Gate

A Novel

Plot

What do a boatload of illegal immigrants, a congressman, and the body of young woman who has been stabbed in the chest have in common? Not quite what you think. And that’s part of the beauty of Fairstein’s latest, which takes a fairly routine bunch of crime-fiction elements and twists them into something unexpected. As usual, readers get a taste of the city along with its political wrangling as Fairstein invests her plot with dollops of her beloved Big Apple’s architecture and history. This time it’s a trio of Federalist mansions, including Gracie Mansion (the official mayoral residence) that take center stage, with their background judiciously but intriguingly limned as each one plays into the story. Providing legal expertise is prosecutor Alexandra Cooper, who works hard to maintain the integrity of her office while maneuvering around New York’s most powerful politicos. On hand, as usual, is her sidekick-partner, the smart, argumentative cop Mike Chapman, whose teasing keeps the counselor on her toes and occasionally off balance. While Fairstein keeps lots of balls in the air here, she juggles them with aplomb. Her devoted fans will be pleased.