The Deadhouse (Alexandra Cooper Mysteries) by Linda Fairstein (2003-01-01)

This series is just becoming too predictably the same. Supporting characters are all too similar. Even the typos are almost a recurring theme. Reading one seems to be the story line of them all. The only saving grace is the changing historical backgrounds.

The author and her protagonist, Alexandra Cooper, have some things in common - same job (head of the Sex Crimes Prosecution Unit of the Manhattan District Attorney's Office), same looks (blond curls) and I wouldn't be surprised if they both bet on a US television game show. And let's not forget that both have property in Martha's Vineyard. See what I'm getting at? I don't think this series is creative - I think it's real life fictionalised, and in this case, I don't like it. (B)

Disappointing !! This book was a non starter. The few interesting plots were never resolved, ( maybe they will be in a future book) The main story line was just NOT interesting. I never cared about any of the characters and there was not enough of Alex's private life which I always enjoy. I could have put this book down and never come back to it. But I kept expecting it to get good, based on all of her previous books. It took me 9 weeks to read this book....need I say more.

Actually, I think the book deserved 3 stars, but I wanted to bring down the 4 and a half star average. There was only one problem with this book and that is the chemistry between Micheal and Alexandra. If you look back at relationships in books and television, you'll know that the two male and female characters need to have unreqited sexual chemistry for it to work. For example, when they first filmed the pilot for X-Files, Scully had a long term boyfriend. Fortunately, they edited the scenes out.
Here, we have Blondie and her faulted relationship to Jake. He doesn't trust her with his sources, and doesn't show respect for the dead... only interested in getting a scoop. And now Mike has a relationship to Valerie- a recovering cancer patient. Fairstein doesn't manage to hold the chemistry between Alex and Mike like the three previous books. Less banter and no sexual tension, only uncomfortable scenes that suggest both are jealous of the other's partners. It would have worked if there was chemistry, but apart from Mike rubbing Alex's hands warm at the police station... their relationship has become too professional.
SPOILER ALERT. If you haven't read the book, don't read this paragraph. Read the book? Okay. It's great to see Mercer is going to be a dad. He's never been a neccessary character before, and the series would work without him there. Netherless, as much as I don't care for that character his new life began the tense scene in the car where Alex poked fun at what she assumed was Mike's singular sex life. Painful, but the fight was funny. Both characters in their mid 30s are feeling time close in on them.
In general, a good, tension filled book. Of course, Alex is such a wimp in the end, following the bad guy into the hospital. "He isnt armed... scratch his eyes out with your manicure!!!!" I yelled. One question though... I don't know much about pounds. Down Under we use kilos. Isn't 115 pounds extremely light for a 5'10" woman. With blonde hair, ballerina's muscle tone... Fairstein desribing a media image of a perfect woman. I like that Chapman describes her as too skinny. Perhaps next time Alex will eat a steak with Jake, instead of him eating the steak and Alex having soup and salad. She's physically weak, and in her line of work she should know the dangers of being so defenseless.
One more point. The ending was unsatisfactory. Sure, itll be exciting to see how they deal with the stalker. No doubt it will be the end-of-the-book cliffhanger where our bony heroine manages to save herself, the day, and catchthe bad guy/girl all at once. Hopefully the next book sees more chemistry between Cooper and Chapman.

I have been anxiously awaiting the release of another book by Linda Fairstein and I was really disappointed. Working with crime victims myself and having worked in the criminal justice field for over 20 years, cops are some of my best friends. I particularly enjoyed the easy banter between Coop and Mike Chapman - including their Final Jeopardy bet. However, this book had little banter - only a hint at the chemistry that the two keeps buried just below the surface - and a story line that put me to sleep. I had to force myself to finish the book and normally I have to force myself to put Alex Cooper books down so that I can sleep or accomplish anything at all besides finishing the book. Hopefully this is not an example of things to come - only a lull that will result in the next book being spectacular.

hmmmm have just finished it - started out promisingly, got a bit slow in the middle then went on to finish somewhat implausibly! having read all of fairstein's alex cooper series, i think there is something missing - perhaps it's heart. a strong female lead is great but alex just doesn't have enough frailties (that we're privvy to) to make her human and appealing. the strong woman character is (thank goodness) nothing new in this genre but she seems more of an imitation of tempe or kay.
anyway, not a bad holiday read, but once i skimmed the descriptive passages of the island and its history there wasn't too much left to the actual plot.

This was my first Linda Fairstein novel and I enjoyed it very much. I enjoyed the New York atmosphere and the story surrounding Roosevelt Island. The mystery was solid and unpredictable. I look forward to reading other books my Linda Fairstein and I highly recommend spending time with Alexandra Cooper, the main heroine - she's one of my new favorites!

did you ever keep reading a book just because you had started it...I just couldn't relate to these people. Moderately interesting plot line; but I basixally didn;t CARE about tge protagonists. Sorry, won;t read the earlier ones.

I thought that this book was extremely well written. The author, Linda Fairstein had great, in-depth characters as well as a good thought-out plot. It was suspenseful in a sense that you did not know what was going to happen next with the murder investigation. It is full of twists and turns and just when you think you know who did it, why they did it, and just what did happen... Another twists comes into play and you get lost again. I'd say this is a must read for suspense lovers!

Linda Fairstein offers a wry insider's view of the criminal justice system in NYC, with the names changed to protect the guilty. "Deadhouse" provides a fascinating glimpse into the macabre history of Blackwell's Island-- that slice of land in the middle of the East River containing the skeletons of hospitals NYC provided for the criminals, the insane,and the immigrant poor. If you've driven the FDR Drive, you've seen them. And the sexual tension between Chapman and Cooper vibrates-- maybe they'll finally get it together in the NEXT book.

I wish I had thought to review some other readers comments before starting this book. This was my first read by this writer and the last. Nothing like some of the great mystery writers available to read. I found myself reading but not even absorbing what I was reading because the story just drags on and on...When I reached page 169 I kept thinking that the book would start to display more drama or intrigue but this never happened for me. What a waste of time.

LINDA FAIRSTEIN IS GREAT WRITER.
I ENJOY HER STYLE OF WRITING,FAST PACED AND OVERALL WELL DONE.
HAVING WORKED HER DAD(AN ANESTHESIA ATTENDING AT MOUNT VERNON HOSPITAL) IN THE 1960'S HE WOULD HAVE BEEN PROUD OF HER ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
I HAVE READ MOST OF HER BOOKS AND IS A GREAT RESPITE TO READ THIS AUTHOR.

Did Linda Fairstein all of a sudden realize she had written the required number of pages for her latest book? The ending certainly feels like that. Totally unsatisfying, with lots of open ends. A start for the next book? Sorry - I really liked Ms Fairstein's books, and the characters in those books, but - I won't buy the next book. I really felt like I wasted my money this time.

I stumbled upon this book, and the title itself was eye catching. The novel was very exciting and thrilling. It had me on the edge of my seat. Once you start reading it, you will not put it down. It is a great mystery book, full of surprises, twists and turns!!!! I recommend it to anyone who likes mysteries!!!!

So far the best of the Alexandra Cooper Series. Linda Fairstein is getting better each time. I can't wait for her next novel in the series. I couldn't put it down. I'd go to bed around 3am - I'd be seeing double. I highly recommend her as an author and this series.