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A review by nomadreader
212 by Alafair Burke
5.0
(originally published at http://nomadreader.blogspot.com)
The basics: 212 is the third novel in the Ellie Hatcher series. A bodyguard for a Donald Trump-like real estate magnate is found murdered in a penthouse apartment at 212, a high profile address that shares its numbers with New York City's original area code. Next NYU student Megan Gunther finds threats about her, along with her detailed schedule, posted on a campus gossip website and fears for her safety.
My thoughts: After adoring Angel's Tip, I went into 212 with high expectations. I'm thrilled to report 212 is even better than its predecessor. Burke skillfully weaves multiple storylines into a narrative that is complex and smart but never overwhelming or confusing. The moving parts never become difficult to track, even as the plot's complexity increases.
Ellie Hatcher is also at her best here. I didn't adore Ellie in Dead Connection, but I did in Angel's Tip. With 212, my love for Ellie (and her partner J.J. Rogan) is in full bloom. Part of the magic of 212 is seeing the plots and narrative arcs cross and weave one another, and I wouldn't dream of spoiling those intersections. I will, however, applaud Alafair Burke for her ability to be inspired by news headlines. She combines pieces of stories that will be familiar to many readers, but she skillfully uses them as stepping stones to more fascinating possibilities than those that did happen. It's simple, really: if you like contemporary mysteries, find time for this series.
The verdict: 212 is Alafair Burke at her very best. It's a top notch police procedural filled with smart twists and turns, and Burke's writing shines as much as her fully developed characters do. After Angel's Tip wowed me, 212 proved itself to be Burke's best mystery yet. Highly recommended, but do read Angel's Tip first.
The basics: 212 is the third novel in the Ellie Hatcher series. A bodyguard for a Donald Trump-like real estate magnate is found murdered in a penthouse apartment at 212, a high profile address that shares its numbers with New York City's original area code. Next NYU student Megan Gunther finds threats about her, along with her detailed schedule, posted on a campus gossip website and fears for her safety.
My thoughts: After adoring Angel's Tip, I went into 212 with high expectations. I'm thrilled to report 212 is even better than its predecessor. Burke skillfully weaves multiple storylines into a narrative that is complex and smart but never overwhelming or confusing. The moving parts never become difficult to track, even as the plot's complexity increases.
Ellie Hatcher is also at her best here. I didn't adore Ellie in Dead Connection, but I did in Angel's Tip. With 212, my love for Ellie (and her partner J.J. Rogan) is in full bloom. Part of the magic of 212 is seeing the plots and narrative arcs cross and weave one another, and I wouldn't dream of spoiling those intersections. I will, however, applaud Alafair Burke for her ability to be inspired by news headlines. She combines pieces of stories that will be familiar to many readers, but she skillfully uses them as stepping stones to more fascinating possibilities than those that did happen. It's simple, really: if you like contemporary mysteries, find time for this series.
The verdict: 212 is Alafair Burke at her very best. It's a top notch police procedural filled with smart twists and turns, and Burke's writing shines as much as her fully developed characters do. After Angel's Tip wowed me, 212 proved itself to be Burke's best mystery yet. Highly recommended, but do read Angel's Tip first.