Book review: The Girl She Was by Alafair Burke

Wednesday, January 5, 2022 Permalink

Missing memories or amnesiac episodes are always good fodder for crime fiction and thrillers. Particularly when it’s indicated that one of the central characters everyone knows and loves may in fact NOT have always been quite as loveable.

It’s certainly the case in Alafair Burke’s latest book, The Girl She Was. Although it features her popular detective, Ellie Hatcher and references a pivotal point in her life, it’s not actually part of that series; rather it’s a standalone novel so perfect for both fans and newcomers.

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four-stars

Book review: The Better Sister by Alafair Burke

Friday, May 24, 2019 Permalink

Every time I read one of her books I confess my love for Alafair Burke. I’m not as wedded to her series with Mary Higgins Clark as I am to her solo books, but she has offered up consistently good legal thrillers for years. Plus I like the way she interacts on social media. #seriously

I also like that her books often offer a taste of contemporary culture and politics – here through the #MeToo and #ThemToo movement as well as light (and deft) reference to the current US political and legislative environment.

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four-stars

Book review: The Wife by Alafair Burke

Saturday, February 17, 2018 Permalink

I’ve talked before about how much I love former prosecutor turned novelist Alafair Burke. I read her collaborations with Mary Higgins Clark but much prefer her solo work, including her series featuring Ellie Hatcher and most recently, The Ex, published last year.

Her latest, The Wife, is another standalone. It was just out in the US when I received it for review (as I’d seen Alafair promoting it) but when I started reading was worried I’d somehow (inexplicably) read it before.

I realised however, it was because the notion of a adulterous husband, wronged women, the downtrodden (or at least, unaware) wife and the he said/she said scenario has been a popular theme in my recent reads. (Anatomy of a Scandal, The Confession and The Wife Between Us come to mind.)

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four-stars

Book review: Every Breath You Take by Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke

Monday, December 4, 2017 Permalink

Every Breath You Take is the fifth book in the series by Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke, featuring Laurie Moran – producer of a TV show which delves into unsolved crimes. (And usually uncovers dastardly deeds. Not to mention the odd killer or two.)

The last book in the series, The Sleeping Beauty Killer saw a few changes with the departure of Laurie’s love interest (and the show’s host), lawyer Alex Buckley and I wondered if that meant he’d be gone from our lives as well as Laurie’s.

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three-half-stars

Book review: The Sleeping Beauty Killer by Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke

Saturday, November 19, 2016 Permalink

Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke return to bookstores this week with their legalistic suspense Under Suspicion series. And it took me a while but I’ve only just realised the books (although mostly the titles) are kinda based around fairytales. Kinda.

They’ve mixed things up a little this time around however. Although Under Suspicion producer Laurie Moran is back, her former professional partner (and erstwhile love interest), lawyer Alex Buckley has left the show and is giving Laurie some ‘space’. It means she has to get used to a new host and is dealing with a case which offers up some unwelcome surprises.

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three-half-stars