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Alexandra Cooper #13
Silent Mercy
When the burnt headless body of a young woman is found on the steps of a Baptist Church in Harlem, Assistant DA Alexandra Cooper is one of the first on the shocking scene. Alex has seen some gruesome crimes committed in New York, but the barbarity of this latest discovery leaves her nauseous.With NYPD cop Mike Chapman, Alex begins to investigate, but before long another woman is slaughtered and found on the steps of a Catholic church in Little Italy; her throat slashed and her tongue cut out.It becomes clear there is a zealous serial killer on the loose. Now Alex and Mike must keep one step ahead of a religious fanatic bent on silencing the women he believes are bringing shame to his beliefs - before he kills anyone else.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 8, 2011
142 people are currently reading
1792 people want to read
About the author
Linda Fairstein
100 books1,608 followersLinda Fairstein (born 1947) is one of America's foremost legal experts on crimes of violence against women and children. She served as head of the sex crimes unit of the Manhattan District Attorney's office from 1976 until 2002 and is the author of a series of novels featuring Manhattan prosecutor Alexandra Cooper.
Like Fairstein, Alex ('Coop') Cooper is in charge of the Special Victims Unit of the Office. She works closely with NYPD detectives Mike Chapman and Mercer Wallace. The 17th book in her best-selling series - DEVIL'S BRIDGE - launches in paperback in June, 2016. The 18th novel - KILLER LOOK - debuts on July 26th.
This year, Fairstein will debut a new series for Middle Grade readers - 8-12 years old. Her kid sleuth, Devlin Quick, appears in INTO THE LION'S DEN in November, 2016. The series is an homage to Nancy Drew, whose books inspired Linda's two careers - in crime fiction and in the law.
Ms. Fairstein is an honors graduate of Vassar College (1969) and the University of Virginia School of Law (1972). She joined the Manhattan District Attorney's office in 1972 as an Assistant District Attorney. She was promoted to the head of the sex crimes unit in 1976. During her tenure, she prosecuted several highly publicized cases, including the "Preppy Murder" case against Robert Chambers in 1986.
Linda Fairstein left the District Attorney's office in 2002, and has continued to consult, write, lecture and serve as a sex crimes expert for a wide variety of print and television media outlets, including the major networks, CNN, MSNBC among others. Ms. Fairstein is often called to provide her opinion on high profile prosecutions including: Michael Jackson's molestation charges in 2004, Kobe Bryant's sexual assault charges, and Scott Peterson's trial. She is also a frequent speaker on issues surrounding domestic abuse.
Ms. Fairstein lives in Manhattan and on Martha's Vineyard with her husband, Michael Goldberg. Her novels draw on Ms. Fairstein's legal expertise as well as her knowledge of and affection for the rich history of the city of New York.
Series:
* Alexandra Cooper Mystery
Like Fairstein, Alex ('Coop') Cooper is in charge of the Special Victims Unit of the Office. She works closely with NYPD detectives Mike Chapman and Mercer Wallace. The 17th book in her best-selling series - DEVIL'S BRIDGE - launches in paperback in June, 2016. The 18th novel - KILLER LOOK - debuts on July 26th.
This year, Fairstein will debut a new series for Middle Grade readers - 8-12 years old. Her kid sleuth, Devlin Quick, appears in INTO THE LION'S DEN in November, 2016. The series is an homage to Nancy Drew, whose books inspired Linda's two careers - in crime fiction and in the law.
Ms. Fairstein is an honors graduate of Vassar College (1969) and the University of Virginia School of Law (1972). She joined the Manhattan District Attorney's office in 1972 as an Assistant District Attorney. She was promoted to the head of the sex crimes unit in 1976. During her tenure, she prosecuted several highly publicized cases, including the "Preppy Murder" case against Robert Chambers in 1986.
Linda Fairstein left the District Attorney's office in 2002, and has continued to consult, write, lecture and serve as a sex crimes expert for a wide variety of print and television media outlets, including the major networks, CNN, MSNBC among others. Ms. Fairstein is often called to provide her opinion on high profile prosecutions including: Michael Jackson's molestation charges in 2004, Kobe Bryant's sexual assault charges, and Scott Peterson's trial. She is also a frequent speaker on issues surrounding domestic abuse.
Ms. Fairstein lives in Manhattan and on Martha's Vineyard with her husband, Michael Goldberg. Her novels draw on Ms. Fairstein's legal expertise as well as her knowledge of and affection for the rich history of the city of New York.
Series:
* Alexandra Cooper Mystery
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March 1, 2025
Organized religion has a lot to answer for in this world!
Linda Fairstein, chief of the Sex Crimes Unit of Manhattan’s District Attorney’s office for more than two decades, has parlayed her writing skills and her experience into a best-selling legal thriller series portraying the exploits of her accomplished protagonist, Alexandra Cooper. It’s not big news that lots of people object strenuously to some of the decisions that Ms Fairstein made during her tenure in the Manhattan DA’s office, but nobody can deny that her thinly disguised fictional memoirs make for some mighty fine legal thriller reading.
SILENT MERCY, #13 in a series that now extends to a rather breathtaking 20 entries, is a winner. Organized religion takes center stage as the bad guy in the two primary sub-plots that Fairstein has woven together in a rather clever fashion. Given Fairstein’s life experience dealing with crimes against children and women, it’s no surprise that she has taken aim, first, at the clergy sex abuse scandal of the Roman Catholic Church and, secondly, at the patriarchal misogyny that, to this day, remains endemic in the Abrahmic religions around the world.
As a confirmed atheist and recovering Catholic myself, I would have relished seeing a few more pages dedicated to criticism of the global pedophile ring known as the Vatican and the Roman Catholic Church, but … that said, I confess that I read SILENT MERCY full speed ahead and polished it off in a satisfying two sittings.
Highly recommended.
Paul Weiss
Linda Fairstein, chief of the Sex Crimes Unit of Manhattan’s District Attorney’s office for more than two decades, has parlayed her writing skills and her experience into a best-selling legal thriller series portraying the exploits of her accomplished protagonist, Alexandra Cooper. It’s not big news that lots of people object strenuously to some of the decisions that Ms Fairstein made during her tenure in the Manhattan DA’s office, but nobody can deny that her thinly disguised fictional memoirs make for some mighty fine legal thriller reading.
SILENT MERCY, #13 in a series that now extends to a rather breathtaking 20 entries, is a winner. Organized religion takes center stage as the bad guy in the two primary sub-plots that Fairstein has woven together in a rather clever fashion. Given Fairstein’s life experience dealing with crimes against children and women, it’s no surprise that she has taken aim, first, at the clergy sex abuse scandal of the Roman Catholic Church and, secondly, at the patriarchal misogyny that, to this day, remains endemic in the Abrahmic religions around the world.
As a confirmed atheist and recovering Catholic myself, I would have relished seeing a few more pages dedicated to criticism of the global pedophile ring known as the Vatican and the Roman Catholic Church, but … that said, I confess that I read SILENT MERCY full speed ahead and polished it off in a satisfying two sittings.
Highly recommended.
Paul Weiss
September 28, 2014
Silent Mercy, another riveting crime novel by Linda Fairstein, is the 13th in the Alexandra Cooper Series.
Alexandra Cooper, ADA and prosecutor in the sex crimes division and Detective Mike Chapman are investigating two brutal murders in NYC
When another dead woman’s body is found at the Old St Patrick’s Cathedral in Little Italy,
it becomes clear that the two churches, used by the killer as his crime scenes, has religious message.
Tightly written mystery delving into religion, church institutions, teaching church institutions, feminism, views on women in the priesthood,
Interlaced with sub plots giving us a glimpse of Alexandra in a courtroom, prosecuting a priest of sexual abuse and it was good she is during her cross-examination of a bishop, who may be part of a cover-up in the case.
We also see how she deals with a rape investigation that has proved the young woman to be lying and what she does to resolve the issue. I just love her no-nonsense attitude.
Interesting history of some of NYC”s churches and landmarks, Penikese Island
Alexandra Cooper is a brilliant character that I have come to like a lot- she’s independent, intelligent, a great friend and not afraid to stand up for herself. I just wonder about her choice in men…..Luc Rouget, chef extraordinaire, sexy and French….is an across the ocean relationship….same as her previous newscaster lover……it’s as if she prefers not being totally invested in these men…..
I think that another problem is Mike Chapman……..there is definitely a sexual tension between the two…..but it just seems to keep dragging on and on…and nothing happening. Mike’s frustration is palpable….his snarky remarks to Alex are at times really awful…..he can be a total ass that I begin to think that maybe she should just give him a miss!!!!!
I always enjoy this author’s books and this is another well-written mystery in this series.
Alexandra Cooper, ADA and prosecutor in the sex crimes division and Detective Mike Chapman are investigating two brutal murders in NYC
A young woman’s mutilated headless body is set on fire and left burning on the steps of Harlem’s Mount Neboh Baptist Church.
When another dead woman’s body is found at the Old St Patrick’s Cathedral in Little Italy,
it becomes clear that the two churches, used by the killer as his crime scenes, has religious message.Tightly written mystery delving into religion, church institutions, teaching church institutions, feminism, views on women in the priesthood,
"Ursula questioned everything. When the word came from Rome that barring women from the priesthood wasn't a human-rights issue, it was Ursula who stood up to the Magisterium. 'Is it because we don't have rights?' she asked. 'Or is it because we're not human?'"filled with twists, turns and surprises.
Interlaced with sub plots giving us a glimpse of Alexandra in a courtroom, prosecuting a priest of sexual abuse and it was good she is during her cross-examination of a bishop, who may be part of a cover-up in the case.
We also see how she deals with a rape investigation that has proved the young woman to be lying and what she does to resolve the issue. I just love her no-nonsense attitude.
Interesting history of some of NYC”s churches and landmarks, Penikese Island
, where Alexandra finds herself in a very dangerous situation as she battles to save the killer’s next victim…..and Cape Cod
provide a great backdrop to the story.
Alexandra Cooper is a brilliant character that I have come to like a lot- she’s independent, intelligent, a great friend and not afraid to stand up for herself. I just wonder about her choice in men…..Luc Rouget, chef extraordinaire, sexy and French….is an across the ocean relationship….same as her previous newscaster lover……it’s as if she prefers not being totally invested in these men…..
I think that another problem is Mike Chapman……..there is definitely a sexual tension between the two…..but it just seems to keep dragging on and on…and nothing happening. Mike’s frustration is palpable….his snarky remarks to Alex are at times really awful…..he can be a total ass that I begin to think that maybe she should just give him a miss!!!!!
I always enjoy this author’s books and this is another well-written mystery in this series.
June 5, 2019
If I could give this (or any book written by this dispicable human being) less than one star, I would. Don’t even have to read them to know that they are terrible, fictional, and full of lies just as she is. If you are unaware of who she is and what she has done, educate yourself immediately. Kevin Richardson. Antron McCray. Korey Wise. Yusef Salaam. Raymond Santana Jr. Know their names. Watch #WhenTheySeeUs on Netflix now.
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June 4, 2019How come in your bio you don't mention how you won the Central Park five case since you just know they did it?
If you are that good of a lawyer ,like it states you are, stand on it put it in your bio!
OR IS IT NOT THERE BECAUSE THE WHOLE THING WAS A LIE?
Again asking for a few friends named Real Justice and Truth
If you are that good of a lawyer ,like it states you are, stand on it put it in your bio!
OR IS IT NOT THERE BECAUSE THE WHOLE THING WAS A LIE?
Again asking for a few friends named Real Justice and Truth
May 31, 2019
Im case any of you aren’t educated on Linda’s past, let me enlighten you. This woman sent 5 innocent young black males to jail and tortured them throughout investigations and interrogations. If you choose to support this woman in any way, you are just as disgraceful as she is. I hope your writing career rots just like you will after judgment day.
January 24, 2014
2.5 Stars
My Musings
Silent Mercy isn't one of my favorite books in the Alexandra Cooper Series. The usually good dialogue was stiff and I had to read some dialogue a couple of times to make sense of it. And the storyline lacked Fairstein's usual easiness, like she didn't really believe the whole scenario either. Her timing and her reliable suspense pacing seemed off. I neither really liked nor disliked Silent Mercy and that is very unusual for this reader, since I am a big fan of Linda Fairstein. No series is ever 100% perfect.
Book Blurb
Prosecutor Alexandra Cooper has been called to a Harlem Baptist Church, where a woman has been decapitated and set on fire on the church steps—with the imprint of a Star of David necklace seared into her flesh. Then a second body is found at a cathedral in Little Italy. Alex is blind to the sick and inconceivable motives feeding a particularly vicious serial killer—until she mines the depths of the city’s vast and serpentine religious history.
What Alex follows is a dangerous path that takes her far beyond the scope of her investigation, and directly into the path of a frightening and inescapable truth.
My Musings
Silent Mercy isn't one of my favorite books in the Alexandra Cooper Series. The usually good dialogue was stiff and I had to read some dialogue a couple of times to make sense of it. And the storyline lacked Fairstein's usual easiness, like she didn't really believe the whole scenario either. Her timing and her reliable suspense pacing seemed off. I neither really liked nor disliked Silent Mercy and that is very unusual for this reader, since I am a big fan of Linda Fairstein. No series is ever 100% perfect.
Book Blurb
Prosecutor Alexandra Cooper has been called to a Harlem Baptist Church, where a woman has been decapitated and set on fire on the church steps—with the imprint of a Star of David necklace seared into her flesh. Then a second body is found at a cathedral in Little Italy. Alex is blind to the sick and inconceivable motives feeding a particularly vicious serial killer—until she mines the depths of the city’s vast and serpentine religious history.
What Alex follows is a dangerous path that takes her far beyond the scope of her investigation, and directly into the path of a frightening and inescapable truth.
April 15, 2012
If you’ve read my other reviews you’ll know that I don’t usually reveal anything about the story, I prefer to tell you my opinion of it and leave you to enjoy the story for yourself if you choose to read it. However, as I’m deeply unimpressed with something about this book I’m not sticking to my usual principles!
I loved the synopsis on the back of this book, it hooked me by saying the was based in New York (I love it there) and starts by saying “In the middle of the night, the burnt headless body of a young woman is found on the steps of a Baptist church in Harlem…” my kind of book!
I enjoy the two lead characters, Assistant DA Alexandra Cooper and NYPD Cop Mike Chapman, and how they work together. The story itself isn’t a bad one.
However, that’s where the good stuff ends!
For me, there were so many faults with this book that I’m surprised it got to print, such as:
The relationship between Cooper and her boyfriend Luc is weak and irrelevant.
The story is incredibly slow and hard to get into, it starts very slowly and in a lot of places, although the complexities of the Cooper/Chapman relationship remain, everything else seems an afterthought.
But what really, really lets the book down is the fact that the ‘villain’ is only a villain because he has been diagnosed with Leprosy. What an enlightened and helpful view that is! I’d love to know what @Lepra_HinA think about this? In fact, @Lepra_HinA if you want to see the book let me know and I’ll post you my copy, don’t go out and purchase another one.
I loved the synopsis on the back of this book, it hooked me by saying the was based in New York (I love it there) and starts by saying “In the middle of the night, the burnt headless body of a young woman is found on the steps of a Baptist church in Harlem…” my kind of book!
I enjoy the two lead characters, Assistant DA Alexandra Cooper and NYPD Cop Mike Chapman, and how they work together. The story itself isn’t a bad one.
However, that’s where the good stuff ends!
For me, there were so many faults with this book that I’m surprised it got to print, such as:
The relationship between Cooper and her boyfriend Luc is weak and irrelevant.
The story is incredibly slow and hard to get into, it starts very slowly and in a lot of places, although the complexities of the Cooper/Chapman relationship remain, everything else seems an afterthought.
But what really, really lets the book down is the fact that the ‘villain’ is only a villain because he has been diagnosed with Leprosy. What an enlightened and helpful view that is! I’d love to know what @Lepra_HinA think about this? In fact, @Lepra_HinA if you want to see the book let me know and I’ll post you my copy, don’t go out and purchase another one.
August 31, 2012
‘Silent Mercy’ By Linda Fairstein
Published by Little Brown, March 2011. ISBN: 978-1-4087-0241-3
This latest thriller featuring Assistant DA Alex Cooper and NYPD Detective Mike Chapman opens with the discovery of a headless body on the steps of a church in New York. Within days a second body turns up also left at a church, and not just any church, it is clear that the killer is making a particular point
To try and get in the mind of the killer Alex and Mike explore various religious beliefs trying to get a handle on the message being left by the killer. With Mike being Catholic and Alex of Jewish decent there are many interesting discussions. Tackling a religion is never an easy subject but Linda does it in an interesting and non confrontational way
As with all the books in this acclaimed series Linda’s research is meticulous and we learn much about the history of New York landmarks. In this book we learn of the many churches in the city and in particular the Church of St John the Devine –the largest cathedral in the world.
Mercer Wallace completes the trio of pursuers of justice which take them to a stunning climax on Cape Cod.
A marvellous entry in this excellent series.
----
Lizzie Hayes
Published by Little Brown, March 2011. ISBN: 978-1-4087-0241-3
This latest thriller featuring Assistant DA Alex Cooper and NYPD Detective Mike Chapman opens with the discovery of a headless body on the steps of a church in New York. Within days a second body turns up also left at a church, and not just any church, it is clear that the killer is making a particular point
To try and get in the mind of the killer Alex and Mike explore various religious beliefs trying to get a handle on the message being left by the killer. With Mike being Catholic and Alex of Jewish decent there are many interesting discussions. Tackling a religion is never an easy subject but Linda does it in an interesting and non confrontational way
As with all the books in this acclaimed series Linda’s research is meticulous and we learn much about the history of New York landmarks. In this book we learn of the many churches in the city and in particular the Church of St John the Devine –the largest cathedral in the world.
Mercer Wallace completes the trio of pursuers of justice which take them to a stunning climax on Cape Cod.
A marvellous entry in this excellent series.
----
Lizzie Hayes
April 30, 2012
This deeply researched series highlighting New York landmarks featuring Alexandra Cooper and Mike Chapman takes the reader in a somewhat different direction from previous entries. This time the author tackles religion, albeit in a non-controversial manner.
While New York continues to be the prime real estate, the murderer the duo is chasing has committed the same crime in other states, ending up on Cape Cod. But various religious institutions set the stage for the chase as the culprit leaves his victims on display at various churches, apparently making a statement. And Alex and Mike visit a couple of leading teaching institutions undergoing a crash course in various religions and beliefs in an effort to learn what the murderer is attempting to say.
As usual, the reader learns a lot about the streets and history of New York City, always an important part of reading a novel in the series. But equally important is the tightly written mystery and analytical approach to solving it. This author’s books are always a delight to read and this newest one, as all her prior novels, is recommended.
While New York continues to be the prime real estate, the murderer the duo is chasing has committed the same crime in other states, ending up on Cape Cod. But various religious institutions set the stage for the chase as the culprit leaves his victims on display at various churches, apparently making a statement. And Alex and Mike visit a couple of leading teaching institutions undergoing a crash course in various religions and beliefs in an effort to learn what the murderer is attempting to say.
As usual, the reader learns a lot about the streets and history of New York City, always an important part of reading a novel in the series. But equally important is the tightly written mystery and analytical approach to solving it. This author’s books are always a delight to read and this newest one, as all her prior novels, is recommended.
May 1, 2011
I've read all the other books in the series. After the last one, I wasn't sure I was going to bother. Mike Chapman isn't really endearing enough to pull off all of the offensive and obnoxious stuff he says. I don't see how it's necessary. I mean, he says horrible things but then the main character, Alex Cooper, thinks "well, I know he's a really good guy deep down". Yeah, ok. So he's a cop and saves lives. It's hardly an excuse to be a complete a-hole about absolutely everything else.
Anyway, he's a little less over-the-top in this book while Mercer is barely in it. It felt a little rushed and disjointed. I'm only bothering to write this review because it could have been much better and that's what's disappointing. The first half of the book was good; the second half left a little to be desired. Maybe if it were longer and more in-depth, it could have lived up to the potential.
Anyway, he's a little less over-the-top in this book while Mercer is barely in it. It felt a little rushed and disjointed. I'm only bothering to write this review because it could have been much better and that's what's disappointing. The first half of the book was good; the second half left a little to be desired. Maybe if it were longer and more in-depth, it could have lived up to the potential.
July 30, 2012
In this latest installment of the Alexandra Cooper series, Linda Fairstein takes us on a wild thrill ride on her latest case yet. We're so deeply involved into this one, when it deals with females and religion, and their beliefs. We root for Alex to find out a connection between old and new murders of this serial killer, which takes us all over to New York. There's plenty of surprises in this one, that would leave you breathless on every twist and turn she has in store for you, the fellow reader. I love this series. Alex's closeness to Chapman and Mercer and her fellow colleagues, even a bitter rival with Pat McKinney, and how intact she is to her French chef. From the court room to the scene of the crime, this one is the finest one yet, except for Night Watch, which just came out this month.
May 9, 2019
A BURNING HEADLESS BODY, outside a church.
Great Start
A FREE FALL into a court case which seems to be as boring as it is long. If I wanted to read about a court case I would have grabbed a GRISHAM. This ain't no GRISHAM.
The book ambles along struggling to keep my interest.
Why a man can be a Priest. Why a woman can never be a Priest.etc etc.
After a while you start thinking that this is a bit like a SCARPETTA.
But there ain't no SCARPETTA.
And there ain't no MARINO.
YOU DECIDE TO STICK TO CORNWELL NEXT TIME.
Great Start
A FREE FALL into a court case which seems to be as boring as it is long. If I wanted to read about a court case I would have grabbed a GRISHAM. This ain't no GRISHAM.
The book ambles along struggling to keep my interest.
Why a man can be a Priest. Why a woman can never be a Priest.etc etc.
After a while you start thinking that this is a bit like a SCARPETTA.
But there ain't no SCARPETTA.
And there ain't no MARINO.
YOU DECIDE TO STICK TO CORNWELL NEXT TIME.
June 20, 2019
Do not support this monster (author Linda Fairstein) who ruined the lives of children for her own personal gain.
June 2, 2019
Central Park 5
June 1, 2019
She’s the reason the Central Park 5 men went to jail.
April 10, 2020
Not Fairstein’s best. Also for someone who claims to know New England so well, you don’t take I-95 from Providence through Fall River and New Bedford to Cape Cod (it’s I-195) and from that direction you would take the Bourne bridge, not the Sagamore.
May 25, 2011
Linda Fairstein is one of handful of writers with series that I enjoy enough to always read whatever the latest is. It's a relatively select group that provides me with great reading comfort food and sometimes that's just what you need. I have a lot of respect for Linda Fairstein and her pioneering work as a Sex Crimes DA back in the days when the victim deserved it. As bad as it is now, it is much much better than it used to be and women like Linda Fairstein helped make that happen. Bonus that she writes good crime fiction.
All of that said it's feeling like she's running out of steam in this series. I still enjoyed it, particularly due to her penchant for teaching about the history and architecture of New York, but she's starting to head into Patricia Cornwell territory and that means I'll stop reading her at some point. Both this book and the last one were pretty annoying. Her books have great secondary characters, including her detective friends Mercer and Mike, but she's pretty much doing nothing for these characters. It's great that Alexandra is one of the guys, but for two books now Mercer has played little role and Mike is just so snarky that I don't know why anyone would stay around - and yet Alexandra always has an excuse for him. There's subtle victimization in the relationship that makes me really uncomfortable given the context.
I think I'll read one more of her books and if there isn't huge improvement, we'll part ways.
All of that said it's feeling like she's running out of steam in this series. I still enjoyed it, particularly due to her penchant for teaching about the history and architecture of New York, but she's starting to head into Patricia Cornwell territory and that means I'll stop reading her at some point. Both this book and the last one were pretty annoying. Her books have great secondary characters, including her detective friends Mercer and Mike, but she's pretty much doing nothing for these characters. It's great that Alexandra is one of the guys, but for two books now Mercer has played little role and Mike is just so snarky that I don't know why anyone would stay around - and yet Alexandra always has an excuse for him. There's subtle victimization in the relationship that makes me really uncomfortable given the context.
I think I'll read one more of her books and if there isn't huge improvement, we'll part ways.
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March 17, 2025I've been finding myself less enamored of Fairstein's books lately and while I'm glad to see Mike is a ton less offensive in this installment, I missed Mercer a lot, and the situation with Alex's boss, Battaglia, and good old Pat McKinney was left dangling. Maybe the intent is to build on it in future books?
Regardless, one thing I'm not a fan of lately is Fairstein's style. A little bit of dialogue or action, and then stop to explain. It does give the book a nice rhythm and a lot of readers really like this; it's a mystery and a history story of New York all wrapped into one. And it does create a distinctive voice.
Lots of plusses there, so this is a definite "It's not the book, it's me" and that's too bad because up to the past few, I'd absolutely adored Fairstein's books. But you know. We grow, we change. What used to serve doesn't any longer.
And in this case, that's too bad. Fairstein did important work with a sex crimes prosecutor as her main character. I hope she continues to be read, that people learn, that minds are opened to all the nuances and trauma of sex crimes. But me, I think it's time to tap out. I have another installment upstairs and I'll read it, but unless it engages me in ways this one didn't, I may be done.
Regardless, one thing I'm not a fan of lately is Fairstein's style. A little bit of dialogue or action, and then stop to explain. It does give the book a nice rhythm and a lot of readers really like this; it's a mystery and a history story of New York all wrapped into one. And it does create a distinctive voice.
Lots of plusses there, so this is a definite "It's not the book, it's me" and that's too bad because up to the past few, I'd absolutely adored Fairstein's books. But you know. We grow, we change. What used to serve doesn't any longer.
And in this case, that's too bad. Fairstein did important work with a sex crimes prosecutor as her main character. I hope she continues to be read, that people learn, that minds are opened to all the nuances and trauma of sex crimes. But me, I think it's time to tap out. I have another installment upstairs and I'll read it, but unless it engages me in ways this one didn't, I may be done.
February 5, 2012
I didn't realize this was a series when I started reading, so imagine my surprise when I discovered it was release 13. How I managed to miss this author, I can't imagine, but I'll be watching for her next release in the future.
Now to the book. I really enjoyed it. The characters are well developed, have good relationships, the plot moves along at a fast pace and the premise could have jumped off the pages of any major city newspaper. I loved the tidbits of historical trivia about the various different religious institutions of New York and how the author integrated them into the story line. The courtroom scenes, witness cross examinations and police procedures worked well.
Mike and Alex make a good team but they definitely manage to get themselves into plenty of trouble. That means action, danger and the treat of death. The culmination of catching the killer worked fine for me but the portion after seemed rushed and unrealistic. There's no way Alex would have must gone off to her weekend house without filing a full report to her boss the DA.
Now to the book. I really enjoyed it. The characters are well developed, have good relationships, the plot moves along at a fast pace and the premise could have jumped off the pages of any major city newspaper. I loved the tidbits of historical trivia about the various different religious institutions of New York and how the author integrated them into the story line. The courtroom scenes, witness cross examinations and police procedures worked well.
Mike and Alex make a good team but they definitely manage to get themselves into plenty of trouble. That means action, danger and the treat of death. The culmination of catching the killer worked fine for me but the portion after seemed rushed and unrealistic. There's no way Alex would have must gone off to her weekend house without filing a full report to her boss the DA.
April 11, 2011
I usually really enjoy an Alex Cooper novel. However, this one just didn't do it for me.
It started out quick with a gruesome murder. We had a slice of Alex in court. However, the writing just wasn't that taut, and several things were repeated in the text (a bit about Alex's religious background).
I thought the writing wasn't as good as in previous novels. I had a hard time following the plot and the motivations of the characters.
There was a really dumb subplot too that just distracted from the central action. Also, the central murder didn't hold much interest for me, usually an interesting piece of NY history is woven in to the story - the architecture of the churches didn't do it.
I'll read the next one, but might have to quit this series.
3 words to describe this novel: gruesome, murder, religion
It started out quick with a gruesome murder. We had a slice of Alex in court. However, the writing just wasn't that taut, and several things were repeated in the text (a bit about Alex's religious background).
I thought the writing wasn't as good as in previous novels. I had a hard time following the plot and the motivations of the characters.
There was a really dumb subplot too that just distracted from the central action. Also, the central murder didn't hold much interest for me, usually an interesting piece of NY history is woven in to the story - the architecture of the churches didn't do it.
I'll read the next one, but might have to quit this series.
3 words to describe this novel: gruesome, murder, religion
December 30, 2015
Excellent and riveting! Alex is helping to try a case against a defrocked priest and teacher who molested a number of young boys, but members of the Catholic Church hierarchy are incensed when a former Bishop is questioned at length about the church's response to such complaints and about secret archives. (To keep the trial out of the headlines, Alex isn't the lead prosecutor, but she's the one who questions the Bishop.) Someone is killing religious women, in gruesome manners, leaving their bodies at churches and a severed body part at another church. Now, another woman is missing, and Alex, Mike, and Mercer search for her. Alex and Mike find the woman in the nick of time (while Mercer keeps watch over the likely fourth victim).
April 26, 2014
This book by Fairstein is well put together. It is a mystery that is mysterious. The characters are interesting and they get involved. You want to keep turning pages to find out what is happening. I think the attorney, Alex, does more than most do but it makes the story. You'll enjoy it.
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the Isms" "Wesley's Wars" and "To Whom It May Concern"
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the Isms" "Wesley's Wars" and "To Whom It May Concern"
April 26, 2013
Linda is one of my favorite authors. This novel's first "incident" was found just a few blocks from where my daughter and family lives in New York. Makes me want to visit all of the churches involved in the story. Beautiful architecture it sounds like. Also this novel of hers dealt with some important feminist and other issues facing the church today which was exciting for me.
March 29, 2011
Another excellent story from Linda Fairstein. She is fast becoming one of my favorite authors.
August 14, 2013
It was decent, but I felt it got a bit more outlandish that many of the others. I won't add how, as that would be a spoiler of sorts, but you'll see.
August 1, 2017
I still don't quite understand why the killer was targeting pariahs, but I have to say - I learned a lot from this book! It was more interesting than the subject matter about the mayor's house and the subway tunnels, that's for sure. I didn't know that Penikese existed, and it's interesting that in 2011, it stopped operating as an alternative school for juvenile delinquents.
The book starts with Alex and Mike finding a decapitated body on the steps of a church in Harlem. Is there significance to the beheading? or the location of the body? or the fact that this church used to be a Catholic institution?
The book starts with Alex and Mike finding a decapitated body on the steps of a church in Harlem. Is there significance to the beheading? or the location of the body? or the fact that this church used to be a Catholic institution?
January 7, 2024
Very intriguing premise: girls are being found murdered on religious grounds without a known cause or any suspects.
The execution didn't work for me. The parts where the action was taking place: finding the girls, and the initial investigation drew me in. However, in between incidents, the action lacked for me. I also expected there to be more history than was present. The blurb says that the main character investigates the religious history. I found this to be lacking, minus a few details that served other purposes.
What I did find was a story about a girl who engages in casual sex but now isn't ready to pay the price of her boyfriend (not her partner) knowing. Her father is threatening and wants action taken even after his daughter confesses. In the sense of this being a series, I think maybe this subplot was to set up the next book. However, it didn't make much sense in the context of what this book was supposed to be about.
I also didn't connect with any of the characters.
I'm disappointed as I was excited to read based on the blurb on the back of the book. However, it just didn't deliver for me.
The execution didn't work for me. The parts where the action was taking place: finding the girls, and the initial investigation drew me in. However, in between incidents, the action lacked for me. I also expected there to be more history than was present. The blurb says that the main character investigates the religious history. I found this to be lacking, minus a few details that served other purposes.
What I did find was a story about a girl who engages in casual sex but now isn't ready to pay the price of her boyfriend (not her partner) knowing. Her father is threatening and wants action taken even after his daughter confesses. In the sense of this being a series, I think maybe this subplot was to set up the next book. However, it didn't make much sense in the context of what this book was supposed to be about.
I also didn't connect with any of the characters.
I'm disappointed as I was excited to read based on the blurb on the back of the book. However, it just didn't deliver for me.
January 10, 2022
Silent Mercy (Alexandra Cooper #13)
by Linda Fairstein
A clever story based on the artistry of the silk aerialists in the circus. Sorry if it is a spoiler.
Alex Cooper is following Mike Chapman to the scene of a crime and even though Mike does his best to keep her away from the scene as it is a very bad one. But those of us who have read the books that go before we would realise that Alex is never one to hang back she wants to know everything and see everything.
The body is arranged on the steps of one of the church's of New York and the full extent of the crime is clouded in strange clues and missing parts of the body.
Of course as the story unfolds more bodies are discovered and they all seem to have some sort of connection to the church, but maybe not the church near where they are found.
The history of the church's is explained in some detail and when they are built and if they change hands or denominations.
The solution worried me I mean I now there has to be a place and it has to be linked to the culprit but here it is also linked to Alex.
by Linda Fairstein
A clever story based on the artistry of the silk aerialists in the circus. Sorry if it is a spoiler.
Alex Cooper is following Mike Chapman to the scene of a crime and even though Mike does his best to keep her away from the scene as it is a very bad one. But those of us who have read the books that go before we would realise that Alex is never one to hang back she wants to know everything and see everything.
The body is arranged on the steps of one of the church's of New York and the full extent of the crime is clouded in strange clues and missing parts of the body.
Of course as the story unfolds more bodies are discovered and they all seem to have some sort of connection to the church, but maybe not the church near where they are found.
The history of the church's is explained in some detail and when they are built and if they change hands or denominations.
The solution worried me I mean I now there has to be a place and it has to be linked to the culprit but here it is also linked to Alex.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2011
Rating: 2.5 because I feel generous
Setting: NYC, New Jersey, and Massachusetts
Silent Mercy is the thirteenth novel in the Alexandra Cooper series. Cooper is the Assistant District for the Special Crimes Unit (Sex Crimes Unit.) Her colleagues includes Detective Mike Chapman of the Manhattan North Homicide Division, and Detective Mercer Wallace who works throughout Manhattan and supports the SCU full time. Cooper is the historian of the book, and most time his in depth look at the buildings and history of NYC is quite appealing being a former New Yorker. Mercer is the oldest and most experienced and one of the few Detective first grade who is black, while Cooper is the youngest and has been in the SCU for 10 years now.
As we open the story, Mike and Alex arrive at Harlem's Mount Neboh Baptist Church, a house of worship originally built as a synagogue. The ghastly remains of a young woman who has been decapitated, set on fire, and left burning on the church steps awaits them. The victim was wearing the Star of David, which is we know is a Jewish cross. Soon, Mercer joins them and the search for her killer begins in earnest. Chapman goes beyond reasonable means in order to protect Alex from the things she sees on a daily basis, including putting her down constantly. Not sure when that is going to cause a rift between the two.
Then, the story diverts away from the actual murder investigation, to a court room where a priest is on trial for sexually molesting boys. Naturally, after all the rumblings that the Catholic Church was complacent in not allowing these priests to be prosecuted in a court of law, you knew it was only a matter of time before Fairstein, who spent 26 years in the SCU of Manhattan, would jump feet first into the controversy in order to further stir the anger and resentment that still remains today.
The fact that she had the Attorney General and the Bishop of the Church so friendly was disturbing to me as well. Especially later when she is told by the AG and Police Commissioner that they no longer want her on the Clergy Killer case because of her own religious beliefs and the fact that she pissed off the Bishop by demanding answers to why they continued to cover up the crimes for so long. Talk about a political hot potato.
*Note* I grew up a Catholic, although I am currently lapsed, and I will say up front that I do not condone the actions taken by the church in burying these secrets deep, and then spreading them around the country. Each and every single priest, or Bishop that was responsibe for harming a child, or hidng the truth, should have been brought to justice and jailed with the most awful convicts alive today as their bunk mates.
The book also dives into the controversial decision by the church not to allow women to be ordained as priests, forgetting about the fact that it also doesn’t allow priests to marry unlike other churches, which I disagree with. Maybe if priests were able to marry, the abuse of children would have been prevented or minimized.
The author, who is Jewish like her character Alexandra, makes it a point to allow Chapman to explain or support the reasons behind the churches decisions. Chapman grew up in a devout household and also attended Fordham. He goes onto to state, in the authors words, cases where the Catholic Church actually made it a “grave crime” to have any women in a priest’s role. The penalties are silencing first, then ex-communication from the church and the banishment from teaching at any school. It was almost as though she knew the story was going to be controversial and thus needed a voice, Chapman, for those who are Catholic to speak up and defend the church against these charges. ::shakes head:: - 2 points off my review for putting in personal views once again into a story line that was discombobulated and not really all that fun to read.
This was also the underlying reason why the “Clergy Killer” targeted feminist women in the first place. The dead, or targeted, are women who have either been ordained by the church, or preached for the inclusion of more women in leadership roles within the churches. It also seems that he was somehow brainwashed by new churches that are preaching destructive behavior from their members. Fairstein actually mentions nearly all religions except Islam. Guess she pissed off everyone else's instead.
So, what we end up with in this book is part history lessons on leprosy (Hanson’s disease), NYC and Penikese Island, the Catholic Church’s dogma on women in the priesthood, part political left wing leanings and ramblings of an elitist, as well as part feminist theology.
It’s too bad Fairstein strayed so far off course in this series. I have followed this series from the first book on. I was especially angry that she once again put Cooper in a difficult position because a teenager’s lie about being raped while drunk. It nearly cost another student his chance to remain in school. Then her father abruptly shows up at her supposingly safe apartment complex with guards on duty 24/7, to demand that she take care of the problem immediately. WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?!?!?!?!
It is always mind boggling that Fairstein keeps up her elitist attitude and rubs it in our faces time and time again about Cooper’s father’s invention which made them rich beyond means, and her ability to afford an apartment in Manhattan, and a home on Martha’s Vineyard while the rest of us peons are struggling to pay for our rent and food to put on our tables.
The fact that Cooper is still technically with Luc Rouget the Frenchman who only is able to spend weekends with her, is also strange since normally her love interest are either killed off or they leave for a job someplace else.
Wondering how much longer Fairstein can keep this series going after this mess of a story that would have been so much better without the ramblings and personal views.
Setting: NYC, New Jersey, and Massachusetts
Silent Mercy is the thirteenth novel in the Alexandra Cooper series. Cooper is the Assistant District for the Special Crimes Unit (Sex Crimes Unit.) Her colleagues includes Detective Mike Chapman of the Manhattan North Homicide Division, and Detective Mercer Wallace who works throughout Manhattan and supports the SCU full time. Cooper is the historian of the book, and most time his in depth look at the buildings and history of NYC is quite appealing being a former New Yorker. Mercer is the oldest and most experienced and one of the few Detective first grade who is black, while Cooper is the youngest and has been in the SCU for 10 years now.
As we open the story, Mike and Alex arrive at Harlem's Mount Neboh Baptist Church, a house of worship originally built as a synagogue. The ghastly remains of a young woman who has been decapitated, set on fire, and left burning on the church steps awaits them. The victim was wearing the Star of David, which is we know is a Jewish cross. Soon, Mercer joins them and the search for her killer begins in earnest. Chapman goes beyond reasonable means in order to protect Alex from the things she sees on a daily basis, including putting her down constantly. Not sure when that is going to cause a rift between the two.
Then, the story diverts away from the actual murder investigation, to a court room where a priest is on trial for sexually molesting boys. Naturally, after all the rumblings that the Catholic Church was complacent in not allowing these priests to be prosecuted in a court of law, you knew it was only a matter of time before Fairstein, who spent 26 years in the SCU of Manhattan, would jump feet first into the controversy in order to further stir the anger and resentment that still remains today.
The fact that she had the Attorney General and the Bishop of the Church so friendly was disturbing to me as well. Especially later when she is told by the AG and Police Commissioner that they no longer want her on the Clergy Killer case because of her own religious beliefs and the fact that she pissed off the Bishop by demanding answers to why they continued to cover up the crimes for so long. Talk about a political hot potato.
*Note* I grew up a Catholic, although I am currently lapsed, and I will say up front that I do not condone the actions taken by the church in burying these secrets deep, and then spreading them around the country. Each and every single priest, or Bishop that was responsibe for harming a child, or hidng the truth, should have been brought to justice and jailed with the most awful convicts alive today as their bunk mates.
The book also dives into the controversial decision by the church not to allow women to be ordained as priests, forgetting about the fact that it also doesn’t allow priests to marry unlike other churches, which I disagree with. Maybe if priests were able to marry, the abuse of children would have been prevented or minimized.
The author, who is Jewish like her character Alexandra, makes it a point to allow Chapman to explain or support the reasons behind the churches decisions. Chapman grew up in a devout household and also attended Fordham. He goes onto to state, in the authors words, cases where the Catholic Church actually made it a “grave crime” to have any women in a priest’s role. The penalties are silencing first, then ex-communication from the church and the banishment from teaching at any school. It was almost as though she knew the story was going to be controversial and thus needed a voice, Chapman, for those who are Catholic to speak up and defend the church against these charges. ::shakes head:: - 2 points off my review for putting in personal views once again into a story line that was discombobulated and not really all that fun to read.
This was also the underlying reason why the “Clergy Killer” targeted feminist women in the first place. The dead, or targeted, are women who have either been ordained by the church, or preached for the inclusion of more women in leadership roles within the churches. It also seems that he was somehow brainwashed by new churches that are preaching destructive behavior from their members. Fairstein actually mentions nearly all religions except Islam. Guess she pissed off everyone else's instead.
So, what we end up with in this book is part history lessons on leprosy (Hanson’s disease), NYC and Penikese Island, the Catholic Church’s dogma on women in the priesthood, part political left wing leanings and ramblings of an elitist, as well as part feminist theology.
It’s too bad Fairstein strayed so far off course in this series. I have followed this series from the first book on. I was especially angry that she once again put Cooper in a difficult position because a teenager’s lie about being raped while drunk. It nearly cost another student his chance to remain in school. Then her father abruptly shows up at her supposingly safe apartment complex with guards on duty 24/7, to demand that she take care of the problem immediately. WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?!?!?!?!
It is always mind boggling that Fairstein keeps up her elitist attitude and rubs it in our faces time and time again about Cooper’s father’s invention which made them rich beyond means, and her ability to afford an apartment in Manhattan, and a home on Martha’s Vineyard while the rest of us peons are struggling to pay for our rent and food to put on our tables.
The fact that Cooper is still technically with Luc Rouget the Frenchman who only is able to spend weekends with her, is also strange since normally her love interest are either killed off or they leave for a job someplace else.
Wondering how much longer Fairstein can keep this series going after this mess of a story that would have been so much better without the ramblings and personal views.
January 10, 2022
Two women are brutally murdered, each body left in a different church to be discovered. Alex Cooper, prosecuting attorney for sex crime cases and Mike Chapman, N.Y.P.C. detective, are on the case. Night and day they work together as though there are no other cases pending. Trying to find the perpetrator while trying to prevent a third murder, they scour the churches in Manhattan, learning some surprising facts, and how the deaths were related to religious activity. The ending is a bit farfetched, as it takes our two sleuths on car rides, train rides, and boat rides before finally catching the murderer. The reader will learn much about the backgrounds of various religions as the murderer is pursued. A bit tedious and the end is drawn out much too long. This is my first Fairstein book. I may try another as she is a good writer but this one would not be my favorite.
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