What do you think?
Rate this book
Manhattan Mysteries #2
Murder in Alphabet City
Newly promoted to detective first-grade with the NYPD, Jane Bauer, is back to work after a nearly fatal run-in with a killer. But while she's happy to be back on the job, her new assignment-another cold case-seems to hold little promise of being solved.
Eight years ago, Anderson Stratton, a schizophrenic, was found dead of starvation in his apartment. Nothing on the scene indicated foul play, and although he left no note, the death was ultimately ruled a suicide. Stratton's well-connected sister, Flavia Constantine, never accepted that conclusion, and has insisted that the case be reopened. But in their investigation, Jane and her team stumble upon another grisly suicide-and realize that the two may very well be connected. As her inquiry intensifies, Jane is led to a shocking and horrible truth-and once again finds herself on the threshold of death. "From the Paperback edition."
Eight years ago, Anderson Stratton, a schizophrenic, was found dead of starvation in his apartment. Nothing on the scene indicated foul play, and although he left no note, the death was ultimately ruled a suicide. Stratton's well-connected sister, Flavia Constantine, never accepted that conclusion, and has insisted that the case be reopened. But in their investigation, Jane and her team stumble upon another grisly suicide-and realize that the two may very well be connected. As her inquiry intensifies, Jane is led to a shocking and horrible truth-and once again finds herself on the threshold of death. "From the Paperback edition."
- GenresMystery
ebook
First published January 25, 2005
18 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
About the author
Lee Harris
103 books77 followersA pseudonym used by Syrell Leahy.
Lee Harris is the author of the mystery novels featuring ex-nun Christine Bennett, who first appeared in The Good Friday Murder, an Edgar Award nominee. She also writes the New York Mysteries, which debuted with Murder in Hell's Kitchen. In 2001, Lee Harris received the Romantic Times magazine Career Achievement Award for her distinguished contribution to crime writing.
Lee Harris is the author of the mystery novels featuring ex-nun Christine Bennett, who first appeared in The Good Friday Murder, an Edgar Award nominee. She also writes the New York Mysteries, which debuted with Murder in Hell's Kitchen. In 2001, Lee Harris received the Romantic Times magazine Career Achievement Award for her distinguished contribution to crime writing.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 4, 2010
Nice second entry in NY Detective Jane Bauer set -- interesting cold case solved!
We were delighted to see this second entry in the Jane Bauer series about a NYPD Detective and her two sidekicks that specialize on cold cases. As the author's ex-nun Chris Bennett series seems to sputter a little, this new character is a welcome change from Lee Harris; one that features a somewhat grittier storyline and less family machinations than the "holiday" set. As with other reviewers, though, we do agree that Jane's ten-year affair with a married man (Hack) seems out of character, and a rather unwelcome twist to what we presume to be the author's values on such matters...
In the fine storyline, a mentally troubled man (Stratton) is dead from apparent self-starvation. His prominent sister, with connections high up in the NYPD, wants the case re-opened eight years later, as she never accepted it as a suicide. When Jane and partners Defino and MacHovec start interviewing people and chasing now-distant clues, a suicide of the man's case worker is discovered, which seems way too coincidental to the cops. Eventually that latter death is ruled a murder, and that case is reopened as well. Most of the book then actually pursues that crime and its real circumstances, outcome, and perpetrators to a somewhat surprising conclusion that significantly endangers Bauer. Possibly the only dissatisfaction to the novel is the somewhat unresolved status of Stratton's death.
We seem to enjoy Harris' mysteries and feel she is on the right track to promote Bauer's exploits and maybe let the other series fade away. If she can dream up further interesting cases and maybe fix Bauer's love life while she's at it, we predict she can pump out another dozen or so stories in this set! Not bad for an author with some forty books (under various names) already under her belt!
We were delighted to see this second entry in the Jane Bauer series about a NYPD Detective and her two sidekicks that specialize on cold cases. As the author's ex-nun Chris Bennett series seems to sputter a little, this new character is a welcome change from Lee Harris; one that features a somewhat grittier storyline and less family machinations than the "holiday" set. As with other reviewers, though, we do agree that Jane's ten-year affair with a married man (Hack) seems out of character, and a rather unwelcome twist to what we presume to be the author's values on such matters...
In the fine storyline, a mentally troubled man (Stratton) is dead from apparent self-starvation. His prominent sister, with connections high up in the NYPD, wants the case re-opened eight years later, as she never accepted it as a suicide. When Jane and partners Defino and MacHovec start interviewing people and chasing now-distant clues, a suicide of the man's case worker is discovered, which seems way too coincidental to the cops. Eventually that latter death is ruled a murder, and that case is reopened as well. Most of the book then actually pursues that crime and its real circumstances, outcome, and perpetrators to a somewhat surprising conclusion that significantly endangers Bauer. Possibly the only dissatisfaction to the novel is the somewhat unresolved status of Stratton's death.
We seem to enjoy Harris' mysteries and feel she is on the right track to promote Bauer's exploits and maybe let the other series fade away. If she can dream up further interesting cases and maybe fix Bauer's love life while she's at it, we predict she can pump out another dozen or so stories in this set! Not bad for an author with some forty books (under various names) already under her belt!
January 14, 2023
Very fine police procedural that captures the spirit of New York, the people who live there, and the politics in the police department. Bauer’s affair with the married Hack may be disturbing to some readers, but despite the moral ambiguity of their actions, it was clear they loved each other; and I found myself rooting for them. I hope the next book provides a satisfactory resolution to their relationship.
The ending was a surprise, but did make sense. The only question I had was why the people involved in the (specifics hidden/spoiler) were not criminally liable.
The ending was a surprise, but did make sense. The only question I had was why the people involved in the (specifics hidden/spoiler) were not criminally liable.
June 9, 2019
Another great read in this series, which unfortunately ends with the next book. I really enjoyed the first two books in the series and have already purchased the third, and last, one. I think this mystery was more interesting than in the first book and found it an engrossing read. Love the characters and police procedural aspects. Everything seemed very real and believable to me, and it was very well written.
April 15, 2020
Great find from this author
Found her first book through a mystery site. Very well written and visual. Love Jane and her partners and the cases are interesting and just complicated enough. I’ve read two in the series and about to see if there is a third. New York was a wonderful setting and if you’ve ever lived there it will be an extra bonus to read Alphabet City!
Found her first book through a mystery site. Very well written and visual. Love Jane and her partners and the cases are interesting and just complicated enough. I’ve read two in the series and about to see if there is a third. New York was a wonderful setting and if you’ve ever lived there it will be an extra bonus to read Alphabet City!
September 29, 2025
As a New Yorker myself, the characterization of Alphabet City, the Village and other surrounding neighborhoods was spot on. The labyrinthine path that led us to the mystery's solutions was both enjoyable and mind-boggling. The characters were well drawn and indelible.
June 2, 2019
I really like this series.... very nice, strong female protagonist. Police procedure is very well represented. Stories move along very nicely. Nice twists and turns in the story.
June 25, 2019
I continue to enjoy this small series.
December 20, 2019
So happy to have found this series though sadly only 3 books in all. Anyway, Jane Bauer continues to be a terrific main character; smart, clear-headed, fair...she's great.
April 2, 2021
Good enough. Story was interesting and the ending was a surprise. I just have a hard time with main character Jane.
August 9, 2025
A lot of twists and turns, very suspenseful. I really enjoy the writing style, it’s full of details. So far, I’m really enjoying this series. I’m not a fan of Hack, but I like the main characters.
October 5, 2013
This is the first book I've read by this author. Unfortunately, I didn't realize it was part of a series when I started reading it. I probably would have liked it more if I had. On the positive side, it's a quick, a plot-driven story with a nice surprise at the end.
My main problem was precisely that -- it's all about the plot. Even though the mystery was engaging, I had a hard time sympathizing with the heroine. Not only is she having an affair with a married man, which I don't find admirable, but the author did not provide enough backstory or information for me to get to know her (or her cheating lover) in any depth. Possibly she told us enough about these characters in the first book to justify their actions and make them sympathetic, but those details were absent in this book. As a result, I didn't particularly like the main characters. In fact, all of the characters have rather vague backstories, which left me feeling detached. If you have read the previous books in this series, though, I'm sure it would be a great read.
My main problem was precisely that -- it's all about the plot. Even though the mystery was engaging, I had a hard time sympathizing with the heroine. Not only is she having an affair with a married man, which I don't find admirable, but the author did not provide enough backstory or information for me to get to know her (or her cheating lover) in any depth. Possibly she told us enough about these characters in the first book to justify their actions and make them sympathetic, but those details were absent in this book. As a result, I didn't particularly like the main characters. In fact, all of the characters have rather vague backstories, which left me feeling detached. If you have read the previous books in this series, though, I'm sure it would be a great read.
October 1, 2011
Another well-written procedural. More insight as to the main character's background and relationships. Unfortunately, this book begins to foreshadow the type of writing that the author does in the present day, namely racist political harangue. Someone should tell Ms. Harris that affirmative action has never had the effect that some seem to think - it never helped any minority other than white women. Read the statistics and you'll see the truth. Demonizing minorities is an old trick and one that seems to have come back into vogue. Sorry to see she has slipped into this. I did like her books.
April 23, 2009
A police procedural finds a cold case detective crew discovering similarities between a new homicide and the cold case they are working. A shut in died of starvation eight years ago with a bottle of water and a pizza near his feet. Was it suicide or murder? A finely crafted whodunit set in New York City.
November 9, 2009
My second Kindle book
This is the second in the Manhattan Mysteries featuring Jane Bauer, a 40 something police detective in NY. Both have been great. The third, Murder in Greenwich Village is on the TBR list.
This is the second in the Manhattan Mysteries featuring Jane Bauer, a 40 something police detective in NY. Both have been great. The third, Murder in Greenwich Village is on the TBR list.
March 3, 2014
Great book. The second in the New York police detective series. A fun tale with great twists and beautiful descriptions of New York, of people, of relationships. Darker than the first book, very enjoyable.
July 7, 2012
Fair police procedural. Writing seems a little flat and I couldn't get a good feel for characters. Interesting at first but not very compelling.
January 13, 2016
A clearly plotted police procedural that offers a window into New York police culture.
June 14, 2019
Sturdy.
December 1, 2007
I love the hardboiled police procedures. So few do it really well.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews