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Ellie Hatcher #4
Never Tell
Detective Ellie Hatcher will be forced to uncover the truth behind the apparent suicide of a teenaged girl with intriguing connections to both New York’s wealthiest—and its most dispossessed.
This addictive thriller from acclaimed suspense writer Alafair Burke draws its details from the author’s own experiences as a criminal law professor and deputy district attorney, creating an exhilarating, true-to-life tale of crime and its consequences that is perfect for fans of Laura Lippman, Harlan Coben, and Burke’s breakout standalone thriller Long Gone.
373 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 19, 2012
524 people are currently reading
4391 people want to read
About the author
Alafair Burke
60 books5,642 followersAlafair Burke is the New York Times, Edgar-nominated author of fourteen crime novels, including The Ex, The Wife, The Better Sister, and the forthcoming Find Me. She is also the co-author of several novels with Mary Higgins Clark. A graduate of Stanford Law School and a former Deputy District Attorney in Portland, Oregon, Alafair is now a Professor of Law at Hofstra Law School, where she teaches criminal law and procedure.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 520 reviews
December 13, 2012
NYPD Detective Ellie Hatcher is called to a death scene at a plush Manhattan town house. The body is that of a sixteen-year-old girl, Julia Whitmire. Julia was a student at an exclusive prep school, the daughter of influential parents, and a girl with perhaps too much independence. Julia is found in the tub with alcohol and drugs in her system; her wrist has been slit, and she has written an apparent suicide note.
All of the first responders, Ellie included, are ready to sign off on the death as a suicide. But Julia's mother insists that Julia would never take her own life and the family has enough clout to force a fuller investigation. The plot gets increasingly complex when the mother of Julia's best friend, a blogger, begins receiving threats. Ellie realizes that the two cases may be connected and that she may have jumped too quickly to a conclusion about Julia's death.
This is a very interesting tale that introduces a plot line involving prep school students under enormous pressure to succeed, abusing prescription drugs to gain an edge. It's an interesting subject, but Burke doesn't really do much with it. Also, there might be one or two too many surprising plot twists at the end, but still, it's a fun read and Ellie's fans should certainly enjoy it.
All of the first responders, Ellie included, are ready to sign off on the death as a suicide. But Julia's mother insists that Julia would never take her own life and the family has enough clout to force a fuller investigation. The plot gets increasingly complex when the mother of Julia's best friend, a blogger, begins receiving threats. Ellie realizes that the two cases may be connected and that she may have jumped too quickly to a conclusion about Julia's death.
This is a very interesting tale that introduces a plot line involving prep school students under enormous pressure to succeed, abusing prescription drugs to gain an edge. It's an interesting subject, but Burke doesn't really do much with it. Also, there might be one or two too many surprising plot twists at the end, but still, it's a fun read and Ellie's fans should certainly enjoy it.
June 8, 2012
Finding a new author that has given me a whodunit mystery that is so complex and interwoven that I'm still stumped until the very end, is a rare gift. I knew as soon as I started never tell that the author had that undefinable "edgy" feel to her writing that makes me tense, excited, knowing that I've picked a suspenseful winner to read!
Before I begin about the story, I want to highlight that there are a number of important issues about teens, drugs, sexuality, parenting, and schools that are at the basis of this story. Be alert to the interaction among each as you read and make sure you understand what is actually happening. In my opinion, if the story line is fiction, the reality of what is being introduced has been established to a small or greater extent. I applaud this author for choosing topics that are so attuned to what we must consider for the future of our children!
Ellie Hatcher is a cop with a past that sometimes interferes with her handling of a new case. All people would do this, but she had a partner who was willing to challenge her on it--and the guts to evaluate her own actions and willingness to work harder to be more open. But finding Julia Whitmire, a rich 16-year-old girl who initially presented as having committed suicide, even to leaving a message on her bed, was, to Ellie, an open-and-shut case. And she was ready to move on to other work...
Except that the girl's mother didn't believe she would kill herself. And the parents knew the right people to call to ensure that the case was handled as more than suicide... I thought one of the ironic points was that the parents had willingly left their daughter live alone, but then (guiltily?) were adamant that a murder investigation be held.
As the investigation begun, the normal first thing was to talk with school officials and students. However, the principal of the private school would not permit any type of at-school discussions, claiming that the incident had not happened on school property and they had no responsibility. With parents who knew few of their daughters friends or what she might have been involved with, they began to get some basic information from Ramona, her best friend. From her she learned that Julia was interested in knowing all types of people, so we meet Casey and later several other who lived either on the street or in a homeless shelter. Casey is not only implicated, but is assaulted by private investigators hired by Julia's father, We learn much about his life and is one of the brighter side of the novel's closure.
Each piece of evidence continues to lead the investigation further and further into the private lives of many people, including Ramona's mother who was writing an anonymous blog about her being abused when young and who, during the investigation, begins to receive death threat messages as comments to her articles! More and more individuals are pulled in--but not more than are reasonable based upon the investigation. That is, the twists and turns are relevant! Power, money and corruption strikes often!
The presentation of the characters was interesting in that readers learn in-depth information as presented. However, the story line is so well woven that we meet them based upon how and when they fit--impressive that the author was able to do this so seamlessly! Kudos to Alafair Burke for one of the finest I've read...I'll be looking for more from her in the future. My first reading of her novels has definitely made her one of my favorite authors... If you've also not read her, I highly recommend this one to begin. There is a series for Ellie Hatcher but the novel stands well on its own... Check it out and let me know if you agree with my feelings!
GABixlerReviews
Before I begin about the story, I want to highlight that there are a number of important issues about teens, drugs, sexuality, parenting, and schools that are at the basis of this story. Be alert to the interaction among each as you read and make sure you understand what is actually happening. In my opinion, if the story line is fiction, the reality of what is being introduced has been established to a small or greater extent. I applaud this author for choosing topics that are so attuned to what we must consider for the future of our children!
Ellie Hatcher is a cop with a past that sometimes interferes with her handling of a new case. All people would do this, but she had a partner who was willing to challenge her on it--and the guts to evaluate her own actions and willingness to work harder to be more open. But finding Julia Whitmire, a rich 16-year-old girl who initially presented as having committed suicide, even to leaving a message on her bed, was, to Ellie, an open-and-shut case. And she was ready to move on to other work...
Except that the girl's mother didn't believe she would kill herself. And the parents knew the right people to call to ensure that the case was handled as more than suicide... I thought one of the ironic points was that the parents had willingly left their daughter live alone, but then (guiltily?) were adamant that a murder investigation be held.
As the investigation begun, the normal first thing was to talk with school officials and students. However, the principal of the private school would not permit any type of at-school discussions, claiming that the incident had not happened on school property and they had no responsibility. With parents who knew few of their daughters friends or what she might have been involved with, they began to get some basic information from Ramona, her best friend. From her she learned that Julia was interested in knowing all types of people, so we meet Casey and later several other who lived either on the street or in a homeless shelter. Casey is not only implicated, but is assaulted by private investigators hired by Julia's father, We learn much about his life and is one of the brighter side of the novel's closure.
Each piece of evidence continues to lead the investigation further and further into the private lives of many people, including Ramona's mother who was writing an anonymous blog about her being abused when young and who, during the investigation, begins to receive death threat messages as comments to her articles! More and more individuals are pulled in--but not more than are reasonable based upon the investigation. That is, the twists and turns are relevant! Power, money and corruption strikes often!
The presentation of the characters was interesting in that readers learn in-depth information as presented. However, the story line is so well woven that we meet them based upon how and when they fit--impressive that the author was able to do this so seamlessly! Kudos to Alafair Burke for one of the finest I've read...I'll be looking for more from her in the future. My first reading of her novels has definitely made her one of my favorite authors... If you've also not read her, I highly recommend this one to begin. There is a series for Ellie Hatcher but the novel stands well on its own... Check it out and let me know if you agree with my feelings!
GABixlerReviews
October 25, 2012
I thought it started out OK, but then had too many streams of disjointed storylines running through it. Although some of the characterizations were pretty good, I struggled to finish it and found it a tedious read overall.
November 11, 2025
3 stars
This book, the fourth in a series (but the first I’ve read, there were some references to things that had happened previously but you needn’t have read the earlier books to follow along just fine with this one), follows NYC Homicide Detective Ellie Hatcher and her partner JJ Rogan as they investigate what appears to be the suicide of wealthy prep school student Julia Whitmire. Her parents are convinced it’s murder and they have enough money and pull to force an investigation.
The premise of this was good but it gets too convoluted with half the world becoming involved in some way. Not a bad book at all, but could have been better. I don’t think I’ll be in a hurry to read more in the series.
This book, the fourth in a series (but the first I’ve read, there were some references to things that had happened previously but you needn’t have read the earlier books to follow along just fine with this one), follows NYC Homicide Detective Ellie Hatcher and her partner JJ Rogan as they investigate what appears to be the suicide of wealthy prep school student Julia Whitmire. Her parents are convinced it’s murder and they have enough money and pull to force an investigation.
The premise of this was good but it gets too convoluted with half the world becoming involved in some way. Not a bad book at all, but could have been better. I don’t think I’ll be in a hurry to read more in the series.
October 5, 2012
#4 in the Ellie Hatcher series. This book was almost impossible to get into. If I had not read, and enjoyed, Burkes 7 previous books, including the first three of this series, I would have given up within the first 200 pages. For the first 200 pages, the only spark of life is the dialogue between Ellie and her musician brother. The final 150 pages bring some life to the story line and salvage the books rating.
Ellie Hatcher series - Julia Whitmire appeared to have everything: a famous father, a luxurious town house, a coveted spot at an elite prep school. When she is found dead in her bathtub, a handwritten suicide note on her bed, her parents insist that their daughter would never take her own life. A search of Julia's computer reveals that in the days leading up to her death she was engaged in cyberbullying against an unlikely victim. NYPD detective Ellie Hatcher is convinced the case is a suicide. Pressured to pursue a case she doesn't believe in, she is pulled into Julia's inner circle.
Ellie Hatcher series - Julia Whitmire appeared to have everything: a famous father, a luxurious town house, a coveted spot at an elite prep school. When she is found dead in her bathtub, a handwritten suicide note on her bed, her parents insist that their daughter would never take her own life. A search of Julia's computer reveals that in the days leading up to her death she was engaged in cyberbullying against an unlikely victim. NYPD detective Ellie Hatcher is convinced the case is a suicide. Pressured to pursue a case she doesn't believe in, she is pulled into Julia's inner circle.
November 7, 2015
This is a complex smart and intelligent thriller. It begins with an apparent suicide of a young Julia Whitmire which Ellie Hatcher hastily accepts as suicide until she and JJ Rogan, her partner start to investigate further. The girl's rock legend father offers a reward and hires investigators, this manages to sabotage the police investigation for a few days. Two homeless characters attempt to implicate a friend for murder so that they can claim the reward.
This is a complicated investigation as more than one story is interweaved with the main investigation and all converge. Julia, her friends, and family, all have secrets that begin to emerge. This means there is no single finale, but a series of discoveries.
I love Alafair Burke novels, I always know I am not going to be disappointed. This is a meticulously planned and intricate novel. And as is more likely in real life, we find that justice can be a compromised affair where families are concerned. If you have yet to discover this author, I would urge you to see out her work immediately!
This is a complicated investigation as more than one story is interweaved with the main investigation and all converge. Julia, her friends, and family, all have secrets that begin to emerge. This means there is no single finale, but a series of discoveries.
I love Alafair Burke novels, I always know I am not going to be disappointed. This is a meticulously planned and intricate novel. And as is more likely in real life, we find that justice can be a compromised affair where families are concerned. If you have yet to discover this author, I would urge you to see out her work immediately!
September 8, 2020
L'ho trovato molto noioso. Lo stile della Burke purtroppo non fa per me. Ultima chance, non leggerò mai più un suo libro
October 7, 2012
Absolute drivel. I am flabbergasted (and a little frightened) by the multitude of of high ratings given to this dreadful, poorly written, lowest common denominator, I-Can-Read "novel".
I'll come back, and detail my disgust for this "book" by example - but first: It isn't a beach book; it isn't trashy fun; it's a cobbled together, poorly researched, cliche ridden, brain cell sucking, misguided, if only the pages were softer I'd use it for toilet paper, misinformed, Fox news meets US Weekly, stack of paper, bound and covered.
This is the kind of bestseller that makes me worry about the United Brains of America. I'm also pissed off at myself for reading it, and continuing to think about it, but it got under my skin. More to come...
I'll come back, and detail my disgust for this "book" by example - but first: It isn't a beach book; it isn't trashy fun; it's a cobbled together, poorly researched, cliche ridden, brain cell sucking, misguided, if only the pages were softer I'd use it for toilet paper, misinformed, Fox news meets US Weekly, stack of paper, bound and covered.
This is the kind of bestseller that makes me worry about the United Brains of America. I'm also pissed off at myself for reading it, and continuing to think about it, but it got under my skin. More to come...
September 19, 2019
Enjoyed this disturbing book in this wonderful series. I have to slow down, or soon there won’t be any left!!
January 5, 2014
It's been a long while since I read a book in this genre, but I decided to give it a try because the ebook was reasonably-priced, at $1.99, the author is female, is the daughter of the great James Lee Burke (author of 'Heaven's Prisoners' and the other Dave Robicheaux novels), and writes with a backdrop of a city (NYC) that I love.
But once I started reading, I found there was so much more. The main protagonist in this series of novels is police detective Ellie Hatcher. Ellie is somewhat of a bombshell; a very pretty blonde who works on cases with less-than-pretty circumstances.
The un-pretty circumstance at the heart of 'Never Tell', is the death of a wealthy Upper West Side teenager, found with slit wrists in the bathtub of her tony townhouse by her absentee mother. There was a note left behind and the case seems open-and-shut. But for the influence of the guilt-ridden parents of the teenager, Ellie and her partner would not have bothered pursuing it as anything other than the case of a disaffected rich kid ending it all. Ellie's reluctance to treat the case as anything other than what it appears to be is informed by much more than what she saw at the scene, but we only learn that later.
Apart from the mystery of the apparent suicide of a wealthy, private school girl, I enjoyed the snippets of information about Ellie's private life. She's in a relationship with an Assistant District Attorney who thinks she may be "The One". Ellie shares that feeling about him, but they find that beyond that, they may want very different things. The interpersonal drama was just enough to make her human and relatable, but not so much that it overshadowed the central drama of whether an apparent suicide was just a cover-up of something much more sinister.
The layers that were unraveled as Ellie and her partner, an older Black man named Rogan (with whom she enjoys very witty repartee that uses their cultural, gender and age difference to highest effect)set about finding out what happened to this privileged young woman are never predictable, and the conclusion, just short of astonishing. Once this book was done, I immediately went back to Amazon to see what else I'd been missing. I discovered three other books in the Ellie Hatcher series, and several others by this author. All of which feature strong female leads -- yay! So little by little, I intend to consume them all.
Nia Forrester
But once I started reading, I found there was so much more. The main protagonist in this series of novels is police detective Ellie Hatcher. Ellie is somewhat of a bombshell; a very pretty blonde who works on cases with less-than-pretty circumstances.
The un-pretty circumstance at the heart of 'Never Tell', is the death of a wealthy Upper West Side teenager, found with slit wrists in the bathtub of her tony townhouse by her absentee mother. There was a note left behind and the case seems open-and-shut. But for the influence of the guilt-ridden parents of the teenager, Ellie and her partner would not have bothered pursuing it as anything other than the case of a disaffected rich kid ending it all. Ellie's reluctance to treat the case as anything other than what it appears to be is informed by much more than what she saw at the scene, but we only learn that later.
Apart from the mystery of the apparent suicide of a wealthy, private school girl, I enjoyed the snippets of information about Ellie's private life. She's in a relationship with an Assistant District Attorney who thinks she may be "The One". Ellie shares that feeling about him, but they find that beyond that, they may want very different things. The interpersonal drama was just enough to make her human and relatable, but not so much that it overshadowed the central drama of whether an apparent suicide was just a cover-up of something much more sinister.
The layers that were unraveled as Ellie and her partner, an older Black man named Rogan (with whom she enjoys very witty repartee that uses their cultural, gender and age difference to highest effect)set about finding out what happened to this privileged young woman are never predictable, and the conclusion, just short of astonishing. Once this book was done, I immediately went back to Amazon to see what else I'd been missing. I discovered three other books in the Ellie Hatcher series, and several others by this author. All of which feature strong female leads -- yay! So little by little, I intend to consume them all.
Nia Forrester
January 10, 2016
Another good entry in this series.
The investigation of a teen girl’s apparent suicide leads Hatcher into an investigation into threats against a blogger chronicling her childhood abuse. Burke does a good job of tying (if only faintly) both investigations together but the young woman’s death fades into the background as the threat investigation takes over. I think she could have done much more with the teen’s death storyline; it was strong enough to stand on its own.
Burke keeps the reader guessing the guilty party but plays fair, revealing clues as the story progresses instead of having the answer suddenly pop into view at the end.
The line “They would pore over Bolt’s office, home, and car, searching for physical evidence to shore up the affair between him and Julia.” appears on page 307 of this book. The word is pour not pore. An author as well educated as Ms. Burke and a major publisher like HarperCollins should be ashamed they both allowed such a mistake to slip through.
I'll be back for more in this series.
The investigation of a teen girl’s apparent suicide leads Hatcher into an investigation into threats against a blogger chronicling her childhood abuse. Burke does a good job of tying (if only faintly) both investigations together but the young woman’s death fades into the background as the threat investigation takes over. I think she could have done much more with the teen’s death storyline; it was strong enough to stand on its own.
Burke keeps the reader guessing the guilty party but plays fair, revealing clues as the story progresses instead of having the answer suddenly pop into view at the end.
The line “They would pore over Bolt’s office, home, and car, searching for physical evidence to shore up the affair between him and Julia.” appears on page 307 of this book. The word is pour not pore. An author as well educated as Ms. Burke and a major publisher like HarperCollins should be ashamed they both allowed such a mistake to slip through.
I'll be back for more in this series.
July 14, 2012
Fun and interesting! I always appreciate it when crime fiction authors incorporate real world issues and Alafair Burke has done a really nice job of weaving in prescription drug abuse, corruption, and the unique problems faced by today's teens in an organic, informative way. Protagonist Ellie Hatcher is realistically drawn. It was such a nice change of pace to finally see a detective who occasionally jumps to the wrong conclusion and makes mistakes along the way. It happens, and that realism added a depth seldom seen in thrillers.
January 20, 2016
I didn't like this book as much as the first three in the series. The homicide case itself was interesting and there were plenty of twists to keep you guessing but ... Ellie. I'm not sure what happened to Ellie in this book but I found myself wondering (more then once) why she was being written as such a brat. I'm sure there are better words but it's what seems to fit. If you're drawn to the series for Ellie (more then the crime and resolution) you might find this book frustrating. Still a good book, just not quite what I had expected.
August 3, 2013
Good read. Characters appear real, believable, and I liked them. Female detective closes a case too soon, and is put back on it only to dig her teeth in and keep digging until she has solved the case, well almost....
April 14, 2019
Really interesting story looking at the interaction between the very rich and the very poor.
The build up was great but unfortunately the ending didn't quite live up to the hype.
The person who murdered Julia was reviewed but it wasn't a great confession and we never did find out everything that happened that night - but maybe that's what it feels like in real life.
But the true disappointment for me was the story of the Langstons which runs along side the story of the Whitmires. Within out giving anything away this could have been a book in its own right and could have been so much more developed rather that a throw away line a couple of times through the book and then a rather anti climatic reveal at the end.
I will look out for this author again but there was definitely a little missing in this book.
The build up was great but unfortunately the ending didn't quite live up to the hype.
The person who murdered Julia was reviewed but it wasn't a great confession and we never did find out everything that happened that night - but maybe that's what it feels like in real life.
But the true disappointment for me was the story of the Langstons which runs along side the story of the Whitmires. Within out giving anything away this could have been a book in its own right and could have been so much more developed rather that a throw away line a couple of times through the book and then a rather anti climatic reveal at the end.
I will look out for this author again but there was definitely a little missing in this book.
July 1, 2020
Despite being a series, this book can still be enjoyed as a stand alone. While the detective genre can usually be a hit or miss for me, this one is definitely a hit! This story has more twists than a roller coaster, and not only is each one believable, it's more shocking than the last! I was pleasantly surprised since I didn't guess a majority of them. And Casey...ugh, my heart goes out to him. If you are looking for a detective series that is fast paced and will keep you on the edge of your seat, this is the one for you.
March 23, 2015
Ehhhhhh......not words but that sound pretty much sums up my feelings for this novel.
The plot was interesting. Interesting enough I read the book in one sitting. But it wasn't very memorable or surprising. The characters were pretty stereotypical and the plot really played that up.
That word "stereotypical" takes on a whole new meaning with this book. I guess the author tried to go for some sort of ironic joke played on stereotypical characters. Ellie, a pretty but dresses like a boy hardass cop, who eats like she's starving but never gains weight, and can't commit to a relationship due to her past, has every one of the cookie cutter female NYPD cop character personality traits. Ellie, functioning in her cookie cutter role, can't understand why everyone thinks this little rich girl didn't commit suicide. And then wait, just because the characters wish it (mainly the rags to riches sad lonely rich wife wants it) proof comes out that she didn't commit suicide! Fake surprise all around!
Examples of the overuse of stereotypes:
Rich people = mean and shallow.
Unhappy rich girl commits suicide (does this even dignify the label of "stereotype"? It's so mundane and unimaginative to have a character who has everything, but just can't "see it"). Ugh.
Surprise! (Not.) rich girl was actually not suicidal, but rather a depressed slut. Wow, the author must have had to really dig deep to come up with an equally mundane plot twist. Based on the reviews I was imagining the rich girl was something way more interesting such as:
A) leader of a cult.
B) funding an underground organization to help the less fortunate than her and someone tried to steal her money/killed her
C) the kids at Casden formed an "I hate Julia" group and killed her with a secret pact to "never tell"
D) she was an undercover cop for Casden that just looked young
E) her mom killed her (that would have been a real plot twist!)
F) her father is really the head of the luminanti and killed her because she found out
G) she's a drug lord
H) The whole killing herself thing was a joke and she's actually alive masquerading as Casey.
I) she was the one writing the blog and Ramona's mom stole it from her.
Literally ANYTHING ELSE but the actual conclusion would have been interesting. But having a rich girl going around as a shallow slut, that's not very exciting or suspenseful.
Most interesting character: Ramona's mom, and she wasn't even important till the second half of the book.
The writing was well done and kept enough mystery to get me excited enough for the ending, but overall the story was pretty bland.
The plot was interesting. Interesting enough I read the book in one sitting. But it wasn't very memorable or surprising. The characters were pretty stereotypical and the plot really played that up.
That word "stereotypical" takes on a whole new meaning with this book. I guess the author tried to go for some sort of ironic joke played on stereotypical characters. Ellie, a pretty but dresses like a boy hardass cop, who eats like she's starving but never gains weight, and can't commit to a relationship due to her past, has every one of the cookie cutter female NYPD cop character personality traits. Ellie, functioning in her cookie cutter role, can't understand why everyone thinks this little rich girl didn't commit suicide. And then wait, just because the characters wish it (mainly the rags to riches sad lonely rich wife wants it) proof comes out that she didn't commit suicide! Fake surprise all around!
Examples of the overuse of stereotypes:
Rich people = mean and shallow.
Unhappy rich girl commits suicide (does this even dignify the label of "stereotype"? It's so mundane and unimaginative to have a character who has everything, but just can't "see it"). Ugh.
Surprise! (Not.) rich girl was actually not suicidal, but rather a depressed slut. Wow, the author must have had to really dig deep to come up with an equally mundane plot twist. Based on the reviews I was imagining the rich girl was something way more interesting such as:
A) leader of a cult.
B) funding an underground organization to help the less fortunate than her and someone tried to steal her money/killed her
C) the kids at Casden formed an "I hate Julia" group and killed her with a secret pact to "never tell"
D) she was an undercover cop for Casden that just looked young
E) her mom killed her (that would have been a real plot twist!)
F) her father is really the head of the luminanti and killed her because she found out
G) she's a drug lord
H) The whole killing herself thing was a joke and she's actually alive masquerading as Casey.
I) she was the one writing the blog and Ramona's mom stole it from her.
Literally ANYTHING ELSE but the actual conclusion would have been interesting. But having a rich girl going around as a shallow slut, that's not very exciting or suspenseful.
Most interesting character: Ramona's mom, and she wasn't even important till the second half of the book.
The writing was well done and kept enough mystery to get me excited enough for the ending, but overall the story was pretty bland.
March 24, 2012
Never Tell
By
Alafair Burke
My Speedy Summary...
Private school disturbed student commits suicide...but is it really suicide?
My Thoughts...
This book pretty much has it all including a reasonably dysfunctional detective who doesn't really believe a crime has been committed. Julia is found not alive in her bathtub with a suicide note nearby. It appears to be a suicide and everyone involved wants to sign it off as one...except for Julia's parents who don't believe she would have done such a thing.
The problem is that the parents are not around much, Julia has questionable friends and there has already been a suicide at Julia's posh private school. And drugs are around...questionable drugs...and a psychiatrist...a questionable psychiatrist.
There is a lot going on from a ton of different areas...there are threats on a blog and questions about Julia's involvement in that. Secrets kept by Julia's friend Ramona's mom...and Julia's involvement in that and a creepy guy released from prison who appears to be stalking Ramona's mom.
So many secrets and intertwined relationships course their way through this complex novel.
And Ellie...Detective Ellie...fraught with her own past and her own issues...
All of the above leads to an engrossing mystery...the unraveling is delicious...the evil will surprise you and you will be shocked at the ending.
I loved this book!
Sent from my iPad2 by Patty Magyar!!!
By
Alafair Burke
My Speedy Summary...
Private school disturbed student commits suicide...but is it really suicide?
My Thoughts...
This book pretty much has it all including a reasonably dysfunctional detective who doesn't really believe a crime has been committed. Julia is found not alive in her bathtub with a suicide note nearby. It appears to be a suicide and everyone involved wants to sign it off as one...except for Julia's parents who don't believe she would have done such a thing.
The problem is that the parents are not around much, Julia has questionable friends and there has already been a suicide at Julia's posh private school. And drugs are around...questionable drugs...and a psychiatrist...a questionable psychiatrist.
There is a lot going on from a ton of different areas...there are threats on a blog and questions about Julia's involvement in that. Secrets kept by Julia's friend Ramona's mom...and Julia's involvement in that and a creepy guy released from prison who appears to be stalking Ramona's mom.
So many secrets and intertwined relationships course their way through this complex novel.
And Ellie...Detective Ellie...fraught with her own past and her own issues...
All of the above leads to an engrossing mystery...the unraveling is delicious...the evil will surprise you and you will be shocked at the ending.
I loved this book!
Sent from my iPad2 by Patty Magyar!!!
April 24, 2012
Called to look into the death of sixteen-year old Julie Whitmire, NYPD Detective Ellie Hatcher is quick to dismiss the death as a suicide. But after political pressure is placed on the department by Julie's high profile, wealthy and politically connected parents, Hatcher and her partner are forced to dig a bit deeper and quickly discover that things aren't necessarily as black and white as they originally assumed.
The theme of "never assume" is prevalent in Alafair Burke's newest installment in the Ellie Hatcher series, Never Tell. Filled with a variety of suspects, this procedural suspense thriller has it's moments but Burke ultimately falls short of the other pantheon of mystery novelists today like Elizabeth George, Michael Connelly or Laura Lippman.
Part of this is the way in which clues are disseminated in the context of the story. Whereas Lippman, George and Connelly pepper in clues that may or may not pay off later, Burke only throws in clues as each red herring in the novel is revealed. It makes the revelations and their impact on the novel less interesting than they could be and denies the reader the opportunity to fully play along with Hatcher in solving the central mystery.
That's not to say that Never Tell is a terrible novel. It's a well done, enjoyable enough procedural thriller. But it's not quite the substantial mystery meal I was hoping for, based on my reading of other novels by Burke.
The theme of "never assume" is prevalent in Alafair Burke's newest installment in the Ellie Hatcher series, Never Tell. Filled with a variety of suspects, this procedural suspense thriller has it's moments but Burke ultimately falls short of the other pantheon of mystery novelists today like Elizabeth George, Michael Connelly or Laura Lippman.
Part of this is the way in which clues are disseminated in the context of the story. Whereas Lippman, George and Connelly pepper in clues that may or may not pay off later, Burke only throws in clues as each red herring in the novel is revealed. It makes the revelations and their impact on the novel less interesting than they could be and denies the reader the opportunity to fully play along with Hatcher in solving the central mystery.
That's not to say that Never Tell is a terrible novel. It's a well done, enjoyable enough procedural thriller. But it's not quite the substantial mystery meal I was hoping for, based on my reading of other novels by Burke.
December 16, 2015
I really liked this book. I can see why it is always in the Kindle charts from Amazon !! A great story with lots of twists and turns. I thought I'd guessed who was the baddie but no, I got it wrong !!
I liked the author's dedication to her mother-in-law at the beginning and all the readers she named at the end left me breathless !!!
There were a few tiny mistakes but ones I overlooked since it was a tale so well told that kept me interested enough to not mind.
I was a little disappointed by Ellie, the police detective at the end with a decision she took. I didn't agree with her but I won't say anymore than that.
It turns out that this was the 3rd book in a series featuring Ellie but that didn't matter as this easily stood alone and only a couple of passing references were made of prior cases which maybe feature in the other 2 preceding books.
This begins with a schoolgirl found dead in a bath who had possibly killed herself but perhaps she didn't. Ellie is sure she has and isn't particularly interested in taking the investigation any further but her partner insists and soon they're caught up in allsorts of intrigue regarding the kids at the private school they attended along with appearances by some kids that live rough.
I'll be getting the other books in the series for sure. Loved the cover of this book too. It reminds me of one by Sophie Hannah I like.
I liked the author's dedication to her mother-in-law at the beginning and all the readers she named at the end left me breathless !!!
There were a few tiny mistakes but ones I overlooked since it was a tale so well told that kept me interested enough to not mind.
I was a little disappointed by Ellie, the police detective at the end with a decision she took. I didn't agree with her but I won't say anymore than that.
It turns out that this was the 3rd book in a series featuring Ellie but that didn't matter as this easily stood alone and only a couple of passing references were made of prior cases which maybe feature in the other 2 preceding books.
This begins with a schoolgirl found dead in a bath who had possibly killed herself but perhaps she didn't. Ellie is sure she has and isn't particularly interested in taking the investigation any further but her partner insists and soon they're caught up in allsorts of intrigue regarding the kids at the private school they attended along with appearances by some kids that live rough.
I'll be getting the other books in the series for sure. Loved the cover of this book too. It reminds me of one by Sophie Hannah I like.
November 3, 2014
N.Y.P.D. detective Ellie Hatcher and her partner, J.J. Rogan are summoned to the scene of an apparent suicide. The victim, age sixteen, is from a wealthy and influential family.
Alafair Burke uses her knowledge of the streets of New York to create action that rolls out as if the reader was a pedestrian in the street or in Washington Square Park, listening to the sounds and watching the antics of the cast of characters.
Ellie not only investigates the questionable suicide but has flashbacks to the death of her own policeman father who was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted wound. She considers if she "...could simply set aside her own past like a discarded shopping bag."
The teenage children and their relationships with their parents are the heart of the story. Many of these teenagers live on the streets and have been cast aside by their parents. There is also a lesson on the danger of abuse of perscription drugs and antidepressents.
The author keeps the reader guessing through the intricacies of the story and the reader will shake their head in appreciation for the author's writing skill as we read the concluding chapters of this entertaining story.
Alafair Burke uses her knowledge of the streets of New York to create action that rolls out as if the reader was a pedestrian in the street or in Washington Square Park, listening to the sounds and watching the antics of the cast of characters.
Ellie not only investigates the questionable suicide but has flashbacks to the death of her own policeman father who was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted wound. She considers if she "...could simply set aside her own past like a discarded shopping bag."
The teenage children and their relationships with their parents are the heart of the story. Many of these teenagers live on the streets and have been cast aside by their parents. There is also a lesson on the danger of abuse of perscription drugs and antidepressents.
The author keeps the reader guessing through the intricacies of the story and the reader will shake their head in appreciation for the author's writing skill as we read the concluding chapters of this entertaining story.
July 31, 2019
I started the Ellie Hatcher Series at book 3, loved it and was able to read a preview of book 4, Never Tell after and knew I had to continue with the series. The book is broken up into 6 parts with the main figures in the case as the important player in each part. There are interconnected stories that link and so many twists that the reader is on a mission with the detectives to figure out what is going on. I love looking for clues and proud when I see the puzzle coming together, but read because I love the shock of really great twist. Alafaire Burke has this girl hooked and I'm off to book 5.
December 26, 2012
According to Dennis LeHane, this is from one of the best young writers of this genre...doesn't speak well for the future. The plot was byzantine, the characters not believable, the writing mediocre. I know she is the daughter of James Lee Burke, but she apparently has not inherited the writing gene...unlike the Stephen King/Joe Hill relationship.
August 27, 2016
What I have really come to enjoy about the Ellie Hatcher series is the complexity of each case to be solved. Was the victim a bully? How about the mom of the friend -- what is she hiding. In the end there is not just one solution, but many . . . Life is complicated and we see that in Ellie Hatcher's world.
December 10, 2013
I hadn't realized this was part of a series, but I'm afraid I have no interest in catching up with earlier titles.
This is a straight police-procedural with main characters who failed to interest me.
This is a straight police-procedural with main characters who failed to interest me.
July 15, 2012
3.5 stars. This novel was kind of slow starting and took a good while to become engrossing. But, glad I hung with it as it eventually starting twisting and turning like a corkscrew.
September 7, 2012
3.5 stars--pretty good crime/mystery novel. I wasn't overly enamored by the way the ends were wrapped up, but overall a quick read.
January 11, 2013
*snooze* I just couldn't get into this book… I was expecting a page-turner, but for me, at least, it was a slog to get through.
December 26, 2013
This was my first read by this author. The overall story was ok, but I felt the writing was choppy. I would not recommend this one.
May 26, 2020
4.5
Amanti del thriller a raccolta, finalmente torna in Italia Alafair Burke con un altro magnifico thriller e una detective che conquista.
Non dire una bugia è una storia di segreti, di apparenze che nascondono la vera essenza delle persone. Verità taciute per fini più o meno nobili, ma una bugia è pur sempre una bugia e prima o poi la verità viene sempre a galla portando con sè una serie di conseguenze.
Julia Whitmire è un'adolescente come tante e la sua vita agli occhi degli altri sembra perfetta. Appartenente a una famiglia ricca dell'Upper East Side ha tutto quello che potrebbe desiderare, ma un giorno viene trovata morta all'interno della sua vasca da bagno, con le vene recise e una lettera scritta frettolosamente e lasciata sul letto. L'accaduto sta per essere archiviato dalla polizia di New York come un classico caso di suicidio, ma la madre di Julia non crede che la figlia possa aver fatto un gesto del genere. La donna spinge affinchè la polizia indaghi per omicidio. Ma perchè qualcuno avrebbe voluto uccidere Julia? Cosa nascondeva la ragazza? La lettera non è stata scritta da lei?
La detective Ellie Hatcher, insieme al collega Rogan iniziano a scavare nella vita di Julia per accorgersi che le apparenza spesso posso ingannare e non sempre quello che si vede corrisponde alla realtà.
Julia era una sedicenne particolare, difficile, turbolenta, con una condotta sessuale discutibile. A conoscere alcune verità è la sul comportamento di Julia è l'amica Ramona e il misterioso Casey, un ragazzo senza fissa dimora con il quale spesso si accompagnava.
Anche la famiglia di Julia non è così patinata. La relazione tra i suoi genitori ha delle crepe di cui nessuno parla e la cosa strana è che loro abitano negli Hampton mentre la figlia adolescente in una casa di New York, da sola.
Alafair Burke scava ancora una volta nel sottobosco delle relazioni familiare. Rimescola nel torbido di rapporti perfetti che raccontano vite felici e piene, mentre invece nascondono il vuoto della solitudine, delle bugie e del tradimento. Cosa spinge un'adolescente che ha tutto, ad adottare condotte limite? Forse la ricerca di attenzione? Il peso di un dolore inespresso a cui non può dare voce, oppure è la solita ragazza viziata che vuole costantemente sfidare la classe sociale di appartenenza?
Mille interrogativi a cui dare risposta che conducono il lettore a leggere senza sosta, senza un attimo di respiro.
Adoro le ambientazioni della Burke, quel fascino del thriller newyokese, con detective che potrebbero sembrare stereotipati ma che in realtà sono gli elementi peculiari di un certo tipo di poliziesco. Lo so, lo so, il fatto che adori Law & Order forse influisce un po' sul mio giudizio, ma sono davvero esaltata dal modo che ha la Burke di mettere nero su bianco la conduzione di un'indagine.
La storia offre più quadri narrativi in apparenza disconnessi, ma ad ogni passo si aggiungono tasselli importanti fino a collegare tutto in un unico quadro unitario. Indizi che divengono prove, sospetti che si fanno certezze.
Ho letto con un continuo stato di tensione reso palpabile non sono dall'architettura televisiva dell'intero plot, ma anche dalla caratterizzazione dei personaggi.
Non dire una bugia affronta anche parecchi temi spinosi come quelli dell'abuso di sostanze, di alcol e sessuale, la consistenza dei rapporti tra genitori e figli e non ultimo, il ruolo della scuola nell'amplificare il disagio. Alcune riflessioni mi hanno proprio fatto accapponare la pelle.
Ellie Hatcher è la classica detective che mi piace. Spigolosa al punto giusto, abile e intuitiva con un passato difficile alle spalle che a volte incide sulla sua vita.
Io sono stata letteralmente travolta dagli eventi, alla continua ricerca di connessioni che potessero spiegare legami e azioni, dai colpi di scena, dal mistero nascosto dietro l'anonima blogger che si racconta come una voce fuori campo.
Se amate Alafair Burke non potete perdere Non dire una bugia.
https://ariaswild.blogspot.com/2020/0...
Amanti del thriller a raccolta, finalmente torna in Italia Alafair Burke con un altro magnifico thriller e una detective che conquista.
Non dire una bugia è una storia di segreti, di apparenze che nascondono la vera essenza delle persone. Verità taciute per fini più o meno nobili, ma una bugia è pur sempre una bugia e prima o poi la verità viene sempre a galla portando con sè una serie di conseguenze.
Julia Whitmire è un'adolescente come tante e la sua vita agli occhi degli altri sembra perfetta. Appartenente a una famiglia ricca dell'Upper East Side ha tutto quello che potrebbe desiderare, ma un giorno viene trovata morta all'interno della sua vasca da bagno, con le vene recise e una lettera scritta frettolosamente e lasciata sul letto. L'accaduto sta per essere archiviato dalla polizia di New York come un classico caso di suicidio, ma la madre di Julia non crede che la figlia possa aver fatto un gesto del genere. La donna spinge affinchè la polizia indaghi per omicidio. Ma perchè qualcuno avrebbe voluto uccidere Julia? Cosa nascondeva la ragazza? La lettera non è stata scritta da lei?
La detective Ellie Hatcher, insieme al collega Rogan iniziano a scavare nella vita di Julia per accorgersi che le apparenza spesso posso ingannare e non sempre quello che si vede corrisponde alla realtà.
Julia era una sedicenne particolare, difficile, turbolenta, con una condotta sessuale discutibile. A conoscere alcune verità è la sul comportamento di Julia è l'amica Ramona e il misterioso Casey, un ragazzo senza fissa dimora con il quale spesso si accompagnava.
Anche la famiglia di Julia non è così patinata. La relazione tra i suoi genitori ha delle crepe di cui nessuno parla e la cosa strana è che loro abitano negli Hampton mentre la figlia adolescente in una casa di New York, da sola.
Alafair Burke scava ancora una volta nel sottobosco delle relazioni familiare. Rimescola nel torbido di rapporti perfetti che raccontano vite felici e piene, mentre invece nascondono il vuoto della solitudine, delle bugie e del tradimento. Cosa spinge un'adolescente che ha tutto, ad adottare condotte limite? Forse la ricerca di attenzione? Il peso di un dolore inespresso a cui non può dare voce, oppure è la solita ragazza viziata che vuole costantemente sfidare la classe sociale di appartenenza?
Mille interrogativi a cui dare risposta che conducono il lettore a leggere senza sosta, senza un attimo di respiro.
Adoro le ambientazioni della Burke, quel fascino del thriller newyokese, con detective che potrebbero sembrare stereotipati ma che in realtà sono gli elementi peculiari di un certo tipo di poliziesco. Lo so, lo so, il fatto che adori Law & Order forse influisce un po' sul mio giudizio, ma sono davvero esaltata dal modo che ha la Burke di mettere nero su bianco la conduzione di un'indagine.
La storia offre più quadri narrativi in apparenza disconnessi, ma ad ogni passo si aggiungono tasselli importanti fino a collegare tutto in un unico quadro unitario. Indizi che divengono prove, sospetti che si fanno certezze.
Ho letto con un continuo stato di tensione reso palpabile non sono dall'architettura televisiva dell'intero plot, ma anche dalla caratterizzazione dei personaggi.
Non dire una bugia affronta anche parecchi temi spinosi come quelli dell'abuso di sostanze, di alcol e sessuale, la consistenza dei rapporti tra genitori e figli e non ultimo, il ruolo della scuola nell'amplificare il disagio. Alcune riflessioni mi hanno proprio fatto accapponare la pelle.
Ellie Hatcher è la classica detective che mi piace. Spigolosa al punto giusto, abile e intuitiva con un passato difficile alle spalle che a volte incide sulla sua vita.
Io sono stata letteralmente travolta dagli eventi, alla continua ricerca di connessioni che potessero spiegare legami e azioni, dai colpi di scena, dal mistero nascosto dietro l'anonima blogger che si racconta come una voce fuori campo.
Se amate Alafair Burke non potete perdere Non dire una bugia.
https://ariaswild.blogspot.com/2020/0...
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