Tuesday, July 17, 2012

NIGHT WATCH (and Giveaway!)

Author: Linda Fairstein
Genre: Police Procedural,
Alexandra Cooper Series #14
Published: 2012
Personal Rating: 3.5/5 (Good)
Format: Book
Yearly Count:  63


From the Publisher:
Forty-eight hours after Alexandra Cooper arrives in France to visit her boyfriend and famed restaurateur, Luc Rouget, her vacation in paradise is cut short when a young woman from the village is found murdered. The only evidence discovered on the body is one of Luc’s matchboxes promoting his new restaurant in New York. But before the investigation begins, Alex is summoned back to New York to handle a high profile case.

Mohammed Gil-Darsin, the distinguished and wealthy Head of the World Economic Bureau, has been arrested and accused of attacking a maid in his hotel. As the world watches in fascination to see how the scandal will unfold, Alex finds her attention torn between preparing the alleged victim to testify and a murder case with ties too close to home. A second body is found with Luc’s matchbox—this time in Brooklyn—and Alex begins to fear that the two cases may not be as unrelated as she thought, and that uncovering the sordid secrets of the city’s most wealthy and powerful could cost her and her loved ones everything they hold dear.


TLC Tours gave me the perfect opportunity to finally give Fairstein's Alex Cooper series a try.  Beginning this lengthy series at #14 didn't cause me to feel lost or confused, but I did miss the background of the characters.  I didn't know why they were the way they were, especially Alex.  I didn't find her to be a very interesting main character, and her boyfriend didn't charm me in the least. I did like Alex's partners, though. They added some sarcasm and humor that I appreciated.

 The two story lines were both solid and engaging. I thoroughly enjoyed the historical components and settings of France and New York, but felt the story as a whole was too long. Ultimately, my introduction to this series wasn't all that I hoped for, but I do want to visit with Alex and her cohorts again. Maybe learning additional information about Alex will help me to enjoy this well-established series more.






My thanks go to Penguin Group and TLC Book Tours for sending me this ARC.



Linda Fairstein's TLC Book Tour
TOUR STOPS:

Monday, July 2nd:  nomad reader
Tuesday, July 3rd:  Jen’s Book Thoughts
Thursday, July 5th:  Book Addict Katie
Monday, July 9th:  Lesa’s Book Critiques
Tuesday, July 10th:  A Bookworm’s World
Wednesday, July 11th:  Mockingbird Hill Cottage
Thursday, July 12th:  Murder by Type
Monday, July 16th:  Reviews by Molly
Tuesday, July 17th:  Life in Review
Wednesday, July 18th:  Chaotic Compendiums
Thursday, July 19th:  Crime Fiction Lover
Friday, July 20th:  Reviews by Elizabeth A. White
Monday, July 23rd:  Bewitched Bookworms
Tuesday, July 24th:  Sara’s Organized Chaos
Wednesday, July 25th:  Colloquium
Thursday, July 26th:  Thoughts of Joy
Monday, July 30th:  Musings of a Bookish Kitty
Friday, August 3rd:  A Novel Source 




GIVEAWAY GUIDELINES:

* Only residents of the U.S.A. or Canada are eligible to win
* No P.O. boxes, please

Leave a comment and contact information, if you are interested.

Giveaway ends Thursday, August 2.  Winner will be posted on Friday, August 3. 

10 comments:

  1. I would like to read this book, the storyline sounds very interesting.

    cenya2 at hotmail dot com

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  2. Many thanks for this great giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  3. thanks for your review and interesting giveaway. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  4. I've read a few books in this series and enjoyed them. No need to enter me.

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  5. Anonymous2:03 PM

    I hope that you do give the other books in the series a shot! Thanks for being on the tour.

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    Replies
    1. Heathertic ~ I'm happy to have finally read one in this series and imagine I will read another. :)

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  6. I am not sure this would be the best book to jump in on, given the depth of the back story, but, as a mystery, it does stand alone, I agree.

    I've enjoyed this series more and more as it goes along. I am glad you finally gave it a try!

    No need to enter me in the giveaway. :-)

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    Replies
    1. Literary Feline ~ Since reading it, I have heard that beginning this series at #14 really isn't the best place to start. And, it appears as if you agree with that. That actually makes me feel better about the series as a whole. I like how Fairstein writes, but I'm not so sure about Alex.

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    2. Alex isn't my favorite heroine--but she's grown on me. Things come too easily for her and she puts herself in danger a lot.

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    3. Literary Feline ~ I fully understand following a character and developing a book-relationship with them. You kind of just settle in (back for a visit) even if the storyline isn't fantastic. I feel that way about Maisie Dobbs. I love visiting with her -- no matter what she's up to. I've known her since she was a pup. LOL :)

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Thank you for taking the time to comment. :)

I hope you have a great day and ...
Happy Reading!