Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Night Watch - Linda Fairstein - Review AND Giveaway

 Linda Fairstein's latest release, Night Watch, marks the fourteenth book in her highly successful Alex Cooper series.

This has been one of my favourite crime series over the years. Alex works in the  New York P.D. Sex Crimes Unit. Fairstein herself Linda Fairstein was chief of the Sex Crimes Unit of the district attorney’s office in Manhattan for more than two decades and is a legal expert on sexual assault and domestic violence. This gives her novels that unmistakable ring of truth and attention to detail - only one of the things that has kept me coming back to read the newest novel.

In Night Watch, Alex has headed over to France to visit with her latest love - Luc, a Michelin three star restaurant owner. When a young woman is found murdered in the idyllic French village, the local constabulary suspects Luc - there are connections he has neglected to mention that look suspicious. Also suspicious are the old skulls and bones left on his home's doorstep. Alex has plans to stay in France for two weeks, but a desperate plea from her partners Mike and Mercer and a distinct order from her boss have her heading back to New York. A high level diplomatic and world figure is being accused of rape by a hotel maid. (yep, lots of similarities to recent headlines)

Mike and Mercer are another one of the reasons I love this series. Fairstein has created a wonderful group of protagonists  - each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Mike is brash, bold and fearless. Mercer is quieter, thoughtful and thinks before he acts or speaks. But the three of them together make for a team that gets results. The camaraderie between these three has grown and solidified over the course of many years. Of the two supporting characters, I prefer Mercer and would like to see him more of a larger storyline.

Luc is also planning to open a high end restaurant in New York. Cleared to travel, he heads to oversee his new enterprise.....but a second body is found.....again, with ties to Luc. Is Luc really the man Alex thought he was? Is he telling the truth or is someone railroading him? Between those worries and the fact that the witness in the high stakes rape case keeps changing her tune, Alex is spreading herself awfully thin. And it shows.

In Night Watch, Alex doesn't seem to have the same forceful personality I've come to love. Yes, she is still on top of her legal game. But, her relationship with Luc seems to have her making excuses and behaving out of character. Maybe part of it is that I really don't like Luc at all. He makes numerous misogynistic and racist comments in the first few opening chapters. They're quite offensive and I can't believe Coop doesn't take umbrage with them. Her mooning about their relationship and Mike's willingness to feed that neediness just plain rubbed me the wrong way.

The third thing I love about Fairstein's novel is the New York history she always weaves into her novels. This time it's about the Prohibition era and the various ways that the ban was circumvented. I found the piece on 21 restaurant fascinating and went crawling the web to read more.

I'm still a big fan of this series and will happily pick up the next book. While I enjoyed Night Watch, it just fell a little flat for this reader. All the right pieces were there - all that was missing was the Alex I know. My advice - dump Luc.  Read an excerpt of Night Watch.

You can find Linda Fairstein on Facebook and on Twitter.

What did other bloggers on the TLC tour think? See the full schedule here.

Thanks to the lovely folks at Dutton Books, I have a copy of Night Watch to giveaway. Open to US and Canada. Simply leave a comment to be entered. Ends July 29.

58 comments:

The Many Thoughts of a Reader said...

I have the second and third books in this series and I keep meaning to track down the first so I can start it, cuz I am kind of anal that way. haha

Karen B said...

I haven't read any of this series but think it's about time I started!

kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

Maureen said...

The series itself sounds good so I will look for it.
mce1011 AT aol DOT com

traveler said...

This series would be wonderful. many thanks. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

petite said...

I am fascinated with this book and the series is compelling. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

Carl Scott said...

The world has been waiting for Night Watch and here it comes. Although you found Alex a little flat this time I'd still like to read the book. Thanks for putting a copy up for grabs. carlscott(at)prodigy(dot)net(dot)mx

Carol N Wong said...

I haven't read this series at all but it is just type of book that I love and the New York history is a bonus. Thank you for this giveaway.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

bermudaonion said...

I've only read a few books from this series but have thoroughly enjoyed them. I got this one on audio and can't wait to read it.

Sue Farrell said...

I really want to try this Alex Cooper series. If I win, I'll REALLY have incentive to get started.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

Teresa Young said...

This is a series I have been meaning to read for a while.
tmyoung at rochester dot rr dot com

Anonymous said...

Oh, please count me in, I just love her books!
Thanks, Liene@ LLucane at yahoo dot com

Anita Yancey said...

I haven't read any of her books yet, but this one sounds really good. I know I would enjoy reading it. Please enter me. Thanks!
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Jessica T. said...

This sounds like a great book that I would love to read!
reklaw422 at hotmail dot com

rubynreba said...

I haven't read any of her books yet but I know I would enjoy them.
Thanks for the nice giveaway.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

Heather J. @ TLC Book Tours said...

Thanks for being on the tour!

Amber said...

I'd love to enter please - this looks like a great summer read!
Thank you for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

Timshaun said...

I would love to read this.
Shaunda.Eppes at gmail dot com

slb3334 said...

I would love to read this.

slb3334@gmail.com

linett said...

this has been on my wish list for a while, thanks

kathy said...

I haven't read any of this authors books but it sounds like a good read.

Piero G. said...

I'd love to read a great murder-mystery. Please add my name to this giveaway.

GALENA said...

have not read anythingby her yet this sounds great

debbie said...

I have been reading this series. Thanks for your honest review of this book.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

McKim said...

I haven't read any of her books yet, but they sound interesting.

Anonymous said...

GREAT SERIES.

jimpat34@broadstripe.net

Mrs Mommy Booknerd said...

Another great sounding book and a must read series

Mrsmommybooknerdsbookreviews at gmail dot com

Rusty said...

I'm a longtime Linda Fairstein fan and would love to win a copy of this book. I enjoy the "Final Jeopardy" questions that are always a part of each book too. rustysrambles(at)gmail(dot)com

Crystal F said...

I haven't read one of her books yet but I will be looking for them now. lol thank you!
crystalfaulkner2000 at yahoo dot com

Piero G. said...

I posted a comment afew days ago, but for some reason it doesn't show. I figured it got lost in cyber-space so I'm resending it, and keeping my fingers crossed that I can win what sounds to be an awesome read.

esldiane@gmail.com said...

I haven't read any of this series, but would enjoy doing so
Diane Baum
esldiane@gmail.com

Daniel M said...

sounds like a good one! - regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com

Karen said...

I have not yet read any of this series, but I would like to. Thanks for the giveaway.

President(dot)peaches(at)hotmail(dot)com

willdebbie said...

Thsi sounds intersting, going on the web to find more
willdebbie97 at yahoo dot com

clynsg said...

I think I have read most of the books in this series--need to print out a list and really check it over to see if I have missed any. Know that I haven't read this one yet!

cgclynsg0 @ gmail dot com

DShope said...

Thank you for the giveaway. I haven't read any from the series but I would love to.

Melissa B. said...

This is the first I've heard of this series. I look forward to reading all of the books.

peterg201 said...

I would like to win this for my Mom

Anonymous said...

sounds like a great book

jim.coyne2@verizon.net

Becca Ann said...

I haven't read any of her books
xxbeccaannxx@gmail.com

dlhaley said...

Sounds like a good read. Please enter me to win. Thank you.

brendaelsner said...

Sounds like a great book. Please enter me!!

Sarah said...

I'm a big fan of Fairstein's novels.

Valerie Taylor Mabrey said...

This really sounds like a good series. Thanks!

Wayne Lecoy said...

Please Enter Me In Your Book Giveaway
It Would Be Great To Win A
Copy of Night Watch by Linda Fairstein.
This Book Looks Like It Might Be Interesting To Read.
Thanks For Having This Giveaway!!!!!!

Trisha McKee said...

I would love to read this. Thanks for the giveaway!

tridingermckee at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I want to win this!

Tim Moss, yupbucket@hotmail.com

Hotsnotty2 said...

I would love to win this, thanks for the chance!

Hotsnotty2@hotmail.com

skkorman said...

I would love to read this book—thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!

skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net

kat said...

This book sounds great! Thanks so much for the giveway!
kat_emerick@yahoo.com

Charlene Kuser said...

I enjoy reading books about crime and
murder.I would love to read this book.

CharlieGurl57@aol.com

laurasloves said...

I love Linda Fairstein books and have read so many. I have not read this one though and would love to win.
lauraemerson17 at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

perfect reading for the beach/pool. Thanks sw//raymondw345@aol.com

dvice12 said...

This would be great

binabug said...

thanks for the chance to discover a new author
jedw94 at gmail dot com

AEKZ2 said...

This is new to me, and I'd love to read a good crime book.

greenhome said...

I have not read this series, but would love to.

liliesrnice said...

I'm a fan of hers, so I hope I win!

Lisa said...

Sounds like something I would enjoy

Peachesncream887(at)hotmail(dot)com