Lethal Legacy (Alexandra Cooper Novel): A Novel

This was O.K.

3.0 out of 5 stars Not a particularly "thrilling" thriller...(3.5 stars), July 22, 2009 Although there are bloody murders, this isn't your typical thriller. Instead of chills and suspense, we read what is essentially a rather long-winded narrative of the history of map making, old books, and conservation, as well as learning about the inner workings and politics of...more

3.0 out of 5 stars Not a particularly "thrilling" thriller...(3.5 stars), July 22, 2009 Although there are bloody murders, this isn't your typical thriller. Instead of chills and suspense, we read what is essentially a rather long-winded narrative of the history of map making, old books, and conservation, as well as learning about the inner workings and politics of family legacy and the management of the New York Public Library. Unlike most circulating libraries, the NYPL is a research based library -- books are not checked out but are examined or read within the different library divisions and areas. Spectacular collections from some of the country's most prominent families are displayed and housed therein. No one is really quite sure of what ALL is inside the miles of storage. This book describes a crime of greed -- the perpetrators are apparently looking for a special map of the world that a patriarch of one of the old rich families of NY (the Hunts) has secreted inside a series of special old books that are contained within the vaults of special collections in the catacombs of the library. The action moves along primarily through the dialog between Alexandra Cooper (the ADA), her best buddies Mike Chapman and Mercer, and the various functionaries and curators at the NY Public Library. If you love history and love reading about maps, map making and the processes of protecting and treasuring old books, art, and other masterpieces -- and if you love reading about how a library works -- then you will like this book. The actual mystery involved isn't anything new or riveting, merely another look at the cross and double cross greedy criminal. I rate it 3.5 because the history was interesting. The story itself not so much. This is not a fast paced riveting novel. I like these characters although they are getting boring doing the same old thing all the time. Most Fairstein fans, like me, are tried and true and we'll stick with her -- waiting for the next adventure.   hide

This book is one of her better books, still waiting for Alex & Chapman to get together!!

I'm a total "library-gal" so I love the tie in with the NYC Public Library. Cool plot twists with the history of maps, too. Liked the fact that Alexandra and Mike continue to get along marvelously without the tension that other male/female police associates tend to get into...

I loved the setting of the New York Public Library.

OK...I am a murder mystery crime/thriller fan. I love books and libraries, I love history and I love New York. I even love Law and Order SVU. However, I not love this book.

So far, excellent! Excellent so far!

Alexandra and Mike in the library! Great addition to the series

Fun - loved the insiders tour of the NY Library