It’s a Mystery: Angel’s Tip, by Alafair Burke

She’s no angel, but she’s good

With the proliferation of general interest in cold cases and forensics, Angel’s Tip is a timely new entry in the thriller genre. As protagonist, Ellie Hatcher is smart and assertive, building her confidence with every new case and carving out a niche in the man’s world of homicide investigation. But she isn’t arrogant, and she realizes that she still has a lot to learn. When she literally jogs her way into a serial murder case, she’s got to learn fast. Fortunately, she’s been paired with a great partner, and it’s a pleasure to watch their relationship develop.
Watching Hatcher and Rogan navigate the complex, interwoven minefields of the city of New York, its law enforcement agencies, its media, and its ever active criminal population, is both intriguing and satisfying. As an insider, author Burke strengthens her story with realistic procedural detail far removed from TV portrayals of similar situations, much as Patricia Cornwell did for forensics. The plot of Angel’s Tip holds together well up until the final chapters, when her involvement of Hatcher as potential victim seems contrived. Nevertheless, fans of tautly written police procedurals will find much to like in this novel.

This book is due for release on August 18, 2008. Thanks to Amazon.com for this ARC.