La Quinta Cove

Killer Heat

by Linda Fairstein

Assistant District Attorney Alexandra Cooper is the special prosecutor for sex crimes and crimes against women. Much progress has been made in the last 30 years in prosecuting rapes in the United States. Alex is involved in a trial of a man who had escaped from a rape trial 35 years prior, when he would probably have been acquitted and had subsequently committed many more rapes over the next twenty years. He had been brought in after a cold case was reviewed and DNA evidence connected him to the case from 35 years prior.

Concurrent with her prosecution of Warren, Alex becomes involved in a series of recent murders of young women that appear to be connected. These crimes appear to have been committed by someone who leaves no clues, or DNA. The victims seem to have nothing in common and no motive is apparent. The police are considering the possibility of a serial killer.

The plot involves the New York mob syndicate and a connection is finally made to a Manhattan bar where at least two of the young women have been patrons. Good sleuthing and many interesting plot twists occur. It’s a well-written thriller and I enjoyed it.