Terminal City (Alexandra Cooper)

I nearly didn't buy this book because of unduly negative reviews on Amazon UK. Some people obviously don't "get" the relationship between Alex and Mike and crave a neat romantic resolution, but I think it's proceeding in a way that rings true to their characters. Alex is a woman working in an incredibly tough situation. We see her vulnerability as well as he courage. Her wise-cracking camaraderie with Mike and Mercer sustains her (and the reader) against a background of horrors. I find it totally convincing. As for those who think she has gone stale or formulaic, I have to disagree: this was as fresh and compelling as ever: well-researched and fascinating. Grand Central station revealed on many different levels - literally, from the secret tunnels to the inner walkways of the roof. The history never gets too much or too obtrusive. The climax is enthralling.

I would probably have enjoyed this book more if I hadn't been comparing it to previous Alex Cooper installments.The historical facts, although interesting, took up a large part and I felt that the plot and character development suffered a little because of it - most notably with Alex who at times was almost unrecognizable. I still enjoyed it though, and I'll probably read the next book although I would like less history and more character development.

I've recently come back to this series after having missed the last 4 or 5 books. It follows the same formula as her other books, lots of historical facts about the building/ place the story is set - in this instance it is Grand Central Terminal. I've followed this series for years; the main draw being the will they/ won't they relationship with Cooper and Chapman; however, although this has been dangled in front of us since the previous book you get no more movement. I'm left to think that Fairstein is savvy in some ways and is drawing this potential relationship out longer. Although it was referred to in the last book that if they have a relationship they won't be able to work together anymore I'm thinking that the direction Mike's career seems to be taking in this book leaves the door open for a relationship? I agree with other reviewers on how Cooper seems to have become an extremely whiny character in this book. Rather than buy the next few in the series I'm going to re-read this series from the beginning as, like with so many other long series, the earlier books are definitely stronger. It will go in my collection but I'm glad I didn't pay full price

Another Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Alexandra Cooper detective thriller. The Alexandra Cooper series are contemporary, based in Manhattan, intersperced with many little known anecdotes about the City of New York, mostly Manhattan. They feature humour, humanity, suspense and drama, with a decided up beat flair; not dwelling on the gory details of the streets. My favorite was Final Jeopardy, this one was still a fun read. Am looking forward to her next.

Another great book from Linda Fairstein. Love the ongoing story/relationship with Mike and Alex running alonside a great thriller. Its one of those books you don't want to put down, keeping you in suspense with so many twists and turns trying to work out who the murderer is. Great stuff can't wait for the next one.

Only half way through this book, Better than the last couple of books however reading this book I still feel that it is a little slower in developing the story to her previous books.

Easy to read crime novel - similar pattern in all her work, but a nice underlying story too. I now own several of her books. Book arrived promptly in a good condition.

Have followed this series from the beginning and am finding myself really irritated by the characters to be honest. Perfect mercer, heroic mike and vain pompous princess Alex who has a best friend 'owner' of most restaurants all of whom (apparently) totally adore her. Smidge unrealistic and very annoying. I agree with one of the other reviews and fail to see why she's such a sex symbol. There are a lot of attempts at humour between Alex and mike but it just doesn't hit the spot and isn't funny. Their relationship is something else that's unrealistic. The chemistry has been going on forever but nothings happened yet??? Both single? They'd have jumped each other by now in real life. Get them into bed Linda, they're far too pompous and anal. The plot was weak and the ending was an anti climax. Didn't like this one at all. Sorry.

Yet another great Alex Cooper novel. The description of central terminal was outstanding, and the historical facts as always, brilliant.

... book in which Ms Linda Fairstein didn't solve anything in the relation between Mike and Alex Cooper.:((( Like almost all the true lovers of that particular series I follow it now almost only to finally know what, when, where and how is happening something really serious between two of the three main protagonists. But again another frustration, we have to wait for another year or so to learn more about the most interesting item of the moment - the pair of friends that always fail to become finally lovers. Don't get me wrong: It is a thriller and its main purpose is to entertain with thrill and twists. But book after book the landmarks of New York are the most important things in those "thrillers" which are becoming one a sequel of the other. Not quite fair to give us one lesson after an other in history of the Manhattan Island. And as fascinating the Waldorf Astoria Hotel may be for the normal citizen - American or European or Asian - but the murder that happens to take place there is badly explained and could have happened elsewhere, too. As the relation of the killer to "Terminal City", the most famous train station of the world also known as Grand Central Station - the monument that earned the second star of my review, is very farfetched. His motivations, too, were hardly understandable to myself - but that may vary from reader to reader. And once again there is an almost impossible showdown in the middle of one hell of a thunderstorm - including the giant clock (!!!) the station is known for. Ha! In my eyes this final solution of the thriller made the story even more incredible. To reveal more of the book would mean to spoil the last tracks of suspense it has got. And to make the whole story even more incredible is the imminent arrival of a most important political person right on this very weekend - plans not to be changed, murderous threat or not. A fact the killer could NOT have been totally sure of. But maybe he had a crystal ball which told him where to go when to do what. And frankly, I couldn't understand the kind of cruelty Ms Fairstein let him use upon the heroines of her own gender. Because it was far from being explained sufficently to the shocked reader like me after his last victim. A highlight of the whole story that I have to mention here is an other curiosity based on facts: The Ratters - a group You only can find in the melting pot that is the Big Apple - for them star Nr. 3. That chapter of the book I did really enjoy :)))! No, friends of the Alex-Cooper-series, it really is NOT guaranteed that I personally will buy the next book, with or without a real relation between Mike and Alex. And Mercer too was only a shadow in a crime story which let escape a brute in improbable ways, only to have him as a sure threat in the next book... No, Ms Fairstein has not shown the usual passion for her heroine and heroes any more, I am really sorry. And it is the first time I heard Ms Alex use foul speech! And that was absolutely not fitting into the picture I always had in mind - thinking of her as a well-educated woman. No again, a further deterioration of the characters that have accompanied my virtual travels in and around New York for more than a decade - no, I don't think I can tolerate that. Nor do I want to be a part of it any more ...

Linda Fairstein nous fait découvrir un nouvel aspect de New York, son livre est passionnant comme toujours et les personnages attachants.

A long awaited book. Speedy delivery and well presented.

Another sophisticated thriller with the usual interesting NYC history...Couldn't put it down. The information about Grand Central, and the life within it, was fascinating. All the familiar characters are great. I love the Alex/Mike relationship and hope it continues to go in the right direction. Together they make the stories better. Looking forward to the next one !!