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    Lethal Legacy: A Novel
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    Lethal Legacy: A Novel
    Unavailable
    Lethal Legacy: A Novel
    Audiobook (abridged)5 hours

    Lethal Legacy: A Novel

    Written by Linda Fairstein

    Narrated by Blair Brown

    3.5/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    In Linda Fairstein's outstanding new novel, the New York Public Library houses dazzling treasures—and deadly secrets.

    When Assistant District Attorney Alex Cooper is summoned to Tina Barr's apartment on Manhattan's Upper East Side, she finds a neighbor convinced that the young woman was assaulted. But the terrified victim, a conservator of rare books and maps, refuses to cooperate with investigators. Then another woman is found murdered in that same apartment with an extremely valuable book, believed to have been stolen. As Alex pursues the murderer, she is drawn into the strange and privileged world of the Hunt family, major benefactors of the New York Public Library and passionate rare book collectors.

    Eventually Alex connects their internal family rivalries to a priceless edition of Alice in Wonderland, which also contains the world's oldest map. Would one of the well-bred Hunts be willing to kill for the treasures? The search for the answer takes Alex and her team on a breathtaking chase from Manhattan's grandest apartments to the secret tunnels and chambers of the New York Public Library, and finally to a nineteenth-century underground vault. There, in the pitch-black darkness, Alex comes face-to-face with the killer who values money more than life.

    Featuring a cast of elite, erudite, and downright eccentric characters, and a complex trail of clues that will have you guessing until the final pages, Lethal Legacy is Linda Fairstein's most beguiling thriller yet.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Random House Audio
    Release dateFeb 10, 2009
    ISBN9780739358658
    Unavailable
    Lethal Legacy: A Novel
    Author

    Linda Fairstein

    Linda Fairstein was chief of the Sex Crimes Unit of the district attorney's office in Manhattan for more than two decades and is America's foremost legal expert on sexual assault and domestic violence. Her Alexandra Cooper novels are international bestsellers and have been translated into more than a dozen languages. She lives in Manhattan and on Martha's Vineyard.

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    Reviews for Lethal Legacy

    3.5/5

    220 ratings40 reviews

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    • 4/5
      So this isn't "tagged" friendship, but there is a definite ongoing friendship throughout the entire series between; Prosecutor Alex Cooper, Detective Mike Chapman, and Detective Mercer....so there are the friends.

      This book covers the chase for a 12-part rare map and rare books throughout the City of N.Y. and NYPL. Fascinating history of NYPL, the geography beneath it, rare books and maps.

      It wasn't as "exciting" as some of her other books, but being a Librarian, I loved the history & information on rarities & collectibles.
    • 4/5
      Alex is caught up a new mystery with her two buddies Mercer and Mike. This 11th book focuses on the New York Public Library and their wealthy donors. A very rare map, not known to be real is the object of at least two murders. As Alex and team search for the answers the reader gets an wonderful tour of the New York Public library and its history. One of the things this reviewer iikes best about Fairsteins books is her research in to the city and its history. How this history plays into the mystery is always fun. Learn something new overtime I read her stories. The names of the two lions outside the main entrance are Fortitude and Patience.
    • 4/5
      This one hit several buttons for me, rare books, murder, rare maps, obsessive collectors, and libraries. When a woman is attacked and refuses to come for help, Alexandra Cooper, Manhattan's Assistant DA is called to help. Within a day she and Detective Mike Chapman are back, and there's a different woman in the same apartment, this time dead and beside her is a jewel-encrusted book. This brings them into the murky world of rare books, maps and rare book thieves, the people in this world are rich and willing to do almost anything to get the book or map they want. Alex and Mike have to uncover the reasons for the death before too many bodies turn up.I liked it, didn't feel too lost by the story, even if it is book 11, enjoyed the read and reckon severl of my book-loving friends would too.
    • 4/5
      Another reliably good book from Linda Fairstein in her Alex Cooper series. I've been away from her and am a few years behind in reading, but this was a quick read pool-side in Florida. It was made even more eerie when the airport bus drove past the library this evening. Not sure what I think of Alex's french boy but I lke that things are on the mend with she and Mike. Wonder what they'd think of Jeopardy and Watson?
    • 5/5
      When assistant district attorney Alex Cooper is summoned to Tuna Barr's apartment on Manhattan's Upper East Side, se finds a neighbor convinced that the young woman has been assaulted. But the terrified victim, a conservator of rare books and maps, refuses to cooperate with investigators. Then another woman is found murdered in that same apartment with an extremely valuable book, believed to have been stolen
    • 4/5
      I might actually struggle with returning this book to it's owner! It's been a really fun read and I'm excited not only to read it again soon but to explore more of the author's books. Her characters were well written and an interesting group to get to know. It's a great peek into the world of bibliophiles and a good detective story.
    • 5/5
      I found Linda Fairstein’s Lethal Legacy to be an absorbing mystery.The setting of this book is what first attracted me. As a teenager, I had spent many hours at the main branch of the New York Public Library and I was delighted with the opportunity to “visit” once again. I enjoyed the fictional journey down into the bowels of New York Public (where I had never been in real life), while learning quite a bit about antique maps and rare books (two things I love). This is the first Alexandra Copper mystery I’ve read. Although I was unfamiliar with the characters who had been introduced in earlier in the series, I had no difficulty jumping in and enjoying this story. I was hooked from beginning to end.
    • 4/5
      Alex Cooper, the Assistant District Attorney of New York had no idea what she would be drawn into when she was called to an apartment on Manhattan's Upper East Side. It was the middle of the night and someone believes that their neighbor has been sexually assaulted. But A;ex has a problem, the victim swears she hasn't been assaulted or raped and will not cooperate further.Several days later the police are called to a homicide at the same apartment. It turns out to be a female, but not the same female as the first call. The woman found has a small book clutched under her body, the [Bay Psalm Book]. The book was covered in precious jewels and was the first book printed in North America and dated 1604. This book will take Alex and the cops of New York City all over the city, into the lives of serious book collectors, to the New York Public Library and places both above and below ground that most people don't know exist.Although I had trouble "getting into" this book at first, I soon found myself ensconced in the world of the bibliophile. Being that I have loved books from a very early age it is not hard to understand the collectors mind. Mrs. Fairstein surrounds this hobby with intrigue, mystery, truth and fiction. I found myself at my computer on several occasions looking up books and maps mentioned. This is a good read and you'll find that not only are you getting a good book, you are getting mystery and murder with some enthralling book history on the side.
    • 3/5
      While I like detective type mysteries, I'm also aware how formulaic they can be and Lethal Legacy lives up to the formula. A cast of eccentric characters and a library centered/rare book focus to the mystery kept this librarian reading and intrigued. The clues to the lost book and the murder in the book are a bit complex to follow but I enjoyed the ride. Enjoy the book albeit the formula.
    • 4/5
      Assistant D.A. Alexandra Cooper and her partner investigate the murder of Tina Barr, a rare book conservator, and find a raging family feud and web of deceit over a collection of rare books and maps donated to The New York Public Library. Eleventh in a series featuring Alexandra Cooper. As with all of her books, Fairstein gives the reader an interesting glimpse into something historical and/or literate--this time the rare book collections of The New York Public Library. Read by Blair Brown. Highly recommend.
    • 4/5
      Solid showing from Fairstein - the writing keeps getting tighter with more focus on the crimes and action as the series progresses. The only thing really annoying in this novel is the secondary case, Griggs, and how that is given many pages in the beginning of the book and then basically forgotten about until a few pages as an afterthought at the very end. Much less of Alex's personal life in this one which is good as the first few of this series focused WAY too much on Alex's messed up head and life. Really enjoyed this one - was a very fast read.
    • 2/5
      Lethal Legacy begins and ends with suspense and mystery. It's just the pages in between that seem to plod on endlessly. If you enjoy all things maps -- the history, the artwork, the cartography -- then you might like this book. Otherwise avoid at all costs.
    • 4/5
      I liked this book for the same reason some other reviewers disliked it! I found the history of the New York Public Library and antique books and maps fascinating! And, of course, Alexandra Cooper and crew were as great as always. The descriptions of "the rich" who expect their donations to the library to get special treatment above all others was amusing, also.Even better, the audiobook is narrated by Barbara Rosenblat again, after the last book had a different reader - that change was very jarring after 9 books!
    • 5/5
      Lethal Legacy is the eleventh Alexandra Cooper mystery. The story opens in a unique way: with a live victim of sexual assault hesitant to complain, press charges or undergo an examination. It was certainly an interesting departure, and it sets up this crazy cast of characters wonderfully.The rest of the story focuses on the New York Public Library, specifically its map and rare book collections and the greedy shenanigans of those rich enough to collect the world's most rare and valuable items.Linda Fairstein is a master at combining intellectual knowledge, a compelling cast of characters and a riveting mystery. Lethal Legacy had the most intelligent backstory yet. I'm far from an expert on rare maps, but after reading this book, I could charm a collector at a cocktail party and surprise most people at trivia. The good news is Lethal Legacy is Fairstein's best mystery yet. The bad news is there won't be another one for at least a year.
    • 4/5
      Linda Fairstein, the author of this book was a district attorney in Manhattan for more than twenty years. This gives her work an authentic tone. More than that she is a good writer. This novel deals with murders connected with the New York Public Library and librarians would find the wealth of information about the library and its rich doners interesting. Excellent sense of place and plot. The main character is not so interesting,one doesn't get much of a sense of her, but the details of old maps,rare books and eccentric doners made up for that with me.
    • 2/5
      This my first experience with Linda Fairstein, and to be completely honest, I probably will not return to her. Considering the vessels of story delivery, books and murder, I thought I would enjoy Lethal Legacy with gusto. Despite the plot's great potential it fell flat. The characters, though well developed, were hard to get to know. ADA Alex Cooper is almost a cliche.There were interesting details and histories, particularly relating to books and maps, but in the end Lethal Legacy was not worth the read for me.
    • 4/5
      The most recent Alex Cooper novel was particularly resonant for me: it deals with books and libraries, but we don't discover this until a few chapters into the story.A refresher: Alex is an ADA attached to the NYPD sex crimes unit. She works primarily with Detective Mike Chapman, who just might harbour an unrequited love for her.Alex and Mike are summoned to an apartment building on Manhattan's Upper East Side by a resident who fears that his neighbour may have been assaulted. But the young woman, Tina Barr, refuses to co-operate. The next day, a dead body is found in Tina's apartment, and Tina has disappeared. Then the investigators learn that Tina is a freelance rare book conservator who once worked at the New York Public Library.A jewel-encrusted prayer book is found with the body, who turns out to be the assistant of heiress Minerva Hunt, whose wealthy family have a collection of rare books and maps, some of which have been donated to the Library. It's at this point that the plot becomes a bit serpentine: Alex's crew suddenly need to find an old map which will give them a clue to the identity of the murderer. Their search leads them to interview book experts, old and young, rich and poor, honest and deceitful.There's a lot of interesting information here about the New York Public Library, about rare books and maps, about their history, conservation and storage. Fairstein's research is, as usual, impeccable.To a bibliophile like me, this story was fascinating, but I recommend it not only to other bibliophiles, but mystery and thriller lovers as well.I'd like to thank LibraryThing for sending me this book as part of their Early Reviewers program!
    • 3/5
      Murder over antique books and maps and mistaken identity is the basis of this book. The interesting background material on the New York Public Library and Bryant Park was what kept me interested. The reader was excellent in this audio book.
    • 2/5
      I had read Lethal Legacy several months ago. Nothing really stands out to me now that makes me want to write an enthusiastic review. In fact, I had to flip through the pages a few times to even remember the plot and characters. Novels that deal with the history of places, the esoterica of old manuscripts and book conservancy are usually interesting to me. Those are the only aspects that I enjoyed in this book. The characters did not stand out for me, nor did the plot.
    • 3/5
      I like Linda Fairstein's books, even though I don't always like elements of her characters & stories - sometimes Mike's snarkiness is just snarky & not a cute element of character & most times I don't care how rich & blondely feminine & delicate Alexandra is. Having said all of that, her books just about always deliver in terms of a good quick entertaining read - mind candy at its best.One of the things I really like about these books is that Fairstein just about always uses them to explore some part of New York. Consequently I know something about both Roosevelt Island & Plum Island that I never would have known otherwise. This made for a cool mind connection when I read Anthony Bourdain's book on Typhoid Mary (Typhoid Mary: An Urban Historical).I also respect Fairstein's history as a pioneering prosecuting attorney of sex crimes. Her non-fiction work, Sexual Violence, is considered a classic.This time the setting is the New York Public Library & the world of collectors of rare books & maps. As the child of a retired library director I revere & adore libraries & books. The information in this one made me want to go find a history of the New York Public Library which sounds like an amazing & fascinating place. The plot is workable & the setting made it an entertaining read.
    • 3/5
      I really thought I would enjoy this book, it being about books and libraries...but, I really didn't. It seemed to drag alot and by the end, I didn't really care about who had done what. Too bad, great idea.
    • 4/5
      When Assistant District Attorney Alex Cooper is summoned to Tina Barr's apartment on Manhatten's Upper East Side, she finds a neighbor convinced that the young woman was assaulted. Another woman is found murdered in that same apartment with an extremely valuable book, believed to be stolen.
    • 4/5
      Linda Fairstein's Alexandra Cooper series is one of the best mystery series around. Fairstein writes what she knows, having been assistant DA in New York, like her character. Fairstein also seems to have undertaken to educate the world about the city of New York, as most books in the series are about major features of the city. In this volume, the focal point is the New York Public Library, and during the course of the book one finds out a lot about that institution.and about historical maps. A woman was killed and the clues point to a library connection.Good book in an excellent series.
    • 4/5
      4.5 out 5It is surprising that a high intrigue mystery could take place in the halls of the public library but this setting held my interest throughout and had me turning the pages faster than I wanted to. There were times that I actually gasped out loud and my kids asked me what was wrong. Oh, nothing…… just reading. :>) I don’t want to post any spoilers but I will say that I never knew book bindings could be so ghoulish. This was my first introduction to Alex Cooper, New York City DA, but I know I will be going back to catch up on her previous dramatic escapades. As many may or may not know there is more to public libraries than just loaning out books. Ms. Fairstein has mixed up the wealthy upper crust of New York’s oldest high society with the gifting of large old collections that contain not only books, but maps, art and other antiquities. Throw in the sleazy art thief, a naive restoration expert, and you have all the elements for a great suspenseful mystery. The city history that has been woven in throughout the book is fascinating, not boring or dry. When you next walk into an old public library, you will not look at it in the same way.
    • 4/5
      Since I enjoy reading books about books whether factual or mythical, I thought I would enjoy Linda Fairstein's Lethal Legacy. I did, for the most part, and felt I had picked up a bit of new knowledge along the way. Yet, at times the dialogue was difficult to follow and I had to back up to sort it out. Also, there were moments that I felt I was reading a fact sheet instead of a story. These two things caused a slight falter in the momentum but was quickly regained. Alexandra Cooper along with her two colleagues Mike and Mercer take you on an informative journey through the New York Public Library and some fascinating antiquarian books and maps whilst trying to solve two murders. I found myself searching the internet for more information on the treasures mentioned. Any book that allowed me to walk away with a new bit of knowledge, and entertained me at the same time, scores an A with me. It is not Pulitzer Prize winning material but then most books are not as they are meant to entertain and/or educate. So, it may not be one of the best written mysteries, but overall, it was worth my time. Give it try.
    • 1/5
      I had a hard time getting into this book.I made it 100 pages before I quit reading it.It has since been sent to another person for their enjoyment.
    • 3/5
      This is my first Linda Fairstein mystery, but it wasn't difficult to get up to speed on the characters. Overall, I enjoyed the novel. I am fascinated by old books, I have a reproduction of a 1655 map of Ireland on my wall, and I never miss the Antiquarian Book Fair. The history of the Library and its collections was fascinating, probably more fascinating than the mystery itself. The dialogue was very awkward in places, and there was a subplot about a familial DNA search that seemed to serve no purpose and was never resolved. If you're willing to overlook some flaws, this is a very enjoyable read.
    • 4/5
      This book, a further installment in the Alexandra Cooper series, centers around the New York City Public Library. A Conservator of rare books who is possibly sexually assaulted disappears after refusing to cooperate with an investigation. Alex's boss urges her to find the victim, Alex does just that but dead in the park.The hunt that follows, leads Alex with her police comrades, Mike and Mercer, through the halls of the NY Public Library where a treasure hunt appears to be at the center of the murder. The investigation points to a special map of great historical significance. Anyone interested in in cartography and especially in the theft of maps from archives would be enthralled in this mystery.Ms Fairstein focuses so much of story around the library and library procedures as well as the history of the NY Public Library. It was extremely enlightening for someone who loves to read but is not a librarian. It was a delight to have this story with the characters we have grown to understand and care about show that even the quiet halls of the Public Library can turn deadly.
    • 2/5
      I'd never read one of Linda Fairstein's mysteries before this one, but if they're all like this, I can't imagine why she's so popular.Lethal Legacy is chock full of clunky exposition, most of it, unfortunately, put in the mouths of the characters, who end up with "dialogue" that no human being would actually say. They frequently sound like they've swallowed a guidebook. Fairstein obviously did a lot of research, and she insists on proving it on almost every page. ("I suffered for my art; now it's your turn!") The nadir of this occurs on page 208; while they wait to interview a broker, one cop character actually asks the heroine, "What's a hedge fund, anyway?" solely in order to provide an excuse for her to explain it to us. Which she does.Another problem is characterization, or lack thereof. The heroine, a prosecutor, works with two cops who are described as having very different personalities -- which made me wonder why, when dialogue was unattributed, I could almost never figure out who was saying it. One character has a quirk (which is given too much emphasis, since it doesn't figure in the plot), and that helped sometimes.The climactic scene, in which the heroine's life is in danger from the "surprise" murderer (except not), is clichéd and obvious.The reason I gave this book more than one star is that I found the scenes in the NY Public Library intriguing and enjoyed reading about old books and maps. (When I wasn't distracted by expository lumps, that is.) If you like libraries and books, it might be worth your time. Then again, you could just read something like Nicholas Basbanes's A Gentle Madness.A footnote: I am bothered that the author gives the clear impression that Charles L. Dodgson was a pedophile. Though the photos he took are incriminating by today's standards, he lived in a different age, and there is no proof of impropriety in his relationship with Alice Liddell or any other child. The evidence is mixed.
    • 4/5
      This is an intersting book, a little hard to follow at times, but I liked it. It's a story revolving around ancient maps, atlasas, first edition books and the New York Public Library. Alex Cooper, the assistant District Attorney and her friends, Detective Mike Chapman and Detective Mercer Wallace fall into an investigation of murder and theft. There were many wealthy players in the game and some very high profile contributors to the library that are suspected in the crimes.This book was hard to put down. It did slow up for me a little in the middle, but the pages really turned fast toward the end. I'll say that with the number of characters and the history lesson within the book, it spins like a carousel! I found myself confused a couple of times, and had to slow my reading down just a little to catch what Alex, Mike and Mercer were presuming had happened. In the end, the solution to the crime wasn't at all what I had expected which is a good thing! I don't like to have a book figured out in the middle.