‘Terminal City’ By Linda Fairstein

Published (USA/CA) by Dutton,
17 June 2014.
ISBN 978-0-5259-5388-3 (US/CA)
(UK) by Little, Brown.  
ISBN: 978-0-7515-5046-7

Linda Fairstein is noted for the meticulous research she does for each of her mysteries which take place in a different New York City landmark.  And she outdoes herself in this novel which revolves around the century-old Grand Central Terminal, both above and below ground, well along the tracks north.  In fact, it is so chock full of little- or even unknown facts that it boggles the mind.  Who knew, for instance, that there is an elevator connecting the below surface area to the other landmark known as the Waldorf-Astoria?  Or that the elevator was large enough to carry the polio-crippled FDR and his automobile from the tracks below up to street level and to allow him to enter the lobby?

The plot begins with the discovery of a woman, nude, raped and with her throat cut from ear to ear, in a suite in the Waldorf Tower.  Two additional murders occur, one a man who lives in the underground byways along the tracks and another woman, murdered in the same manner as the first, found in a private railroad car parked along the tracks.  The crimes seem to be associated with Grand Central Station, and complicating the situation is the expected arrival of the President in a few days by rail.

Obviously, the denouement takes place in the terminal, but not until Mike Chapman and Alex Cooper pick up where they left off at the end of the previous book in the series (after a  slight detour).  As in previous installments, the plot is tight, writing succinct, and characterization and dialogue superb.  Obviously, the novel is recommended.

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Reviewer: Ted Feit

 

 Linda Fairstein is an American author and former prosecutor focusing on crimes of violence against women and children. She was born 5 May 1947 in New York. She was educated at Vassar College, University of Virginia School of Law. She has written 15 books featuring Alex Cooper-NY District Attorney, and Detective Mike Chapman.

http://www.lindafairstein.com

  

Ted and Gloria Feit live in Long Beach, NY, a few miles outside New York City.  For 26 years, Gloria was the manager of a medium-sized litigation firm in lower Manhattan. Her husband, Ted, is an attorney and former stock analyst, publicist and writer/editor for, over the years, several daily, weekly and monthly publications.  Having always been avid mystery readers, and since they're now retired, they're able to indulge that passion.  Their reviews appear online as well as in three print publications in the UK and US.  On a more personal note: both having been widowed, Gloria and Ted have five children and nine grandchildren between them.