Publication
Pocket Books (1997), 336 pages
Original publication date
1996-06-01
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Fiction. Mystery. HTML:From the former chief of the sex crimes unit of the Manhattan District Attorney's office comes the bestselling thriller featuring a New York City prosecutor unraveling a terrifying and brutal murder mystery. Alexandra Cooper, Manhattan's top sex crimes prosecutor, awakens one morning to shocking news: a tabloid headline announcing her own violent murder. Confused and horrified, Alex discovers that the actual victim was Isabella Lascar, a Hollywood film actress who was staying at Alex's Martha's Vineyard retreat. This only raises more questions: was Isabella slain by a stalker or was Alex herself the intended target? In an investigation that twists from the alleys of lower Manhattan to the chic boutiques of the Upper East Side, Alex has to get inside the killer's head before the killer gets to her. "With riveting authenticity" (Vanity Fair), Final Jeopardy is a fast-paced and explosive thriller that only Linda Fairstein could write.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member rejinl
This book was poorly written, tedious, and full of racist crap in the guise of shop talk. I’ll never read anything by this author again.
LibraryThing member miyurose
I've read a couple of the later books in this series, so it was nice to go back to the beginning. Some of the twists I guessed, some I didn't. I did find myself skimming through some of the stories of cases past. I'm not sure what their purpose was, except to fill space. They didn't tell me a whole
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lot about the characters or the current story. Show Less
LibraryThing member jepeters333
The supposed victim is Asst DA Alexandra Cooper, but Alex is still alive; the dead woman is Alex's friend, the actress Isabella Lascar, who was staying in Alex's Cape Cod house; was the intended victim Alex or Isabella; Alex's friend Mike Chapman (NYPD homicide) is her temporary bodyguard and they
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work together to figure out who has a reason to kill either Alex or Isabella; this is the first book in the Alex Cooper series. Show Less
LibraryThing member skinglist
OK, I'm officially insane. Found this copy at St. Vinnie's on Peel Street in Adelaide. It was 15 cents and I had to get it because it had a prettier cover than the copy I already have--and was in my bag at the same time.
This was a great re-read, I really fell in love with Mikey again, what a great
Am now re-reading the series in order.
This was a great re-read, I really fell in love with Mikey again, what a great
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character. I also have a new appreciation for this series given my obsession with SVU and LF's ties to it.Am now re-reading the series in order.
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LibraryThing member nomadreader
(Review from rereading)
Final Jeopardy is a delight. It's a good mystery; it's so good I didn't even remember the twist until I was in the revealing scene. Many writers create good mysteries, but Linda Fairstein manages to combine a good mystery with an education about New York City, history,
Everytime I finish a Linda Fairstein novel, I encourage others to start from the beginning of the series. It's refreshing to reaffirm my own advice.
Final Jeopardy is a delight. It's a good mystery; it's so good I didn't even remember the twist until I was in the revealing scene. Many writers create good mysteries, but Linda Fairstein manages to combine a good mystery with an education about New York City, history,
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literature and the arts. I always learn things in her books, and the treasure trove of knowledge led me to reread her novels more than the mysteries themselves. Final Jeopardy is intense, thrilling and smart. Alexandra Cooper remains one of my favorite fictional characters. I appreciate Fairstein's insight into the actual caseload of an ADA; it's not Law & Order, where the lawyers try one case at a time. Cooper's days and nights are filled with many intriguing cases. Still, at the end of the day, Alexandra Cooper is someone I want to meet for dinner and a bottle of wine. I care about what books she's read. Perhaps what surprised me most in this rereading of an old favorite was how familiar Alexandra was from the beginning. Now, eleven books in, she's been a companion through the years, but she was relatable instantly.Everytime I finish a Linda Fairstein novel, I encourage others to start from the beginning of the series. It's refreshing to reaffirm my own advice.
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LibraryThing member enemyanniemae
Fairstein was an an assistant DA in the sex crimes unit in New York City and her main character is a... guess what?... YES, an assistant DA in the sex crimes unit in Manhattan. The story she weaves is instantly fascinating. What would it be like to wake up to news of your own purder? Toss in a
I did NOT figure out whodunit... I will be looking for more in the Alexandra Cooper series.
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glamorous movie star (the real murder victim) and a few other choice bits and you have a great mystery.I did NOT figure out whodunit... I will be looking for more in the Alexandra Cooper series.
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LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
Assistant DA Alexandra Cooper reads in her morning paper that she's dead, which comes as a certain amount of surprise to her, so she goes about informing people that this is untrue. In fact it's her sometime friend. actress Isabella Lascar who had borrowed her house on Martha's Vineyard. Alexandra
It's interesting, you can tell it's a first novel and the author is finding her feet, and I never suspected the actual killer to be who it was until very near the end. Clever misdirection kept me guessing. I also loved the relationship she had with several other characters in the story, both male and female, particularly her close friend Mike Chapman.
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prosecutes rapists and stalkers, did the killer want her or the woman who was killed?It's interesting, you can tell it's a first novel and the author is finding her feet, and I never suspected the actual killer to be who it was until very near the end. Clever misdirection kept me guessing. I also loved the relationship she had with several other characters in the story, both male and female, particularly her close friend Mike Chapman.
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LibraryThing member voodoocat
Fairstein was an an assistant DA in the sex crimes unit in New York City and her main character is a... guess what?... YES, an assistant DA in the sex crimes unit in Manhattan. The story she weaves is instantly fascinating. What would it be like to wake up to news of your own purder? Toss in a
I did NOT figure out whodunit... I will be looking for more in the Alexandra Cooper series.
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glamorous movie star (the real murder victim) and a few other choice bits and you have a great mystery.I did NOT figure out whodunit... I will be looking for more in the Alexandra Cooper series.
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LibraryThing member cajela
Not bad as light holiday reading, but not a keeper. Our heroine Alexandra Cooper is a NY city prosecutor, specialising in sex crimes. The book starts well, with Cooper reading her own obituary one morning. It's a case of mistaken identity; actually a movie star guest in Cooper's holiday house has
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been murdered. Fairstein writes nicely, the book flows well and the characters are reasonably well drawn. But I solved the mystery half way through. I was hoping for some exciting twist ending with the obvious suspect turning out not to have done it, but no such luck. One for the Lifeline box. Show Less
LibraryThing member raizel
This author was recommended by a friend, so I read the first book in the series. It was an easy read with some likable people. I guessed part of the mystery, although not the actual person. In fact, even when the heroine is being threatened by the murderer, I kept waiting for the "real" killer to
For a smart lawyer, Alexandra Cooper sure forgets to mention an awful lot of important clues to anyone else. There are references to Vera Caspery's Laura (the dead body found at Alexandra's vacation home is not Alexandra after all) and other stories. Some interesting examples of sex crimes, no doubt based on Linda Fairstein's work running the sex Crimes Unit of the DA's office in Manhattan.
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appear. For a smart lawyer, Alexandra Cooper sure forgets to mention an awful lot of important clues to anyone else. There are references to Vera Caspery's Laura (the dead body found at Alexandra's vacation home is not Alexandra after all) and other stories. Some interesting examples of sex crimes, no doubt based on Linda Fairstein's work running the sex Crimes Unit of the DA's office in Manhattan.
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LibraryThing member Lizparker
Book one in the Alexandra Cooper series.When Alex lets her friend,movie star Isabella Lascar to use her home on Marthas Vineyard, she didnt expect her to be murdered. After her boyfriend becomes a suspect, Cooper and her friend Detective Mike Chapman investigate whether Isabella was the intended
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victim or if Alex herself was the target. Well written, not spectacular but an easy book to read. Show Less
LibraryThing member kimmy0ne
Love the start to this great series of books
LibraryThing member gilly1944
Whilst there is a murder story nevertheless the majority of the book is about sex crimes against women. Very knowledgeable author but not my kind of book.
LibraryThing member LiteraryFeline
Alexander Cooper is Manhattan’s top sex-crimes prosecutor who finds herself a part of a murderous tangled web. A “friend” is murdered while staying at Alex’s home in the Vineyard and everyone at first suspects that Alex was the victim. This book includes unexpected twists and turns that
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leave the reader guessing. The main character comes across as a little rich girl at times, but she definitely is gutsy and someone to admire. I found the first half of this book slow, perhaps because I did not have the time to sit down and let myself get into it or perhaps it was because the story seemed to take a while to gain momentum. I will definitely look for the second book in the series. Show Less
LibraryThing member Fairydragonstar
Not the best suspense novel I have read. It was very formula orientated
LibraryThing member Kathy89
Alex Cooper, Mercer and Mike in the 1st book in the series. I really enjoyed this book even though I've read them out of order this one can stand alone. Alex lets her movie star friend use her home on Martha's Vineyard and is murdered. Shortly, the investigation focus's on Alex's cheating boyfriend.
LibraryThing member cathyskye
After seeing Linda Fairstein at a local author event, I decided that I really needed to read one of her mysteries. I began with the very first book, and I'll be reading more.
Fairstein describes Martha's Vineyard beautifully, and really gives readers a wonderful feel for the daily life of a
I really enjoyed the book. It's fast-paced, and the non-cooking Alex Cooper is a strong, fascinating character who has a strong circle of friends. However, Final Jeopardy does have a couple of first-timer hiccups. The dialogue is often a bit stiff and stilted, and when a bad guy is about to be exposed a few pages down the road, Fairstein shines a beacon on the clue she planted. But guess what? I don't care. Those things are easily fixed. The characters, story, and setting are first-rate. I'm looking forward to more Alex Cooper!
Fairstein describes Martha's Vineyard beautifully, and really gives readers a wonderful feel for the daily life of a
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high-powered assistant district attorney. She also does an excellent job of showing how laws governing sex crimes have changed over the years-- something she should be capable of since she was the head of the Manhattan Sex Crimes Unit for over two decades. I really enjoyed the book. It's fast-paced, and the non-cooking Alex Cooper is a strong, fascinating character who has a strong circle of friends. However, Final Jeopardy does have a couple of first-timer hiccups. The dialogue is often a bit stiff and stilted, and when a bad guy is about to be exposed a few pages down the road, Fairstein shines a beacon on the clue she planted. But guess what? I don't care. Those things are easily fixed. The characters, story, and setting are first-rate. I'm looking forward to more Alex Cooper!
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LibraryThing member BookConcierge
Linda Fairstein mined her own experience as a top prosecutor in New York’s Sex Crimes Unit for this debut thriller, starring NYC prosecutor Alexandra Cooper. The book opens with Alex reading her own obituary – a case of mistaken identity when she loaned her vacation home to a Hollywood
This is definitely what I look for in this genre. It’s a fast-paced mystery with plenty of suspects, interesting plot twists, a likeable main character, and some complicated relationships. I was kept guessing right along with Alex and the detectives. In the meantime, I became invested in Alex’s personal life and public work. She’s a complex woman, and I like that she doesn’t wait around to be rescued but figures out a way out of her own dilemmas.
I definitely want to read more of this series.
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star.This is definitely what I look for in this genre. It’s a fast-paced mystery with plenty of suspects, interesting plot twists, a likeable main character, and some complicated relationships. I was kept guessing right along with Alex and the detectives. In the meantime, I became invested in Alex’s personal life and public work. She’s a complex woman, and I like that she doesn’t wait around to be rescued but figures out a way out of her own dilemmas.
I definitely want to read more of this series.
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LibraryThing member Olivermagnus
Alexandra Cooper is the New York Assistant District Attorney in charge of prosecuting sex crimes. When the story opens we discover her reading her own obituary. Since she knows she's not dead she soon realizes that Isabella Lascar, an actress and friend staying at her home on Martha's Vineyard, has
I've been reading this series for a number of years and recently found a copy of the very first one, Final Jeopardy. I couldn't remember a thing about it but I did enjoy reading it again. I also like her two closest friends, Mike Chapman and Mercer Wallace, who provide a lot of humorous banter. The author has a personal background in sex crimes prosecution and she is able to weave a page turning story. I think the series has improved over the years but this was still enjoyable. I might see if I can find the series in audio and revisit it again that way.
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been killed and mistaken for Alex. She doesn't think she was the target but anything is possible in her line of work. She's put away a lot of terrible people over the years. I've been reading this series for a number of years and recently found a copy of the very first one, Final Jeopardy. I couldn't remember a thing about it but I did enjoy reading it again. I also like her two closest friends, Mike Chapman and Mercer Wallace, who provide a lot of humorous banter. The author has a personal background in sex crimes prosecution and she is able to weave a page turning story. I think the series has improved over the years but this was still enjoyable. I might see if I can find the series in audio and revisit it again that way.
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LibraryThing member TVNerd95
The supporting characters are the only reason why I rated this story 3-stars. I didn’t dislike the main character but she came off as quite self-centered and to be honest sometimes petulant. The main murder mystery was very easy to solve. You knew who the killer was as soon as the character was
I have decided to give the series a continued look to see how the author develops the main character with hopefully some growth and to see if the mysteries can also grow. This book though does have some great supporting characters in Mike Chapman and Mercer Wallace. The banter with the trio is well written and realistic. You can tell these three characters have been through a lot together and really care for each other. Chapman and Wallace make the main character more likeable and it will be interesting to see how this works in later books.
A big plus to this book is the narration of Diane Venora. She has complete control over the characters and does a fabulous job of giving each character voice and personality.
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introduced. I have decided to give the series a continued look to see how the author develops the main character with hopefully some growth and to see if the mysteries can also grow. This book though does have some great supporting characters in Mike Chapman and Mercer Wallace. The banter with the trio is well written and realistic. You can tell these three characters have been through a lot together and really care for each other. Chapman and Wallace make the main character more likeable and it will be interesting to see how this works in later books.
A big plus to this book is the narration of Diane Venora. She has complete control over the characters and does a fabulous job of giving each character voice and personality.
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LibraryThing member susandennis
Really good first novel - legal mystery.
LibraryThing member payday1999
This is the first book in the series and it's a good start. This was a great mystery book with a main character, Alex Cooper, that I really liked.
LibraryThing member kmartin802
FINAL JEOPARDY was an entertaining thriller which introduces Alexandra Cooper who is a Assistant District Attorney in New York City. Her specialty is sex crimes. She spends a lot of her day dealing with women who have been raped. She has a fast-paced job. When she awakens one morning to news
Alex has leant the house to an acquaintance named Isabella Lascar. Isabella is a Hollywood star who had told Alex that she needed to get away from a stalker and wanted a quiet place to rest up and read scripts. However, investigation shows that she wasn't alone and sets the hunt for the mysterious lover.
Meanwhile, Alex's own lover is proving a disappointment to her. He was away conducting business in France when the murder occurs and Alex really wishes that he would drop everything and come to offer her emotional support.
Alex is being guarded by some of the cops who are her investigators because it isn't known at first if she or Isabella were the intended victim. I liked her friendship with her main guardian and liked that she wanted to take part in the investigation despite her boss's desires that she let cops investigate and she concentrate on her own work.
This was an entertaining story. I liked her relationship with her police partner. I liked that she had a strong circle of friends. I liked her dedication to her job.
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headings that announce that she'd been murdered at her summer home on Martha's Vineyard, things get even more chaotic.Alex has leant the house to an acquaintance named Isabella Lascar. Isabella is a Hollywood star who had told Alex that she needed to get away from a stalker and wanted a quiet place to rest up and read scripts. However, investigation shows that she wasn't alone and sets the hunt for the mysterious lover.
Meanwhile, Alex's own lover is proving a disappointment to her. He was away conducting business in France when the murder occurs and Alex really wishes that he would drop everything and come to offer her emotional support.
Alex is being guarded by some of the cops who are her investigators because it isn't known at first if she or Isabella were the intended victim. I liked her friendship with her main guardian and liked that she wanted to take part in the investigation despite her boss's desires that she let cops investigate and she concentrate on her own work.
This was an entertaining story. I liked her relationship with her police partner. I liked that she had a strong circle of friends. I liked her dedication to her job.
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LibraryThing member sensitivemuse
I thought, as a Law and Order SVU fan, this might be something I might like (except in book format). Well, it was all right at first. I liked Alexandra. A very strong willed character, although she had her girlie moments, she wasn’t a stone cold woman of ice either. That was good. Her friendship
The plot was all right. It wasn’t really that exciting. The only twist was who Isabella’s male companion was, but it wasn’t that shocking or revealing. However, I’m glad Alexandra didn’t mope about and became dramatic diva over that moment. I do like seeing her all up in a temper though - that was really entertaining to watch.
So, the plot was rather mediocre, and although I did like the characters, it wasn’t enough to make me fully enjoy the book. What rather killed it for me was, it was rather dry. So dry, it took me a while to finish a book that only had 336 pages. Oh boy, did it ever drag. On top of that, Alexandra also handles many other cases and it’s all mixed in with the main case featuring Isabella. Now although this is realistic, to me it felt like it was added to fill in pages of the book. It wasn’t exciting, it didn’t particularly interest me, and there were many minor characters added you could not keep track without at least back tracking to figure out which case she’s talking about now. It came to the point where I skimmed through most of the last third of the book, read the grand climax (which wasn’t that great in the first place) and then I was done.
I was just curious what was so great about these series and I just wanted to see how it was like. I realize this is the first book so of course, perhaps books after this one are better. Yet, I’m not sure if I’m going to get the second book. If it’s like this one, I will pass. This might not be for everyone, but those that are into legal thrillers are welcome to try and see for yourselves.
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with Mike Chapman was really fun to read. Chapman made the story more interesting with his sense of humor. His jabs towards Alexandra (and vice versa) were fun to read. The plot was all right. It wasn’t really that exciting. The only twist was who Isabella’s male companion was, but it wasn’t that shocking or revealing. However, I’m glad Alexandra didn’t mope about and became dramatic diva over that moment. I do like seeing her all up in a temper though - that was really entertaining to watch.
So, the plot was rather mediocre, and although I did like the characters, it wasn’t enough to make me fully enjoy the book. What rather killed it for me was, it was rather dry. So dry, it took me a while to finish a book that only had 336 pages. Oh boy, did it ever drag. On top of that, Alexandra also handles many other cases and it’s all mixed in with the main case featuring Isabella. Now although this is realistic, to me it felt like it was added to fill in pages of the book. It wasn’t exciting, it didn’t particularly interest me, and there were many minor characters added you could not keep track without at least back tracking to figure out which case she’s talking about now. It came to the point where I skimmed through most of the last third of the book, read the grand climax (which wasn’t that great in the first place) and then I was done.
I was just curious what was so great about these series and I just wanted to see how it was like. I realize this is the first book so of course, perhaps books after this one are better. Yet, I’m not sure if I’m going to get the second book. If it’s like this one, I will pass. This might not be for everyone, but those that are into legal thrillers are welcome to try and see for yourselves.
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LibraryThing member nx74defiant
A very enjoyable mystery. At one point I went - that is going to turn out to be important and I was right. The reveal came as a surprise.
Language
Original language
English
ISBN
0671010123 / 9780671010126
Physical description
336 p.; 4.19 inches
Pages
336