All Day and A Night
Alafair Burke
Harper Collins
June 10, 2014
All Day and A Night by Alafair Burke combines the genres of a legal procedural, police procedural, and a psychological thriller. This book is the fifth in the NYPD police detective Ellie Hatcher series. Readers will learn the tactics used in an investigation and feel they are part of the investigative teams on both sides of the aisle.
The plot begins with the killing of a psychologist that appears to be tied to the serial killer Anthony Amaro. The only problem with that conclusion is that the supposed killer has a good alibi; he is in prison. At about the same time the DA’s office is notified that the publicity seeking celebrity trial lawyer, reminiscent of Gloria Allred, is looking into a wrongful conviction claim. Detective Ellie Hatcher and her partner J.J. Rogan are called in as part of the “fresh look” team by Elli’s boyfriend, Assistant District Attorney Max Donovan.
The characters are very well developed with an in depth description of their personal lives and personalities. Ellie Hatcher is not perfect but sees herself as responsible and the protector of her family as well as society. On the other hand her lover Max is seen as someone who wants to get ahead, but sees himself above the fray. He always thinks of himself as the good guy; yet, tends to put Ellie in uncomfortable situations.
Burke does a masterful job in creating tensions between the characters. Carrie Blank, the younger sister of one of the serial killers’ victims, decides to be a part of the team that is looking into evidence that will exonerate Amaro in order to find her sister’s real killer. She becomes angry with her employer who hired her for the public relations aspect. There are also tensions between Rogan and Ellie since he thinks they were chosen to help the DA whitewash the case. Ellie is angry that she is put in the middle of Rogan and Max butting heads.
All Day and A Night has a number of twists and surprises. Readers should not assume anything after the first couple of chapters because the story will be turned upside down. This is a riveting and complex mystery that is a fast-paced page-turner.
Elise Cooper
