Near the start of Burke’s gripping second procedural to feature NYPD detective Ellie Hatcher (after Dead Connection
), Ellie happens on the mutilated body of college student Chelsea Hart in East River Park while on her morning jog. Friends of the victim point the cops toward posh nightclub Pulse, located in the trendy Meatpacking district, where Ellie and partner J.J. Rogan are able to match a VIP’s credit card receipt to young and arrogant investment banker Jake Meyers, with whom Chelsea was last reported seen. But pinning the case on him doesn’t feel right when Ellie discovers similarities between Chelsea’s murder and two others from years past. Meanwhile, local media keep getting hold of unreleased facts of the case, making Ellie’s superiors suspicious of her romantic relationship with Daily Post
crime reporter Peter Morse. Knowing the cops aren’t on the right track lends a sense of dread to the plot. Burke leaves her principle characters little time to sleep; readers will relate. Author tour. (Sept.)
