Alex is aware of the enormous complexity of the task before them. Lincoln Center a huge place physically with an intricate floor plan, made more complicated by the plethora of materials needed for a stage production. The arts complex employs literally thousands of people, the majority of whom would have been present during a performance. In addition, the audience for not only the Metropolitan Opera House but other venues within Lincoln Center provides a multitude of suspects who might be involved in Natalya’s disappearance. This case is definitely a far cry from a locked room mystery.

True to the nature of her profession, this crime is not the only one Alex has on her schedule. Two young Canadian women believe they have been the victims of sexual abuse by a doctor. The doctor had generously lent them the use of his apartment during a short visit to New York which was saving the young graduate students a substantial sum of money. However, on the evening they were due to leave the doctor suggested a farewell drink. After a few sips neither girl could remember anything. When they awoke the doctor was gone and one of the girls felt sore, so they went to a hospital to check for possible rape. Alex is delighted that the young women showed such presence of mind because she is quite sure she can nail this sexual predator.

Death Dance is a well researched novel and a worthy addition to the Alex Cooper series. Although devotees of the series are well aware of the back story of prior investigations in which Alex’s, Mike’s and Mercer’s professional lives have intersected, Ms. Fairstein deftly educates new readers without dwelling on detail which would bore those familiar with the protagonists. She provides enough detail to entice new readers to read previous books but not so much to render such an exercise superfluous. New York becomes as much of a character as the human ones in this novel. The history buff will find ample fodder to satisfy him with details of the arts complex. How it began and how it has evolved to its present state is carefully described in an unobtrusive way that blends seamlessly into the story. The history of other well known landmarks such as Madison Square Garden is similarly treated.

Readers who thrive on the details of police work will be quite satisfied with this novel. Crime scenes are described so accurately that it is easy to picture the room in one’s mind. The difficulties that law enforcement officials face when dealing with a crime that occurs in such a public place are vividly brought home. To avoid contaminating a crime scene is, in truth, impossible. Officials really just have to practice damage control. That the protagonists have to deal with multiple cases simultaneously adds realism to the list of assets the novel has to offer.

Ms. Fairstein goes to considerable length to portray her characters as real people. Alex has a life outside of her profession. She comes from a rather wealthy family in contrast to Mike’s and Mercer’s. She has a second home on Martha’s Vineyard, an off again on again love life, and friends who are not associated with her professional life. Not only does this provide a realistic quality to her character, but allows the author to offer the reader some relief from the intensity of her professional life. Mike and Mercer have histories as well which are gradually developed through the series.

Though this book is not my favorite in the series it is well written and should appeal to those with an artistic bent. The reader will have no trouble remembering the location of the action. New York has a genuine presence in this latest outing for Alexandra Cooper.

--Andy Plonka