The Texan's Baby Bombshell

By Allison Leigh

The love of a child is the greatest fortune of all

“I’m alone,” she said hoarsely.

“You’re not alone.”

Finally, Laurel Hudson has been found—and no one is more relieved than her ex, Adam Fortune! But reuniting Laurel Hudson with her son will be harder than anyone realizes. An accident has left her with amnesia, and he’s got several days and two thousand miles—in extremely close quarters—to help his former fiancée remember their baby boy…and how much more they truly share!

New York Times Bestselling Author

• Language: English
• Publisher: Harlequin
• Release date: Jun 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9781488069772

Allison Leigh

A frequent name on bestseller lists, Allison Leigh's highpoint as a writer is hearing from readers that they laughed, cried or lost sleep while reading her books. She’s blessed with an immensely patient family who doesn’t mind (much) her time spent at her computer and who gives her the kind of love she wants her readers to share in every page. Stay in touch at www.allisonleigh.com and @allisonleighbks.

Book preview

Prologue

I’m never going to be able to thank you enough for what you’re doing for my son. The man raked shaky fingers through hair that already looked well-raked. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost Linus, too.

Adam Fortune didn’t know exactly what to say. He and his brother had participated in the recent donor drive just like everyone else in town had. It was a way of showing they were in Rambling Rose to stay. He’d never expected to actually be a match. Glad to help. What was an overnight stay in a Houston hospital compared to what Eric and Linus Johnson had been going through? Linus was only a baby. Still can’t believe how many possible matches came up during the drive.

Possibles are only possibles. You’re the ideal match. Thank God. Eric’s voice was shaky through the surgical mask he wore. He also wore a protective gown and booties over his clothes and shoes. I’d shake your hand—hell, I’d give you a hug if I could—but they warned me against any contact before I came in here.

Here was Adam’s hospital room.

He’d checked in a few hours ago. Every nurse who’d been in to take blood or his temperature or a dozen other things had all said what a wonderful thing he was doing. He’d been getting uncomfortable with all the attention. He was donating bone marrow to help a very sick baby. Not once had it crossed Adam’s mind to refuse when he’d been a match.

I mean, seriously, Eric went on. "Anything you need. Anything."

Adam almost said, Forget it, but thought better of it. For him, this had taken a week of time out of his life with the lab tests and exams that had been necessary. For Linus, diagnosed with aplastic anemia, it was a matter of survival.

He started to reach for the water on his bedside but remembered the nurse had emptied it. Just in case he forgot himself and took a drink. He was in that period of no food and no drink before surgery. That news crew who was following me around last week get in touch with you, too?

Eric nodded. Talked to them on the phone. Linus’s medical team has had us basically sequestered the past few weeks while he gets prepped for today. Last thing I wanted to do is interviews, but if the story gets someone else to join a donor registry or do a drive like you folks in Rambling Rose did, it’s the least I can do. I can remember when the town was barely a dot on the map. Grown a lot in the last year. Otherwise, I couldn’t say I would have expected the drive to yield enough results to matter. Yet, his voice cracked slightly. He cleared his throat. It’s still astonishing, he managed.

He paced across Adam’s room and looked out the window. Life’s full of twists. First, I find my son way out there in Rambling Rose after his mother wrote— He broke off, not finishing that thought. But then I find the man who’s going to save his life lives there, too? What were the odds?

Adam had no response for that. He knew the man was raising Linus on his own. Even though Adam had only moved to Texas a couple months earlier, he’d still heard the story about the newborn who’d been abandoned at the pediatric center in Rambling Rose. Seemed like more than a twist to him. He wasn’t sure how he’d have reacted in Eric’s shoes.

Almost as if Eric heard his thoughts, he turned and pinned his solemn gaze on Adam. We were engaged, you know. Linus’s mother and me. He made a sound. I don’t know why I’m telling you all this. I don’t talk about it much.

Adam had just met the guy. By tomorrow, Adam’s bone marrow would be doing its thing inside Linus. It would be something that connected them for life. Nevertheless, he wasn’t necessarily comfortable hearing Eric’s confidences.

But people had to pour out their guts sometimes. He’d learned that in college when he’d tended bar. Easier talking about the past than worrying about the future, he hazarded. Just because Adam was a good match for Linus didn’t guarantee the transplant would be successful. Only time would tell that.

Maybe. Eric paced to the opened door. Beyond the room, the nurses’ station was busy with staff coming and going. If she’d only just told me she was pregnant in the beginning instead of disappearing like she did. He exhaled roughly and paced back to the window once more. It’s a mistake to think people don’t keep secrets from each other. Even when you love someone. And I was certain she loved me, too.

Familiar story.

Adam made a commiserating sound. The minute hand on the wall clock ticked audibly. Less than two hours to the procedure. He’d be back in Rambling Rose tomorrow morning. Back to perfecting the IPA he’d been experimenting with for the last month.

We’d set the wedding date. Was going to be a week before Christmas. We’d picked a place. Eric suddenly sent Adam a look. You know what a hassle that all is?

Adam shrugged. Never married.

If you ever decide to, go to the courthouse. A lot simpler. Eric tugged at the gown tied around him. Then last summer, not even a month after we’d finally gotten that settled, she tells me she needs more time. More space.

Also familiar words. I’ve been on the receiving end of that conversation, Adam admitted. More than once.

Eric gave a sympathetic wince above the white mask covering his mouth. Blows.

Adam smiled humorlessly. From the same girl.

Eric whistled. Or as much a whistle as the mask allowed. Damn.

Tell me about it. Adam shifted on the bed. The whole reason he’d left Buffalo was to get away from the memories there. Rambling Rose had simply been a convenient escape.

I realized something was bothering her—deeply—but she wasn’t telling me what. When I look back, I can see there were signs of it.

She hasn’t tried contacting you at all?

Just one letter that her parents passed on to me. That’s how I learned she was pregnant. But since then? The other man’s expression darkened. I’ve learned a lot of things, he said cryptically, but not what happened to her. If she were able to contact me, she would have. I’m sure of that much. She can’t have been thinking straight when she left Linus. She wasn’t irresponsible. If I could have her back— He broke off and paced again.

Adam felt for the guy. I don’t know that many people in your position who would be so forgiving.

It’s hard to forget a woman like her, Eric said, his voice grim. Not that I didn’t try at first. But that only lasted a few months, and then I started looking for her. Retracing her steps. She was in Virginia with her parents last fall. From what it sounds like, she left them just as abruptly as she left me. A disagreement or something, I’m sure, though her parents didn’t say that when we spoke on the phone. But I know they didn’t get along. She hadn’t even been sure she wanted them at our wedding. When I told them she was missing, they weren’t even alarmed. Said she’d probably gone to Europe. That was her usual style.

He made a rough sound. They knew she’d left me, so it’s pretty likely they weren’t telling me everything they knew. It was weeks later when I received a box in the mail from them. Stuff that she’d left behind when she visited them. He shook his head slightly. The letter she wrote to me was in her things. She’d never mailed it. Didn’t even finish it, but the truth was still there. What I thought was the truth, anyway. She was pregnant. I don’t know how her parents didn’t realize, but like I said—it’s a mistake to think people don’t keep secrets.

Adam frowned. Do they know about Linus? His condition?

Eric looked away. He shook his head. I lost her, he muttered. I wasn’t going to chance a fight with them over my son, particularly after finally finding him. And yeah, he added flatly, I know that makes me sound like a first-class bastard.

I think it makes you sound like a dad, Adam said quietly.

Eric’s shoulders lowered. He rolled his head around and squeezed the back of his neck. Maybe. He raked his hair. You said forgiveness, but the truth is I wasn’t exactly happy when she put on the brakes. I’m not stupid. I suspected there was someone else but then when I learned about Linus? His hands rose, a volume of helplessness. I realize now I shouldn’t have let her go so easily last summer. She’d always kept her own apartment, so it wasn’t as though she didn’t have anywhere to go. But then in July, she quit her job at the art museum. He shook his head again. "Laurel loved that job. She was the art museum."

Adam went still.

Everything went still.

Even the minute hand on the clock on the wall seemed to cease its tick.

I’m rambling. Eric paced back to the doorway, looking out. Clock is crawling.

"You said Laurel quit her job. At the art museum. Here in Houston."

Yeah. That’s how we met. Through the museum.

Adam’s sense of doom made it hard to breathe. How many Laurels could there be working at art museums in Houston? "You’re not talking about Laurel Hudson, are you?"

The other man’s shoulders stiffened under the gown tied behind his neck.

And Adam knew. Even before Eric turned to give him a sharp look. He knew.

There was a frown on Eric’s face visible above the mask. Yes. Laurel Hudson. You knew her?

It took Adam a while to get the words out. But even though it did, he could see realization dawning in the other man’s eyes. I knew her, Adam said hoarsely.

More than that, he’d loved her, too.

Chapter One

Mr. Fortune?

Adam shot out of the thinly padded waiting room chair so fast that it bounced against the pale green wall behind him.

Nobody noticed or cared. He’d been the only one occupying the sparsely furnished waiting room of Seattle’s Fresh Pine Rehabilitation at eight o’clock in the evening.

The clinic director had an apologetic smile on her comfortably lined face. I’m sorry you had to wait, Mr. Fortune. Her handshake was firm and brief. I’m Dr. Granger.

Call me Adam. Ever since he’d received the call from Dr. Mariel Granger three days ago, it had been a toss-up which emotion had rocked him most.

Relief. Impatience. Pain.

Now, so very close to Laurel, impatience definitely had the upper hand. But expressing it with Dr. Granger wasn’t going to solve anything.

If not for her persistence in reaching him, no one would have known that Laurel was even alive.

Despite the mess waiting in Texas, the fact that she was alive took precedence.

Fortunately oblivious to his thoughts, the director gestured toward the doorway behind her. When the guard called me, I turned right around and drove back. My office is this way. Seattle traffic, you know. I’m guessing your flight was delayed? She glanced up at him as they headed along the wide corridor. It was carpeted so their footsteps were silent.

In Denver, he said. Mechanical problems. All of the doors they passed were closed. Hiding whether it was offices or patient rooms on the other side.

The notion that Laurel was behind one of the doors made his mouth dry and his chest ache.

Here we are. Dr. Granger turned into the opened doorway of a cramped office and took one of the chairs situated in front of the desk. She gestured to the second.

His molars clenched, but he lowered himself into the chair.

Something in her eyes flickered as she watched him. Are you still experiencing pain?

He almost laughed. Pain? Which kind? Hoped it didn’t show.

She smiled knowingly. I’ve been a donor, myself. Give yourself time. Those little aches will pass. Bone marrow donation is entirely rewarding even without finding yourself the subject of a national news story the way you did. She patted his arm in a way that reminded him of his mother. "But, if not for that story, we still wouldn’t know Lisa’s—sorry, it’s hard to break the habit—Laurel’s identity. It’s anyone’s guess how long it would have taken for her to show some improvement if she hadn’t reacted to your face on the news last week."

He eyed her closely. Has she remembered anything— He broke off, because Dr. Granger was already shaking her head, her forehead knitting.

I’m sorry. Not beyond knowing you were familiar to her for some reason. But it was enough of a reason for me to reach out to you the way I did. Learning that you recognized her in return? I can’t tell you how helpful you’ve already been, particularly when no other family has stepped forward in all this time. You must have been good friends. College, you said?

Yes. He didn’t elaborate, quashing the stab of guilt he felt. He hadn’t told Dr. Granger about Laurel’s parents. Nelson and Sylvia Hudson were still ensconced in the Virginia plantation home where Laurel had grown up. Eric had confirmed it.

And, despite the strained situation, he’d agreed with Adam. Bringing her parents into things just now was the quickest way to lose track of Laurel. Again.

It’s still very good of you to agree to come in person. The doctor was smiling knowingly at him. Particularly so soon after your procedure. If I’d been your physician, I would have advised against traveling so soon.

In fact the doctor in charge of the harvesting procedure had. Adam didn’t figure he needed to confirm Dr. Granger’s words, though.

She’d reached over her desk to slide a file across the obviously fake wood surface. Fresh Pine Rehabilitation had been caring for Laurel for two months now—ever since she’d been released from the hospital. But the facility was by no means a luxury establishment.

If Nelson and Sylvia had had anything to do with it, their daughter would be in a much more elite setting and much closer to their home than all the way across the country. He’d met them once. Nearly a decade ago when they’d come to Buffalo for Laurel’s college graduation.

To say they had been unimpressed by him was an understatement. They figured their only child deserved a lot more than an out-of-work auto engineer’s son who’d been working his way through college waiting tables and tending bar at a blue-collar joint.

Someone like Eric Johnson. Who owned and operated his own nationwide trucking company and who had financial resources to spare. Who turned out to be a lot more honorable than Adam feared he, himself, could have been if their situations were reversed.

It’s also very generous of you to pay for her continuing care. Dr. Granger’s voice dragged his attention back to the here and now.

You haven’t told her about that.

Of course not. She opened the file to a typewritten form. This is the financial responsibility form I mentioned when we talked last. You’ll want to read it over and check the box there at the bottom. You’re not the only benefactor who chooses to remain anonymous.

Benefactor. It wasn’t a term he’d ever earned before. He didn’t feel much like one now, either, considering the rest of the things he could have told Dr. Granger and hadn’t.

Regardless of the financial arrangements, I wouldn’t be able to discuss her case with you if she hadn’t granted her permission. I managed to keep her here for two extra weeks even though she no longer qualifies for free care, but I was at a point where that choice was being taken out of my hands. Since we’re a nonprofit, the requirements are regrettably strict for patients with no other means. That news story of yours seemed heaven-sent.

She’d said all of this when they’d spoken on the phone. And still nothing felt heaven-sent to him.

Since the day of the transplant, he’d been circling a drain to hell.

As I mentioned, Laurel’s physical injuries are healed, though she’s still regaining her strength. The frequency of her panic attacks has lessened. I know we’ve become a haven for her, which is good for a time, but not for her long-term well-being. I would like to have seen her showing more interest in life outside our walls by now. She hesitated for a moment. I didn’t tell you earlier, but now that you’re here—

He braced himself, not liking the way she was fiddling with the file. Tell me what?

The doctor sighed, concern clear on her face. After Laurel’s accident, her trauma surgeons realized that she’d recently given birth. She didn’t seem to notice the flinch he couldn’t quite hide. As recently as a week or two before her accident. She shook her head. After she was brought out of the coma and her amnesia became apparent, a decision was made not to tell her. This all occurred before she joined us here at Fresh Pine. I believe we’ve established enough trust by now that she would have told me if she’d regained that memory. There could be a correlation between the resolution of her pregnancy and the panic attacks. Postpartum disorders can be so tricky to diagnose, even under more usual circumstances. She sighed again.

Adam stared down at his hands. There was no reason for her to connect Laurel’s baby with the one who’d needed a bone marrow transplant. Laurel had been languishing in a coma when Linus was diagnosed with aplastic anemia. She’d have no way of knowing about it at all. And certainly no way of knowing the truth about that baby’s real father.

She had the baby. His jaw felt so rigid it was hard to get out the words. But she gave him up.

Dr. Granger looked confused. I must have misunderstood when you told me you knew Laurel in college. I thought you meant you hadn’t been in touch since then.

We’ve...kept up. The statement was almost laughable.

Does she have a boyfriend, then? A husband, maybe?

No.

She blinked a little at his abrupt answer. I see. Well, I appreciate you telling me about her giving up the baby. Knowing will be helpful as we go forward in her therapy. I hope one day she’ll fully understand what a good friend she has in—

She broke off when he plucked a pen out of the plastic holder and began writing in his credit card number on the form. As he scrawled his signature at the bottom, he didn’t dwell on how seriously Fresh Pine’s fees would eat into his savings. Savings that he’d been building for the last decade, thinking that one day he’d make something of himself.

Looking slightly uncomfortable, as if she might have divined his thoughts, the director rose. Why don’t we go see her?

His neck was so tight it was a wonder he could nod. He stood as well, and followed her out of the office.

I should have asked already, she said over her shoulder. Do you know how the transplant went?

The question jarred more than she would ever know. The procedure went well.

Engraftment takes time, I know. Meanwhile, everyone is on tenterhooks waiting for complications to set in. Everything was done in Houston, wasn’t it? She didn’t wait to see his nod. Excellent facilities. They’ll do everything they can to ensure a successful outcome. Did you meet the father? Some recipients and their families never meet their donors. I always think it’s nice when they can.

He made a sound that

Reviews for The Texan's Baby Bombshell

[marient_5 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

When Assistant District Attorney Alex Cooper is summoned to Tina Barr's apartment on Manhatten's Upper East Side, she finds a neighbor convinced that the young woman was assaulted. Another woman is found murdered in that same apartment with an extremely valuable book, believed to be stolen.

[raucousrain · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I found Linda Fairstein’s Lethal Legacy to be an absorbing mystery.The setting of this book is what first attracted me. As a teenager, I had spent many hours at the main branch of the New York Public Library and I was delighted with the opportunity to “visit” once again. I enjoyed the fictional journey down into the bowels of New York Public (where I had never been in real life), while learning quite a bit about antique maps and rare books (two things I love). This is the first Alexandra Copper mystery I’ve read. Although I was unfamiliar with the characters who had been introduced in earlier in the series, I had no difficulty jumping in and enjoying this story. I was hooked from beginning to end.

[thesecretllama_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This my first experience with Linda Fairstein, and to be completely honest, I probably will not return to her. Considering the vessels of story delivery, books and murder, I thought I would enjoy Lethal Legacy with gusto. Despite the plot's great potential it fell flat. The characters, though well developed, were hard to get to know. ADA Alex Cooper is almost a cliche.There were interesting details and histories, particularly relating to books and maps, but in the end Lethal Legacy was not worth the read for me.

[kathy89_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Murder over antique books and maps and mistaken identity is the basis of this book. The interesting background material on the New York Public Library and Bryant Park was what kept me interested. The reader was excellent in this audio book.

[oldbookswine · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Alex is caught up a new mystery with her two buddies Mercer and Mike. This 11th book focuses on the New York Public Library and their wealthy donors. A very rare map, not known to be real is the object of at least two murders. As Alex and team search for the answers the reader gets an wonderful tour of the New York Public library and its history. One of the things this reviewer iikes best about Fairsteins books is her research in to the city and its history. How this history plays into the mystery is always fun. Learn something new overtime I read her stories. The names of the two lions outside the main entrance are Fortitude and Patience.

[lirleni · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I am not a mystery fan, but I do enjoy libraries and the law. This was the first book by Ms. Fairstein I've read, and I may look for others by her.In some ways, the mystery part of this book was almost a distraction for me, as I was getting more interested in the history and internal running of the New York Public Library. I greatly enjoyed character of Bea.The wrap up seemed a bit rushed to me, not sure if that's standard mystery stuff or not.

[auntie0nanuuq · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

So this isn't "tagged" friendship, but there is a definite ongoing friendship throughout the entire series between; Prosecutor Alex Cooper, Detective Mike Chapman, and Detective Mercer....so there are the friends.

This book covers the chase for a 12-part rare map and rare books throughout the City of N.Y. and NYPL. Fascinating history of NYPL, the geography beneath it, rare books and maps.

It wasn't as "exciting" as some of her other books, but being a Librarian, I loved the history & information on rarities & collectibles.

[marcusbrutus_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I gave this story three stars because, as a novel, it's nothing out of the ordinary. The plot chugs along at a typical pace, and the characters are fairly stale and talk like stereotypes. No unique voices. (And too many characters had names starting with 'M.' It got confusing.)The one thing that stands out in this novel is that the author has put a lot of research into it and included many interesting facts. Educational as they are, though, they didn't always fit with the story. The characters break into random lectures to showcase the author's knowledge, and much of this was unnecessary.So, all in all, it's not a bad airport read, if you're pressed for books on a long flight, and it has plenty of facts about books, for major bibliophiles to soak up. Unless you're in either of those situations, I can't really recommend this novel.

[mmerose_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I liked this book for the same reason some other reviewers disliked it! I found the history of the New York Public Library and antique books and maps fascinating! And, of course, Alexandra Cooper and crew were as great as always. The descriptions of "the rich" who expect their donations to the library to get special treatment above all others was amusing, also.Even better, the audiobook is narrated by Barbara Rosenblat again, after the last book had a different reader - that change was very jarring after 9 books!

[jepeters333 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

When assistant district attorney Alex Cooper is summoned to Tuna Barr's apartment on Manhattan's Upper East Side, se finds a neighbor convinced that the young woman has been assaulted. But the terrified victim, a conservator of rare books and maps, refuses to cooperate with investigators. Then another woman is found murdered in that same apartment with an extremely valuable book, believed to have been stolen

[jsharpmd · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What bibliophile could not like this mystery story set in the New York Public Library? Enjoyed the information about old books and their history and restoration. The rich collectors/donors were classic. Alex is OK even is she is a lawyer, not really interested in her love life. Mike and Mercer were great. The villains were as bad as to be expected. The kid at the end was a comic relief.

[391_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Lethal Legacy brought together two of my favorite things - libraries and mysteries. Alex Cooper, ADA, finds herself mixed up in a scheme involving the uber-wealthy and the New York Public Library. It's fast-paced, with short chapters that make it perfect for commuter reading. Because this is the middle of the series, the character development was minimal, though I had little difficulty keeping track of them all. I now feel like I have to go re-acquaint myself with the library - though I am a resident of NYC, I've only been once. Fairstein's descriptions are delicious, and now I want to go explore all the settings for myself. The prose isn't magnificent, but it works for a detective novel. I thought a few plot elements could have been thought through more thoroughly as well, but I loved Shalik's involvement.

[rdurant1217 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Solid showing from Fairstein - the writing keeps getting tighter with more focus on the crimes and action as the series progresses. The only thing really annoying in this novel is the secondary case, Griggs, and how that is given many pages in the beginning of the book and then basically forgotten about until a few pages as an afterthought at the very end. Much less of Alex's personal life in this one which is good as the first few of this series focused WAY too much on Alex's messed up head and life. Really enjoyed this one - was a very fast read.

[wyvernfriend · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This one hit several buttons for me, rare books, murder, rare maps, obsessive collectors, and libraries. When a woman is attacked and refuses to come for help, Alexandra Cooper, Manhattan's Assistant DA is called to help. Within a day she and Detective Mike Chapman are back, and there's a different woman in the same apartment, this time dead and beside her is a jewel-encrusted book. This brings them into the murky world of rare books, maps and rare book thieves, the people in this world are rich and willing to do almost anything to get the book or map they want. Alex and Mike have to uncover the reasons for the death before too many bodies turn up.I liked it, didn't feel too lost by the story, even if it is book 11, enjoyed the read and reckon severl of my book-loving friends would too.

[efoltz_5 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The novel is based in the New York Public Library and there are lots of interesting details about the building as well as interesting information about old book volumes. Sometimes, the plot dragged because of all the information on the old books. Some characters appeared late in the novel for my taste. Overall, it was a standard mystery novel.

[julyso · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I really thought I would enjoy this book, it being about books and libraries...but, I really didn't. It seemed to drag alot and by the end, I didn't really care about who had done what. Too bad, great idea.

[phyllisd_5 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Lethal Legacy begins and ends with suspense and mystery. It's just the pages in between that seem to plod on endlessly. If you enjoy all things maps -- the history, the artwork, the cartography -- then you might like this book. Otherwise avoid at all costs.

[lisalynne_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is my first Linda Fairstein mystery, but it wasn't difficult to get up to speed on the characters. Overall, I enjoyed the novel. I am fascinated by old books, I have a reproduction of a 1655 map of Ireland on my wall, and I never miss the Antiquarian Book Fair. The history of the Library and its collections was fascinating, probably more fascinating than the mystery itself. The dialogue was very awkward in places, and there was a subplot about a familial DNA search that seemed to serve no purpose and was never resolved. If you're willing to overlook some flaws, this is a very enjoyable read.

[schayde · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I had a hard time getting into this book.I made it 100 pages before I quit reading it.It has since been sent to another person for their enjoyment.

[skinglist · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Another reliably good book from Linda Fairstein in her Alex Cooper series. I've been away from her and am a few years behind in reading, but this was a quick read pool-side in Florida. It was made even more eerie when the airport bus drove past the library this evening. Not sure what I think of Alex's french boy but I lke that things are on the mend with she and Mike. Wonder what they'd think of Jeopardy and Watson?

[mkfriend · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

While I like detective type mysteries, I'm also aware how formulaic they can be and Lethal Legacy lives up to the formula. A cast of eccentric characters and a library centered/rare book focus to the mystery kept this librarian reading and intrigued. The clues to the lost book and the murder in the book are a bit complex to follow but I enjoyed the ride. Enjoy the book albeit the formula.

[virginiagill · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I might actually struggle with returning this book to it's owner! It's been a really fun read and I'm excited not only to read it again soon but to explore more of the author's books. Her characters were well written and an interesting group to get to know. It's a great peek into the world of bibliophiles and a good detective story.

[evilynj · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Assistant D.A. Alexandra Cooper and her partner investigate the murder of Tina Barr, a rare book conservator, and find a raging family feud and web of deceit over a collection of rare books and maps donated to The New York Public Library. Eleventh in a series featuring Alexandra Cooper. As with all of her books, Fairstein gives the reader an interesting glimpse into something historical and/or literate--this time the rare book collections of The New York Public Library. Read by Blair Brown. Highly recommend.

[nomadreader_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Lethal Legacy is the eleventh Alexandra Cooper mystery. The story opens in a unique way: with a live victim of sexual assault hesitant to complain, press charges or undergo an examination. It was certainly an interesting departure, and it sets up this crazy cast of characters wonderfully.The rest of the story focuses on the New York Public Library, specifically its map and rare book collections and the greedy shenanigans of those rich enough to collect the world's most rare and valuable items.Linda Fairstein is a master at combining intellectual knowledge, a compelling cast of characters and a riveting mystery. Lethal Legacy had the most intelligent backstory yet. I'm far from an expert on rare maps, but after reading this book, I could charm a collector at a cocktail party and surprise most people at trivia. The good news is Lethal Legacy is Fairstein's best mystery yet. The bad news is there won't be another one for at least a year.

[reannon_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Linda Fairstein's Alexandra Cooper series is one of the best mystery series around. Fairstein writes what she knows, having been assistant DA in New York, like her character. Fairstein also seems to have undertaken to educate the world about the city of New York, as most books in the series are about major features of the city. In this volume, the focal point is the New York Public Library, and during the course of the book one finds out a lot about that institution.and about historical maps. A woman was killed and the clues point to a library connection.Good book in an excellent series.

[mlanzotti_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Linda Fairstein, the author of this book was a district attorney in Manhattan for more than twenty years. This gives her work an authentic tone. More than that she is a good writer. This novel deals with murders connected with the New York Public Library and librarians would find the wealth of information about the library and its rich doners interesting. Excellent sense of place and plot. The main character is not so interesting,one doesn't get much of a sense of her, but the details of old maps,rare books and eccentric doners made up for that with me.