Likely To Die
Book Description
A series of chilling murders in New York City ignites a fierce race against time. Assistant District Attorney Alexandra Cooper is thrust into a twisted web of obsession, betrayal, and dark secrets that threaten to consume her and those she loves. With the killer always one step ahead, the investigation reveals unexpected connections and a hidden past that could shatter lives. As tensions rise and danger looms, trust becomes a luxury she can’t afford. Will Alex uncover the truth before it’s too late, or will she become the next victim in a game of cat and mouse?
Quick Summary
"Likely to Die" by Linda Fairstein is a gripping crime thriller that follows Assistant District Attorney Alexandra Cooper as she investigates a disturbing murder at a prestigious New York City hospital. When a neurosurgeon is found dead, Alex becomes entangled in a demanding case that spirals deeper into a maze of professional rivalries, personal secrets, and shocking betrayals. As more victims emerge and connections between them surface, it becomes clear that the killer is intimately familiar with both the city and its medical community. Relying on her sharp instincts and the aid of Detectives Mike Chapman and Mercer Wallace, Alex must unravel the hidden motives of those around her. The hunt for the murderer tests her trust in colleagues and friends, pushing her to the brink as she races to stop a killer who may be closer than she ever imagined.
Summary of Key Ideas
Table of Contents
The Intersection of Medicine and Crime
Assistant District Attorney Alexandra Cooper is drawn into a harrowing investigation when a celebrated neurosurgeon is brutally murdered inside a renowned New York City hospital. The initial crime scene is chilling and complex, revealing that the perpetrator possesses intimate knowledge of surgical procedures and hospital protocols. As Alex and her team delve into the circumstances, they quickly realize that gaining the trust of the insular medical staff—and overcoming their collective reticence—is a challenge all its own.
Obsession and Revenge
The case grows more confounding when additional assaults are reported, each with unsettling similarities. Alex, joined by Detectives Mike Chapman and Mercer Wallace, navigates the corridors of power within the city’s top hospitals, uncovering a community driven as much by ambition and ego as by the desire to heal. The team’s investigation drags forth entrenched rivalries, hidden affairs, and the cutthroat world of medical politics, revealing that professional envy can motivate the darkest of actions.
Trust and Betrayal in High-Stakes Environments
At the center of the inquiry is a web of obsession and deeply personal revenge. As Alex interviews colleagues, friends, and patients of the slain doctor, she uncovers a pattern of manipulation and grudge-holding that points to multiple potential suspects. The boundaries between victim and perpetrator become increasingly blurred as Alex’s own past traumas are mirrored in the stories of those she investigates. Trust is a scarce commodity, and Alexandra must rely on her experience and intuition while questioning everyone—and everything—she thought she knew.
The Challenge of Investigating Elite Institutions
Teamwork is critical, but so is personal resilience. Alex’s relationships with Mike and Mercer are tested under the strain of high-profile scrutiny and the mounting pressure to solve the case before the killer strikes again. Amid shifting alliances, she must separate truth from deception. The city’s relentless pace and the hospital’s closed ranks conspire to conceal the killer’s true identity, placing both Alex’s case and her life in jeopardy.
Personal Risk and Professional Duty
Ultimately, the relentless chase culminates in an explosive confrontation that forces Alex to confront her own vulnerabilities. As the secrets of the past are laid bare and the stakes reach their zenith, she learns that navigating power, obsession, and betrayal demands not only legal acumen but also an unyielding determination to seek justice—no matter the personal cost. In the end, it is Alex’s perseverance that brings the truth to light before she, too, becomes another victim in the killer’s intricate game.