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The Ex
In this breakout standalone novel of suspense in the vein of Gone Girl and The Girl on a Train, a woman agrees to help an old boyfriend who has been framed for murder—but begins to suspect that she is the one being manipulated.
And look for Alafair Burke’s latest heart-racing novel of psychological suspense, The Wife, coming in January 2018.
Twenty years ago she ruined his life. Now she has the chance to save it.
Widower Jack Harris has resisted the dating scene ever since the shooting of his wife Molly by a fifteen-year-old boy three years ago. An early morning run along the Hudson River changes that when he spots a woman in last night’s party dress, barefoot, enjoying a champagne picnic alone, reading his favorite novel. Everything about her reminds him of what he used to have with Molly. Eager to help Jack find love again, his best friend posts a message on a popular website after he mentions the encounter. Days later, that same beautiful stranger responds and invites Jack to meet her in person at the waterfront. That’s when Jack’s world falls apart.
Olivia Randall is one of New York City’s best criminal defense lawyers. When she hears that her former fiancé, Jack Harris, has been arrested for a triple homicide—and that one of the victims was connected to his wife’s murder—there is no doubt in her mind as to his innocence. The only question is who would go to such great lengths to frame him—and why?
For Olivia, representing Jack is a way to make up for past regrets, to absolve herself of guilt from a tragic decision, a secret she has held for twenty years. But as the evidence against him mounts, she is forced to confront her doubts. The man she knew could not have done this. But what if she never really knew him?
And look for Alafair Burke’s latest heart-racing novel of psychological suspense, The Wife, coming in January 2018.
Twenty years ago she ruined his life. Now she has the chance to save it.
Widower Jack Harris has resisted the dating scene ever since the shooting of his wife Molly by a fifteen-year-old boy three years ago. An early morning run along the Hudson River changes that when he spots a woman in last night’s party dress, barefoot, enjoying a champagne picnic alone, reading his favorite novel. Everything about her reminds him of what he used to have with Molly. Eager to help Jack find love again, his best friend posts a message on a popular website after he mentions the encounter. Days later, that same beautiful stranger responds and invites Jack to meet her in person at the waterfront. That’s when Jack’s world falls apart.
Olivia Randall is one of New York City’s best criminal defense lawyers. When she hears that her former fiancé, Jack Harris, has been arrested for a triple homicide—and that one of the victims was connected to his wife’s murder—there is no doubt in her mind as to his innocence. The only question is who would go to such great lengths to frame him—and why?
For Olivia, representing Jack is a way to make up for past regrets, to absolve herself of guilt from a tragic decision, a secret she has held for twenty years. But as the evidence against him mounts, she is forced to confront her doubts. The man she knew could not have done this. But what if she never really knew him?
291 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 26, 2016
About the author
Alafair Burke
55 books4,746 followersAlafair Burke is the New York Times, Edgar-nominated author of fourteen crime novels, including The Ex, The Wife, The Better Sister, and the forthcoming Find Me. She is also the co-author of several novels with Mary Higgins Clark. A graduate of Stanford Law School and a former Deputy District Attorney in Portland, Oregon, Alafair is now a Professor of Law at Hofstra Law School, where she teaches criminal law and procedure.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,864 reviews
January 6, 2016
I'm biased about the insides but I give the cover art five stars.
October 21, 2018
Okay, I figured the murder mystery out right away. Everyone in my bookclub also did.
Ex-fiancé, Jack Harris, needs help from Olivia Randall to whom he was engaged to and hasn’t seen in 20 years. Olivia was called in by Jack’s daughter, Buckley, to help with the case. Olivia is considered the best criminal defense lawyer in NYC, of course. Aren’t they always?
Olivia projects too much guilt for her past involvement with Jack for me. Sorry for the last 20 years for what she did. Enough already, as my son would say. Evidence starts to pile up that Jack is guilty so Olivia is starting to think, did he do it, or not?
This is all about, how well do we know someone we haven’t seen in 20 years? How well do we know anyone?
3.5 out of 5 stars
Ex-fiancé, Jack Harris, needs help from Olivia Randall to whom he was engaged to and hasn’t seen in 20 years. Olivia was called in by Jack’s daughter, Buckley, to help with the case. Olivia is considered the best criminal defense lawyer in NYC, of course. Aren’t they always?
Olivia projects too much guilt for her past involvement with Jack for me. Sorry for the last 20 years for what she did. Enough already, as my son would say. Evidence starts to pile up that Jack is guilty so Olivia is starting to think, did he do it, or not?
This is all about, how well do we know someone we haven’t seen in 20 years? How well do we know anyone?
3.5 out of 5 stars
February 23, 2016
Still undecided on a rating. I was thoroughly sucked in, the pacing was good, but a bit forgettable in comparison to Burke's other work. Currently a 3.5 rounded to 4 because it's Alafair Burke and she's queen. Full review tomorrow.
FULL REVIEW:
Still feeling like a 3.5 star rating is accurate. This story has been done many times before but I still enjoyed reading it. I sure will be glad when 70% of all books stop trying to be "The Next Gone Girl or TGOTT". It seems all books with this blurb on it automatically put a bad taste in my mouth.
The plot moved quickly enough and kept my attention throughout. This one was a bit short compared to most of Burke's other novels (came in at 283 pages), so it felt a tiny bit more rushed than usual. If you are a huge fan like I am, definitely read this one, but I would not suggest this as a first impression for her work. I'll still be looking forward to her next book!
FULL REVIEW:
Still feeling like a 3.5 star rating is accurate. This story has been done many times before but I still enjoyed reading it. I sure will be glad when 70% of all books stop trying to be "The Next Gone Girl or TGOTT". It seems all books with this blurb on it automatically put a bad taste in my mouth.
The plot moved quickly enough and kept my attention throughout. This one was a bit short compared to most of Burke's other novels (came in at 283 pages), so it felt a tiny bit more rushed than usual. If you are a huge fan like I am, definitely read this one, but I would not suggest this as a first impression for her work. I'll still be looking forward to her next book!
October 8, 2018
Overdrive Library ebook.
IT WAS PURE FUN FROM THE GET GO! I didn’t even realize how much I was in the mood for a book like this. The ‘writing’ gave me giggles at times...catchy sayings add lightness....while being suspenseful.
Author Alafair Burke is playful with her writing throughout. Being arrested for a triple
homicide, is no joke. Of course the accused - Jack Harris - looked fearful, tired, disheveled, and exhausted in the interrogation room with bad fluorescent lighting - “Don called it getting hit by custody’s ugly stick”. I laughed!
Olivia Randal, Jack’s defense lawyer .... ( juicy past history together many moons ago)... dressed in classic expensive clothes and shoes - high maintenance type.
Her natural expression could be intimidating. “The Internet called it RBT: resting Bitch Face”. I laughed again.
Don’t get me wrong - this isn’t a comedy - some of it is actually depressing - but not a complete debbie-downer either. Nothing horribly graphic, either
I liked the author’s witty writing style - it fits nicely with this genre. I don’t need heavy gritty violence.
All the characters are flawed ....with distinct personalities.
Page turning non stop legal-mystery thriller that I thought was totally entertaining.
Can’t remember reading other reviews- details anyway - but this is not a new release book. I’m late to the party again.
Now to read how other readers reacted.
Great company while cycling on my stationary spinnaker bike.
P. S. Who here remembers using those hotel keys like on the cover on this book? I do.
Aging myself!
IT WAS PURE FUN FROM THE GET GO! I didn’t even realize how much I was in the mood for a book like this. The ‘writing’ gave me giggles at times...catchy sayings add lightness....while being suspenseful.
Author Alafair Burke is playful with her writing throughout. Being arrested for a triple
homicide, is no joke. Of course the accused - Jack Harris - looked fearful, tired, disheveled, and exhausted in the interrogation room with bad fluorescent lighting - “Don called it getting hit by custody’s ugly stick”. I laughed!
Olivia Randal, Jack’s defense lawyer .... ( juicy past history together many moons ago)... dressed in classic expensive clothes and shoes - high maintenance type.
Her natural expression could be intimidating. “The Internet called it RBT: resting Bitch Face”. I laughed again.
Don’t get me wrong - this isn’t a comedy - some of it is actually depressing - but not a complete debbie-downer either. Nothing horribly graphic, either
I liked the author’s witty writing style - it fits nicely with this genre. I don’t need heavy gritty violence.
All the characters are flawed ....with distinct personalities.
Page turning non stop legal-mystery thriller that I thought was totally entertaining.
Can’t remember reading other reviews- details anyway - but this is not a new release book. I’m late to the party again.
Now to read how other readers reacted.
Great company while cycling on my stationary spinnaker bike.
P. S. Who here remembers using those hotel keys like on the cover on this book? I do.
Aging myself!
February 7, 2019
3.5 stars
This was my first time reading a book written by Alafair Burke, and because I found this one to be a pretty decent read, I would love to check out her other books. I liked that this one featured a lawyer as the main character because it seems like I read a ton of police detective books but rarely get around to reading more legal based books. So this was a nice change of pace.
Criminal defense lawyer Olivia Randall has been asked to represent her former fiancé, Jack Harris, who has been arrested for a triple homicide. Twenty years ago Olivia messed up big time with their relationship. Will proving his innocence help with the guilt she has been carrying around for years? As Olivia gathers evidence things aren't looking great for Jack, and she wonders did she ever truly know him at all?
This is a good example of liking a book even though I didn't really click with the main character. I didn't hate her or even dislike her in regards to her backstory, but there was just something missing and I never fully warmed up to her. I did like how the author wrapped up her story at the end, but in a way I felt like I was cheated as I wish a little more was written in regards to that.
The mystery of who killed the three people was fairly decent although at times it felt like the pace was slow. I have mixed feelings about the ending but it in no way ruined the book for me.
It seems like I wrote more negative things than positive in this review, but I did actually enjoy the book despite having a few problems with it.
This was my first time reading a book written by Alafair Burke, and because I found this one to be a pretty decent read, I would love to check out her other books. I liked that this one featured a lawyer as the main character because it seems like I read a ton of police detective books but rarely get around to reading more legal based books. So this was a nice change of pace.
Criminal defense lawyer Olivia Randall has been asked to represent her former fiancé, Jack Harris, who has been arrested for a triple homicide. Twenty years ago Olivia messed up big time with their relationship. Will proving his innocence help with the guilt she has been carrying around for years? As Olivia gathers evidence things aren't looking great for Jack, and she wonders did she ever truly know him at all?
This is a good example of liking a book even though I didn't really click with the main character. I didn't hate her or even dislike her in regards to her backstory, but there was just something missing and I never fully warmed up to her. I did like how the author wrapped up her story at the end, but in a way I felt like I was cheated as I wish a little more was written in regards to that.
The mystery of who killed the three people was fairly decent although at times it felt like the pace was slow. I have mixed feelings about the ending but it in no way ruined the book for me.
It seems like I wrote more negative things than positive in this review, but I did actually enjoy the book despite having a few problems with it.
January 17, 2019
Hmm...
This book to me was like expecting the next chapter to be painted with a stunning azure blue that really took my breath away instead to find I'd ended up with magnolia...again. A book with enormous potential but it just lacked the spark required to make it a page turner. And for heaven's sake stop comparing books to The Girl on the Train, it creates an expectation. One that this book did not live up to.
Twenty years ago she ruined his life. Now she has the chance to save it.
Widower Jack Harris has resisted the dating scene ever since the shooting of his wife Molly by a fifteen-year-old boy three years ago. An early morning run along the Hudson River changes that when he spots a woman in last night’s party dress, barefoot, enjoying a champagne picnic alone, reading his favorite novel. Everything about her reminds him of what he used to have with Molly. Eager to help Jack find love again, his best friend posts a message on a popular website after he mentions the encounter. Days later, that same beautiful stranger responds and invites Jack to meet her in person at the waterfront. That’s when Jack’s world falls apart.
Olivia Randall is one of New York City’s best criminal defense lawyers. When she hears that her former fiancé, Jack Harris, has been arrested for a triple homicide—and that one of the victims was connected to his wife’s murder—there is no doubt in her mind as to his innocence. The only question is who would go to such great lengths to frame him—and why?
I found the plot to be great in part but then highly unbelievable and boring in others. It just needed a rocket put into this book to make it really zing. I'm surprised it wasn't edited more really. The writing it not bad at all, I've not read this author before and may do again. I struggled to connect with any of the characters except for Jack's daughter, I wish she had featured even more in the book. Even the past connection between Jack and Olivia added something different but not enough to really get me excited. More of that magnolia paint.
I wanted a super strong ending and whilst the twists were good I wasn't surprised, I'd guessed most of it earlier on. This was an okay, lukewarm novel for me, I see others love it and others don't. I give this one 3 stars and wish someone had suggested more oomph injected into what could have potentially been an excellent book. I think I'll forget this one fairly quickly.
Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC of this novel to read and review.
This book to me was like expecting the next chapter to be painted with a stunning azure blue that really took my breath away instead to find I'd ended up with magnolia...again. A book with enormous potential but it just lacked the spark required to make it a page turner. And for heaven's sake stop comparing books to The Girl on the Train, it creates an expectation. One that this book did not live up to.
Twenty years ago she ruined his life. Now she has the chance to save it.
Widower Jack Harris has resisted the dating scene ever since the shooting of his wife Molly by a fifteen-year-old boy three years ago. An early morning run along the Hudson River changes that when he spots a woman in last night’s party dress, barefoot, enjoying a champagne picnic alone, reading his favorite novel. Everything about her reminds him of what he used to have with Molly. Eager to help Jack find love again, his best friend posts a message on a popular website after he mentions the encounter. Days later, that same beautiful stranger responds and invites Jack to meet her in person at the waterfront. That’s when Jack’s world falls apart.
Olivia Randall is one of New York City’s best criminal defense lawyers. When she hears that her former fiancé, Jack Harris, has been arrested for a triple homicide—and that one of the victims was connected to his wife’s murder—there is no doubt in her mind as to his innocence. The only question is who would go to such great lengths to frame him—and why?
I found the plot to be great in part but then highly unbelievable and boring in others. It just needed a rocket put into this book to make it really zing. I'm surprised it wasn't edited more really. The writing it not bad at all, I've not read this author before and may do again. I struggled to connect with any of the characters except for Jack's daughter, I wish she had featured even more in the book. Even the past connection between Jack and Olivia added something different but not enough to really get me excited. More of that magnolia paint.
I wanted a super strong ending and whilst the twists were good I wasn't surprised, I'd guessed most of it earlier on. This was an okay, lukewarm novel for me, I see others love it and others don't. I give this one 3 stars and wish someone had suggested more oomph injected into what could have potentially been an excellent book. I think I'll forget this one fairly quickly.
Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC of this novel to read and review.
June 25, 2018
4 Stars.
One morning Olivia gets a frantic phone call from a girl named Buckley, the daughter of Jack, an old flame who Olivia often thought of as the one, and whose heart she broke. Buckley isn’t calling to reminisce. Her dad was taken into police custody and they need Olivia’s help. Olivia is a criminal defense attorney and she is Jack’s only hope and the truth is, she owes him. Three people were shot at a football field where Jack just happened to be that morning, and one ends up losing his life. All evidence points to Jack as the culprit. Olivia knows that Jack is innocent - he is the best man she has ever known - now she just has to prove it. Once the evidence starts mounting against him however, even Olivia begins to have her doubts.
A gripping legal mystery/suspense from start to finish, my mind was racing with possibilities. The storyline is revealed layer by layer and is quite well done. Though I had things figured out fairly early on, I enjoyed “The Ex” and found it completely compelling. If you’re looking for a quick easy read that will keep you on the edge of your seat, this is it.
Published on Goodreads and Amazon on 6.25.18.
One morning Olivia gets a frantic phone call from a girl named Buckley, the daughter of Jack, an old flame who Olivia often thought of as the one, and whose heart she broke. Buckley isn’t calling to reminisce. Her dad was taken into police custody and they need Olivia’s help. Olivia is a criminal defense attorney and she is Jack’s only hope and the truth is, she owes him. Three people were shot at a football field where Jack just happened to be that morning, and one ends up losing his life. All evidence points to Jack as the culprit. Olivia knows that Jack is innocent - he is the best man she has ever known - now she just has to prove it. Once the evidence starts mounting against him however, even Olivia begins to have her doubts.
A gripping legal mystery/suspense from start to finish, my mind was racing with possibilities. The storyline is revealed layer by layer and is quite well done. Though I had things figured out fairly early on, I enjoyed “The Ex” and found it completely compelling. If you’re looking for a quick easy read that will keep you on the edge of your seat, this is it.
Published on Goodreads and Amazon on 6.25.18.
January 30, 2016
The EX by Alafair Burke is a 2016 Harper publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
The legal thriller has gone through many adjustments, especially over the last five or six years. Courtroom dramas appear to be dead in the water as fewer attorneys actually step foot into a courtroom anymore.
Now, so called legal thrillers have lawyers doing all the crime solving, making them more like amateur sleuths than attorneys. No one ever sits on the stand, there are no judges or juries and the nuances of criminal court trials have disappeared entirely.
But, that is not the case with this book and for that reason alone, I intended to give the book a solid rating, but as it turns out this was a very compelling read that went beyond the legal wrangling.
Olivia had a five- year relationship with Jack, but the two were incompatible and she wound up hurting Jack very badly by making some very bad decisions. She hasn’t seen Jack in many years, but she knows he eventually married and has a daughter. However, his happiness was short lived due to the tragic shooting death of his wife.
Now the man Jack holds responsible for the shooting has been shot and killed and of course Jack is suspect number one. Olivia agrees to take his case, despite the obvious conflict of interest, mainly due to her feelings of guilt about how things ended between her and Jack.
Olivia is positive Jack could never do what he is accused of, but the more evidence that pours in, the more people who come forward with tales of Jack’s dark side, the more Olivia begins to suspect her client is guilty.
I was riveted to this story from the get go. The plotting and planning is very rich in details, with several breathtaking twists and turns along the way. I have read many legal thrillers in my day, and I have to admit I had suspected what the outcome would be, but I was never over confident about that, always having a reasonable doubt about what really happened.
Olivia is a character I couldn’t help but like, despite some things she did in her past that were really terrible. She still has some morally questionable traits when it comes to relationship choices and she drinks a lot, beats herself up over how she treated Jack, something I suspect has left her unsettled for many years, but she does her job exceptionally well. She grows as a person throughout this case, and I think maybe she was able to put some lingering demons to rest at last.
This case is perhaps a little bit of a cautionary tale, proving cause and effect. One person’s actions can cause a chain reaction that not only affects their lives but many others. Despite what one might think, at the end of the day, the outcome really gave me something to think about. Of course, I can’t expound on that here without giving anything away, but I think this story has some deeper messages beyond what appears on the surface.
The atmosphere was heavy and tense from the beginning and the conclusion is creepy, and left me feeling as though Olivia will have to deal with the fallout of this case for a long time to come and that someday another shoe will drop and when it does, it won’t be pretty. But, until then, I think Olivia came out of the situation a much more balanced person with a more settled life and at long last has put the past in its proper perspective and place.
I wouldn’t mind seeing her in action again someday.
Overall this one gets 4.5 stars.
The legal thriller has gone through many adjustments, especially over the last five or six years. Courtroom dramas appear to be dead in the water as fewer attorneys actually step foot into a courtroom anymore.
Now, so called legal thrillers have lawyers doing all the crime solving, making them more like amateur sleuths than attorneys. No one ever sits on the stand, there are no judges or juries and the nuances of criminal court trials have disappeared entirely.
But, that is not the case with this book and for that reason alone, I intended to give the book a solid rating, but as it turns out this was a very compelling read that went beyond the legal wrangling.
Olivia had a five- year relationship with Jack, but the two were incompatible and she wound up hurting Jack very badly by making some very bad decisions. She hasn’t seen Jack in many years, but she knows he eventually married and has a daughter. However, his happiness was short lived due to the tragic shooting death of his wife.
Now the man Jack holds responsible for the shooting has been shot and killed and of course Jack is suspect number one. Olivia agrees to take his case, despite the obvious conflict of interest, mainly due to her feelings of guilt about how things ended between her and Jack.
Olivia is positive Jack could never do what he is accused of, but the more evidence that pours in, the more people who come forward with tales of Jack’s dark side, the more Olivia begins to suspect her client is guilty.
I was riveted to this story from the get go. The plotting and planning is very rich in details, with several breathtaking twists and turns along the way. I have read many legal thrillers in my day, and I have to admit I had suspected what the outcome would be, but I was never over confident about that, always having a reasonable doubt about what really happened.
Olivia is a character I couldn’t help but like, despite some things she did in her past that were really terrible. She still has some morally questionable traits when it comes to relationship choices and she drinks a lot, beats herself up over how she treated Jack, something I suspect has left her unsettled for many years, but she does her job exceptionally well. She grows as a person throughout this case, and I think maybe she was able to put some lingering demons to rest at last.
This case is perhaps a little bit of a cautionary tale, proving cause and effect. One person’s actions can cause a chain reaction that not only affects their lives but many others. Despite what one might think, at the end of the day, the outcome really gave me something to think about. Of course, I can’t expound on that here without giving anything away, but I think this story has some deeper messages beyond what appears on the surface.
The atmosphere was heavy and tense from the beginning and the conclusion is creepy, and left me feeling as though Olivia will have to deal with the fallout of this case for a long time to come and that someday another shoe will drop and when it does, it won’t be pretty. But, until then, I think Olivia came out of the situation a much more balanced person with a more settled life and at long last has put the past in its proper perspective and place.
I wouldn’t mind seeing her in action again someday.
Overall this one gets 4.5 stars.
March 29, 2019
2.5 Stars — Last year I read “The Wife” by Alafair Burke and really enjoyed it. Therefore, I decided to give one of her earlier novels, “The Ex” a try when it became available at the local library. “The Ex” is written from the perspective of Olivia, a successful criminal defense attorney, who is contacted by her ex-boyfriend’s daughter about representing him after he is accused of a triple murder. Olivia’s representation of her ex, Jack, is complicated by the messy way their relationship ended as well as how defensive Jack is when Olivia digs further into the evidence and discovers he has lied to her about several important details. Unlike the earlier book I read from Burke, the surprise twist can be seen coming a 100 pages before the end. The plot itself has a lot of holes that made the book less enjoyable, and I felt like the murders were so badly planned and implausible that when the entire plot was revealed, I really didn’t care about the book anymore. I will definitely give Burke another chance in the future because she writes very well and the characters are very relatable; but she is a much better writer when the murderer is a little smarter about covering his/her tracks and is not as easy to identify from the beginning of the book.
September 30, 2023
Oh gosh do I love a good Alafair Burke thriller. Interesting premise/mystery. Nice understanding of the legal/police system. Short concise chapters that keep the action flowing. Great characters backstories that make things twisty and interesting. In this one, we have a man accused of a terrible crime. The victim is hardly sympathetic, and he had every reason to kill him, even though he proclaims innocence. The trouble is… can you believe his story, or is he just a really convincing liar? This had WONDERFUL pacing and some great twists and turns throughout. Really kept me guessing!
February 3, 2016
I have read many Alafair Burke books and found them to be complex, multi-layered stories with gripping and compelling narratives. This courtroom legal drama is no different and I loved it. Olivia is a flawed person but exceptional criminal defense lawyer. She feels a burden of guilt after breaking a relationship with Jack Harris and the suffering she caused twenty years ago.
Jack is now on a murder charge and his daughter pleads with Olivia to defend him. Despite others warning her against doing this, she takes the case because she believes there is no way that Jack could be guilty. However, the evidence that emerges cause Olivia to question whether she ever really knew Jack as it begins to look as if he could, indeed, be guilty. The story is packed with twists and turns to keep the reader engaged. There are good legal arguments presented and the author has done her research well and gives superb descriptions throughout.
The author is a gifted writer who creates characters with depth. The novel is well plotted with a fast narrative. I recommend this book thoroughly as one which others will enjoy. Many thanks to Faber and Faber for a copy of the book via netgalley.
Jack is now on a murder charge and his daughter pleads with Olivia to defend him. Despite others warning her against doing this, she takes the case because she believes there is no way that Jack could be guilty. However, the evidence that emerges cause Olivia to question whether she ever really knew Jack as it begins to look as if he could, indeed, be guilty. The story is packed with twists and turns to keep the reader engaged. There are good legal arguments presented and the author has done her research well and gives superb descriptions throughout.
The author is a gifted writer who creates characters with depth. The novel is well plotted with a fast narrative. I recommend this book thoroughly as one which others will enjoy. Many thanks to Faber and Faber for a copy of the book via netgalley.
January 16, 2024
Olivia Randall, a fortysomething criminal defense attorney in New York City, hasn't seen her former fiancé Jack Harris in decades. Thus Olivia is surprised to get a call from Jack's teenage daughter Buckley, who's worried about her dad.
It turns out Jack is accused of murdering three people, one of whom is a man named Malcolm Neely.
Neely's disturbed son - who should have been institutionalized - killed Jack's wife Molly during a shooting spree, and the police speculate that this was a revenge killing with collateral damage.
Olivia's partner Don urges her not to take the case, but she does anyway.
Malcolm Neely and the other victims were shot in a park in the early morning, and the cops have CCTV footage showing Jack in the area, with a picnic basket that could conceal a gun.
Jack explains that he was there to meet a woman named Madeline, for a 'picnic date' that was set up online. However, the woman never showed up. Jack has a convoluted story about how he 'met' Madeline and arranged the meeting, and he urges Olivia to find Madeline to corroborate his story.
Meanwhile, 16-year-old Buckley - who's upset about her dad - is staying with Jack's best friend Charlotte.
Charlotte actually helped set up Jack with Madeline - who's starting to look like a catfish.
As Olivia looks for evidence that exonerates Jack, she learns things that make her doubt his innocence. Nevertheless Olivia is VERY determined to help her former boyfriend, in part because she's ashamed of things she did to him in the past....things that had unfortunate consequences.
Olivia holds her own when she spars with the prosecuting attorneys about bail and discovery, and it's interesting to see the lawyers interact in courtroom scenes.....which I always like.
The story culminates in a dramatic climax, but I didn't find it wholly credible. Still, I enjoyed the book, which is an entertaining mystery.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot....
October 30, 2019
3.5 stars, rounded up
I've often said that some books make perfect audiobooks. This is one such book. It moves at a nice brisk pace. It was just complicated enough to keep me on my toes and to keep me focused. In addition to the current murder mystery and legal thriller aspects, we are slowly given Olivia and Jack’s backstory. From early on, I had a decent idea of who the murderer was. But there were enough twists so that I was never completely convinced I had it right. Burke does a wonderful job of throwing a monkey wrench into the works on a regular basis to keep the level of suspense high.
It raises some interesting questions, primarily can we say we really know someone we haven’t seen in 20 years, no matter how close we were back then? Hell, it also asks how well we know anyone.
A word of warning, don’t take time looking too closely at the ending. If you do, the holes in the logistics of it all will become apparent. But this is meant as entertainment. And as such, it succeeds.
Xe Sands is always a great narrator and she doesn’t disappoint here.
I've often said that some books make perfect audiobooks. This is one such book. It moves at a nice brisk pace. It was just complicated enough to keep me on my toes and to keep me focused. In addition to the current murder mystery and legal thriller aspects, we are slowly given Olivia and Jack’s backstory. From early on, I had a decent idea of who the murderer was. But there were enough twists so that I was never completely convinced I had it right. Burke does a wonderful job of throwing a monkey wrench into the works on a regular basis to keep the level of suspense high.
It raises some interesting questions, primarily can we say we really know someone we haven’t seen in 20 years, no matter how close we were back then? Hell, it also asks how well we know anyone.
A word of warning, don’t take time looking too closely at the ending. If you do, the holes in the logistics of it all will become apparent. But this is meant as entertainment. And as such, it succeeds.
Xe Sands is always a great narrator and she doesn’t disappoint here.
March 30, 2016
The Ex is a standalone legal/mystery novel written by former prosecutor and current professor of criminal law and procedure: Alafair Burke. I didn't realize beforehand, but this novel apparently falls into that small genre I don't care for: legal thrillers/detective mysteries. I usually just save myself the time and annoyance by DNF'ing and moving on. But with The Ex, I continued because I actually enjoyed following the legal component (especially in light of the author's profession!!) and I found the pieces of social technology quite interesting. More than that though, the characters were fairly complex and I enjoyed seeing how their thought processes and emotions influenced their overall behavior. As for the mystery component, I knew who the guilty party was at the 30% mark which is pretty sad given how embarrassingly blindsided I usually am in this genre...but hey, maybe I'm getting better at these whodunits! Regardless, I think many fans of legal mysteries would enjoy The Ex, so if that includes you then check it out!
My favorite quote:
"We now lived in a country where only three shot was good news."
My favorite quote:
"We now lived in a country where only three shot was good news."
April 25, 2018
I love discovering a new author and I am clearly late for the party. WOW, this book did not disappoint. This story was fast paced and I couldn't put it down. You are guessing until the very end, and the ending was a shocker. I am a new fan to this author and look forward to more.
June 28, 2016
4.5★
I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and their entanglements in each other’s past and the complications that have led to today.
Olivia Randall is a girl-about-town NY lawyer who is awakened from sleeping off a hangover when her phone rings just before noon. She takes the details from her office about some kid who keeps calling her, then prods her bed partner, reminding him his wife’s plane is due to land. She’s that kind of girl . . . a 43-year-old girl.
The desperate young girl calling her is the 16-year-old daughter of her ex. Back in her university days, she and Jack Harris, now a noted author were a couple. He was the nice guy, she was the naughty girl, and eventually the novelty wore off for Olivia, but not until after she’d accepted Jack’s engagement ring. Then she she slept her way through a series of fellows.
She couldn't bear to break it off and hurt Jack’s feelings, so she kept pushing and testing his patience until he finally caught her and sent her packing (as if THAT wouldn’t hurt?). And now he needs a lawyer who believes in him. His ex.
She’s experienced, knows how to dress to impress when necessary, does so (hangover and all), and fronts up to the desk sergeant at the police station looking for Jack.
“ ‘He’s a man of some significance in New York City. If he’s here, I assume you have an explanation.’
Police like to say that they’re straight shooters, all about the justice, color blind, fair and balanced, yada yada. But the truth is that they’re used to both victims and perpetrators who are poor and powerless. When someone rich and powerful collides with the criminal justice system, it’s a big fucking deal. No harm in flashing your feathers early and often.”
This is not a thriller or a courtroom drama or even a police procedural. It’s more a gradual uncovering of many layers of the past, both Jack’s and Olivia’s, and the current situation.
She’s single, Jack’s now a widower whose wife was murdered, and he and Buckley (the aforementioned daughter) have been managing ever since then with excellent support from his gorgeous, wealthy best friend, Charlotte, who runs a popular gossip website and is an avowed lesbian, lest you get any ideas about her and Jack.
There are cops, a dead brother, and all kinds of intrigue that I found believable and engaging. Great story, great gradual discoveries and piecing together several scenarios of what might have happened in order to cast a doubt on mostly circumstantial evidence. And there is doubt. It comes and goes, but there is doubt.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Faber and Faber for an advanced review copy. I look forward to reading more of Alafair Burke's work.
I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and their entanglements in each other’s past and the complications that have led to today.
Olivia Randall is a girl-about-town NY lawyer who is awakened from sleeping off a hangover when her phone rings just before noon. She takes the details from her office about some kid who keeps calling her, then prods her bed partner, reminding him his wife’s plane is due to land. She’s that kind of girl . . . a 43-year-old girl.
The desperate young girl calling her is the 16-year-old daughter of her ex. Back in her university days, she and Jack Harris, now a noted author were a couple. He was the nice guy, she was the naughty girl, and eventually the novelty wore off for Olivia, but not until after she’d accepted Jack’s engagement ring. Then she she slept her way through a series of fellows.
She couldn't bear to break it off and hurt Jack’s feelings, so she kept pushing and testing his patience until he finally caught her and sent her packing (as if THAT wouldn’t hurt?). And now he needs a lawyer who believes in him. His ex.
She’s experienced, knows how to dress to impress when necessary, does so (hangover and all), and fronts up to the desk sergeant at the police station looking for Jack.
“ ‘He’s a man of some significance in New York City. If he’s here, I assume you have an explanation.’
Police like to say that they’re straight shooters, all about the justice, color blind, fair and balanced, yada yada. But the truth is that they’re used to both victims and perpetrators who are poor and powerless. When someone rich and powerful collides with the criminal justice system, it’s a big fucking deal. No harm in flashing your feathers early and often.”
This is not a thriller or a courtroom drama or even a police procedural. It’s more a gradual uncovering of many layers of the past, both Jack’s and Olivia’s, and the current situation.
She’s single, Jack’s now a widower whose wife was murdered, and he and Buckley (the aforementioned daughter) have been managing ever since then with excellent support from his gorgeous, wealthy best friend, Charlotte, who runs a popular gossip website and is an avowed lesbian, lest you get any ideas about her and Jack.
There are cops, a dead brother, and all kinds of intrigue that I found believable and engaging. Great story, great gradual discoveries and piecing together several scenarios of what might have happened in order to cast a doubt on mostly circumstantial evidence. And there is doubt. It comes and goes, but there is doubt.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Faber and Faber for an advanced review copy. I look forward to reading more of Alafair Burke's work.
August 31, 2017
The Ex is my first novel by Alafair Burke and I won't hesitate to pick up another.
Olivia has made quite a career as a criminal defense lawyer. I will say it right here that I love the character of Olivia and the character in Olivia. She is uncompromising. She receives a call from the daughter of an ex love interest(like 19 years in the past) saying she needs Olivia's help in helping her Dad. Jack believes he has been framed for murder and so does Olivia after hearing his version. Knowing his personality she feels that he's not capable of murder. The unraveling of the sequence of events and secrets revealed made The Ex a good, fast paced read!
I edited to add that early in the novel Alafair does a shoutout to Goodreads :) Jack is a novelist. I kept reminding myself not to forget the GR mention and then I forgot, of course.
Olivia has made quite a career as a criminal defense lawyer. I will say it right here that I love the character of Olivia and the character in Olivia. She is uncompromising. She receives a call from the daughter of an ex love interest(like 19 years in the past) saying she needs Olivia's help in helping her Dad. Jack believes he has been framed for murder and so does Olivia after hearing his version. Knowing his personality she feels that he's not capable of murder. The unraveling of the sequence of events and secrets revealed made The Ex a good, fast paced read!
I edited to add that early in the novel Alafair does a shoutout to Goodreads :) Jack is a novelist. I kept reminding myself not to forget the GR mention and then I forgot, of course.
August 26, 2016
365 reviews and an average 3.72 rating. I am shaking my head in bafflement and waited a day to write my review, contemplating whether it was worth it to disagree so heartily with so many friends and other astute readers. Then I thought, if I can stop just one soul from buying or spending time on reading this novel - time that could be spent reading something, anything better - it will be worth the flak I'll no doubt take for saying the following: this was one of the most dreadful thriller/mystery novels I've read in a couple of years and the worst of a lifetime of a thriller/mystery novelist's tenth published work.
I've not read a Burke novel before and anticipated loving this. It's a genre I typically enjoy; it's set in NYC; it's less than 300 pages; did I mention this is her tenth novel? What could go wrong?
The Ex. That's what.
It's like the worst sort of cozy mystery. In a city of thousands, these 7 - 10 characters are all we have to choose from. 3 victims are gunned down at 7 am on a week day on the Upper West Side. Relentless press coverage ensues. And yet, not a single witness is identified in the months that follow. The alternative culprit/s Olivia puts forth are part of the 7 - 10 group. And that 7 - 10 group is one of the whitest, most homogeneous groups of characters you have ever read about aside from the aforementioned cozy mysteries set in authentically tiny English villages. In New York City in 2016.
I'm always willing to suspend a certain amount of disbelief in mysteries if the author has otherwise done a good job and there's one loose end that is conveniently tied off. Here? believing in coincidences and glossing over practical barriers to the ultimately identified perpetrator is necessary to a degree a debut novelist has never required me as a reader to sustain. Nor would the editor of said debut novelist approve this work in manuscript form.
Like:
The sloppiness of the editing spoke to the quality of this work. In the middle, there's a 5 - 8 page long scene where a certain character interviewed by Olivia is identified repeatedly as First Name Surname, and his limited role in events is outlined similarly clearly. Probably 12 times. Then 6 - 8 pages later, with no significant actions/scenes intervening, I encounter a sentence that commences, "First Name, Surname, [the guy who knew about X and Y], . . . . It suggested that the order of certain scenes was moved around and no one re-read the entire chapter to discover that this clause was out of place as re-ordered. Burke thanks her editor in the acknowledgements. I hope it was for some kindness or service other than editing, else her thanks was misplaced.
Short version: if you love crime/detective/thrillers and haven't read Burke before, don't start with The Ex, and don't expect something on the level of a Michael Connelly, Grisham, Lee Child or Harlan Cobain work. I'll leave this before I drop my rating to a 1 star because all of the masses who love The Ex can't be crazy.
I've not read a Burke novel before and anticipated loving this. It's a genre I typically enjoy; it's set in NYC; it's less than 300 pages; did I mention this is her tenth novel? What could go wrong?
The Ex. That's what.
It's like the worst sort of cozy mystery. In a city of thousands, these 7 - 10 characters are all we have to choose from. 3 victims are gunned down at 7 am on a week day on the Upper West Side. Relentless press coverage ensues. And yet, not a single witness is identified in the months that follow. The alternative culprit/s Olivia puts forth are part of the 7 - 10 group. And that 7 - 10 group is one of the whitest, most homogeneous groups of characters you have ever read about aside from the aforementioned cozy mysteries set in authentically tiny English villages. In New York City in 2016.
I'm always willing to suspend a certain amount of disbelief in mysteries if the author has otherwise done a good job and there's one loose end that is conveniently tied off. Here? believing in coincidences and glossing over practical barriers to the ultimately identified perpetrator is necessary to a degree a debut novelist has never required me as a reader to sustain. Nor would the editor of said debut novelist approve this work in manuscript form.
Like:
The sloppiness of the editing spoke to the quality of this work. In the middle, there's a 5 - 8 page long scene where a certain character interviewed by Olivia is identified repeatedly as First Name Surname, and his limited role in events is outlined similarly clearly. Probably 12 times. Then 6 - 8 pages later, with no significant actions/scenes intervening, I encounter a sentence that commences, "First Name, Surname, [the guy who knew about X and Y], . . . . It suggested that the order of certain scenes was moved around and no one re-read the entire chapter to discover that this clause was out of place as re-ordered. Burke thanks her editor in the acknowledgements. I hope it was for some kindness or service other than editing, else her thanks was misplaced.
Short version: if you love crime/detective/thrillers and haven't read Burke before, don't start with The Ex, and don't expect something on the level of a Michael Connelly, Grisham, Lee Child or Harlan Cobain work. I'll leave this before I drop my rating to a 1 star because all of the masses who love The Ex can't be crazy.
August 2, 2019
This is a good legal thriller that you will find difficult to put down. The plot is revealed steadily throughout and keeps the reader intrigued.
Olivia Randall is one of New York City’s best criminal defence lawyers. When she gets a phone call informing her that her former fiancee has been arrested for a triple homicide there is no doubt in her mind as to his innocence. The only question is who would go to such great lengths to frame him, and why? Olivia wants to represent Jack but the more evidence she discovers against him the more she is forced to face her doubts.
A good solid read by an author I plan to read a lot more of.
Olivia Randall is one of New York City’s best criminal defence lawyers. When she gets a phone call informing her that her former fiancee has been arrested for a triple homicide there is no doubt in her mind as to his innocence. The only question is who would go to such great lengths to frame him, and why? Olivia wants to represent Jack but the more evidence she discovers against him the more she is forced to face her doubts.
A good solid read by an author I plan to read a lot more of.
May 3, 2016
I'm not sure whether to call this a legal thriller or a mystery. It wasn't particularly thrilling or mysterious. I guessed the culprit fairly early on, which is not ideal, nor is it the norm for me. I'm usually wide eyed and shocked. There were parts toward the end that needed more clarity. I don't feel the story reached its full potential. I guess I will go with fluffy mystery. It was entertaining but also somewhat far-fetched and forgettable. 3 stars.
August 20, 2017
Olivia Randall is a defense lawyer who is called to defend her ex fiancé Jack. Jack Harris is a widower accused of shooting three people in a football field in New York City. One of those three people is Malcolm Neeley, whose disturbed teenage son Todd was responsible for the murder of Jack's wife. Jack is aggravated and blames Malcolm Neeley for failing to supervise his son.
Molly Harris is a substitute teacher who was trying to defuse a dangerous situation by persuading Todd to defer from starting gunfire; however she fails to convince him and ends up being a casualty of Todd's massacre.
Is Jack the culprit who mercilessly shot three people in broad daylight? And is her former fiancé really capable of annihilating three lives without any remorse?
Olivia is an upstanding citizen and she is legally obliged to defend Jack whether he is guilty or innocent but she starts having doubts when she faces the mounting evidence against Jack.
This book details Olivia’s conquest and harrowing experience to discover the perpetrator of a heinous crime. It is a page turner that grasps your attention from the first page and compels you to continue reading until the last chapter.
October 14, 2018
After reading The Wife earlier this year and impressed with Burke’s writing, I looked into her backlist and was rewarded with this legal thriller/mystery reminiscent of early Scott Turow. Interesting characters with rich back stories, compelling writing that delved into the nuances of the legal system without becoming didactic and a plot that had me guessing everyone’s motivations. Were my suspicions correct? Yes, but Burke gives you enough reasons to doubt everyone and that alone made it captivating.
This is three-and-a-half bumped up to four stars for entertainment value and writing that elevates the genre. I’m pleased to have discovered such a talent and recommend this to those who enjoy well-written legal plots.
This is three-and-a-half bumped up to four stars for entertainment value and writing that elevates the genre. I’m pleased to have discovered such a talent and recommend this to those who enjoy well-written legal plots.
May 17, 2019
RATING: 4 STARS
I really enjoyed this suspense novel! This is my second book by Burke and I am have officially put it on my "put it on hold/grab it for request ASAP" list. This book, and Burke's writing, reminds me of Harlan Coben's standalone books where the realism is the true suspense. It is every day people getting into sticky situations (of their making or not). Olivia, a defense attorney, is hired by her ex-fiance's teenage daughter when he is accused of murdering his wife's killer and two bystanders. She cannot believe the man she once loved could do anything like this. She sets out to prove his innocence, and figure out who would frame him. The twists in this book were great and nothing major or showy. I would recommend this to any fans of suspense.
My Novelesque Blog
I really enjoyed this suspense novel! This is my second book by Burke and I am have officially put it on my "put it on hold/grab it for request ASAP" list. This book, and Burke's writing, reminds me of Harlan Coben's standalone books where the realism is the true suspense. It is every day people getting into sticky situations (of their making or not). Olivia, a defense attorney, is hired by her ex-fiance's teenage daughter when he is accused of murdering his wife's killer and two bystanders. She cannot believe the man she once loved could do anything like this. She sets out to prove his innocence, and figure out who would frame him. The twists in this book were great and nothing major or showy. I would recommend this to any fans of suspense.
My Novelesque Blog
October 20, 2018
5 stars.🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
A truly spectacular legal thriller and awesome read.
I really loved the style in which this psychological/lawyer/courtroom drama was written. It was an extremely thoughtful and well conceived mystery, a little bit edgy and very realistic.
There were so many layers to the characters and within the story itself. They are gradually unveiled for the reader in a way that is not only captivating but also reveals a lot about the human condition.
Reading this book was so reminiscent of another great legal thriller that I read many years ago "Presumed Innocent" by Scott Turow.
It evoked many of the same emotions for me that I felt for the characters in that novel and also displayed similar levels of deception and treachery in my opinion.
Alafair "is a terrific web spinner" who "knows when and how to drop clues to keep readers at her mercy."
Entertainment Weekly wrote the above comment about this author and it is so true....
Thank you so much Elyse for putting this book on my radar with your fabulous review. It was totally within my wheelhouse .
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A truly spectacular legal thriller and awesome read.
I really loved the style in which this psychological/lawyer/courtroom drama was written. It was an extremely thoughtful and well conceived mystery, a little bit edgy and very realistic.
There were so many layers to the characters and within the story itself. They are gradually unveiled for the reader in a way that is not only captivating but also reveals a lot about the human condition.
Reading this book was so reminiscent of another great legal thriller that I read many years ago "Presumed Innocent" by Scott Turow.
It evoked many of the same emotions for me that I felt for the characters in that novel and also displayed similar levels of deception and treachery in my opinion.
Alafair "is a terrific web spinner" who "knows when and how to drop clues to keep readers at her mercy."
Entertainment Weekly wrote the above comment about this author and it is so true....
Thank you so much Elyse for putting this book on my radar with your fabulous review. It was totally within my wheelhouse .
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
January 24, 2016
**3.5 stars**
Now I'm a sucker for a decent legal drama and to be honest there are not that many around at the moment that really hit the spot for me - but I should have known I could rely on Alafair Burke to give good courtroom and that is absolutely what happened here.
I was immediately on board with Olivia Randall, a strong and independant female lead, as she agrees to help an ex boyfriend navigate a triple murder charge - years ago Olivia disposed of her relationship with Jack Harris in a very brutal and definitive way, sending him into a downward spiral and making Olivia truly regret her actions. Now, 20 years later, Jack is a widower, in the wrong place at the wrong time when the wrong victim died, he is caught up in a system determined to convict him. Olivia believes that he is incapable of such action but how well does she really know him?
There was a beautiful flow to this one and a great storyline - the author drip feeds the information, we discover as Olivia does and the legal wranglings are brilliantly addictive and really keep you engaged. Is Jack a cold blooded murderer? Or can Olivia's original instinct be trusted...these questions are explored within a gripping and twisted narrative that keeps you unsure until the very final chapters - a true "whodunnit" with a legal battle focus and a bunch of intuitively placed and intriguing characters.
Overall excellent reading. Character driven, great psychological depth and some top lawyerly face off's I really enjoyed this and would recommend it.
Happy Reading Folks!
Now I'm a sucker for a decent legal drama and to be honest there are not that many around at the moment that really hit the spot for me - but I should have known I could rely on Alafair Burke to give good courtroom and that is absolutely what happened here.
I was immediately on board with Olivia Randall, a strong and independant female lead, as she agrees to help an ex boyfriend navigate a triple murder charge - years ago Olivia disposed of her relationship with Jack Harris in a very brutal and definitive way, sending him into a downward spiral and making Olivia truly regret her actions. Now, 20 years later, Jack is a widower, in the wrong place at the wrong time when the wrong victim died, he is caught up in a system determined to convict him. Olivia believes that he is incapable of such action but how well does she really know him?
There was a beautiful flow to this one and a great storyline - the author drip feeds the information, we discover as Olivia does and the legal wranglings are brilliantly addictive and really keep you engaged. Is Jack a cold blooded murderer? Or can Olivia's original instinct be trusted...these questions are explored within a gripping and twisted narrative that keeps you unsure until the very final chapters - a true "whodunnit" with a legal battle focus and a bunch of intuitively placed and intriguing characters.
Overall excellent reading. Character driven, great psychological depth and some top lawyerly face off's I really enjoyed this and would recommend it.
Happy Reading Folks!
January 8, 2019
This title sat on my Kindle for almost two years. I remember buying it because I thought the cover was gorgeous. I didn't even read the blurb. I just assumed it will be a decent second chance romance or something along those lines and, if nothing else, I'll own a pretty looking book.
Boy, was I wrong! And am I ever pissed at myself for not reading this sooner!!
I devoured THE EX in pretty much one sitting. This almost NEVER happens. I am talking "couldn't wait to ditch the New Years Eve party I was at so I could get back home and read some more"!
This riveting, exquisitely written legal thriller grabs you on page one and doesn't let go till the very end. I couldn't get enough of the strong characters and the story line that was full of twists and had me guessing till the very last few pages. Not to mention all the legal jargon that was on point courtesy of author herself being a law professor and ex-Deputy District Attorney, among other things.
I usually have the hardest time finding heroines that leave a lasting impression. This wasn't the case with Olivia Randall. I'd love to read about her more and was over the moon to discover that she has appeared in a couple of more titles of Ms. Burke's that I am off to read ASAP!
There was so much more I wanted to say in my review but, as usual, I can't find all the right words to express everything I feel. And besides, even if I could find the words, I could never put them in coherent enough sentences to do this book justice anyways so I won't even try.
In a nutshell: if you ever picked up a book based on one of my recs in the past and enjoyed it, trust me on this one, OK?
P.S. The ending of this book had me grinning like a loon. You'll get why if/when you read the book.
Cheers!
April 28, 2018
I had the lovely pleasure of meeting Alafair Burke this month, at a book signing about an hour away from my home. She was completely hilarious, and it inspired me to finally get to reading some of her books that have been sitting on my TBR list for a while. I started with “The Ex”.
When Jack Harris is arrested for murder, he immediately calls on defense attorney Olivia Randall. Jack swears his innocence and is the ideal portrait of a “good citizen”- a devoted single father, trying to put the pieces of his life back together after a shooter took the life of his loving, teacher wife. Although reluctant- Olivia takes the case. As Jack’s ex-fiancee Olivia feels that not only does she owe him, but she is the only one who can defend his innocence- because she actually believes it herself. However, as the pieces of the case begin to unfold, even Olivia begins to doubt Jack’s innocence. Every part of the puzzle points to him as the suspect- is it possible that Jack is nowhere near the person Olivia thought she knew?
In typical legal drama fashion, Burke tells a gripping whodunit story, full of legalese and courtroom drama. However, Burke also lets a reader investigate a little more into the personal and private lives of both lawyer and suspect, and we get a bit more of an understanding of Jack and Olivia’s underlying characters. Unlike similar legal-drama writers, Ms. Burke tells the story from other settings besides the courtroom. This cements the character development and allows a reader to fully invest in the plot.
The story was told well, and Jack and Olivia are both characters that are not only honest, but completely relatable in their flaws. Their past relationship complicates manners as the legal drama unfolds.
Perhaps I have read too many of these novels but I guessed the ending by the second chapter. This was disappointing, but it helped to have this ending in my head as I continued to read through the novel, to see just how accurate I was and identify cues the other characters had (easily) missed.
A legal drama on all accounts, Ms. Burke lets her criminal defense knowledge shine through honest characters, and a gripping storyline.
When Jack Harris is arrested for murder, he immediately calls on defense attorney Olivia Randall. Jack swears his innocence and is the ideal portrait of a “good citizen”- a devoted single father, trying to put the pieces of his life back together after a shooter took the life of his loving, teacher wife. Although reluctant- Olivia takes the case. As Jack’s ex-fiancee Olivia feels that not only does she owe him, but she is the only one who can defend his innocence- because she actually believes it herself. However, as the pieces of the case begin to unfold, even Olivia begins to doubt Jack’s innocence. Every part of the puzzle points to him as the suspect- is it possible that Jack is nowhere near the person Olivia thought she knew?
In typical legal drama fashion, Burke tells a gripping whodunit story, full of legalese and courtroom drama. However, Burke also lets a reader investigate a little more into the personal and private lives of both lawyer and suspect, and we get a bit more of an understanding of Jack and Olivia’s underlying characters. Unlike similar legal-drama writers, Ms. Burke tells the story from other settings besides the courtroom. This cements the character development and allows a reader to fully invest in the plot.
The story was told well, and Jack and Olivia are both characters that are not only honest, but completely relatable in their flaws. Their past relationship complicates manners as the legal drama unfolds.
Perhaps I have read too many of these novels but I guessed the ending by the second chapter. This was disappointing, but it helped to have this ending in my head as I continued to read through the novel, to see just how accurate I was and identify cues the other characters had (easily) missed.
A legal drama on all accounts, Ms. Burke lets her criminal defense knowledge shine through honest characters, and a gripping storyline.
May 8, 2016
3.0 STARS
This was a very light, entertaining read … the perfect antidote to the emotional despair of A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. I had just finished A Little Life and desperately needed the decompression of a light, easy read to pull out of my funk. I’ve read many of Burke’s other works and like her style. The Ex is based on the age old question … do we really truly know the people we hold close and dear?
Olivia Randall is one of the very best criminal defense attorneys in NYC. Widower Jack Harris is a very successful writer. Three years ago, Jack’s wife Molly was among thirteen public transit riders murdered in the Penn Station Massacre mass shooting by Todd Neeley, the fifteen year old, mentally ill son of Malcolm Neeley.
Now Malcolm Neeley has been murdered. Jack is a suspect. Olivia is hired to defend Jack. Years ago Jack and Olivia were engaged to be married before Olivia broke it off. The Ex!
How well does she know Jack? Is it possible he could commit such a crime? No way! Could he? Absolutely not! Are you sure?
Burke skillfully layers in the backstory of the relationship between Olivia and Jack while Olivia feverishly picks and digs at the evidence the NYPD has amassed against Jack. As more of their past along with the current case evidence are revealed, the more Olivia is forced to challenge all her assumptions about the Jack Harris she knew during college and law school.
Decades have passed since their relationship was kindled but ultimately failed. Who is the real Jack Harris? Yeah this ground has been hoed many, many times by many, many authors but Burke’s experiences as a prosecutor and a professor of criminal law artfully forces the reader into the dilemma that I imagine faces every defense lawyer … is the client telling the truth and how far can you trust what you assume you know about your client to be true?
Not earth shattering, not terrible. A very fast, entertaining read that with the right cast of characters could be made into a pretty cool movie. It’s that kind of read.
February 6, 2017
Genre: Crime fiction
POV: First person, singular
Setting: New York
I really wanted to love this book! I loved how this story heavily focused on the overall mindset of a legal eagle and the team-based research efforts behind building a criminal defense case, but the delivery of this story was strangely unexciting. There were some interesting scenes here and there, but this story was mostly lackluster and I hated the main characters. The upside? Two of the side characters provided great comic relief at times and the editing issues were minor.
I was tempted to DNF this book multiple times but was hoping that the outcome of this story would wow me and reward me for trudging on with this story. Umm, no.
One word to describe how I felt after reading the ending?
POV: First person, singular
Setting: New York
I really wanted to love this book! I loved how this story heavily focused on the overall mindset of a legal eagle and the team-based research efforts behind building a criminal defense case, but the delivery of this story was strangely unexciting. There were some interesting scenes here and there, but this story was mostly lackluster and I hated the main characters. The upside? Two of the side characters provided great comic relief at times and the editing issues were minor.
I was tempted to DNF this book multiple times but was hoping that the outcome of this story would wow me and reward me for trudging on with this story. Umm, no.
One word to describe how I felt after reading the ending?
February 1, 2016
Olivia is a high profile criminal lawyer. Jack is her ex fiancée that many years ago she hurt badly after ending their relationship. Jack has also just been connected to three murders. Olivia is contacted by Jack's daughter telling her she needs to help them so finally Olivia reaches out to help by representing him.
We are slowly given details of the story and characters as the book moves forward and many questions are raised, the main one being, is Jack guilty or innocent? This was a great read, it moves along at a good pace and found the story compelling. I could not work out what was going to happen and when it did I was totally taken aback, I did not see that coming.
We are slowly given details of the story and characters as the book moves forward and many questions are raised, the main one being, is Jack guilty or innocent? This was a great read, it moves along at a good pace and found the story compelling. I could not work out what was going to happen and when it did I was totally taken aback, I did not see that coming.
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