Never Tell
A Novel of Suspense
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4.0 • 221 Ratings
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- $1.99
Publisher Description
This addictive thriller from New York Times bestselling author Alafair Burke draws its details from the author’s own experiences as a criminal law professor and deputy district attorney, creating an exhilarating, true-to-life tale of crime and its consequences.
Sixteen-year-old Julia Whitmire appeared to have everything: a famous father, a luxurious Manhattan townhouse, a coveted spot at the elite Casden prep school. When she is found dead in her bathtub, a handwritten suicide note left on her bed, her parents insists that their daughter would never take her own life.
Detective Ellie Hatcher is ready to write it off as a suicide, but one piece of evidence nags at her. When Ellie’s search of Julia’s bedroom and belongings for a matching notebook turns up empty, she's sure there's more to the case than meets the eye.
The ensuing investigation brings the partners inside Julia’s inner circle—an eclectic mix of precocious teenagers at Mahattan’s most elite prep schools and street kids Julia met at Washington Square Park; and Ellie is forced to uncover the truth behind this apparent suicide, navigating Julia's intriguing connections to both New York’s wealthiest—and its most dispossessed.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Near the start of Burke's excellent fourth novel of suspense featuring NYPD Det. Ellie Hatcher (after 2010's 212), 16-year-old Julia Whitmire, the daughter of legendary music producer Bill Whitmire, is found dead in the bathtub on the top floor of her family's West Village townhouse with her wrists slashed. Ellie assumes that the Whitmire parents' social clout is the reason why she and her partner, J.J. Rogan, must investigate an apparent suicide as a potential murder. At Casden, Julia's elite prep school, they discover a rampant subculture of prescription drug abuse and intense academic pressure. Julia's friend, Ramona Langston, also points them in the direction of several homeless youths she and Julia befriended over the past year, particularly Casey Heinz, who has a crush on Ramona and keys to the Whitmires' residence. Ellie becomes less convinced that Julia killed herself as details emerge of a rape survivor blog linked to the case and threats against its anonymous author. The meticulous plotting, coupled with Ellie's complicated evolution as a heroine, make this Burke's strongest work to date. 6-city author tour.
Customer Reviews
The Perfect Mistry
There are so many books that are pointless to read until the end. The storyline gives their ending away before the story is half finished. This story is full or twist. I love a book that leaves me guessing until the last chapter. Well done! You have a new fan!
Just meh
It didn’t ever grab me. I think in an attempt to. Portray the main character as vulnerable and flawed, the author went too far. I found the main detective unlikeable in the extreme, immature, petulant, and not too bright. I’ll take a hard pass on any other books with these characters.
Meh
This is the only book by this author that I finally gave up on. All of her other books have been enjoyable and well written. However, I found this book tedious, uninteresting, and frankly just not worth continuing past the mid point.