While NYPD detective Ellie Hatcher isn’t the primary focus of Alafair Burke’s Find Me, some of us who followed her over eight years ago finally have answers, as does Ellie. It takes a complex storyline and a missing woman, but Ellie finally has a resolution to her father’s story. Don’t hesitate to jump into Find Me, though. As I said, this isn’t really Ellie’s story. It’s a standalone for anyone who appreciates the skillful blending of storylines into a well-written solution.
Fifteen years ago, Lindsay Kelly found an SUV upside down on the road, and the body of a young woman nearby. The woman survived her injuries, but she had no identification, and couldn’t identify herself due to amnesia. In the small town of Hopewell, NJ, she became Hope MIller, and everyone protected her. Now, though, Hope wants to test her wings. She’s ready to move on without the support of her best friend, Lindsay. Well, she really needs Lindsay’s help, her car, her money. Without an identity, the woman known as Hope can’t legally be paid or even have a driver’s license. But, Hope moves to a small place in East Hampton. And, then she disappears off Lindsay’s radar.
Lindsay can’t get anyone to take her seriously when she says Hope must be in trouble. She’s not answering Lindsay’s phone calls. Even Lindsay’s boyfriend says Hope said she needs her privacy, and that might include time away from Lindsay. But, when there’s blood found on the floor where Lindsay was staging a home for a realtor, Lindsay panics. Then, the blood comes back with a connection to an old case in Wichita, Kansas. Ellie Hatcher’s late father was the cop who worked the College Hill Strangler case in Wichita. When he died, it took years for Ellie to accept that he shot himself because of his obsession with that case. Now, Lindsay drags Ellie back into the search for answers. What connects a missing anonymous woman with that case in Wichita fifteen years earlier?
As I said, Burke skillfully juggles three cases, the disappearance of Hope Miller, the shooting death of a small business owner, and the truth behind a cold case in Wichita. For those of us who were fans of Ellie Hatcher, it’s a satisfying conclusion to her storyline. Burke’s latest is a suspenseful page-turner that digs through past lies to uncover the truth.
Alafair Burke’s website is https://www.alafairburke.com/
Find Me by Alafair Burke. Harper, 2022. ISBN 9780062853363 (hardcover), 304p.
FTC Full Disclosure – The publicist sent me a .PDF, hoping I would review the book.
I already have it ordered!
I hope it arrives soon, Caryn!
Have you read the Ellie Hatcher series, Lesa? Wondering if it is something worth adding to the pile of books waiting to be read!
I have read the Ellie Hatcher series, Jennifer. I like Ellie. She has a messed up life, but this is a police series featuring a woman, so I really liked it.
Just as an aside, I lived in Hopewell, NJ for three years, so your summary really caught my attention! There’s been some media attention on this book with the author doing some in-person signings of the book, a rarity these days. I hope it does well.
I guess that description would catch your attention, Sandie! I’m so glad Alafair was able to some in-person signings. With COVID getting worse, I know her event at the Poisoned Pen is virtual.
After reading your review of FIND ME BY ANNE FRASIER, I put it on a list, and as it happens Barbara is reading it now. So two books, same title.