All Day and a Night
By Alafair Burke
(Harper, Hardcover, 9780062208385, June 2014, 368pp.)
The Short of It:
Steady pacing, a slightly predictable plot but overall an entertaining read.
The Rest of It:
All Day and a Night is part of the Ellie Hatcher detective series. I wasn’t aware of this when I agreed to review the book but it can absolutely be read as a stand-alone, which I was very happy to find out.
This time, Ellie Hatcher and her partner J.J. Rogan, are asked by her District Attorney boyfriend, Max Donovan, to take a look at a long closed murder case. The recent murder of a local psychiatrist and the details surrounding the case lead him and his office to believe that the killer that they have in prison, is the wrong guy and that the real killer is still on the loose. Hatcher and Rogan’s task is to take a fresh look at the case to see if anything was missed in the initial investigation.
There are several problems with this. One of which has to do with the fact that they are being asked to work outside of their jurisdiction and any cop knows that taking a speculative look at another cop’s work, is not going to be taken lightly. Plus, most of the crimes took place in the small town of Utica, where everyone knows everybody else. Getting the info they need could be a challenge. To complicate things further, the attorney hired to prove her client was wrongly accused is Linda Moreland. Known for her aggressive tactics, she takes on attorney Carrie Blank to assist with the case, but Carrie is much too close to the case. Her half-sister Donna Blank was one of the victims and although she wants to find the real killer, she questions herself repeatedly, wondering if she is doing the right thing.
Some have said that All Day a Night was very predictable. It was a little predictable towards the end and maybe a tad far-fetched, but for the most part, it was a classic detective story. Burke gives the reader the clues a little at a time and what I especially liked, is that it wasn’t overrun with red herrings. I never felt as if the author was “yanking my chain” if you know what I mean. I also noticed how smooth the dialogue was. Sometimes, in crime fiction especially, I find the dialogue to be a little stiff. Not the case here.
I’ve not read the other books in the series but my overall experience was a positive one. Did you know that Burke’s written ten books between two different series? Have you read any?
Ms. Burke’s website, Facebook page, Twitter account and tour stops.
Source: Review copy provided by the publisher via TLC Book Tours.
Disclosure: This post contains Indiebound affiliate links.
Book Chatter 
I hate jumping in mid-series without realizing it… glad this worked on its own, too!
I really didn’t even realize it was part of a series until I was almost done with it. Burke gave me enough back story I guess for me to not even notice.
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I’ve never read her work but this sounds good to me. I don’t mind reading a series out of order when the books are well written.
I love these books by Burke because they are quick reads that are predictable – for some reason I like that with these books. I’m glad you liked this read and I do think you would enjoy the other Ellie Hatcher reads as well. I just finished reading this one a few days ago and have finally started Mr. Mercedes – I am loving it!!
I don’t read these kinds of books too often but I’d read another by her.
Mr. Mercedes!! I am almost done. Maybe I can finish it at lunch today.
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Hmm sounds like an interesting book, but I’ve found these kids of stories are too predictable for me these days…maybe its all the cop shows I watch or the books I’ve read, but they don’t seem to surprise me anymore.
When it comes to crime fiction, I am rarely surprised so I guess I am more tolerant of them, as long as the characters are well developed and the story plays out alright. Parts of this one were a little on the convenient side but it didn’t bother me at all.
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The book I read by this author was a Ellie Hatcher book too, and I thought stood well on it’s one as well. It’s good to know this one does too. Makes it easier to dive in anywhere in the series (although my preference is to start at the beginning–doesn’t always work out that way).
In regards to your response to Serena, I am the same way. It’s so rare I am taken surprise in a crime fiction, that it doesn’t bother me so much. But then, in that moment when I am surprised–it makes it all the more special.
I have read some of her other books…I have this to read, too!
I don’t usually read crime fiction myself and I try to make an effort to not get started on too many series. I usually enjoy this type of genre on audio though…so maybe I will give it a shot!
I tend to enjoy classic detective stories so I’d probably like this book.
Thanks for being on the tour!
Thanks for being a part of the tour!
Sometimes entertaining is all you really need – they break up the heavy stuff.
As long as entertaining is still smart. I still can’t subject myself to chick lit or fluffy women’s fiction no matter how much of a break I need.
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I haven’t read an Ellie Hatcher book, but I am all about detective novels so I’ll have to look into this series!