HELL GATE
Linda Fairstein
Hachette, $38.99, pbk
Reviewed by Dene Mackenzie.
It was recommended by no less a person than Lee Child, so I tackled the book with gusto, but midway, a passage detailing the early political comings and goings of New York, the ownership of several historic properties and the relationship to the properties of various secret societies all threatened to derail what had until then been a fine yarn.
There was too much going on to make it an easy read, but if you can separate the three themes happening at once, then Hell Gate is a rewarding read.
The story starts on a beach where a ship carrying mainly young teenage girls is beached.
Somehow, Fairstein connects the dots for the main female character - assistant district attorney Alex "Coop" Cooper.
Bent politicians, corrupt cops, historical facts, a male co-worker who is set on protecting her from the worst of New York crime, and a group of resourceful female friends all complete the complex picture.
Human trafficking could be the main theme, but one might be forgiven for choosing from others on offer.
A link with slave trading is questionable but it is needed, otherwise the presence of historic New York homes has no bearing on the overall story.
Sometimes the plot moves beyond reasonable belief but it is, after all, fiction, with a bit of history thrown in for good measure.
The history lesson, particularly for people who have travelled to New York, is worth persevering with, even though it feels awkward at times.
However, be prepared to turn back the pages to reorient yourself with the story.
• Dene Mackenzie is a Dunedin writer.
