NEVER TELL by Alafair Burke

This is what writing should be. This is the kind of well-written mystery/suspense novel that makes the best seller lists. After having slogged through several very poorly written books lately it was an absolute joy to fall into the tightly-woven plot of this book. The fourth installment in Ms. Burke's "Ellie Hatcher" series raises her to the exalted level of authors I gush about. (There are not many.) I tried to very hard to make this book last more than a day and a half. It was not to be. I couldn't stop reading. The characters are well fleshed out, the attention to geographic detail sublime and the subject matter particularly apt in todays culture. Ms. Burke took a socially sensitive "hot potato" issue, wrapped it in a cracking story and delivered it with a deft hand. I have been a fan of her books for years but this novel is no doubt her best one yet. My only complaint is that I am going to have to wait for the next Ellie Hatcher. (I'm impatient that way.) If you have not read any of Alafair Burke's mysteries I would highly suggest you start with this one. You will not be disappointed.