I obtained this ARC at BEA14, in exchange for an honest review. 
 Burke's newest thriller, the 5th in the Ellie Hatcher series, starts off with a very contemporary topic- two NYPD detectives are assigned to reexamine a case involving a convicted serial killer who might be innocent. His claims that he was railroaded by a veteran police officer might actually have validity, as questions are brought to light about the now retired officer and the evidence used to convict Anthony Amaro. 
 Readers who live in the New York area might recognize this ripped from the headlines plot, as currently in Brooklyn there are a number of cases connected to a now retired police detective named Scarcella that are being overthrown as they are reexamined due to allegations that the officer fabricated confessions, coerced witnesses and more, on his quest to close cases. 
 Attention grabbing premise aside, this novel didn't quite live up to my hopes. This is my first Ellie Hatcher book, and I made allowances for not starting with book one, but I feel that there was an awkward balance between assuming readers know the score and catching up newbies so they're not left behind. The pace of the plot was also a little slow, and I didn't entirely connect with the main character. 
 Still, I think I will try book one Dead Connection, and see if starting at the beginning does the trick. Burke definitely has enough talent to draw me back again.