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Dead Connection

Dead Connection

Putting feisty DA Samantha Kincaid on hold after three novels (Close Case, etc.), Burke introduces a disappointingly dull heroine in 30-year-old NYPD detective Ellie Hatcher. Flamboyant homicide detective Flann McIlroy asks outspoken Ellie to assist in looking into the First Date case, a series of murders seemingly connected by the female victims’ subscription to an online-dating site. Flann is relying on curvy Ellie as date bait, but also hopes that Ellie’s past might help with the case: Ellie’s father, a Wichita, Kans., cop, died under mysterious circumstances soon after bringing an infamous local serial killer, the College Hill Strangler, to justice. As Ellie and Flann dig deeper into the shady history of the dating site—and its potential link to the Russian mafia—Ellie realizes that the killer is taunting her just as the College Hill Strangler taunted her father. Ellie’s character never quite gels, however, and her interactions with the suspects don’t provide enough tension or heat to keep pages turning all the way through. (July)
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User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Good mystery with great new character
Congratulations to Alafair Burke on creating Ellie Hatcher. She is a great character, and I’m eager to read more books based on her.

The mystery novel is compelling and interesting, and the characterization is strong. The biggest flaw is that the author tried to add one too many ingredients into the plot. I could have done without the Russian Mafia stuff. It seemed far-fetched and felt like an editor told the writer she needed more complexity. She didn’t.

3 Stars Easy Weekend Read
Dead Connection is an entertaining, easy read. Detective Ellie Hachter

is temporarily teamed with seasoned, maverick Dectective Flann McIlray. Flann suspects that a serial killer is using the internet dating service First Date to select his victims. Burke provides information on both officers histories ( which plays a part in the story).

The story moves along at a good pace. The dectectives take some wrong turns along the wave but, everything comes together at the end. By the way, Dave Robicheaux makes a cameo appearance in the story. Three of the victims are drawn well. I felt sympathy for them. The officers are okay.

3 Stars `Find the motive, and the motive will lead you to the man.’
Detective Ellie Hatcher is specifically sought for a special assignment on the homicide task force when a clue left at the scene of a murder seems to connect two cases to an online dating service. Detective Hatcher is a rookie NYPD detective but Detective Flann McIlroy, seeks her involvement anyway. Why? I don’t want to spoil the novel for anyone: suffice to say there is an explanation in the novel.

This thriller is set in the murky world of identity theft and anonymity: both made easy by the use of the internet. While Hatcher and McIlroy set out to solve the crimes, they uncover other crimes that may be related and a number of potential suspects. Along the way, both Hatcher and McIlroy break a number of rules and individual readers may find this irritating if not unbelievable.

And the conclusion? Some aspects are more clear-cut than others, and I found some parts of the storyline more satisfying than others. Overall, though, this was an enjoyable read and well worth picking up if you have a couple of hours to fill.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

2 Stars The main plot seems to get out of control, and the author leaves too many unanswered questions
Over the last few years, Alafair Burke has delivered a fine series of mystery novels featuring District Attorney Samantha Kincaid. These books catapulted Burke (the daughter of bestselling author James Lee Burke) into the big time. Her newest procedural features NYPD detective Ellie Hatcher, an attractive, bright and street-smart rookie.

Hatcher lives with a haunted past. Her father, who was a cop in Wichita, Kansas, where she grew up, died mysteriously in pursuit of a serial killer dubbed the College Hill Strangler. After an internal investigation by his department, his death was ruled a suicide. But even as a kid Ellie never believed her father would take his own life. She felt a cover-up was easy to pull off because her mother would not question any findings or complain about losing the compensation to which she was entitled. Burke says of her new leading lady: “Her father always told her, Find the motive, and the motive will lead you to the man.” These words are the foundation of Hatcher’s tenaciousness and unflagging commitment to bring justice to victims.

In DEAD CONNECTION, Burke’s story unfolds around the latest cyber-phenomenon: online dating services. In this Sargasso Sea of strangers who put themselves “out there,” victims could be exposing themselves for trouble rather than love. Yet, ironically, Burke herself met her husband through “an online dating service [and goes on to say]…there I found the plot of [this novel] and…Ellie Hatcher.”

Hatcher is surprised and flattered when bombastic detective Flann McIlroy asks her to be assigned temporarily to his department. So far the investigation has revealed that the only common thread in the lives of the dead women is the dating service to which they all subscribed. And he proposes to use the rookie as bait to catch a killer. She is not quite sure how she feels about this since she thought she was chosen for her brains. But her desire to work with the “legendary” McIlroy overrides any misgivings on her part. She doesn’t dare question the plum assignment.

As they embark on their quest, one very explosive fact emerges: both Hatcher and McIlroy are hardheaded, stubborn people who want to do things their own way. But as the very junior side of this unlikely team is constantly reminded, she must take her lead from her older colleague. Ultimately, their relationship works and brings both pathos and humor to a chilling story.

As the two delve deeper and deeper into the dating service, they come to find the owner a scoundrel who may have dealings with the Russian mafia. If he does, how does that impact their serial killer investigation? Have they stumbled into a new crime and a new investigation? In spite of this possible complication, Ellie and Flann diligently continue searching for a mass murderer. And can he be part of some Russian tactic by using the Internet? As Ellie continues to think all of this through, she remembers how the College Hill Strangler played head games with her father. She slowly comes to the conclusion that her job is to find a mass murderer who’s playing games with her. Can this insight help her in her quest to find this madman?

Alafair Burke’s previous novels were tightly written and well plotted, and the characters all worked in sync. Unfortunately, in DEAD CONNECTION she doesn’t pull the various subplots together into a cohesive whole. Here, the main plot seems to get out of control, and she leaves too many unanswered questions. And Hatcher, while charming and savvy to a certain degree, is too young and na

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Milwaukee 0490 22 4 Volt Lithium Ion Screwdriver Kit

Milwaukee 0490 22 4 Volt Lithium Ion Screwdriver Kit

This lightweight Milwaukee 4 Volt cordless screwdriver is ideal for driving fasteners. It features a built-in clutch for improved torque control, a folding handle and lighium ion battery for superior run time and long life. Cordless: Yes, Volts: 4, Rated RPM: 200 / 600, Torque (in./lbs.): 30, Charger Included: Yes, Battery Included: Yes

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Awesome tool!!
I was looking for a cordless screwdriver, I was ready to pic the yellow Dwalt, but I liked the price of this Kit. I got it and I can’t believe how good this tool is compare with my Skill, the charge is fast, the pack is coming with two batteries and the tool itself is handy . I do a lot of computer repair and I used to charge a lot the skill battery but with this tool I can go hours without even touch the other battery. I used it outside for my project in high speed , it works pretty good for a regular screwdriver. The only thing i regret is why I did no buy it long time ago…Just buy it!!

5 Stars Milwaukee does it again!
I purchased this tool to do electrical work. When putting in plugs and switches etc, it gets tiresome to tighen all those screws manually. This makes the task easier. Ive had another brand before but nothing like this. The torque cut-off is great. No more broken plugs from over tightening. The battery last and last (it comes with two). One hand tool/bit change is a nice feature. Trigger lock keeps you from running the battery down while in storage. The only option needed is a led. I recommend this to the pro as well as the handyman. Steve Davis

5 Stars Best Cordless Screwdriver Yet
This is a very nice cordless screwdriver. It’s smaller than most others and seems to be of VERY high quality like most Milwaukee tools even though this one is made in China. The lithium ion battery is the ONLY way to go. I gave up on nicad and nickel-metal hydride powered tools a long time ago. I would NEVER purchase a nicad or NMH powered tool again. From now on, it’s lithium ion powered ONLY for me.

5 Stars Great Tool, Great Price!
I purchased this model because I had been using the older model Milwaukee nickel cadmium cordless screwdriver and the batteries died, so I decided to purchase 2 new batteries for it and realized that I could get this entire kit for just a little bit more than the replacement batteries for the old model. I’m very glad I purchased the new one. I have also used a nickel cadmium version from AEG and Panasonic and they worked and looked almost exactly like my older Milwaukee.

This is my favorite tool I have ever purchased. I am a computer technician and I rebuild a lot of laptops. When you have to rebuild a laptop, there are around 50 screws, that’s not an exaggeration. With a manual screwdriver, the job is a pain in the butt. With a good battery operated screwdriver, the job gets closer to enjoyable.

When working on electronics with a cordless screwdriver it’s nice to have a couple of different speeds, which this tool has (200/600 RPM). A clutch is mandatory so you don’t damage the circuit boards. This tool has a great electronic clutch.

The batteries are the best I’ve ever used. They last a very long time and recharge in 30 minutes or less. With the lithium ion batteries you don’t have to worry about overcharging, or the memory issues that you have with nickel cadmium’s. I’ve ruined many batteries on my old screwdrivers not remembering to take them out of the charger, some of them actually melted to the point where they wouldn’t even fit in the charger anymore. This alone will save me lots of money. With this unit you can leave one of the batteries in the charger at all times so you will always be ready.

I have absolutely no complaints. Okay, maybe one but it’s not a big deal. Like many things in life, it’s made for right handed people and I’m a lefty. But over the years I’ve learned to use the forward/reverse switch properly with my left hand and it’s not an issue.

I’m not a handyman so I don’t do a lot of heavy duty drilling, but for electronic work, this is by far the best cordless screwdriver I’ve ever used!

One more thing, the quality of this screwdriver is excellent. The feel, the look, the performance, I really couldn’t ask for a better cordless screwdriver. I paid around $70 and after using it, I believe it’s worth twice that.

5 Stars Superb cordless screwdriver
This is the best power tool I’ve ever purchased. The battery lasts a very long time between charges. I recommend this heartily to anyone needing a powerful cordless screwdriver.

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