So far the rescue squad has retrieved six bodies from the freezing waters and the survivors are not in good condition. This boat had come from the Ukraine with some three hundred people, mostly men, but a estimated thirty woman and children as well.

Another investigation is claiming the attention of Ms. Cooper as well. A New York congressman, Ethan Leighton, has become the darling of the tabloids through his affair with a young woman many years his junior, named Salma Zunega. Salma is from Mexico, probably illegally, and has a baby girl presumably fathered by the aforementioned Leighton. Leighton is a second generation politician for whom his father had had until recently, great political ambitions.

Alex discovers that there are some connections between Salma and a woman from the wrecked freighter. They both sport an identical tattoo. Alex is familiar enough with the human trafficking trade to recognize this “brand” as a means by which the leader of the operation identifies his women. She vows to at least put a dent on this particularly repugnant form of using people to obtain wealth even though it may mean crossing some important political and legislative figures in New York that she, at one time, considered her friends.

The main focus of the plot of Hell Gate is the heinous practice of human trafficking. This topic has enjoyed a fair amount of attention from other mystery and general fiction writers. Ms. Fairstein doesn’t really cover any new ground in this respect, but it serves as a sobering backdrop for her excellent description of New York’s colorful history, geography, and historical figures. This volume focuses on Gracie Mansion, which is the home of New York’s mayor should he choose to occupy it, and the equally interesting but less well known, the Grange, built by Alexander Hamilton as a country estate.

The interplay between Alex and her two friend from NYPD, Mercer and Mike provide just the right amount of emotional and intellectual stimulation apart from the cases at hand. Their respective ongoing problems with spouses or significant others creates characters that are much more than crime solving machines.

Some recent scams by which politicians divert funds from charitable organizations for their own use are discussed. Giving to a reputable cause doesn’t necessarily mean that cause will receive it or use it as it was intended.

In addition, the less than honest technology savvy crowd has discovered ways to monkey with the caller ID system, producing havoc. It seems as soon as a new service is offered dishonest individuals are “improving” such a service for their own gain.

While the subject of the novel is an important though distressing one, the real beauty of this latest adventure of Alexandra Cooper is the history and geography lesson on New York City. It is easy to imagine in one’s mind’s eye the beauty of the old New York mansions and the colorful figures that lived and worked in them in years past. Though the Civil War abolished slavery, when people are desperate to improve their situation, they will agree to what amounts to slavery in the hope that their lives will improve. A thoughtful and thought provoking novel from the dependable Linda Fairstein.

--Andy Plonka