The book also explores “Catfishing,” where Internet predators scam their way into romantic relationships with unsuspecting victims that seek love online. Starting out as friends the relationship evolved because Jack was so dependent on Olivia. Jack is seen as one of those people who act like a puppy dog in a relationship, always willing to acquiesce. These characters are flawed and each has a dark side. But as the book progresses you see not everything is black and white.” Feeling guilty about the way she ended it her memories are that she was bad and he was good. She remembers the relationship in a certain way, making herself to be the bad person. Then he suddenly appears in her life in a very shocking way. Her past regrets are based on the way she chose to end the relationship twenty years ago when she broke his heart in an unimaginable way.īurke commented to, “People who were in your past life, did you ever wonder about them? How did someone in Olivia’s former life turn out? She was never able to close the book with Jack. Part of the reason she agrees to represent Jack is to absolve herself of the guilt, feeling somewhat responsible for his state of mind.

Burke takes the reader on a journey with Randall as she goes from vehemently believing his innocence to questioning if he is indeed guilty. He has been arrested for a triple homicide that includes a victim connected to his wife's murder three years earlier. The plot has one of New York City's best criminal defense lawyers, Olivia Randall, representing her ex- fiancé, Jack Harris. Burke, a former prosecutor, details well the legal and trial background within the complexity of relationships. This murder mystery delves into what would happen if circumstances bring together an estranged couple where one becomes dependent upon the other. The ex, a novel by Alafair Burke is a legal thriller. You can read all of our book reviews and author interviews by clicking on the Books category link on the right sidebar. The following book review is a special for BlackFive readers provided by Elise Cooper.

The Ex by Alafair Burke