Alafair Burke

United States

Profile Information:

Hometown:
New York City
About Me:
I am the author of five crime novels, including my newest novel, Angel's Tip, in which NYPD Det. Ellie Hatcher tracks a serial killer who targets women in Manhattan's most elite clubs. I am also the author of three books in a series featuring prosecutor Samantha Kincaid. I am also a former prosecutor and am currently a professor at Hofstra Law School.
I Am A:
Writer
Website:
http://www.alafairburke.com
Books And Authors I Like:
Michael Connelly, Lee Child, Harlan Coben, Sue Grafton, Laura Lippman. I'm sure they really need my free publicity. I'm also very fond of other writers with the last name Burke.
Movies And TV Shows I Like:
I'm very into TV these days: 30 Rock, Dexter, Weeds, The Office, Veronica Mars, Gilmore Girls (though, yes, they finally jumped the shark), Buffy, Seinfeld, The Shield, Sopranos, Arrested Development, Lost, Flipping Out, Project Runway, Top Chef, Gossip Girl. (Yes, I know half those shows are off the air. Doesn't matter.)

Comment Wall:

  • Steven Torres

    Welcome aboard. Glad you could make it.

    Apr 8, 2007

  • Donna Moore

    Hi Alafair - good to see you here! It's a great place.

    Apr 8, 2007

  • David J. Montgomery

    Welcome! Looking forward to the new book.

    Apr 8, 2007

  • Sandra Ruttan

    American Idol is like nicotine and caffeine - you know it isn't good for you but it's highly addictive.

    My advice is say no, run away and tell someone. Or give up on analyzing the addiction. I have a spouse who refuses to have that stuff on, so it makes it simple. Unless it's on Tuesday nights when he's out with the fire department for weekly meetings...

    Nice to see you here!

    Apr 8, 2007

  • Sandra Ruttan

    Sanjaya... is he the awful guy? I'm really out of the loop this year, but I saw a post the other day about how Howard Stern has people voting to keep someone on and it's disgusting the judges.

    I think I'd actually find that really amusing.

    I'm trying to give up coke and finding it very hard because I don't want to either. I think I need to start with giving up my addiction to my addiction.

    I imagine it's quite a transition, going from writing about prosecutors to cops.

    I really enjoyed your panel at B'con.

    Apr 8, 2007

  • Bill Cameron

    Hi, Alafair!

    Oy, American Idol. Does that generate lots of conversation about my house. We're mixed, though the one thing we agree upon is it's an amazing social experiment. I haven't kept up this year much, but I did like the fellow with the hair when I saw a while back. Is he still around?

    Apr 10, 2007

  • Robert Gregory Browne

    What exactly is this American Idol thing?

    Does it have anything to do with politics or religion?

    Apr 10, 2007

  • Michael Koryta

    How kind of you to have that photograph on your page. Rarely am I in such good company as Burke and Doolittle. Hope all's well, looking forward to the new book.

    Apr 10, 2007

  • Echelon Press

    Hi Alifair, so glad to see you here. I know, it may seem like I'm stalking you, but I'm not, really, ask Julia Spencer-Fleming, I don't stalk people. I am a perfectly harmless publisher type person. Honest. And may I say, that it is so refreshing to see you...you are ALWAYS smiling. : )

    Karen Syed...who would never stalk her favorite authors, especially on a crime forum...

    Apr 12, 2007

  • Delphine Cingal

    I am in touch with translators, I myself work as editor for Zulma Classics (Zulma being a French publisher). Don't hesitate to contact me and send me one of your novels if you would like me to investigate the possibility for you to be published here in France. As I told you, bulldogs are a sure sign that something important is going on in my life, so maybe your French bulldog is trying to tell me you need to be published in France :-)))

    Apr 17, 2007

  • northwoodsgirl

    How was your trip to Milwaukee? Good I hope. Hope to meet you soon.

    Apr 19, 2007

  • CT

    Just popping by to say hi from downunder.

    Apr 19, 2007

  • Lesa Holstine

    Thanks for accepting me as a friend, Alafair. I have an ARC of Dead Connection. I'm just waiting until it's a little closer to pub date, but I'm really looking forward to it. Thank you.

    Apr 20, 2007

  • Matthew Ogborn

    Keep putting pen to paper Alafair, you have a big following in the UK and we are crazy for more especially in my household where the Burke name is revered! Having covered American Idol in my freelance role as a website journo for ITV, I must say that on first look the last four don't seem too showbiz. This could well be a good thing as it will be the voices and not the "look" that the people will be judged on. Is this the general feeling for this year? Take it easy, Matt

    May 7, 2007

  • Jonathan Maberry

    Alafair...really looking forward to Dead Connection. We ever going to see an Ellie Hatcher movie?

    -Jonathan

    May 7, 2007

  • Alafair Burke

    Jonathan, Hmmm...I didn't know how to answer so-called chatter. Then it turned out to be easy, but then somehow I managed to delete it. OK, I shouldn't say "somehow." It definitely had something to do with my clicking on the giant red X at the end of my post. Anyway, no Ellie Hatcher movies so far. Of course, everyone in Hollywood has been calling, but I'm unwilling to sell out to the man. Kidding obviously. If Maggie Gyllenhaal or Drew Barrymore reads this, I love you both and really think you need to call me.

    May 8, 2007

  • Jochem van der Steen

    Great too see such another great pro writer join Crimespace!

    May 12, 2007

  • Dennis Leppanen

    Hi Alafair,

    I am going to check the Burke's out. Their name keeps getting mentioned in my small circle...

    Dennis

    May 26, 2007

  • Laura Benedict

    Hi, Alafair. Thanks for adding me. I've been enjoying reading the nice things Sarah Weinman said about Dead Connection all week. Can't wait to read it! Blessings--Laura

    May 30, 2007

  • northwoodsgirl

    I hope you had a good Memorial Day. Are you writing a new book?

    May 31, 2007

  • Marta Stephens

    Ah!! Alafair! A Boston Bull lover! We have two and the run the house. Great dogs! I can't tell from the picture if yours is white with just the mask. Maggie Mae is all white with the mask and a black tail. Buddy it the traditional black and white. :)
    Marta

    Jun 5, 2007

  • Alafair Burke

    The Duffer is white with black spots all over like a cow. He's my first dog, and I am utterly and totally in love.

    Jun 5, 2007

  • Robin Caroll

    I've heard so many great things about Dead Connection. Can't wait to read it!

    Jun 13, 2007

  • Babe King

    Sure is. I'm celebrating 2 new releases this month --woohoo! Drop in for virtual cocktails anytime. :-)

    Jun 13, 2007

  • Paula R. Stiles

    Hi Alafair,

    Just dropping by to return the favor for commenting on my page. The Sopranos and American Idol, eh? Hmm. Interesting combo of show faves, there.

    Jun 25, 2007

  • Tom Cain

    I know this is ridiculously corny ... but I've never before befriended (even on a cyber basis) someone whose name I first encountered reading some of my all-time favourite novels. I, too, am very fond of writers with the last name Burke ... And now that I've got that gushing out of the way, I'll be fine in future ... !

    Jul 9, 2007

  • Lee Charles Kelley

    Hey, Alafair,

    That's a nice looking Boston in the photo with you.

    Thank you for being a friend,

    LCK

    Jul 12, 2007

  • Alafair Burke

    Hey there, Lee. The Boston is actually my French bulldog Duffer. Sometimes hard to tell just from his Boston-colored head but he has a big stocky frenchy body. I think he's pretty nice looking, too. Best, Alafair

    Jul 12, 2007

  • northwoodsgirl

    Hey Alafair I hope you are having a super summer!

    Jul 17, 2007

  • Brian Thornton

    Hi Alafair- we met at the Vegas Bouchercon and reminisced about your time clerking out here in Seattle. Hope the summer's going well.

    Jul 17, 2007

  • northwoodsgirl

    The best of luck to you on your new book I can't wait to read it.Have fun on your tour. I hope you go to some interesting places.

    Jul 17, 2007

  • Brian Thornton

    Yep, Seattle's hot (for Seattle) this summer, that's for sure. I'm on a book deadline for this Tuesday, so assuming that I get it handed in on time, it's not outside the realm of possibility that you'll see me in Bellingham next Wednesday. At which venue in Bellingham are you signing?

    Jul 18, 2007

  • Eric Stone

    Thanks back. I like your books. I keep thinking we'll run into each other at one of the conferences or bookshops or something. Sooner or later we no doubt will. The picture, by the way, is maybe the only picture ever taken of me that I like. (And it's only about a year old.) It's at the Temple of Literature in Hanoi - which seemed like a good idea for a book jacket.

    Jul 25, 2007

  • Brian Thornton

    Hi Alafair- Sorry I didn't catch your signing in Bellingham yesterday. I hit my deadline and turned in my latest draft and that was it for me for the day. The next time you're out here signing let me know in advance and I'll see about getting you some pub with the local chapter of MWA.

    Hope it was a good signing!

    Jul 27, 2007

  • Brian Thornton

    Glad to hear that it went well, and thanks for the congratulations. Since this was a ghost-writing gig on a topic about which I am actually woefully ignorant, it was more of a relief than hitting most of the other deadlines I've met in this business.

    But you're right: hitting the end of a book does feel pretty danged terrific.

    B.

    Jul 28, 2007

  • Ken Isaacson

    Alafair:

    Good seeing you at your Barnes & Noble signing last night in NYC. Ellie Hatcher seems like a winner.

    Looks like I should've bought three instead of just two--my wife scooped up the copy I'd allocated to our household. I guess the intended recipient of the second copy will have to wait till I'm done.

    Or do you think I should buy a third copy? :-)

    Best,
    Ken

    Aug 3, 2007

  • David L. Hoof

    If you are as I very much suspect the daughter of Jim Burke, I need to tell you how much I appreciated his terrific note wishing me best on Little Gods. We first me one on one in Mysterious Books in Bethesda, on a tip from my agent Philip Spitzer, then again when he spoke at the Smithsonian. It's only in my last novel that critics have compared my lyricism with his.
    Thanks for your friendship,

    David

    Aug 17, 2007

  • Karen J. Laubenstein

    Wish you were coming to Anchorage for B'con!!! I want to read this book after reading your bio today, truly intriguing! I really like Samantha Kincaid and read JUDGMENT CALLS. Your books almost made me want to go back and try law school (smile). Good job!

    Aug 17, 2007

  • Karen J. Laubenstein

    Hi Alafair! Can understand why you can't roam the world attending mystery conventions, and maybe after the hectic summer travel you'll find teaching a respite? Our son is just starting first grade, so we'll head down the Kenai Peninsula this week to have our last camping trip of the season, staying in Homer overlooking Kachemak Bay. Just noticed our birch trees are already starting to turn color and it's only mid-August! Wishing you the best-

    Aug 19, 2007

  • David L. Hoof

    A;afair,
    Just to let you know that messages sent me on crimespace have not all been getting through. Should you need, use d.hoof@att.net.
    Thanks. Hope all is going well.

    David

    Aug 31, 2007

  • JackBludis

    I'll bet you do like some, or at least one, of the other writers named Burke.

    Sep 21, 2007

  • Ann C. Theis

    Well, you just made my guy's day (and probably month and year). My Mike (who used to resemble Gomez Adams in earlier times) is a major fan of you, your father and the fictional Alafair. As am I. Mike still has Robichaux bait hats/shirts I've bestowed upon him over the years.

    all the best from Ann who hasn't read DEAD CONNECTION yet because Mike nabbed it.

    Sep 26, 2007

  • Ken Isaacson

    Hi Alafair,

    Sitting here in Starbuck's, in Seattle (uh, I guess not Seattle's best coffee?), and saw you're online, so figured I'd say hello.

    Heading tomorrow on to Anchorage. My first B-con, and looking forward to it! You're not making the trek, are you?

    Best,
    Ken

    Sep 26, 2007

  • Jason Pinter

    Actually, my pen name was going to be Dirty, Rugged and Gun Hoisting. And I'm glad your hubby got the reference, every household needs at least one AOD/Evil Dead fan. I'm looking forward to the NYPL panel, and congrats again on the new deal. I definitely want to hear all about it!

    Oct 15, 2007

  • Simon Avery

    Hi Alafair,
    I just wanted to say hi. I'm a big fan of your work.
    All best wishes, Simon

    May 13, 2008

  • Dana King

    Since we're both thinking on it, Declan Burke has a different approach to blog posts here and on his blog. He writes up a brief synopsis of the week's highlights over at Crime Always Pays, and posts it here, with a link to CAP. Of course, he's posting 15-20 times a week. No way I'm doing that.

    Aug 20, 2008

  • Brian McGilloway

    Hi Alafair

    I really enjoyed the Samantha Kincaid novels - looking forward to Angel's Tip. Any plans on an Irish/UK visit anytime soon?
    Best wishes
    Brian

    Sep 9, 2008