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Petra Connor #2
Twisted
Hollywood homicide detective Petra Connor has helped psychologist Alex Delaware crack tough cases in the past. And in Jonathan Kellerman’s New York Times bestseller Billy Straight she took the lead in the desperate hunt for a teenage runaway stalked by a vengeful murderer. Now the complex and wryly compassionate Petra is once again at the center of the action, in a novel of cunning twists and page-turning suspense.
Lifeless bodies sprawl in a dance-club parking lot after a brutal L.A. drive-by. Of the four seemingly random victims, one stands out: a girl with pink shoes who cannot be identified–and who, days later, remains a Jane Doe. With zero leads and no apparent motive, it’s another case destined for the cold file–until Petra decides to follow her instincts and descends into a world of traveling grifters and bloodthirsty killers, pursuing a possible eyewitness whose life is in mortal danger.
Finding her elusive quarry–alive–isn’t all Petra has on her plate: departmental politics threatens to sabotage her case, and her personal life isn’t doing much better. If all that wasn’t enough, Isaac Gomez, a whiz-kid grad student researching homicide statistics at the station house, is convinced he’s stumbled upon a bizarre connection between several unsolved murders. The victims had nothing in common, yet each died by the same method, on the same date–a date that’s rapidly approaching again. And that leaves Petra with little time to unravel the twisted logic of a cunning predator who’s evaded detection for years–and whose terrible hour is once more at hand.
Lifeless bodies sprawl in a dance-club parking lot after a brutal L.A. drive-by. Of the four seemingly random victims, one stands out: a girl with pink shoes who cannot be identified–and who, days later, remains a Jane Doe. With zero leads and no apparent motive, it’s another case destined for the cold file–until Petra decides to follow her instincts and descends into a world of traveling grifters and bloodthirsty killers, pursuing a possible eyewitness whose life is in mortal danger.
Finding her elusive quarry–alive–isn’t all Petra has on her plate: departmental politics threatens to sabotage her case, and her personal life isn’t doing much better. If all that wasn’t enough, Isaac Gomez, a whiz-kid grad student researching homicide statistics at the station house, is convinced he’s stumbled upon a bizarre connection between several unsolved murders. The victims had nothing in common, yet each died by the same method, on the same date–a date that’s rapidly approaching again. And that leaves Petra with little time to unravel the twisted logic of a cunning predator who’s evaded detection for years–and whose terrible hour is once more at hand.
416 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
389 people are currently reading
2917 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Kellerman
195 books5,787 followersJonathan Kellerman was born in New York City in 1949 and grew up in Los Angeles. He helped work his way through UCLA as an editorial cartoonist, columnist, editor and freelance musician. As a senior, at the age of 22, he won a Samuel Goldwyn Writing Award for fiction.
Like his fictional protagonist, Alex Delaware, Jonathan received at Ph.D. in psychology at the age of 24, with a specialty in the treatment of children. He served internships in clinical psychology and pediatric psychology at Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles and was a post-doctoral HEW Fellow in Psychology and Human Development at CHLA.
IN 1975, Jonathan was asked by the hospital to conduct research into the psychological effects of extreme isolation (plastic bubble units) on children with cancer, and to coordinate care for these kids and their families. The success of that venture led to the establishment, in 1977 of the Psychosocial Program, Division of Oncology, the first comprehensive approach to the emotional aspects of pediatric cancer anywhere in the world. Jonathan was asked to be founding director and, along with his team, published extensively in the area of behavioral medicine. Decades later, the program, under the tutelage of one of Jonathan's former students, continues to break ground.
Jonathan's first published book was a medical text, PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF CHILDHOOD CANCER, 1980. One year later, came a book for parents, HELPING THE FEARFUL CHILD.
In 1985, Jonathan's first novel, WHEN THE BOUGH BREAKS, was published to enormous critical and commercial success and became a New York Times bestseller. BOUGH was also produced as a t.v. movie and won the Edgar Allan Poe and Anthony Boucher Awards for Best First Novel. Since then, Jonathan has published a best-selling crime novel every year, and occasionally, two a year. In addition, he has written and illustrated two books for children and a nonfiction volume on childhood violence, SAVAGE SPAWN (1999.) Though no longer active as a psychotherapist, he is a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics and Psychology at University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine.
Jonathan is married to bestselling novelist Faye Kellerman and they have four children.
Like his fictional protagonist, Alex Delaware, Jonathan received at Ph.D. in psychology at the age of 24, with a specialty in the treatment of children. He served internships in clinical psychology and pediatric psychology at Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles and was a post-doctoral HEW Fellow in Psychology and Human Development at CHLA.
IN 1975, Jonathan was asked by the hospital to conduct research into the psychological effects of extreme isolation (plastic bubble units) on children with cancer, and to coordinate care for these kids and their families. The success of that venture led to the establishment, in 1977 of the Psychosocial Program, Division of Oncology, the first comprehensive approach to the emotional aspects of pediatric cancer anywhere in the world. Jonathan was asked to be founding director and, along with his team, published extensively in the area of behavioral medicine. Decades later, the program, under the tutelage of one of Jonathan's former students, continues to break ground.
Jonathan's first published book was a medical text, PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF CHILDHOOD CANCER, 1980. One year later, came a book for parents, HELPING THE FEARFUL CHILD.
In 1985, Jonathan's first novel, WHEN THE BOUGH BREAKS, was published to enormous critical and commercial success and became a New York Times bestseller. BOUGH was also produced as a t.v. movie and won the Edgar Allan Poe and Anthony Boucher Awards for Best First Novel. Since then, Jonathan has published a best-selling crime novel every year, and occasionally, two a year. In addition, he has written and illustrated two books for children and a nonfiction volume on childhood violence, SAVAGE SPAWN (1999.) Though no longer active as a psychotherapist, he is a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics and Psychology at University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine.
Jonathan is married to bestselling novelist Faye Kellerman and they have four children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 387 reviews
September 16, 2023
My first Kellerman and I couldn't get into this. The plot didn't pull me in, and I couldn't relate to the characters.
I won't be continuing with the Petra Connor series.
Fail.
One star.
I won't be continuing with the Petra Connor series.
Fail.
One star.
March 5, 2019
As well-crafted and intricately plotted as anything he’s ever written. Good stuff. Delaware’s absence was not even a hindrance.
March 15, 2017
This second Petra novel, includes a young genius police intern Isaac, who discovers a mathematical pattern in some seemingly random killings that points to a serial killer. Petra and Isaac work together to capture said killer. Petra is a flawed but appealing detective, that I wish Kellerman would feature prominently again in future novels.
July 5, 2010
Really great Kellerman story stars Petra and Latino genius !
We're long-time Jonathan Kellerman fans, and have generally enjoyed his entire book list. We've noticed his last few books seemed to lack some of the interest and pizzazz of the earlier ones, particularly those featuring his leading man Alex Delaware. Noticing that "Twisted" is his fifth novel published in the last 24 months, counting his somewhat disappointing book co-authored with wife Faye ["Double Homicide"], we didn't have particularly high expectations for a stunning return to form. Surprise! Not only is this a Petra Conner story (her second starring role, plus a few bit parts here and there), but sidekick Isaac Gomez, a genius just barely out of his teens nearing completion of his PhD, is so interesting a character he steals the show, not to mention our hearts! Assigned as an intern to the LAPD, he shows Petra the results of some extensive statistical sampling of homicide case data he has compiled, noting unusual similarities between six cold cases that have never previously been considered connected. Although Petra is officially involved in a high profile shooting investigation, in which she shows very expertly her skills and persistence, she latches on to Isaac's work with great curiosity - and soon a spellbinding hunt for a possible serial killer is on. Some amusing (and sexy) incidents at the research library meanwhile shed some light on the murders, and a nice twist at the end wraps things up in a very cool fashion.
Kellerman's writing crafts have never been in question, but it just seemed lately he might be tiring. However, "Twisted" ranks to us with his best work: a clever plot, an intriguing mystery, some dogged police and amateur investigative work, with plenty of time to identify with and care about the principals, all add up to a most entertaining tale that was difficult to put down. One of the best books we've read this year deserves our high praise and five stars!
We're long-time Jonathan Kellerman fans, and have generally enjoyed his entire book list. We've noticed his last few books seemed to lack some of the interest and pizzazz of the earlier ones, particularly those featuring his leading man Alex Delaware. Noticing that "Twisted" is his fifth novel published in the last 24 months, counting his somewhat disappointing book co-authored with wife Faye ["Double Homicide"], we didn't have particularly high expectations for a stunning return to form. Surprise! Not only is this a Petra Conner story (her second starring role, plus a few bit parts here and there), but sidekick Isaac Gomez, a genius just barely out of his teens nearing completion of his PhD, is so interesting a character he steals the show, not to mention our hearts! Assigned as an intern to the LAPD, he shows Petra the results of some extensive statistical sampling of homicide case data he has compiled, noting unusual similarities between six cold cases that have never previously been considered connected. Although Petra is officially involved in a high profile shooting investigation, in which she shows very expertly her skills and persistence, she latches on to Isaac's work with great curiosity - and soon a spellbinding hunt for a possible serial killer is on. Some amusing (and sexy) incidents at the research library meanwhile shed some light on the murders, and a nice twist at the end wraps things up in a very cool fashion.
Kellerman's writing crafts have never been in question, but it just seemed lately he might be tiring. However, "Twisted" ranks to us with his best work: a clever plot, an intriguing mystery, some dogged police and amateur investigative work, with plenty of time to identify with and care about the principals, all add up to a most entertaining tale that was difficult to put down. One of the best books we've read this year deserves our high praise and five stars!
December 15, 2021
Η ντέτεκτιβ του αστυνομικού τμήματος του Λος Άντζελες, Πέτρα Κόνορ ερευνά μια δολοφονία εφήβων έξω από ένα κλαμπ. Την ίδια στιγμή ο φοιτητής Άιζακ Γκόμεζ, ένας πανέξυπνος νεαρός που βοηθά τους αστυνομικούς, ανακαλύπτει δολοφονίες που έχουν συμβεί με ένα παράξενο μαθηματικό σχέδιο: γίνονται κάθε 28 Ιουνίου με τον ίδιο τρόπο.
Αρκετά ευχάριστο στην ανάγνωση και χωρίς να χρησιμοποιεί ακραίες περιγραφές θρίλερ.
Αρκετά ευχάριστο στην ανάγνωση και χωρίς να χρησιμοποιεί ακραίες περιγραφές θρίλερ.
August 16, 2012
First a confession, I rarely buy books. I use the library, my grandfather's cousin gave a significant part of his fortune to build libraries so in his honor I use the library. As a child the monthly classroom book order (Scholastic I think) got most of my cash. I spent change on comic books too, ten cents, fifteen cents, then twenty five cents. I'm old snickers were a nickle then too. Anyway when I'm away from home and I have finished reading the book or books I have brought with me I buy a book.
Jonathan Kellerman's Twisted, is my third reading of one of his books. The previous books were Alex Delaware novels Twisted, is a Petra Conner thriller. Twisted takes place in Los Angles but please don't expect a Michael Connelly novel, Kellerman is equally talented but races through his story/ stories, balancing characters, plots, and settings. I was worn out when I finished Twisted.
June 28th is a date I will remember. Issac Gomez a gifted twenty one year working on a P.H.D. in epidemiology and biostatistics before going to med school is finishing his dissertation, "Discriminating and Predictive Patterns of solved and unsolved Homicides in Los Angles Between 1991 and 2001" Detective Conner is his mentor. What will she do when He comes to her with his facts about six seemingly unrelated murders. What surprises await how long does she have what obstacles will get in her way?
I will be reading more Kellerman.
Jonathan Kellerman's Twisted, is my third reading of one of his books. The previous books were Alex Delaware novels Twisted, is a Petra Conner thriller. Twisted takes place in Los Angles but please don't expect a Michael Connelly novel, Kellerman is equally talented but races through his story/ stories, balancing characters, plots, and settings. I was worn out when I finished Twisted.
June 28th is a date I will remember. Issac Gomez a gifted twenty one year working on a P.H.D. in epidemiology and biostatistics before going to med school is finishing his dissertation, "Discriminating and Predictive Patterns of solved and unsolved Homicides in Los Angles Between 1991 and 2001" Detective Conner is his mentor. What will she do when He comes to her with his facts about six seemingly unrelated murders. What surprises await how long does she have what obstacles will get in her way?
I will be reading more Kellerman.
July 23, 2021
Παρόλο τον όγκο του διαβάζεται απνευστί, ιδανικό για εκείνους που αγαπούν το μυστήριο και τις αστυνομικές υποθέσεις...
March 13, 2015
Μόλις το πρώτο βιβλίο του Τζόναθαν Κέλερμαν που διαβάζω και το μοναδικό που έχω στη συλλογή μου. Καλό ήταν, δεν μπορώ να πω, αλλά δεν είναι και από τα καλύτερα αστυνομικά που έχω διαβάσει.
Πρωταγωνίστρια είναι η ντετέκτιβ της αστυνομίας Πέτρα Κόνορ, αλλά πολύ σημαντικό ρόλο στην όλη ιστορία παίζει και ένας νεαρός εσωτερικός της αστυνομίας, που σπουδάζει σε πανεπιστήμιο της Καλιφόρνιας και είναι μια ιδιοφυΐα, ο Άιζακ Γκόμεζ. Ουσιαστικά έχουμε δυο υποθέσεις ταυτόχρονα, η μια δεν έχει καμία σχέση με την άλλη όμως. Έχουμε μια τετραπλή δολοφονία εφήβων έξω από το Κλαμπ Παραντίζο. Φαίνεται για έναν απλό καυγά μεταξύ κάποιων συμμοριών, με έναν να πυροβολεί στα τυφλά από ένα αυτοκίνητο, τέσσερα αθώα παιδιά να σκοτώνονται και τελικά η αστυνομία να μην μπορεί να βρει τον δολοφόνο και έτσι υπόθεση να πηγαίνει για το αρχείο. Μόνο που η Κόνορ ακολουθεί το ένστικτό της και αναζητά έναν αυτόπτη μάρτυρα, παρά τις διάφορες σκοπιμότητες που σαμποτάρουν τις έρευνές της. Στο μεταξύ ο Άιζακ, χάρη σε κάποιες έρευνες που έκανε για στατιστικές και εγκληματικότητα, ανακαλύπτει ένα κοινό μοτίβο φόνων: Κάθε χρόνο στις 28 Ιουνίου, ένας άνθρωπος πέθαινε με χτυπήματα στο κεφάλι, με τις υποθέσεις αυτές να μην έχουν εξιχνιαστεί. Το αναφέρει στην Κόνορ, μιας και πιστεύει ότι πίσω από τους φόνους αυτούς βρίσκεται ένας σίριαλ κίλερ. Η Κόνορ αρχικά έχει αμφιβολίες, αλλά τελικά αρχίζει την έρευνα, μαζί με τον Άιζακ. Και η 28η Ιουνίου πλησιάζει...
Έχουμε και δυο ιστορίες ρομάντζου, η Κόνορ με το αγόρι της τον Έρικ, που δουλεύει αρχικά σαν πράκτορας (ή κάτι τέτοιο) στο Ισραήλ και μετά παίρνει σύνταξη και γίνεται ντετέκτιβ και αυτός και ο Άιζακ με μια σαραντάρα βιβλιοθηκάριο που γνώρισε στην βιβλιοθήκη όπου έκανε τις έρευνές του. Το δεύτερο ρομάντζο μου φάνηκε άσχετο, πόσο πιθανό είναι μια σαραντάρα βιβλιοθηκάριος (μητέρα κιόλας!) να την πέσει μέσα στη βιβλιοθήκη σε έναν νέο και να πηδηχτούν μάλιστα;
Τέλος πάντων! Η γραφή καλή, με κάποιες όμως περιττές λεπτομέρειες και αρκετό μπλα μπλα σε μερικά σημεία. Οι χαρακτήρες αρκετά ενδιαφέροντες (όχι όλοι), αλλά δίχως ιδιαίτερο βάθος. Οι σκηνές δράσης λίγες, το μυστήριο αρκετά καλό, η πλοκή ενδιαφέρουσα, οι ανατροπές όχι πολλές. Η τελική ανατροπή/έκπληξη είναι καλή, δεν λέω, αλλά δεν έπεσα και από τα σύννεφα.
Γενικά ένα καλό βιβλίο, αλλά τίποτα το ιδιαίτερο. Εννοείται πως υπάρχουν και καλύτερα αστυνομικά με σίριαλ κίλερς. Πάντως θα ρίξω μια ματιά σε παλιότερα βιβλία του Κέλερμαν, αυτά με ήρωα τον Άλεξ Ντέλαγουερ.
Πρωταγωνίστρια είναι η ντετέκτιβ της αστυνομίας Πέτρα Κόνορ, αλλά πολύ σημαντικό ρόλο στην όλη ιστορία παίζει και ένας νεαρός εσωτερικός της αστυνομίας, που σπουδάζει σε πανεπιστήμιο της Καλιφόρνιας και είναι μια ιδιοφυΐα, ο Άιζακ Γκόμεζ. Ουσιαστικά έχουμε δυο υποθέσεις ταυτόχρονα, η μια δεν έχει καμία σχέση με την άλλη όμως. Έχουμε μια τετραπλή δολοφονία εφήβων έξω από το Κλαμπ Παραντίζο. Φαίνεται για έναν απλό καυγά μεταξύ κάποιων συμμοριών, με έναν να πυροβολεί στα τυφλά από ένα αυτοκίνητο, τέσσερα αθώα παιδιά να σκοτώνονται και τελικά η αστυνομία να μην μπορεί να βρει τον δολοφόνο και έτσι υπόθεση να πηγαίνει για το αρχείο. Μόνο που η Κόνορ ακολουθεί το ένστικτό της και αναζητά έναν αυτόπτη μάρτυρα, παρά τις διάφορες σκοπιμότητες που σαμποτάρουν τις έρευνές της. Στο μεταξύ ο Άιζακ, χάρη σε κάποιες έρευνες που έκανε για στατιστικές και εγκληματικότητα, ανακαλύπτει ένα κοινό μοτίβο φόνων: Κάθε χρόνο στις 28 Ιουνίου, ένας άνθρωπος πέθαινε με χτυπήματα στο κεφάλι, με τις υποθέσεις αυτές να μην έχουν εξιχνιαστεί. Το αναφέρει στην Κόνορ, μιας και πιστεύει ότι πίσω από τους φόνους αυτούς βρίσκεται ένας σίριαλ κίλερ. Η Κόνορ αρχικά έχει αμφιβολίες, αλλά τελικά αρχίζει την έρευνα, μαζί με τον Άιζακ. Και η 28η Ιουνίου πλησιάζει...
Έχουμε και δυο ιστορίες ρομάντζου, η Κόνορ με το αγόρι της τον Έρικ, που δουλεύει αρχικά σαν πράκτορας (ή κάτι τέτοιο) στο Ισραήλ και μετά παίρνει σύνταξη και γίνεται ντετέκτιβ και αυτός και ο Άιζακ με μια σαραντάρα βιβλιοθηκάριο που γνώρισε στην βιβλιοθήκη όπου έκανε τις έρευνές του. Το δεύτερο ρομάντζο μου φάνηκε άσχετο, πόσο πιθανό είναι μια σαραντάρα βιβλιοθηκάριος (μητέρα κιόλας!) να την πέσει μέσα στη βιβλιοθήκη σε έναν νέο και να πηδηχτούν μάλιστα;
Τέλος πάντων! Η γραφή καλή, με κάποιες όμως περιττές λεπτομέρειες και αρκετό μπλα μπλα σε μερικά σημεία. Οι χαρακτήρες αρκετά ενδιαφέροντες (όχι όλοι), αλλά δίχως ιδιαίτερο βάθος. Οι σκηνές δράσης λίγες, το μυστήριο αρκετά καλό, η πλοκή ενδιαφέρουσα, οι ανατροπές όχι πολλές. Η τελική ανατροπή/έκπληξη είναι καλή, δεν λέω, αλλά δεν έπεσα και από τα σύννεφα.
Γενικά ένα καλό βιβλίο, αλλά τίποτα το ιδιαίτερο. Εννοείται πως υπάρχουν και καλύτερα αστυνομικά με σίριαλ κίλερς. Πάντως θα ρίξω μια ματιά σε παλιότερα βιβλία του Κέλερμαν, αυτά με ήρωα τον Άλεξ Ντέλαγουερ.
March 2, 2019
Let's get a couple things out of the way. There is no way Jonathan Kellerman lives in L.A. He grasps the overall lingo (using "the" before freeway numbers, etc.), but a few things give him away.
UCLA is NOT referred to as "the U," a common phrase in Kellerman's L.A.-based books.
"His mother would be in the kitchen, changed from her uniform to a faded housedress and slippers. A pot of albóndigas soup simmering on the stove. A rack of tamales, both savory and sweet, fresh out of the oven." Tamales are NOT cooked or kept warm in an oven. They would be dried-out little bricks. And he italicized the soup, as if it's an uncommon word. In California, it isn't; obviously he isn't from here.
This description of a drive gets the order of locations wrong. Someone could say the second sentence is a side note, meant to describe the drive, but it drove me crazy. (She starts out going north on the 5, for context.): "She hooked onto the 210, then shifted to the 114, driving northeast through the beginnings of Antelope Valley. Passing through Burbank and Glendale and Pasadena along the way."
It *should* be: "She hooked onto the 210, passing through Glendale and Burbank along the way. Then shifted to the 14, driving northeast through the beginnings of Antelope Valley." (Technically, you don't pass through Pasadena at all on the 5, so I deleted it.)
And he continually refers to the LAPD Rampart scandal as the "Ramparts" scandal or issue.
What kills me is that there are over 35 books between the Petra Connor and Alex Delaware series combined. SOMEONE should have caught these errors. (The edition I'm reading was originally published in 2004, but this mass market edition was published in 2014. Plenty of time to discover and fix the errors upon reprint.) My recommendation: use an editor familiar with Southern California. I was so worked up about it that I emailed the publisher's customer service team with corrections. Not sure I'll ever hear back, but it was worth a try.
UCLA is NOT referred to as "the U," a common phrase in Kellerman's L.A.-based books.
"His mother would be in the kitchen, changed from her uniform to a faded housedress and slippers. A pot of albóndigas soup simmering on the stove. A rack of tamales, both savory and sweet, fresh out of the oven." Tamales are NOT cooked or kept warm in an oven. They would be dried-out little bricks. And he italicized the soup, as if it's an uncommon word. In California, it isn't; obviously he isn't from here.
This description of a drive gets the order of locations wrong. Someone could say the second sentence is a side note, meant to describe the drive, but it drove me crazy. (She starts out going north on the 5, for context.): "She hooked onto the 210, then shifted to the 114, driving northeast through the beginnings of Antelope Valley. Passing through Burbank and Glendale and Pasadena along the way."
It *should* be: "She hooked onto the 210, passing through Glendale and Burbank along the way. Then shifted to the 14, driving northeast through the beginnings of Antelope Valley." (Technically, you don't pass through Pasadena at all on the 5, so I deleted it.)
And he continually refers to the LAPD Rampart scandal as the "Ramparts" scandal or issue.
What kills me is that there are over 35 books between the Petra Connor and Alex Delaware series combined. SOMEONE should have caught these errors. (The edition I'm reading was originally published in 2004, but this mass market edition was published in 2014. Plenty of time to discover and fix the errors upon reprint.) My recommendation: use an editor familiar with Southern California. I was so worked up about it that I emailed the publisher's customer service team with corrections. Not sure I'll ever hear back, but it was worth a try.
November 17, 2013
I have read almost all of Jonathan Kellerman's books and generally enjoy them. This book was a big disappointment. I found the pacing slow and too much going over the same ground repeatedly without discovering anything new. I don't find Petra Connor to a very interesting character. I think I'll stick with his Alex Delaware books from now on.
October 11, 2019
It's not that I dislike Petra Connor, getting to know her after 2 books, but I think she misses a particular open-mindedness that is crucial to being a good detective. It is that open-mindedness that Alex Delaware brings to Milo Sturgis' investigations. I miss that here. Petra misses something, I don't know what, but she's not sure about a lot of things and then she only reluctantly, and after a very long time, accepts that Isaac Gomez, the genius student intern, might be right about the 28 June murders.
I'm not going to go into the 2 plots' details, suffice it to say the story-lines weren't all that bad, especially the Paradisio parking shooting - that felt authentic and afterwards cleverly played by Petra and Eric, going against orders of the higher ups in the department to solve that one. The 28 June murder plot was again a bit far-fetch, crazy psycho killer wise, I mean. Just too grotesque for me.
And when you don't expect it, finally there comes an end to that Capt. Schoelkopf incompetent leadership of the unit, although that was surprising, I have to admit.
Don't get me wrong, I am a fan of Jonathan Kellerman - his books are reassuring because I can count on a good investigation - but it appears that the quality depends on the detective leading the investigation, and let's be honest, nobody compares to Milo.
I'm not going to go into the 2 plots' details, suffice it to say the story-lines weren't all that bad, especially the Paradisio parking shooting - that felt authentic and afterwards cleverly played by Petra and Eric, going against orders of the higher ups in the department to solve that one. The 28 June murder plot was again a bit far-fetch, crazy psycho killer wise, I mean. Just too grotesque for me.
And when you don't expect it, finally there comes an end to that Capt. Schoelkopf incompetent leadership of the unit, although that was surprising, I have to admit.
Don't get me wrong, I am a fan of Jonathan Kellerman - his books are reassuring because I can count on a good investigation - but it appears that the quality depends on the detective leading the investigation, and let's be honest, nobody compares to Milo.
March 21, 2013
Det. Petra Connor is on the case of a night-club shooting where 6 teens were violently struck down. No one is talking and Petra fears the case will run cold. Meanwhile she is set up to mentor a grad student, Isaac Gomez. Isaac is crazy smart and turns her on to a cold case with an eerie pattern. Stumped on her active case she follows the interns lead. Meanwhile she struggles with her love and professional lives.
Another fantastic thriller by Jonathan Kellerman. He covers police beaurocracy and interdepartmental butt smooching like no one else. Petra is a strong character who gets her killer everytime even with a few hiccups along the way. Kellerman loves throwing red herrings at the reader and TWISTED is no exception. Definitely a five star read that will keep the pages turning.
Another fantastic thriller by Jonathan Kellerman. He covers police beaurocracy and interdepartmental butt smooching like no one else. Petra is a strong character who gets her killer everytime even with a few hiccups along the way. Kellerman loves throwing red herrings at the reader and TWISTED is no exception. Definitely a five star read that will keep the pages turning.
August 21, 2013
Very good! A change of pace from the other JK Books I have read. Real twisty! I love it! I had the audio. I was not a fan of how it was read. A lot like a female Dragnet-type narrator. Needed a little more warmth.
May 19, 2018
With a name like "Twisted" you're kind of hoping for a twist, or some really raunchy crime. Not the case. Not a psych thriller, no twist, just a typical "whodunnit".
As for the 3 stars, there was nothing particularly captivating about this novel. I liked the personal relationship between Petra and Eric, I would follow the series to find out what happens in their relationship while they solve crime.
As for the 3 stars, there was nothing particularly captivating about this novel. I liked the personal relationship between Petra and Eric, I would follow the series to find out what happens in their relationship while they solve crime.
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July 8, 2024I liked Isaac Gomez the best. The other characters not so much. As usual, Kellerman keeps you on your toes trying to put all of the clues together and figure out which ones are relevant. It all comes together in the end.
June 3, 2024
Classic and cliche but enjoyable detective story, loved the dual narration and how the mystery unfolded - once I got halfway through I had to continue and finish asap
November 28, 2024
I think this was a little long but I like the way Hollywood Detective Petra Connor juggled two cases while mentioning a very smart young man who put together a series of murders that although did not seem similar were actually connected. Petra wants to solve cases and does always play by the rule of her supervisors. It would be nice if there was a 3rd book, but she mainly appears in the Alex Delaware books as a a detective occasionally working with Milo Sturgis.
March 29, 2025
3.5 stars, rounding up. JK consistently delivers a detail packed story line with interesting characters. This book is an offshoot of his main character books and a bit dated, but enjoyable as characters are known from the other series. A good read!
April 2, 2025
recordatorio a mí misma: nunca vuelvas a leer nada escrito por un hombre blanco norteamericano.
June 2, 2019
Too obvious
July 26, 2021
2,5/5. Ένα μέτριο αστυνομικό μυθιστόρημα, καλό για να περάσει η ώρα αλλά αρκετά φλύαρο σε σημεία (θα μπορούσαν άνετα να λείπουν 100 σελίδες). Τίποτα ιδιαίτερο γενικά.
August 6, 2011
Kellerman is one of those authors I can always count on delivering a good story and characters I find believable. His prose is always readable.
I generally pick up his books in hardcover when they're released. One of the few authors I read in hardcover, but it's always worth the expense.
When you find an author who makes reading fun, you enjoy going back to them again and again.
Twisted is not one of his Alex Delaware novels, instead following the character Petra Connor. She was introduced in the stand-alone novel Billy Straight. What's interesting about Kellerman's books outside the Delaware novels is you're generally going to approach them with some hesitation. The character of Alex Delaware has such an interesting view of the world, you want more of him as a reader -- except Kellerman is such a good writer you're always able to identify with new characters. Petra Connor made a cameo in A Cold Heart, and Twisted is an excellent return to front and center.
I generally pick up his books in hardcover when they're released. One of the few authors I read in hardcover, but it's always worth the expense.
When you find an author who makes reading fun, you enjoy going back to them again and again.
Twisted is not one of his Alex Delaware novels, instead following the character Petra Connor. She was introduced in the stand-alone novel Billy Straight. What's interesting about Kellerman's books outside the Delaware novels is you're generally going to approach them with some hesitation. The character of Alex Delaware has such an interesting view of the world, you want more of him as a reader -- except Kellerman is such a good writer you're always able to identify with new characters. Petra Connor made a cameo in A Cold Heart, and Twisted is an excellent return to front and center.
March 25, 2009
Well, I finished this. For some reason I had set it aside some time ago (audio) and forgot I was listening to it. Unlike most of the Kellerman series it doesn't feature Alex Delaware and his friend Milo, rather Detective Petra Connor and Eric, her erstwhile lover, who apparently walks on water. The show stealer is Isaac, a PhD candidate interning with the police department, who, through diligent research and a hell of a randy librarian, manages to find the connection between the killer and his victims. Perhaps a bit tenuous connection in my book, but way to whittle away the time.
May 13, 2012
A good but in my opinion not a great story. Dragged a little in some places and left me a little wanting. The end was a real twist I didn't figure out the killer and probably never would have so that in my book was a plus. The characters were pretty good, I thought Petra was a little over the top with the "I'm a tough woman detective" act but for the most part the characters weren't portrayed that bad even if I thought they were a little bland. I may not be a real good critic of Kellerman's books because to be honest I haven't really found one I've really really liked yet.
February 15, 2008
I enjoyed the book. I like Kellerman’s change of pace with the new protagonist. He’s probably getting a little burned out writing about Alex Delaware all the time.
March 2, 2016
An entertaining whodunnit
October 9, 2017
can lose with jonathan kellerman
January 15, 2018
Wish there were more Petra books! This one was wonderful!
January 17, 2018
Loved it - certainly didn’t see this ending coming!
June 14, 2018
Suspense
Lots of twists and turns. Kept my interest. I like seeing some recurring characters. On to the next book by kellerman.
Lots of twists and turns. Kept my interest. I like seeing some recurring characters. On to the next book by kellerman.
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