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The Conspiracy Club
When his passionate romance with nurse Jocelyn Banks is cut short by her kidnapping and brutal murder, young psychologist Jeremy Carrier is left emotionally devastated, haunted by his lover's grisly demise --- and eyed warily by police still seeking a prime suspect in the slaying. To escape the pain, he buries himself in his work at City Central Hospital --- only to be drawn deeper into a waking nightmare when more women turn up murdered in the same gruesome fashion as Jocelyn. As the suspicion surrounding Jeremy intensifies, the only way for him to prove his innocence and put his torment to rest is to follow the deadly trail of a modern-day Jack the Ripper.
405 pages, Paperback
First published November 10, 2003
742 people are currently reading
2705 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Kellerman
197 books5,794 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 359 reviews
August 19, 2018
What makes Kellerman’s novels so good is his clever plotting, witty narrative and great dialogue.
This book had little of any of these.
Normally, Kellerman’s plots keep you guessing and engaged all the way to the climax and wrap-up. Not this one. Most of the body of the book is the protagonist going about his day-to-day routine as a staff psychiatrist. When the climax approaches, it doesn’t have to neat sensation of intricately plotted pages being woven together.
A subpar Alex Delaware story without Alex Delaware.
This book had little of any of these.
Normally, Kellerman’s plots keep you guessing and engaged all the way to the climax and wrap-up. Not this one. Most of the body of the book is the protagonist going about his day-to-day routine as a staff psychiatrist. When the climax approaches, it doesn’t have to neat sensation of intricately plotted pages being woven together.
A subpar Alex Delaware story without Alex Delaware.
January 11, 2013
A new character for Jonathan Kellerman, and what I found to be a truly entertaining read, in the category of what I call my "nighttime escape" reading from the intensive research I do for my novel-writing.
Dr. Jeremy Carrier is a partially developed character, but more than sufficient for this story. The plot is somewhat stretched, but so is every "thriller/crime" plot.
My standard for this kind of novel is whether I am looking forward to reading a few more chapters, and this book met that test with flying colors. There is plenty of uncertainty, and several surprises, and the plot moves along. There is also a bit of technology, which I always like. The writing is clear and crisp but not overly elegant, which is exactly my taste for this sort of story.
Also, kudos to Kellerman for reaching out beyond Alex Delaware. I enjoy the Delaware stories, but I also like it when an established, successful author tries something new. I'll be looking for Kellerman's next "outreach" novel.
Dr. Jeremy Carrier is a partially developed character, but more than sufficient for this story. The plot is somewhat stretched, but so is every "thriller/crime" plot.
My standard for this kind of novel is whether I am looking forward to reading a few more chapters, and this book met that test with flying colors. There is plenty of uncertainty, and several surprises, and the plot moves along. There is also a bit of technology, which I always like. The writing is clear and crisp but not overly elegant, which is exactly my taste for this sort of story.
Also, kudos to Kellerman for reaching out beyond Alex Delaware. I enjoy the Delaware stories, but I also like it when an established, successful author tries something new. I'll be looking for Kellerman's next "outreach" novel.
February 23, 2019
May very well be the worst book I’ve read this year. I’m trading it in at the first opportunity.
This was the wrong book to read right after reading "A Dash of Style: The Art and Mastery of Punctuation" in October 2011. Kellerman’s style is elementary – he uses short sentences and chapters to fool the reader into thinking the plot is fast paced when there’s really nothing going on. Kellerman spends a disproportionate time on things that don’t matter to the plot or characterization (the longest and most detailed scene in the book was not anything to do with the killer, but a fancy dinner with a bunch of elderly conspiracy buffs). For a murder mystery, it’s pretty lame.
Also, the narrator is pretty much emotionally void.
If it didn’t bother me so much to stop in the middle of the book, I wouldn’t have finished it. I have no idea how this guy’s novels are consistently on the best seller list.
This was the wrong book to read right after reading "A Dash of Style: The Art and Mastery of Punctuation" in October 2011. Kellerman’s style is elementary – he uses short sentences and chapters to fool the reader into thinking the plot is fast paced when there’s really nothing going on. Kellerman spends a disproportionate time on things that don’t matter to the plot or characterization (the longest and most detailed scene in the book was not anything to do with the killer, but a fancy dinner with a bunch of elderly conspiracy buffs). For a murder mystery, it’s pretty lame.
Also, the narrator is pretty much emotionally void.
If it didn’t bother me so much to stop in the middle of the book, I wouldn’t have finished it. I have no idea how this guy’s novels are consistently on the best seller list.
October 14, 2008
Here's my review system--I score on four categories and average them together for the number of stars. The four categories are: character development (are the characters deep and complex, plot (is it interesting), voice (is the narration smooth and engaging) and cliche level (is it predictable.)
Character development: 5 stars--Kellerman is very good at getting inside the head of his characters
Plot: 4 stars-- It took forever but there was a nice twist or two
voice: 5 stars-- Very easy and pleasant to digest
cliche level: 3 stars-- The crazy serial killer and the non cop protagonist has been done a bit
and this one didn't bring a whole lot that is new
I like psychological thrillers and this one was pretty good.
Character development: 5 stars--Kellerman is very good at getting inside the head of his characters
Plot: 4 stars-- It took forever but there was a nice twist or two
voice: 5 stars-- Very easy and pleasant to digest
cliche level: 3 stars-- The crazy serial killer and the non cop protagonist has been done a bit
and this one didn't bring a whole lot that is new
I like psychological thrillers and this one was pretty good.
February 28, 2012
Well, I stuck with it, so it must not be too bad, but I just don't buy the idea of the CCC going to so much trouble to help Dr. C. solve this (and remove suspicion from himself, save lives, and all that), when they could have simply shared their theory with the authorities and perhaps prevented a death or two. Maybe I missed something, but I don't think so.
September 4, 2014
Not so much a whodunit or a whydunit--more like a what-on-Earth-is-going-on-? A hospital staff psychologist coping with the loss of his girl friend to murder and the consequent depression finds himself a target of interest for a group of five older wealthy retired people who tell him of their interest in the roots of violence. Strange anonymous mailings begin to arrive. Murders similar to that of his wife crop up in the newspaper. The police come calling. Our protagonist gropes through an eerie fog of loneliness and unsatisfied conjecture as he tries to maintain his shrink's intuition and his scientific objectivity through it all. What's up ? That is the question. Many in the community of reviewers were disappointed with this one, but I liked the change of pace from the Alex Delaware series. Call it 2 stars-slash-4 stars and refuse to average to 3 stars...Kellerman tried something more complex this time around than Alex & Milo & Robin & Blanche....Kudos even though he didn't quite succeed.
March 12, 2012
This is a rare change from Kellerman's Alex Delaware series, as he introduces a similar character, Jeremy Carrier. He molds him in some ways like Alex, yet he seem more nieve yet no less inquisitive. His girlfriend is murdered, and there are no suspects. The detective working the case keeps tabs on Carrier, yet he is portrayed as an annoyance who detracts from the story (comparsion to Milo Sturgis doesn't work). He works with other patients, and is mentored by a mysterious psycharist, who goes on long trips, and forms this "conspiracy club" of retired medical professionals, trying to solve individual unsolved cases. It falls flat, and it little to push the story. Carrier finds clues and eventually discovers the murderer. This was headed to a 1 1/2 star rating, but I added to the star because Kellerman upped the suspense and intensity towards the end. It was interesting and did work. However, I don't prefer to hear from Jeremy Carrier again.
February 13, 2012
I've read other books by Kellerman before The Conspiracy Club and don't remember the weird, herky-jerkey sentence structure. This novel seems rushed, like he plotted out the story but only went back to fill in certain details like the dinner party scene where the over the top language reads more like bad purple prose. When words detract from the story there's trouble afoot.
"She sat right up against him, their thighs laminating." Say what? Their thighs became coated in plastic? Writers try for fresh ways of saying things, but that one is too much.
If you like thighs laminating, and meats arranged like corporeal jewelry, have fun. The mystery's not bad, but aside from one doctor, the characters are blah, especially Dr. Jeremy Carrier, the so-called hero.
Perhaps this book is an earlier effort that sat in a drawer for a while. The words sure read like it.
"She sat right up against him, their thighs laminating." Say what? Their thighs became coated in plastic? Writers try for fresh ways of saying things, but that one is too much.
If you like thighs laminating, and meats arranged like corporeal jewelry, have fun. The mystery's not bad, but aside from one doctor, the characters are blah, especially Dr. Jeremy Carrier, the so-called hero.
Perhaps this book is an earlier effort that sat in a drawer for a while. The words sure read like it.
May 19, 2011
I almost stopped reading after a few pages, because the prose just seemed awkward and without value. For example:
"Arthur's bow-tie hung askew in a way that suggested intention."
After pressing ahead however, I found it was a fun, light-weight thriller. Descriptive material which adds no value is rife and can be skimmed at no cost to the reader. Clunky sentences can be instantly dismissed with no further thought.
In all, a decent yarn to be read at speed, nothing more.
"Arthur's bow-tie hung askew in a way that suggested intention."
After pressing ahead however, I found it was a fun, light-weight thriller. Descriptive material which adds no value is rife and can be skimmed at no cost to the reader. Clunky sentences can be instantly dismissed with no further thought.
In all, a decent yarn to be read at speed, nothing more.
August 27, 2019
2.5
Cumpre com o propósito de um bom page turner. Assinalável capacidade narrativa, e pontaria tremenda a cair nos cadafalsos habituais : a previsibilidade e o desenlace.
Ainda assim, gostei bastante da escrita, e voltaria a outros livros deste Kellerman, assim os tivesse.
Cumpre com o propósito de um bom page turner. Assinalável capacidade narrativa, e pontaria tremenda a cair nos cadafalsos habituais : a previsibilidade e o desenlace.
Ainda assim, gostei bastante da escrita, e voltaria a outros livros deste Kellerman, assim os tivesse.
February 6, 2021
I liked it! Light workplace thriller that keeps you reading because the characters are interesting and compelling.
The plot isn't a light subject at all, the story unfolds from a psychologist's perceptive and sometimes empathy can be a luxury and a burden.
He is suspected of the brutal murder of his girlfriend, and then there are other brutal murders.
The novel takes you into a world from the perspective of those who grieve these victims when there is no justice.
When someone you love is the victim of a crime that goes unsolved, and everyone looks at you with doubt.
What would you do?
The plot isn't a light subject at all, the story unfolds from a psychologist's perceptive and sometimes empathy can be a luxury and a burden.
He is suspected of the brutal murder of his girlfriend, and then there are other brutal murders.
The novel takes you into a world from the perspective of those who grieve these victims when there is no justice.
When someone you love is the victim of a crime that goes unsolved, and everyone looks at you with doubt.
What would you do?
December 11, 2010
The Conspiracy Club is good book, but not a great book in my opinion. It is supposed to be a who-dunnit but it is more of a 'what is going on' type of book. It does show what the psychiarty department does in a hospital setting, although there is a lot of medical terms and procedures mentioned that was over my head. And then there is the club of senior, well to do people which makes you wonder what they have to do with it. But in the end, everything works out. I would recommend this book, with reservations.
February 5, 2017
This book was a nice break, for us and the author, from the Alex Delaware novels that Kellerman is known for. The main character Jeremy wasn't well developed and seemed naïve for a psychologist, but yet I appreciated a break from Alex's bourgeois ways. The plot was also a bit thin as a thriller, as he tries to piece together who murdered his ex-girlfriend. Tepid thumbs up.
November 21, 2009
Another new author for me. I found myself in a state of suspense at various times in this nove. I would have liked to "meet" the villain earlier in the novel, but I guess that would have defeated the purpose of the "conspiracy club". Good story.
November 22, 2010
A slight departure from the Alex Delaware novels, Kellerman doesn't leave the profession with his main character, just the LA area. I found this character new and very interesting. He wasn't perfect, he just seemed determined, which made me want to keep reading.
May 13, 2011
I have always loved the Alex Deleware novels that Kellerman writes. When I saw this book, I grabbed it and really enjoyed it. What a pleasure to read a Kellerman novel with a new twist. Well developed characters and some very interesting plot turns. I definitely recommend this book.
January 20, 2023
The Conspiracy Club is one such book that has been on my shelf for ages, so it took a lot of self-motivation to pick it up.
This book begins with Dr. Jeremy Carrier struggling to keep his life straight after the abduction and brutal murder of his girlfriend Jocelyn Banks, along with continuous accusations from the Detective that he was the conspirator of his girlfriend's killing. His life was going at a normal pace when suddenly dead bodies start showing up again in the same state as his girlfriend, brutally murdered and bodies cut with surgeon precision, Jeremy finds himself again in the same puddle but this time he is guided by anonymous messenger who drops hints towards the culprit but is the messenger really a friend or the serial killer is playing a game?
I picked this book a week ago but couldn't read after few pages as it didn't appealed me so tried few pages a day until I got in middle when things got interesting and hooked me to finish the book in three days. So to sum it up, the book has a slow start, bit predictable, kinda get monotonous after a point. Characters are not detailed in terms of there growth throughout the book, the plot itself was week, because this book was leading to D-day but when it came it was hardly covered in two or three pages which was a huge turn off for me, more drama could have spiced things up.
So it was okk-ish for me, I have read few other thrillers which were far more gripping compared to this. This book is good for one time reading but easily comes under forgettable category.
This book begins with Dr. Jeremy Carrier struggling to keep his life straight after the abduction and brutal murder of his girlfriend Jocelyn Banks, along with continuous accusations from the Detective that he was the conspirator of his girlfriend's killing. His life was going at a normal pace when suddenly dead bodies start showing up again in the same state as his girlfriend, brutally murdered and bodies cut with surgeon precision, Jeremy finds himself again in the same puddle but this time he is guided by anonymous messenger who drops hints towards the culprit but is the messenger really a friend or the serial killer is playing a game?
I picked this book a week ago but couldn't read after few pages as it didn't appealed me so tried few pages a day until I got in middle when things got interesting and hooked me to finish the book in three days. So to sum it up, the book has a slow start, bit predictable, kinda get monotonous after a point. Characters are not detailed in terms of there growth throughout the book, the plot itself was week, because this book was leading to D-day but when it came it was hardly covered in two or three pages which was a huge turn off for me, more drama could have spiced things up.
So it was okk-ish for me, I have read few other thrillers which were far more gripping compared to this. This book is good for one time reading but easily comes under forgettable category.
December 26, 2020
I don't know if you have ever heard about the rumors of Jack the Ripper. The rumors say that he was an upstanding member of the community who just happened to be a skilled and talented surgeon in a hospital in England. Young psychologist, Jeremy Carrier, works at City Central Hospital and he comes to suspect that a skillful heart surgeon that works at the same hospital is a modern-day Jack the Ripper because the heart surgeon's father was a serial killer in England. This same heart surgeon has an eye on Jeremy's new girlfriend. What does Jeremy do? What would you do? Who would believe you if you told them you knew who Jack the Ripper was? How would you protect your new girlfriend if you were Jeremy? Read this book and find out. This book is not a typical Kellerman book but it's a must read for all Kellerman fans. Happy Reading.
December 10, 2019
I read this book for SSR last quarter. This book is a murder mystery that follows the life of a doctor and his journey after his girlfriend was murdered. We see the main character, Jeremy, develop throughout the book with help from his new girlfriend and trusted colleague, but Jeremy still wants to find the answer to his girlfriend's death. This book is a great book because it is thrilling, compelling, and leaves you at the edge of your seat. I think the book in general was very good, but the ending could of been better because it seemed confusing at times. However, I think this book is very good and I would still recommend it for one of my classmates.
I think a literary element that Jonathan Kellerman used in this book was symbolism. Symbolism he used in this book was through Jeremy's new girlfriend. She taught Jeremy how to love again because he was so heartbroken that the love of his life got murdered and she helped him in times of pain. I think that she symbolizes hope for Jeremy, because she made him focus on his work again and she tried to make him recover from a tragedy.
I think a literary element that Jonathan Kellerman used in this book was symbolism. Symbolism he used in this book was through Jeremy's new girlfriend. She taught Jeremy how to love again because he was so heartbroken that the love of his life got murdered and she helped him in times of pain. I think that she symbolizes hope for Jeremy, because she made him focus on his work again and she tried to make him recover from a tragedy.
December 11, 2018
Couldn't finish.
August 13, 2023
A little too many WTF! Arthur needed to tell Jeremy more and sooner. People were dying!!!
October 21, 2024
Lang geleden dat ik een Kellerman las, maar dit is weer een topper!
April 6, 2019
Book was well paced and entertaining.
July 20, 2010
New shrink doc a lot like old one, but decent story awaits...
Feeling that the Alex Delaware series has lost a great deal of zest in recent books, we snapped up this latest Kellerman on learning it featured a completely new leading man, psychologist Jeremy Carrier. This doc practices on staff at a regular hospital; and we were surprised to learn how busy he was with the care and concerns of fairly normal patients whose current medical conditions were mostly other than mental difficulties. Carrier himself is dealing with the unsolved murder of his former serious nurse girlfriend, a case that has brought suspicion against himself by cop Bob Duresh. Soon a couple more killings suggest a possible link between Carrier's girlfriend and the other victims, a thought that once again sics Duresh onto his trail. Then another mysterious character, pathologist Arthur Chess, befriends Jeremy and invites him to an elaborate dinner meeting of some sort of secret society interested in dark human deeds. A series of follow-up clues from Chess to Carrier set our hero in pursuit of who might be the real perpetrator of these crimes. The clues continue to unfold and confound as Kellerman sets a nice pace of action and reaction throughout this suspenseful mystery; and of course our hero catches the bad guy in the end.
We felt mixed emotions about this novel. We almost always enjoy Kellerman's writing, even though his last few books seemed a little stale. Our problem with this one is that while the mystery per se was entertaining enough, the characters were almost lookalikes to the Delaware clan: Jeremy for Alex, new girlfriend Angela for Robin, and cop Duresh for Sturgis, though the latter mostly an adversary instead of an ally. We find the speculation of other reviewers that maybe this manuscript was a precursor to the Delaware series as mildly amusing, but not impossible. So -- reasonably good novel, but not great.
Feeling that the Alex Delaware series has lost a great deal of zest in recent books, we snapped up this latest Kellerman on learning it featured a completely new leading man, psychologist Jeremy Carrier. This doc practices on staff at a regular hospital; and we were surprised to learn how busy he was with the care and concerns of fairly normal patients whose current medical conditions were mostly other than mental difficulties. Carrier himself is dealing with the unsolved murder of his former serious nurse girlfriend, a case that has brought suspicion against himself by cop Bob Duresh. Soon a couple more killings suggest a possible link between Carrier's girlfriend and the other victims, a thought that once again sics Duresh onto his trail. Then another mysterious character, pathologist Arthur Chess, befriends Jeremy and invites him to an elaborate dinner meeting of some sort of secret society interested in dark human deeds. A series of follow-up clues from Chess to Carrier set our hero in pursuit of who might be the real perpetrator of these crimes. The clues continue to unfold and confound as Kellerman sets a nice pace of action and reaction throughout this suspenseful mystery; and of course our hero catches the bad guy in the end.
We felt mixed emotions about this novel. We almost always enjoy Kellerman's writing, even though his last few books seemed a little stale. Our problem with this one is that while the mystery per se was entertaining enough, the characters were almost lookalikes to the Delaware clan: Jeremy for Alex, new girlfriend Angela for Robin, and cop Duresh for Sturgis, though the latter mostly an adversary instead of an ally. We find the speculation of other reviewers that maybe this manuscript was a precursor to the Delaware series as mildly amusing, but not impossible. So -- reasonably good novel, but not great.
August 4, 2013
The main character of this book is Dr Carrier whose partner has been murdered and the police suspect him as the culprit. Enter a retired pathologist, Dr Chess, who foists his friendship upon Dr Carrier introduces him to a strange dining club and leads him along a trail to the real killer via a series of obscure and illogical steps.
My biggest issue with this book, is if the dining club knew exactly who murdered Dr Carrier's partner why did they sit back and let several other women be murdered just so they could let Dr Chess travel the world and mail idiotic postcards to Dr Carrier? They were all victims of crime and are so devastated by such that they have apparently dedicated the rest of their lives to fighting such, yet stand idly by and let a serial killer roam free just so they can lead Dr Carrier along a convoluted path of clues.
Really the story is nothing great even once you get over the logic gaps it's still a rather run of the mill murder mystery, unlike most murder mysteries there's also basically no police involvement beyond a detective that pesters Dr Carrier now and again and very little in the way of 'investigation'.
If you have nothing else to read it will fill in time, but if your lawn needs mowing it'll probably be more rewarding to do that.
My biggest issue with this book, is if the dining club knew exactly who murdered Dr Carrier's partner why did they sit back and let several other women be murdered just so they could let Dr Chess travel the world and mail idiotic postcards to Dr Carrier? They were all victims of crime and are so devastated by such that they have apparently dedicated the rest of their lives to fighting such, yet stand idly by and let a serial killer roam free just so they can lead Dr Carrier along a convoluted path of clues.
Really the story is nothing great even once you get over the logic gaps it's still a rather run of the mill murder mystery, unlike most murder mysteries there's also basically no police involvement beyond a detective that pesters Dr Carrier now and again and very little in the way of 'investigation'.
If you have nothing else to read it will fill in time, but if your lawn needs mowing it'll probably be more rewarding to do that.
July 20, 2011
Two and a half for me. The author is very descriptive about food and location and all, which was okay with me. I felt it was all about creating an atmosphere. The story was okay and the main characters were fine. Everything was just fine. I liked the portrayal of Jeremy. I found it implausible that Jeremy would really 'face off' with the killer considering the killer's use of lasers to slice and dice. The case was built for this encounter, I just didn't really buy it.
Sensitivity: One of the patients uses the 'f' word in about every sentence; luckily, that character's presence is limited. Other scattered, infrequent uses of the word. Little other swearing. A lot of sexuality. Sexual encounters were mostly non to mildly graphic. One act of violence toward the end is somewhat disturbingly descriptive.
Sensitivity: One of the patients uses the 'f' word in about every sentence; luckily, that character's presence is limited. Other scattered, infrequent uses of the word. Little other swearing. A lot of sexuality. Sexual encounters were mostly non to mildly graphic. One act of violence toward the end is somewhat disturbingly descriptive.
June 20, 2015
Jonathan Kellerman takes a break from his usual Alex Delaware novels with this entry. The main protagonist is Jeremy Carrier, a psychologist at a hospital, who is recovering from the brutal murder of his wife. He befriends Dr. Arthur Chess, an older doctor and his group of elderly friends who have a private group that are interested in investigating crime and studying evil. Meanwhile, Jeremy is receiving messages that are clues about his wife’s killer as well as other murders that have plagued the area.
This was not up to par with other Jonathan Kellerman novels that I have read. Plot holes abound in this novel, almost to the point of ridiculousness. The story line was not especially believable, and the characters left much to be desired. I wasn’t remotely impressed with this novel and I would advise skipping it.
Carl Alves – author of Blood Street
This was not up to par with other Jonathan Kellerman novels that I have read. Plot holes abound in this novel, almost to the point of ridiculousness. The story line was not especially believable, and the characters left much to be desired. I wasn’t remotely impressed with this novel and I would advise skipping it.
Carl Alves – author of Blood Street
October 8, 2019
Jonathan Kellerman is an outstanding writer. His style is different from most of the authors I read, but definitely an outstanding writer. This book was about murder, but the murder played in the background. The story was about the lead character, Jeremy Carrier, a hospital psychiatrist who has suffered a personal tragedy that he is trying to deal with. Add a rough upbringing, and you have one troubled person. Jeremy is befriended by Arthur Chess, a retired doctor and the story takes off. Five upscale well educated friends who have suffered tragedy enter the picture. Add to that a crazed surgeon who is killing and dissecting local women and you have a really good story and great characters. Well worth reading.
February 13, 2012
This book was a pleasant but not thoroughly engaging read. The main character, a psychologist at a hospital, had recently lost his girlfriend and was under suspicion for her murder. An older pathologist befriended him and he began receiving cryptic notes, research articles, and post cards that motivated him to solve the murder and stop the serial killer.
I would classify this book as a good, non-romance beach read. Though I do prefer my beach reads with the romance.
I would classify this book as a good, non-romance beach read. Though I do prefer my beach reads with the romance.
January 4, 2018
The suspense builds up gradually in this psychological drama set in a hospital with a serial killer loose in the background and a mysterious old pathologist and his club of eccentric friends possibly behind anonymous mailings -- clues....or taunts?....or something -- to the protagonist, a psychologist who's lover was a victim. Kept me guessing and became more and more of a page-turner up to the suspenseful conclusion. One of the best psychological thrillers I've read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 359 reviews