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Alex Delaware #29
Killer
After thirty-five riveting, internationally acclaimed novels of psychological suspense, #1 New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Kellerman returns with his most stunning thriller to date. Killer is a mesmerizing L.A. noir portrayal of the darkest impulses of human nature carried to shocking extremes.
The City of Angels has more than its share of psychopaths, and no one recognizes that more acutely than the brilliant psychologist and police consultant Dr. Alex Delaware. Despite that, Constance Sykes, a sophisticated, successful physician, hardly seems like someone Alex needs to fear. Then, at the behest of the court, he becomes embroiled in a bizarre child custody dispute initiated by Connie against her sister and begins to realize that there is much about the siblings he has failed to comprehend. And when the court battle between the Sykes sisters erupts into cold, calculating murder and a rapidly growing number of victims, Alex knows he’s been snared in a toxic web of pathology.
Nothing would please Alex more than to be free of the ugly spectacle known as Sykes v. Sykes. But then the little girl at the center of the vicious dispute disappears and Alex knows he must work with longtime friend Detective Milo Sturgis, braving an obstacle course of Hollywood washouts, gangbangers, and self-serving jurists in order to save an innocent life.
Killer is Kellerman—and Delaware—at their finest.
Praise for Jonathan Kellerman
“Jonathan Kellerman has justly earned his reputation as a master of the psychological thriller.”—People
“Kellerman really knows how to keep those pages turning.” —The New York Times Book Review
From the Hardcover edition.
The City of Angels has more than its share of psychopaths, and no one recognizes that more acutely than the brilliant psychologist and police consultant Dr. Alex Delaware. Despite that, Constance Sykes, a sophisticated, successful physician, hardly seems like someone Alex needs to fear. Then, at the behest of the court, he becomes embroiled in a bizarre child custody dispute initiated by Connie against her sister and begins to realize that there is much about the siblings he has failed to comprehend. And when the court battle between the Sykes sisters erupts into cold, calculating murder and a rapidly growing number of victims, Alex knows he’s been snared in a toxic web of pathology.
Nothing would please Alex more than to be free of the ugly spectacle known as Sykes v. Sykes. But then the little girl at the center of the vicious dispute disappears and Alex knows he must work with longtime friend Detective Milo Sturgis, braving an obstacle course of Hollywood washouts, gangbangers, and self-serving jurists in order to save an innocent life.
Killer is Kellerman—and Delaware—at their finest.
Praise for Jonathan Kellerman
“Jonathan Kellerman has justly earned his reputation as a master of the psychological thriller.”—People
“Kellerman really knows how to keep those pages turning.” —The New York Times Book Review
From the Hardcover edition.
354 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 11, 2014
1483 people are currently reading
4226 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Kellerman
203 books5,828 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 887 reviews
November 28, 2021
In this 29th book in the 'Dr. Alex Delaware' series, the child psychologist - and LAPD consultant - can't anticipate the trouble that will ensue when he consults on a child custody case. The book can be read as a standalone.
*****
Constance Sykes - a pathologist, is worried about her niece.
Constance claims her sister Cherie Sykes - a band groupie, is an unfit parent.
So Constance tries to get custody of Cherie's toddler. When Alex comes down on Cherie's side Constance becomes enraged and hires a hit man to get rid of him. (These child custody cases can get really ugly!)
Unfortunately for Constance the hit man is Alex's former patient and spills the beans. Soon afterward Constance is killed, Cherie and the baby disappear, and several other people in Cherie's orbit turn up dead. Is Cherie the killer? Or is it the baby's unknown dad? Alex is on the case with his detective friend Lt. Milo Sturgis.
This turns out to be a rather thin story without much going on. The new characters are not terribly interesting and even the series regulars aren't particularly compelling. They don't engage in their typical humorous banter and Blanche the pet French bulldog - who usually provides a few smiles - is hardly there.
A disappointing addition to the series. I fear Jonathan Kellerman is running out of good ideas for the Alex Delaware books. 😒
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot....
June 19, 2015
Jeez, what's happening to this series???
I have been reading Alex Delaware & Milos Sturgis LA adventures since the first book came out years ago and really liked them until the last two or three books..........which have so not done it for me.
Okay, so this is the 29th novel in the series and maybe the author is getting a bit tired of writing or finding new ideas or plots but really!!!!!!
The magic between the two protagonists is just not there!!!! It's beyond missing!!!!!
There are very few pages where the two actually together!!!
The plot was flat and the secondary characters just beyond any redemption!!!
The only thing that got me to finish the book was the LA setting, which is very well written.
I am not sure if I am going to continue with this series!!!
Maybe it's time Alex & Milo retire and go and live in a nice quite seaside retirement village!!!!
I have been reading Alex Delaware & Milos Sturgis LA adventures since the first book came out years ago and really liked them until the last two or three books..........which have so not done it for me.
Okay, so this is the 29th novel in the series and maybe the author is getting a bit tired of writing or finding new ideas or plots but really!!!!!!
The magic between the two protagonists is just not there!!!! It's beyond missing!!!!!
There are very few pages where the two actually together!!!
The plot was flat and the secondary characters just beyond any redemption!!!
The only thing that got me to finish the book was the LA setting, which is very well written.
I am not sure if I am going to continue with this series!!!
Maybe it's time Alex & Milo retire and go and live in a nice quite seaside retirement village!!!!
March 3, 2014
Kellerman is back to form in this edition of his Alex Delaware novels. As usual, the psychologist is involved in a situation that eventually teams him with homicide detective Milo Sturgis. The change involves his return to a court involved custody case where he is instrumental in determining the future guardianship of a very young child. A simple case, seemingly simple solution. But nothing is ever simple or easy in Delaware's world.mI read this quickly, caught up in the action and wanting to know what happened to the characters. Have to admit I had a slight intuitive hint about a bad guy but that might have been from reading mysteries for so long. I didn't see the end coming.
Not to miss if you like Kellerman.
Not to miss if you like Kellerman.
December 21, 2020
Simply put, I didn't find this book very interesting.
February 20, 2014
Kellerman's more recent books have been disappointing, but his current effort lives up to the very best of his impressive earlier novels. An engrossing, fun, read.
Yes I am a fan, and yes I have read all of his books.
The early chapter where Kellerman introduces his recurring character, and alter ego, Alex Delaware to potentially new readers, does embody what I dislike in Kellerman's writing though, which is a rather grandiose egocentrism.
The character Delaware is a psychologist who worked early in his career in pediatric oncology, as did Kellerman the author. Delaware the character is a brilliant psychologist, smarter than the judges and physicians he works with. He makes lots of money, and you'll hear how much, by the hour. He, unlike so many of his colleagues is a super ethical, a super in demand, always call him Doctor, super-shrink! We know this of course is equally true about Kellerman, the author/psychologist.
Blah. Blah. Boring. Yawn.
Can't someone help him edit this out?
But then again, why should they? He is a massively successful, best selling author.
It would irritate me less if he cut out this super-shrink stuff. But Kellerman clings to it, appears to need it, almost as if he is insecure about his profession's status and needs to establish it. Unnecessary. Tons of us obviously like and respect Alex Delaware, and Kellerman, the author/psychologist by proxy, too.
But what Kellerman always does, which makes his books interesting, is promptly dismantle this whole farce as soon as he establishes it. Only after he has established his status, and your barf your way through the descriptors, does he then, make Alex Delaware, the rather anxious, vulnerable, somewhat dependent, self righteous, prone to insomnia, feet of clay, shrink we all know and love.
So despite my irritation with certain aspects of Kellerman's writing, I still think this is a enjoyable read.
Some of Kellerman's later books have been kind of tired and dull, but not this one. His characterizations of clients, killers and sociopaths (doesn't that sound like a good book title?) is always very good. In this book they are in top form. The suspense level is quite engrossing.
This is a fun, entertaining, and interesting read.
Recommend.
Yes I am a fan, and yes I have read all of his books.
The early chapter where Kellerman introduces his recurring character, and alter ego, Alex Delaware to potentially new readers, does embody what I dislike in Kellerman's writing though, which is a rather grandiose egocentrism.
The character Delaware is a psychologist who worked early in his career in pediatric oncology, as did Kellerman the author. Delaware the character is a brilliant psychologist, smarter than the judges and physicians he works with. He makes lots of money, and you'll hear how much, by the hour. He, unlike so many of his colleagues is a super ethical, a super in demand, always call him Doctor, super-shrink! We know this of course is equally true about Kellerman, the author/psychologist.
Blah. Blah. Boring. Yawn.
Can't someone help him edit this out?
But then again, why should they? He is a massively successful, best selling author.
It would irritate me less if he cut out this super-shrink stuff. But Kellerman clings to it, appears to need it, almost as if he is insecure about his profession's status and needs to establish it. Unnecessary. Tons of us obviously like and respect Alex Delaware, and Kellerman, the author/psychologist by proxy, too.
But what Kellerman always does, which makes his books interesting, is promptly dismantle this whole farce as soon as he establishes it. Only after he has established his status, and your barf your way through the descriptors, does he then, make Alex Delaware, the rather anxious, vulnerable, somewhat dependent, self righteous, prone to insomnia, feet of clay, shrink we all know and love.
So despite my irritation with certain aspects of Kellerman's writing, I still think this is a enjoyable read.
Some of Kellerman's later books have been kind of tired and dull, but not this one. His characterizations of clients, killers and sociopaths (doesn't that sound like a good book title?) is always very good. In this book they are in top form. The suspense level is quite engrossing.
This is a fun, entertaining, and interesting read.
Recommend.
March 2, 2014
When you like a writer and have been reading his books forever, it is hard to admit he has lost his luster. Nothing is really wrong about Killer but nothing is really right either. His stern righteousness is a new trait in Alex Delaware which doesn't fit with the psychiatrist we have grown to love and respect. It is well written, the plot is ok but the characters are flat, they do their usual routine, i.e. Milo binges on food, and the workaholic Robin stays nicely out of the way. Each one of them does what they usually do but they all seem 'dead'. Flat characters at they best, no heart, no irony, no that incredible character faceting and compassion Mr Kellerman has grown us accustomed to over the years.
If he were a brand new author I'd give him a one star review, being Kellerman I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt out of affection!
If he were a brand new author I'd give him a one star review, being Kellerman I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt out of affection!
March 10, 2014
This is certainly the last Kellerman I'll ever buy, and maybe the last one I'll read. His dialogue has gone beyond bad to ridiculous. It's like he's writing normal dialogue in English, sending it through a really cheap translation app, turning it into, I dunno, Korean, and then translating it back. For example, no modern American woman in 2014 would use the word "daren't." Nobody has used that word since 1922. I don't care how compelling his plots are, if he doesn't understand how people talk, his books are worthless to me. Do you hear me? WORTHLESS! OK, I feel better.
April 4, 2014
In a day when quite a few big-time authors who shall remain nameless are becoming known for quantity rather than quality, it's refreshing to find one who's steady as he goes. Yes, folks, Jonathan Kellerman, who's written more than 30 psychological thrillers including the popular Alex Delaware series, has done it again, keeping him right at the top of my list of favorite authors.
This one begins as Delaware, a psychologist who specializes in children and is a frequent police consultant, is called in to provide evaluation when an overly aggressive wealthy female doctor and her flower-child sister go head-to-head in a child custody battle. The good doctor can find no reason to remove the child from her hippy-dippy mother, and the judge concurs.
But just as he thinks he's out from under the nasty fighting, the case takes a turn of a different sort when Delaware's life is threatened and a major player turns up dead. Enter Delaware's long-time friend Detective Milo Sturgis, who's now looking for the killer. Then, as other key players bite the dust and the free-spirited sister disappears with her baby, things really start to heat up.
This one begins as Delaware, a psychologist who specializes in children and is a frequent police consultant, is called in to provide evaluation when an overly aggressive wealthy female doctor and her flower-child sister go head-to-head in a child custody battle. The good doctor can find no reason to remove the child from her hippy-dippy mother, and the judge concurs.
But just as he thinks he's out from under the nasty fighting, the case takes a turn of a different sort when Delaware's life is threatened and a major player turns up dead. Enter Delaware's long-time friend Detective Milo Sturgis, who's now looking for the killer. Then, as other key players bite the dust and the free-spirited sister disappears with her baby, things really start to heat up.
October 9, 2014
I've read quite a few Kellerman novels and have loved every one. Alex Delaware is one of my favorite fictional characters; most of the Kellerman novels I've read have had him in them.
I don't review many books, but this one hit a nerve and I'm still reeling from it. Kellerman writes great novels; no doubt in my mind that he's one of the best. I've often thought about how he comes up with all of these amazing ideas. His characters are another accomplishment. Even the walk-ons seem to have depth.
This novel is no exception. What starts as a lawsuit between sisters turns into a who done it that no one would ever think of. Filled with twists, turns, vivid emotions, and a equally pleasing subplot, this is a must read for any Jonathan Kellerman/Alex Delaware fan.
I don't review many books, but this one hit a nerve and I'm still reeling from it. Kellerman writes great novels; no doubt in my mind that he's one of the best. I've often thought about how he comes up with all of these amazing ideas. His characters are another accomplishment. Even the walk-ons seem to have depth.
This novel is no exception. What starts as a lawsuit between sisters turns into a who done it that no one would ever think of. Filled with twists, turns, vivid emotions, and a equally pleasing subplot, this is a must read for any Jonathan Kellerman/Alex Delaware fan.
February 2, 2014
Psychologist and part time police consultant, Dr Alex Delaware had been requested by the courts to handle some “difficult” cases, so after initially saying he didn’t want the extra work, he was persuaded by a hard working judge to agree. The cases were not too difficult, and his paperwork generally had both parties agreeable within a short time – but then he was given a child custody case, Sykes v Sykes, which was the strangest and most bizarre he had ever handled.
Connie Sykes was a successful physician – she didn’t see patients, instead she ran tests on human “subjects” for various diseases. She was a cold, emotionless woman, who always got her own way. Her sister, Cherie (Ree) Sykes was a completely different person – an original flower child, happy, full of light heartedness and a strong love and devotion to her eighteen month old daughter, Rambla. Connie had decided Ree was not a good mother; she had cared for Rambla for some time while Ree toured with the band, Lonesome Moan; she’d been friends with the members since her school days – Winky even babysat Rambla when she needed to pop out to the shops.
But the custody case set a chain of events going which had catastrophic results for a lot of people. Interviewing first Ree, then Connie made Alex’s decision an easy one – Ree was Rambla’s mother, Connie was only her aunt; the results were a foregone conclusion in his and the courts’ minds…
Suddenly murder entered their lives, danger was very close, and Alex found himself teamed up with Detective Milo Sturgis once again. When little Rambla disappeared in the midst of all the carnage, the race was on. Digging into the depths of Hollywood’s depraved underworld found them in much more danger – would Alex survive? Would the investigative team find the missing girl before it was too late?
I found this one to be another fabulous thriller by Jonathan Kellerman. Kellerman and Alex Delaware make an amazing team, and the suspense and mystery in this one was brilliant. The twists and turns throughout the book kept me spellbound, and the conclusion was completely unexpected! I have no hesitation in highly recommending this novel.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy to read and review.
Connie Sykes was a successful physician – she didn’t see patients, instead she ran tests on human “subjects” for various diseases. She was a cold, emotionless woman, who always got her own way. Her sister, Cherie (Ree) Sykes was a completely different person – an original flower child, happy, full of light heartedness and a strong love and devotion to her eighteen month old daughter, Rambla. Connie had decided Ree was not a good mother; she had cared for Rambla for some time while Ree toured with the band, Lonesome Moan; she’d been friends with the members since her school days – Winky even babysat Rambla when she needed to pop out to the shops.
But the custody case set a chain of events going which had catastrophic results for a lot of people. Interviewing first Ree, then Connie made Alex’s decision an easy one – Ree was Rambla’s mother, Connie was only her aunt; the results were a foregone conclusion in his and the courts’ minds…
Suddenly murder entered their lives, danger was very close, and Alex found himself teamed up with Detective Milo Sturgis once again. When little Rambla disappeared in the midst of all the carnage, the race was on. Digging into the depths of Hollywood’s depraved underworld found them in much more danger – would Alex survive? Would the investigative team find the missing girl before it was too late?
I found this one to be another fabulous thriller by Jonathan Kellerman. Kellerman and Alex Delaware make an amazing team, and the suspense and mystery in this one was brilliant. The twists and turns throughout the book kept me spellbound, and the conclusion was completely unexpected! I have no hesitation in highly recommending this novel.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy to read and review.
February 7, 2014
ARC for review.
Kellerman has largely escaped the malady that has overcome once good, now horrendous series as they reach 20+ books (the Alex Cross and Kay Scarpetta novels have become nearly unendurable). Though Kellerman's Alex Delaware (the psychologist who spends most of his time working with the police) was never as compelling as Cross and Scarpetta at their respective bests, neither does reading even the latest installments of Dr. Delaware's adventure make me want to pour bleach in my eyes. Bonus points in that there is so little character development or change that it really doesn't matter if you read these books out of order or skip a few....I think the biggest event that has occurred in Delaware's life is that his dog died. Of course, he immediately got a new one of the very same type, so you can be forgiven for not noticing. Anyway, his personal life is largely irrelevant to the stories so not much matters....unlike, oh, I don't know CHARACTERS RETURNING FROM THE DEAD. Sigh.)
In this, the twenty-ninth outing Delaware is continuing his work in child custody cases (did he do this before? Do we care?). He's presented with a case where a bad sister wants to take a child from a generally good, but ne'er do well sister. Naturally it gets more complicated and the rules of ethics and professionalism are shoved to the side (as often happens, but you agree to this when you pick up these books, right?). Characters are presented so that you know you'll see them again and so on. There is a delicious potential development at the end, but it's left hanging, so perhaps we'll see it again in number thirty?
Anyway, if you like this sort of thing (if you are considering this it probably isn't your first time around with Kellerman) and you are looking for a decent airplane read you'll read this one in a few hours and will likely enjoy. Also, please note that this review may be longer than about half of the chapters in this book.
Kellerman has largely escaped the malady that has overcome once good, now horrendous series as they reach 20+ books (the Alex Cross and Kay Scarpetta novels have become nearly unendurable). Though Kellerman's Alex Delaware (the psychologist who spends most of his time working with the police) was never as compelling as Cross and Scarpetta at their respective bests, neither does reading even the latest installments of Dr. Delaware's adventure make me want to pour bleach in my eyes. Bonus points in that there is so little character development or change that it really doesn't matter if you read these books out of order or skip a few....I think the biggest event that has occurred in Delaware's life is that his dog died. Of course, he immediately got a new one of the very same type, so you can be forgiven for not noticing. Anyway, his personal life is largely irrelevant to the stories so not much matters....unlike, oh, I don't know CHARACTERS RETURNING FROM THE DEAD. Sigh.)
In this, the twenty-ninth outing Delaware is continuing his work in child custody cases (did he do this before? Do we care?). He's presented with a case where a bad sister wants to take a child from a generally good, but ne'er do well sister. Naturally it gets more complicated and the rules of ethics and professionalism are shoved to the side (as often happens, but you agree to this when you pick up these books, right?). Characters are presented so that you know you'll see them again and so on. There is a delicious potential development at the end, but it's left hanging, so perhaps we'll see it again in number thirty?
Anyway, if you like this sort of thing (if you are considering this it probably isn't your first time around with Kellerman) and you are looking for a decent airplane read you'll read this one in a few hours and will likely enjoy. Also, please note that this review may be longer than about half of the chapters in this book.
July 27, 2020
We’ve mostly panned the last few Alex Delaware novels we’ve read, mostly from stale and boring story lines that did nothing to demand the doc’s participation in the crime solving that any other amateur couldn’t have done. But in “Killer”, we were overjoyed that the whole first part of this 29th tale in the (currently) 35-book set was about Alex and his work with child custody cases, somewhat outside his usual interest but well suited to his qualifications. When later, a principal in one of those cases turns up dead, and another an immediate suspect, now it’s clearly a matter for the regular police protagonist Lt. Milo Standish – and now he and the doc paired up not only makes sense, but culminates in a more suspenseful outing than the several preceding it.
For those that like us were close to giving up on this series, at least for now we’re reinvigorated to close in on the last few we still need to polish off!
For those that like us were close to giving up on this series, at least for now we’re reinvigorated to close in on the last few we still need to polish off!
April 18, 2014
Another step in the right direction from Kellerman, whose last book, Guilt, was also very good. Both novels are more readable and much less judgmental than were his previous 8 to 10 works, perhaps more. The last two books are also much less vicious and violent.
By now, if you've read Kellerman's twenty-nine Alex Delaware novels as I have, you've figured out his formula: The first 10%-20% of the work sets up the very large cast of characters, their backgrounds, and any of the many conflicts that may--but often, not--have anything to do with the book's major crime.
Then the vast majority of the book is Q & A between Delaware and Milo and the large population of characters in the victim's lives. There's a ton of supposition, a lot of maybe this and perhaps that, by Delaware and Milo and many of the supporting cast. The vast majority of the time, none of it pans out.
About 80% to 85% of the way through, we meet a seemingly-minor character who rings Delaware's alarms. That starts the unraveling. The rest of the book is a slippery slide to the ending, which neatly wraps things up.
This has always been Kellerman's M.O., though a few times in the past, the seemingly-irrelevant character would come completely out of left field. As a consequence, the reader (well, at least this reader) would feel cheated and more than a little aggravated. In this genre, you have to give the reader at least a chance--however small--to be able to figure it out (or at least to suspect) who the killer might be, and what might have happened.
That's what happens here, with Killer. (A ridiculous title, as it could have been the name of any of his novels, and there's more than one killer here, anyway.)
The unraveling happened when and how I figured, and I honed in on the seemingly-irrelevant character right away. The character appears when I suspected, as per the blueprint above. This was aided because I wasn't buying all of the suppositions Delaware and Kellerman were selling.
Ultimately, this was a very quick and satisfying read, done just right.
By now, if you've read Kellerman's twenty-nine Alex Delaware novels as I have, you've figured out his formula: The first 10%-20% of the work sets up the very large cast of characters, their backgrounds, and any of the many conflicts that may--but often, not--have anything to do with the book's major crime.
Then the vast majority of the book is Q & A between Delaware and Milo and the large population of characters in the victim's lives. There's a ton of supposition, a lot of maybe this and perhaps that, by Delaware and Milo and many of the supporting cast. The vast majority of the time, none of it pans out.
About 80% to 85% of the way through, we meet a seemingly-minor character who rings Delaware's alarms. That starts the unraveling. The rest of the book is a slippery slide to the ending, which neatly wraps things up.
This has always been Kellerman's M.O., though a few times in the past, the seemingly-irrelevant character would come completely out of left field. As a consequence, the reader (well, at least this reader) would feel cheated and more than a little aggravated. In this genre, you have to give the reader at least a chance--however small--to be able to figure it out (or at least to suspect) who the killer might be, and what might have happened.
That's what happens here, with Killer. (A ridiculous title, as it could have been the name of any of his novels, and there's more than one killer here, anyway.)
The unraveling happened when and how I figured, and I honed in on the seemingly-irrelevant character right away. The character appears when I suspected, as per the blueprint above. This was aided because I wasn't buying all of the suppositions Delaware and Kellerman were selling.
Ultimately, this was a very quick and satisfying read, done just right.
March 8, 2014
I would've given this book five stars, but it starts off oddly. First we get an immediate death threat to Alex. I use the word oddly because Alex doesn't report the threat, just goes on like nothing really happened. Then the book back tracks for about ten chapters that deal with the court system and custody battles. That cost it one star because it was a bit slow.
Finally, Milo gets involved and that's when things heat up. Turns out one of the people involved in a nasty custody case, the same one who threatened him on the first page, has put a hit out on Alex. It's just through a twist of fate that it's discovered because one of the men approached for the hit is an ex-patient now turned major gangster kingpin.
I really like how the story evolves and I especially enjoyed the back story between Alex and the gangster.
I read it in one sitting and that hasn't happened in the last few Kellerman books.
Finally, Milo gets involved and that's when things heat up. Turns out one of the people involved in a nasty custody case, the same one who threatened him on the first page, has put a hit out on Alex. It's just through a twist of fate that it's discovered because one of the men approached for the hit is an ex-patient now turned major gangster kingpin.
I really like how the story evolves and I especially enjoyed the back story between Alex and the gangster.
I read it in one sitting and that hasn't happened in the last few Kellerman books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2017
Dr. Alex Delaware was called upon by a judge to interview the participants in a child custody case between the child’s mother and the child’s mother’s sister. After Dr. Delaware presented his findings, he learned that a hit has been put on him. The individual who bought the hit believed she had hired the best hit man when, in fact, the she had hired a former child patient of Dr. Delaware who liked and respected Dr. Delaware.
What I liked about Killer was how easy it was to follow all of the characters and their roles in the story and how it kept you guessing. Killer was one fun read! John Rubinstein was great at making the characters jump off the page.
What I liked about Killer was how easy it was to follow all of the characters and their roles in the story and how it kept you guessing. Killer was one fun read! John Rubinstein was great at making the characters jump off the page.
January 22, 2019
What is there left to say about Kellerman’s books? This plot deals with an interesting case of child custody between sisters. I have listened to the last several Kellerman books, and John Rubinstein does a superb job of bringing the characters to life. There is a segment of the book that deals with one of Alex Delaware’s past clients. As I was listening, I thought—this is how to tell a past/present story. So many current books jump back and forth between two periods, and there is a better way to do it in my opinion.
September 13, 2022
Reread 09/2022 review- 3.5~3.8 stars.
Original 11/2021 review- 3.9〜4 stars? Of the 8 other Alex Delaware books I’ve read, this one focused on psychology the most, which I really liked. 😊
I will say, I’m a bit peeved because my favorite character (who is unique to this book), was killed 😒😑🥺😠
Original 11/2021 review- 3.9〜4 stars? Of the 8 other Alex Delaware books I’ve read, this one focused on psychology the most, which I really liked. 😊
I will say, I’m a bit peeved because my favorite character (who is unique to this book), was killed 😒😑🥺😠
February 20, 2014
Author Jonathan Kellerman has been pumping out thrillers for nearly thirty years and the center-piece of his opus has been the Dr. Alex Delaware series. Beginning in 1985 with the release of WHEN THE BOUGH BREAKS the Delaware series now enjoys its 29th installment with release of his latest effort entitled KILLER.
Dr. Alex Delaware is a brilliant psychologist who has often assisted law enforcement with his unique insight into the deadly and disturbed minds that exist out there. The novels in this series have ranged from truly terrifying to disappointing. As Alex Delaware has matured so has this series --- moving away from more horrific and thriller oriented stories into more character driven efforts.
KILLER falls well short of Kellerman's classic thrillers of the past but still provides enough of the reliable Dr. Delaware to keep faithful readers of this series engaged. Delaware has taken on some additional work to compliment his regular patient lineup. He is assisting as a subject matter expert on various court cases that do not involve direct testimony on his part.
One particular case proves to be much more trouble than it initially seemed. The case in question is a child custody battle between two sisters. Dr. Constance 'Connie' Sykes wants her sister, Cherie 'Ree' Sykes to turn over custody of her daughter, Rambla Pacifico Sykes, to her. Delaware is impressed upon by the presiding judge, Judge Maestro , to help in having this case thrown out. This will require his expert discrediting of Connie.
Dr. Delaware meets with both sisters and eventually sees the child in its home environment with Ree. He sees no reason that the current arrangement should not remain intact. He also has some concerns about Connie and makes his recommendation to the court without reservation. As expected, the court holds in favor of Ree Sykes keeping her child.
This decision does not please Connie Sykes and she confronts Dr. Delaware and threatens him. The threat is so overt that there is inference that Delaware's life may be in danger. He takes appropriate precautions and notifies the local LAPD in the form of his long-term colleague and friend, Detective Milo Sturgis.
As the LAPD begins to investigate Connie Sykes an alarming discovery is made --- that of Connie's dead body found brutally murdered. Simultaneously to this, Ree Sykes and little Rambla have disappeared without a trace. In the wake of this, Dr. Delaware now is forced to second guess his recommendation in the Sykes custody case and recognizes that his career and life may be in jeopardy.
KILLER has a great premise and story, just not a lot of action or suspense. The case unfolds methodically and we find a Dr. Alex Delaware who is far more introspective then he has appeared in past novels. The evolution of this character and series continue and I am sure loyal fans will enjoy this effort.
Reviewed by Ray Palen for New Mystery Reader
Dr. Alex Delaware is a brilliant psychologist who has often assisted law enforcement with his unique insight into the deadly and disturbed minds that exist out there. The novels in this series have ranged from truly terrifying to disappointing. As Alex Delaware has matured so has this series --- moving away from more horrific and thriller oriented stories into more character driven efforts.
KILLER falls well short of Kellerman's classic thrillers of the past but still provides enough of the reliable Dr. Delaware to keep faithful readers of this series engaged. Delaware has taken on some additional work to compliment his regular patient lineup. He is assisting as a subject matter expert on various court cases that do not involve direct testimony on his part.
One particular case proves to be much more trouble than it initially seemed. The case in question is a child custody battle between two sisters. Dr. Constance 'Connie' Sykes wants her sister, Cherie 'Ree' Sykes to turn over custody of her daughter, Rambla Pacifico Sykes, to her. Delaware is impressed upon by the presiding judge, Judge Maestro , to help in having this case thrown out. This will require his expert discrediting of Connie.
Dr. Delaware meets with both sisters and eventually sees the child in its home environment with Ree. He sees no reason that the current arrangement should not remain intact. He also has some concerns about Connie and makes his recommendation to the court without reservation. As expected, the court holds in favor of Ree Sykes keeping her child.
This decision does not please Connie Sykes and she confronts Dr. Delaware and threatens him. The threat is so overt that there is inference that Delaware's life may be in danger. He takes appropriate precautions and notifies the local LAPD in the form of his long-term colleague and friend, Detective Milo Sturgis.
As the LAPD begins to investigate Connie Sykes an alarming discovery is made --- that of Connie's dead body found brutally murdered. Simultaneously to this, Ree Sykes and little Rambla have disappeared without a trace. In the wake of this, Dr. Delaware now is forced to second guess his recommendation in the Sykes custody case and recognizes that his career and life may be in jeopardy.
KILLER has a great premise and story, just not a lot of action or suspense. The case unfolds methodically and we find a Dr. Alex Delaware who is far more introspective then he has appeared in past novels. The evolution of this character and series continue and I am sure loyal fans will enjoy this effort.
Reviewed by Ray Palen for New Mystery Reader
March 10, 2014
Alex Delaware is asked by a judge to help assess a custody situation for a sixteen-month old girl between an unwed mother Ree and her successful sister Connie. Ree left the child with her sister for 88 days while touring with some high school friends and her elder sister Connie is a dominating, cold hearted, emotionless and successful owner of a pathology laboratory. When Connie is found dead, suspicion falls on Ree, who has mysteriously disappeared. Book #29 in the series kept me guessing all the way.
February 26, 2024
You know the drill! Kellerman always delivers with faithful Alex, strong, intelligent and persistent. Over the years, he and Milo have been from one end of LA to the other, solving murders by some of the most evil villains ever. It feels like visiting old friends and this book was no exception. I loved the character, Ef and the education on juvenile diabetes. I'm along for the ride wherever Alex and Milo go.
June 18, 2017
I've not read an Alex Delaware for a while as I found them to be all of a sameness. In the end that's what attracted me to this book. I like the main characters, Alex and Milo. The book has enough twists and turns to be very interesting. I think if you have children it would be very upsetting to read.
February 4, 2021
4...Whelp this series is slowly going UP hill! The last three books I have really enjoyed! Great case of who wants the baby most...A lot more psychology this time around which I enjoyed immensely! Did I sense trouble in paradise for Milo and Alex this time though???
December 4, 2025
I couldn’t put this one down. This one was really good. More of a true Alex novel, child psychologist, and his best.
February 9, 2014
A few words about book series. I'm skeptical about them. It's not that there's anything wrong with them. It's just that I prefer to visit new worlds and experiences when I read. But I understand the attraction to series. Some readers like to enter an escape world that they are familiar with. They like to see their constant hero/companion struggle and win over and over again. There's a certain amount of pleasure and security in that. I totally understand. I remember how I became obsessed with the James Bond books when I was in Junior High, hiding Goldfinger under my mattress less my conservative parents spotted the nude gold girl on the cover. My mother did find it and showed my father. I thought I was in trouble but the father read it and became a James Bond fan too. But unfortunately many series become a bit redundant like the reader is writing only to keep the audience and only to cash the checks. In my humble opinion, few book series heroes continue to grab me over and over again. I hate to say it but it's easy to get lazy...
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ...
Excuse me. I fell asleep. Where was I? oh yes...
Which brings us to Jonathan Kellerman's Alex Delaware series. Killer is the 29th book of the series. That bodes well for his pension. Book series writers do get a pension, don't they?. But it is the first Delaware novel I've read. I now plan to go to book one and start from scratch because this novel really grabbed me in the same way James Bond, Sherlock Holmes, Hap and Leonard, and Charlie Huston's Joe Pitt and Hank Thompson did. It's probably not all surprising since the main character is a psychologist who works cases from the court and I am a retired clinical social worker who did my share of court cases. But Killer felt fresh. I didn't feel like I was reading a retread or missing a lot like I did with the currently released White Fire of Preston & Child's Pendergrast series. Delaware felt like the kind of constantly returning hero I could hitch a ride with.
So here's the scoop. Alex Delaware occasionally does evaluations for child custody cases. He kind of hates them but sees the need for it. At this point, I want to step into my day job for a minute and say I don't blame him. His remarks about child custody cases are brutally honest and dead on. His current case looks to be fairly cut and dry until the losing side places a hit on him. Then a body shows up. It's not his but if you read plenty of mysteries. I'm sure you can guess whose it is.
The body count piles up while Delaware and his homicide detective friend attempts to uncover the killer. There's an obvious choice and some not so obvious choices. All of this unfolds in a very entertaining style with loads of realistic grit. What I really like is the character of Delaware. He is sharp and observant to the psychological makeup of the people he deals with. This novel feels more like a psychological thriller than most mystery novels with continuing characters. His therapy session scenes, which are my favorite parts of the novel, are real and appropriate to the profession.That may be a small thing to you but I cannot tell you how often writers get it wrong. If I read one more novel about a therapist who falls in love with his client I am going to use that book for kitty litter. Suffice to say that doesn't happen here. The author is too smart and too good to do that. Kellerman writes dynamite dialog and knows how to tease the reader. That's pretty much essential in mystery series. Over all Killer is what the mystery reader wants in a novel.
So to rehash. I am skeptical about mystery series. Series can disappoint and drag. Kellerman's 29th installment about Alex Delaware doesn't disappoint or drag. Good sign. Fresh. Exciting. It has a beat and I can dance to it. I'm going to get the rest starting with number one and will hide them under my mattress for old times' sake.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ...
Excuse me. I fell asleep. Where was I? oh yes...
Which brings us to Jonathan Kellerman's Alex Delaware series. Killer is the 29th book of the series. That bodes well for his pension. Book series writers do get a pension, don't they?. But it is the first Delaware novel I've read. I now plan to go to book one and start from scratch because this novel really grabbed me in the same way James Bond, Sherlock Holmes, Hap and Leonard, and Charlie Huston's Joe Pitt and Hank Thompson did. It's probably not all surprising since the main character is a psychologist who works cases from the court and I am a retired clinical social worker who did my share of court cases. But Killer felt fresh. I didn't feel like I was reading a retread or missing a lot like I did with the currently released White Fire of Preston & Child's Pendergrast series. Delaware felt like the kind of constantly returning hero I could hitch a ride with.
So here's the scoop. Alex Delaware occasionally does evaluations for child custody cases. He kind of hates them but sees the need for it. At this point, I want to step into my day job for a minute and say I don't blame him. His remarks about child custody cases are brutally honest and dead on. His current case looks to be fairly cut and dry until the losing side places a hit on him. Then a body shows up. It's not his but if you read plenty of mysteries. I'm sure you can guess whose it is.
The body count piles up while Delaware and his homicide detective friend attempts to uncover the killer. There's an obvious choice and some not so obvious choices. All of this unfolds in a very entertaining style with loads of realistic grit. What I really like is the character of Delaware. He is sharp and observant to the psychological makeup of the people he deals with. This novel feels more like a psychological thriller than most mystery novels with continuing characters. His therapy session scenes, which are my favorite parts of the novel, are real and appropriate to the profession.That may be a small thing to you but I cannot tell you how often writers get it wrong. If I read one more novel about a therapist who falls in love with his client I am going to use that book for kitty litter. Suffice to say that doesn't happen here. The author is too smart and too good to do that. Kellerman writes dynamite dialog and knows how to tease the reader. That's pretty much essential in mystery series. Over all Killer is what the mystery reader wants in a novel.
So to rehash. I am skeptical about mystery series. Series can disappoint and drag. Kellerman's 29th installment about Alex Delaware doesn't disappoint or drag. Good sign. Fresh. Exciting. It has a beat and I can dance to it. I'm going to get the rest starting with number one and will hide them under my mattress for old times' sake.
February 11, 2014
Killer by Jonathan Kellerman is a 2014 Random House publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Alex Delaware, mild mannered psychologist become the target of killer . Connie Sykes is out to gain custody of her niece when the child's mother left her with Connie for a while so she could go off on her own adventure . When Alex is called in the evaluate the situation, he decides the child is better off with her mother. Connie didn't take the loss well. In fact she tried to hire someone to murder Alex and ended up picking someone that Alex had treated and the guy thought enough of Alex to blow the whistle. So, the plot is foiled, but before a case can be built against Connie, she is murdered. This is when things get a little tricky.
Alex finds himself in debt to a gang banger for saving his life, the number one suspect in the murder is now MIA as well as the child, and Alex is still in danger because of all he knows. Milo is on the case of course, and Robin has digested this information quite well. She even handles it with grace and bit of gallows humor.
The case of Sykes VS Sykes becomes a fodder for the courthouse gossips. It seems everyone is aware of the case and many of the details that should have been kept inside the courtroom. The judge in the case is alerted to the possibility of a revenge plot and so everyone involved is stretched to the breaking point.
The important thing is to find the child. In the process the issue arises as to who the father is and well, there appears to be several possibilities. When more murders occur it becomes a race against time to find the child and her mother and prevent more people from being killed, including Alex.
After 29 Alex Delaware novels you would think Kellerman would have run out of steam by now. There are not too many authors that can maintain a series this long without the characters becoming boring and predictable, often running out of interesting dialogue and cases. But, LA is filled people who believe themselves to be smarter than the police or in this case a psychologist. This is one twisted messed up case and Alex finds himself in it up to his eyeballs.
There are many thought provoking issues raised in this story. The day to day courtroom dramas that should be confidential are perhaps talked about by court employees amongst themselves and pretty soon information that should be not be common knowledge is known by everyone. The people who work in law enforcement and for the system that see so many sad cases and the endless cycle of lives that go nowhere can become jaded and cynical really fast, making it hard to keep an open mind when they need it the most.
Kellerman does a great job as always of showing the darker side of human nature and the effect a lifetime of disappointment can have on people which cause them to do crazy things. The ability to paint such vivid portraits of people and their flaws always has me sucked into these stories and once I start one I can't stop reading it. I think I have read every single one of the Alex Delaware mysteries. The one thing I do miss is Milo and Alex actually out working cases together. The last two books have really been focused on Alex by himself. Milo has had a lesser role in the last two books and I miss the discussions the two men had. Robin was also on a back burner in this one. She is rarely in the spotlight exactly, but she was really in the shadows in this one. Other than that one minor complaint, this was once again an excellent chapter in the Delaware series. This one gets an A.
Alex Delaware, mild mannered psychologist become the target of killer . Connie Sykes is out to gain custody of her niece when the child's mother left her with Connie for a while so she could go off on her own adventure . When Alex is called in the evaluate the situation, he decides the child is better off with her mother. Connie didn't take the loss well. In fact she tried to hire someone to murder Alex and ended up picking someone that Alex had treated and the guy thought enough of Alex to blow the whistle. So, the plot is foiled, but before a case can be built against Connie, she is murdered. This is when things get a little tricky.
Alex finds himself in debt to a gang banger for saving his life, the number one suspect in the murder is now MIA as well as the child, and Alex is still in danger because of all he knows. Milo is on the case of course, and Robin has digested this information quite well. She even handles it with grace and bit of gallows humor.
The case of Sykes VS Sykes becomes a fodder for the courthouse gossips. It seems everyone is aware of the case and many of the details that should have been kept inside the courtroom. The judge in the case is alerted to the possibility of a revenge plot and so everyone involved is stretched to the breaking point.
The important thing is to find the child. In the process the issue arises as to who the father is and well, there appears to be several possibilities. When more murders occur it becomes a race against time to find the child and her mother and prevent more people from being killed, including Alex.
After 29 Alex Delaware novels you would think Kellerman would have run out of steam by now. There are not too many authors that can maintain a series this long without the characters becoming boring and predictable, often running out of interesting dialogue and cases. But, LA is filled people who believe themselves to be smarter than the police or in this case a psychologist. This is one twisted messed up case and Alex finds himself in it up to his eyeballs.
There are many thought provoking issues raised in this story. The day to day courtroom dramas that should be confidential are perhaps talked about by court employees amongst themselves and pretty soon information that should be not be common knowledge is known by everyone. The people who work in law enforcement and for the system that see so many sad cases and the endless cycle of lives that go nowhere can become jaded and cynical really fast, making it hard to keep an open mind when they need it the most.
Kellerman does a great job as always of showing the darker side of human nature and the effect a lifetime of disappointment can have on people which cause them to do crazy things. The ability to paint such vivid portraits of people and their flaws always has me sucked into these stories and once I start one I can't stop reading it. I think I have read every single one of the Alex Delaware mysteries. The one thing I do miss is Milo and Alex actually out working cases together. The last two books have really been focused on Alex by himself. Milo has had a lesser role in the last two books and I miss the discussions the two men had. Robin was also on a back burner in this one. She is rarely in the spotlight exactly, but she was really in the shadows in this one. Other than that one minor complaint, this was once again an excellent chapter in the Delaware series. This one gets an A.
February 10, 2014
Killer is Jonathan Kellerman's 29th novel featuring the child psychologist/law enforcement consultant Alex Delaware, partnered with LAPD detective Milo Sturgis. It begins with Alex being asked to assess the maternal fitness of two sisters involved in a custody dispute. It seems a simple case and his report a mere formality, but denied guardianship of her niece, Constance Sykes blames Alex, and contracts a killer.
It may seem odd to nominate the Alex Delaware series as a 'comfort read' but my familiarity with it makes it so for me. I find I easily slip into the rhythm of the narrative, lulled by the soporific voice of the Doctor. I can rely on the personalities, and circumstances, of the main characters remaining largely unchanged and the plots, though somewhat predictable, are always satisfyingly resolved. I have to admit my attachment to the series make it difficult to be objective but honestly even at its worst, you can expect a solidly crafted, readable novel.
Is this Kellerman's best? No, though perhaps the better of the last half a dozen or so novels. With the fate of a missing toddler in question, Milo and Alex disagree about the identity of the suspect assumed not only responsible for the child's disappearance, but also a string of related murders. And in the face of mounting evidence, and recent events, Delaware succumbs to a rare display of self doubt.
The last few books have been dominated by Delaware's role as a law enforcement consultant and I like that in Killer, Delaware returns to his 'roots' so to speak, as a child psychologist. A subplot involves the reappearance of a former patient, once a truculent teen struggling with Diabetes, now a gang leader in an unique position to repay Alex for his help. Wile I love Milo, I hope that this is an indication Kellerman will be shifting the focus back to Delaware's practice.
If you aren't familiar with the series, I think you could pick this up to read as a stand alone but you'd be missing out. As a long time fan,
I enjoyed Killer, zipping through it in a couple of hours, happy to catch up with old friends and lose myself in a new case.
March 28, 2015
this is prob the best that I have read of his
THIS SUMMARY/REVIEW WAS COPIED FROM OTHER SOURCES AND IS USED ONLY AS A REMINDER OF WHAT THE BOOK WAS ABOUT FOR MY PERSONAL INTEREST. ANY PERSONAL NOTATIONS ARE FOR MY RECOLLECTION ONLY
sychologist and part time police consultant, Dr Alex Delaware had been requested by the courts to handle some “difficult” cases, so after initially saying he didn’t want the extra work, he was persuaded by a hard working judge to agree. The cases were not too difficult, and his paperwork generally had both parties agreeable within a short time – but then he was given a child custody case, Sykes v Sykes, which was the strangest and most bizarre he had ever handled.
Connie Sykes was a successful physician – she didn’t see patients, instead she ran tests on human “subjects” for various diseases. She was a cold, emotionless woman, who always got her own way. Her sister, Cherie (Ree) Sykes was a completely different person – an original flower child, happy, full of light heartedness and a strong love and devotion to her eighteen month old daughter, Rambla. Connie had decided Ree was not a good mother; she had cared for Rambla for some time while Ree toured with the band, Lonesome Moan; she’d been friends with the members since her school days – Winky even babysat Rambla when she needed to pop out to the shops.
But the custody case set a chain of events going which had catastrophic results for a lot of people. Interviewing first Ree, then Connie made Alex’s decision an easy one – Ree was Rambla’s mother, Connie was only her aunt; the results were a foregone conclusion in his and the courts’ minds…
Suddenly murder entered their lives, danger was very close, and Alex found himself teamed up with Detective Milo Sturgis once again. When little Rambla disappeared in the midst of all the carnage, the race was on. Digging into the depths of Hollywood’s depraved underworld found them in much more danger – would Alex survive? Would the investigative team find the missing girl before it was too late?
THIS SUMMARY/REVIEW WAS COPIED FROM OTHER SOURCES AND IS USED ONLY AS A REMINDER OF WHAT THE BOOK WAS ABOUT FOR MY PERSONAL INTEREST. ANY PERSONAL NOTATIONS ARE FOR MY RECOLLECTION ONLY
sychologist and part time police consultant, Dr Alex Delaware had been requested by the courts to handle some “difficult” cases, so after initially saying he didn’t want the extra work, he was persuaded by a hard working judge to agree. The cases were not too difficult, and his paperwork generally had both parties agreeable within a short time – but then he was given a child custody case, Sykes v Sykes, which was the strangest and most bizarre he had ever handled.
Connie Sykes was a successful physician – she didn’t see patients, instead she ran tests on human “subjects” for various diseases. She was a cold, emotionless woman, who always got her own way. Her sister, Cherie (Ree) Sykes was a completely different person – an original flower child, happy, full of light heartedness and a strong love and devotion to her eighteen month old daughter, Rambla. Connie had decided Ree was not a good mother; she had cared for Rambla for some time while Ree toured with the band, Lonesome Moan; she’d been friends with the members since her school days – Winky even babysat Rambla when she needed to pop out to the shops.
But the custody case set a chain of events going which had catastrophic results for a lot of people. Interviewing first Ree, then Connie made Alex’s decision an easy one – Ree was Rambla’s mother, Connie was only her aunt; the results were a foregone conclusion in his and the courts’ minds…
Suddenly murder entered their lives, danger was very close, and Alex found himself teamed up with Detective Milo Sturgis once again. When little Rambla disappeared in the midst of all the carnage, the race was on. Digging into the depths of Hollywood’s depraved underworld found them in much more danger – would Alex survive? Would the investigative team find the missing girl before it was too late?
September 3, 2016
I have long been a fan of Jonathan Kellerman. There was a time where thrillers/mysteries such as Kellerman's were all that I bothered to read. Kellerman was always a "must-read" author for me during this dozen or more years of my life. The Delaware series has always been enjoyable for me, but after reading so many of them my passion somewhat slacked off a bit and I wasn't in a huge rush to give up other reads to continue on with the series....as many can relate to, reading time is often a very precious thing. One can never seem to find enough time to read all of the books we so desire....
So, basically it's been a few years since I've picked up a Alex Delaware novel. I must admit, I enjoyed this one much more than I have the last few I read. There was less focus on Delaware's lady-love.
There were some faults here, I thought....the rapport between Delaware and his mate Milo didn't seem to be as close as it has been in the past....It almost felt like Delaware was resentful of Milo....too many comments about his overeating and being out of shape....In the past maybe this didn't bother me...but something about it this time just made me feel like Delaware was looking down upon Milo for these things....that he was a bit resentful and perhaps a bit disapproving of him. The warmth between the two friends just didn't seem to be there...
Much like real life, I suppose, once the mystery was figured out, it all wrapped up rather quickly....
I am much more likely to hurry and pick up the next installment of this series because I really enjoyed this novel, despite the few flaws I felt it held....
I'm not sure what has happened...perhaps Kellerman is just a bit tired of Delaware...but the character really seemed to lack the warmth and openness of the past....Delaware seemed to want to explore some of his feelings and perhaps some actions, but at the end just didn't seem like he could be bothered with it all and just let it go....
ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest review....
So, basically it's been a few years since I've picked up a Alex Delaware novel. I must admit, I enjoyed this one much more than I have the last few I read. There was less focus on Delaware's lady-love.
There were some faults here, I thought....the rapport between Delaware and his mate Milo didn't seem to be as close as it has been in the past....It almost felt like Delaware was resentful of Milo....too many comments about his overeating and being out of shape....In the past maybe this didn't bother me...but something about it this time just made me feel like Delaware was looking down upon Milo for these things....that he was a bit resentful and perhaps a bit disapproving of him. The warmth between the two friends just didn't seem to be there...
Much like real life, I suppose, once the mystery was figured out, it all wrapped up rather quickly....
I am much more likely to hurry and pick up the next installment of this series because I really enjoyed this novel, despite the few flaws I felt it held....
I'm not sure what has happened...perhaps Kellerman is just a bit tired of Delaware...but the character really seemed to lack the warmth and openness of the past....Delaware seemed to want to explore some of his feelings and perhaps some actions, but at the end just didn't seem like he could be bothered with it all and just let it go....
ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest review....
June 19, 2014
I won a copy on Goodreads Firstreads. It is the 29th in the Alex Delaware series.
Alex Delaware is a brilliant psychologist who consults often with the police. He also helps the courts with custody cases. He prepares evaluation of the parties involved and makes recommendations on which parent should get custody. His latest case seems to be a no-brainer. A sister is trying to get her sister declared an unfit mother so she can claim custody of her niece. While the mother might not make the most money or have a lot of resources, she doesn't have anything that makes her unfit either. So Naturally she gets to keep her daughter. Her sister threatens Alex Delaware. He only takes it partially seriously until his cop friend tells him about a contract that has been put out on the good doctor. But then one sister turns up dead and the other goes missing and the real mystery begins.
I have never read an Alex Delaware novel before. I didn't feel like I was lost reading this one though. While I didn't feel like I was missing out on past information, I also didn't really connect with any of the main characters either. I didn't dislike them but I wasn't drawn to them either. I enjoyed the set-up and most of the mystery. It was a solid story and moved well. My only problem was that the solution to the mystery seemed highly improbable. It also seemed to come out of left field. The investigation seemed to be following a fairly straight path and then suddenly took a pretty sharp turn that led to ending that just didn't seem to fit the rest of the story.
I can't really say that this story makes me want to rush out and read all of the previous volumes in the series. On the other hand, I also can't say that this story would keep me from reading other Alex Delaware stories either. So I am going to just go ahead with a mid-range rating of 3. Fans of the series may disagree but I can only go with this one story.
Alex Delaware is a brilliant psychologist who consults often with the police. He also helps the courts with custody cases. He prepares evaluation of the parties involved and makes recommendations on which parent should get custody. His latest case seems to be a no-brainer. A sister is trying to get her sister declared an unfit mother so she can claim custody of her niece. While the mother might not make the most money or have a lot of resources, she doesn't have anything that makes her unfit either. So Naturally she gets to keep her daughter. Her sister threatens Alex Delaware. He only takes it partially seriously until his cop friend tells him about a contract that has been put out on the good doctor. But then one sister turns up dead and the other goes missing and the real mystery begins.
I have never read an Alex Delaware novel before. I didn't feel like I was lost reading this one though. While I didn't feel like I was missing out on past information, I also didn't really connect with any of the main characters either. I didn't dislike them but I wasn't drawn to them either. I enjoyed the set-up and most of the mystery. It was a solid story and moved well. My only problem was that the solution to the mystery seemed highly improbable. It also seemed to come out of left field. The investigation seemed to be following a fairly straight path and then suddenly took a pretty sharp turn that led to ending that just didn't seem to fit the rest of the story.
I can't really say that this story makes me want to rush out and read all of the previous volumes in the series. On the other hand, I also can't say that this story would keep me from reading other Alex Delaware stories either. So I am going to just go ahead with a mid-range rating of 3. Fans of the series may disagree but I can only go with this one story.
February 5, 2015
I felt confused while reading this book and betrayed when I finished it. I love Kellerman's Alex Delaware series. I like the interaction between the characters and the vivid descripion. Most of all, I love the complicated plots. This book, however, had flat characters, bland description, and no plot. I got the sense that the author was racing a deadline, that the last several chapters were hastily tacked on to get the d**mned thing off his desk and in the publisher's hands.
My confusion began early on, when both the protagonist, Delaware, and his foil, Sturgis, make an irrational, ill-founded reference to cults. Neither character explains the reasoning behind this wild non-deductive leap, and nothing that preceded the leap suggested such a conclusion. The dialogue felt plugged in, like the author was struggling to tie the previous material into the haphazard and improbable ending.
For the first 80% of the book, the reader is led to believe that the origins of the child character will eventually provide the answers to a disorganized trail of corpses and near-corpses, but another feels-plugged-in section two-thirds through briefly introduces the true killer(s), and another flat character is introduced later to address such pesky concerns as motive and opportunity.
Delaware and Sturgis spar throughout without actually giving vent to their conflict, a conflict that is clumsily handled, giving the reader the sense that, like a previous character (Dr. Allison Gwynne?), Sturgis will not be appearing as anything but a footnote in future novels.
After reading Killer, I picked up When the Bough Breaks to get rid of the bad taste in my mouth. I will not re-read Killer unless I want to study the demise of a beloved author. I won't purchase another Kellerman novel, but I will definitely re-read his earlier works!
My confusion began early on, when both the protagonist, Delaware, and his foil, Sturgis, make an irrational, ill-founded reference to cults. Neither character explains the reasoning behind this wild non-deductive leap, and nothing that preceded the leap suggested such a conclusion. The dialogue felt plugged in, like the author was struggling to tie the previous material into the haphazard and improbable ending.
For the first 80% of the book, the reader is led to believe that the origins of the child character will eventually provide the answers to a disorganized trail of corpses and near-corpses, but another feels-plugged-in section two-thirds through briefly introduces the true killer(s), and another flat character is introduced later to address such pesky concerns as motive and opportunity.
Delaware and Sturgis spar throughout without actually giving vent to their conflict, a conflict that is clumsily handled, giving the reader the sense that, like a previous character (Dr. Allison Gwynne?), Sturgis will not be appearing as anything but a footnote in future novels.
After reading Killer, I picked up When the Bough Breaks to get rid of the bad taste in my mouth. I will not re-read Killer unless I want to study the demise of a beloved author. I won't purchase another Kellerman novel, but I will definitely re-read his earlier works!
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