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Alex Delaware #28
Guilt
In an upscale L.A. neighborhood, a backyard renovation unearths an infant’s body, buried sixty years ago. Soon thereafter, in a nearby park, another disturbingly bizarre discovery is made not far from the body of a young woman shot in the head. Helping LAPD homicide detective Milo Sturgis to link these eerie incidents is brilliant psychologist Alex Delaware. But even the good doctor’s vast experience with matters both clinical and criminal might not be enough to cut down to the bone of this chilling case. Backtracking six decades into the past stirs up tales of a beautiful nurse with a mystery lover, a handsome, wealthy doctor who seems too good to be true, and a hospital with a notorious reputation—all of them long gone, along with any records of a newborn, and destined for anonymity. But the specter of fame rears its head when the case unexpectedly twists in the direction of the highest echelons of celebrity privilege. Entering this sheltered world, Alex little imagines the macabre layer just below the surface—a decadent quagmire of unholy rituals and grisly sacrifice.
408 pages, Paperback
First published February 12, 2013
1702 people are currently reading
5109 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Kellerman
202 books5,818 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 1,050 reviews
April 3, 2024
In this 28th book in the 'Alex Delaware' series, the psychologist helps the police investigate when baby bones and a dead woman show up on their turf. The book can be read as a standalone.
*****
A decades old baby skeleton contained in an old blue box is found buried in the backyard of a Beverly Hills home and a few days later a set of fresh baby bones and a dead woman turn up in nearby Cheviot Hills Park. Are the events connected? Is it a cult? Los Angeles Police Lieutenant Milo Sturgis and Dr. Alex Delaware, psychologist consultant to the police, look into the cases.
They discover that the Beverly Hills house may have been connected with abortions and the dead woman in the park was a nanny who had fallen off the grid months before. As the investigation proceeds additional dead and missing persons are associated with the cases.
As usual with Kellerman's mysteries Milo and Alex meet a variety of eccentric/interesting individuals as they question persons of interest. Much of the enjoyment of this series comes from spending time with the characters - watching Milo scarf down gargantuan meals and seeing Alex hang out with his girlfriend Robin and cute French bulldog Blanche.
The investigation eventually leads to a surprising, but relatively believable climax. One problem with the book is that the lives of some characters seem to undergo dramatic changes that are not credible. This is a minor quibble though and most mystery lovers would enjoy this book.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot....
November 13, 2013
I can’t resist this series and I had to start reading Guilt, 28th book in Alex Delaware/Milo Sturgis series the moment I had it. For me, he’s the master in the physiological crime/mystery/thriller genre.
This is probably one of the most poignant, violent and sad cases that Alex & Milo have worked on.
A skeleton of a dead infant is discovered in someone’s garden and it sets off a chain of events that will pull at your heartstrings.
The writing is so amazing…..the dialogue and the descriptions are so incredible. The way that Alex & Milo bounce off ideas and information with each other is absolutely stunning.
Clues follow back in time with the 1st dead infant discovered to the latest one, who may or may not be connected.
The characters are once again original – some kind, innocent and others dark, self-absorbed. The two faces of L.A. that the author writes with such vigor.
The investigation and finale leads Alex & Milo into the glamorous and famous of Tinsel town. At some point I thought of the Brangelina Tribe where clues lead to a famous couple, living with all these adopted children that have gone into seclusion from the real world – here they named “Premadonny.”….!!!!! Reading about the Premadonny’s had me wondering how anyone can live like that.
Cleverly plotted with twists and turns that we come to expect and the solving of the case did surprise me.
Don’t miss this one. It’s one compelling read.
This is probably one of the most poignant, violent and sad cases that Alex & Milo have worked on.
A skeleton of a dead infant is discovered in someone’s garden and it sets off a chain of events that will pull at your heartstrings.
The writing is so amazing…..the dialogue and the descriptions are so incredible. The way that Alex & Milo bounce off ideas and information with each other is absolutely stunning.
Clues follow back in time with the 1st dead infant discovered to the latest one, who may or may not be connected.
The characters are once again original – some kind, innocent and others dark, self-absorbed. The two faces of L.A. that the author writes with such vigor.
The investigation and finale leads Alex & Milo into the glamorous and famous of Tinsel town. At some point I thought of the Brangelina Tribe where clues lead to a famous couple, living with all these adopted children that have gone into seclusion from the real world – here they named “Premadonny.”….!!!!! Reading about the Premadonny’s had me wondering how anyone can live like that.
Cleverly plotted with twists and turns that we come to expect and the solving of the case did surprise me.
Don’t miss this one. It’s one compelling read.
September 8, 2014
I've been a fan of this series from the very beginning and thought that the early entries were really very good. I have mixed emotions about the later books in the series, some of which are still pretty good and others of which just don't work very well for me. The 28th, Guilt, falls into the latter category.
The story opens with the discovery of a child's skeleton that was buried in a strong box beneath a tree in a wealthy L.A. neighborhood. When the tree goes over in a storm, the box is unearthed and Homicide Detective Milo Sturgis is called to the scene. As often happens, he drags along his pal, Alex Delaware. Delaware is a psychologist who occasionally consults with the department.
It's apparent early on that the child was buried nearly sixty years earlier. It's impossible to determine the cause of death and investigating the case is going to be a nightmare. Then, a few days later, another child's skeleton is discovered in a nearby park near the body of a young woman who has been shot to death. This skeleton is much more recent and so, of course, is the body of the murdered woman.
The more recent murders become the prime focus of the investigation and Delaware shoulders a great deal of the load. The trail leads into the highest echelons of the Hollywood community and is going to require a great deal of finesse. Before it's over, some very gruesome crimes and behavior will be exposed.
Neither of the investigations in this book really grabbed me, and the second seemed pretty far-fetched. But what really bothers me about this and several of the other more recent books in the series is the way in which Alex Delaware, who is after all a civilian, becomes so deeply involved in cases where he has no professional expertise to lend.
In this book, Alex will go through the motions of providing psychological counseling to a couple of the people involved. But this is really tangential to the investigations and in no way justifies his involvement in the larger investigations. When Sturgis is called to the first scene, he and Alex are having lunch and Milo invites Alex to tag along because the case sounds "interesting." But no real police detective would ever do such a thing. He would tell Alex to grab a cab home and would leave the investigation to the professionals.
To have Alex up to his neck in these cases simply defies logic and makes it impossible, for this reader anyway, to suspend disbelief. At one point, Alex uncovers what could be a very critical piece of evidence and, instead of turning it over to Milo, goes off to follow up the discovery himself, something that could seriously compromise the investigation.
I loved these books when Alex was legitimately involved and his services as a psychologist were critical to the cases and their solutions. Now that he's just tagging along in many cases with no legitimate reason for being involved, these books aren't nearly as interesting or unique. I confess, I'm also losing patience with Milo's piggish eating habits, which helped define the character early on but which, after all this time, are simply becoming gross.
The story opens with the discovery of a child's skeleton that was buried in a strong box beneath a tree in a wealthy L.A. neighborhood. When the tree goes over in a storm, the box is unearthed and Homicide Detective Milo Sturgis is called to the scene. As often happens, he drags along his pal, Alex Delaware. Delaware is a psychologist who occasionally consults with the department.
It's apparent early on that the child was buried nearly sixty years earlier. It's impossible to determine the cause of death and investigating the case is going to be a nightmare. Then, a few days later, another child's skeleton is discovered in a nearby park near the body of a young woman who has been shot to death. This skeleton is much more recent and so, of course, is the body of the murdered woman.
The more recent murders become the prime focus of the investigation and Delaware shoulders a great deal of the load. The trail leads into the highest echelons of the Hollywood community and is going to require a great deal of finesse. Before it's over, some very gruesome crimes and behavior will be exposed.
Neither of the investigations in this book really grabbed me, and the second seemed pretty far-fetched. But what really bothers me about this and several of the other more recent books in the series is the way in which Alex Delaware, who is after all a civilian, becomes so deeply involved in cases where he has no professional expertise to lend.
In this book, Alex will go through the motions of providing psychological counseling to a couple of the people involved. But this is really tangential to the investigations and in no way justifies his involvement in the larger investigations. When Sturgis is called to the first scene, he and Alex are having lunch and Milo invites Alex to tag along because the case sounds "interesting." But no real police detective would ever do such a thing. He would tell Alex to grab a cab home and would leave the investigation to the professionals.
To have Alex up to his neck in these cases simply defies logic and makes it impossible, for this reader anyway, to suspend disbelief. At one point, Alex uncovers what could be a very critical piece of evidence and, instead of turning it over to Milo, goes off to follow up the discovery himself, something that could seriously compromise the investigation.
I loved these books when Alex was legitimately involved and his services as a psychologist were critical to the cases and their solutions. Now that he's just tagging along in many cases with no legitimate reason for being involved, these books aren't nearly as interesting or unique. I confess, I'm also losing patience with Milo's piggish eating habits, which helped define the character early on but which, after all this time, are simply becoming gross.
January 14, 2013
First I have to admit to having not read any of the other books in the series so this may affect the rating.
However, I found this novel to be boring. It took my twice as long to get through the book as it normally takes me. I didn't find any of characters compelling and in fact the lead character seem quite "blah". I think the plot was a good idea but the pacing was so bad that I found myself just wanting to get through the book.
I'm not sure if this series is going the way m any long series go where after the first handful of books everthying seems to go downhill. However, I have to assume earlier books were better than this one or this series woldn't have made it this far.
I should point out that the book isn't bad but just wasn't a pager turner for me. If I had the option I would gitve it 2.5 stars but couldn't recommend it to anyone who has not read any of the other books in the series.
However, I found this novel to be boring. It took my twice as long to get through the book as it normally takes me. I didn't find any of characters compelling and in fact the lead character seem quite "blah". I think the plot was a good idea but the pacing was so bad that I found myself just wanting to get through the book.
I'm not sure if this series is going the way m any long series go where after the first handful of books everthying seems to go downhill. However, I have to assume earlier books were better than this one or this series woldn't have made it this far.
I should point out that the book isn't bad but just wasn't a pager turner for me. If I had the option I would gitve it 2.5 stars but couldn't recommend it to anyone who has not read any of the other books in the series.
October 30, 2013
I have long been a fan of Jonathan Kellerman's Dr. Delaware/Milo Sturgis series, but was very disappointed by this latest installment. The plot was slow to develop and really only started getting interesting toward the last few chapters. The ultimate resolution was very unsatisfying, like a red herring that was never fully developed. There was no motive for the killer's depravity and no depth to his character at all beyond the fact that he slurred his words and was promiscuous! The way the reader was left to wonder if the Angelina Jolie character was in on the murders was manipulative. And why anyone would buy dermestid beetles to de-flesh a skeleton is a question the reader is not supposed to ponder, I guess. The way the loose ends were tied up the end seemed almost as if the author grew bored of the book and just tacked on a perfunctory ending.
March 16, 2013
Guilt is Kellerman's best book in quite some time. I'd long given up on the author and on the series; things had just gotten too graphic, too gross, too judgmental. In short, Kellerman had gotten lazy, and his prose spoke of too much self-opinion and attitude and not enough mystery and characterization--you know, the reasons you read series like this to begin with.
Finally, he returns here with a book that is more mystery than attitude, more puzzle and who-dun-it than gross-outs and psychos who come out of left field to be the bad guy. The end result is a winning work that hopefully will remind Kellerman of what he used to write. Here's to hoping that he produces more like this.
It starts off with a baby's skeleton found deep in the now-exposed roots of a tree in a rich woman's front yard. Then another baby's skeleton is found. Then a young woman's--these last two in the same park. Then more turn up, but by then you know that they're amongst the villains, and the reader will know about 75% to 80% who did it. The rest is just explanation, proof, and arrest.
But that doesn't spoil the read, which is a good thing, because once again Kellerman uses real-life L.A. types for his work, without bothering too much to hide the real identities for his characters; this is a habit that had grown thin with me, and still does. But here it works, sort of. But it's still lazy writing, as the real-life people are the characters and characterizations that he's supposed to work hard to show us on his own. Instead, there's an obvious Brangelina here, using the real-life couple and their fame, eccentricity and adoptions to substitute for the work that Kellerman should be doing with his writing to supply us with the characters. By the time it ends, the similarity to the real-life couple has long since entered fiction and separated from the real-life people, but that doesn't disguise the fact that he used them to get us there.
Whatever. I read the book in two days, so it's an easy and interesting read. It's free of Kellerman's usual judgments, and, thankfully, the sparring and relationship troubles of Delaware and Robin are long gone--and about time, since they're not the reason we read this stuff, anyway. Their troubles were like Robert B. Parker's former use of chapters and chapters of describing Spenser's cooking prowess--unnecessary and a disturbing deviation from the plot and storyline. Give us characters, not forced character traits or character drama. In other words, story over anything else, always.
That rule was followed here, to everyone's benefit. Now, when I buy the next one in the series, I won't feel bad as I do so, and I won't have to tell myself that I'm buying it only because I have all the others.
Finally, he returns here with a book that is more mystery than attitude, more puzzle and who-dun-it than gross-outs and psychos who come out of left field to be the bad guy. The end result is a winning work that hopefully will remind Kellerman of what he used to write. Here's to hoping that he produces more like this.
It starts off with a baby's skeleton found deep in the now-exposed roots of a tree in a rich woman's front yard. Then another baby's skeleton is found. Then a young woman's--these last two in the same park. Then more turn up, but by then you know that they're amongst the villains, and the reader will know about 75% to 80% who did it. The rest is just explanation, proof, and arrest.
But that doesn't spoil the read, which is a good thing, because once again Kellerman uses real-life L.A. types for his work, without bothering too much to hide the real identities for his characters; this is a habit that had grown thin with me, and still does. But here it works, sort of. But it's still lazy writing, as the real-life people are the characters and characterizations that he's supposed to work hard to show us on his own. Instead, there's an obvious Brangelina here, using the real-life couple and their fame, eccentricity and adoptions to substitute for the work that Kellerman should be doing with his writing to supply us with the characters. By the time it ends, the similarity to the real-life couple has long since entered fiction and separated from the real-life people, but that doesn't disguise the fact that he used them to get us there.
Whatever. I read the book in two days, so it's an easy and interesting read. It's free of Kellerman's usual judgments, and, thankfully, the sparring and relationship troubles of Delaware and Robin are long gone--and about time, since they're not the reason we read this stuff, anyway. Their troubles were like Robert B. Parker's former use of chapters and chapters of describing Spenser's cooking prowess--unnecessary and a disturbing deviation from the plot and storyline. Give us characters, not forced character traits or character drama. In other words, story over anything else, always.
That rule was followed here, to everyone's benefit. Now, when I buy the next one in the series, I won't feel bad as I do so, and I won't have to tell myself that I'm buying it only because I have all the others.
April 5, 2013
As usual with an Alex Delaware novel, I found myself reading this book at every possible opportunity including traffic light stops! The mystery and the buildup to the solution were all very engaging but the payoff was more anticlimactic and not as satisfying a conclusion as I had hoped for. Additionally, I was puzzled by the motivation and possible involvement of one of the more vital characters with regard to the murders which occurred in the book. I wasn't sure if Kellerman was leaving an intentional question mark next to that character's deeds or if I just didn't appreciate the point he was making with regard to her. Also, this book concerns two parallel stories about the discovery of dead infants in the same area of L.A. with one of the babies having died about sixty years ago and a large portion of the book involved Alxe and, to a lesser degree, Milo Sturgis investigating that cold case. Yet, at a certain point in the book, the cold case, after a lot of investment on my part as a reader, is rather arbitrarily dropped only to be revisited briefly at the end when Alex makes his usual series of deductions and connections about the case and is, of course, proven to be entirely correct in his assumptions. Lately, I find Kellerman's Delaware books to be an addictive read but ultimately, in terms of overall satisfaction, I frequently find myself coming away from the reading experience feeling somewhat cheated in my expectations.
May 6, 2013
This is the strongest entry of the series that I've read in a while with a mystery that requires both Milo's police skills and Alex's psychological expertise. The gore is mostly off stage but the impact on people is front and center. The story and plot develop organically; we watch as clues are discovered and meaning is hashed over. Developments are earned, not granted by an overseeing "detective god".
I have been reading this series for many years now and it's pleasantly surprising to find that Kellerman can present such a good story 28 books in.
I have been reading this series for many years now and it's pleasantly surprising to find that Kellerman can present such a good story 28 books in.
February 12, 2013
3.5/5
Guilt is the 28th (!) entry in Jonathan Kellerman's long running Dr. Alex Delaware series. I've been following this series for many years, but the last few books have fallen short for me. But, old habits are hard to break, so I was willing to see what was in store with this latest offering.
Alex is a psychologist who consults with the LAPD - specifically with Homicide Detective Milo Sturgis. "Most homicides are mundane and on the way to clearance within a day or two. Milo sometimes calls me on 'the interesting ones.'" Milo is an outsider within the ranks, but he has one of the highest clearance ranks in the department. Together this pair make an interesting investigative duo, with each bringing different strengths and outlooks to the cases.
In Guilt, a new homeowner discovers a metal box buried in the backyard. But, the contents are unexpected - they're the bones of a baby. The remains are determined to be sixty years old, but of course must be investigated. Then a young woman is found dead in a nearby park with another set of infant bones close by - and this time they're more recent.
Kellerman lets us follow along as Alex and Milo scour the past and pursue the present in search of answers. Alex takes the lead role in Guilt, striking out on his own many times, using his own connections and pursuing threads he believes will lead to answers. I did find sone leaps to leads rather circumstantial and a bit hard to buy, and the title appears to have been drawn from a note that is never fully explained.
Kellerman is a psychologist himself and the character of Alex is especially well developed because of this background. His conversations and mannerisms ring true. In Guilt, Alex practices more counselling than he has in the last few outings. Milo still remains my favourite character, but he takes more a backseat in Guilt. Blanche the bulldog does seem to steal a lot of scenes as well.
Reading the latest Jonathan Kellerman is like slipping on a favourite pair of slippers - they're comfortable and you know how they'll fit. Guilt was a good read to keep me entertained on a recent train trip.
Guilt is the 28th (!) entry in Jonathan Kellerman's long running Dr. Alex Delaware series. I've been following this series for many years, but the last few books have fallen short for me. But, old habits are hard to break, so I was willing to see what was in store with this latest offering.
Alex is a psychologist who consults with the LAPD - specifically with Homicide Detective Milo Sturgis. "Most homicides are mundane and on the way to clearance within a day or two. Milo sometimes calls me on 'the interesting ones.'" Milo is an outsider within the ranks, but he has one of the highest clearance ranks in the department. Together this pair make an interesting investigative duo, with each bringing different strengths and outlooks to the cases.
In Guilt, a new homeowner discovers a metal box buried in the backyard. But, the contents are unexpected - they're the bones of a baby. The remains are determined to be sixty years old, but of course must be investigated. Then a young woman is found dead in a nearby park with another set of infant bones close by - and this time they're more recent.
Kellerman lets us follow along as Alex and Milo scour the past and pursue the present in search of answers. Alex takes the lead role in Guilt, striking out on his own many times, using his own connections and pursuing threads he believes will lead to answers. I did find sone leaps to leads rather circumstantial and a bit hard to buy, and the title appears to have been drawn from a note that is never fully explained.
Kellerman is a psychologist himself and the character of Alex is especially well developed because of this background. His conversations and mannerisms ring true. In Guilt, Alex practices more counselling than he has in the last few outings. Milo still remains my favourite character, but he takes more a backseat in Guilt. Blanche the bulldog does seem to steal a lot of scenes as well.
Reading the latest Jonathan Kellerman is like slipping on a favourite pair of slippers - they're comfortable and you know how they'll fit. Guilt was a good read to keep me entertained on a recent train trip.
February 6, 2013
Guilt by Jonathan Kellerman is a mystery novel in the Alex Delaware series, set for release on 2/12/13. The book is published by Ballantine / Random House.
A young couple expecting their first child, buy their first home. A large tree is downed and the young wife finds a box buried under the tree that contains the bones of human baby. This gruesome discovery has Milo and Alex investigating the previous owners of the property.
Then a young lady is murdered and another set baby bones are found close by. Were the two cases connected?
The investigation gets sticky when the murders lead to a Hollywood power couple.
Good old fashioned police and detective work lead us from clue to clue as though we were actually riding along with Milo and Alex. Kellerman's Alex Delaware novels are genuine whodunits and police prodecurals. Kellerman has the ability to put you in the mist of the investigation. The descriptions of L.A. and it's mind set is always a part of the story. In this case, we get a peek into the life of Hollywood legends and life on their compound, which is very different from the image the public may have.
There is also a cold case that plays out in the background that was also really interesting.
As usual, the characaters we are all familiar with are back and they all play a part in the investigation, including Robin and Blanche.
This one was a bit darker that most of Kellerman's novels. The novel explores the pitfalls and scams that people can fall into and become victims to, and gives us real insight into the darker side of human nature.
I've read most of Jonathan Kellerman's Alex Delaware novels. They are familiar to me and I always like checking in to see what these characters have been up to.
Overall this one gets a A-
Thanks so much Edelweiss for the ARC!
A young couple expecting their first child, buy their first home. A large tree is downed and the young wife finds a box buried under the tree that contains the bones of human baby. This gruesome discovery has Milo and Alex investigating the previous owners of the property.
Then a young lady is murdered and another set baby bones are found close by. Were the two cases connected?
The investigation gets sticky when the murders lead to a Hollywood power couple.
Good old fashioned police and detective work lead us from clue to clue as though we were actually riding along with Milo and Alex. Kellerman's Alex Delaware novels are genuine whodunits and police prodecurals. Kellerman has the ability to put you in the mist of the investigation. The descriptions of L.A. and it's mind set is always a part of the story. In this case, we get a peek into the life of Hollywood legends and life on their compound, which is very different from the image the public may have.
There is also a cold case that plays out in the background that was also really interesting.
As usual, the characaters we are all familiar with are back and they all play a part in the investigation, including Robin and Blanche.
This one was a bit darker that most of Kellerman's novels. The novel explores the pitfalls and scams that people can fall into and become victims to, and gives us real insight into the darker side of human nature.
I've read most of Jonathan Kellerman's Alex Delaware novels. They are familiar to me and I always like checking in to see what these characters have been up to.
Overall this one gets a A-
Thanks so much Edelweiss for the ARC!
April 7, 2013
Excellent addition to the Alex Delaware series. Alex has become the central character again, starting with being called to assist with a pregnant woman's discovery a dead baby buried decades ago in her recently purchased backyard. Shortly thereafter, another baby and a woman are discovered in different spots in a nearby park in the ritzy neighborhood. Unclear whether or not the two are related because only the baby's bones are found while the woman was shot execution style, Alex begins his obsessive investigation. The bodies seem to be tied to a recluse Hollywood couple, who are quite powerful and inaccessible. Yet, Alex manages to approach and befriend the wife with his easy going manner, helping her deal with his philandering, stupid husband's utter disdain for their four adopted children. Alex and Milo finally unravel a horror show.
December 28, 2019
3 Stars. 3.5 if I had that option. There are really two cases on the go here and the question of their connection pops up throughout the novel. First, the body of a child is found when a bronze box is unearthed and it turns out to have been there since the 1950s. Who lived in the house back then? Is the father the man who parked his beautiful Duesenberg in the driveway so many years ago? More importantly, is this murder or even a serious criminal incident? And then two criminal certainties hit Alex Delaware and Milo Sturgis - one of them being a young woman with an impeccable background dead of a gun shot wound. Los Angeles and Hollywood are full of movie stars and want-to-be's and get set to get close to a few. Does the title apply, and if so how? It's for the reader to decide. Not one of Kellerman's best but an enjoyable diversion. (January 2018)
March 31, 2013
This was definitely one his better books in the past couple of years and less predictable and graphic. The depth of his characters combined his grasp of what motivates them makes all of his books worth reading.
March 3, 2013
This is the 28th book in Jonathan Kellerman's Alex Delaware series and the first one I've read. There are a lot of series that you can join in progress and be able to follow everything perfectly. This is not one of them. It didn't really interfere with my enjoyment of the series, but there were more than a few references to previous books and I think I would've appreciated this book more if I had read the other 27 books.
Still, you CAN start the series here, and it was definitely an enjoyable book. Well, as enjoyable as any book that involves baby skeletons.
There were a lot of things going on in this book, however, and I wasn't a huge fan of the ending. But that's nit-picking and this is still an incredibly fun book.
Still, you CAN start the series here, and it was definitely an enjoyable book. Well, as enjoyable as any book that involves baby skeletons.
There were a lot of things going on in this book, however, and I wasn't a huge fan of the ending. But that's nit-picking and this is still an incredibly fun book.
September 2, 2018
Is it just my imagination or are Kellerman‘s books getting longer? I have listened to the audio version of the last several books that I’ve read in this series; so I had to check how many pages in this book. This one is not a long book—378 pages. There are several interesting cases following similar aspects that Alex and Milo confront. Still I continue to enjoy Kellerman’s writing and Alex Delaware’s keen observation of the cases.
May 15, 2015
Our story begins with Holly Ruche, a young pregnant wife who is rhapsodizing about her beautiful and recently acquired ninety-year old home, in Cheviot Hills in LA, and even though it will require some fixing up, she is very happy at the thought. The only thing that bothers her is how the previous owners did not properly cut down that tree, and there is a mess in the yard.
While digging in the garden, she discovers skeletal remains that appear to be an infant. At this point, the detectives are called in, and the initial findings suggest that the remains are at least 60 years old. This fact will complicate the investigation.
Before the detectives can pursue this case further, another infant's body, a more recent one, is discovered in a nearby park. And a woman's dead body is just across the park. Are these two events connected?
When Milo Sturgis and Alex Delaware begin their quest to solve the mysteries, their journey takes them along many unexpected trails that veer and twist, making you forget where you started. Oh, yes...what about the first body in Holly's yard?
Soon on their radar are two somewhat reclusive megastars, Prema Moon and Donny Rader, and the very unusual life they share. It is easy to forget about the first infant...at least for a while.
The fun in taking the journey with Alex and Milo is also getting to join them as they ponder what to do next, while eating a large breakfast or lunch somewhere. Or watching Alex feed the koi in his backyard and then getting a glimpse of his girlfriend Robin while she works on the guitars she rebuilds. I can visualize the lovely home in Beverly Glen, which is off the beaten track and a little quirky.
But back to the quest. Prema's unexpected cooperation leads Milo and Alex to some answers....and then, after a while, we learn more about the first infant.
As much as I enjoyed "Guilt: An Alex Delaware Novel," the investigation itself was all over the map, so my enjoyment was centered on Alex and his life and thoughts. In the end, there were satisfactory conclusions, but I'm awarding 3.5 stars for this one.
While digging in the garden, she discovers skeletal remains that appear to be an infant. At this point, the detectives are called in, and the initial findings suggest that the remains are at least 60 years old. This fact will complicate the investigation.
Before the detectives can pursue this case further, another infant's body, a more recent one, is discovered in a nearby park. And a woman's dead body is just across the park. Are these two events connected?
When Milo Sturgis and Alex Delaware begin their quest to solve the mysteries, their journey takes them along many unexpected trails that veer and twist, making you forget where you started. Oh, yes...what about the first body in Holly's yard?
Soon on their radar are two somewhat reclusive megastars, Prema Moon and Donny Rader, and the very unusual life they share. It is easy to forget about the first infant...at least for a while.
The fun in taking the journey with Alex and Milo is also getting to join them as they ponder what to do next, while eating a large breakfast or lunch somewhere. Or watching Alex feed the koi in his backyard and then getting a glimpse of his girlfriend Robin while she works on the guitars she rebuilds. I can visualize the lovely home in Beverly Glen, which is off the beaten track and a little quirky.
But back to the quest. Prema's unexpected cooperation leads Milo and Alex to some answers....and then, after a while, we learn more about the first infant.
As much as I enjoyed "Guilt: An Alex Delaware Novel," the investigation itself was all over the map, so my enjoyment was centered on Alex and his life and thoughts. In the end, there were satisfactory conclusions, but I'm awarding 3.5 stars for this one.
April 4, 2013
Ok, for starters I have to say I have been a fan of this series for many years now and religious read each and every Alex Delaware book that comes out.
Here is the thing about an Alex Delaware book, it is similar to watching an episode of CSI or Law and Order, you are very entertained while you are engaged in it, after it is over though it leaves no lasting impression on you. If you asked me to give you the plots of four Alex Delaware books I don't think I could do it, and this one is no different. Funny thing was I got to the end and didn't even remember that there was a huge loose end waiting to be tidied up because the story had moved past that point. But that is just how these books are.
Look the simplest way to say it is this, if you have some time where you don't have anything to do, and you want to be entertained, go get a stack of Alex Delaware books, you will totally engulfed and entertained, but a month later you will wonder how you spent all that missing time.
The story has everything I like, a great mystery, Milo and Alex tracking down clues and talking to strange and often shady characters. I have such a fondness for these books that I even love the bit players Robin, Blanche, Sean Benchi, Moe Reed. Everyone is familiar and they are all here, Blanche is actually quite entertaining in this particular book. Movie stars and murder, Delaware books always span a great range of classes, with the lowest class to the highest class. It is all here, and if you have never read an Alex Delaware book before it is as good of place to jump in as any. Kellerman is very good about rewarding his returning readers while never making newcomers feel left out. References to old cases make the dedicated fan feel good, but on all the important details, Kellerman quickly catches the new readers up.
If you are up for light entertainment, you really should be reading this series.
Here is the thing about an Alex Delaware book, it is similar to watching an episode of CSI or Law and Order, you are very entertained while you are engaged in it, after it is over though it leaves no lasting impression on you. If you asked me to give you the plots of four Alex Delaware books I don't think I could do it, and this one is no different. Funny thing was I got to the end and didn't even remember that there was a huge loose end waiting to be tidied up because the story had moved past that point. But that is just how these books are.
Look the simplest way to say it is this, if you have some time where you don't have anything to do, and you want to be entertained, go get a stack of Alex Delaware books, you will totally engulfed and entertained, but a month later you will wonder how you spent all that missing time.
The story has everything I like, a great mystery, Milo and Alex tracking down clues and talking to strange and often shady characters. I have such a fondness for these books that I even love the bit players Robin, Blanche, Sean Benchi, Moe Reed. Everyone is familiar and they are all here, Blanche is actually quite entertaining in this particular book. Movie stars and murder, Delaware books always span a great range of classes, with the lowest class to the highest class. It is all here, and if you have never read an Alex Delaware book before it is as good of place to jump in as any. Kellerman is very good about rewarding his returning readers while never making newcomers feel left out. References to old cases make the dedicated fan feel good, but on all the important details, Kellerman quickly catches the new readers up.
If you are up for light entertainment, you really should be reading this series.
June 16, 2015
Uncorrected ARC/Fiction: Book 28 of Alex Delaware series. In the past, I have always listened to Kellerman novels, via John Rubinstein (aka “The Greatest Narrator, Ever!”), so reading this was a first to me. I liked that I had the voices and inflections that Rubinstein brings to a book were still in my head.
I am giving this book three stars, but not in a bad way. It was good and entertaining and I did want the mystery solved. It was the usually L.A. craziness that always works well in Delaware books. The whole beginning was mysterious, but I did have an issue with the pregnant woman, Holly. Mind you, most of the Delaware novels I listen to are abridged, so, to me, I felt this part felt odd and out of place, if not un-fulfilling.
It was a little slow going, but Alex and Milo are developed characters that you really feel you know. They always sit around and talk themselves into theories about a murder, sort of “think tank” style. They are usually wrong, if not half right. In the end, there was no sense of why the murderer did the crime. You only have Alex and Milo’s theory because when the crime is solved, the book ends. As far as I know, these books do not delve into the prosecutor part of a crime, only the investigative.
In another book, Milo thought that Alex had no sense of what danger that was around him. Which is true, as Alex goes off, without telling anyone where he is. Well, he had Blanche, the dog, with him. I am bias when it comes to Milo. Rubinstein always does such a good job voicing Milo, that I really got the sarcasm as I read it too.
This is a good addition to the Delaware series, but there were too many unanswered questions.
I am giving this book three stars, but not in a bad way. It was good and entertaining and I did want the mystery solved. It was the usually L.A. craziness that always works well in Delaware books. The whole beginning was mysterious, but I did have an issue with the pregnant woman, Holly. Mind you, most of the Delaware novels I listen to are abridged, so, to me, I felt this part felt odd and out of place, if not un-fulfilling.
It was a little slow going, but Alex and Milo are developed characters that you really feel you know. They always sit around and talk themselves into theories about a murder, sort of “think tank” style. They are usually wrong, if not half right. In the end, there was no sense of why the murderer did the crime. You only have Alex and Milo’s theory because when the crime is solved, the book ends. As far as I know, these books do not delve into the prosecutor part of a crime, only the investigative.
In another book, Milo thought that Alex had no sense of what danger that was around him. Which is true, as Alex goes off, without telling anyone where he is. Well, he had Blanche, the dog, with him. I am bias when it comes to Milo. Rubinstein always does such a good job voicing Milo, that I really got the sarcasm as I read it too.
This is a good addition to the Delaware series, but there were too many unanswered questions.
February 18, 2013
From Lilac Wolf and Stuff
Let's see...it's the 28th novel in the Alex Delaware series. I think it rocks, honestly. The main characters are Alex Delaware (duh) and Milo Sturgis, Milo is the detective that Alex helps out on occasion (in every single book - *giggle*). There was much more tension between Alex and Milo in this book. In the last novel Alex had saved Milo's life, add to that all the extra footwork Alex put into this one that the captain noticed and commented on while criticizing Milo.
We also got to see a few of Alex's buttons get pushed. He had a rough childhood and it's really colored his life as an adult. But basically Alex is a retired child psychologist. He did the hardest work for years, working with children with terminal illness, usually cancer. He had invested wisely, so now he works when he wants too. Yeah, I'm jealous. lol
I love these novels because it's like reading an episode of Law and Order. I don't have to worry about the kids seeing it, they don't read over my shoulder yet. It has all the crime, tension and interpersonal drama that one could ask for. Being that it's a series, it includes the loves of both Alex and Milo.
"'She didn't die pretty.'"
"An outraged activist might call that blaming the victim. Anyone with homicide experience would call it logic."
Hey all, did you know that Milo is a gay lieutenant who is basically given free reign to solve whatever he wants because he has the highest solve rate ever? It's a good thing, because being gay in a police department can't be easy. Kudos to Mr. Kellerman for including that bit of reality in this series.
Let's see...it's the 28th novel in the Alex Delaware series. I think it rocks, honestly. The main characters are Alex Delaware (duh) and Milo Sturgis, Milo is the detective that Alex helps out on occasion (in every single book - *giggle*). There was much more tension between Alex and Milo in this book. In the last novel Alex had saved Milo's life, add to that all the extra footwork Alex put into this one that the captain noticed and commented on while criticizing Milo.
We also got to see a few of Alex's buttons get pushed. He had a rough childhood and it's really colored his life as an adult. But basically Alex is a retired child psychologist. He did the hardest work for years, working with children with terminal illness, usually cancer. He had invested wisely, so now he works when he wants too. Yeah, I'm jealous. lol
I love these novels because it's like reading an episode of Law and Order. I don't have to worry about the kids seeing it, they don't read over my shoulder yet. It has all the crime, tension and interpersonal drama that one could ask for. Being that it's a series, it includes the loves of both Alex and Milo.
"'She didn't die pretty.'"
"An outraged activist might call that blaming the victim. Anyone with homicide experience would call it logic."
Hey all, did you know that Milo is a gay lieutenant who is basically given free reign to solve whatever he wants because he has the highest solve rate ever? It's a good thing, because being gay in a police department can't be easy. Kudos to Mr. Kellerman for including that bit of reality in this series.
January 21, 2013
An infant's body is found buried beneath a tree in a new homeowner’s backyard. It has been there for decades. Then another infant’s bones are found in a park (although this one is revealed to be recent and the bones cleaned). Are these two bodies related; that is what Detective Milo Sturgis and psychologist Alex Delaware is trying to determine. What makes matters worse is that a woman is found murdered across the park form the second infant’s remains. Now are all three related? The investigation begins and leads to some strange places.
I have enjoyed the Alex Delaware novels since the beginning. There has been some misses, but mostly hits with intriguing and thought provoking storylines. I found this one to be one of the latter. I guess maybe since the hurricane we have had many downed trees, and to have this one begin with finding a child’s remains under one such tree drew me in. Alex Delaware is himself trying to figure the psychology of it all, and relying on his contacts in the medical field to answer questions he cannot. Milo Sturgis seems to rely on Alex more and when Alex crosses a line (which I haven’t seen before); the case gets pushed further. Minor repeat characters such as Robin (a few scenes) and Rick (not at all) do not pertain to this story. The beginning grabbed my attention, the middle intrigued me but the whole Hollywood angle somehow put mw off. Still, I liked this one.
I have enjoyed the Alex Delaware novels since the beginning. There has been some misses, but mostly hits with intriguing and thought provoking storylines. I found this one to be one of the latter. I guess maybe since the hurricane we have had many downed trees, and to have this one begin with finding a child’s remains under one such tree drew me in. Alex Delaware is himself trying to figure the psychology of it all, and relying on his contacts in the medical field to answer questions he cannot. Milo Sturgis seems to rely on Alex more and when Alex crosses a line (which I haven’t seen before); the case gets pushed further. Minor repeat characters such as Robin (a few scenes) and Rick (not at all) do not pertain to this story. The beginning grabbed my attention, the middle intrigued me but the whole Hollywood angle somehow put mw off. Still, I liked this one.
April 19, 2014
Another great Alex Delaware/Milo Sturgis mystery. It all starts when a young pregnant woman discovers a box with baby bones buried on the property of her new home. From there Alex and Milo go to another set of baby bones and a woman's corpse in a nearby park. The mystery is complex - mixing current and old murders or was the old baby bones a murder? As usual, there are a great set of characters - the most amusing for this reader was a famous actress who marries and adopts several children from various countries, while doing her goodwill representation for the United Nations. These characters were too easy for Kellerman; just open the pages of the current mags and rags for a full description of the actress and her protection of her children. Kellerman gives us some wonderful quotes to save and repeat when needed, "obsession and anxiety are traits that can clog up your life." Or "she is one of those automatons who delude themselves that they are capable of independent thought." This time is is Alex who goes beyond the bounds of the law and gets the needed information to nab the killer. Sometimes it is Milo. If anything, Milo is eating more in this novel than before. For followers of Jonathan Kellerman, this is a great read, one of his best.
July 24, 2014
Written very sparsely, which normally ups the pace, but in this case just slaughtered everything. Didn't leave room for characterization. And I hate, hate, hate when thrillers are written in tiny chapters because so much of the page is blank and it could've been 200 pages without those gaps.
July 15, 2019
I rediscovered Kellerman when I happened upon his book ‘Monster’ at Browseabout Books in Rehoboth, DE. It’s almost twenty years old but I was hooked from the first page. However, when I read this more recent one, I realized his style remains the same, and it’s not a style I’m fond of or need to read again anytime soon. The protagonist and his main partner in crime engage in frequent, wild speculation about the criminal(s), motives and possible plans of action. It’s effective to a point, but becomes too predictable and almost a crutch for the author. He’s very good at what he does, but one book can feel like the next. Otherwise, highly readable and enjoyable.
January 17, 2019
Vaguely remembering that I had enjoyed some of the early books in this series many years ago, I checked this out from the local library. I wanted a good late night read; well, if the idea was to put one to sleep due to a total lack of suspense, then this one was a complete success. For me, the plot was convoluted, and there were just too many detours, gratuitous sex scenes, and side stories. Obviously that does not mean that others might not enjoy this book. But if you are looking for a fast-paced mystery/suspense, then I would venture that this is probably not the right choice.
December 17, 2021
Because of the case in this one, I really want to give it 2 stars, but we got 3 actual therapy sessions in this🤩🤯, also, I think if I remember correctly, a little bit of actual psychology, so for those reasons, 3 stars. Much more “interesting” than some of the other AD books I’ve read recently.
June 9, 2013
This book is number 28 in the long running series. And while I'll still read the next one, it was not my favorite and felt a little stale. This series is quasi-police procedural mysteries. Quasi because they are told mostly, or entirely, in the first person voice of Alex Delaware, a child psychiatrist who consults for the LAPD, mainly through his close friendship with Milo Sturgis, a Detective Lieutenant in Homicide.
These are all somewhat unemotional books, more puzzle than character-driven, with a little bit of a sensationalist/lurid bent to the murders. Alex tends to an analytical style of narrative. That's definitely the case in Guilt. His relationship with his longterm girlfriend Robin is stable and in the background in this book. Milo's husband Rick never appears, and there are no real moments of emotion between Alex and Milo. (In point of fact, I only remember two or three instances in the whole series where I really felt the closeness between the two men. But that's not the heart of these stories. Their friendship is usually easy, color but not focus, and the way that Alex becomes able to remain embroiled in so many murder cases.)
This book begins with the discovery of an infant's skeleton, old and long gone to bones. From there a complex case develops. As I finished this book, I realized that there were a lot of plot points that seemed either illogical or gratuitously creepy, as if put in there only to make the mystery harder, or more lurid.
I also found myself becoming irritated by some of Alex's familiar traits - the tendency toward elaborate and lurid speculation about the case, on next to no evidence, whenever some new fact emerged; the way he dives into police cases up to tailing and talking to suspects in a fashion guaranteed to give a prosecutor chain-of-evidence fits; how everyone he counsels as a psychiatrist is enriched by one brief session... I think those may not be a fault of this book, but just a sign that I'm losing interest.
I doubt anyone is going to start a series at book 28, and the fact that I'm still reading them this far out, means this should not put you off. If you haven't read these start at the beginning. If you have, then you already know what this book will be like. I'd love to see the next one something different - maybe a whole novel from Milo's POV?
These are all somewhat unemotional books, more puzzle than character-driven, with a little bit of a sensationalist/lurid bent to the murders. Alex tends to an analytical style of narrative. That's definitely the case in Guilt. His relationship with his longterm girlfriend Robin is stable and in the background in this book. Milo's husband Rick never appears, and there are no real moments of emotion between Alex and Milo. (In point of fact, I only remember two or three instances in the whole series where I really felt the closeness between the two men. But that's not the heart of these stories. Their friendship is usually easy, color but not focus, and the way that Alex becomes able to remain embroiled in so many murder cases.)
This book begins with the discovery of an infant's skeleton, old and long gone to bones. From there a complex case develops. As I finished this book, I realized that there were a lot of plot points that seemed either illogical or gratuitously creepy, as if put in there only to make the mystery harder, or more lurid.
I also found myself becoming irritated by some of Alex's familiar traits - the tendency toward elaborate and lurid speculation about the case, on next to no evidence, whenever some new fact emerged; the way he dives into police cases up to tailing and talking to suspects in a fashion guaranteed to give a prosecutor chain-of-evidence fits; how everyone he counsels as a psychiatrist is enriched by one brief session... I think those may not be a fault of this book, but just a sign that I'm losing interest.
I doubt anyone is going to start a series at book 28, and the fact that I'm still reading them this far out, means this should not put you off. If you haven't read these start at the beginning. If you have, then you already know what this book will be like. I'd love to see the next one something different - maybe a whole novel from Milo's POV?
February 24, 2013
I've been such a huge fan of Jonathan Kellerman (and a little less so, his writer-wife, Faye and way less so their son Jesse) for so many years that I can't even remember the first book of his I read - and he's penned more than 30 best-selling crime novels. And I'd be hard-pressed to give any one of them less than 5 stars - until now, that is. Jonathan, my love, this one just doesn't quite measure up.
Wish I could explain exactly why not, but I'll start with the significant number of run-on sentences. Have I mentioned how much I hate run-on sentences? Almost as much as typographical errors and words used incorrectly, such as "compliment" instead of "complement," in fact, although I didn't find errors like that here.
But it's more than that. For close to two-thirds of the book, I just couldn't seem to keep the characters straight or make any real "connections" to any of them - whether those connections were good or bad. All of them seemed very superficial - the so-called reporter was especially annoying to me. The hero, psychologist and police consultant Alex Delaware - who, in large part because of my own educational background in psychology, is a favorite character of mine - for the most part played not much of a role except for the purpose of bantering with his long-time police pal and LAPD lead investigator Milo Sturgis.
The story begins with a backyard make-over during which an infant's body is unearthed after at least half a century. Soon afterward, another body - this one a young woman who's been shot in the head - is discovered in a nearby park. Clues lead the investigative team to a Hollywood couple who could pass for Brangelina (adopted kids and all) - another somewhat off-putting aspect as far as I'm concerned. The exposition, though cleverly written, sounded contrived - and there was way too much of it.
Just when I was starting to think the worst - I'd have to give this one just 3 stars - everything changed. With about 25% of the book left to read, the writing morphed into classic Kellerman. The ending didn't come as much of a surprise, but one of Kellerman's strengths is leading readers on a psychological journey (surprise!), not smacking them in the teeth on the last couple of pages. I just wish he'd started the trek a bit sooner.
Wish I could explain exactly why not, but I'll start with the significant number of run-on sentences. Have I mentioned how much I hate run-on sentences? Almost as much as typographical errors and words used incorrectly, such as "compliment" instead of "complement," in fact, although I didn't find errors like that here.
But it's more than that. For close to two-thirds of the book, I just couldn't seem to keep the characters straight or make any real "connections" to any of them - whether those connections were good or bad. All of them seemed very superficial - the so-called reporter was especially annoying to me. The hero, psychologist and police consultant Alex Delaware - who, in large part because of my own educational background in psychology, is a favorite character of mine - for the most part played not much of a role except for the purpose of bantering with his long-time police pal and LAPD lead investigator Milo Sturgis.
The story begins with a backyard make-over during which an infant's body is unearthed after at least half a century. Soon afterward, another body - this one a young woman who's been shot in the head - is discovered in a nearby park. Clues lead the investigative team to a Hollywood couple who could pass for Brangelina (adopted kids and all) - another somewhat off-putting aspect as far as I'm concerned. The exposition, though cleverly written, sounded contrived - and there was way too much of it.
Just when I was starting to think the worst - I'd have to give this one just 3 stars - everything changed. With about 25% of the book left to read, the writing morphed into classic Kellerman. The ending didn't come as much of a surprise, but one of Kellerman's strengths is leading readers on a psychological journey (surprise!), not smacking them in the teeth on the last couple of pages. I just wish he'd started the trek a bit sooner.
January 29, 2013
The beginning of this book drew me in and made me want to keep reading right away.
When a young, pregnant woman who has just bought her dream home discovers a small box buried in her yard, she opens the proverbial Pandora's box, setting events into motion that will cause the familiar characters of previous Jonathan Kellerman novels to question everything they know about solving crimes.
What I found interesting about this book, is that things are occurring throughout the story, but most of the events are happening through description given in dialogue rather than through a lot of action.
If you are into novels that deal with a more psychological aspect of a crime rather than action scenes, this book will most likely keep you turning the pages. While I didn't see the plot pacing that I was used to in some of Kellerman's older novels, I ended up liking this book anyway.
For those who have read the previous novels that feature these characters, you will have the chance to spend time with your old friends again. For those who are new to the series, you may not be as well informed about the histories of the characters, but the book is good enough to stand on its own.
Although the finale of the book did tie up the loose ends, I was hoping for a little more excitement. All in all, this was a good addition to the series. I would recommend it to those who enjoy a nice puzzle.
This review is based on an ARC copy from the publisher. My opinions are my own.
When a young, pregnant woman who has just bought her dream home discovers a small box buried in her yard, she opens the proverbial Pandora's box, setting events into motion that will cause the familiar characters of previous Jonathan Kellerman novels to question everything they know about solving crimes.
What I found interesting about this book, is that things are occurring throughout the story, but most of the events are happening through description given in dialogue rather than through a lot of action.
If you are into novels that deal with a more psychological aspect of a crime rather than action scenes, this book will most likely keep you turning the pages. While I didn't see the plot pacing that I was used to in some of Kellerman's older novels, I ended up liking this book anyway.
For those who have read the previous novels that feature these characters, you will have the chance to spend time with your old friends again. For those who are new to the series, you may not be as well informed about the histories of the characters, but the book is good enough to stand on its own.
Although the finale of the book did tie up the loose ends, I was hoping for a little more excitement. All in all, this was a good addition to the series. I would recommend it to those who enjoy a nice puzzle.
This review is based on an ARC copy from the publisher. My opinions are my own.
January 13, 2013
I'm a long-time fan of Jonathan Kellerman's Alex Delaware novels. In this latest series entry, Delaware and Detective Lieutenant Milo Sturgis are called in when an infant skeleton is unearthed during a house and yard remodel in an exclusive enclave of Los Angeles.
Twenty-four hours later, more infant skeletal remains are found across town in Griffith Park -- and near them, the body of a young woman who has been shot, execution style, and left there to be found by a passing jogger.
The plot involves finding out how, or whether, these incidents are related. When the young woman is identified as a quiet, religious woman whose sole sources of income seem to come from nannying jobs, Sturgis and Delaware discover that at least one more woman in the same business has gone missing in the area. There are, needless to say, numerous twists and turns before revealing whodunnit and how -- and I was surprised several times.
The hardest part about reviewing a mystery is avoiding spoilers. Suffice it to say that fans of the Delaware novels are sure to be pleased with this tale, and new fans of Kellerman will find themselves enjoying the characters that we fans have loved for years. This is a solid whodunnit with plenty of procedural detail to boot.
(Review based on uncorrected advance proof.)
Twenty-four hours later, more infant skeletal remains are found across town in Griffith Park -- and near them, the body of a young woman who has been shot, execution style, and left there to be found by a passing jogger.
The plot involves finding out how, or whether, these incidents are related. When the young woman is identified as a quiet, religious woman whose sole sources of income seem to come from nannying jobs, Sturgis and Delaware discover that at least one more woman in the same business has gone missing in the area. There are, needless to say, numerous twists and turns before revealing whodunnit and how -- and I was surprised several times.
The hardest part about reviewing a mystery is avoiding spoilers. Suffice it to say that fans of the Delaware novels are sure to be pleased with this tale, and new fans of Kellerman will find themselves enjoying the characters that we fans have loved for years. This is a solid whodunnit with plenty of procedural detail to boot.
(Review based on uncorrected advance proof.)
February 17, 2013
Another excellent book from one of my favorite authors! A new case for Milo and the psychologist Alex Delaware, a totally different case than usual, but the story flows and keeps you guessing right until the end. You keep thinking you know what's going on,then things change quickly,keeping the reader enthralled as you tag along.
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