Summary of The Murderer?s Daughter: A Novel by Jonathan Kellerman | Summary & Analysis

by aBookaDay

Warning This is an independent addition to The Murderer's Daughter, meant to enhance your experience of the original book. If you have not yet bought the original copy, make sure to purchase it before buying this unofficial summary from aBookaDay. Introduction What exactly shapes us into the person we become? And what might have happened differently? These are the questions that lie at the heart of Jonathan Kellerman's latest novel featuring the intriguing and multi-faceted Dr. Grace Blades. This book takes a hard look at the shattering effects of trauma, and what it takes for people to rebuild themselves. Grace was five years old when she watched her parents die in a gruesome murder-suicide. Nearly thirty years later, she has become widely known as an expert psychologist specializing in the treatment of those she calls the Haunted: victims of horrifying trauma. Grace is respected as compassionate and dedicated healer, but she has a secret side - a dark addiction to danger and adrenaline. Grace believes that both her clandestine habits and tormented past are well-concealed - until one day her personal and professional lives collide. Suddenly Grace finds herself being hunted by someone she never expected to see again. Struggling to stay one step ahead of her pursuers, Grace must dig deep into her own haunted memories to understand what is happening and why. What she manages to uncover is terrifying: an evil is rising, and she may be the only one who can see it coming. There are two main narrative paths in this novel - the backstory of Grace growing up, and the murder mystery unfolding in the present. The book is full of twists, turns and thrilling subversions of thriller tropes. However, readers may find the back-and-forth nature of the plot confusing, and the two narratives do not complement each other as strongly as they could. Nonetheless, while The Murderer's Daughter might have its shortcomings as a standalone novel, it is flawless as an introduction to the captivating Grace Blades. Readers will be left wanting more of her. Available on PC, Mac, smart phone, tablet or Kindle device. (c) 2015 All Rights Reserved

80 pages, Paperback

Published September 28, 2016

Reviews

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an audio book.

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard, deep, tense, unyielding. A damaged girl grimly climbs out of the pit of her birth to a pinnacle of self-determination. Near perfect story telling by a pro.

[Frank Dodds · Rating 4 out of 5]

In that this was somewhat of an unusual story, I still found it very captivating and hard to put down. A good read overall. I enjoyed the main character.

[G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am sure that Jonathan Kellerman is getting a little weary of cranking out the Alex Delaware/Milo Sturgis novels. I think he's written at least three hundred of them, but they are so much fun to soak in. Definitely a favorite series for me. In his new book, Kellerman creates a compelling protagonist in psychologist Grace Blades, a survivor of a brutal abusive childhood who is lucky enough to evade many of the terrors of California's child protection services due to some caring souls sprinkled into the broken system. Her childhood is paired with a storyline in her adult life that has its roots in her time in an overcrowded but supportive foster home. Characters from that period begin to reappear in her adult (professional) life, and one haunts her and eventually becomes her mission. Much more lurid and sexually explicit than the Delaware/Sturgis adventures, but everything is very much grounded in the psychological expertise that Kellerman always draws upon. It's not certain that this is the first book of a series, but I get that feeling. I am looking forward to Grace's continuing exploits. Hopefully Mr. Kellerman feels the same way.

[Susan Hearty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the usual. He references Delaware. Wondering if this is the beginning of a new series.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not one of the Delaware/Milo series but a stand alone that will definitely get your attention. A true psychological thriller if there ever was one.