by Jonathan Kellerman
The 16th book in Kellerman's series about psychologist Alex Delaware, who assists the Los Angeles PD as a consultant in homicide cases.
Reviewed by: Lynne Quido
About Lynne Quido
Starting with the his last Delaware novel, "Flesh and Blood", Kellerman has returned the series to its early form, after sluggish entries like "Dr. Death", "Monster" and "The Web", many devotees of Kellerman's series were ready to bury it. "Flesh and Blood", from 2001 marked a return to form. "The Murder Book" continues in the classic Kellerman style, and features what is perhaps Kellerman's best character, Alex's friend Detective Milo Sturgis. Receiving a cryptic and violent book of murder photos, Alex is able to decipher that the book was meant to revive Milo's interest in a case he worked on when he first became a homicide cop. Using the "murder book" as a linchpin, Kellerman is able to take us back in time to the struggles Milo faced as a homosexual cop, together with the bad memories that homicide first raised about his experiences in Nam take root in Milo's personality.
Milo suspects the book has come from Schwinn, his first partner, an embittered detective who was "retired" abruptly when he and Milo begin to pursue the murder of Janie Ingalls, a teenager in trouble. Milo was more fortunate, and was transferred to West LA – the case remaining unsolved, which is how the power kings, including John G. Broussard (now the hated Chief of the LAPD), of LA wanted it. The murder book represents a gruesome invitation to take up the old case that has haunted them both for years.
Kellerman keeps the tale action packed, with the story told from both the first person, as Alex, and in the third person, for Milo's part in solving the cold case. Kellerman reinvigorates Alex's self awareness that he is a "danger junkie", and looks as though he will make the split between Alex and lover Robin a permanent one, which many fans will welcome, since they seem to make each other unhappy, more often than not. Another favorite from the series, Dr. Bert Harrison also makes an appearance, helping to resolve the mystery. Kellerman's mix of police procedural, strong characterization, and humor keeps the stories fresh and compelling, and you are hooked right through the last page.
If you haven't read all the books in the series, why not start with "Flesh and Blood" and then "The Murder Book". Kellerman gives enough clues to the past to allow new devotees to pick up the chain with the book that marks his resurgence as an author of promise.
Click here to buy this book, or read more about it at Amazon.com: The Murder Book
Copyright © by Lynne Quido, 2002
Reviewed by Lynne Quido:
-- The Whore's Child: And Other Stories - by Richard Russo
-- The Murder Book - by Jonathan Kellerman
-- Tuesdays with Morrie - by Mitch Albom
-- Girls' Poker Night - by Jill A. Davis
-- Dead Midnight - by Marcia Muller
-- The Jesus Thief - by J. R. Lankford
-- The Prettiest Feathers - by John Philpin, Patricia Sierra
-- Wherever You Go, There You Are - by Jon Kabat-Zinn
-- Demolition Angel - by Robert Crais
-- The Eight - by Katherine Neville
-- Mystic Rivert - by Dennis Lehane
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