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Jonathan Kellerman is the psychologist creator of the Alex Delaware series as well as several non-fiction and children's books. Over the years the emphasis within his novels has shifted from child psychology (on which he is an expert) to wider realms of mental ill health. Alex is plunged into a murky world of dubious practices in THERAPY, a world which casts severe doubt on the mental health of the psychologists Milo Sturgis and Alex himself must investigate. Now a lieutenant, Milo has a free rein and can please himself as to what he investigates. When he and Alex hear sirens as they dine, Milo takes the case unto himself and the compliant Alex. They find that a young couple, a boy and a girl, have been murdered horribly. While the boy has only been shot, the girl is the victim of, well, overkill. The boy's identity is quickly revealed but the girl's remains a mystery for a large portion of the book. Gavin Quick was, some time prior to his death, brain-damaged in a car accident. His subsequent obsessive behaviour saw him referred to a psychology practice run by an apparently ill-assorted trio of practitioners. While attempting to solve the puzzle of the treatment of young Gavin, Sturgis and Delaware uncover a killing that might be related to the double homicide. The duo discovers that there is more than murder on the minds of the psychologists they are investigating and their case takes on unlooked-for ramifications. There is even a international connection to the case which may have a bearing on what has happened. There is a guest appearance by Alex's former partner, Robin, as well as their French bulldog, Spike. Perhaps there is even room for a fresh burgeoning of their relationship in future books. Certainly Alex does not seem completely content with his new love. As usual, there are (as they say in the classics) scenes that may offend the sensitive throughout the book. The mystery is never simple. Many layers must be peeled before the core truth becomes evident. Kellerman never wastes words. His tales are always well plotted and his scenes come to life. His characters are invariably credible (well, he is a psychologist, after all) and beautifully drawn. It will be interesting to see if, in his next book, Kellerman will force more adventures on Dr Delaware or if he might, once more, shift his location from the LAPD to the Hollywood precinct and prepare another outing for detective Petra Connor.
Reviewed by Denise Pickles, June 2004
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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