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Alex Delaware #1
When the Bough Breaks
The first Alex Delaware novel. It's a good one!
We meet Dr. Morton Handler who practiced a strange brand of psychiatry. Among his specialties were fraud, extortion, and sexual manipulation. Handler paid for his sins when he was brutally murdered in his luxurious Pacific Palisades apartment. The police have no leads, but they do have one possible witness: seven-year-old Melody Quinn.
Psychologist Dr. Alex Delaware's job is to unlock the terrible secret buried in Melody's memory. As the sinister shadows in the girl's mind begin to take shape, Alex discovers that the mystery touches a shocking incident in his own past. This connection is only the beginning, a single link in a forty-year-old conspiracy. And behind it lies an unspeakable evil that Alex Delaware must expose before it claims another innocent victim: Melody Quinn.
We meet Dr. Morton Handler who practiced a strange brand of psychiatry. Among his specialties were fraud, extortion, and sexual manipulation. Handler paid for his sins when he was brutally murdered in his luxurious Pacific Palisades apartment. The police have no leads, but they do have one possible witness: seven-year-old Melody Quinn.
Psychologist Dr. Alex Delaware's job is to unlock the terrible secret buried in Melody's memory. As the sinister shadows in the girl's mind begin to take shape, Alex discovers that the mystery touches a shocking incident in his own past. This connection is only the beginning, a single link in a forty-year-old conspiracy. And behind it lies an unspeakable evil that Alex Delaware must expose before it claims another innocent victim: Melody Quinn.
448 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 1, 1985
2,352 people are currently reading
27.7k people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Kellerman
273books5,629followersJonathan 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 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 and they have four children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,194 reviews
January 9, 2018
Great read! a good storyline with detailed topic that was both sensitive and interesting..had good narrative with some well developed and defined characters (paperback!)
September 24, 2019
This novel—and this series--begins with child psychologist Alex Delaware enjoying a relaxed early retirement, a retirement fueled by burnout and precipitated by a shock. After weeks of interviews with a score of molested children in a particularly vicious pre-school case, Delaware returns to his office to find that their molester Stuart Hickle has killed himself--gun in mouth--on Delaware's own couch. Soon Alex's friend police detective Milo Sturgis coaxes him back for a simple consulting job, interviewing a juvenile eyewitness on a murder case, but this simple job turns out—of course—to be not so simple after all. Soon connections arise to cases of molestation, and Alex begins to suspect that “suicide" Hickle may have been the victim of murder instead.
This is an entertaining mystery. Child psychologist Kellerman delivers sharp insights into his profession (particularly into gentlemanly frauds like Dr. Towle), creates a convincing friendship between Alex and the comfortably gay Milo, and paints a striking portrait of the affluent residential island community of Brindamoor. And of course the plot moves along with the suitable number of intellectual surprises, visceral shocks, and complications.
But you know what? I think I'm getting tired of mystery novels, or at least most novels by writers who wrote their first books in the 1980's or after, writers who always seem to have their eye on the main chance, on that blockbuster movie to come. Since that time, every killer is a serial killer, every molester part of some vast molesting conspiracy, and of course there must always be an instance of absorbing action after a suitable number of pages, and even more exciting sudden bursts of action as the plot hurtlles toward is end.
Don't get me wrong: When the Bough Breaks is a perfectly acceptable mystery. But sixty or seventy pages from the conclusion of this book, somewhere during the exciting chase when the mysterious figure on the motorcycle comes out of nowhere and starts firing his pistol at Alex in his car, I suddenly remembered why I disliked reading the novelizations of movies, and I vowed once again not to read any more of them. But this time around, I also added “novelizations” that precede the film--and that includes those that lacked the good fortune ever to become movies at all.
March 30, 2024
Jonathan Kellerman brings plenty of suspense to the first book in the Alex Delaware series,
When the Bough Breaks.
Psychiatrist Dr. Morton Handler is found brutally murdered. The police have no leads, but they have a possible witness: seven-year-old Melody Quinn. Los Angeles Homicide Detective Milo Sturgis turns to psychologist Dr. Alex Delaware for help in unlocking Melody’s memories.
Alex and Milo have known each other a few months. Readers learn how they met and some background information on them. Their investigative and cognitive techniques gel as well as their dispositions. However, they don’t yet have the rapport that they gain as the series progresses. This novel is less cerebral in nature and more investigation and is very action-oriented.
Kellerman’s writing style is appealing and he did a good job of transporting me to the Los Angeles area. Whether characters were talking about or experiencing the traffic or food or the people, I was living the events with Milo and Alex. Food shows up frequently in this series. Both Alex and Milo want to achieve justice and hold bad people accountable for their actions.
Overall, this was a suspenseful novel with great world-building and several plot twists. I’ve read 20 of the books in the series and I’m looking forward to reading those I’ve missed.
I purchased a copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date was March 1, 1985.
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My 4.31 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
Alex and Milo have known each other a few months. Readers learn how they met and some background information on them. Their investigative and cognitive techniques gel as well as their dispositions. However, they don’t yet have the rapport that they gain as the series progresses. This novel is less cerebral in nature and more investigation and is very action-oriented.
Kellerman’s writing style is appealing and he did a good job of transporting me to the Los Angeles area. Whether characters were talking about or experiencing the traffic or food or the people, I was living the events with Milo and Alex. Food shows up frequently in this series. Both Alex and Milo want to achieve justice and hold bad people accountable for their actions.
Overall, this was a suspenseful novel with great world-building and several plot twists. I’ve read 20 of the books in the series and I’m looking forward to reading those I’ve missed.
I purchased a copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date was March 1, 1985.
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My 4.31 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
January 26, 2020
My first book by this author and the first book in a series of thirty five! Bliss:)
Alex Delaware is a child psychologist who finds himself helping the police as a special consultant. However he does not stop at consulting but gets totally involved in solving the case himself. There is a lot of action and some very nasty deaths.
I liked the book very much especially the characters and the fast paced story. I felt the ending let it down a little with too many pages of the baddies confessing everything in detail. It felt a bit as though the author did not trust the readers to work anything out for themselves.
Definitely good enough though for me to move on to book 2.
Alex Delaware is a child psychologist who finds himself helping the police as a special consultant. However he does not stop at consulting but gets totally involved in solving the case himself. There is a lot of action and some very nasty deaths.
I liked the book very much especially the characters and the fast paced story. I felt the ending let it down a little with too many pages of the baddies confessing everything in detail. It felt a bit as though the author did not trust the readers to work anything out for themselves.
Definitely good enough though for me to move on to book 2.
May 22, 2016
3.75. I have become a fan of Faye Kellerman's Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus mystery series, so I decided to read her husband Jonathan's first book about Dr. Alex Delaware. Even though both series are about detectives, they are different in scope. Whereas Decker has been a cop for 20 years and looking to move up ranks, Delaware is a young, retired child psychologist who befriends a detective named Milo Sturgis and helps out on his cases. Additionally, Rina loves to get involved in Decker's cases, but Delaware's significant other Robin would rather that he go back to working in a private practice and leave the detecting to the police.
In this first book in the series we find Delaware bored with early retirement. Sturgis asks him as a favor to please consult on a case where a seven year old girl was the only witness to a double murder. Delaware becomes attached to the girl and decides to do his own form of consulting on the case. What results is Delaware's investigation in which he peels back layer upon layer to make the case more intriguing than it originally appeared. This makes for a fast reading, psychological detective case.
I prefer Mrs Kellerman's series to that of her husband's because I share a similar lifestyle to that of the protagonists. I also find more human interaction and also a little more action in her books. I will probably read more of Mr Kellerman's books, however, because they make for a good contrast and also because I suspect that both taking place amidst the circles of the LAPD, they are bound to overlap eventually. All in all, a fast read and a series I will most likely revisit.
In this first book in the series we find Delaware bored with early retirement. Sturgis asks him as a favor to please consult on a case where a seven year old girl was the only witness to a double murder. Delaware becomes attached to the girl and decides to do his own form of consulting on the case. What results is Delaware's investigation in which he peels back layer upon layer to make the case more intriguing than it originally appeared. This makes for a fast reading, psychological detective case.
I prefer Mrs Kellerman's series to that of her husband's because I share a similar lifestyle to that of the protagonists. I also find more human interaction and also a little more action in her books. I will probably read more of Mr Kellerman's books, however, because they make for a good contrast and also because I suspect that both taking place amidst the circles of the LAPD, they are bound to overlap eventually. All in all, a fast read and a series I will most likely revisit.
September 5, 2021
It was unbelievable of me never to have heard the household name of Jonathan Kellerman. I read his latest book in the series of Alex Delaware, then I nabbed the first book and compared them.
I thought there was too much doctoring going on. Too many people to be interviewed. But in the course of vigilante duty, our hero Alex hurts the opposition and also gets hurt in return.
I think among all the ex-shrinks whose books I've read, this author's resonates the most with me. Humanism is so important in the way it permeates our routines, that a humanist psychiatrist being a main protagonist is an irony that was not lost on me.
I thought there was too much doctoring going on. Too many people to be interviewed. But in the course of vigilante duty, our hero Alex hurts the opposition and also gets hurt in return.
I think among all the ex-shrinks whose books I've read, this author's resonates the most with me. Humanism is so important in the way it permeates our routines, that a humanist psychiatrist being a main protagonist is an irony that was not lost on me.
March 28, 2020
Introducing Dr Alex Delaware, child psychologist, retired in his mid-30s through burn-out, and drawn into Detective Milo Sturgis’ murder mystery because of a small seven-year-old witness, Melody Quinn.
Alex was bored so when Milo arrived with his gruesome case, Alex wasn’t sure whether to be interested or disgusted. But - with his consultant badge - he joined Milo in the hunt for the killer and while Milo went off in one direction, Alex read through files, made phone calls and followed the clues. He found himself being drawn in deeper and deeper, the widespread, sinister evil horrifying him. He couldn’t stop however, much to his girlfriend Robin’s worry and concern - Alex needed to save Melody. He couldn’t bear it if she became another innocent victim.
When the Bough Breaks is the 1st in the Alex Delaware series by Jonathan Kellerman, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’m not sure why it’s taken me so long to read this one, as I’ve read most of the later books in the series. But here we are finally, with a gruesome, twisty suspense mystery which I have no hesitation in recommending.
Alex was bored so when Milo arrived with his gruesome case, Alex wasn’t sure whether to be interested or disgusted. But - with his consultant badge - he joined Milo in the hunt for the killer and while Milo went off in one direction, Alex read through files, made phone calls and followed the clues. He found himself being drawn in deeper and deeper, the widespread, sinister evil horrifying him. He couldn’t stop however, much to his girlfriend Robin’s worry and concern - Alex needed to save Melody. He couldn’t bear it if she became another innocent victim.
When the Bough Breaks is the 1st in the Alex Delaware series by Jonathan Kellerman, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’m not sure why it’s taken me so long to read this one, as I’ve read most of the later books in the series. But here we are finally, with a gruesome, twisty suspense mystery which I have no hesitation in recommending.
August 10, 2012
This is the first book in Jonathan Kellerman's long-running series featuring Alex Delaware, a child psychologist. Burned out, Alex has retired from his practice at the age of thirty-three after consulting in a particularly unsettling case involving the young victims of a serial pedophile. The children are well on the road to recovery, but Alex is in desperate need of some down time.
But then Dr. Morton Handler, a psychiatrist, is brutally murdered along with his girlfriend in the apartment that they shared. A little girl named Melody Quinn, who lives in a neighboring apartment, was up in the middle of the night and may have seen the killers. But the child is deeply troubled and is unable to give the police any useful help.
Alex's friend, homicide Detective Milo Sturgis, convinces Alex to examine the girl in the hope that Alex can get her to open up and give the police the description of the killers that they so desperately need. Alex reluctantly agrees and is immediately drawn into a dark and very dangerous world populated by wealthy, powerful and amoral men. But despite the threat to both his professional reputation and, ultimately, his personal safety, Alex cannot turn his back on the evil he's uncovered or on the little girl who has no one else to defend her.
This is really an excellent introduction to a series that may have lost its way a bit in later books. The idea of a child psychologist as the main protagonist in a series of crime novels was a brilliant stroke, and Kellerman, who was himself a child psychologist, created a very convincing character in Alex Delaware.
In this, and in most of the early books in the series, Alex's psychological skills were central to the stories. Alex was called in to consult, perfectly legitimately, by a police department that clearly needed his help. Alex was the central character and most of the others, including Milo Sturgis, rotated around him. As in this book, Alex spent a great deal of time investigating on his own, unraveling the mystery and dealing with the bad guys in a way that made perfect sense.
Perhaps there were only so many plots that would legitimately accommodate a main character like Alex Delaware, but in the last few novels especially, the character of Milo Sturgis has come much more to the fore and there really doesn't seem to be much of a legitimate reason for Alex to be tagging along. Milo will simply call Alex and say, "Hey, I've got an interesting case. Wanna ride along?" Alex may offer the occasional psychological insight, but often there's no credible reason for him to be involved in the investigation and even the casual reader understands that no police department would tolerate a civilian like Alex playing such a prominent role in a homicide investigation.
That may well be unjustified nitpicking, especially since I continue to enjoy these books. But going back to the beginning and re-reading this opening installment reminds one of how brilliant this series was initially and can only make you wish that the later books were still this good.
But then Dr. Morton Handler, a psychiatrist, is brutally murdered along with his girlfriend in the apartment that they shared. A little girl named Melody Quinn, who lives in a neighboring apartment, was up in the middle of the night and may have seen the killers. But the child is deeply troubled and is unable to give the police any useful help.
Alex's friend, homicide Detective Milo Sturgis, convinces Alex to examine the girl in the hope that Alex can get her to open up and give the police the description of the killers that they so desperately need. Alex reluctantly agrees and is immediately drawn into a dark and very dangerous world populated by wealthy, powerful and amoral men. But despite the threat to both his professional reputation and, ultimately, his personal safety, Alex cannot turn his back on the evil he's uncovered or on the little girl who has no one else to defend her.
This is really an excellent introduction to a series that may have lost its way a bit in later books. The idea of a child psychologist as the main protagonist in a series of crime novels was a brilliant stroke, and Kellerman, who was himself a child psychologist, created a very convincing character in Alex Delaware.
In this, and in most of the early books in the series, Alex's psychological skills were central to the stories. Alex was called in to consult, perfectly legitimately, by a police department that clearly needed his help. Alex was the central character and most of the others, including Milo Sturgis, rotated around him. As in this book, Alex spent a great deal of time investigating on his own, unraveling the mystery and dealing with the bad guys in a way that made perfect sense.
Perhaps there were only so many plots that would legitimately accommodate a main character like Alex Delaware, but in the last few novels especially, the character of Milo Sturgis has come much more to the fore and there really doesn't seem to be much of a legitimate reason for Alex to be tagging along. Milo will simply call Alex and say, "Hey, I've got an interesting case. Wanna ride along?" Alex may offer the occasional psychological insight, but often there's no credible reason for him to be involved in the investigation and even the casual reader understands that no police department would tolerate a civilian like Alex playing such a prominent role in a homicide investigation.
That may well be unjustified nitpicking, especially since I continue to enjoy these books. But going back to the beginning and re-reading this opening installment reminds one of how brilliant this series was initially and can only make you wish that the later books were still this good.
May 4, 2013
This wasn't the first Alex Delaware novel I'd read. I had the good fortune of being introduced to Jonathan Kellerman with . And what an introduction it was.
In my experience, the Alex Delaware novels are a bit hit and miss. Some are really good. Some just aren't.
This novel, however, was a winner of the Edgar award, and being a bit of a fan I decided to start the series from scratch. All things considered, and keeping the character development of Alex Delaware in mind, that is probably the best way to approach these novels.
At any rate, after a somewhat slow burning first half the novel really takes off. To utilise one of the oldest cliches in the industry: the plot thickens!. It's a rewarding experience and one well worth your time if you're looking for a good mystery / thriller to read.
Kellerman really plumbs the depth of disturbing human behaviour, and this novel is no exception. It is an unsettling book.
Some criticism was levelled at this book regarding its theme. Some reviewers regard it as a literary trope, or even a cliché. Consider, however, when the book was published (1985). It frustrates me when older novels are criticized by today's standards, regarding aspects like these. What is an overused trope today most certainly was not necessarily one thirty years ago. The theme was actually extremely valid, considering current events at that time, and which I obviously can't list here for spoiler reasons.
Kellerman is a very competent wordsmith and once the novel gets its second breath it really takes off as the mystery is unravelled. And what a thread it is.
A nice surprise: Alex Delaware in full action man mode. There's even a car chase!
Check it out.
And just because I simply couldn't resist:
Hush-a-by baby
On the tree top,
When the wind blows
The cradle will rock.
When the bough breaks,
The cradle will fall,
Down tumbles baby,
Cradle and all.
In my experience, the Alex Delaware novels are a bit hit and miss. Some are really good. Some just aren't.
This novel, however, was a winner of the Edgar award, and being a bit of a fan I decided to start the series from scratch. All things considered, and keeping the character development of Alex Delaware in mind, that is probably the best way to approach these novels.
At any rate, after a somewhat slow burning first half the novel really takes off. To utilise one of the oldest cliches in the industry: the plot thickens!. It's a rewarding experience and one well worth your time if you're looking for a good mystery / thriller to read.
Kellerman really plumbs the depth of disturbing human behaviour, and this novel is no exception. It is an unsettling book.
Some criticism was levelled at this book regarding its theme. Some reviewers regard it as a literary trope, or even a cliché. Consider, however, when the book was published (1985). It frustrates me when older novels are criticized by today's standards, regarding aspects like these. What is an overused trope today most certainly was not necessarily one thirty years ago. The theme was actually extremely valid, considering current events at that time, and which I obviously can't list here for spoiler reasons.
Kellerman is a very competent wordsmith and once the novel gets its second breath it really takes off as the mystery is unravelled. And what a thread it is.
A nice surprise: Alex Delaware in full action man mode. There's even a car chase!
Check it out.
And just because I simply couldn't resist:
Hush-a-by baby
On the tree top,
When the wind blows
The cradle will rock.
When the bough breaks,
The cradle will fall,
Down tumbles baby,
Cradle and all.
September 17, 2019
This is the book that introduced child psychologist Alex Delaware ... along with his girlfriend Robin and homicide Detective Milo Sturgis. Originally published in 1985 there will soon be a 35th book in the series. The later books seemed to have lost direction (perhaps there are only so many story lines for a child psychologist + homicide investigation) but this first book is excellent (and for me well worth a reread).
Alex has retired from practice at the age of thirty-three after working with the victims of a serial pedophile. The children are on the road to recovery but Alex is burned out. He spends his days sleeping late and watching soap operas. Until L.A. homicide Detective Milo Sturgis pays a visit. Dr. Morton Handler, a psychiatrist, and his girlfriend have been brutally murdered. The only witness is seven year old Melody Quinn, the daughter of the property manager where Handler lived. Melody is unable to provide the police with any meaningful information and Milo would like Alex to work with her to see if he can get her to open up and provide a description of the killers. Alex is reluctant at first but it doesn't take much before he is hooked. And finds himself involved in a dark world populated by wealthy and powerful men. Very sick men. The subject and the victims make for some difficult reading.
In this novel Alex Delaware is the central character. He was brought in as a consultant for the police department who needed his help dealing with children. Victims. With no background or experience Alex investigates on his own to learn the secrets some wealthy and powerful men will go to great lengths to keep hidden. Despite his lack of experience the story is believable and is a great introduction to the series. Alex's presence in some of the later books may be hard to understand but that is not the case here. Overall a very entertaining story (if a story with this subject can be considered entertaining).
Alex has retired from practice at the age of thirty-three after working with the victims of a serial pedophile. The children are on the road to recovery but Alex is burned out. He spends his days sleeping late and watching soap operas. Until L.A. homicide Detective Milo Sturgis pays a visit. Dr. Morton Handler, a psychiatrist, and his girlfriend have been brutally murdered. The only witness is seven year old Melody Quinn, the daughter of the property manager where Handler lived. Melody is unable to provide the police with any meaningful information and Milo would like Alex to work with her to see if he can get her to open up and provide a description of the killers. Alex is reluctant at first but it doesn't take much before he is hooked. And finds himself involved in a dark world populated by wealthy and powerful men. Very sick men. The subject and the victims make for some difficult reading.
In this novel Alex Delaware is the central character. He was brought in as a consultant for the police department who needed his help dealing with children. Victims. With no background or experience Alex investigates on his own to learn the secrets some wealthy and powerful men will go to great lengths to keep hidden. Despite his lack of experience the story is believable and is a great introduction to the series. Alex's presence in some of the later books may be hard to understand but that is not the case here. Overall a very entertaining story (if a story with this subject can be considered entertaining).
September 6, 2023
Brilliant! Great twists and turns.
A good page turner and a pleasant surprise as the first Kellerman book I read I really did not enjoy it.
Four stars.
A good page turner and a pleasant surprise as the first Kellerman book I read I really did not enjoy it.
Four stars.
April 3, 2023
An entertaining beach read, When the Bough Breaks netted Kellerman an Edgar award for best debut novel and spawned a series that's still commercially viable after three plus decades. The writing is smooth and inoffensive without ever being great and I can see why Kellerman became successful. He writes lucidly, keeps the pace moving with a nice balance of intrigue, humor and action. However there is no way the protagonist - a retired child psychologist, Alex Delaware can keep being injected in plots like this one without it feeling very forced.
Delaware is called in as a consultant by his gay cop friend Milo to help him with an underage witness. Her hypnosis reveals a rabbit hole of multiple murders and a cabal of child molesters. Delaware is a perfectionist looking for a challenge and a dedicated doctor so he selects the most rational course of action - solve the murders single handedly by becoming a sort of mashup of Holmes and Bond. My doctor doesn't even pick up calls most days.
Delaware has more plot armor than this one has plot. He is brave, handsome, intelligent, resourceful, selfless and most importantly one dimensional. The villains are on the other end of the scale - perverted, probably inbred, despicable, arrogant kiddy fiddlers. There is some delicious irony that Kellerman doesn't even realize. On one occasion Delaware finds notes of a deceased shrink calling his patients condescending names like 'loser'. Delaware is indignant, summarizes said shrink is a psychopath. Two chapters later he categorizes grieving family members as 'slob' and 'super kid'.
I liked Delaware in spite of him having the depth of a cardboard. The first three fourth when he uses a lot of pop psychology and the book is written as a police procedural is pretty good. The last one fourth turns into an action movie with Delaware suddenly getting involved in drawn out high speed chases and torture scenes. Basically Kellerman posits before Netflix tamed bored intellectuals, they probably moonlighted as soldiers of fortune every time they ran out of interesting things to do.
When the Bough Breaks could have been fifty pages shorter, Delaware has a token love interest who was better left on the editing floor. But in spite of it all I will probably pick up the next one. It will probably never be a series that I will follow fastidiously but it's good for what it is - trashy fun. And it can even get better if Kellerman adds just a bit more depth to his characters. Rating - 3/5
Delaware is called in as a consultant by his gay cop friend Milo to help him with an underage witness. Her hypnosis reveals a rabbit hole of multiple murders and a cabal of child molesters. Delaware is a perfectionist looking for a challenge and a dedicated doctor so he selects the most rational course of action - solve the murders single handedly by becoming a sort of mashup of Holmes and Bond. My doctor doesn't even pick up calls most days.
Delaware has more plot armor than this one has plot. He is brave, handsome, intelligent, resourceful, selfless and most importantly one dimensional. The villains are on the other end of the scale - perverted, probably inbred, despicable, arrogant kiddy fiddlers. There is some delicious irony that Kellerman doesn't even realize. On one occasion Delaware finds notes of a deceased shrink calling his patients condescending names like 'loser'. Delaware is indignant, summarizes said shrink is a psychopath. Two chapters later he categorizes grieving family members as 'slob' and 'super kid'.
I liked Delaware in spite of him having the depth of a cardboard. The first three fourth when he uses a lot of pop psychology and the book is written as a police procedural is pretty good. The last one fourth turns into an action movie with Delaware suddenly getting involved in drawn out high speed chases and torture scenes. Basically Kellerman posits before Netflix tamed bored intellectuals, they probably moonlighted as soldiers of fortune every time they ran out of interesting things to do.
When the Bough Breaks could have been fifty pages shorter, Delaware has a token love interest who was better left on the editing floor. But in spite of it all I will probably pick up the next one. It will probably never be a series that I will follow fastidiously but it's good for what it is - trashy fun. And it can even get better if Kellerman adds just a bit more depth to his characters. Rating - 3/5
December 30, 2013
I love Milo Sturgis. I like Dr. Alex Delaware. Kellerman is a great genre author, and I will recommend him highly to everyone unless you are a cozy reader or hung up on propriety. Alex breaks the rules in the manner of 1970's TV private eyes who were fighting the good fight, like in 'The Rockford Files' or 'Magnum P. I.' He is a star, someone who can do anything, except walk away from criminality. He makes mistakes, but he is one of those individuals who is very smart, athletic and lucky. Despite his privileged life, earned through endless 24/7 hours of hard work, not simply due to background, he is empathic to the problems of the weak and helpless, very rare for people like him. He is an independently wealthy man, similar to the Golden Age classic British fiction peers who come back from the World Wars scarred by their experience who cannot return to their previous life of leisure but turn to crime fighting. Unlike those titled British detectives, he is a hard working upper middle-class American familiar with the dark corners of society through his profession of child psychologist. He puts his life and hard-earned credentials on the line in order to save victims from powerful people, knowing otherwise the money and social status will allow these bad guys to buy freedom.
I read this one when I was a young kid myself and I loved Alex and Milo. I did not for one second realize the echoes of other marvelous historical mystery writers were in every page of this book until this reading, disguised by American cultural genre writing. Now, I see Batman and Agatha Christie and the X-Men and Ngaio Marsh. Never is privilege put to better use except in genre fiction, and when the writing and characterization is this good, I love it. Obviously, some will not feel as I do, which is pass the popcorn and shut up.
I read this one when I was a young kid myself and I loved Alex and Milo. I did not for one second realize the echoes of other marvelous historical mystery writers were in every page of this book until this reading, disguised by American cultural genre writing. Now, I see Batman and Agatha Christie and the X-Men and Ngaio Marsh. Never is privilege put to better use except in genre fiction, and when the writing and characterization is this good, I love it. Obviously, some will not feel as I do, which is pass the popcorn and shut up.
October 7, 2019
This series is consistently good. I am glad I found a go to author that will reliably write something I enjoy reading. This is the first in the series, and I decided to read them in order. I think it was a good decision. This book describes Milo and Alex first meeting, and the character building is important.
For me, character driven writing is what enables immersion in the plot. This author excels at it, and he definitely brings the protagonist to life. I am sure his background in psychology helps as well. As with the later books in the series, much of the plot is dialogue or internal monologue. While that sounds boring (and for me it usually is), I find it to be pivotal in my enjoyment of this author's work. The story builds suspense nicely, with the interjections of large section of dialogue which usually involve Alex sleuthing on his own and analyzing the characters he meets along the way.
It is interesting to observe the author's early writing style. While this lacks the polish of his later novels, the building blocks that brought him much success are apparent.
4 stars.
For me, character driven writing is what enables immersion in the plot. This author excels at it, and he definitely brings the protagonist to life. I am sure his background in psychology helps as well. As with the later books in the series, much of the plot is dialogue or internal monologue. While that sounds boring (and for me it usually is), I find it to be pivotal in my enjoyment of this author's work. The story builds suspense nicely, with the interjections of large section of dialogue which usually involve Alex sleuthing on his own and analyzing the characters he meets along the way.
It is interesting to observe the author's early writing style. While this lacks the polish of his later novels, the building blocks that brought him much success are apparent.
4 stars.
June 23, 2024
Por fin encuentro una novela protagonizada por un psicólogo de verdad.
January 24, 2020
A thoroughly engaging, intricately plotted thriller to keep the reader thinking. I will definitely be reading more of the Alex Delaware novels.
August 27, 2022
DNF at 50%
This is painstakingly slow for someone that is in a little reading slump. That someone is me.
Alex Delaware is a retired child psychologist at the age of 30. After a gruesome murder of a psychiatrist and his girlfriend, Alex's detective friend Milo brings him in to talk to a witness who's 5. Just like that he gains a batch from the LAPD as a "special consultant"
I was interested but this was waaayy too descriptive for me right now. This is not fast paced and I would've finished and maybe enjoyed this if i wasn't in such a rut. Will give it another go sometime maybe.
This is painstakingly slow for someone that is in a little reading slump. That someone is me.
Alex Delaware is a retired child psychologist at the age of 30. After a gruesome murder of a psychiatrist and his girlfriend, Alex's detective friend Milo brings him in to talk to a witness who's 5. Just like that he gains a batch from the LAPD as a "special consultant"
I was interested but this was waaayy too descriptive for me right now. This is not fast paced and I would've finished and maybe enjoyed this if i wasn't in such a rut. Will give it another go sometime maybe.
Read
June 2, 2017This was the beginning of it all! Jonathan Kellerman pulled me into the Alex Delaware series, hook, line, sinker. If you haven't checked it out. Do so! So good!
June 4, 2018
Based in L.A., it's the first in the Alex Delaware thriller series and revolving around a child psychologist who took early retirement five-and-a-half months ago.
In 1986, When the Bough Breaks won the Anthony and Edgar Awards for Best First Novel.
My Take
Sneaky. Kellerman slides his story under your skin, smooth, easy, no great jolts and with Alex’s perspective in first person protagonist point-of-view. Once he has you hooked on the intriguing characters, then he begins to slide in those other hooks, the ones that make your heart pound, your brain need to know, and the biggest hook of all — the curious need to know who, what, and why.
In some ways, When the Bough Breaks is a bit slow to get a move on, but it does have some nasty little twists. Nothing that dives too deep, but enough to make you wonder how such people can exist.
I started out liking Robin simply because she’s an artist with wood, then I didn’t, and now I’m not sure. After all, her NIMBY attitude could return. Milo is quite different, and I'm enjoying his relationship with Alex. There's an intellectual side that makes it fun. Alex, of course, is intriguing. He's incredibly smart and empathic, and yet he doesn't come off as holier than thou. I'm also hoping that Biondi continues to feature...it's that urge for justice to prevail...in public. Yes, I liked Professor Van der Graaf as well. He may not use his power, but he does understand the realities.
It was difficult to feel the when of the setting, even though Kellerman did mention dates and events, i.e., the Korean War and Towle's family dying in 1951. But they were blips, and there was no ongoing sense of the period. I think it's the technological lines that tripped me up. No cellphones. No Internet. Alex loving his Seville. It could have been any time, any when.
There’s some fascinating insight into Hispanic society and their communication style, as well as an explanation of curanderos. And there oughta be a course or ten in medical schools to teach doctors (hmmm, maybe cops too??) about caring. That snarky comment about "academic rigor" has made me think about checking out how involved a doctor is and whether that involvement includes gladhanding or writing papers.
It’s well-written with some issues, and I’m curious to see how Kellerman improves…and I want to know what Alex does next, if Milo and Rick continue, if Robin expands her area of expertise and her support for Alex. We’ll see what happens when I pick up Blood Test .
The Story
Detective Milo Sturgis has two brutally hacked-up bodies and a seven-year-old witness who can’t remember. It’s Dr. Alex Delaware attempting to unlock Melody’s memories that brings the first lead. A step that leads down a twisty path, one that makes connections in all the wrong places, including the catalyst that sent Alex into a spiraling depression.
Behind this single step lies a forty-year-old conspiracy, hiding an unspeakable evil that Alex must expose before it claims yet another innocent victim.
The Characters
Dr. Alex Delaware is a thirty-three-year-old child psychologist…and retired. I hate him already! A good-looking man, he’s burnt the candle from both ends and needs rest. He met Robin, who makes beautiful musical instruments, at ѳ䲹’s, a guitar shop.
Homicide Detective Milo Bernard Sturgis is gay and has an M.A. in American Lit. His fellow cops know his preferences, and he gets the lousy cases. Dr. Rick Silverman who works ER at Cedars is the new guy; Larry is the stage manager with whom Milo recently broke up. Milo works with Detective Delano Hardy.
Olivia Brickerman used to work at the Department of Social Services; now she works for her nephew Steve at his practice, the Santa Monica Psychiatric Medical Group. Her husband, Al, is antisocial and passionate about chess. Gabriel is a younger son who lives in Hawaii. Ned Biondi is a senior writer for the L.A. Times who owes Alex for how he helped his daughter, Anne Marie.
Western Pediatric Medical Center is…
…where Alex used to work. Henry Bork is the smarmy medical director. Cora is in charge of the administrative offices. The snooty Dr. Lionel Willard Towle is a well-respected, established pediatrician who pushes pills with his own medical issues. Sandi is the too open receptionist; Edna is the battle-axe and right-hand gal. Lilah and Lionel Willard, Jr, had been his wife and son.
Bonita Quinn is the manager of an upscale apartment complex for M&M Properties of which Marduk "Marty" I. Minassian is president; Melody is her inactive seven-year-old. Ronnie Lee Quinn is her abusive ex-husband.
Dr. Morton Handler was a psychiatrist with few morals. Elaine "Elena" Gutierrez was his girlfriend and a fabulous Emotionally Handicapped teacher. Rafael and Andy Gutierrez are her brothers. Sra. Cruz is their mother. Raquel Ochoa was Elena’s best friend from childhood, roommate, and a fellow teacher at the school. Her brother Miguel was killed.
Some of the possible murderers/patients include Rex Allen Camblin; Peter Lewis Jefferson; Michael Penn, a nasty piece of a student (Julie is one girl he’s stringing along while he sets up Sonya Magary who owns Puff ’n’ Stuff Children’s Boutique); Lance Arthur Shattuck; Maurice Bruno, a v-p in charge of sales at Presto Instant Print; Roy Longstreth, a pharmacist who collects Icarts from whom Handler tried a little extortion; and Cpl. Gerard Paul Mendenhall.
La Casa de los Niños is…
…a children’s home for the homeless and "chronic wards of the Dependency Court". The Reverend Augustus J. McCaffrey, a.k.a., Rev. Gus, is the director. He used to run a similar place in Mexico, Father Augustino’s Christian Home. Cary Nemeth had been thought to be mute until Elena worked with him; he had also been a resident. Other residents included Rodney Broussard. Tim Kruger is the director of counseling with a B.A. in psych and an M.A. in counseling ed. Jim Halstead is the head coach. The Gentleman’s Brigade is a group of businessmen pushed by their corporations to volunteer time at La Casa. They seem to be something of a Big Brothers group. The Honorable Edwin G. Hayden is a supervising judge of the Dependency Court.
Stuart Hickle, a retired lab technician, had been caught, a pedophile accused of harming the charges in his wife’s daycare facility, Kim’s Korner. Kim has an attack dog, Otto.
Jedson College is…
…a private college in Washington state that caters to rich families. Margaret Dopplemeier is in charge of the public relations. And don’t rock her boat! A friend, a good man, Lee, had been a Princeton graduate who couldn’t take it anymore. Professor Van der Graaf in the History Department is the oldest of the Old Guard and quite the gossip. Three students back in the day had been called the Three Heads of State behind their backs. Jeffrey Saxon had been a scholarship student and one of the few students who loved knowledge. Gretchen Chaplain had done a thesis on Brindamoor Island.
André Jaroslav has the Institute for Martial Arts in West Hollywood and consults for the movies. Bill Roberts was a reporter with National Medical News. Bettiejean is a waitress at Angela’s. A Zeigarnik effect is when people develop tension when they have unfinished business. Artie Gershman is president of Presto Instant Print; Denise is his secretary; and, Lenny is a customer. Marianne is in transcripts at the University of Oregon. Brian Adamses, any one of ‘em, is a handy way in. The boys on the ferry include Dougie, Harmon Lundquist, Matt, and Ray.
The Cover and Title
The cover is grim in its stark grayness, the only cheer coming from the young Melody Quinn in her striped jumper with the bright green short-sleeved T and brown sandals, about to rise up from her squat, long brown hair framing a face looking at us with solemnity. A long gray shadow stretches horizontally across the the cover, the only other color, a white-outlined burgundy for the title taking up the top half of the cover and the author’s name at the bottom below the shadow.
The title is from a lullaby, and When the Bough Breaks…these perverts will fall.
In 1986, When the Bough Breaks won the Anthony and Edgar Awards for Best First Novel.
My Take
Sneaky. Kellerman slides his story under your skin, smooth, easy, no great jolts and with Alex’s perspective in first person protagonist point-of-view. Once he has you hooked on the intriguing characters, then he begins to slide in those other hooks, the ones that make your heart pound, your brain need to know, and the biggest hook of all — the curious need to know who, what, and why.
In some ways, When the Bough Breaks is a bit slow to get a move on, but it does have some nasty little twists. Nothing that dives too deep, but enough to make you wonder how such people can exist.
I started out liking Robin simply because she’s an artist with wood, then I didn’t, and now I’m not sure. After all, her NIMBY attitude could return. Milo is quite different, and I'm enjoying his relationship with Alex. There's an intellectual side that makes it fun. Alex, of course, is intriguing. He's incredibly smart and empathic, and yet he doesn't come off as holier than thou. I'm also hoping that Biondi continues to feature...it's that urge for justice to prevail...in public. Yes, I liked Professor Van der Graaf as well. He may not use his power, but he does understand the realities.
It was difficult to feel the when of the setting, even though Kellerman did mention dates and events, i.e., the Korean War and Towle's family dying in 1951. But they were blips, and there was no ongoing sense of the period. I think it's the technological lines that tripped me up. No cellphones. No Internet. Alex loving his Seville. It could have been any time, any when.
There’s some fascinating insight into Hispanic society and their communication style, as well as an explanation of curanderos. And there oughta be a course or ten in medical schools to teach doctors (hmmm, maybe cops too??) about caring. That snarky comment about "academic rigor" has made me think about checking out how involved a doctor is and whether that involvement includes gladhanding or writing papers.
It’s well-written with some issues, and I’m curious to see how Kellerman improves…and I want to know what Alex does next, if Milo and Rick continue, if Robin expands her area of expertise and her support for Alex. We’ll see what happens when I pick up Blood Test .
The Story
Detective Milo Sturgis has two brutally hacked-up bodies and a seven-year-old witness who can’t remember. It’s Dr. Alex Delaware attempting to unlock Melody’s memories that brings the first lead. A step that leads down a twisty path, one that makes connections in all the wrong places, including the catalyst that sent Alex into a spiraling depression.
Behind this single step lies a forty-year-old conspiracy, hiding an unspeakable evil that Alex must expose before it claims yet another innocent victim.
The Characters
Dr. Alex Delaware is a thirty-three-year-old child psychologist…and retired. I hate him already! A good-looking man, he’s burnt the candle from both ends and needs rest. He met Robin, who makes beautiful musical instruments, at ѳ䲹’s, a guitar shop.
Homicide Detective Milo Bernard Sturgis is gay and has an M.A. in American Lit. His fellow cops know his preferences, and he gets the lousy cases. Dr. Rick Silverman who works ER at Cedars is the new guy; Larry is the stage manager with whom Milo recently broke up. Milo works with Detective Delano Hardy.
Olivia Brickerman used to work at the Department of Social Services; now she works for her nephew Steve at his practice, the Santa Monica Psychiatric Medical Group. Her husband, Al, is antisocial and passionate about chess. Gabriel is a younger son who lives in Hawaii. Ned Biondi is a senior writer for the L.A. Times who owes Alex for how he helped his daughter, Anne Marie.
Western Pediatric Medical Center is…
…where Alex used to work. Henry Bork is the smarmy medical director. Cora is in charge of the administrative offices. The snooty Dr. Lionel Willard Towle is a well-respected, established pediatrician who pushes pills with his own medical issues. Sandi is the too open receptionist; Edna is the battle-axe and right-hand gal. Lilah and Lionel Willard, Jr, had been his wife and son.
Bonita Quinn is the manager of an upscale apartment complex for M&M Properties of which Marduk "Marty" I. Minassian is president; Melody is her inactive seven-year-old. Ronnie Lee Quinn is her abusive ex-husband.
Dr. Morton Handler was a psychiatrist with few morals. Elaine "Elena" Gutierrez was his girlfriend and a fabulous Emotionally Handicapped teacher. Rafael and Andy Gutierrez are her brothers. Sra. Cruz is their mother. Raquel Ochoa was Elena’s best friend from childhood, roommate, and a fellow teacher at the school. Her brother Miguel was killed.
Some of the possible murderers/patients include Rex Allen Camblin; Peter Lewis Jefferson; Michael Penn, a nasty piece of a student (Julie is one girl he’s stringing along while he sets up Sonya Magary who owns Puff ’n’ Stuff Children’s Boutique); Lance Arthur Shattuck; Maurice Bruno, a v-p in charge of sales at Presto Instant Print; Roy Longstreth, a pharmacist who collects Icarts from whom Handler tried a little extortion; and Cpl. Gerard Paul Mendenhall.
La Casa de los Niños is…
…a children’s home for the homeless and "chronic wards of the Dependency Court". The Reverend Augustus J. McCaffrey, a.k.a., Rev. Gus, is the director. He used to run a similar place in Mexico, Father Augustino’s Christian Home. Cary Nemeth had been thought to be mute until Elena worked with him; he had also been a resident. Other residents included Rodney Broussard. Tim Kruger is the director of counseling with a B.A. in psych and an M.A. in counseling ed. Jim Halstead is the head coach. The Gentleman’s Brigade is a group of businessmen pushed by their corporations to volunteer time at La Casa. They seem to be something of a Big Brothers group. The Honorable Edwin G. Hayden is a supervising judge of the Dependency Court.
Stuart Hickle, a retired lab technician, had been caught, a pedophile accused of harming the charges in his wife’s daycare facility, Kim’s Korner. Kim has an attack dog, Otto.
Jedson College is…
…a private college in Washington state that caters to rich families. Margaret Dopplemeier is in charge of the public relations. And don’t rock her boat! A friend, a good man, Lee, had been a Princeton graduate who couldn’t take it anymore. Professor Van der Graaf in the History Department is the oldest of the Old Guard and quite the gossip. Three students back in the day had been called the Three Heads of State behind their backs. Jeffrey Saxon had been a scholarship student and one of the few students who loved knowledge. Gretchen Chaplain had done a thesis on Brindamoor Island.
André Jaroslav has the Institute for Martial Arts in West Hollywood and consults for the movies. Bill Roberts was a reporter with National Medical News. Bettiejean is a waitress at Angela’s. A Zeigarnik effect is when people develop tension when they have unfinished business. Artie Gershman is president of Presto Instant Print; Denise is his secretary; and, Lenny is a customer. Marianne is in transcripts at the University of Oregon. Brian Adamses, any one of ‘em, is a handy way in. The boys on the ferry include Dougie, Harmon Lundquist, Matt, and Ray.
The Cover and Title
The cover is grim in its stark grayness, the only cheer coming from the young Melody Quinn in her striped jumper with the bright green short-sleeved T and brown sandals, about to rise up from her squat, long brown hair framing a face looking at us with solemnity. A long gray shadow stretches horizontally across the the cover, the only other color, a white-outlined burgundy for the title taking up the top half of the cover and the author’s name at the bottom below the shadow.
The title is from a lullaby, and When the Bough Breaks…these perverts will fall.
July 6, 2018
I think I just found a new series to get tucked into. I’d recommend this for all fans thriller / phychological thriller fans. This was interesting, written very well with lots of twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. What more do you want from a thriller?
Although this story is charming and funny in places, it deals with very dark subject manner. Kellerman will whisk you away with some interesting psychology and then hit you with a horrowing sentence. Or he can lighten the mood nicely.
‘They didn’t talk because nobody knew how to listen,’
He played with his hands, constructing ten-legged spiders and killing them.
Above the action and intriguing plot line, I think I enjoyed Alex (the main character) reading people and narrating his thoughts on them. For someone who’s always been envious of people who can evaluate someone quickly this appeals to me and I found it very interesting.
All in all, I was very impressed by this. It’s not everyday that you get a book recommendation through Mic Foley (Mankind) and I’m glad I followed up on it.
Although this story is charming and funny in places, it deals with very dark subject manner. Kellerman will whisk you away with some interesting psychology and then hit you with a horrowing sentence. Or he can lighten the mood nicely.
‘They didn’t talk because nobody knew how to listen,’
He played with his hands, constructing ten-legged spiders and killing them.
Above the action and intriguing plot line, I think I enjoyed Alex (the main character) reading people and narrating his thoughts on them. For someone who’s always been envious of people who can evaluate someone quickly this appeals to me and I found it very interesting.
All in all, I was very impressed by this. It’s not everyday that you get a book recommendation through Mic Foley (Mankind) and I’m glad I followed up on it.
May 16, 2020
When the Bough Breaks by Jonathan Kellerman is the first book in the Alex Delaware Mystery series. Child psychologist Alex Delaware is lured out of retirement to consult with the police in the investigation of the murder of a psychiatrist and his girlfriend potentially witnessed by seven year old Melody Quinn. I had read several books in this series in the past but it was good to start at the beginning and understand how the friendship between Alex Delaware and detective Milo Sturgis developed and how their working relationship commenced. This book lays the groundwork for the series and is a terrific introduction. A brilliant, twisted and well written start that makes me want to reread the series in the correct order.
April 4, 2024
Sordid case in a captivating mystery-thriller. Well constructed, pleasantly written, quite descriptive and appropriately paced. On top of that equipped with a recognizable cast, a likable lead and a ditto sidekick. A nice characteristic is how Alex Delaware -a psychologist- uses his professional knowledge in dealing with the different people he encounters. A minor complaint is that it gets a little talky here and there with characters spilling their guts. Other than that, nothing to yammer about. More Kellerman for me. And that includes the missus.
January 27, 2016
It's the first book in the long-running series, showing Alex Delaware just six months after his retirement, his mind scarred from trauma. Trying to get things kickstarted for his old bud, Milo (a homosexual homicide detective), enlists in the aid of the child psychologist for an especially troubling case. After following through with the favor of hypnotizing a small child, Alex finds he can't let go and continues forth with the investigation on his own.
It's a great introduction to the series, giving one a good idea of the main characters at play, yet holding onto the usual awkward stumbles of a first book. It's simply not as engrossing as Kellerman's later stuff, although I dare you to be able to put this one down. It feels like the author is trying to find his footing, testing the waters in different areas to see what should make his main characters tick. One of the more notable standouts of this one was the absence of Milo during most of the investigation. Alex does nearly all the detective work without phone conversations with the big guy, which isn't as preferable. Milo's wit that comes later and the discoveries he feeds Alex (and vice versa) end up working so much better.
The mystery is as usual a complicated one, and Kellerman's typical knack for distracting the reader works its magic. He always includes so many characters it's almost easy to lose track of them, with various red herring trails and pasts always eventually tying in with the present. Here it's on the semi-unrealistic side as the past too conveniently ties in with this cases's answer (does this situation have to do with everything?). Too many people seem to be involved with the main uncovering, but I did enjoy the shocking revelation coaxed out from Milo on the last few pages.
If you're a fan of the series, you definitely should dive in to learn the history of Alex, how he met Milo and Robin, etc. Don't expect quite the same pizazz as other works, but be prepared to have to spare an afternoon or two to read this book with no distractions. If I could find another fault, it would be that the book could use some minor trimming to perhaps speed up the revelation and action. At least all the questions are answered in the end.
It's a great introduction to the series, giving one a good idea of the main characters at play, yet holding onto the usual awkward stumbles of a first book. It's simply not as engrossing as Kellerman's later stuff, although I dare you to be able to put this one down. It feels like the author is trying to find his footing, testing the waters in different areas to see what should make his main characters tick. One of the more notable standouts of this one was the absence of Milo during most of the investigation. Alex does nearly all the detective work without phone conversations with the big guy, which isn't as preferable. Milo's wit that comes later and the discoveries he feeds Alex (and vice versa) end up working so much better.
The mystery is as usual a complicated one, and Kellerman's typical knack for distracting the reader works its magic. He always includes so many characters it's almost easy to lose track of them, with various red herring trails and pasts always eventually tying in with the present. Here it's on the semi-unrealistic side as the past too conveniently ties in with this cases's answer (does this situation have to do with everything?). Too many people seem to be involved with the main uncovering, but I did enjoy the shocking revelation coaxed out from Milo on the last few pages.
If you're a fan of the series, you definitely should dive in to learn the history of Alex, how he met Milo and Robin, etc. Don't expect quite the same pizazz as other works, but be prepared to have to spare an afternoon or two to read this book with no distractions. If I could find another fault, it would be that the book could use some minor trimming to perhaps speed up the revelation and action. At least all the questions are answered in the end.
August 15, 2013
3 ½ stars. Slightly above average. Ok as a mystery.
The beginning was very good. I liked the way Alex investigated. Example, Alex needs to talk to a 7 year old girl who saw something. The girl’s mother is ignorant and poor and keeps the daughter on drugs to keep her quiet. Alex talks to the girl’s Doctor who prescribes the drugs. The Doctor won’t stop the drugs, he has a huge ego, he talks down to Alex. Alex befriends the girl. They go to the beach and a merry-go-round. There’s a whole mini story going on about the girl that is engaging and very interesting. It’s not just Alex going to the girl, asking questions and then leaving.
Alex talks to many people during the book, which are like mini stories, but the reader doesn’t get any good clues until the end when there is a tell-all. One bad guy is caught and reveals all the details. That was ok, but it’s not my preferred type of mystery.
In later sections of the book, my mind occasionally wandered, but not too bad.
The subject matter of raping children may bother some readers, but no details are shown.
I liked the narrator Alexander Adams. He does women nicely without sounding effeminate.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 1st person Alex Delaware. Unabridged audiobook length: 12 hrs and 51 mins. Swearing language: strong, but rarely used. Sexual language: none. Number of sex scenes: 2 referred to no details, plus 1 partial. Setting: around 1985 Los Angeles area, California. Book copyright: 1985. Genre: mystery with suspense.
The beginning was very good. I liked the way Alex investigated. Example, Alex needs to talk to a 7 year old girl who saw something. The girl’s mother is ignorant and poor and keeps the daughter on drugs to keep her quiet. Alex talks to the girl’s Doctor who prescribes the drugs. The Doctor won’t stop the drugs, he has a huge ego, he talks down to Alex. Alex befriends the girl. They go to the beach and a merry-go-round. There’s a whole mini story going on about the girl that is engaging and very interesting. It’s not just Alex going to the girl, asking questions and then leaving.
Alex talks to many people during the book, which are like mini stories, but the reader doesn’t get any good clues until the end when there is a tell-all. One bad guy is caught and reveals all the details. That was ok, but it’s not my preferred type of mystery.
In later sections of the book, my mind occasionally wandered, but not too bad.
The subject matter of raping children may bother some readers, but no details are shown.
I liked the narrator Alexander Adams. He does women nicely without sounding effeminate.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 1st person Alex Delaware. Unabridged audiobook length: 12 hrs and 51 mins. Swearing language: strong, but rarely used. Sexual language: none. Number of sex scenes: 2 referred to no details, plus 1 partial. Setting: around 1985 Los Angeles area, California. Book copyright: 1985. Genre: mystery with suspense.
December 5, 2009
Alex Delaware was brilliant in the beginning. A child psychologist who went where no crime 'detective' had been before.
Melody Quinn is a seven-year-old witness to crimes committed by a psychiatrist who has manipulated and extorted his patients for years.
Jonathan Kellerman had a beautiful beginning with Alex.
Melody Quinn is a seven-year-old witness to crimes committed by a psychiatrist who has manipulated and extorted his patients for years.
Jonathan Kellerman had a beautiful beginning with Alex.
October 24, 2020
Note to myself - read books written in mid 80s with caution. That writing did not age well. The story is interesting but how women are portrayed is bad with all big letters. I gave up.
June 1, 2021
3 Stars. Our first introduction to Dr. Alex Delaware and his friend, gay L.A. police detective Milo Sturgis. It's also our first introduction to the strange cases which come Delaware's way as a child psychologist. I didn't find this one as riveting as others previously read. Author Kellerman was finding his legs; 30 or so entries later, the series is proven and a great success. "Bough" is a prelude to what's coming. The doctor has retired, he's in his thirties (!), but it's more like a breather after the horrific Stuart Hickle child-abuse case which included the suicide of Hickle in Davenport's office. Of all places. Delaware had been "drafted" by Western Pediatric Medical Center, Western Peds, his hospital, to lead a psychological rehab program for the many children damaged by Hickle. And to help the parents wracked with guilt. One day, Milo descends on Alex's house in Bel Air to ask for help. "You're out of my age range," replies Delaware. Milo smiles and clarifies; he's dealing with two new murders, psychiatrist Dr. Morton Handler and a young woman plus, he has a traumatized seven-year-old witness, Melody Quinn. Can Alex talk to her? So #1 begins. (November 2020)
August 13, 2015
This book helped me better understand why white dudes are fighting so hard to keep everyone else from gaining any power. They had it SO GOOD. Every single "other" wasn't just assumed to be less than, they actually were! Every single way in which you differed from the straight white guy was a way in which you were inferior, and everyone acknowledged it! They lived like kings!
(I read it because the mystery was well-paced and -plotted, but it sure pissed me off. What a bunch of fuckfaces we've been.)
(I read it because the mystery was well-paced and -plotted, but it sure pissed me off. What a bunch of fuckfaces we've been.)
May 13, 2007
I really enjoy this mystery series. Both the author and the main protagonist are child psychologists, and so the books have many characters that are children, and I love reading books about kids. This is the first book in the Alex Delaware series. As with most mystery series, because of the growth & development & life changes of the recurring main characters, they should be read in order for the most enjoyment.
October 16, 2018
First time reader of this author and now i am hooked. This was such a great, easy and creative series. i was hooked after the first page.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this series.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this series.
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