The Murder Book

Kellerman's fans will especially enjoy this installment in his series about child psychologist Alex Delaware. However, a large part of it centers on gay detective Mike Sturgis, whose story is told in the third person, unlike Delaware's, which is told in the first person. The book contains the usual elements: grisly murders; convoluted plot lines with numerous villains, some of them cops; assorted red herrings; lots of violence; and a morally murky resolution, all beginning with a photo album of murder victims sent to Delaware anonymously. Reader John Rubinstein is superb. Quick-paced, dramatic, with consistent and accurate character differentiation and a flawless presentation, he makes a good novel into an even better audiobook. T.H. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine

Starred review from September 16, 2002
Bestseller Kellerman's 16th Alex Delaware novel is a hoot of a whodunit, a classic puzzler to keep the most staid traditionalist gleefully scratching his or her head until the wee hours. It's also a noir of gothic proportions, a descent into a California hell, in which Delaware shares the spotlight with his longtime friend and colleague, Det. Milo Sturgis. When somebody sends Alex a three-ring binder full of grisly police photographs of crime scenes with "The Murder Book" in gold letters on the front cover, Milo is stunned to discover a picture of the mutilated body of Janie Ingalls, a Hollywood High sophomore, whose vicious murder he investigated 20 years before. Milo was just a rookie detective then, partnered with a hard-nosed veteran, Pierce Schwinn. The pair made some progress with the case, but were pulled off it and split up because Schwinn stepped on some big toes. Milo suspects the book has come from Schwinn, an invitation to take up the old case that has haunted them both for years. He and Alex begin to follow a trail that will lead them high up the social ladder and down among the dregs of society. It is a step-by-step, clue-by-clue process beloved of mystery fans, and Kellerman handles it masterfully. By the end there are an awful lot of characters to keep track of, and the biff-boom-bang finale seems too much, but no one's perfect. This may be the best Kellerman in years. (Oct. 1)Forecast:Kellerman has won Edgar, Anthony and Goldwyn awards and been nominated for a Shamus. National media appearances and advertising on Court TV and CNN will help ensure another run up bestseller lists.