The Conspiracy Club

Dr. Jeremy Carrier, psychologist at City Central Hospital, is emotionally devastated by the brutal murder of his girlfriend, Jocelyn. As more gruesome corpses turn up, it's clear that a serial killer is preying on local women. Jeremy is drawn into an unexpected friendship with the enigmatic elderly pathologist, Dr. Arthur Chess. When Arthur goes abroad without a word, Jeremy begins to receive anonymous cryptic clues to the identity of the killer. Bob Kahn's reading adds suspense to Kellerman's less than original plot. His portrayal of Jeremy's uncertainty about a new relationship with a fellow doctor, frustration with the police, and confusion over Arthur's role in the mystery adds complexity to flat characters. A.B. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine

October 13, 2003
Kellerman re-invigorates a number of tried-and-true mystery conventions in this gripping, intricately plotted, non–Alex Delaware stand-alone novel of psychological suspense. A psychologist at City Central Hospital, Jeremy Carrier, is attempting to put his life back together after the brutal murder of his girlfriend, Jocelyn, when he is approached by elderly Dr. Arthur Chess with an offer of friendship. Jeremy, still too traumatized by Jocelyn's death to attempt even the most casual of relationships, initially rejects Chess's solicitation. After further conversation, he accepts an invitation to an elegant dinner at a very private club with Chess and five other older men and women of high intellectual and social rank, all of whom have an extreme interest in crime and the nature of evil. Just as a halting, tentative rapport with fellow doctor Angela Rios begins to develop, Jeremy receives the first in a series of mysterious, anonymous messages. By piecing these messages together with other clues from Dr. Chess, he comes to understand that someone is trying to point him toward the killer of his beloved Jocelyn and a number of other local women. Kellerman is a master at building character and slowly unfolding events, divulging just the right amount of information. Jeremy uncovers more murders, both past and present, and eventually realizes he's had everything wrong from the very beginning. Savvy mystery readers will not be surprised that the likable Jeremy finally comes to the correct conclusions and identifies the killer, earns the respect of his elderly friends and the love of his new lady. (Dec.)

Forecast
:
Kellerman's Alex Delaware books have won just about every award in the mystery business and are perennial bestsellers. As his nonseries outings sell almost as well, and Ballantine promises a strong publicity push, booksellers can expect this one to follo
w suit.

Psychologist Jeremy Carrier's life is torn apart when his girlfriend is brutally murdered. In his grief, he turns inward, shunning everyone, and initially rejects the overtures of the elderly Dr. Chess, who sympathizes and tries to draw him into a friendship. Eventually, however, the intriguing Dr. Chess garners Jeremy's interest by inviting him to dine at a private club with five older men and women of social and intellectual note. All, it turns out, are particularly interested in the nature of evil. Soon Jeremy begins receiving anonymous messages that seem to be providing clues to the identity of his girlfriend's killer. David Birney delivers this complex mystery with a subtle intensity that compels the listener's interest. Both story and voice are magnetic. J.F.M. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine