With scores of millions of books in print, translation into two dozen languages, and one of the most popular heroes in contemporary fiction to his ...
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Mar 14, 2008
Amy
rated it: 
I hate myself for loving Jonathan Kellerman. He's the literary equvalent of potato chips: addictive, tasty, and with no nutritional value. This is a good exemplar of his work.
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Jun 13, 2010
Ed
rated it: 
Part of the Alex Delaware series, this volume is somewhere in the middle in terms of quality and readability.
With his trusty side-kick, Milo Sturgis, a gay LA PD detective, Alex takes on the search for the meaning of a deathbed confession by Patty Bigelow, an ER nurse who has died, unexpectedly, from aggressive pancreatic cancer.
The connection to Delaware is that he had treated her adopted daughter, Tanya for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), a condition Patty also s More...
With his trusty side-kick, Milo Sturgis, a gay LA PD detective, Alex takes on the search for the meaning of a deathbed confession by Patty Bigelow, an ER nurse who has died, unexpectedly, from aggressive pancreatic cancer.
The connection to Delaware is that he had treated her adopted daughter, Tanya for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), a condition Patty also s More...
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Nov 30, 2007
Lain
rated it: 
Jonathan Kellerman has set the bar for psychological thrillers, and he's set it high. Unfortunately, Obsession, the latest in the Alex Delaware series, falls short of his previous achievements.
While the usual elements are there -- a previous client needs help, and Delaware and his detective pal Milo Sturgis jump to the rescue -- things feel a bit stale. Everything is just a bit tepid. Their reason for becoming involved in the mystery (a dying request from Sturgis' lover's co-worker) More...
While the usual elements are there -- a previous client needs help, and Delaware and his detective pal Milo Sturgis jump to the rescue -- things feel a bit stale. Everything is just a bit tepid. Their reason for becoming involved in the mystery (a dying request from Sturgis' lover's co-worker) More...
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Jun 11, 2010
Andy
rated it:
My first Kellerman book. Not great, but good enough that I want to read more. I know authors try to create "every-man" protaganists who readers like and can identify with, but sometimes it's taken to such an extreme that the supposed hero comes off as pretty bland. That was my take on Alex Delaware. He just kind of takes things in and is so decent that he really doesn't have much of a personality. Contrast that to Lucas Davenport in John Sandford's books. Or for that matter, Kay
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Apr 10, 2008
Susan
rated it: 
I really didn't like this book very much. It moved slowly and had more characters than I could manage. I continue to love Alex Delaware and like following his relationships with Robin and his friend Sturgis. This book introduces a new puppy in their household. A french bulldog named Blanche.
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Dec 15, 2011
Carol/Bonadie
rated it:
Kellerman has the formula down to a science -- psychologist Alex Delaware gets drawn into a police investigation run by his BFF Milo Sturgis. This one starts with a former patient of Alex's who comes to him with a problem she wants Milo to investigate. The duo follow lots of thread to more and more complexities and wierd connections until they eventually come across a dead body and eventually of course the perpetrators. The reader of the audio does a great job with different genders but it's
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May 10, 2008
Jennifer
rated it:
As a long time fan of both Jonathan Kellerman and Alex Delaware, OBSESSION does not disappoint. As I was immersed once again into another case of past meeting present, I was reminded of how much I love these characters!
When Dr. Delaware is contacted by a former patient after her mother dies, a very strange story unfolds. The girl's mother was a "saint," a nurse who kept the E.R. running smoothly with her tenacity and talents. The fact that she died after a brief illness, a More...
When Dr. Delaware is contacted by a former patient after her mother dies, a very strange story unfolds. The girl's mother was a "saint," a nurse who kept the E.R. running smoothly with her tenacity and talents. The fact that she died after a brief illness, a More...
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Dec 07, 2007
Jen
rated it:
In this installment of Kellerman's Alex Delaware series, a former patient of Alex's, Tanya, returns after her mother has died of cancer and revealed a partial secret. Tanya recruits Alex and Milo's help to uncover the whole secret. This quest leads them into a maze of murder, pornography and drugs. Petra Conner returns for this novel as well.
This is one of my favorite Kellerman novels. I wasn't able to accurately predict the ending, and there seemed to be a little less theoriz More...
This is one of my favorite Kellerman novels. I wasn't able to accurately predict the ending, and there seemed to be a little less theoriz More...
Mar 26, 2008
Melissa
rated it:
I am always looking for a good Kellerman book. He rarely disappoints and though Robin hasn't shown up in this book yet, I am so glad that they are back together.
This book is about a young woman (20 or so) who's mother just died and confessed to hurting someone on her deathbed. The interesting thing is that the young woman was a patient of Dr. Delaware's when she was younger as we read and work through the mystery of the confession, we also have flashbacks and memories of the previous More...
This book is about a young woman (20 or so) who's mother just died and confessed to hurting someone on her deathbed. The interesting thing is that the young woman was a patient of Dr. Delaware's when she was younger as we read and work through the mystery of the confession, we also have flashbacks and memories of the previous More...
Nov 27, 2011
Andre
rated it:
Not quite as suspenseful as the average Kellerman (the killer's identity is revealed fairly early on), “Obsession” follows Alex Delaware and his cop friend Milo Sturgis as they investigate a series of murders which might have ties to one of Delaware's former patients. If you’re already a fan, read “Obssession” to see how Kellerman ties all the strings together, and simply for the enjoyment inherent in a good story well told.
May 19, 2010
Kim
rated it:
Ok, after a little over 100 pages, I gave up on this book. It's so uninteresting I just can't read it anymore. I honestly don't care if a nurse who died of cancer said on her deathbed to her "daughter" that she "killed someone, close." Who cares? The book just goes around and around flashing back to the main character remembering the nurse and her O.C.D. and her daughter who started to have the same problem. Very boring read. I've moved on to something better.
Jul 10, 2011
Joanne
rated it:
As I write this, I honestly can't remember the plot of this one (or anyone except recent-ish favourites the Murder Book and True Detectives) but fact is I reach for every Kellerman book, and especially his Alex Delaware novels, soon as it hits the shelves and barely put it down 'til I'm done. Darn it, it's addictive. More http://wadadlipen.wordpress.com/2011/07/...
Jun 09, 2010
Denise
rated it:
2.0 out of 5 stars Boring......., June 12, 2007
This review is from: Obsession (Hardcover)
Although I'm usually a fan of Milo and Alex, this book was really boring. I had a hard time even finishing it because I didn't care about any of the characters. The plot was thin and a bit far fetched. When does Alex actually see any paying clients and make money???? I think I'll skip future books.
This review is from: Obsession (Hardcover)
Although I'm usually a fan of Milo and Alex, this book was really boring. I had a hard time even finishing it because I didn't care about any of the characters. The plot was thin and a bit far fetched. When does Alex actually see any paying clients and make money???? I think I'll skip future books.
Feb 18, 2010
Betsy
rated it: 
I honestly couldn't even finish this book. As a psychology student who likes mystery, I thought this was a sure thing. Unfortunately that wasn't the case. I felt the writing was sub-par, and as a result, I didn't feel very attached to the characters. I haven't completely lost hope. Maybe I'll try a different one of Kellerman's books because it seems like he has fans out there!
May 26, 2011
Jackie
rated it:
I love Jonathan Kellerman...maybe I should say I love Alex Delaware. Who isn't real, but I love all the same.
I always wished for an Alex Delaware movie...Michael Vartan would be perfect.
I read this on the beach...it wasn't as nail biting as some of his have been...but I liked it. It kept me going. The last 100 pages of his books are so fun...just can't stop. :)
I always wished for an Alex Delaware movie...Michael Vartan would be perfect.
I read this on the beach...it wasn't as nail biting as some of his have been...but I liked it. It kept me going. The last 100 pages of his books are so fun...just can't stop. :)
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Oct 11, 2010
Bart
rated it:
This book was enjoyable enough.
But there's never any real suspense in the Deleware books anymore. Kellerman's appeared now to have run out of the psychological insight and even diagnosis that he used so effectively to help the protagonists actually solve crimes in the earlier books. Now, what psychology there is feels like Dr. Phil, not Dr. Kellerman or Dr. Deleware.
But there's never any real suspense in the Deleware books anymore. Kellerman's appeared now to have run out of the psychological insight and even diagnosis that he used so effectively to help the protagonists actually solve crimes in the earlier books. Now, what psychology there is feels like Dr. Phil, not Dr. Kellerman or Dr. Deleware.
Sep 18, 2009
Eileen
rated it:
I've been a fan of Jonathan Kellerman and his Alex Delaware novels for twenty years. "Obsession" works in a convoluted plot of porn stars, dope addicts, and college students. What I missed in this novel was any tension or newness in Alex's relationship with Robin. So this was more straight procedural and less emotional than other works by Kellerman. "Billy Straight" (not a Delaware) and "Bad Blood" were better.
Sep 01, 2008
Beth
rated it:
Every once in a while, I need to read an uncomplicated popular thriller, and Jonathan Kellerman always delivers.
I'm actually reading two other books right now, but my name came up on the library hold list for Obsession.
It's a good book, not one of Kellerman's best. Obsession seemed to be too detailed for me; rather than keeping with the pace of a thriller, Obsession gets too detailed at times. Too many freaky characters, I think, too much detail about a person with OCD. I More...
I'm actually reading two other books right now, but my name came up on the library hold list for Obsession.
It's a good book, not one of Kellerman's best. Obsession seemed to be too detailed for me; rather than keeping with the pace of a thriller, Obsession gets too detailed at times. Too many freaky characters, I think, too much detail about a person with OCD. I More...
Jul 30, 2011
Chelsea
rated it:
I've read two other Kellerman novels and enjoyed them immensely, but this one was a slight let down. It didn't captivate me as much as the others and the ending was a bit rushed and didn't quite tie everything together smoothly, but all in all a very good read. I will definitely be reading more of his Alex Delaware novels.
Jan 15, 2009
Patrick
rated it:
21st in the series! This book spends FAR too much time on meals, places and Dr Delaware's dog(!)than is necessary. The plotline is weaker than usual going back into the past to probe a mystery, to even determine if there IS a mystery. A fair read, but not one of Kellerman's stronger efforts.
Apr 11, 2009
Lacy
rated it:
The title is misleading. Though the book delves a little into the world of OCD, it really has nothing to do with the plot. I kept waiting for it to be tied in, but no dice. This is a quick, not that scary, somewhat convoluted mystery. If you like Alex Delaware novels, you will probably like it.
Jul 30, 2009
I feel like I've already read this -- the story seems too familiar -- so I'm jumping ship. Either I DID already read it because my mom bought and gave it to me twice (not for the first time) or Jonathan Kellerman has become a little formulaic with his creepy crazy-people mysteries.
Nov 30, 2008
Corrie
rated it:
I've read all of the Alex Delaware series and will continue to read them because I like the main characters. However, this book didn't do much for me. I thought the plot had too many coincidences in it, wasn't believable and I hate to say it, kind of boring and stupid.
Oct 14, 2008
Julie
rated it:
Meh. Two-and-a-half stars, probably.
It's okay, but only because Kellerman is an accomplished author, and knows how to tell a tale, but his characters are all seeming, well, stale. Nothing is new here. I didn't really guess "who dunnit" but I also didn't care a lot. His villian in this one is just plain gross (which is typical Kellerman) and could have been plucked whole from any other Kellerman novel. The woman that Milo and Alex set out to help is supposed to be this More...
It's okay, but only because Kellerman is an accomplished author, and knows how to tell a tale, but his characters are all seeming, well, stale. Nothing is new here. I didn't really guess "who dunnit" but I also didn't care a lot. His villian in this one is just plain gross (which is typical Kellerman) and could have been plucked whole from any other Kellerman novel. The woman that Milo and Alex set out to help is supposed to be this More...
May 20, 2008
Anne
rated it:
Another entry in the Alex Delaware series, this one was picked up at O'Hare airport on the way out of the country last month. Because I was knee-deep in yet another McMurtry novel (which I just finished a week ago), my friend Larry got it first. Now he's done and it's mine, mine, mine!! Seriously, though, these are gritty, but interesting police procedurals starring Alex Delaware a sort-of retired child psychologist (though he's not old, just burned-out) who is called in periodically to help the
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Jun 02, 2011
Terri
rated it:
I always read the the Alex Delaware books. This novel is one of his better ones. This book, like others, involves bad things happening to a former patient. Milo Sturgis is his usual colorful self. The Los Angeles setting is an integral part of the novel as well.
Jun 05, 2009
Beverly
rated it:
Par for the series. Alex Delaware helps a former patient, an obsessive compulsive whose adoptive mother dies with a terrible secret on her lips. The investigation turns onthe horrid sexual obsessions of a psychopath. Set in the cheap Hollywood of porn films.
Sep 18, 2011
Debby
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I don't know why, but I have trouble getting into books in this Alex Delaware series. Is it the characters, Kellerman's writing style or what? Can't put my finger on it. I just know, I've read a few of them (and probably given them 3 starts before); however, while reading this one, I feel the same way when reading them...they're "OK". Not bad, not great...just OK! Sounds like Goldilocks and her choice of oatmeal. Now, that makes me laugh!
Jan 17, 2009
Sarah
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Jan 02, 2012
Connie
rated it:
I expected to read a solid mystery/thriller as I've come to expect from Jonathan Kellerman's series, and I was not disappointed. Not his most gripping, but it held my interest, and the characters remain appealing and fun to read.
