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14th out of 40 books
—
11 voters
Gone (Alex Delaware #20)
No one conducts a more chilling, suspenseful, thoroughly engrossing tour through the winding corridors of criminal behavior and the secret chambers of psychopathology than Jonathan Kellerman, the bestselling “master of the psychological thriller” (People). Now the incomparable team of psychologist Alex Delaware and homicide cop Milo Sturgis embark on their most dangerous e...more
Paperback, 480 pages
Published
March 27th 2007
by Ballantine Books
(first published January 1st 2006)
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I struck it lucky here. Kellerman's strength is his dialogue and the books I like best are those ones with strong dialogue. A near perfect match I would say.
It has been many years since I was right into this Alex Delaware series and that brought me to GONE with fresh eyes. Maybe this helped to appreciate the book more.
It did nothing wrong by my tastes. Good plot, great pair of main characters who work well off each other, Delaware and Sturgis, humorous, very humorous, not too much rambling or fo...more
It has been many years since I was right into this Alex Delaware series and that brought me to GONE with fresh eyes. Maybe this helped to appreciate the book more.
It did nothing wrong by my tastes. Good plot, great pair of main characters who work well off each other, Delaware and Sturgis, humorous, very humorous, not too much rambling or fo...more
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Listened to this book because of a patron's complaint. This would not normally be my cup of tea. The book was a nicely written crime novel with nice touches of character description. I admit that I didn't figure out "who-dun-it" until right before the reveal.
The interesting case is that the mix-up with the audio book involved the abridged version mixed in with the unabridged. When the abridged version ended I listened to the unabridged part that was included. I do not think I would have survived...more
The interesting case is that the mix-up with the audio book involved the abridged version mixed in with the unabridged. When the abridged version ended I listened to the unabridged part that was included. I do not think I would have survived...more
3.0-3.5 STARS - A decent enough Alex Delaware book, with some of the plot points fitting together a little too neatly as usual.
For example, out of all the people who go missing and/or killed in California, how convenient it is that the only ones who come to the attention of the police - only because a family member or two happened to reach out specifically because a current case was 'similar' - happen to fit in 'perfectly' with the other case and without any shred of connection other than that...more
For example, out of all the people who go missing and/or killed in California, how convenient it is that the only ones who come to the attention of the police - only because a family member or two happened to reach out specifically because a current case was 'similar' - happen to fit in 'perfectly' with the other case and without any shred of connection other than that...more
A wanna-be movie star and her boyfriend fake a kidnapping for publicity. Alex is asked by the court to do a psychological evaluation of her. A couple of weeks later, she is found dead, so Milo brings Alex into the investigation. Other wanna-bes our found missing, and possibly linked. (view spoiler)...more
A pair of young, would-be movie stars, Michaela and Dylan, stage a publicity stunt, hoping to garner attention and film offers. Both attend the drama school run by a wealthy, eccentric older woman who never made it as an actor herself. Psychologist Alex Delaware is hired to evaluate Michaela in preparation for her trial for wasting police resources. When, weeks later, Michaela is murdered, Alex assists the cops with the investigation. The school, it seems, is a very dangerous place to enroll.
As...more
As...more
There are many books in Jonathan Kelleman’s series featuring Alex Delaware (psychologist) and Milo Sturgis (detective). I felt that “Gone” lacked the character development to keep the reader interested. I like forensic details and psychological motivations, but without connection with characters, the book begins to bore me.
Bottom line, this audio book is rather forgettable. It is a story about naive young people who go to Hollywood hoping to become stars, about a dysfunctional family who prey o...more
Bottom line, this audio book is rather forgettable. It is a story about naive young people who go to Hollywood hoping to become stars, about a dysfunctional family who prey o...more
This is the first book I've read by this author. I must admit that maybe I didn't give him a fair chance. The book just didn't suck me in right away, so whenever something more interesting came along, I read it first, then returned to "Gone." So I suppose that says something right there. The book did seem to improve in the last quarter, but maybe that's because I read it more or less straight through. If another of his books fell in my lap, I'd probably read it, or keep it in the car for "emerge...more
I would have to imagine that Kellerman's popularity is based on his ability to provide an airplane book, light reading for a distracting atmosphere with just enough grisly stuff to keep you from falling asleep.
Having chosen this as my first Kellerman, I couldn't get interested in whether Delaware's ex-wife moved back in with him or not, and a Dr. Hauser seemed to appear from nowhere to provide an action sequence. Was he in an earlier book?
Technically, Kellerman should get credit for the action...more
Having chosen this as my first Kellerman, I couldn't get interested in whether Delaware's ex-wife moved back in with him or not, and a Dr. Hauser seemed to appear from nowhere to provide an action sequence. Was he in an earlier book?
Technically, Kellerman should get credit for the action...more
Frequent readers of Kellerman's Delaware novels know that the author has a certain formula that he follows to entertaining effect. A murder invariably requires that Delaware and Sturgis delve into the pasts of a series of characters—many of them unsavoury—to finally unearth the truth. In a Kellerman novel, murders have deep roots. “Gone” is no exception and, in this case, those roots feed an enjoyable and fast-paced tale sunk in the less-than-nutrient-rich earth of Hollywood acting schools.
This was my first Alex Delaware novel. I didn't know I was reading #20 in the long line of the series. Despite not knowing the characters or previous stories I really enjoyed this book. Nothing better than a good murder mystery and trying to find out who did it. I had a feeling of who the killer might be yet when I got to the end of the story the author threw a wrench in the works and it still left me surprised. Great story with interesting characters.
Alex is asked by the courts to evaluate a young girl who helped plan an elaborate kidnapping hoax. When she turns up dead after her session with Alex, Alex and Milo investigate the case. Suddenly there are many aspiring actors turning up missing and the duo must find where they are disappearing to. In the meantime, Robin reappears in Alex's life. This caper was fun, but it followed the usual course of a Kellerman mystery - Alex and Milo theorizes for 80% of the book and then finally come to the...more
This is the first book by Kellerman I read, and I enjoyed his writing and story telling skills. His psychology background comes through in a good way. This book was fun up until the ending, which seemed like a bit of a stretch. Sadly I didn't feel the empathy for the main character I would have liked, maybe because he is really all about his job, or maybe his character was built up in other novels that I haven't read.
Akex Delaware, with long time friend Detective Milo Sturgis, is on the trail of a missing ex-patient, Michaela and her boyfriend Dylan Meserve.
In the Hollywood world of cotton candy dreams the two must distinguish between reality and illusion. The clues lead them to the underbelly of tinseltown, to seedy neighbourhoods and to second rate acting schools.
Is the disappearance an elaborate act or is it for real? Unfortunately Alex’s ex-girlfriend, Robin is back too. This soppy on-off relationship...more
In the Hollywood world of cotton candy dreams the two must distinguish between reality and illusion. The clues lead them to the underbelly of tinseltown, to seedy neighbourhoods and to second rate acting schools.
Is the disappearance an elaborate act or is it for real? Unfortunately Alex’s ex-girlfriend, Robin is back too. This soppy on-off relationship...more
Not to long ago I thought I would not continue to read anything from Jonathan Kellerman. I hadn't liked his previous books very much. But then I did buy another one and to my surprise it was a great read. He is back at the top of his game. I also really like that Robin is back! Yes I'm a sucker for those kind of things LOL. I'm thinking about buying the one that comes out this month in hardcover.
I always wonder how much Jonathan & Faye Kellerman discuss their writing with each other - do they chat about their characters over the dinner table? I enjoyed reading both their books some years ago, but wasn't overly enthralled by Faye's latest Peter Dekker book when I read it recently.
This is Kellerman's 20th Alex Delaware novel - holy crap - and it's a pretty exciting mystery. While I occasionally found it odd that Alex feels free to run around passing himself off as a police officer and...more
This is Kellerman's 20th Alex Delaware novel - holy crap - and it's a pretty exciting mystery. While I occasionally found it odd that Alex feels free to run around passing himself off as a police officer and...more
(audio version) Really well-written ... I didn't even realize until I started to post my review that this was #20 in a series! So, the author didn't make me feel out of the loop. I liked the chemistry between the psychiatrist and the detective - they played well off each other as they worked toward solving the mystery. Good twist at the end, too...right when I thought I had it all figured out. :)
I listened to this book on tape right after a James Patterson, and it was leaps and bounds above the mysteries Patterson weaves. The book is written well had the plot keeps you tuned in as you learn more and more. This was a fun book to try to predict, and the ending was just horrific enough to surprise you without completely overwhelming you. I will look for more books from this author!
Brilliant book from start to finish.....a real page turner. It's initially the story of a murdered young wannabe actress and her missing boyfriend but as the story enfolds it turns out that there are more unexplained murders and until almost the end of the book you are not sure if these are linked. A great twist towards the end of the story....really work a read
can't say to much without giving big parts away. Even though I had an idea who the "bad" guy was halfway into it...I didn't figure the whole thing out. I did enjoy having Robin back. The last couple chapters were creepy. I have to admit i got the chills when Alex was reading the murder book.
Random comment: I can't remember how old he is supposed to be.
Random comment: I can't remember how old he is supposed to be.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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I always like Alex Delaware and Milo. What struck me this time was Milo's skillful questioning and handling of witnesses. He has become a master of intimidation while appearing to be a friendly, cuddle-bear of a cop. This was a little disappointing because Alex had no one actually in therapy, which I have enjoyed reading about in the past. It was a good, not overly frightening mystery, too (because they didn't know who the killer was until the book was almost over). I was very satisfied.
I read the entire series in order so I can understand some of the negative reviews because you have to know the characters & Alex & Robins relationship over the years. Plus Milo has a whole history & different kind of relationship that develops over time. It was still an overall goos read & I cannot wait for the next book each time.
Third Kellerman book in a row, although in totally messed up order. Again, a fun read for the genre, and the characters are likeable even if I don't feel totally sympathetic towards them (no fault of theirs). He does a great job of making this a readable thriller, with a nice twist at the end. I don't think I would consider this a psychological thriller, even if one of the main characters is a psychologist. Just a modern thriller. Come to think of it, things have moved a long way from Chandler....more
I like Jonathan Kellerman and I like Alex Delaware novels. this is not an exception. The story is very good one that grabs you. The story has a set of believable characters but they are "way out there."
Enjoyable for all mystery fans.
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the 'Isms'"
Enjoyable for all mystery fans.
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the 'Isms'"
Aug 04, 2011
Larry Johnson
added it
I haven't read many of Kellerman's novels and this one sure doesn't encourage me to read more of them. One character seems to be thrown in towards the end just to wrap up the story. The main plot was engaging but the ending left me disgusted. I also found the subplot to be distracting.
His descriptions of people and places are really detailed! Lots of suggested different angles in this novel and a lot of unexpected twists. A lot of people to remember but they are explained who they are most of the time when their name comes up later. Not that hard to keep up on them.
Perhaps it's because I haven't listened to much of the Alex Delaware series in a while, but I felt this was one of the best ones yet. It perfectly fits the mold JK has built for Alex and friends, but this one seemed to be constructed a little more heartily. A good quick listen, as always, and well performed. I approve.
Another great book in the series with Alex Delaware and Milo Stugis. Two actors stage a fake kidnapping and are arrested. Within a short time, the woman is killed and her friend is missing. Dysfunctional family members and the return of Robin to Alex’s home complete the picture.
Shocking, brutal, misdirection, lies - this book has it all. Going to the dark side of the human experience and staying there, this book is a good demonstration of why Kellerman's books hold a consistant place on best-seller lists. This is the 20th in the series!
I thought this one was thoroughly predictable. Or maybe I'm just getting very good at detecting who the bad guys are.
Apart from this, the book was badly written or maybe just badly edited. Words were duplicated, some were missing and this just spoils a book for me. It read like a rushed job and as such the 2 star rating is very generous.
Apart from this, the book was badly written or maybe just badly edited. Words were duplicated, some were missing and this just spoils a book for me. It read like a rushed job and as such the 2 star rating is very generous.
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Jonathan 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 t...more
More about Jonathan Kellerman...
Like his fictional protagonist, Alex Delaware, Jonathan received at Ph.D. in psychology at the age of 24, with a specialty in the t...more
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