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Bones (Alex Delaware #23)
When it comes to writing deftly layered, tightly coiled novels of suspense, #1 New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Kellerman reigns supreme as “master of the psychological thriller” (People). Now, Kellerman has worked his magic again in this chilling new masterpiece.
The anonymous caller has an ominous tone and an unnerving message about something “real dead . . . bu...more
The anonymous caller has an ominous tone and an unnerving message about something “real dead . . . bu...more
Mass Market Paperback, 448 pages
Published
February 24th 2009
by Ballantine Books
(first published January 1st 2008)
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Meh. Honestly, the last three I've read have been fairly bland. Not that the murder mystery isn't salacious (it is) and nasty (ditto) but the characters have stalled out. Milo is Milo, Alex is Alex, Robin is an afterthought, we get a bit more of Dr. Rick but honestly, who cares? There's a new character, a rookie cop, named Moe. I found him the most interesting.
I'm tired of how all of Kellerman's killers are real sickos. (I know, I know -- aren't murderers, by definition, mental...more
I'm tired of how all of Kellerman's killers are real sickos. (I know, I know -- aren't murderers, by definition, mental...more
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It was slow going and a tad bit boring. I could not wait to finish it. I expected more excitement and more explanations in the story line.
This book was just ok for me. I understand his previous writings are much better which is good to know because after reading this one I might now have picked up another one of his books
This book was just ok for me. I understand his previous writings are much better which is good to know because after reading this one I might now have picked up another one of his books
It seems like Jonathan Kellerman is getting more graphic, unnecessarily. I thought there was less psychology. I gave up the Kay Scarpetta series by Patricia Cornwell years ago for the same reason.
I like all the Kellerman books - this one was good - I really liked the new detective and his brother - they added a much needed new dimension to the series.... I liked the series better when there was more personal interaction with Robin and home - Alex seems to never be home much anymore and since when is Robin OK with that?
This one had almost too much twisting in the plot to the point where I was nearly losing interest - I don't get to just sit down and read a book cover to cover - I...more
This one had almost too much twisting in the plot to the point where I was nearly losing interest - I don't get to just sit down and read a book cover to cover - I...more
On a recent roadtrip, my mom asked me to run into a bookstore and pick up a book on tape. A good thriller, she said. I scanned the picked over shelf, and my eyes settled on BONES, with the promising banner across the top - #1 New York Times Bestselling Author. This should do it, I thought, scooping it up and scurrying back to the car.
What a mistake. If I could rate a book with negative stars I would. This was awful from it's discouraging start to it's banal, unimaginative end. ...more
What a mistake. If I could rate a book with negative stars I would. This was awful from it's discouraging start to it's banal, unimaginative end. ...more
My full review can be found on my blog: http://decemberjoy.wordpress.com/2012/01...
It is hard for me to buy books from authors I do not know or am unfamiliar with; mostly if the author was not recommended to me by someone I know and who would have an idea of what kind of books I like. However, sometimes I do take that chance and this was one of those times. Part of the reason was the price…this book was only $2 and if I really hated the book, well, at least I wouldn’t have to beat my...more
It is hard for me to buy books from authors I do not know or am unfamiliar with; mostly if the author was not recommended to me by someone I know and who would have an idea of what kind of books I like. However, sometimes I do take that chance and this was one of those times. Part of the reason was the price…this book was only $2 and if I really hated the book, well, at least I wouldn’t have to beat my...more
The mutilated body of a young woman is discovered in a protected marsh area in Los Angeles. Veteran LAPD Detective Milo Sturgis is called in to assist a rookie Detective by the name of Moses Reed. Naturally Milo brings his friend, psychologist Alex Delaware, along for the ride. A few more bodies are uncovered and there are hints that a prominent local family might be involved in the grizzly deaths.I stopped reading this series somewhere around book 9 or 10 due to their repetitive nature. And I c...more
This is your basic Alex Delaware book. If you like his others, you will like this one. It revolves around some bodies found in a marsh, each missing their right hand. A likely suspect appears early on and the rest of the book goes about proving his guilt or innocence. One thing that bothered me about the book is that near the end, Alex gets into a tight spot, but it is for about literally two or three sentences. Almost an afterthought, like, "Gee, Alex usually gets in a dangerous situation,...more
Bones is another winner for Jonathan Kellerman!
An anonymous caller reports a body in L.A.’s Bird Marsh. The body is identified as piano teacher Selena Bass. Forensics anthropologists, Alex Delaware and Milo Sturgis come to investigate and while investigating, other bodies turn up. But something doesn’t add up! The other bodies are prostitutes so what’s the connection between them and Selena? As the story unfolds we follow the investigation to suspect Travis who was falsely accused o...more
An anonymous caller reports a body in L.A.’s Bird Marsh. The body is identified as piano teacher Selena Bass. Forensics anthropologists, Alex Delaware and Milo Sturgis come to investigate and while investigating, other bodies turn up. But something doesn’t add up! The other bodies are prostitutes so what’s the connection between them and Selena? As the story unfolds we follow the investigation to suspect Travis who was falsely accused o...more
This was standard Jonathan Kellerman, and quite honestly that is why I gave it a three instead of a four. It is exactly like everyone of his other books, where I find myself daydreaming in the middle of the book and then finding myself stopping and saying, "Wait, who are they talking about??" This isn't to say I didn't like it, it just wasn't anything special.
A phone call comes into a volunteer at a marsh that tips off that there is a body buried in the marshland. When thi...more
A phone call comes into a volunteer at a marsh that tips off that there is a body buried in the marshland. When thi...more
Crafting a plot isn't easy, and some authors--even some of the very good ones--occasionally stretch credibility by having characters do things that are out of character.
That doesn't happen with Jonathan Kellerman. In Bones, as in all his books, the people are, for the most part, as real and consistent as those we see on the street every day. It's evident from the way he develops motivation and relationships that Kellerman is as good a psychologist as he is a writer. I would no more ...more
That doesn't happen with Jonathan Kellerman. In Bones, as in all his books, the people are, for the most part, as real and consistent as those we see on the street every day. It's evident from the way he develops motivation and relationships that Kellerman is as good a psychologist as he is a writer. I would no more ...more
This was my first delving into the Alex Delaware books of Jonathan Kellerman. I must admit that I really liked it quite a bit. I will definitely be reading more of the series. It was interesting, though, as it was like having a story told to you as if you were along for the ride, or something. It is kind of hard to explain.
Anyway, for those of you who are not familiar, Alex Delaware is a psychologist who works with the LAPD. This book centers around a marsh that is preserved, holy, env...more
Anyway, for those of you who are not familiar, Alex Delaware is a psychologist who works with the LAPD. This book centers around a marsh that is preserved, holy, env...more
American crime writers seem intent on devising the most gruesome and twisted killers hiding behind the most normal and unlikely facades. Kellerman is hugely succesful at this, with his psychologist hero Alex Delaware, delving into deranged minds and broken lives as cops do the legwork. Bones opens with four female bodies found in Los Angeles nature reserve,, each with a cut off hand.Clues lead to LA's red light district and secret lives behind the walls of one of the city's wealthiest families.A...more
Une jeune femme tombe en panne sur une route déserte et disparaît dans la nuit. Une enseignante à la retraite est poignardée en plein jour sur le pas de sa porte. Mobile apparent : aucun. Indice : une petite tache de sang sur un fauteuil en cuir crème.
C’est peu. Pour Alex Delaware et Milo Sturgis, le tandem d’enquêteurs le plus détonnant de la côte Ouest, l’enquête ressemble à un puzzle mal dessiné. Orné d’un leitmotiv : une silhouette au sexe indéfini, mutante et insaisissable. Des qu...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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This book introduces Moe Reed (and his brother) as a new person for Milo and Alex to banter with, interact with. I predict we will see Moe again. This is the 23 Kellerman novel to star Alex Delaware. The pschological expertise of Dr Delaware seems to be downplayed this time around. The interaction of the characters is interesting and kept me entertained. I did not feel that this book was as psychologically gripping as some of the past Alex Delaware novels, but it is still fast-paced and kept up ...more
Some time ago I decided not to waste any more time on murder mysteries, books about serial killers, and similar books in the genre. But then I was loaned this Jonathan Kellerman book and I remembered how much I like his books as well as those of his wife, Faye. Having said that, this book disappointed me. It was hard to follow and after I finished it I was not sure all the pieces really fit very well--although it didn't seem worth my while to go back and check. It was fine for reading by the poo...more
I wonder if Kellerman worries that we get tired of Alex Delaware and his sponge like absorption of other people's flaws, insecurities, sad back stories. I don't. And I don't get tired of Milo or Robin or a french bulldog. Spike could have puffed out his flews forever, I would not be so crass as to calculate his dog years from the eighties. He keeps introducing new investigators, hoping, I guess that one of them can take over for Alex,Milo et al. I never want that to happen and I get tired of the...more
Kellerman has turned out another pretty good mystery, although the plot doesn't hang together as well as the characters. This is like a buddy book -- lots of good sleuthing among the 3 main characters, often over a plate of food. They theorize and enjoy the male bonding, but meanwhile, nobody seems too upset that people are dying right and left and being dumped in the same place over and over. Don't you think they would have somebody guarding that marsh after the first 4 bodies were found and ...more
"Bones" by Johnathan Kellerman
Product Description(From Amazon.com)
The anonymous caller has an ominous tone and an unnerving message about something “real dead . . . buried in your marsh.” The eco-volunteer on the other end of the phone thinks it’s a prank, but when a young woman’s body turns up in L.A.’s Bird Marsh preserve no one’s laughing. And when the bones of more victims surface, homicide detective Milo Sturgis realizes the city’s under siege to an insidious killer. M...more
Product Description(From Amazon.com)
The anonymous caller has an ominous tone and an unnerving message about something “real dead . . . buried in your marsh.” The eco-volunteer on the other end of the phone thinks it’s a prank, but when a young woman’s body turns up in L.A.’s Bird Marsh preserve no one’s laughing. And when the bones of more victims surface, homicide detective Milo Sturgis realizes the city’s under siege to an insidious killer. M...more
When a body is discovered, via anonymous tip and openly displayed in a marsh near LA, the strangest thing about it is the missing right hand. Shortly thereafter, three other bodies are discovered – also missing hands.
Then a man who goes to auctions for the contents of storage units finds a carved box containing small bones. Polished bones, like a treasure. The bones turn out to be human
hands.
Detective Milo Sturgis and his sidekicks, along with Dr. Alex Delaware,...more
Then a man who goes to auctions for the contents of storage units finds a carved box containing small bones. Polished bones, like a treasure. The bones turn out to be human
hands.
Detective Milo Sturgis and his sidekicks, along with Dr. Alex Delaware,...more
Like the reader, Alex Delaware is more of a spectator in this tale about several women's bodies discovered in a protected wetlands. Neither is Milo used to his full prowess and rookie Reed's family problems are disposed of a little too neatly. Also, the red herring at the beginning of the story is patently an unfair diversion that isn't explicated. All that said, the book is enjoyable and a bit more nuanced than those of this type. Kellerman delivers and it was a good read for hot, sunny day...more
I used to love love love Jonathan Kellerman Alex Deleware Books. They were interesting and well written and kept you guessing from page to page. Not to mention that the character development (or lack thereof) that made the characters seem like they were real.
Unfortunately, the last five or so books in the series have been lacking the special something that had me so enthralled in the past. They're still good, mind you, their just not what they once were. This particular book was...more
Unfortunately, the last five or so books in the series have been lacking the special something that had me so enthralled in the past. They're still good, mind you, their just not what they once were. This particular book was...more
I will continue to read the Alex Delaware series because I love that he is a child psychologist--this is a series written by a former child psychologist--who becomes involved in mysteries and murders, collaborating with his long-term friend, LAPD Homicide detective Milo Sturgis, who was gay and out before it became at least politically and socially sensitive, although still not accepted in the workplace, with stereotypically self-sacrificing obsession with cases and self-destructive appetite for...more
Another classic Alex Delaware whodunnit. I am tempted to give this four stars, just because of his consistency, but I have to admit that this one just wasn't up to his usual standards.
Alex has moved from consultant to full-on police detective, in function if not in title. He abandons all pretense of tag-along in this book, going off on his own tangents in the investigation of bodies found in a wildlife preserve.
Pluses: deft interweaving of characters and plot, with twist...more
Alex has moved from consultant to full-on police detective, in function if not in title. He abandons all pretense of tag-along in this book, going off on his own tangents in the investigation of bodies found in a wildlife preserve.
Pluses: deft interweaving of characters and plot, with twist...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Well, this was not my favorite Alex Delaware book. It was really very gruesome. I normally like a hefty serving of gore, but this seemed over the top. Or perhaps it was just that the type of things described got under my skin too much and creeped me out. All I know is that i had a couple of bad nightmares which is unusual for me. Anyway, I also thought that the dialog was cryptic and hard to follow and somehow the whole murder scheme seemed too contrived. And I wanted a little more about A...more
This finally got interesting in the last few chapters. I was going to abandon it as a dull read but didn't have another book ready to replace it. I thought it was strange that although the story was told from Alex Delaware's perspective, he was mostly a "ride-along" through much of the book. I missed his personal involvement as well as the tension between Alex and Robin. I used to like this series, but I think it's time for Alex to retire.
Bones finds Dr Alex Delaware consulting on a case involving a murder in the wetlands of West L.A. An anonymous phone call to an indifferent teen volunteer at the office of Save the Marsh, a non-profit dedicated to the preservation of the Bird Marsh in Playa del Rey, tips the police off to a body dumped in the marsh. Soon, three other bodies turn up.
All evidence seems to point to the twitchy ex-con caretaker of a wealthy family's estate. Alex Delaware's job is to determine whether...more
All evidence seems to point to the twitchy ex-con caretaker of a wealthy family's estate. Alex Delaware's job is to determine whether...more
Derective Milo Sturgis of the LA Police Department calls in consulting psychologist, Alex Delaware to help with the murder of prostitutes.
The story begins when a murdered woman shows up in an out of the way ecological marsh in the city. More bodies surface--they are all prostitutes.
As usual there are interesting characters and lots of rwists and turns before the crime is solved.
Not much mention of Robin in this novel.
The story begins when a murdered woman shows up in an out of the way ecological marsh in the city. More bodies surface--they are all prostitutes.
As usual there are interesting characters and lots of rwists and turns before the crime is solved.
Not much mention of Robin in this novel.
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| Bones | 1 | 7 | Dec 31, 2008 07:40am |
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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 sp...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 sp...more
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