This is the third novel in the Alex Delaware series, and the fourth which I have read. I had previously read books 1,5, and 2 in that order.

"When the bough breaks" may very well be the best mystery I have ever read. It's fast paced, the charachters are interesting and they feel real. Kellerman describes a beautifully fascinating California life for some of us who have never been there. And the twists and turns were as sickening and perverted as they were unexpected.

The immediate follow up "Blood Test" is not quite as good, but is still an excellent companion for those who enjoyed "When the bough..."

Like Tom Clancy or JK Rowling, as Kellerman continued his series he felt entitiled to make his stories longer and perhaps needlessly more complicated. "Over the edge" the third in the Delaware series as well as "Timebomb" are both overlong and boring. The charachters are not as interesting as the ones in the first two books and the prequisite of psychology neccessary to understand these two novels goes above a 16 grade education.

Its sad because in this novel at least, Kellerman did have some nice twists in the end, its just unfortunate the path to get there was so long complicated and boring that I'm sure many gave up.

My recommendation is too read the first two Delaware novels, read this one only if you are obsessed and also hold a doctorate (I don't btw)