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Capital Crimes
Internationally bestselling husband and wife Jonathan and Faye Kellerman team up for a powerful one-two punch with Capital Crimes, a gripping pair of original crime thrillers.
MY SISTER’S KEEPER: BERKELEY
Some of progressive state representative Davida Grayson’s views have made her unpopular. Although her foes are numerous no one suspects that any buttons Davida might push could evoke deadly force.
But now Davida lies brutally murdered in her office, and Berkeley homicide detectives Will Barnes and Amanda Isis must unravel Davida’s complex, before the killer pulls off a repeat performance.
MUSIC CITY BREAKDOWN: NASHVILLE
Baker Southerby was a child prodigy performer. But something leads him to become a Nashville cop. His partner, Lamar Van Gundy, is a would-be studio bassist who earned himself a detective’s badge. As part of Nashville PD's elite Murder Squad, they catch a homicide that’s high-profile even for a city where musical celebrity is routine.
Capital Crimes is page-turning, psychologically resonant suspense–just what we’ve come to expect from two of the world’s most successful crime writers.
From the Hardcover edition.
MY SISTER’S KEEPER: BERKELEY
Some of progressive state representative Davida Grayson’s views have made her unpopular. Although her foes are numerous no one suspects that any buttons Davida might push could evoke deadly force.
But now Davida lies brutally murdered in her office, and Berkeley homicide detectives Will Barnes and Amanda Isis must unravel Davida’s complex, before the killer pulls off a repeat performance.
MUSIC CITY BREAKDOWN: NASHVILLE
Baker Southerby was a child prodigy performer. But something leads him to become a Nashville cop. His partner, Lamar Van Gundy, is a would-be studio bassist who earned himself a detective’s badge. As part of Nashville PD's elite Murder Squad, they catch a homicide that’s high-profile even for a city where musical celebrity is routine.
Capital Crimes is page-turning, psychologically resonant suspense–just what we’ve come to expect from two of the world’s most successful crime writers.
From the Hardcover edition.
294 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
443 people are currently reading
1599 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Kellerman
203 books5,825 followersJonathan 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 treatment of children. He served internships in clinical psychology and pediatric psychology at Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles and was a post-doctoral HEW Fellow in Psychology and Human Development at CHLA.
IN 1975, Jonathan was asked by the hospital to conduct research into the psychological effects of extreme isolation (plastic bubble units) on children with cancer, and to coordinate care for these kids and their families. The success of that venture led to the establishment, in 1977 of the Psychosocial Program, Division of Oncology, the first comprehensive approach to the emotional aspects of pediatric cancer anywhere in the world. Jonathan was asked to be founding director and, along with his team, published extensively in the area of behavioral medicine. Decades later, the program, under the tutelage of one of Jonathan's former students, continues to break ground.
Jonathan's first published book was a medical text, PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF CHILDHOOD CANCER, 1980. One year later, came a book for parents, HELPING THE FEARFUL CHILD.
In 1985, Jonathan's first novel, WHEN THE BOUGH BREAKS, was published to enormous critical and commercial success and became a New York Times bestseller. BOUGH was also produced as a t.v. movie and won the Edgar Allan Poe and Anthony Boucher Awards for Best First Novel. Since then, Jonathan has published a best-selling crime novel every year, and occasionally, two a year. In addition, he has written and illustrated two books for children and a nonfiction volume on childhood violence, SAVAGE SPAWN (1999.) Though no longer active as a psychotherapist, he is a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics and Psychology at University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine.
Jonathan is married to bestselling novelist Faye Kellerman and they have four children.
Like his fictional protagonist, Alex Delaware, Jonathan received at Ph.D. in psychology at the age of 24, with a specialty in the treatment of children. He served internships in clinical psychology and pediatric psychology at Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles and was a post-doctoral HEW Fellow in Psychology and Human Development at CHLA.
IN 1975, Jonathan was asked by the hospital to conduct research into the psychological effects of extreme isolation (plastic bubble units) on children with cancer, and to coordinate care for these kids and their families. The success of that venture led to the establishment, in 1977 of the Psychosocial Program, Division of Oncology, the first comprehensive approach to the emotional aspects of pediatric cancer anywhere in the world. Jonathan was asked to be founding director and, along with his team, published extensively in the area of behavioral medicine. Decades later, the program, under the tutelage of one of Jonathan's former students, continues to break ground.
Jonathan's first published book was a medical text, PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF CHILDHOOD CANCER, 1980. One year later, came a book for parents, HELPING THE FEARFUL CHILD.
In 1985, Jonathan's first novel, WHEN THE BOUGH BREAKS, was published to enormous critical and commercial success and became a New York Times bestseller. BOUGH was also produced as a t.v. movie and won the Edgar Allan Poe and Anthony Boucher Awards for Best First Novel. Since then, Jonathan has published a best-selling crime novel every year, and occasionally, two a year. In addition, he has written and illustrated two books for children and a nonfiction volume on childhood violence, SAVAGE SPAWN (1999.) Though no longer active as a psychotherapist, he is a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics and Psychology at University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine.
Jonathan is married to bestselling novelist Faye Kellerman and they have four children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews
February 15, 2015
I listened to the audio version.
Felt the book to be mediocre. Nothing great. Hesitated giving it three stars. I lost interest very quickly.
Jonathan and Faye Kellerman teamed up to write the book. It was supposed to be suspenseful. I found nothing suspenseful about it!
I did not care for the narrator, John Rubinstein. Very ineffective with the male to female voices in this book.
Murder mystery that takes place in Berkley and Nashville. Too different cities that tie together in the novel.
Felt the book to be mediocre. Nothing great. Hesitated giving it three stars. I lost interest very quickly.
Jonathan and Faye Kellerman teamed up to write the book. It was supposed to be suspenseful. I found nothing suspenseful about it!
I did not care for the narrator, John Rubinstein. Very ineffective with the male to female voices in this book.
Murder mystery that takes place in Berkley and Nashville. Too different cities that tie together in the novel.
December 5, 2016
I found the characters in both of these novellas to be very dreary.
August 27, 2015
Frankly I was disappointed. Seems like two authors, used to writing novels, tried their hand at novellas and ran out of space so ended the stories quickly and without a lot of lead-up. I am a big fan of Jonathan Kellerman but have not read much of his wife Faye's stuff, though I hear it's quite good.
The first story, "My Sister's Keeper", takes place in Berkeley and Sacramento and involves the murder of a California State legislator who is pushing for a stem cell research project and is a well-known lesbian. The plot is very much a police procedural as we are introduced to a number of possible killers as the evidence and the interviews progress. The ending while not surprising does tie up a number of loose ends.
The second story, "Music City Breakdown", opens with the murder of a well-known rock singer who is attempting a come-back by appearing at a benefit in Nashville. There is a lot more character development and the two detectives seem more real than in the other novella. The focus is mostly on procedure as the two detectives cull out the suspect list. The eventual solution is surprising but not totally unexpected. The authors' attempt to flesh out the two detectives adds a chapter at the end which would have been better placed earlier in the story - kind of anti-climatic.
If you are traveling or otherwise looking for a light read, this could meet your needs. I was eager to finish it and move on - never a good sign. I prefer wishing the book hadn't ended. Call this a lukewarm recommendation.
The first story, "My Sister's Keeper", takes place in Berkeley and Sacramento and involves the murder of a California State legislator who is pushing for a stem cell research project and is a well-known lesbian. The plot is very much a police procedural as we are introduced to a number of possible killers as the evidence and the interviews progress. The ending while not surprising does tie up a number of loose ends.
The second story, "Music City Breakdown", opens with the murder of a well-known rock singer who is attempting a come-back by appearing at a benefit in Nashville. There is a lot more character development and the two detectives seem more real than in the other novella. The focus is mostly on procedure as the two detectives cull out the suspect list. The eventual solution is surprising but not totally unexpected. The authors' attempt to flesh out the two detectives adds a chapter at the end which would have been better placed earlier in the story - kind of anti-climatic.
If you are traveling or otherwise looking for a light read, this could meet your needs. I was eager to finish it and move on - never a good sign. I prefer wishing the book hadn't ended. Call this a lukewarm recommendation.
May 9, 2008
I enjoyed both these stories.
My Sister's Keeper - I thought the ending was a little odd... sorta came out of nowhere, but wasn't horrible or anything. Just... seemed sort of thrown together at the last minute, or something. I certainly didn't see that coming! lol
Music City Breakdown - I suppose if I had to choose which story was better, I'd say the first one, but this one wasn't bad either. Again, didn't see the ending coming, never suspected who it turned out to be... I think the book could've ended after the confession and I'd have been fine with that. The last little bit about Baker and his childhood seemed kind of tacked on and unnecessary. But still, a good read.
My Sister's Keeper - I thought the ending was a little odd... sorta came out of nowhere, but wasn't horrible or anything. Just... seemed sort of thrown together at the last minute, or something. I certainly didn't see that coming! lol
Music City Breakdown - I suppose if I had to choose which story was better, I'd say the first one, but this one wasn't bad either. Again, didn't see the ending coming, never suspected who it turned out to be... I think the book could've ended after the confession and I'd have been fine with that. The last little bit about Baker and his childhood seemed kind of tacked on and unnecessary. But still, a good read.
January 29, 2017
Already a fan of Jonathan Kellerman's work, I actually picked up this book to read his wife Faye's work, as I've always meant to give her Decker/Lazarus series a read. The two novellas are loosely tied together as the first story, My Sister's Keeper, has FK's Decker as a consultant to a crime in Berkeley and the second story, Music City Breakdown, has JK's Delaware making a cameo in a Nashville murder case. This book will only really appeal to Kellerman fans, but it was interesting to have them both write about different characters and locales.
January 1, 2010
This was two novellas in one, both standard Kellerman. I have missed his writing. All new characters except brief cameos in each. In the first story, a lesbian politician is gunned down. I had a hard time keeping characters straight. The second story is about a murdered jazz musician. I liked that one a little more.
June 21, 2013
Really couldn't get into. It isn't a good sign when I have to keep turning back the page to see if I skipped something because the flow wasn't there. Plus, not really in the mood to read the gay under-culture for the murder mystery.
March 13, 2018
Love the Kellermans
Nothing like reasoned o f the Kellerman books to take you away from a long day of work. Look foreward to reading about the characters in the books that have become friends over the years
Nothing like reasoned o f the Kellerman books to take you away from a long day of work. Look foreward to reading about the characters in the books that have become friends over the years
January 3, 2008
I love these two authors....separately. Perhaps they aren't the best collaborators. I didn't really enjoy either of these two short stories; found them very predictable and somewhat boring.
Read
August 13, 2008I am a fan of Faye Kellermans, but this was very disappointing.
March 30, 2009
Not a great book, prefer these two authors when they write alone.
January 12, 2009
It was a fast and easy read, but not the usual page turners I've come to expect from these two authors.
October 29, 2010
Both stories are ok--not good but ok. Better than I expected. I'm not sure that this husband/wife should try the "let's write something together." I cannot recommend this to Jonathan Kellerman fans.
December 28, 2010
Read the first novella, My Sister's Keeper, it was rather boring. Decided not to read the second, Music City Breakdown.
August 10, 2011
Too predictable
January 24, 2013
Although I am a huge fan of the two authors of this book, I did not enjoy the deviation from their usual separate writing.
October 1, 2014
I should know by now not to buy two-author fiction books.
July 28, 2016
Not their best.
February 6, 2017
I love Kellerman, but I had an issue trying to get through the second half of the book.
March 5, 2017
Two complete stories. Who-done-it?s. Fun, relaxing read.
September 29, 2017
A crime drama reader's dream. Two crime thrillers between the book covers.
August 21, 2018
Not as engaging as one would expect from the husband and wife team of Jonathon and Faye Kellerman. Finished it but was disappointed with everything about this book.
May 9, 2019
Okay, but not as interesting as the main Decker/Lazarus series.
April 25, 2020
Meh!
Not the best efforts of either of them. Readable, but just.
Not the best efforts of either of them. Readable, but just.
December 15, 2025
Die Abgeordnete Davida Grayson ist vielen ein Dorn im Auge. Zu progressiv sind ihre Ansichten und zu offen geht sie für den konservativen amerikanischen Süden mit ihrer Homosexualität um. Drohbriefe sind keine Seltenheit für sie, aber sie nimmt sie auf die leichte Schulter. Vielleicht war das ein Fehler, denn als Davida noch spät in ihrem Büro arbeitet, wird sie ermordet.
Als die Polizisten Will Barnes und Amanda Isis mit den Ermittlungen im Mordfall Davida Grayson beginnen, scheinen sie in ein Wespennest zu stoßen. sie hatte viele Feinde und jeder von ihnen scheint ein Tatmotiv zu haben. Trotzdem laufen die Ermittlungen zäh an, was auch daran liegt, dass die Ermittler nicht immer zusammen arbeiten. Will kennt die Menschen aus Davidas Vergangenheit und ermittelt lieber auf eigene Faust.
Bei diesem Krimi dreht sich die Geschichte weniger um die Tat als um die Vergangenheit der Toten und ganz Besonders um ihre Homosexualität. Natürlich spielt die eine wichtige Rolle, aber hier stand sie zu sehr im Vordergrund. Selbst die Ermittlungen waren hier nur Nebensache. Der Krimi war recht kurz, mit ein paar Seiten mehr hätte man den Dingen mehr Tiefe geben können. So aber war es eine eher flache Geschichte, von der ich mich in einer Woche/einem Monat an nicht mehr viel erinnern werde.
Als die Polizisten Will Barnes und Amanda Isis mit den Ermittlungen im Mordfall Davida Grayson beginnen, scheinen sie in ein Wespennest zu stoßen. sie hatte viele Feinde und jeder von ihnen scheint ein Tatmotiv zu haben. Trotzdem laufen die Ermittlungen zäh an, was auch daran liegt, dass die Ermittler nicht immer zusammen arbeiten. Will kennt die Menschen aus Davidas Vergangenheit und ermittelt lieber auf eigene Faust.
Bei diesem Krimi dreht sich die Geschichte weniger um die Tat als um die Vergangenheit der Toten und ganz Besonders um ihre Homosexualität. Natürlich spielt die eine wichtige Rolle, aber hier stand sie zu sehr im Vordergrund. Selbst die Ermittlungen waren hier nur Nebensache. Der Krimi war recht kurz, mit ein paar Seiten mehr hätte man den Dingen mehr Tiefe geben können. So aber war es eine eher flache Geschichte, von der ich mich in einer Woche/einem Monat an nicht mehr viel erinnern werde.
January 15, 2024
Co-written with his wife Faye, the dynamic author duo deliver a great novella comprised of two stories; "My Sister's Keeper" set in Berkeley California and "Music City Breakdown" set in Nashville. The first story involves two homicide detectives Will Barnes and Amanda Isis investigating the murder of a state representative Davida Grayson. The second story pairs up detectives Baker Southerby and Lamar Van Gundy to find the killer of murdered rock star Jack Jeffries. Kellerman's literary character Alex Delaware makes a cameo appearance, hired by the aging rockstar to help help him overcome his fear of flying, so he can make a comeback by playing at a fund raising concert.
Both stories keep you guessing till the end with suspenseful twists and a number of characters who could easily be the murderer.
Both stories keep you guessing till the end with suspenseful twists and a number of characters who could easily be the murderer.
June 22, 2025
Not a fan. First—there was no indication on the cover that this was really 2 novellas rather than one novel. Then—they just weren’t that good. I’ve already forgotten the first one, but wasn’t impressed. The second one needed to be fleshed out more, and maybe it would have been ok. But after the murderer was identified, there was another chapter or 2 that were totally unnecessary. They gave the backstory of a minor thing mentioned early on, unrelated to the murder. That may be ok in a full novel, in that it wraps things up , but a novella is too short to have this unconnected minor thing so fully explained after the murder was wrapped up. This is my first foray into Kellerman books, and I’m not really eager to read any more.
December 3, 2025
finished 3rd december 2025 good read three stars for the second story i liked it no less no more one star for the first story i did not like it no less no more kindle library loaner have read many from kellerman and some combination of him and his son or him and his wife. i do not give a shit for politics and fashionable ideology and that is the first story. throw it in the trash pile and forget it.
this story, sounds like fucking third graders on the playground, much as all of television, politics, washington d.c. academia the media hollywood the while shebang. you can have it i don't want it.
if that's your thing leave me out. i need to see a man about a dog.
the second story was a good read, nashville, a had been great is murdered and two detectives set out to solve the case.
this story, sounds like fucking third graders on the playground, much as all of television, politics, washington d.c. academia the media hollywood the while shebang. you can have it i don't want it.
if that's your thing leave me out. i need to see a man about a dog.
the second story was a good read, nashville, a had been great is murdered and two detectives set out to solve the case.
October 3, 2023
Two very engaging stories. The first is "My Sister's Keeper" by Faye and involved a lesbian legislator, Davita, in California. Davita is murdered in her office and the hunt is on to find out who killed her. It's never who you suspect. The second book, "Breakdown" takes place in Nashville and involved a famous singer Jack Jeffries. He's found dead, and the cops are on the case. Alex Delaware makes a few appearances in this book, but it's about the music industry, sex, pregnancy, and people disappointing others. The end of the second book veered off in an odd direction but overall, it's fun to listen to and to try and figure out 'who done it.'
The narrator did a nice job as well.
The narrator did a nice job as well.
September 30, 2025
3 1/2stars. This is a 2 novella book...2 short books in one. I liked the first novella better than the 2nd, which sort of surprised me. When I started the book, I thought the 2 Kellermans had written the novellas together. But they seem to have each written one, and I think My Sister's Keeper was Faye's, since Alex Delaware makes an appearance in Music City Breakdown. I'm usually a fan of the Delaware series, but I didn't like the tone or writing in the novella. My apologies to Jonathan K, if it was his wife who took a mis-stab at his character.
And the endings of both were meh, at best. Ran out of steam? Had to finish within a certain word length?
And the endings of both were meh, at best. Ran out of steam? Had to finish within a certain word length?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews