Child abuse, juvenile cancer, drugs, prostitution, and a quasi-religious cult built on perverse notions of sexual liberation make up the plot of Jonathan Kellerman’s second novel, Blood Test. Despite the dark subject matter, this second book to feature child psychologist turned part-time criminal investigator Alex Delaware is as well written and enjoyable as the first.

When Alex Delaware agrees to assist a former colleague in convincing an angry family not to remove their cancer-stricken child from hospital care, he quickly discovers that all is not as it appears. When the patient disappears, Alex is quickly swept up in a complex web of conspiracy and deceit ultimately leading to a showdown with a cult guru and a fight to the death with an ax-wielding maniac.

If the plot sounds a tad far-flung, that’s because it is. Yet Kellerman’s deft first-person narrative style and tight prose tie the various story threads together into a suspense-filled and surprisingly emotional tale about the misuse of power and the unintended effects of so-called victimless crimes. Basically, though the author probably didn’t intend this, it’s a story about the far-reaching consequences of sin.

As a psychological thriller, Blood Test succeeds. It is exciting and creepy and satisfying. Readers should be aware, however, that it contains rather graphic depictions of the evil acts carried out by some of the characters, including drug use, prostitution, and physical and emotional abuse, along with one very disturbing description of a sex ritual. It should also be noted that Alex Delaware’s best friend is gay, though the author primarily uses this very likeable character not to promote a homosexual lifestyle but as a means of exploring prejudice and social injustice.

Though it not a “issue book,” Blood Test certainly tackles several issues that are if anything more prevalent today than when the book was written over two decades ago. The disturbing elements of the story may offend some readers, and certainly caution should be exercised in reading, but Alex Delaware’s heroism and Kellerman’s eminently readable writing make this book worthwhile for those who are able to stomach some of the nastier parts and grasp the story’s message that good—at least “good” as seen from a purely secular perspective—ultimately triumphs over evil. ( )

I haven't read many of the early books of this series. It was interesting to see how sort of naive and unscarred Alex Delaware is in these early books. ( )

This being the third Alex Delaware series book I read, I knew that I would enjoy - if nothing else - the character himself. He is a child psychologist who consults with the police on cases involving children.

This particular novel concerns a young boy who needs medical treatment, but who's family is unwilling to allow the needed treatment. Alex Delaware is called in to convince the parents to allow treatment of their son.

The novel is well-written, with the plot progressing nicely along toward it's eventful ending. The author has a real knowledge of how children's minds work, and he displays this in this novel, as well as the other Alex Delaware novels. ( )

Second Delaware novel.

I think I prefer this one to When The Bough Breaks, the first Delaware book; it relies less on coincidence and accidental happenings, and more on solid work (both psychological and detective).

Woody Swopes has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma; treatment is possible and he had a good prognosis, but the family may be resistant to the idea of treatment. Then Woody disappears from the hospital. Alex, first brought in to look at the family dynamics regarding that possible resistance to treatment, won't let it go after the disappearance and plays detective.

nr 12, Alex Delaware, Milo Sturgis