Bad Love

This was the first time in a while that I'd read an Alex Delaware novel, and it immediately reminded me why I've so enjoyed them in the past. The characters are fantastic, and Kellerman has a way of blending intrigue with the day-to-day and suspense that I love. This book was no exception, and it also kept me guessing, which I can't say for the last few big-seller thrillers I've read. I'd obviously suggest reading the Delaware novels in order if that's an option, but it's not actually necessary, and this is a good one.

I received this book in a "Blind Date with a Book" promotion at the library at the college where I work.

I had immediate reservations when I found myself with a book from the middle of a long-running series by an author I have never read. Bad Love is the eighth of nearly thirty Alex Delaware mysteries. Fortunately, the cast of recurring characters was small: Delaware, his girlfriend and his friend on the police force. They were skillfully introduced and came off as quite likeable.

The best character in the book, however, is the stray dog Delaware takes in early in the tale.

The plot revolves around a serial killer stalking anyone who was ever associated with a certain child psychiatrist who touted a good love/bad love theory of child show more rearing. Unfortunately for our hero, that fellow was the subject of a seminar Delaware was forced by hospital politics to host twenty years ago.
Delaware goes on the move as he tries to stay ahead of the killer, warn other potential victims and figure out the killer’s identity. After an engaging start, the plot meanders as Delaware himself wanders up and down the California coast and on a side trip to New York to talk to people. A lot of people. A lot of talking.

By the time the killer was revealed, I had to page back through the book to remind myself of the character’s previous appearance. At least the book ended with some action, and the dog gets to play a part.

In terms of a blind date, it would be a nice dinner followed by a conversation over drinks or coffee that went on a bit long and revealed my date to be not quite as interesting as I first thought. I might ask her out again to see if that initial spark can be fanned into something more, but probably not. show less

It came in a plain brown wrapper, no return address � a tape recording of a horrifying, soul-lacerating scream, followed by the sound of a childlike voice delivering the enigmatic and haunting message: 'Bad love. Bad love. Don't give me the bad love…' For child psychologist Dr Alex Delaware, the chant, repeated over and over like a twisted nursery rhyme, is the first intimation that he is about to enter a living nightmare. Others soon follow: disquieting laughter echoing over a phone line that suddenly goes dead, a chilling trespass outside his home, a sickening act of vandalism. A carefully orchestrated campaign of vague threats and intimidation rapidly builds to a crescendo as harassment turns to terror, mischief to madness. show more Searching his memory for the phrase 'bad love', Alex recalls a symposium he attended over a decade ago commemorating the work of Dr Andres de Bosch who ran a clinic for troubled adolescents. But when he tries to contact the other delegates, Alex discovers a seemingly random series of violent deaths amongst them. As he delves deeper into the history of the clinic, the escalating pattern of violence becomes inescapably clear. And if Alex fails to decipher the twisted logic of the stalker's mind-games, he will be the next one to die. show less

A good one. I was completely stumped by the murder but that isn't my fault. Kellerman doesn't try to hard to give you clues to the guilty person. His character development, particularly the psychological aspects, is fab. It isn't so much whodunnit as whydunnit. I also like the subtlety of the act that inspires the murders. And the thing I like that he has in common with the Francis novels since '80 is that the reason for the crime is buried in the past. Good book. Not art, but definitely worth it.

Trying to get all the older books in the Alex Delaware series. Over the years have found Jonathan Kellerman provides a very interesting read, not a lot of action which is more than offset by a feel of realism. Crimes are resolved by footwork, research and careful investigation. To me, this is a more difficult type of crime novel to write effectively. Kellerman is generally quite successful in keeping the reader interested in the book. The story lines are usually not cookie cutter stories and allow the reader to make guesses and assumptions as the investigation progresses. Seemingly there is a continuing conversation that carries the story and reader along. Frankly believe Kellerman's ability to put down effective conversational dialogue show more makes the stories very effective. The primary characters are well developed as often are the perpetrators. Secondary character development is sufficient to support the story.

This one hits all the right points and, I feel, could only have been effectively present by someone with Kellerman's skills. It is not his best work as, my opinion, the story was kind of draggy. Without the supporting conversations would have found it frustrating, however frustration was the general feeling of the entire investigation. Every lead, every thought, every aspect checked led nowhere beyond developing information that didnt seem to quite fit with the assumptions. When I finished the book I realized it was an interesting piece of manipulative writing that did what it was suppose to do. Using language and sentence structure to convey the feeling Alex Delaware had to be having as the investigation progressed. Ultimately the conclusion quickly manifested itself with answers that were always there without ever being apparent.

While not the most enjoyable read it is a piece of work I can appreciate. If you like Jonathan Kellerman's writing and story style and enjoy a frustrating mystery you should read this book. show less

Bad Love is a book wherein when completed one could say, "what a story." There are evil people in the world who masquerade as do gooders to children. We learn that our hero, Dr. Alex Delaware, is just that and he gets a new sidekick, Spike. Four stars were given to this book. It is well written. The characters and settings are all believable.

Well. This was a disaster. Kellerman is not immortal after all. I admit not to reading all of the book. Else I would be depressed. I get depressed when I read a bad book, and this was like a black hole that sucks the fun out of reading.

The book started innocently upbeat. And I got strung along. I thought, the mysteries are worth rooting for. What a misconception. Kellerman thought he had a printable book on his hands. I wonder if he was satisfied with his efforts. But this is the post-death of the author age.

I really disliked this book. Let's forget that it existed. This is the type of book that if it were sexed up differently, would pass off as a curriculum book. Then it would disenchant thousands. The more the merrier. Final thoughts show more are that Kellerman can commit more atrocities. I'll have to learn to recognize the early symptoms so that I don't waste my days using baby eyedrops to nurture reading one of these monsters. What do the Irish call them? Changelings. Freaking time waster of a book. show less