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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
slow-paced
A book that started out showing some promise, but then falls short on delivering a plot that I could put my teeth in. Am I seeing through the writer's tricks in plottery? How come I knew from the start whodunnit? Another weak one in the AD series. Feels like JK is done with AD, but has a contract that forces him to keep on sucking weak plots out of his - well, whatever it is that he sucks the stories out of...
And why oh why, does every book have to mention that Milo rubs his face as if washing without water??? By now, we know he does that, alright? And why don't they evolve? Cardboard, that is what the characters are turning into.
And why oh why, does every book have to mention that Milo rubs his face as if washing without water??? By now, we know he does that, alright? And why don't they evolve? Cardboard, that is what the characters are turning into.
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Suicide
My first Jonathan Kellerman read. Didn't care for the writing style. DNF
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Another novel in the Alex Delaware series that feels a bit like two stories pinned together in order to create an interesting plot. 'Dr. Death' is interesting, but in the end I felt it too contrived because of the plot pasting. Still, definitely interesting.
The book has three candidates who could have killed the character Dr. Death, who, unlike the real-life Dr. Kevorkian, on whom the character Dr. Death is modeled (only Kevorkian's last two real-life suicidal patients Kevorkian helped to die were morally suspect choices to help), Dr. Death appeared to help anyone wanting to die for ANY reason.
Wanting to commit suicide because of a fatal or an awful illness is one thing (and I approve of the "Death with Dignity" legislation people are trying to pass in states) but being only clinically depressed is another case entirely. Assisted suicide, in my opinion, generally is a good idea though.
However, Dr. Death seemed to really be a serial killer with a thin legal and moral veneer. When he is murdered, it is not completely a sad thing. But it is soon very obvious that there must be more Dr. Deaths loose and they don't need any moral veneer to murder.
Delaware is very confused by this case and as a result is not on top of his game. Adding to his confusion, he is forced to avoid Milo, his best friend, because one of the possible suspects is Delaware's client. He cannot share ideas with Milo, a cop, without violating confidentiality. In addition, several murders and crimes cross each other muddying the tracks. It doesn't help that Delaware has had a previous professional relationship with most of the protagonists. In most of the book, the good psychologist is off his game and his appetite.
Unfortunately, I think the book was written a little off as well, but I enjoyed it.
The real life story behind the fictional Dr. Death is the real Dr. Jack Kevorkian. I agree with the author Jonathan Kellerman - there comes a time when doctors should relieve suffering compassionately by euthanizing patients who rationally request it, but Kevorkian seemed to me less interested in compassion in his last two assisted suicides and more interested in playing God for self-gratification and publicity. He helped people more than he hurt, though, imho.
Our society treats the whole subject of suicide as a black and white issue, when obviously there are definite nuances involved. Having seen the results of the ravages and torment of cancer, I think the option of suicide should be allowed. But I also understand the fears of handicapped people who are utterly dependent on caretakers. Many of the handicapped want as many high bars as possible in place to prevent some caretaker from murdering them in mistaken sympathy or exhaustion. But I'm exasperated by the handicapped who are using their fears to get in the way of folks who are in terrible pain who want to die. As for the religious protesters - I feel they are sadists or extremely stupid idiots hiding behind their religion to justify a complete lack of humanity or common sense.
The book has three candidates who could have killed the character Dr. Death, who, unlike the real-life Dr. Kevorkian, on whom the character Dr. Death is modeled (only Kevorkian's last two real-life suicidal patients Kevorkian helped to die were morally suspect choices to help), Dr. Death appeared to help anyone wanting to die for ANY reason.
Wanting to commit suicide because of a fatal or an awful illness is one thing (and I approve of the "Death with Dignity" legislation people are trying to pass in states) but being only clinically depressed is another case entirely. Assisted suicide, in my opinion, generally is a good idea though.
However, Dr. Death seemed to really be a serial killer with a thin legal and moral veneer. When he is murdered, it is not completely a sad thing. But it is soon very obvious that there must be more Dr. Deaths loose and they don't need any moral veneer to murder.
Delaware is very confused by this case and as a result is not on top of his game. Adding to his confusion, he is forced to avoid Milo, his best friend, because one of the possible suspects is Delaware's client. He cannot share ideas with Milo, a cop, without violating confidentiality. In addition, several murders and crimes cross each other muddying the tracks. It doesn't help that Delaware has had a previous professional relationship with most of the protagonists. In most of the book, the good psychologist is off his game and his appetite.
Unfortunately, I think the book was written a little off as well, but I enjoyed it.
The real life story behind the fictional Dr. Death is the real Dr. Jack Kevorkian. I agree with the author Jonathan Kellerman - there comes a time when doctors should relieve suffering compassionately by euthanizing patients who rationally request it, but Kevorkian seemed to me less interested in compassion in his last two assisted suicides and more interested in playing God for self-gratification and publicity. He helped people more than he hurt, though, imho.
Our society treats the whole subject of suicide as a black and white issue, when obviously there are definite nuances involved. Having seen the results of the ravages and torment of cancer, I think the option of suicide should be allowed. But I also understand the fears of handicapped people who are utterly dependent on caretakers. Many of the handicapped want as many high bars as possible in place to prevent some caretaker from murdering them in mistaken sympathy or exhaustion. But I'm exasperated by the handicapped who are using their fears to get in the way of folks who are in terrible pain who want to die. As for the religious protesters - I feel they are sadists or extremely stupid idiots hiding behind their religion to justify a complete lack of humanity or common sense.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes