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3.33 AVERAGE
3.33 AVERAGE
A really good mystery/thriller. It had me on the edge of my seat the whole time!
I haven't read Kellerman before but people seem to like him so I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt and say he just phoned this one in. An outraged library user before me had corrected some of the overwrought phrasing in this book in pen, which I actually came to appreciate because it really did improve the writing. I see Kellerman is a clinical psychologist. Perhaps he needs to have a think about how many times he used the word 'nibble' in this book, because frankly it was odd and creepy. Also, and most damningly, Pho does not have coconut milk in it. He was clearly thinking of Laksa. Irredeemable.
Not having read any other books by the author I was looking forward to this stand alone novel. It was well written and I liked how he used his obvious talent for writing. It started off well and I was really enjoying it and expecting it to end really well. Unfortunately the ending for me left me disappointed, it could have been so much better. Perhaps I'm expected to 'work' some of it out for myself, but I wanted a neater ending.
Thank you to NetGalley for proving me a ARC of this book for my honest review.
Grace is a successful psychologist who specializes in helping others that have gone through trauma in their lives. This appears to be appropriate due to Grace's own childhood trauma concerning her birth parents and spending years in the foster care system. Switching back from past to present, the author provides a backstory for Grace that demonstrates a young woman with genius level intelligence. However, Grace has a secret life where she pursues discreet "one-night stands" with strange men as a guilty pleasure. After one of these situations, Grace encounters the man in her professional life as a potential client. Unfortunately, the man is found dead after his encounter and Grace must figure out who the murderer is before it ruins her on a professional and personal level. In investigating the death, Grace discovers that people she met in the past, however briefly, are causing trouble for her in the present.
On the whole, I was hoping to like this book more than I did. I was interested in Grace's past more than her present. You could definitely see why Grace was a loner and had only 2 good relationships in her life, the couple who chose to help Grace live up to her potential and become somewhat parental figures in her life. I was not connected with the Grace of the present. Even though genius level people can not always make the best decisions, I feel that Grace led a very hypocritical life. The investigation of the murder was not very thrilling or exciting. In whole, I was ready for this book to be finished much sooner than the end of the book.
Grace is a successful psychologist who specializes in helping others that have gone through trauma in their lives. This appears to be appropriate due to Grace's own childhood trauma concerning her birth parents and spending years in the foster care system. Switching back from past to present, the author provides a backstory for Grace that demonstrates a young woman with genius level intelligence. However, Grace has a secret life where she pursues discreet "one-night stands" with strange men as a guilty pleasure. After one of these situations, Grace encounters the man in her professional life as a potential client. Unfortunately, the man is found dead after his encounter and Grace must figure out who the murderer is before it ruins her on a professional and personal level. In investigating the death, Grace discovers that people she met in the past, however briefly, are causing trouble for her in the present.
On the whole, I was hoping to like this book more than I did. I was interested in Grace's past more than her present. You could definitely see why Grace was a loner and had only 2 good relationships in her life, the couple who chose to help Grace live up to her potential and become somewhat parental figures in her life. I was not connected with the Grace of the present. Even though genius level people can not always make the best decisions, I feel that Grace led a very hypocritical life. The investigation of the murder was not very thrilling or exciting. In whole, I was ready for this book to be finished much sooner than the end of the book.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The Murderer's Daughter is a very intriguing mystery starring an intrepid psychologist turned sleuth. This latest release by Jonathan Kellerman is well written with an unique storyline but it is lead protagonist Grace Blade's backstory that makes it such a riveting read.
Grace entered the foster care system after witnessing her parents' murder/suicide when she was five years old. She bounced from home to home until her case worker, Wayne Knutsen, placed her with Ramona Stage, one of the few foster parents who cared actually cared about the children's welfare. Through the help of her brother-in-law Malcolm, a psychology professor, Grace received a specialized education tailored to her genius level intelligence. For several years, things went smoothly for Grace until the arrival of three young children late one night. Although their stay was brief, their appearance irrevocably changed Grace's life.
In the present, Grace is a successful psychologist who specializes in caring for patients whose lives have been altered by trauma. She is a survivor and she learned the hard way not to depend on anyone but herself. She is empathetic and caring with her patients, but in her personal life, she has no emotional attachments or relationships of any type. Grace is rather detached and unemotional but given her horrific background, it is understandable that she does not (or maybe cannot), truly connect with anyone.
Grace's present collides with her long forgotten past after her newest client, Andrew Toner, is murdered. Andrew tracked her down through an obscure article she published years earlier and although he changes his mind about discussing his problems, Grace surmises one of his relatives is most likely a killer. When she realizes she has a distant connection to him, she begins her own investigation into his death. With very little outside help, Grace single-mindedly tracks down the evidence she needs to find his killer.
The Murder's Daughter is a compelling but leisurely paced novel that seamlessly alternates between Grace's investigation and her heartbreaking past. Grace is an interesting and complex character although it is sometimes difficult to like her. The storyline is quite clever and brilliantly executed. An outstanding mystery that old and new fans of Jonathan Kellerman do not want to miss.
Grace entered the foster care system after witnessing her parents' murder/suicide when she was five years old. She bounced from home to home until her case worker, Wayne Knutsen, placed her with Ramona Stage, one of the few foster parents who cared actually cared about the children's welfare. Through the help of her brother-in-law Malcolm, a psychology professor, Grace received a specialized education tailored to her genius level intelligence. For several years, things went smoothly for Grace until the arrival of three young children late one night. Although their stay was brief, their appearance irrevocably changed Grace's life.
In the present, Grace is a successful psychologist who specializes in caring for patients whose lives have been altered by trauma. She is a survivor and she learned the hard way not to depend on anyone but herself. She is empathetic and caring with her patients, but in her personal life, she has no emotional attachments or relationships of any type. Grace is rather detached and unemotional but given her horrific background, it is understandable that she does not (or maybe cannot), truly connect with anyone.
Grace's present collides with her long forgotten past after her newest client, Andrew Toner, is murdered. Andrew tracked her down through an obscure article she published years earlier and although he changes his mind about discussing his problems, Grace surmises one of his relatives is most likely a killer. When she realizes she has a distant connection to him, she begins her own investigation into his death. With very little outside help, Grace single-mindedly tracks down the evidence she needs to find his killer.
The Murder's Daughter is a compelling but leisurely paced novel that seamlessly alternates between Grace's investigation and her heartbreaking past. Grace is an interesting and complex character although it is sometimes difficult to like her. The storyline is quite clever and brilliantly executed. An outstanding mystery that old and new fans of Jonathan Kellerman do not want to miss.
Back a hundred years ago I ate up the Alex Delaware/Milo books like candy. The writing was always good and even when Kellerman would get to rambling on I still enjoyed the series. He took a gay male detective and made him a main character way before many other books that I saw at the time. There may have been more but this was my first intro to a gay man as a main character. Kellerman didn't fall into that troupe with the gay man stereotype either. He made Milo's character a bad-ass and I looked up to him. Milo was who he was and anybody that didn't like it could kiss his ass.
Jonathan Kellerman may strike gold with me again. In Grace Blade.
My friend Ed posted a status update about who he saw as Grace's character and I totally agree.
(Grace is far from broken-she should be but totally not broken)
This book is hopefully setting the stage for a series with Grace's character. *begs Jonathan Kellerman* So there is a bunch of Grace's life that comes into it. Don't think for one minute that it's boring though. Those are the best parts of this book.
Grace was birthed by two people who were really too stupid to have children. They should have been featured in a movie.
*somewhat spoilery-but it happens early in the book*
Grace is five years old when her birth mother (I'm not calling this woman a mother) kills the "baby daddy" and then kills herself. Thus the title of this book, The Murderer's Daughter. This book is better than that title.
Grace then ends up as a foster child, in a system that gives two shits less. The thing about Grace though, as a child she is obedient and never makes herself stand out. She does not want to be around other people, preferring reading and being by herself over anything or anyone else. I won't spoil any of her story because I thought it was fascinating.
Grace is now a successful psychologist that helps people put traumatic events behind them. There is another side to Grace though. At night Grace goes for what she calls "leaps"..she dresses up and goes and picks out a guy and bangs the hell out of him...and walks away.
Kellerman makes no apologies in her character for her behavior. FUCK YES!!
Grace is a character that will piss off some old school readers. A woman that acts like a man in regards to sex?
Grace manages to stay classy, intelligent and I LOVED her character. Flaws and all. Grace doesn't form attachments to people though. She still as an adult prefers her own company. She is successful in her career as a caregiver in spite/because? of it. She is able to separate herself from it in a way that had me glued to these pages.
Then Grace gets involved in a murder case. She isn't one of those characters that is tagging along with the police and "helping" with the case.
Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.
I'm spotlighting my friend Ed's review on this one. He brought it to my attention when he was reading it and I'm so glad.
Ed Lorn is an author on this site. If you follow or read his reviews you will see that the guy has chops and why I grab up any book he puts out. But better than that, Ed is my true friend. He is someone that has come to be a person that I can always go to. Even if it is to whine about something. He always makes time for me. Not because he cares if I read his books..he is just that kind of guy. I'm very honored to call him my friend. Go and friend/follow him. He will keep you entertained.
Jonathan Kellerman may strike gold with me again. In Grace Blade.
My friend Ed posted a status update about who he saw as Grace's character and I totally agree.
(Grace is far from broken-she should be but totally not broken)
This book is hopefully setting the stage for a series with Grace's character. *begs Jonathan Kellerman* So there is a bunch of Grace's life that comes into it. Don't think for one minute that it's boring though. Those are the best parts of this book.
Grace was birthed by two people who were really too stupid to have children. They should have been featured in a movie.
*somewhat spoilery-but it happens early in the book*
Grace is five years old when her birth mother (I'm not calling this woman a mother) kills the "baby daddy" and then kills herself. Thus the title of this book, The Murderer's Daughter. This book is better than that title.
Grace then ends up as a foster child, in a system that gives two shits less. The thing about Grace though, as a child she is obedient and never makes herself stand out. She does not want to be around other people, preferring reading and being by herself over anything or anyone else. I won't spoil any of her story because I thought it was fascinating.
Grace is now a successful psychologist that helps people put traumatic events behind them. There is another side to Grace though. At night Grace goes for what she calls "leaps"..she dresses up and goes and picks out a guy and bangs the hell out of him...and walks away.
Kellerman makes no apologies in her character for her behavior. FUCK YES!!
Grace is a character that will piss off some old school readers. A woman that acts like a man in regards to sex?
Grace manages to stay classy, intelligent and I LOVED her character. Flaws and all. Grace doesn't form attachments to people though. She still as an adult prefers her own company. She is successful in her career as a caregiver in spite/because? of it. She is able to separate herself from it in a way that had me glued to these pages.
Then Grace gets involved in a murder case. She isn't one of those characters that is tagging along with the police and "helping" with the case.
Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.
I'm spotlighting my friend Ed's review on this one. He brought it to my attention when he was reading it and I'm so glad.
Ed Lorn is an author on this site. If you follow or read his reviews you will see that the guy has chops and why I grab up any book he puts out. But better than that, Ed is my true friend. He is someone that has come to be a person that I can always go to. Even if it is to whine about something. He always makes time for me. Not because he cares if I read his books..he is just that kind of guy. I'm very honored to call him my friend. Go and friend/follow him. He will keep you entertained.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
I am a big fan of Kellerman and his creation, Alex Deleware so I was delighted to see Alex pop up in this stand alone novel.
I found this to be an enjoyable read with twin narratives - younger Grace and present day Grace. I much preferred younger Grace's narrative - I found myself rooting for her much more than her adult self.
A really good read - everything you'd expect from a Kellerman.
I am a big fan of Kellerman and his creation, Alex Deleware so I was delighted to see Alex pop up in this stand alone novel.
I found this to be an enjoyable read with twin narratives - younger Grace and present day Grace. I much preferred younger Grace's narrative - I found myself rooting for her much more than her adult self.
A really good read - everything you'd expect from a Kellerman.
This was a much-needed breath of fresh air from Jonathan Kellerman . I hope Grace Blades appears again in another book,