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irrlicht's review against another edition
4.0
When I read that this was the first Alex Delaware book Jonathan Kellerman had written (or at least published), I was actually looking forward to see how Alex and Milo met and became friends.
I thoroughly failed to realize that the operative word here was “book”. Not “case”. It was the first Alex Delaware book, not the first case for Alex and Milo. Their first case is actually mentioned, or better summarzied, but the story itself is about something different.
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Not TOO different, as it turned out, but again: not their first case together.
Since this is Jonathan Kellerman’s first novel, I think, it’s understandable that those are not the characters we know from later novels. Maybe I should say not YET. They have all the characteristics from later books, but they’re not quite there, yet. As much as they react like the ones we know, they seem to be a little off.
Alex is a bit “all over the place”. Not much, but still; he’s not the calm, concentrated and mostly unshakable psychologist he will be. Sure, he’s much younger here, and recovering from a severe burn-out. The relationship with Robin is still new, the friendship with Milo is also not that “deep” yet, and Alex comes across a little Gary-Stu-ish – especially at the end. I mean, Karate training or not, putting himself in such a situation, ALONE, is not only very short-sighted and dangerous, it also borders on suicidal. I know, Milo was in Mexico and Alex couldn’t actually tell his conclusions to anybody else, but still.
Milo isn’t exactly himself, either, though I can’t tell you why. I can’t put my finger on it, but he… sounds a bit wrong.
I missed the Alex-Milo-dynamic, in general. In later books they interact on a more instinctive, non-verbal level, which is a joy to read. Here they talk more. I mean, they also talk a lot in the following books, but it’s more like… good-natured ribbing; the actual dialogue takes place between the lines, what’s said is what ISN’T said, if that makes sense. You don’t have that here, yet.
“When the Bough Breaks” has a few length, but nothing too dramatic. I’m still not too fond of Robin, but I don’t think I ever will be.
It’s a thrilling read. Not as thrilling as “Victims”, in my opinion, but with a much more satisfying end, and it really takes your breath away, when all the lose ends finally come together.
And it leaves you with one HELL of a confession.
And while I’m actually okay with it, I’m really surprised that Alex is. At least without any form of concern and/or protest. Hell, I’m surprised Milo actually DID kill that bastard. I think he wouldn’t have in later books.
Anyway.
It might not be one of Jonathan Kellerman’s most thrilling novels, but – as a friend said a few days ago – a not-so-brilliant Kellerman is – for me – still waaaay better than many other books out there.
I thoroughly failed to realize that the operative word here was “book”. Not “case”. It was the first Alex Delaware book, not the first case for Alex and Milo. Their first case is actually mentioned, or better summarzied, but the story itself is about something different.
SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER
Not TOO different, as it turned out, but again: not their first case together.
Since this is Jonathan Kellerman’s first novel, I think, it’s understandable that those are not the characters we know from later novels. Maybe I should say not YET. They have all the characteristics from later books, but they’re not quite there, yet. As much as they react like the ones we know, they seem to be a little off.
Alex is a bit “all over the place”. Not much, but still; he’s not the calm, concentrated and mostly unshakable psychologist he will be. Sure, he’s much younger here, and recovering from a severe burn-out. The relationship with Robin is still new, the friendship with Milo is also not that “deep” yet, and Alex comes across a little Gary-Stu-ish – especially at the end. I mean, Karate training or not, putting himself in such a situation, ALONE, is not only very short-sighted and dangerous, it also borders on suicidal. I know, Milo was in Mexico and Alex couldn’t actually tell his conclusions to anybody else, but still.
Milo isn’t exactly himself, either, though I can’t tell you why. I can’t put my finger on it, but he… sounds a bit wrong.
I missed the Alex-Milo-dynamic, in general. In later books they interact on a more instinctive, non-verbal level, which is a joy to read. Here they talk more. I mean, they also talk a lot in the following books, but it’s more like… good-natured ribbing; the actual dialogue takes place between the lines, what’s said is what ISN’T said, if that makes sense. You don’t have that here, yet.
“When the Bough Breaks” has a few length, but nothing too dramatic. I’m still not too fond of Robin, but I don’t think I ever will be.
It’s a thrilling read. Not as thrilling as “Victims”, in my opinion, but with a much more satisfying end, and it really takes your breath away, when all the lose ends finally come together.
And it leaves you with one HELL of a confession.
And while I’m actually okay with it, I’m really surprised that Alex is. At least without any form of concern and/or protest. Hell, I’m surprised Milo actually DID kill that bastard. I think he wouldn’t have in later books.
Anyway.
It might not be one of Jonathan Kellerman’s most thrilling novels, but – as a friend said a few days ago – a not-so-brilliant Kellerman is – for me – still waaaay better than many other books out there.
dpd's review against another edition
5.0
I love Alex Delaware books
I bought the paperback version of this book years ago and I decided I wanted to get my Kellerman collection on Kindle too.
I love Alex Delaware books. Kellerman does a fantastic job of creating suspense and enabling the reader to imagine the gruesome scenes, as well as building the tension throughout.
This story is frighteningly real and that is what makes it all the more terrifying. The characters are well developed and the secrets run deep. I scares me to think of just how easy one person can manipulate a situation to justify their actions. Not just that, but the depravity these characters show is horrifying. Then, just when you think there are no more surprises... BOOM!
I bought the paperback version of this book years ago and I decided I wanted to get my Kellerman collection on Kindle too.
I love Alex Delaware books. Kellerman does a fantastic job of creating suspense and enabling the reader to imagine the gruesome scenes, as well as building the tension throughout.
This story is frighteningly real and that is what makes it all the more terrifying. The characters are well developed and the secrets run deep. I scares me to think of just how easy one person can manipulate a situation to justify their actions. Not just that, but the depravity these characters show is horrifying. Then, just when you think there are no more surprises... BOOM!
akuhlma03's review
4.0
I thought I would read these over again beginning with the first book in the series. In all honestly, when I first started goodreads years ago, I kind of guessed which Jonathon Kellerman books I read as I added them and I don't believe this was one of them. Since the main character is a child psychologist, I find this series fascinating. I was into James Patterson for a long time, but I have found that his books no longer hold my interest as a thriller/mystery genre. Alex Delaware definitely beats Alex Cross hands down!
devrose's review against another edition
3.0
If a murder thriller can be called pleasant, this would be it. Interesting enough to get through commutes and work without screaming, not interesting enough that I want to listen to it when I should be doing homework. The best part is Milo, Alex's best friend and a gay detective. He's gay and in a relationship like Alex is straight and in a relationship. It's normalized, which is great for a popular series. Witnesses are more forthcoming than realistically possible, and the end is not so believable. But on the whole... I'll continue with this series.
thelawless's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
synne's review against another edition
3.0
I giving this a this as a three knowing it was his first fiction and that I do enjoy his later books much more.
dogearedbooks's review against another edition
5.0
For a book written in the mid 80s, I am impressed by how modern it felt. Our protagonist is a child psychologist and his best friend a gay police detective. The psychological terms were out of date by modern standards but if you can keep in mind that it was in the 80s you will be fine. The main character was also pretty good at calling out or at least pointing out racism with other characters. I didn't expect this from 85.
I really liked the main character, his entire character isnt about his sad or hard past. Sure he had something happen but he purposely changed his life and got better because of it. He is a decent human being and I liked that. Milo, his best friend, is great and I love the big slob. Their relationship is almost like brothers and I adore it. I just liked how human they felt and the drama came from the crime instead of their personal lives.
A warning this book is very dark in subject matter, it involves abuse against children.
Popsugar Challange: A book by an author who written more then 20 books.
I really liked the main character, his entire character isnt about his sad or hard past. Sure he had something happen but he purposely changed his life and got better because of it. He is a decent human being and I liked that. Milo, his best friend, is great and I love the big slob. Their relationship is almost like brothers and I adore it. I just liked how human they felt and the drama came from the crime instead of their personal lives.
A warning this book is very dark in subject matter, it involves abuse against children.
Popsugar Challange: A book by an author who written more then 20 books.
sarahsmiles17's review against another edition
1.0
Initially started reading this book because in Stephen King’s On Writing, he mentions Kellerman’s writing as a good example of descriptions. I ended up very disappointed.
This book hasn’t aged well at all. Politically incorrect descriptors laced throughout. The minor female characters are depicted as lecherous, even the ones described as unattractive. There really wasn’t much depth to his character development.
Alex Delaware is supposed to be this compassionate, driven, child psychologist who retires in his 30s from burnout and after a particularly traumatic event. His behavior doesn’t mesh with that description- he’s quick to anger, subverts the law, has questionable ethics, and gets incredibly defensive over even the most minor perceived slight.
The story ... maybe had potential? It really felt like Kellerman was trying hard to write the next blockbuster movie, and was especially evident in the manufactured motorcycle chase scene.
Read this for the 52 Book Club: 2021 Reading Challenge. Fits Prompt 6: a character with the same name as a male family member.
This book hasn’t aged well at all. Politically incorrect descriptors laced throughout. The minor female characters are depicted as lecherous, even the ones described as unattractive. There really wasn’t much depth to his character development.
Alex Delaware is supposed to be this compassionate, driven, child psychologist who retires in his 30s from burnout and after a particularly traumatic event. His behavior doesn’t mesh with that description- he’s quick to anger, subverts the law, has questionable ethics, and gets incredibly defensive over even the most minor perceived slight.
The story ... maybe had potential? It really felt like Kellerman was trying hard to write the next blockbuster movie, and was especially evident in the manufactured motorcycle chase scene.
Read this for the 52 Book Club: 2021 Reading Challenge. Fits Prompt 6: a character with the same name as a male family member.