Over the Edge

Rating:
Summary: Humdinger of a story!
Review: A mind-blowing look into the nature of madness. The psychological background is totally fascinating. I learned a lot about how the mentally ill are treated by the system, some background of schizophrenia, the difference between psychosis and schizophrenia and how they relate to the law, and so on. There's more, but I won't give away any surprises.

The dialogue, as always in Mr. Kellerman's books, rings true. Watch out for the main characters, though! The twists and turns keep coming right to the end of the climactic chapter.

A few minor complaints. I felt some secondary characters could've been developed more. This is just my taste, but I find the lengthy descriptions of buildings, landscapes, etc. a bit tedious. I had hoped for at least the beginning of a resolution to Milo's problems with homophobes at work. But you gotta save something for later in the series. I was taken aback to learn that, at the time OVER THE EDGE was written, gays were officially(?) considered deviants.

Lots of food for thought in this book. There are many ideas here that'll get your gray cells going.

If you have any interest in the workings of the human mind -- the sane and not-so-sane -- grab this book!

Rating:
Summary: A boy's nightmare
Review: A psychologist unrolls a case here and develops it to one of the finest thrillers I have ever read. I do not know whether the case of this boy is realistic, but the story is excellent. All the other characters are very well developed and believable. The plot is breathtaking and has several unexpected twists. The ending reminds of a classical Agatha Christie show-down, with the difference that the characters in this book are genuine and psychologically sound in their presentation. The author does use his professional terminology but as a non-expert I did not get lost. The author explains everything, but not in a dry, professional way, the explanations are an integral part of the story and even contribute to the suspense. An extra class page turner.

Rating:
Summary: Third time's a charm!
Review: Although "Over the Edge" is a bit talky at times, Jonathan Kellerman's third Alex Delaware novel finally places the author as a major contender in the thriller genre. This tightly written story, about a former child-patient of Dr. Delaware's that supposedly grows up to become a schizophernic serial-killer, reads much like a Q & A session: the reader follows Alex Delaware on numerous "interviews" as he attempts to gather information to establish his former-patient's mental stablity. At times the novel gets a little too technical in all of it's psychological terminology, but makes up for it with strong character development and an amazing ending. I'm looking forward to Kellerman's next Dr. D novel!

Rating:
Summary: leaves me speechless every time
Review: As a writer, and as someone who reads 100 books a year, I can usually spot where writers are going before they even get there. I've read several of Kellerman's books, but this one is not predictable and never gets old, and is so skillfully written that no matter how many times I read Over The Edge, I can't figure out how he ties everything up in such a neat package and ends the story with such a meaningful last sentence, which makes me cry every time I turn the last page.

As for the plot: How could the imprisoned and nearly comatose (when we first meet him face to face, and for most of the novel) Jamey Cadmus have strangled and mutilated a handful of prostitutes? But all the evidence points toward him. When we eventually find out why he is the only suspect, we have uncovered some of the rottenest, meanest forms of inhumanity towards the most vulnerable in our society.

Kellerman has filled Over The Edge with larger than life, colorful characters, even the secondary ones: Tully Antrim is kinda hip and cool; the art store owner has a major attitude; even the players in the Mexican restaurant seemed to have full lives beyond their short scene. I imagine Kellerman had a lot of fun with the two cops and all their scenes; I crack up every time they show up. As for the major characters, Alex Delaware is always a delightful pleasure to meet and get to know; Milo is a sweetie; Robin is a pleasant mystery; and Jamey, every time we meet him, is an uncomfortable reminder of whether or not he is guilty of extreme violence.

Kellerman tapped into some of my deepest fears: I was considered highly gifted at an early age, was aware of the term "genius/madness" shortly thereafter, and subsequently terrified that something horrible would go wrong with my brain, as happens to Jamey. The ride Kellerman takes me on every time I read this is frightening, thrilling, interesting and ultimately satisfying. I will never forget Jamey's story.

Rating:
Summary: GLASS HOUSES
Review: Dr. Alex Delaware's world is jolted by a surprise telephone call from a former client. Jamey Cadmus, 17, was part of a pilot project of highly gifted adolescents 5 years earlier and Dr. Delaware was a consultant for that project.

Jamey, disoriented and confused, calls Delaware from a private hospital in the California Canyons. He is kidnapped from his room and it falls to Dr. Delaware to investigate the hospital and Jamey's tangled family tree.

Set in 1987, Dr. Delaware makes numerous references to the university project that accepted Jamey in 1982, when the boy was nearly 13. He uncovers a questionable family history, a web of murders and corrupt developers in the canyons. Jamey, by now found and incarcerated in the County Jail, tries to, in his own incoherent fashion tell Dr. Delaware what he knows about the series of cases.

Robin has a more prominent place in this story. Although I never cared for her, the one thing that annoyed me in this book was one scene where Delaware greeted her, "shushing her with a kiss." To me, the "shushing her with a kiss" was simply a way of shutting her up. That act sounded as if he had no use for her opinions or anything she ever said and smacked of chauvanism. Delaware was plainly far more cerebral than Robin ever was and I felt that single act was to underscore his mental superiority to her, not unlike Jamey's mental superiority prior to his breakdowns. The theme of glass houses is revisited throughout this story.

This is truly an outstanding work. Readers are taken on some very painful, bumpy roads through the seamy, seedy parts of Southern California and encounter some equally seamy, seedy characters. Bikers, corrupt developers, questionable family ties, persons not involved with the cases -- each appears to be a likely suspect. The conclusion is powerful and very satisfying; it makes sense, yet stays several steps ahead of the readers. Each character is richly drawn and believable; each new layer of mysteries interlock believably. Jon Kellerman is truly the Michaelangelo of the Mystery genre.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Climax and Ending
Review: For a while I had lost interest in the book, but the last 100 or so pages were excellent. OVER THE EDGE becomes too complicated at times, with many characters. I'd recommend reading Kellerman's novel SELF-DEFENSE before reading OVER THE EDGE.

Rating:
Summary: Best Delaware Story So Far
Review: Having also read THE BUTCHER's THEATER, WHEN THE BOUGH BREAKS, and BLOOD TEST, this book has only encouraged me to read more of Jonathan Kellerman's Alex Delaware. Although it moves slowly at first, the story is rich in detail and characters, and the plot develops very intellegently. Milo Sturgis cas become more complicated and more likeable at the same time, although Robin, Alex's girlfriend, seems irrelevant. Everyone other character emerges as a possible suspect, if even only for the reason that they are all psychologically a little OFF. Certain parts read like a psych textbook, that's true, but it's only at a point that research becomes very important in the discovery process of the case. This should only seem fascinating if you've been paying attention, and if you are, you might be able to figure it out only a step ahead of Dr. Delaware, whou doesn't actually get it all until the end, anyway. Altogethor, I thought this was a terrific advancement of the series, and I can't wait to read SILENT PARTNER.

Rating:
Summary: brief
Review: Highly recommended. The twists and turns are sharp, interesting but believable. Alex Delaware is at his best.

Rating:
Summary: Ok but not the best from Kellerman
Review: I have been reading all of the Alex Deleware books in order and actually had a hard time finding this one. The story intself will keep you interested. There is A LOT of technical jargon and big words used when talking about different types of drugs. If you can get past all that and get the main point it is a nice little book. Not one of his best but he is still better then most authors.

Rating:
Summary: Ok but not the best from Kellerman
Review: I have been reading all of the Alex Deleware books in order and actually had a hard time finding this one. The story intself will keep you interested. There is A LOT of technical jargon and big words used when talking about different types of drugs. If you can get past all that and get the main point it is a nice little book. Not one of his best but he is still better then most authors.