A Cold Heart

Rating:
Summary: A fast read - very enjoyable
Review: A COLD HEART by Jonathan Kellerman

I want to preface this review by saying that this is only my second novel in the entire Alex Delaware series. My first and only Jonathan Kellerman book was read ten years ago; it was a book titled BAD LOVE, also an Alex Delaware series. I enjoyed that book, and there is no excuse why there was a gap of 10 years between that book and A COLD HEART. My excuse is that I was only reading a book a year at that time, and therefore did not even know there was a series built around this character.

A COLD HEART features, of course, psychologist Alex Delaware, who helps solve crimes with his detective friend Milo Sturgis, who works for the LAPD in homicide. The two of them find themselves involved in a series of crimes that seem to be centered on a common theme: the victims are somehow related to the arts. The clues are vague, and there does not seem to be an obvious connection to any of these crimes.

Alex, Milo, and detective Petra O'Connor (who was introduced in BILLY STRAIGHT) work together to find the serial killer. Clues point to one young adult, a loner named Kevin Drummond, but some of the clues don't add up. It isn't until the very end that the reader, and Alex and the detectives figure out who-done-it. A side story about Alex and his ex-girlfriend Robin also ends up connected to the serial killer, with an exciting finish as they figure out who the murderer is.

I enjoyed A COLD HEART as much as I enjoyed BAD LOVE. From the amazon reviews I have read here, I was probably at an advantage since I have not read the entire series of books, and therefore did not find this one "tired". It was all "new to me". I did have a problem with the new character introduced in this book, Eric Stahl, who I thought at one point of the book was the killer. I am going to guess he may be used as a continuing character in future books. I will find out soon enough.

And on that note, I do recommend A COLD HEART.

Rating:
Summary: A fast read - very enjoyable
Review: A COLD HEART by Jonathan Kellerman

I want to preface this review by saying that this is only my second novel in the entire Alex Delaware series. My first and only Jonathan Kellerman book was read ten years ago; it was a book titled BAD LOVE, also an Alex Delaware series. I enjoyed that book, and there is no excuse why there was a gap of 10 years between that book and A COLD HEART. My excuse is that I was only reading a book a year at that time, and therefore did not even know there was a series built around this character.

A COLD HEART features, of course, psychologist Alex Delaware, who helps solve crimes with his detective friend Milo Sturgis, who works for the LAPD in homicide. The two of them find themselves involved in a series of crimes that seem to be centered on a common theme: the victims are somehow related to the arts. The clues are vague, and there does not seem to be an obvious connection to any of these crimes.

Alex, Milo, and detective Petra O'Connor (who was introduced in BILLY STRAIGHT) work together to find the serial killer. Clues point to one young adult, a loner named Kevin Drummond, but some of the clues don't add up. It isn't until the very end that the reader, and Alex and the detectives figure out who-done-it. A side story about Alex and his ex-girlfriend Robin also ends up connected to the serial killer, with an exciting finish as they figure out who the murderer is.

I enjoyed A COLD HEART as much as I enjoyed BAD LOVE. From the amazon reviews I have read here, I was probably at an advantage since I have not read the entire series of books, and therefore did not find this one "tired". It was all "new to me". I did have a problem with the new character introduced in this book, Eric Stahl, who I thought at one point of the book was the killer. I am going to guess he may be used as a continuing character in future books. I will find out soon enough.

And on that note, I do recommend A COLD HEART.

Rating:
Summary: His Best In Ten Years
Review: A COLD HEART is the best Alex Delaware novel in the last ten years. This time Alex and his cop pal Milo are tracking down a serial killer who stalks and kills young promising artists. The mystery is fair, the subplots are necessary to the action, the transitions of different characters are cleaner, and Alex is demonstrating some long-needed maturity.

The ending is abrupt, but not overly so. Kellerman has been this curt at the end before. All of the exposition necessary is there -- no plot threads are left hanging.

The major criticism I have is with the detective character Eric Stein. He's an Army vet who has joined LAPD, and he's a poster boy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, but somehow LAPD can't see it, his partner Petra Conner can't see it, Vietnam vet Milo can't see it, even Dr. Delaware the trained shrink can't see it. Your heo is a psychologist, you figure he ought to recognize classic symptoms when presented.

Rating:
Summary: Anything but a "cold" heart
Review: Alex Delaware continues to find his own professional decision to become a psychologist frustrating as he get drawn into another series of murders that only he picks up early clues. When he convinces Milo Sturgis, his friend and LAPD detective, that the tie between murder victims is that they are performers trying to make a comeback, they begin to work the case together with Alex usually a step ahead of Milo.

Alex's personal life in Cold Heart makes him look a little wimpy. Robin walked out on him because he keeps looking for trouble (read previous Alex Delaware books). She gave up Alex for a dull but safe performer and then finds herself involved in this case and needing Alex.

Dr. Delaware continues to be an old literary friend to work forward to seeing in action as the series continues. I do wish he could get his personal life figured out. Maybe the new love who is also a psychologist can help Alex with his cases in the future. Cold Heart is another good to buy; good to read thriller.

Rating:
Summary: An exciting entry in the Delaware series.
Review: Alex Delaware is called to investigate a series of bizarre murders that linked together.

Washed-up guitarist Baby Boy Lee is found stabbed to death outside of a local club. Alex doesn't know what to make of the stabbing, but knows this wasn't just a random killing. The body was carefully placed, arranged if you will, and Alex wants answers for Baby Boy was a friend of Alex's long-time, but now ex-girlfriend Robin.

Investigating the case is Petra Connor, and with the help of Alex and his partner/friend LAPD detective Milo Sturgis, Petra is confident they will catch the killer, until another body turns up...

In another part of town another body is found, this time it's that of Julie Kipper, a talented, divorced artist on the verge of her big break. At the opening of her first show, Julie is found murdered. There is no motive, and only one clue...the body was arranged in a sick manner, that resembling the body of Baby Boy.

Petra, Milo and Alex must work carefully and quickly as the body count rises, but catching this killer will be no easy task, as he stays one step ahead, taunting the police with his bloody "art" work, and to make matters worse Petra has been given a new partner, one that hides secrets of his own.

'A Cold Heart' is another solid entry in the Alex Delaware series. Fans know what to expect in these mysteries; fast pace, careful plotting, genuine characters and thick suspense, and this novel contains all the elements that have made the previous entries in the series bestsellers.

Jonathan Kellerman continues to churn out original, quality thrillers. For many years his Delaware series has been the setting standards in the psychological suspense arena, and this latest entry is further proof the series is stronger than ever, and with Kellerman's expert plotting, here to stay.

Fans of the series are sure to devour this in a few sittings. Expect to see 'A Cold Heart' at the top of the charts.

Nick Gonnella

Rating:
Summary: Another Good One!
Review: Another clever, convoluted,un-put-downable entry in the Alex Delaware series. Jonathan Kellerman justs keeps putting out some of my favorite reads of all time. I just love his descriptions - of characters and Los Angeles, which I suppose is a character in itself. Another thing I always look forward to is his descriptions of peoples homes. You know as certain as the sun rises that if someone lives in a dump (or dresses badly , is not as thin and toned as a ballet dancer,or God forbid ,wears "cheap jewelry") that they are going to be of low-class dubious character! I liked Petra's involvement in this case, but her new partner, Eric Stahl - what an obvious head case! I wonder that Alex Delaware didn't seem to pick up on this at all, brilliant psychologist that he is. Of course, he was spending much of his time gettin' it on with his new honey and trying to forget the old one. Good luck, doc. I also thought what a hoot it would be if Eric Stahl would, in his endeavors, run across that other well known literary character living in L.A., created by author Robert Crais - namely, Joe Pike. What a pair they would make, wouldn't they? The mind simply boggles.

Rating:
Summary: Moving Up
Review: As a Kellerman fan, I would recommend this book - it has neat plot twists (killing artists who are "on their way up"), believable suspects who turn out to be strange but innocent, quirky characters (both major and minor), and a real feel for the L.A. atmosphere. My only three complaints are these - the Arab-bashing was racist and completely out of line and unconnected with the story, Robin is gone but replaced by an equally boring new girlfriend (Kellerman is so good at creating interesting characters - why can't Alex have a girlfriend with a personality) and I was disappointed at the revelation regarding Eric at the end. I was hoping he was just a man with a quirky personalty, who would make a fun "foil" for Petra in future books. Instead, he'll probably just deal with his problems and turn normal (yawn). But I would recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing Point in Series
Review: As it is published, I purchase, save, and reread each Kellerman.
It's fiction; it's his vision/talent/genius. But the serial murder schtick was carried too far. The plot became cluttered. The writing is always stimulating; Alex and Milo are engrossing characters. But why write out Robin? Allison's positive reinforcement to Alex must comfort him but she's too much a clone; I find her boring. Robin was an interesting and worthy partner with Alex and Milo. Please, J.K., figure a way to bring her back as Alex's love interest

Rating:
Summary: A Cold Heart
Review: As usualy Johnathan Kellerman works his magic with his hereos Alex Deleware and Milo. This novel was a little harder to follow than most but it still was an excellent read. I brought the large type hard bound novel and I could not believe the editing mistakes throughout the book. There were so many mis-spellings that even a dummy like me found them distracting. This is not the authors fault but the publisher. I spite of all this I recommend the book.

Rating:
Summary: You Can Never Go Wrong with Jonathan Kellerman
Review: Baby Boy Lee is a blues great on the verge of a comeback when he's found murdered outside of a jazz club. Detective Petra Conner and her Joe Friday like partner Eric Stahl are assigned to the case, but because Baby Boy was a client of Alex Deleware's one time squeeze, Deleware gets involved. Then Julie Kipper, an artist on the verge of her own comeback, is found murdered as well and because of family connections, Alex's buddy, Homicide Detective Milo Sturgis is assigned to the case. Now Alex has a connection to both cases and Mr. Kellerman's novel is off and running as they figure out that they have a serial killer on their hands.

This is number seventeen in the Alex Deleware series and I loved it. I particularly liked Petra Conners' new partner, Eric Stahl, and look forward to reading more about him in future Kellerman offerings. I also liked the way Dr. Deleware seemed to take the lead in the investigation. This is a good solid addition to the series and in my opinion can be read as a stand alone. Just a super, fine good book as far as I'm concerned. But then you can never go wrong with Jonathan Kellerman, everybody knows that.