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Summary: Alex Delaware plays 'Connect the Dots'...except.........
Review: it is not a game at all. It's one murder...connected to another
murder..connected to.....A call from Milo Sturgis, his detective buddy, alerts Alex to "a weird one"; the gutting of a quitarist outside the theatre where he is starring in his first comeback performance. His comeback song? A COLD HEART! While working on the first case... another murder, the garroting, with a quitar string, of a painter who has finally made the art scene...and a slaying shortly following of another rising artiste, again garroted with a quitar string; and so the doctor and the detective start to connect the dots in hopes of shaping a picture of this cold, calculating murderer. It was good to meet again Petra O'Connor, a character from Kellerman's novel BILLY STRAIGHT, who joins the two in their quest and we are off on another exciting 'search, chase and capture' scenario. And exciting, it is! As the doctor commandeers his computer expertise to delve into murders of the same ilk in the past; he is surpised and disturbed to learn that they are dealing with a physopathic killer whose own art-form is murder and who indeed has been practicing this art-form for many years. Petra has a new partner: silent, unresponsive, thoughtful; and we are given little teasing glimpses into his past. Eric Stahl is a story within a story and a very good one at that. Milo's character continues to grow (in size also if we believe you are what you eat) maybe that is why he becomes more 'seasoned' in each of Kellerman's books. He is rather endearing and it is a wonderful plus to Kellerman's expertise that he can write 18 Delaware novels and his characters are not static. Old ones too drop out, but new ones take their places. Robyn, his once live-in sweetheart is 'on leave' for what she thinks are greener pastures and is involved in a very clever way to this story line. I miss Spike but I hope that Alex and his no-nonsense, really likable, fully supportive new flame, Allison will find a replacement for the fiesty little bulldog who gave us a smile once in a while. Eighteen novels with the same central character and none of the savory zest and flavor is dulled...in fact,with each new effort of Kellerman's, Dr. Alex Delaware becomes more and more alive and his adventures more thrilling.
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Summary: An Alex Delaware novel -- what else do you need to know?
Review: Jonathan Kellerman has written yet another page-turner mystery thriller centered around psychologist Alexander Delaware. As usual, Kellerman vividly draws the cast of supporting characters and, as might be expected from an author who is also a psychologist himself, his depictions of \ interactions between the characters abound with rich detail. In the present novel, 'A Cold Heart', musicians and artists are being murdered, but are the possible connections between the crimes only illusions of coincidence or is a serial killer at work? Kellerman has taken pains over the past several years to ensure that this series of novels do not merely travel along in a comfortable rut. In 'Billy Straight' Kellerman abandoned his usual first person narrative through the eyes of Delaware to use a third person voice to tell his story from the perspectives of his title character, a runaway boy, and of Petra Connor, a police detective. In that novel, Delaware was relegated to a minor role. More recently in 'The Murder Book' Kellerman mixed his usual first person Delaware narrative with a third person voice from the viewpoint of Milo Sturgis, Delaware's police detective friend. The author extends this technique in his latest novel, this time blending Delaware's narrative with third person chapters primarily centered on Petra Connor, but occasionally switching to a broader viewpoint to depict other activities. Sporadically, the reader may become confused as to exactly who knows what at any given time, since there are multiple, overlapping investigations in progress, but eventually matters clarify on the way to a dramatic climax. There is another carryover from recent novels, too. Delaware's relationship with his longtime live-in lover, Robin Castagna, has become increasingly strained and in 'A Cold Heart' this storyline is carried forward against a crime background that this time affects Robin directly, through her connections to the music world. I enthusiastically recommend this novel to confirmed fans of Kellerman's Delaware novels, but because of plot elements that continue and develop through the series, I suggest readers new to Kellerman start with earlier books in the series and work their way forward.
Rating: 
Summary: The Ultimate Critic...
Review: Jonathon Kellerman continues to try to find new approaches to his long-running Alex Delaware series. Last time he spent half the book on a 3rd person profile of Alex's friend Det. Milo Sturgis, with the other half the regular 1st person Alex Delaware narrative. This time out he again uses 3rd person narrative for part of the book, this time delineating the activities and further exploring the personality of Petra Connor the Hollywood detective of Kellerman's "Billy Straight". Petra has a new partner, the enigmatic Eric Stahl, and they are involved in working a murder case that becomes linked to one Milo & Alex are working. Someone is killing creative types, a musician & painter for openers, in acts that can only be described as ultimate criticism (and Jonathon gets to take a swipe or two at the mentality of the talentless wannabe). No offense to us Amazon critics, I hope. This time out, I found the mystery revealed to me earlier than usual, but it may not be for everyone. Nevertheless, the details of the unraveling are still worthwhile, and Kellerman is still busy fleshing out his characters. Alex has lost his Robin, but has a new love interest. We are becoming more familiar with Petra and new dimensions are being added and her new partner presents a new character with depths and secrets that will probably mean some new Petra book down-the-line. Hope so anyway. Always a pleasurable read, Kellerman doesn't break new ground here, but continues the life of his characters with some new wrinkles. And while this isn't his best, I always look forward to the new Delaware and hope to see a new Petra/Eric book sometime in the future. 3-1/2 for this one.
Rating:
Summary: Not in the same class as ¿The Murder Book¿¿
Review: Kellerman's 17th installment in the Alex Delaware series keeps you guessing, keeps you entertained, but hasn't the elements of true suspense that kept "The Murder Book" on pace with some of his earliest work. Unlike Michael Connelly, Kellerman just can't seem to take the risks with Delaware that he needs to take to keep the series fresh and compelling. Still, I'm giving the book four stars... Delaware is the one who makes the leap in this mystery to connect seemingly unrelated homicide cases. He draws old friend Milo Sturgis and another former character, Petra Connor, (who makes a welcome return) into the mix, along with Connor's new and unusual partner. Focused on the arts and music, the victims of the killer have their lives taken from them mysteriously, by a killer who may just be jealous of their recent successes. Sadly, Delaware, who has a new love in his life, can't seem to draw away from Robin Castagna, both personally and professionally, although many Delaware fans are hoping that Kellerman will "Give it up!" on their troubled romance. Robin's new love is a bit of an oddity, as well, who keeps getting in Delaware's way. The mystery is just compelling enough, and the action realistic, to hold your interest, although Kellerman, who has now completed the last four books in the series with some of the style and characterization he had in the early going of the series, falls short of "The Murder Book". It may be time for Delaware to return to the field of crimes against children, where his original psychological skills best focused. You'll not regret the read, and you'll finish quickly, but unlike some of his earlier work, it won't leave you with regrets that it will be awhile before Alex's next outing.
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Summary: Psycho murders
Review: LAPD Homicide detective Milo Sturgis involves his friend, criminal psychologist Dr.Alex Delaware inwhat seems to be a case of serial murders where artists and musicians are killed, with their bodies carefully arranged after death to suggest that the killer is deliberately the fact to boast to police.Alex and Milo fear that they've come across a new kind of celebrity killer, one who sets out to kill artists and musicians who have either become successful or who are on the brink of financial success.It's a very fast paced story, one of those which becomes a quick read because it's virtually impossible to put down.
Rating:
Summary: Kellerman has produced another winner!
Review: One of the most intriguing and attractive elements of Jonathan Kellerman's novels concerning psychologist Alex Delaware is Kellerman's willingness to change --- dramatically --- the elements of his characters' lives. While Kellerman's latest novel, A COLD HEART, begins somewhat violently, the mystery behind a series of murders occurring apparently at random is balanced nicely by the interplay between Delaware, his gradually burgeoning relationship with Allison Gwynn and his resolution of his feelings toward Robin Castagna, his ex-lover. It's hard to overemphasize how important this is, or how masterfully Kellerman accomplishes it. Leave out the potentially explosive chemistry of the relationships and what would be left is an unrelentingly grim novel about a mysterious serial killer; focus too much on the relationships and one risks wandering involuntarily into ripped bodice territory. Kellerman makes the story of one as interesting as the other and very neatly brings them together at the denouement. A COLD HEART begins with the murder of Baby Boy Lee, a legendary blues guitarist with a cult following who is attempting to make a final grab at larger fame and fortune, when he is mysteriously murdered during a cigarette break while playing a gig. When an up-and-coming painter and a promising concert pianist are also murdered shortly thereafter, it appears as if someone is marking performance artists for death. The victims however appear to otherwise be unrelated and, when the unsolved prior murders of a punk rock singer and a ballet dancer also seem to be related, the motive and the individual behind the murders become even more mysterious. Delaware, along with police detective Milo Sturgis and Sturgis's colleague Petra Connor, approach the investigation from different angles, all working gradually toward the same goal, with Delaware and Connor working through their own personal problems as well. No one is more surprised than Delaware, however, when he discovers that the solution to the investigation lies with him, personally. The result is a chase that ends, if not at Delaware's front door, somewhere close to it. Yet, A COLD HEART is ultimately hijacked by the introduction of a new character. Petra Connor is assigned a new partner, an enigmatic question mark named Eric Stahl. Stahl appears to be lacking emotion, warmth and personality, but as the reader begins to learn through bits and pieces sparingly fed by Kellerman, there is far, far more to Stahl than would otherwise be indicated. The truth is far more interesting --- and tragic --- than one would suspect. Stahl plays an important part in the ultimate resolution of A COLD HEART and it would not be surprising at all if he should someday be the leading protagonist in another of Kellerman's volumes. He is too strong and too interesting a character to continue to play a secondary role. Kellerman demonstrates in A COLD HEART that he is unafraid to bring changes and growth to his characters and in fact seems to relish the challenges that such changes bring to his work. In A COLD HEART he has wisely made Delaware more involved in the action and less of a mere observer. This is a pattern that hopefully will continue in future Delaware novels, even as the characters continue to change and grow. --- Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
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Summary: Yippee! Another Kellerman!
Review: Ooh, I gobble JK's books up as if they're M&Ms. What I love best is the fact that his background as a clinical psychologist lends credence to his probing expolorations and penetrating pick-pick-picking into the twisted criminal mind. In A Cold Heart (talk about a chilling title...), he extends his delving further to explore not only the criminal, but also A. Delaware and Milo Sturgis, and a cast of other characters, combining them into a melange of motivations and intricasies that somehow hold together perfectly.
It is when Kellerman travels into the mind of a serial killer that he hits top stride, and that's what A Cold Heart deals with: the elaborate crime scene staging of a murder with no obvious motive. Then, of course, other murders occur, and the chase is on...
Kellerman at his best. If you've liked his others, you'll love this one.
Rating:
Summary: Predictable, but Still a Good Read
Review: Petra Connor returns in this Alex Delaware novel, this time helping Milo and Alex track a serial killer who murders artists on the rise. Although it didn't take long to figure out who the serial killer was, this is an interesting read. The first person/third person switches throughout the book are distracting. Alex and Robin have split, and Alex's new girlfriend does not seem to have much depth. As in the last few novels by Kellerman, the book reads "depressing". I'd like to see a happier Alex, more relaxed Alex, not so arrogant Alex. Would love to see more of Petra. She's a great character.
Rating:
Summary: Predictable, but Still a Good Read
Review: Petra Connor returns in this Alex Delaware novel, this time helping Milo and Alex track a serial killer who murders artists on the rise. Although it didn't take long to figure out who the serial killer was, this is an interesting read. The first person/third person switches throughout the book are distracting. Alex and Robin have split, and Alex's new girlfriend does not seem to have much depth. As in the last few novels by Kellerman, the book reads "depressing". I'd like to see a happier Alex, more relaxed Alex, not so arrogant Alex. Would love to see more of Petra. She's a great character.
Rating: 
Summary: Slow-moving novel
Review: Psychologist Alex Delaware is again helping his friend detective Milo Sturgis with some murder cases. Alex sees a connection between the murder of a talented blues player and a budding artist. Rather early on in the book they appear to pin down the murderer, but they are unable to locate him. Interviews with his parents and others who knew him lead them nowhere. Meanwhile there are some scenes between Alex, his current love interest, Allison, and Robin, his ex-girlfriend. Alex and Robin seem to have ambivalent feelings towards each other and these are not completely resolved in this book. Milo's colleague Petra has a new partner whose unusually stoic personality inspires some curiosity on the part of his co-workers. None of these sub-plots are terribly interesting, nor is the murder mystery. This is a slow-moving book which is not up to the others in the series.
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