Rating: Summary: WRITER'S ARTHRITIS? Review: After her last two books, I expected much more than JUPITER'S BONES delivers. While the book focuses on one of those Jonestown cults, Kellerman wastes no time in assuming that anything outside the Jewish realm is fair game to the typical barbs and jokes. While in this case, the barbs are justified, Kellerman's continued use of religious stereotypes and obvious religious prejudice, I still think Kellerman should focus more on her mysteries than her religious predilections. In Ms. Kellerman's favor, she continues to develop her supporting characters, particularly Tom Webster, who is becoming one of my favorite characters as he is smart, witty, and intensely human. Marge's character gets more attention, and although her actions regarding Vega are just too Pollyannish, she remains an enigmatic figure. Why does she have trouble in her relationships? Hmmm..the focus on Sammy and Jacob's problems is a nice touch, but they don't seem like real teenagers at all in Kellerman's hands. They always do the right thing and when they start wandering away from their religious background, Rina harnesses them back in, not all that convincingly either. Kellerman has remarkably good skills in her writing; this one's too formulaic to be one of her best, but it has moments of real brilliance.
Rating: Summary: MORE THRILLS IN THE DECKER SERIES Review: Dr. Emil Ganz was a highly regarded astrophysicist. One day he disappears, and emerges fifteen years later as "Father Jupiter", the founder and leader of the cult, The Order Of The Rings. Jupiter is found dead, and Peter Decker is called to investigate. From first viewing the body, it seems to be a clear cut case of suicide, but when a second body is found beheaded, Decker realizes someone in the order is murdering the members. Decker must solve the crime and deal with problems that are erupting in his own family.Faye Kellerman has a great series in the Decker and Lazarus novels, readers are treated to great plots, page turning action, and characters dealing with everyday problems. "Jupiter's Bones" does not disappoint, it is a very enjoyable mystery. A great beach read. Nick Gonnella
Rating: Summary: Fine Writing, Great Entertainment Review: Faye Kellerman is a very talented writer on many levels, and "Jupiter's Bones" shows her skills in no small way. When the leader of a local cult is found dead in his "cell" of an apparent suicide, Peter Decker finds himself reluctantly on the case--only because at one time, "Father Jupiter" had been a world-renowned scientist. It looks like a cut-and-dried suicide, and only the man's former prestige requires a pro forma police presence to verify the fact. But of course nothing is as it seems. What seems to be the suicide of an aging patriarch, albeit a cult leader, turns out to be much, much more. And the disciples in this particular cult, most notably Venus, Pluto and Bob (yes, Bob!), are not exactly the godly unworldly beings they appear to be before their followers. Amid the white robes, robot-like followers, and spartan cells exists an undercurrent of intense evil that threatens to boil over at any moment. Kellerman freely borrows some of her plot from real-life cult situations like Jonestown, and says so (as Peter Decker frequently compares various situations within the cult to others from the past), so there is no attempt on her part to con the reader, something I greatly appreciated. While Decker tiptoes around the increasingly volatile cult situation, there is also a situation at home, one I found annoying because it had no resolution. The younger son, Jacob, is straining against the bonds of his very orthodox religion, and is starting to rebel. The way Decker and Rina handle this situation went against the grain with me--I find the two boys too good for the real world, and it bothers me as a reader. Rina's religion is a given, and makes her what she is, but it is also completely rigid where her boys are concerned. This is probably true to life, but does not make for a good plot line, because it is very hard to understand unless one lives within the world of the very religious. The worst part, though, is that the situation, which is very grave, is solved in one sentence at the very end of the book, or at least seems to be solved. Because of that, I took a point off what should have been a five-star story. On the other hand, the last 50 pages of this book had me completely mesmerized, unable to turn the pages fast enough. The ending was masterful, and left this reader, at least, questioning just how human the human race is. This is a good, solid read and I recommend it highly.
Rating: Summary: I'm sorry people! But I enjoyed this book! Review: I can say that I've never been disappointed by a Faye Kellerman book. But then again, I haven't read Moon Music (and I don't think I will judging by the reviewer comments). That being said, I enjoyed this book very much. I think Faye Kellerman is a terrific author. Her writing style is terrific, concise, and darn interesting. I hate finishing her books. I was a tiny bit disappointed with the resolution, but I really enjoyed the subplots with Rina's sons and Marge. Anyway, I can't wait to read Stalker when it comes out. Faye Kellerman is one of the few authors whose books I make a point of reading. I do the same thing with Sue Grafton's Kinsey Milhone books. Gotta have it. Like Pepsi.
Rating: Summary: Jupiter's Bones Belongs On Jupiter!! Review: I did not like book at all! I was so bored the entire time. There was so much unnecessary Jewish talk that it got confusing. I did not care for the main character's attitude when it came to many of the problems that arose. For example, Peter Decker finds out that his 16 year old stepson his sleeping around and having sex with his girlfriend and doing other bad things and all Mr. Decker says is "well, I hope that you use protection." GIVE ME A BREAK! There were so many crazy people in this book with their strange church rituals that it drove me crazy. Then you find out who the killer is after only 180 pages. Faye Kellerman is not my kind of writer, while on the other hand, her husband, Jonathan Kellerman is fascinating! Trust me I have read thousands of mystery novels and this one is not worth it!
Rating: Summary: an entertaining novel Review: I enjoy Faye Kellerman's books because of originality. A man who goes a little nuts and begins a cult, the detective who comes to the scene of the crime, the daughter of the nutty man who is nutty herself. Most of the books are written so subtly that the nuances - are like real life. it is what i most appreciate about the writing. There is no struggling, even if shifting scenarios or subject matter to figure out "where am i now and how the heck did i get here". The story of the cult seemed initially farfetched, then i began to see a point, about being taught only one thing and one way and how narrow the focus on the world can be, as well as suspicious. I am not sure if this was intentional or not, but it was an interesting thought. the book was enjoyable and as always when reading the kellerman novels (by Jonathan too) do not feel cheated.
Rating: Summary: Way too sick and twisted Review: I enjoyed this novel and found some ideas intriguing, such as the religious cult based on modern physics. When it comes to religions, I see that some reviewers have objected to Mrs. Kellerman's practice of critisising aspects of the practises of other religions than Judaism. While I, in fact, find it useful to have one's opinions challenged, I sometimes wondered about this when reading this novel. While there have been abusive cults, of course, religions usually have something that attracts people to it in the first place. I found myself wondering why anyone would have joined this set-up in the first place, and that is a bit of a flaw.
Rating: Summary: Good, but.. Review: I was a fan of Faye Kellerman's husband, Jonathan, and I decided to give her a try. "Serpent's Tooth" was the first one I read. Then I started at the beginning of the Rina Lazarus/Peter Decker novels and read them all. "Jupiter's Bones" was definitely my favorite. It was enthralling. The storyline intrigues you from the start and then leads you into the web of the story. The climax was so exciting, I thought I was going to have a heart attack! The religious aspects of the story are very interesting, even to those that don't practice Orthodox Judaism. Contrary to what some might think, books like these that include the same characters in multiple novels don't all have to be read to understand the storyline. (Ms. Kellerman does an excellent job of explaining past events, so the reader knows what has happened.) I recommend all of Faye (and Jonathan!) Kellerman's novels. :-)
Rating: Summary: Great Read! Review: L.A. Police Lieutenant Pete Decker is called in to investigate the death of a cult leader, the charismatic Father Jupiter of the Order of the Rings of God, the former famous astromoner, Dr. Emil Ganz. There are suspects galore. Ganz had made a lot of enemies when he was a scientist and his leadership of the cult was coveted by some of his followers. Added to that are the relatives of people who have been lured into the cult. The police probably wouldn't even have been notified of Ganz's death, which had already been called a suicide by the other cult leaders, if someone hadn't told his estranged daughter. She, in turn, called the police. Getting into the compound and getting cooperation from the members is difficult enough for Decker, but it's complicated by a struggle for power by the four privileged attendants, who are; Pluto, Venus, Nova and Bob. Brother Pluto is livid with anger because of the invasion of the police into their sacred sanctuary. In addition to Jupiter's death, the police learn that two of the cult members, one a child, are missing. Pluto shifts between accusing the police and a cult deprogrammer of stealing these two from their happy home. And as usual in a Faye Kellerman novel, there's problems on the home front. It appears that Decker's younger stepson, Jacob, is smoking pot and messing around with his girlfriend. For many parents that might seem like a teenage phase, but for Orthodox Jews it's a big deal. Kellerman knows how to write a fast-moving, suspenseful story involving people the reader learns to care about. She also manges to educate the reader about her religion without seeming to preach. Somehow she does it, without it getting in the way of the story. All and all, a very good read.
Rating: Summary: Great Read! Review: One of the best mystery/crime novels I have read. I think it would make a wonderful movie too.
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