BONES by Jonathan Kellerman
Jonathan Kellerman is one of my favorite authors. His books featuring Alex Delaware, a psychologist who works as an advisor to the Los Angeles Police Department, capture my interest and hold me spellbound. Lately, however, I have noticed a diminution of their effect on me. The stories have been too forced and the characters involved not as appealing. So I read Kellerman’s new novel BONES with a jaundiced eye. Happily it is as fresh and refreshing as this author’s earlier works.
BONES focuses on one case, a series of bodies turn up in a wilderness preserve. A young detective named Moses Reed catches the case and asks for assistance from Detective Milo Sturgis. Sturgis, as usual, brings Alex Delaware along for the ride and for the inevitable consultation.
The case ends up involving the rich and famous as well as the more depraved types involved in the underbelly of Los Angeles. More bodies and more murders are discovered before the perpetrators are finally discovered. It takes some super sleuthing on the part of Delaware, Sturgis and Reed to arrive at the proper solution.
One of the more interesting aspects of the book is the care and training of Moses Reed by Sturgis. He brings the younger detective along while not tipping his hand that he is training him in the everyday aspects of the job. This is where Kellerman shines. He is particularly adept at adding nuances to his character’s lives.
In BONES very little attention is given to Delaware’s personal life. His wife Robin comes on the scene from time to time but not with much involvement in the story. BONES is a study of a case and the people investigating it.
There is a security in reading Kellerman. He moves his stories from point A to point B and on until the crime is solved and the story completed. Everything is very linear and there is no confusion as to time sequences or misplaced events.
BONES is Kellerman’s best story in some time. It tells of a series of crimes that are both vicious and fascinating. The investigation is by the book and the steady police work gets results. Throw in the complex and distinct personalities involved and you have a story that is fun to read.
If you are a fan of logical mystery solving then Jonathan Kellerman is the author for you. He doesn’t hit a home run every time with his stories but his batting average on success is high. Mark him down as an author you should get to know.
BONES is published by Ballantine Books. It contains 353 pages and sells for $27.00.