Bones

An Alex Delaware Novel

By: Jonathan Kellerman

Narrated by: John Rubinstein

Length: 12 hrs

Publisher's summary

When it comes to writing deftly layered, tightly coiled novels of suspense, number one New York Times best-selling author Jonathan Kellerman reigns supreme as “master of the psychological thriller” (People). Kellerman has worked his magic again in this chilling masterpiece.

The anonymous caller has an ominous tone and an unnerving message about something "real dead...buried in your marsh". The eco-volunteer on the other end of the phone thinks it's a prank, but when a young woman's body turns up in LA's Bird Marsh preserve, no one's laughing. And when the bones of more victims surface, homicide Detective Milo Sturgis realizes the city's under siege to an insidious killer. Milo's first move: calling in psychologist Alex Delaware.

The murdered women are prostitutes - except the most recent victim; a brilliant young musician from the East Coast, employed by a wealthy family to tutor a musical prodigy, Selena Bass seems out of place in the marsh's grim tableau.

Conveniently - perhaps ominously - Selena's blueblood employers are nowhere to be found, and their estate's jittery caretaker raises hackles. But Milo's instincts and Alex's insight are too well-honed to settle for easy answers, even given the dark secrets in this troubled man's past. Their investigation unearths disturbing layers - about victims, potential victims, and suspects alike - plunging even deeper into the murky marsh's enigmatic depths.

Bizarre details of the crimes suggest a devilish serial killer prowling LA's gritty streets. But when a new murder deviates from the pattern, derailing a possible profile, Alex and Milo must look beyond the suspicion of madness and consider an even more sinister mind at work. Answers don't come easy, but the darkest of drives and desires may fuel the most devious of foes.

Bones is classic Kellerman - relentlessly peeling back the skin and psyches of its characters and revealing the shadows and sins of the souls beneath. With jolt after jolt of galvanizing suspense, it drives the reader through its twists and turns toward a climax as satisfying as it is shattering.

Psyched? Listen to all of Jonathan Kellerman's Dr. Alex Delaware thrillers.

©2008 Jonathan Kellerman (P)2008 Random House

Critic reviews

"The comfortable banter that has helped make Delaware and Sturgis such durable crime-story heroes is as rapid-fire, keen, and wryly funny as ever, and the mystery they aim to solve is certainly not routine." ( Booklist)

Excellent who done it once again

The story is well woven and did not disappoint! The last 3 minutes will bring tears to your eyes.

Incredibly dull

This is the only book in the series that i have read and i wont be reading any more. It is a candidate for the most tedious book i have ever read. I almost gave up half way through but did make it to the end.
There is so sense of suspense, just pages and pages of turgid waffle.

Excellent Book

Truly enjoyed this title

Vulgarity is a sure sign of a dim imagination

Mr Kellerman proves the point very well that "People with a limited imagination often find themselves resorting to vulgarity". I can't tell you whether the plot ever got anywhere because the first 20 minutes was a combination of confused plot jumps and language that would make a sailor blush. Having grown up in New York and spending three years in the Army, I am no prude. I have heard and used my fair share of salty language. But the way the author used it in this book only served to ruin the content. It was so bad I simply quit listening altogether. Too bad because I have heard he does decent stuff but I won't waste my time on him again.

Deja Vue

In this novel, Mr. Kellerman reworks the plot of one of his most recent novels. The original is better.

Mr. Kellerman is a favorite writer of mine. There is little he's written that I haven't read, so I don't make these statements lightly. What has happened to our best mystery/thriller writers?

needed something

I can usually get into a book, if it doesn't interest me, after a couple of hours. This book never caught my attention. I was totally bored trying to listen to it. I ended up not listening to it.

Waste Of My Money

Would you try another book from Jonathan Kellerman and/or John Rubinstein?

I would try other books by this author. I do not know about the performance. Why does he think that this narration has to be as a tough guy. I could not get past the sarcasm in his voice and the hard ass impression. Tried to listen to this book twice and just could not get past a few chapters.

Has Bones turned you off from other books in this genre?

No

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of John Rubinstein?

Not sure. The tone and impression is so very important. I do not know if he was trying to be a tough guy, gum shoe or what. Just a big turn off.

What character would you cut from Bones?

I did not finish the book. I will need to read the book for a third try.