Survival of the Fittest

An Alex Delaware Novel

By: Jonathan Kellerman

Narrated by: Alexander Adams

Length: 12 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

Psychologist Dr. Alex Delaware confronts a killer who takes as much pleasure in matching wits with the police as in taking lives.

A diplomat's retarded daughter is murdered on a school field trip. The girl's father denies the possibility of a political motive, leaving LAPD detective Milo Sturgis and his longtime friend, Alex Delaware, stymied. When another killing occurs, Alex finds himself ensnared in one of the most menacing cases of his career. The psychologist ultimately goes undercover to expose the smug brutality of a deadly conspiracy in Jonathan Kellerman's chilling portrait of evil.

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

©1997 Jonathan Kellerman (P)1998 Books on Tape Inc.

Critic reviews

"Kellerman fans and readers seeking an intelligent thriller should enjoy this." (Library Journal)
"Jonathan Kellerman doesn't just write psychological thrillers: he owns the genre." (Detroit Free Press)

slow start but good story.

This suspense story is entertaining and educational. For me it was a slow start but good. There are many plots and it kept my mind looking for the connections, how does it all tie together.

Believing most books have a message this one, at least to me, does. In my opinion we need diversity. We learn from those who may possibly be smarter than us but I think we learn even more from those who may not be as able as ourselves. Perseverance, a new way to get it done, simple compassion, we become better people in general.

The narrator has a great voice, soothing and did a good job distinguishing characters.

Riveting

A very smart thrill ride! Kellerman leads you to one way of thinking in the beginning, and expertly changes course to an unwitting end

Not the first Alex Delaware, and far from the best

I got this inexpensively from the Audible "first in series" sale -- a great idea, by the way! -- and was glad it was "only" a sale item.

I enjoyed the early (1980's) Delaware books, but felt they went rapidly downhill starting with "The Web" in the early 90's. I was surprised to see this book billed as the "first in series," and thought maybe I'd missed something; but "Survival" is in fact from 1997, published in that "middle period"' where Kellerman's psychologist hero was, for me anyway, at his weakest. After a shocking opening scene, this one really drags , takes too long to get moving, and is not helped by the rather monotonous narration--felt like the narrator picked up on the author's lack of inspiration.

P.S. The first published Alex Delaware novel is actually "When The Bough Breaks" (1985). "Blood Test" and "Over the Edge," the first and second in the series, are the ones to get.

Do not waste your money or credit

I am avid listener but after one hour I was still lost as to what was going on. Some start slow and confusing but if I cannot figure out whats going on after one hour, forget it.

Disappointing

I was very disappointed in this book. I thought it was incredibly boring. I listened to two-thirds of the book and simply couldn't listen any more.

Boring

I'm over halfway through and quit listening to it - unlikely I'll go back to finish it. It started out good, but just got boring. Maybe it's my frame of mind, but I found it really scattered; I'm a little surprised some were able to identify a theme.

After Purchase found unavailable

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

If the book was available for download I could have listened to it. Bad practice to allow purchase and then find unavailable after spending the money!!!

Has Survival of the Fittest turned you off from other books in this genre?

No only Audibles practice.

Any additional comments?

Please note that the book is not available before purchae.