Victims

An Alex Delaware Novel

By: Jonathan Kellerman

Narrated by: John Rubinstein

Length: 11 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

Unraveling the madness behind L.A.’s most baffling and brutal homicides is what sleuthing psychologist Alex Delaware does best. And putting the good doctor through his thrilling paces is what mystery fiction’s #1 best-selling master of psychological suspense Jonathan Kellerman does with incomparable brilliance. Kellerman’s universally acclaimed novels blend the addictive rhythms of the classic police procedural with chilling glimpses into the darkest depths of the human condition. For the compelling proof, look no further than Victims - Kellerman at his razor-sharp, harrowing finest.

Not since Jack the Ripper terrorized the London slums has there been such a gruesome crime scene. By all accounts, acid-tongued Vita Berlin hadn’t a friend in the world, but whom did she cross so badly as to end up arranged in such a grotesque tableau? One look at her apartment–turned–charnel house prompts hard-bitten LAPD detective Milo Sturgis to summon his go-to expert in hunting homicidal maniacs, Alex Delaware. But despite his finely honed skills, even Alex is stymied when more slayings occur in the same ghastly fashion... yet with no apparent connection among the victims. And the only clue left behind - a blank page bearing a question mark - seems to be both a menacing taunt and a cry for help from a killer baffled by his own lethal urges.

Under pressure to end the bloody spree and prevent a citywide panic, Milo redoubles his efforts to discover a link between the disparate victims. Meanwhile, Alex navigates the secretive world of mental health treatment, from the sleek office of a Beverly Hills therapist to a shuttered mental institution where he once honed his craft - and where an unholy alliance between the mad and the monstrous may have been sealed in blood. As each jagged piece of the puzzle fits into place, an ever more horrific portrait emerges of a sinister mind at its most unimaginable - and an evil soul at its most unspeakable. “This one was different,” Alex observes at the start of the case. This one will haunt his waking life, and his darkest dreams, long after its end.

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

©2012 Jonathan Kellerman (P)2012 Random House Audio

...Don't Be One

(I'm a Kellerman virgin--so go easy on me Alex Delaware fans.) While I found Alex and his merry buddy Milo somewhat entertaining, having no background knowledge of the two (and very little character back story contained in this book), the duo were less than dynamic, and just couldn't carry the burden of mediocre writing, and a jumbled, flawed storyline. What started out engrossing (big emphasis on the gross) seemed to peter out; characters heavily focused on in the first part of the story were suddenly unimportant to the plot, while the pathology of the offender was under developed in the one, and ridiculous and unbelievable in the other. The narrator could get an A for reading--but his interpretation seemed off in places. Perhaps another Kellerman novel could entice me onto team Delaware...but after this one, you'd probably have to twist my arm pretty hard.

Ho hum

Yack yack yack yack yack yack yack yack.

Plot.

Yack yack yack yack yack yack.

Plot

Yack yack yack yack yack yack yack yack.

Plot plot yack plot.

Waste of time.

Very annoying voices from the narrator. Stupid plot; not at all believable. And a lot of behind the scenes political views being voiced. Can't believe these novels are popular. Is it just because this takes place in California? Yuch!!

I was bored.

What did you like best about Victims? What did you like least?

John Rubinstein did a good job sounding like a therapist, but the book was so mild.

What was most disappointing about Jonathan Kellerman’s story?

There was nothing exciting. They were just going through the motions, slowly amounting evidence and tracking the killer, but there was no suspense! None! Every time I thought there was going to be something exciting, I was let down!

What aspect of John Rubinstein’s performance would you have changed?

I wish he could have shown more emotion, but I am not sure there was supposed to be with the way it was written.

Could you see Victims being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Nope...would be a boring movie too!