Evidence: An Alex Delaware Novel

Hey, what can I say? It's a good read/listen for us die-hard Kellerman fans. Yes, there seems to be more Milo than Alex; and we could spice up Alex's love life a bit. But I liked the college/academia setting of this one; and as always, John Rubinstein's audio book performance is stellar.

Run, don't walk, to obtain a copy of EVIDENCE, Jonathan Kellerman's new novel. The novel begins with the discovery of two dead bodies, locked in a carnal embrace. The bodies are found in a framed, uncompleted mega-mansion in Holmby Hills. He's identified as an architect; her identity remains a mystery, as does the owner of the work-in-progress property. Milo and Alex's investigation leads to a set of high school classmates, an oil-rich island ruled by a sultan, near Indonesia, an Austrian ice-princess with an inclination to misanthropy and a love of bombs and eco-terrorism and a final confrontation on one of L.A.'s mean streets. The second act is a bit convoluted and a bit implausible, but Kellerman works out all of the details, makes all of the connections and counters all of the possible objections. The conclusion is a little bloodier than usual for a Milo/Alex story, but very satisfying. First and foremost, this is Milo's story. Alex is along for the ride, but Milo is in the driver's seat and at the top of his game. There are two delicious set pieces in which Milo interviews/interrogates perps and each is very special. The cake's icing is the introduction of a new character in the series: the chief of the LAPD--a profane, politically-incorrect, hell-on-wheels crime buster, who eats bureaucrats for breakfast and meddling citizens and reporters for afternoon snacks. I want more, Jonathan, much, much more, and so, I predict, will my fellow readers. Some have commented on the change in JK's style--a shift to a briefer, tighter, less introspective Alex with a greater emphasis on procedure, less emphasis on psychology (including child psychology, Alex's forte) and, hence, a larger role for Milo. I like this mode, but not all JK readers will prefer it. There's little talk here of the luthier's art, koi ponds and cutesy-poo dogs. Alex's life is subordinated to the business at hand and the business at hand is sufficiently compelling (in my judgment) to carry the story. Very highly recommended.

EVIDENCE, Jonathan Kellerman's latest book, is subtitled "An Alex Delaware Novel," but this branding is not quite accurate. Psychologist Delaware is certainly a presence throughout, and the first-person narration that tells the tale is in Delaware's voice. But the real focus of the novel is on LAPD Homicide Detective Milo Sturgis, who doggedly pursues a solution to a mysterious double homicide. From the very beginning, there is nothing ordinary about EVIDENCE. The story commences with the discovery of two bodies in a half-finished house, which, even in its incomplete state, is a monument to ostentatiousness. The corpses are in carnal embrace, the man shot and the woman strangled. The identity of the female is unknown, but the male is Desmond E. Backer, a principal with a local architectural firm that has recently gone belly up. Backer, as it turns out, is quite the ladies' man, having dipped his pen in the company ink (among other places). Sturgis has no lack for suspects, as one of Backer's jealous lovers or one of their spouses possibly could have had the motivation to commit the dastardly deed. But the "who" isn't the only intriguing aspect of this case for Sturgis; he is also puzzled by the fact that the house where Backer and his ill-fortuned friend were found has sat unfinished for two years and that the identity of the owner seems to be a state secret. With the always observant Delaware in tow, Sturgis begins making inquiries, slowly and methodically working his way through a labyrinth of connections that seem to lead to the rumored disappearance of another woman who no one seems to know. Sturgis is a determined investigator, but, as we learn through Delaware's intense and detailed narrative, the interrogation is where the detective really shines. In EVIDENCE, he does so on two occasions while following a trail that leads overseas and back, to a private air hanger, and, ultimately, all too close to home. The plot and its two primary characters are more than enough reward for the time and money invested in experiencing Kellerman's latest work. However, the real star remains the city and environs of Los Angeles, which provides a never-ending wellspring for his stories. Kellerman introduces an important and unforgettable character, waiting until the last quarter of the novel to do so, and the gentleman almost steals the entire book in just a few paragraphs. And let's not forget the Los Angeles culinary experience in the Delaware/Sturgis series. Sturgis is a foodie of sorts; the tour of Los Angeles eateries continues here, making one ask the question: when might we look forward to the Milo Sturgis Dining Guide? Whether that volume ever comes into existence or not, there is much to love and enjoy in EVIDENCE, which satisfies and makes one yearn for more. --- Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub

The last few books in the Alex Delaware-Milo Sturgis series just haven't done it for me. On a whim I picked this up this morning at a local bookstore and started to read it shortly there after...and continued to read. Had popcorn for lunch while I read. A candy bar for dinner while I read. And finished it a couple of hours ago. This is one of Kellerman's best. The book opens with a couple found dead by a night watchman in a compromising, artfully arranged position in one of the better neighborhoods in Los Angeles. At first glance they appear to be lovers caught in a tryst, but to Delaware and Sturgis the evidence suggests something darker and more sinister. As Alex and Milo follow the evidence they experience twists and turns, but what is unique about this book is the focus on Milo rather than Alex. We get to watch him solve the crime and Alex becomes more of a background character. There are a lot of suspects from the dead man's boss to the home's owner, an Arabian prince. As Milo and Alex work their way through the suspects and the evidence, the story remains credible and exciting. Sturgis has some wonderful scenes from battling the FBI to interrogating a suspect. This book goes a long way to revitalizing the series! Will be looking forward to book #25.

Desmond Backer was a popular, eco-friendly L.A. architect. He was also a relentless womanizer. Whatever he was, he's now dead--found in a half-constructed house, in a compromising position with a young woman. His employer doesn't seem to care much, but several other people had strong opinions about the dead man. And just who is the mysterious woman found dead with him? L.A. cop Milo Sturgis is determined to solve the mystery with the help of his friend, Alex Delaware. EVIDENCE is the 23rd Jonathan Kellerman mystery to feature the wonderful child psychologist/amateur detective, Alex Delaware, and his stalwart cop friend, Milo. Ever since the Edgar-winning first book in the series, When the Bough Breaks (Alex Delaware), these two have been an unbeatable team. Over the years, this series has lost none of its freshness and attention to the details of psychological profiling and police investigation, and the mystery plots themselves are always solid and surprising. EVIDENCE is perfect (forgive me) evidence of Kellerman's long-lasting mastery of his craft. Highly recommended.