The Butcher's Theater

Caution: spoiler. I love Kellerman's books. This one had me hooked. But a graphic scene of animal torture had me so upset that I had nightmares so the book went on my recycle bin. I will go back to the Alex Delaware novels by Kellerman instead.

This is a brilliant serial killer novel, not just for it's plot (which is actually somewhat run of the mill) but mainly for it's engrossing setting, Jerusalem. I've not read a fictional book set here before, and i found this new experience thoroughly engrossing and interesing. The descriptions about the culture were informative, and again very interesting, and gave a sharp edge of realism to the novel. The characters a great, each one is developed well, and their trypes are many and varied. The writing is fresh and pulls you in, although sometimes Kellerman does go off on a tangent a bit when he puts in a rather long paragraph about Israeli history, which while some of it is interesting, some of it is also unnecesary and dull.I didn't find the political tone too distracting, as some appear to have done. I admit, he does have slightly biased leanings, but you can't exactly blame him. He is Jewish, after all.This is a big book, but it speeds along quickly. It's compelling, and grows dull very little, which is surprising considering it's length. The plot is adequate, the psychology is great, the insights into foreign culture marvellous, and the finale is excellent.the immense scope of this book is as large as the view from the top of Mount Scopus.

Kellerman has become one of my favorites, but of all his books, this one with Daniel Sharavi as the investigator has been the most riveting. I really enjoyed the history of Israel's landmarks....Jonathan has had to spend time in Israel to get so many things so clear for his readers. What an amazing read. I'd highly recommend it. You won't put it down till you've hit the last page! I do wish Daniel Sharavi would appear in more of Kellerman's novels. I love Alex Delaware and Detective Milo Sturgis...but Daniel Sharavi and family are wonderful characters as well.

this is a great detective novel. its fascinating in more ways than one. i dont find it racist or predjudice at all it takes into arab and jewish cultures in jerusalem and in a conversation between sharavi and the mayor they discuss how the extrememly orthodox jews are just as radical and dangerous as any muslims. we get to know the characters well. the case the investigation is gripping. one of kellermans best

I found Butcher's Theater to be a taut, well-written detective story, and those with an interest in mysteries of this sort will find it exciting up until the last page. However, in addition to the detective work, there is wonderful development of the detectives, especially Sharavi, and the Butcher himself. Both of these elements are set in Israel, where race and religious issues dominate the landscape, in a much more explicit way than typcially happens in the states. Before reading this book, I was familiar with Kellerman's Alex Delaware series but had not read any of his other books. After Butcher's Theater, however, I would certainly pursue any other fiction he wrote.

The Butchers Theatre. A magnificent novel from Kellerman.I have not been thrilled to bits by his Alex Delaware series, as that character always strikes me as a smug rich kid with far too much time and money on his hands.However Kellerman has excelled himself here.A psychotic pseudo-Nazi killer,a team of rookie detectives trying to catch him in the holy land...Genuinely chilling stuff,especially the killers background in LA. Everything from 1980s Israel is here-from customs to retellings of legends.The book is almost like an elaborate conversation and is superb and gripping stuff.The only disappointment was the ending.Its rather predictable and a bit of a letdown.However this is an excellent book and to any Kellerman fan a must-read.