Customer Reviews

The Clinic

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(14)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I can't tell you what urban legend without giving away part of the plot, and I wouldn't want to do that and ruin your enjoyment of reading this excellent book. This book compared favorably with Michael Connelly's style of detailing the step-by-step process of investigating a crime and following up the leads. It was a real page turner, and a book I had a hard time setting down. I highly recommend it. The twists the investigation takes at the end will amaze and thrill you.

I purchased this novel nearly ten years ago. At the time of the purchase, I did not realize that it was a series. So, this book lay gathering dust on my bookshelf, until one day I completely ran out of novels to read. I picked it up, and I was captivated after the first few pages. I didn't want to start the book without reading the ones prior. Fortunately, Jonathan Kellerman is a good enough writer to write a series that does not have to be read in order!

This novel-The Clinic-is one of the most fast paced that I've ever read. I could not put this book down for the life of me. I had to know the who's, the when's, why's, and how's that were so skillfully placed! There are so many twists and turns to keep the reader interested, and so much information into the lives of the characters. I recommend this to anyone that enjoys a good novel, especially one that is just as much of a mystery as it is a suspenseful thriller!

I started reading the book anticipating a great mystery/detective novel, However, it first took me some time to get into it(about half way) and I still found it to be a dry read. I was expecting a page turning, exciting and mysterious book, but instead I found that the parts of the book that were meant to be exciting and mysterious, would be boring and found myself dosing off. A good book makes you stay up, regardless of how tired you actually are. I will give Mr. Kellerman the benefit of the doubt and will read another book by him, but I definately cannot say I loved this book. It was a very dry read...

When Detective Milo Sturgis is handed a cold case, he asks his pal Dr. Alex Delaware to help him out. Psychology professor Hope Devane had just written a very controversial best-selling book about gender roles in society when she was brutally murdered three months ago. The assumption was an enraged reader killed her and there are no leads. When Milo and Alex start digging, though, they discover that the good Doctor Devane may have had a secret life and several suspects emerge.

Alex goes snooping again - he never learns. Well, actually, he learns quite a bit - he is so duplicitous - Milo's influence, no doubt. We see quite a bit of Milo in this one, which is always good. We see him trying to be gentle with tiny college girls - not as successful as his attempt to be intimidating to high-priced lawyers. We see him go undercover as a soap opera producer and we see him speeding in his lover's Porsche. (Fun times).

Alex's new house is finally finished and he, his girlfriend Robin and the pooch are moved in. I don't like the new place as much as I did the original - and I think Alex agrees. But there is a studio out back for Robin, so she can work from home now so when all is said and done, it's good to be home.

I did find myself wondering just how Alex figured some of this one out, but I guess once they knew where to look, it was all a matter of public record. The bad guy in this one is a real piece of work, but still, you can't help but feel a certain sympathy. He was a creep before hand, but what was done to him ... shocking.

The Clinic is the first Kellerman book I have read. Just finished it, and am left wondering why Kellerman didn't follow up on the whereabouts of the doctor (Cruvic). Is there no justice for him? Overall, the plot had a steady pace and makes the reader want to know the next link in the chain of evidence/next character's role in the mystery. I look forward to the next Kellerman and would recommend The Clinic as a first-time crime/mystery read.

After Reading The Web, I promised myself I would never read Jonathan Kellerman again. I broke my promise to myself when I picked up The Clinic, and I guess I'm glad I did. While this book is not a return to the greatness of the earlier Alex Delaware novels, at least it's a step in the right direction. If not for a completely unrealistic ending, I would be giving this book four stars. Kellerman does a great job of building up the mystery and unfortunately the payoff falls flat. Let's hope that this book marks the beginning of a new start for this series and that The Web was only a misstep.

I found it almost impossible to put this book down. When I wasn't reading it I was probably thinking about it! This is a great book... very interesting... but amazingly not one of Kellerman's best! The story line is fascinating and I like the main character Alex, and his friend Sturgis a lot. They are funny and real. Pyschology is very interesting to me and Kellerman provides a lot of it!

I enjoyed this book but unfortunately at the very end I was informed in the credits that this is an ABRIDGED book. I called the publisher and they confirmed that despite not having a label saying it was abridged it in fact was. I informed Amazon of the issue but they continue to advertise this as unabridged. Be warned.

Jonathan Kellerman's mysteries sell well and he's gotten some good reviews, at least that is what I recalled when my daughter gave me "The Clinic" recently. Unfortunately, the reputation does not translate for me into an enjoyable read. Lots and lots of talk, some of which could have been cut or put into exposition, bogs down the narrative. Some interesting psychological insights from Dr. Alex Delaware about the characters involved, but although some suspense is generated, the overall effect is more like a thud, rather than a splash. Kellerman apparently believes that each character must be described in considerable detail, but without providing any insights into the character through dialogue and action, the descriptions are useless. He also describes with some detail some of the settings. But again the writing is so, well, pedestrian that there is no evocative rush from the descriptions. Maybe Kellerman is better in other books. One hopes so.

I have loved all Kellerman's books expect "The Butcher's Theatre". "The Clinic" draws you in almost immediately because you like Alex Delaware so much and also his love interest Robin. You like Alex so much you want him to succeed and solve the mystery surrounding Hope Devane's murder. You also can't help liking Alex's friend Milo the gay detective even though he is a little ragged around the edges (his sexuality notwithstanding). I love the way Kellerman throws you red herrings but ties everything together neatly at the climax. I always find myself in the position of not being able to wait until his next book comes out.