Customer Reviews

Cold Heart

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

Jonathan Kellerman has written yet another page-turner mystery thriller centered around psychologist Alexander Delaware. As usual, Kellerman vividly draws the cast of supporting characters and, as might be expected from an author who is also a psychologist himself, his depictions of \ interactions between the characters abound with rich detail. In the present novel, A Cold Heart, musicians and artists are being murdered, but are the possible connections between the crimes only illusions of coincidence or is a serial killer at work?

Kellerman has taken pains over the past several years to ensure that this series of novels do not merely travel along in a comfortable rut. In Billy Straight Kellerman abandoned his usual first person narrative through the eyes of Delaware to use a third person voice to tell his story from the perspectives of his title character, a runaway boy, and of Petra Connor, a police detective. In that novel, Delaware was relegated to a minor role. More recently in The Murder Book Kellerman mixed his usual first person Delaware narrative with a third person voice from the viewpoint of Milo Sturgis, Delawares police detective friend. The author extends this technique in his latest novel, this time blending Delawares narrative with third person chapters primarily centered on Petra Connor, but occasionally switching to a broader viewpoint to depict other activities. Sporadically, the reader may become confused as to exactly who knows what at any given time, since there are multiple, overlapping investigations in progress, but eventually matters clarify on the way to a dramatic climax.

There is another carryover from recent novels, too. Delawares relationship with his longtime live-in lover, Robin Castagna, has become increasingly strained and in A Cold Heart this storyline is carried forward against a crime background that this time affects Robin directly, through her connections to the music world.

I enthusiastically recommend this novel to confirmed fans of Kellermans Delaware novels, but because of plot elements that continue and develop through the series, I suggest readers new to Kellerman start with earlier books in the series and work their way forward.

The style of A Cold Heart brought back memories of Billy Straight which was the book that got me hooked on Jonathan Kellerman. I last read The Murder Book and was disappointed with its plodding style but not with this one. The sharp, quick action moves along at good clip and yet still adds descriptions which create vivid pictures in the mind. This story brings together all the characters in the other books and weaves them around a case which is solved by their cooperative work. I finished it in two sittings and was sorry it was over. This is my idea of a good read. I am glad there is a new love interest for Delaware finally. The on again, off again business with Robin was getting very boring. I look forward now to what ever comes next. Thanks, Mr. Kellerman for a good story, well told.

One of the most intriguing and attractive elements of Jonathan Kellerman's novels concerning psychologist Alex Delaware is Kellerman's willingness to change --- dramatically --- the elements of his characters' lives. While Kellerman's latest novel, A COLD HEART, begins somewhat violently, the mystery behind a series of murders occurring apparently at random is balanced nicely by the interplay between Delaware, his gradually burgeoning relationship with Allison Gwynn and his resolution of his feelings toward Robin Castagna, his ex-lover. It's hard to overemphasize how important this is, or how masterfully Kellerman accomplishes it. Leave out the potentially explosive chemistry of the relationships and what would be left is an unrelentingly grim novel about a mysterious serial killer; focus too much on the relationships and one risks wandering involuntarily into ripped bodice territory. Kellerman makes the story of one as interesting as the other and very neatly brings them together at the denouement.

A COLD HEART begins with the murder of Baby Boy Lee, a legendary blues guitarist with a cult following who is attempting to make a final grab at larger fame and fortune, when he is mysteriously murdered during a cigarette break while playing a gig. When an up-and-coming painter and a promising concert pianist are also murdered shortly thereafter, it appears as if someone is marking performance artists for death. The victims however appear to otherwise be unrelated and, when the unsolved prior murders of a punk rock singer and a ballet dancer also seem to be related, the motive and the individual behind the murders become even more mysterious. Delaware, along with police detective Milo Sturgis and Sturgis's colleague Petra Connor, approach the investigation from different angles, all working gradually toward the same goal, with Delaware and Connor working through their own personal problems as well. No one is more surprised than Delaware, however, when he discovers that the solution to the investigation lies with him, personally. The result is a chase that ends, if not at Delaware's front door, somewhere close to it.

Yet, A COLD HEART is ultimately hijacked by the introduction of a new character. Petra Connor is assigned a new partner, an enigmatic question mark named Eric Stahl. Stahl appears to be lacking emotion, warmth and personality, but as the reader begins to learn through bits and pieces sparingly fed by Kellerman, there is far, far more to Stahl than would otherwise be indicated. The truth is far more interesting --- and tragic --- than one would suspect. Stahl plays an important part in the ultimate resolution of A COLD HEART and it would not be surprising at all if he should someday be the leading protagonist in another of Kellerman's volumes. He is too strong and too interesting a character to continue to play a secondary role.

Kellerman demonstrates in A COLD HEART that he is unafraid to bring changes and growth to his characters and in fact seems to relish the challenges that such changes bring to his work. In A COLD HEART he has wisely made Delaware more involved in the action and less of a mere observer. This is a pattern that hopefully will continue in future Delaware novels, even as the characters continue to change and grow.

--- Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub

When an has-been blues artist is murdered in Los Angeles, the police don't have much to go on--until psychologist Alex Delaware notices a connection to other deaths. Could someone really be killing artists who are on the verge of success? With his long-time partner Milo, police detective Petra Connor, and Petra's new and possibly psychotic partner Eric Stahl, Alex starts looking for clues to a possible serial killer. Psychological profiling serves to narrow the suspect list, but can they act quickly enough to prevent the killer from striking again?

Author Jonathan Kellerman has delivered a series of wonderful police/psychologist novels featuring Milo and Alex in the past, but A COLD HEART is not the best of these. The early novels in this series deal extensively with child abuse--a crime that cannot help to tug hard on any reader's emotions. Although a serial killer has the potential for similarly powerful emotional impact, Kellerman doesn't quite milk the material. Many readers may also find the killer's identity a little easy to guess, and the action-packed conclusion to be telegraphed a little too obviously.

Being far from the best in this series does not mean that A COLD HEART isn't worth reading. Kellerman is a strong writer who involves the reader, delivers smooth and fascinating insights into humanity, and can be counted on for a clever plot twist.

I'm a pretty big Alex Delaware fan -- the first one I read was Monster, then Dr. Death, then I started from the beginning and read them all in order. Here's what I think about this book: okay, but not one of Kellerman's better ones. In fact, his last three have not been great. It took me a while to get into it, and I kept reading only because I am a fan of the series. The plot was just not interesting to me. What I disliked most about it, though, is how the older Alex gets, the more he acts like he is in junior high. Being a psychologist, you would think that he would be able to figure out and fix his relationship with Robin. But he rejects her, then kisses her, then rejects her, then has sex wtih her, then rejects her. His new girlfriend Allison is nice, but she is definitely no Robin. I think he has damaged the relationship too much to go back, though. Hopefully we will still hear from Robin in the future. Another way he acts like he is in junior high is how horny he is -- all the time!!! I read Kellerman's books for mystery, intrigue, and surprise, but it seems like in this book every other chapter talks about Alex's erection. Yuck!!! The main positive point of the book is the return of Petra Connor and her new partner Eric Stahl -- reading about them was refreshing after having to wade through Alex's inability to deal with his issues. There is definitely more to find out about Eric, and it would be interesting to have Petra's character more developed also. Hopefully we will read more about them in future books. To sum up, I give this book 3 stars -- read it if you are a fan, but if you have never read one of Jonathan Kellerman's books then start with a different one.

Jonathon Kellerman continues to try to find new approaches to his long-running Alex Delaware series. Last time he spent half the book on a 3rd person profile of Alex's friend Det. Milo Sturgis, with the other half the regular 1st person Alex Delaware narrative.

This time out he again uses 3rd person narrative for part of the book, this time delineating the activities and further exploring the personality of Petra Connor the Hollywood detective of Kellerman's "Billy Straight". Petra has a new partner, the enigmatic Eric Stahl, and they are involved in working a murder case that becomes linked to one Milo & Alex are working. Someone is killing creative types, a musician & painter for openers, in acts that can only be described as ultimate criticism (and Jonathon gets to take a swipe or two at the mentality of the talentless wannabe). No offense to us Amazon critics, I hope.

This time out, I found the mystery revealed to me earlier than usual, but it may not be for everyone. Nevertheless, the details of the unraveling are still worthwhile, and Kellerman is still busy fleshing out his characters. Alex has lost his Robin, but has a new love interest. We are becoming more familiar with Petra and new dimensions are being added and her new partner presents a new character with depths and secrets that will probably mean some new Petra book down-the-line. Hope so anyway.

Always a pleasurable read, Kellerman doesn't break new ground here, but continues the life of his characters with some new wrinkles. And while this isn't his best, I always look forward to the new Delaware and hope to see a new Petra/Eric book sometime in the future. 3-1/2 for this one.

I am so glad that this was not my first time reading a Jonathan Kellerman book. I am also happy that this was not my first time reading about Alex Delaware. Why? Because if this had been my first time, I'd never read another book by this author EVER AGAIN! Alex Delaware was sappy and boring in this novel and the situation between him and Robin was portrayed poorly. Both of these characters really worked my nerves and normally, I really like both of them.

Further, what is the deal with the ending?!?! I was marginally interested in this story from the beginning, but when I got to the last chapter, I was really disappointed. To me, it seemed as if Mr. Kellerman suddenly decided that he should cut the story short.... so he did exactly that without giving a lot of details that I thought he was building up to.

I am very disappointed in this book, but even so, Mr. Kellerman has not lost me as a fan. I know his work and what he is capable of, I just hope that the next Kellerman book that I read will be written in the manner/style that I am use to.

Alex Delaware continues to find his own professional decision to become a psychologist frustrating as he get drawn into another series of murders that only he picks up early clues. When he convinces Milo Sturgis, his friend and LAPD detective, that the tie between murder victims is that they are performers trying to make a comeback, they begin to work the case together with Alex usually a step ahead of Milo.

Alex's personal life in Cold Heart makes him look a little wimpy. Robin walked out on him because he keeps looking for trouble (read previous Alex Delaware books). She gave up Alex for a dull but safe performer and then finds herself involved in this case and needing Alex.

Dr. Delaware continues to be an old literary friend to work forward to seeing in action as the series continues. I do wish he could get his personal life figured out. Maybe the new love who is also a psychologist can help Alex with his cases in the future. Cold Heart is another good to buy; good to read thriller.

Alex Delaware is called to investigate a series of bizarre murders that linked together.

Washed-up guitarist Baby Boy Lee is found stabbed to death outside of a local club. Alex doesn't know what to make of the stabbing, but knows this wasn't just a random killing. The body was carefully placed, arranged if you will, and Alex wants answers for Baby Boy was a friend of Alex's long-time, but now ex-girlfriend Robin.

Investigating the case is Petra Connor, and with the help of Alex and his partner/friend LAPD detective Milo Sturgis, Petra is confident they will catch the killer, until another body turns up...

In another part of town another body is found, this time it's that of Julie Kipper, a talented, divorced artist on the verge of her big break. At the opening of her first show, Julie is found murdered. There is no motive, and only one clue...the body was arranged in a sick manner, that resembling the body of Baby Boy.

Petra, Milo and Alex must work carefully and quickly as the body count rises, but catching this killer will be no easy task, as he stays one step ahead, taunting the police with his bloody "art" work, and to make matters worse Petra has been given a new partner, one that hides secrets of his own.

`A Cold Heart' is another solid entry in the Alex Delaware series. Fans know what to expect in these mysteries; fast pace, careful plotting, genuine characters and thick suspense, and this novel contains all the elements that have made the previous entries in the series bestsellers.

Jonathan Kellerman continues to churn out original, quality thrillers. For many years his Delaware series has been the setting standards in the psychological suspense arena, and this latest entry is further proof the series is stronger than ever, and with Kellerman's expert plotting, here to stay.

Fans of the series are sure to devour this in a few sittings. Expect to see `A Cold Heart' at the top of the charts.

Nick Gonnella

With a cast of former fictional investigators of the LAPD, Author Kellerman adds a sleuth-psychologist to assist in solving Serial Murders. It is a compelling story, entailing good police work, and believable investigators, who solve a difficult murder mystery. A book hard to put down.