A Cold Heart (Hardcover)

It seems Kellerman has had difficulty in his last three or four efforts generating the kind of zest present in his earlier works that featured crimes involving children, Alex's true specialty as a professional (as is author Dr. Kellerman in real life). His mooning over lost love Robin is way beyond old, and a new love interest in this one does little to defray that nonsense. The strange actions of Petra's new partner provided almost more mystery than the mystery did -- and we really didn't understand why Milo, a competent cop, was posed as so goofy in this one. Lastly, by the time the pros decided whodunit, we readers had all figured it out.

We've heard Kellerman's next outing will feature an entirely new character; that's good news in our judgment. Fine writing skills, never a problem here, are just not enough to carry off more Delaware machinations. We suggest he go back to his original practice and let us all get on with life.

I want to preface this review by saying that this is only my second novel in the entire Alex Delaware series. My first and only Jonathan Kellerman book was read ten years ago; it was a book titled BAD LOVE, also an Alex Delaware series. I enjoyed that book, and there is no excuse why there was a gap of 10 years between that book and A COLD HEART. My excuse is that I was only reading a book a year at that time, and therefore did not even know there was a series built around this character.

A COLD HEART features, of course, psychologist Alex Delaware, who helps solve crimes with his detective friend Milo Sturgis, who works for the LAPD in homicide. The two of them find themselves involved in a series of crimes that seem to be centered on a common theme: the victims are somehow related to the arts. The clues are vague, and there does not seem to be an obvious connection to any of these crimes.

Alex, Milo, and detective Petra O'Connor (who was introduced in BILLY STRAIGHT) work together to find the serial killer. Clues point to one young adult, a loner named Kevin Drummond, but some of the clues don't add up. It isn't until the very end that the reader, and Alex and the detectives figure out who-done-it. A side story about Alex and his ex-girlfriend Robin also ends up connected to the serial killer, with an exciting finish as they figure out who the murderer is.

I enjoyed A COLD HEART as much as I enjoyed BAD LOVE. From the amazon reviews I have read here, I was probably at an advantage since I have not read the entire series of books, and therefore did not find this one "tired". It was all "new to me". I did have a problem with the new character introduced in this book, Eric Stahl, who I thought at one point of the book was the killer. I am going to guess he may be used as a continuing character in future books. I will find out soon enough.

And on that note, I do recommend A COLD HEART.