Customer Reviews

Bad Love: An Alex Delaware Novel

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Not a bad read. This is the third Kellerman book I've read. I had trouble believing the plot in this one. Alex gets a tape and then spends most of the book trying to track down people that he can warn or that can help him figure out who the killer is. The problem is that nothing really earthshaking happens until the end. I don't think in reality anyone would go to so much trouble over a scary tape and a dead koi. I think there should have been something more real, like a murder, that Alex could verifiably connect to the tape before he marches off to find the killer. All in all, it was entertaining enough. There was not enough character development to get you to care about the victims. If your looking for something to give you the creeps or to get you "hooked", skip this one.
Read the Clinic if your looking for a good Kellerman Novel.

The cassette tape arrives one morning in a plain brown wrapper with no return address. Alex Delaware, curious, puts it cautiously into his tape player, and a nightmare opens up before him. There is a long, soul-tearing scream, and then a child chanting the phrase, "Bad love, bad love, don't give me the bad love."

Shortly after, he receives a mysterious phone call, and then confronts a cruel act of vandalism against him, and is forced to admit that someone, for some twisted reason, has him in their sights.

He desperately searches his memory for recognition of the phrase "bad love", and eventually links it to a symposium he attended many years ago, dedicated to the work of child psychologist Andres de Bosch. Puzzled about how this could possibly link back to his taunter, Alex tries to get in contact with some of the other delegates, and discovers a chilling and random series of deaths amongst them.

This is the best Delaware book so far (I am slowly but dedicatedly making my way through the series.) It contains everything that makes Jonathan Kellerman books good. Plenty of psychology, his characters, his probingly analytical writing style (which, I must admit now, doesn't serve actions too well) and possibly the best plot he's dreamt up so far. Existing fans will love it, and newcomers to the series would do well to start at the beginning (When the Bough Breaks) and just look forward to this gem.

Kellerman's plotting is fluid, original, and moves at very good pace. It's also wonderful to witness Alex as he tries to work his way into the twisted and distorted logic of a killer and find even hints of a possible motive. The only times when this book falls down are when, occasionally, his prose seems too detached, and there are a couple too many characters. Otherwise, this is an excellent addition to a good series.

I have read a couple of Kellerman's books and I really liked this one. Kellerman has a knack for pulling you into the mystery until you too are rubbing your hand over your face in concentration and confusion like Milo. I was totally surprised at the ending. You were pulled from one murder to another with the only connection being the words "Bad Love". When Kellerman pulls all the loose ends together you still get a big suprise of who and why. I highly recommend this quick reading, enticing murder MYSTERY.

In the novel, Bad Love, the author, Jonathan Kellerman, has successfully created a haunting atmosphere with carefully determined, murderous plot. It begins when the main character, Alex Delaware, a well acclaimed child psychiatrist, receives an unusual package in the mail: " The postmark was four days old, recorded at the Terminal Annex. Curious, I took the tape into the living room, slipped it into the deck, and sank back onto the old leather couch. Click...A human voice. Screaming. Unbearable pain. A terrible incoherence that went on and on... Then a new voice. Soft. High-pitched. Nasal. A child's voice: Bad. Love. Bad love. Don't give me the bad love (Kellerman, 12)." This is significant because the phrase "bad love", has been connected to a serious of mysterious deaths. Dr. Delaware dismisses the tape as a sick joke, 'til he receives more disturbing threats. He begins to investigate what "bad love" is and discovers more than he wants to know. Alex's paranoia is credibly built into real and explicable fear as he delves deeper into the truth. And if Alex fails to decipher the twisted logic of the stalker's mind games, he will the next to die. Where it not for the story line, this book would have been terrible. But successfully, the author has persevered in creating the murderous plot.

As always, I picked up a Jonathan Kellerman novel and began to read. Hours later, still sitting in that same spot, I knew I was hooked!! Fortunately, I am a frequent business traveler, and I can read on planes and in hotel rooms. But, darn you Kellerman, I won't even begin to try and count the hours of sleep that I lost because I'd rather be reading one of your witty novels!!

The plot is masterful, Alex Delaware as a semi-lead role (along with Milo) is believable and instantly likeable, and potential villains lurk behind every corner.

I'm hooked!! I keep reading more and more of Jonathan Kellerman's books, and, I have NEVER been disappointed!!

In this novel Alex Delaware himself is the object of a murderous plot. At the beginning the threats are vague and Delaware's fear somewhat ridiculous, but when the reader learns about a series of mysterious deaths the situation for Alex becomes more and more real. Alex's paranoia is very credibly turned into real and explicable fear. This time the author does not use dramatic irony, but the reader is kept in the dark up to a traumatizing finale. Whereas the action of the novel is getting faster by the page the peak of the climax is a bit too long. It reminds us of the endless sessions and explanations of Agatha Christie novels. Also, the denouement is not too logical, but as psychopaths are involved this does not disturb a lot. All in all, the book is pretty exciting and a good read. By the way, I did not miss the thorough descriptions of Alex's private problems in this books. On the contrary, their absence adds to the pleasure of reading the book.

I don't usually read mysteries...What I've read before has been too easily solved (by me) about halfway thru. And if I can already guess whodunnit and why, then I lose interest.
Not so with this novel. The characters were beliveable. You get drawn into the story because you want to know what happens to them, not just what's written on the next page. Amazing ending.
Since reading this book, I have launched myself into all the Alex Delaware novels I can find. :)

My wife has been bugging me to check out Jonathan Kellerman's Alex Delaware series for some time. She thought that my insatiable habit of reading mystery novels would be satisfied by Mr. Kellerman's work. (my mystery favorites include the entire Perry Mason run, as well as Robert Crais' Elvis Cole novels) She was correct, I am now a huge fan, and I highly recommend them to you!

Kellerman's Delaware series features a rich cast of characters, intelligent plot lines, and just the right amount of drama, comedy, and suspense. The main characters of Alex, Robin, and Milo (and to a lesser degree, the dog Spike) become familiar friends, whose adventures are compelling and exciting. Kellerman finds a good mix in advancing the story through detailed descriptions of characters or locations as well as engaging dialog. His ability to sweep you up in the action is reminiscent of Tom Clancy's roller coaster plots. I find that when I get to the last third of the book, I must keep reading to the end because I can't put it down!

I have two regrets regarding Kellerman, however. The first is that I did not read his stuff sooner. The second is that I did not read them in order. If you decide to read Kellerman's novels, read them in chronological order, and your enjoyment will be even greater!

Kellerman in BAD LOVE pens another story in the life of child psychologist Dr. Alex Delaware. This time the story is intriguing, and will make the hair on the back of your neck stand! Alex recieves a tape that screams bad love, bad love. Next thing he knows he's the target of someone! For all he knows it could have something to do with a symposium he co-orated, on or it could have something to do with the two little girls he is counseling after their father murders their mother.

Join Alex in this extremely tantalizing, can't put down, keep you up reading at night book!

Kudos Kellerman for penning another exciting Alex Delaware book, and for making me stay up all night reading it! You will probably spend your nights awake reading it too!

'Bad Love' starts off tame enough, but after a few chapters I was engrossed and intrigued. I love Rover/Spike the dog. He is so lovable.

I really enjoy Jonathan Kellerman's books. I am always eager to pick up another one and spend time with Alex, Milo and Robin again. This novel is excellent for the psychology of psychotics. I was burning to find out who was committing all these murders and WHY! The ending of this book was suspenseful, thorough and detailed. I don't believe J. Kellerman left any loose threads.

In this book, Alex is caught up in a whirl of brutal killings and possible murders and he may be the next victim. As he and Milo track the killer(s?)they slowly gather clues and motives.

I really enjoyed this book because the author keeps you guessing for a long time. I also like the friendship between Milo and Alex. Not too many friends like that around.

The extra treat in this book is the dog. What a sweetie!~