Title: SELF DEFENCE
Author: Jonathan Kellermann
ISBN: 978 0751 5121 82
Publisher: Warner Books
Pages: 512
Source: Private Copy
Dr. Alex Delaware doesn’t see many private patients anymore, but the young woman called Lucy is an exception. So is her dream. Lucy Lowell is referred to Alex by Los Angeles police detective Milo Sturgis. A juror at the agonizing trial of a serial killer, Lucy survived the trauma only to be tormented by a recurring nightmare: a young child in the forest at night, watching a strange and furtive act.
Now Lucy’s dream is starting to disrupt her waking life, and Alex is concerned. The power of the dream, its grip on Lucy’s emotions, suggests to him that it may be more than a nightmare. It may be the repressed childhood memory of something very real. Something like murder.
Official Summary
22 February 2024
It’s time to share one of my archive reviews. I spent the late nineties obsessed with Jonathan Kellerman’s books. I could not get enough of Dr Alex Delaware and Milo. I still have paperback copies of all the books on my bookshelf. I did not read the books in order, nothing has changed, I still have a habit of mixing books around.
“Self Defence” thrusts you into a dark and haunting exploration of the human mind. The story unfolds with Lucy Lowell, a woman whose life becomes a turbulent sea of terror after serving on the jury for a gruesome trial. Haunted by disturbing images from the trial, Lucy’s waking hours are plagued by the echoes of a small child witnessing a horrifying scene in a shadowy forest.
The author crafts a narrative that blurs the lines between reality and the surreal, plunging you into Lucy’s psychological descent. As her nightmares intensify, Lucy struggles with the fear that her grip on reality is slipping away. Enter Alex Delaware, her psychologist, who becomes convinced that Lucy’s dreams may be more than mere fantasies – they might be repressed memories of an actual murder.
The uses the unravelling of Lucy’s psyche as a conduit for suspense, infusing the novel with an eerie atmosphere that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The exploration of the thin veil between dreams and reality adds layers of complexity to the narrative, making this book not only a gripping thriller but also a psychological puzzle that demands unravelling.
As Alex Delaware delves deeper into Lucy’s mind, the novel takes a thrilling turn, with the psychologist discovering the potential horrors lurking in the recesses of her memories. This tale is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally charged, making every revelation a visceral experience. This book is a compelling journey into the shadows of the human psyche, expertly blending suspense and psychological insight. Jonathan Kellerman delivers a story that captivates from the first page to the last, leaving you breathless in the wake of its chilling revelations.
About the Author
Author bio from the author’s site
Jonathan Kellerman is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than three dozen bestselling crime novels, including the Alex Delaware series, The Butcher’s Theater, Billy Straight, The Conspiracy Club, Twisted, True Detectives, and The Murderer’s Daughter. With his wife, bestselling novelist Faye Kellerman, he co-authored Double Homicide and Capital Crimes. With his son, bestselling novelist Jesse Kellerman, he co-authored The Golem of Hollywood and The Golem of Paris. He is also the author of two children’s books and numerous nonfiction works, including Savage Spawn: Reflections on Violent Children and With Strings Attached: The Art and Beauty of Vintage Guitars. He has won the Goldwyn, Edgar, and Anthony awards and has been nominated for a Shamus Award. Jonathan and Faye Kellerman live in California, New Mexico, and New York.
Thank you for visiting the blog and reading my review. I have been working on reviewing all the books I have read – well at least the ones I still have copies of, or the ones I made notes about in my reading journal. I will add an archive review to the blog every once in a while as I look back on the books that used to keep me entertained.
Until next time…Happy Reading!
