Title: WHEN THE BOUGH BREAKS
Author: Jonathan Kellerman
ISBN: 9780751506761
Publisher: Time Warner Paperbacks
Pages: 412
Source: Private Copy
Dr Morton Handler practiced a strange brand of psychiatry. Among his specialities were fraud, extortion, and sexual manipulation. Handler paid for his sins when he was brutally murdered in his luxurious apartment. The police have no leads, but they do have one possible witness: seven-year-old Melody Quinn. It’s psychologist Alex Delaware’s job to try to unlock the terrible secret buried in Melody’s memory. But as the sinister shadows in the girl’s mind begin to take shape, Delaware discovers that the mystery touches a shocking incident in his own past. This connection is only the beginning, a single link in a forty-year-old conspiracy. And behind it lays an unspeakable evil that Delaware must expose before it claims another innocent victim: Melody Quinn. First in the series.
Official Summary
THROWBACK THURSDAY
12 September 2024
When the Bough Breaks by Jonathan Kellerman introduces readers to psychologist Alex Delaware, a character who becomes the heart of Kellerman’s long-running crime series. The novel is a gripping psychological thriller that blends a complex murder mystery with deep character studies.
Delaware is drawn into a disturbing case involving a child witness to a brutal double homicide, and from the start, the tension is intense. Kellerman excels at building suspense, slowly unravelling layers of corruption, betrayal, and dark secrets. The story’s psychological depth is its strongest asset. As a clinical psychologist himself, Kellerman brings a level of authenticity to the examination of the human mind, especially in how trauma impacts children.
One aspect that stands out is the dynamic between Delaware and his detective friend, Milo Sturgis. Their professional partnership and growing camaraderie provide a nice balance to the darker themes of the story, adding warmth amidst the gritty investigation. The mystery itself is intricate, with plenty of twists and turns, and while some plot developments may feel familiar to seasoned thriller readers, the psychological insight keeps the narrative fresh and engaging.
At times, the pacing can slow, especially when Delaware delves deeply into the psychological profiles of the characters. However, the payoff is worth it, as these details are key to understanding the chilling motivations behind the crimes.
This book is an excellent start to the Alex Delaware series, offering a suspenseful and intelligent crime novel that keeps you hooked until the very end. It’s a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and detective fiction.
Also by Jonathan Kellerman
SELF DEFENSE
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.
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! I’ve promised to work through my archives and review some of the older books I’ve read—though I haven’t been as dedicated as I’d like, here’s another one. This book is a real throwback, and while revisiting my reading journal, I was reminded of how much I loved Jonathan Kellerman in the late 1990s. I spent a lot of time immersed in the Alex Delaware series and enjoyed every one of them.
Do you ever revisit old reads? I’m not much of a re-reader—I always have too many new books waiting! But if I ever did, this series would be one I’d gladly return to.
Until next time… Happy reading!
