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Compulsion: An Alex Delaware Novel (Alex Delaware) | 
| Author: Jonathan Kellerman
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Category: Book
List Price: $27.00
Buy Used: $1.93
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Avg. Customer Rating:  64 reviews
Sales Rank: 6889
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 352
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.3
ISBN: 034546527X
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780345465276
ASIN: 034546527X
Publication Date: March 25, 2008
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Product Description
Once again, the depths of the criminal mind and the darkest side of a glittering city fuel #1 New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Kellerman’s brilliant storytelling. And no one conducts a more harrowing and suspenseful manhunt than the modern Sherlock Holmes of the psyche, Dr. Alex Delaware.
A tipsy young woman seeking aid on a desolate highway disappears into the inky black night. A retired schoolteacher is stabbed to death in broad daylight. Two women are butchered after closing time in a small-town beauty parlor. These and other bizarre acts of cruelty and psychopathology are linked only by the killer’s use of luxury vehicles and a baffling lack of motive. The ultimate whodunits, these crimes demand the attention of LAPD detective Milo Sturgis and his collaborator on the crime beat, psychologist Alex Delaware.
What begins with a solitary bloodstain in a stolen sedan quickly spirals outward in odd and unexpected directions, leading Delaware and Sturgis from the well-heeled center of L.A. society to its desperate edges; across the paths of commodities brokers and transvestite hookers; and as far away as New York City, where the search thaws out a long-cold case and exposes a grotesque homicidal crusade. The killer proves to be a fleeting shape-shifter, defying identification, leaving behind dazed witnesses and death–and compelling Alex and Milo to confront the true face of murderous madness.
From the Trade Paperback edition.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 59 more reviews...
 Another Fine Alex Delaware Story September 2, 2008
Alex Delaware and his homely, bulldog detective, pal Milo Sturgis have been around for a long time and Mr. Kellerman is to be applauded for how he's developed these characters, especially Milo, who is much more acceptable today, then he was way back when he was first introduced. The fact that Kellerman has been able to keep him alive all this time is a testament to his craft.
I have to confess that when a new Alex Delaware book comes out a whole day is trashed for me, because I'll spend all night reading, then spend the following day in sort of a sleep fog, reliving the story and this one, was no exception, Delaware is better than ever here, even if he's a little more acceptable to Milo's bosses by now.
It's dark out and Katrina Shonsky has run out of gas. The auto club won't come, because she hasn't renewed her membership. The battery in her cellphone dies. We know Kat's in trouble deep when a black Bentley stops and a woman gets out to offer aid.
Milo is asked to investigate a small blood stain in a black Bentley. The car had been stolen, but was found right away and not far away from where it was supposed to be. How did the blood get there?
Other women die and black luxury cars are spotted by the crime scenes. Are they connected? We find out early on they are and we know who the killer is, well if we've every read a mystery before, we do. What makes this book is how Kellerman takes us along with Alex and Milo as they solve the crime. Like all the Delaware books, the relationship, the banter and dialogue between these two keeps the reader glued to the story and propels the book along.
I can't imagine a year without Alex and Milo in it. Well, actually I can, because a few years back when Mr. Kellerman released the thriller The Conspiracy Club a fine stand alone, I thought he was finished with Delaware and crew, that he had killed them off, but fortunately I was wrong.
However, I have to admit there is one character I'm kind of tired of and who dragged the book down just a bit in my opinion and that's Alex's on again, off again girlfriend Robin. She needs to go. Hey, I've got an idea for the next Delaware book, how about if it opens with Robin running out of gas on a dark night.
 One fans of the genre shouldn't miss August 31, 2008
Nathan Kellerman's novel Compulsion is the epitomizes the word duality - it isn't Kellerman's best Alex Delaware novel, but by no means the worst. But after you've written a fair share of excellent detective novels it's only natural that a few sink to the middle. Regardless, Compulsion still exhibits the usual characteristics that all Kellerman's novel have: A strong plot, excellent character development, and a story that flows as smooth as a river. This time around the Rhine we're investigate a very strange scene which involves a highly prized auto and an out-of-place blood stain. But while investigating , Lt. Sturgis discover the calling card of a hit man who hides behind unusual costumes. Though this may not be Kellerman's best work, it is an excellent mystery and one fans of the genre shouldn't miss.
Editor of the highly recommended novel: The Fates by Georgiou, Tino Fates (2nd Edition)
Excellent brain candy August 26, 2008
I tend to look upon the Alex Delaware novels as brain candy -- an interesting puzzle to figure out along with Alex and Milo. They don't take too much thought from me, adn there's always an interesting take on the abnormal psychology of the perpetrator.
It ain't literature, that's for sure, but it's always fun catching up with Alex and Robin and Milo and Rick. Great beach read.
Not his best, and not his worst.... August 18, 2008
I've read all the Alex Delaware books, and I would place this one somewhere in the middle as far as ratings go. Neither Alex nor Milo seemed as involved or intense about the case this time. Alex was reallly coasting with his psych analyses. And Robin, who used to have all kinds of issues with Alex's obsessive interest in his cases, was quiet as a mouse, even when he disappeared for two nights. Alex and Robin didn't even make love during the story, which seemed odd given their passionate and stormy history. They could've been roommates. The side stories about Robin's client and Milo's secondary case seemed very out of place. And I really, really miss Spike. But Kellerman's novels have become as comfortable as a pair of old slippers for me. My slippers don't look as pretty as they used to, and the cushion on the soles is all but gone, so sometimes my feet hit the floor harder than I would like. But even if I pick up a new pair, I'll keep them for the days I need something comfortable and familiar. I've moved on to other authors for more variety - but I'll always pick up the new Alex Delaware book!
 Not one of his better ones August 5, 2008
I've read all the Alex Delware books- and until now have been pleased. This book disappointed on many levels. Almost too many plot lines going on - and none really reached the plateaus seen in previous books. Normally I keep all Kellerman's books for my personal library - but this one I'll be donating to the public library. Hopefully this was just a one-time lapse in otherwise wonderful writing.
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