Bad Love is a book wherein when completed one could say, "what a story." There are evil people in the world who masquerade as do gooders to children. We learn that our hero, Dr. Alex Delaware, is just that and he gets a new sidekick, Spike. Four stars were given to this book. It is well written. The characters and settings are all believable. ( )

Llegó en un envoltorio marrón sencillo, sin remitente: una grabación en casete de audio de un grito horrible y desgarrador, seguido del sonido de una voz infantil que cantaba: "Mal amor, mal amor. No me des el mal amor".
Para Alex Delaware, la cinta es el primer indicio de que está a punto de entrar en una pesadilla viviente. Pronto le siguen otros: risas inquietantes que resuenan en una línea telefónica que de repente se corta, y un escalofriante acto de allanamiento y vandalismo. Se ha convertido en el objetivo de una campaña cuidadosamente orquestada de vagas amenazas e intimidación que crece rápidamente en un crescendo a medida que el acoso se convierte en terror, las travesuras en locura.

Well. This was a disaster. Kellerman is not immortal after all. I admit not to reading all of the book. Else I would be depressed. I get depressed when I read a bad book, and this was like a black hole that sucks the fun out of reading.

The book started innocently upbeat. And I got strung along. I thought, the mysteries are worth rooting for. What a misconception. Kellerman thought he had a printable book on his hands. I wonder if he was satisfied with his efforts. But this is the post-death of the author age.

I really disliked this book. Let's forget that it existed. This is the type of book that if it were sexed up differently, would pass off as a curriculum book. Then it would disenchant thousands. The more the merrier. Final thoughts are that Kellerman can commit more atrocities. I'll have to learn to recognize the early symptoms so that I don't waste my days using baby eyedrops to nurture reading one of these monsters. What do the Irish call them? Changelings. Freaking time waster of a book. ( )

Trying to get all the older books in the Alex Delaware series. Over the years have found Jonathan Kellerman provides a very interesting read, not a lot of action which is more than offset by a feel of realism. Crimes are resolved by footwork, research and careful investigation. To me, this is a more difficult type of crime novel to write effectively. Kellerman is generally quite successful in keeping the reader interested in the book. The story lines are usually not cookie cutter stories and allow the reader to make guesses and assumptions as the investigation progresses. Seemingly there is a continuing conversation that carries the story and reader along. Frankly believe Kellerman's ability to put down effective conversational dialogue makes the stories very effective. The primary characters are well developed as often are the perpetrators. Secondary character development is sufficient to support the story.

This one hits all the right points and, I feel, could only have been effectively present by someone with Kellerman's skills. It is not his best work as, my opinion, the story was kind of draggy. Without the supporting conversations would have found it frustrating, however frustration was the general feeling of the entire investigation. Every lead, every thought, every aspect checked led nowhere beyond developing information that didnt seem to quite fit with the assumptions. When I finished the book I realized it was an interesting piece of manipulative writing that did what it was suppose to do. Using language and sentence structure to convey the feeling Alex Delaware had to be having as the investigation progressed. Ultimately the conclusion quickly manifested itself with answers that were always there without ever being apparent.

While not the most enjoyable read it is a piece of work I can appreciate. If you like Jonathan Kellerman's writing and story style and enjoy a frustrating mystery you should read this book. ( )

This was the first time in a while that I'd read an Alex Delaware novel, and it immediately reminded me why I've so enjoyed them in the past. The characters are fantastic, and Kellerman has a way of blending intrigue with the day-to-day and suspense that I love. This book was no exception, and it also kept me guessing, which I can't say for the last few big-seller thrillers I've read. I'd obviously suggest reading the Delaware novels in order if that's an option, but it's not actually necessary, and this is a good one. ( )