Evidence by Jonathan Kellerman
Book Club book of the month synopsis
The bodies of a young couple – murdered in flagrante and left in a gruesome embrace – are discovered in a half-built mansion in a glamorous part of LA. It’s a grisly case that needs the killer instincts of homicide cop Milo Sturgis and the keen insights of psychologist Alex Delaware.
The female victim is unknown but her companion is eco-friendly architect Desmond Backer, notorious for his seductive powers. Clearly not everyone has fallen for his charms. An elusive prince, an eccentric with an axe to grind, an ex-lover and her cuckolded husband – all are in the homicidal mix spiced with eco-terrorism, arson, blackmail, conspiracy, and a vicious vendetta. But when the investigation veers in a startling direction, it’s Alex and Milo who face a cornered predator’s final fury.
Read more: download chapter sampler
About the Author
Jonathan Kellerman is one of the world’s most popular authors. He has brought his expertise as a clinical psychologist to more than thirty bestselling crime novels, including the Alex Delaware series, The Butcher’s Theatre, Billy Straight, The Conspiracy Club, Twisted, and True Detectives. With his wife, the novelist Faye Kellerman, he co-authored the bestsellers Double Homicide and Capital Crimes.
He is the author of numerous essays, short stories, scientific articles, two children’s books, and three volumes of psychology, including Savage Spawn: Reflections on Violent Children. He has won the Goldwyn, Edgar, and Anthony awards and has been nominated for a Shamus Award. Jonathan and Faye Kellerman live in California and New Mexico. Their four children include the novelists Jesse Kellerman and Aliza Kellerman.
Find out more at www.jonathankellerman.co.uk and www.crimefilesinternational.com
Kellerman reviews
I love all Jonathan Kellerman’s Alex Delaware novels so I absolutely raced through Evidence, couldn’t put it down!
Sally - Luton
Just wanted to say I think that the Book Club is a fantastic idea, hopefully your choices will make my commute to work slightly more enjoyable from now on. I have just entered your LA competition also, fingers crossed!
Jenny - Bedford
Really pleased that you have picked Evidence as your first Book of the Month, a great choice. His command of a narrative is second to none, keeping the reader in suspense throughout all the books twists and turns. I also think it is refreshing for someone to expose the seedy underbelly of L.A. as opposed to the glossy ‘Hollywood’ image we are constantly subjected to! Definitely a big thumbs up from me!
Anon
Being a long-time fan of the Alex Delaware series I was delighted to find that one of Jonathan Kellerman's latest releases, 'Evidence', was the first book featured. It may be only a snippet of the real thing, but it's clear just why Kellerman is an international bestseller. The Alex Delaware series has been on-going for some 25 years now and the latest in the series sees a bit of a departure from the normal format. The book focuses more on Alex's 'sidekick' of sorts Detective Milo Sturgis (cracking name I might add) who is investigating a 'grisly case' of a murder of a glamorous LA couple.
Described as having a 'homicidal mix spiced with eco-terrorism, arson, blackmail, conspiracy, and a vicious vendetta", the sample definitely does it's job in making you want more. The chapters are engaging, interesting, and filled with enough context for you to be able to jump straight in without feeling alienated, and finish wanting to discover more.
The only thing that did cross my mind was that it perhaps isn't the best title for newcomers to Kellerman's Delaware considering Milo Sturgis plays the role of main protagonist - you perhaps don't get a fair reflection of the nature of the previous books
But in terms of an engaging thriller, this preview is a great little read and hopefully will turn a lot of people on to what is a great series.
Dan - London
I've not read anything by Jonathan Kellerman before and don't usually read this type of book, but I was intrigued by the preview that I have just read and liked the writing style, it was very easy to read. I might even buy the whole book to finish the story.
Sue - Reading
To be honest I'd never heard of this author before but I read the mini book on the train got interested, bought the book and thoroughly enjoyed it. And now I find out he has written loads more, how exciting. Good read.
Sandra - St Albans
I really like the idea of sampling a book before reading it. I've read several of Kellermans books before and although I did enjoy this one as it is very well written, I don't think it's his best as the chemistry between the main characters is not as exciting as in previous books. Still an enjoyable read.
Jeff - London
