In this 10th book in the 'Alex Delaware' series, the psychologist/sleuth is in the Marshall Islands for a working vacation. The book can be read as a standalone.
*****
I've been a fan of Jonathan Kellerman's 'Alex Delaware' series for a long time, but the recent ones have gone downhill in my opinion. For that reason I decided to go back and read an old Alex Delaware novel, thinking I'd enjoy it.
In 'The Web', published in 2003, psychologist/LAPD consultant Dr. Alex Delaware is on an extended visit to the tiny South Pacific island of Aruk (in the Mariana Chain) with his girlfriend Robin Castagna and their French bulldog Spike. Alex has been hired by the isle's resident physician, Dr. Bill Moreland - who's been there since the end of WWII - to help organize his medical files and write a book. The nearby Bikini Atoll was used to test a hydrogen bomb in 1954, and the fallout from that had terrible medical consequences.
Moreover, Moreland tells stories about a local cat-woman (a female who behaved like a cat) and an unsolved case in which a woman on the island was horribly killed and cannibalized.
Moreland provides an office for Alex, an art studio for Robin, and a run for Spike. He also serves delicious food and drinks and arranges for recreational activities like swimming and snorkeling. During a tour of Moreland's very extensive estate, he shows Robin and Alex his lovely gardens as well as his 'invertebrate zoo', populated with giant hissing cockroaches, huge tarantulas, and other scary creatures.
Hissing cockroach
Giant tarantula
As they settle in, Alex and Robin become acquainted with other people spending time on the estate, including Moreland's divorced daughter Pam - who's also a physician; Moreland's assistant Dennis - who's a trained nurse; and a married couple who are PhD scientists. Robin and Alex also meet some of the local residents of Aruk, including the chief of police; a couple of merchants; a pushy journalist; and two ominous creeps who ogle Robin and make rude remarks.
Before long there are more suspicious deaths on Aruk; scary bugs get loose; Spike is infuriated by badly behaving humans; Moreland is seen sneaking around at night; an entitled U.S. Senator visits and throws his weight around; and Alex starts to suspect that Moreland lured him to the island under false pretenses. And of course Alex is right!!
As the story unfurls there are some big surprises, and I'd categorize them as unbelievable, lurid, and crass. There's also a lot of non-graphic romance between Alex and Robin - which isn't surprising because they're still at it fifteen years later. ❤
LAPD Detective Milo Sturgis, who's a regular character in this series, makes a brief appearance via phone calls - and I missed his big personality (and big appetite). 😊
The book has a 'horror' vibe, but it's in sync with other books in the series where Alex meets dangerous people. The story moves too slowly to be a gripping thriller - and Kellerman describes his characters' appearance and clothing in too much detail (as always) - but this is a serviceable mystery to pass a few hours with....and I cheered at the end.
Rating: 3 stars
I've been a fan of Jonathan Kellerman's 'Alex Delaware' series for a long time, but the recent ones have gone downhill in my opinion. For that reason I decided to go back and read an old Alex Delaware novel, thinking I'd enjoy it.
In 'The Web', published in 2003, psychologist/LAPD consultant Dr. Alex Delaware is on an extended visit to the tiny South Pacific island of Aruk (in the Mariana Chain) with his girlfriend Robin Castagna and their French bulldog Spike. Alex has been hired by the isle's resident physician, Dr. Bill Moreland - who's been there since the end of WWII - to help organize his medical files and write a book. The nearby Bikini Atoll was used to test a hydrogen bomb in 1954, and the fallout from that had terrible medical consequences.
Moreover, Moreland tells stories about a local cat-woman (a female who behaved like a cat) and an unsolved case in which a woman on the island was horribly killed and cannibalized.
Moreland provides an office for Alex, an art studio for Robin, and a run for Spike. He also serves delicious food and drinks and arranges for recreational activities like swimming and snorkeling. During a tour of Moreland's very extensive estate, he shows Robin and Alex his lovely gardens as well as his 'invertebrate zoo', populated with giant hissing cockroaches, huge tarantulas, and other scary creatures.
Hissing cockroach
Giant tarantula
As they settle in, Alex and Robin become acquainted with other people spending time on the estate, including Moreland's divorced daughter Pam - who's also a physician; Moreland's assistant Dennis - who's a trained nurse; and a married couple who are PhD scientists. Robin and Alex also meet some of the local residents of Aruk, including the chief of police; a couple of merchants; a pushy journalist; and two ominous creeps who ogle Robin and make rude remarks.
Before long there are more suspicious deaths on Aruk; scary bugs get loose; Spike is infuriated by badly behaving humans; Moreland is seen sneaking around at night; an entitled U.S. Senator visits and throws his weight around; and Alex starts to suspect that Moreland lured him to the island under false pretenses. And of course Alex is right!!
As the story unfurls there are some big surprises, and I'd categorize them as unbelievable, lurid, and crass. There's also a lot of non-graphic romance between Alex and Robin - which isn't surprising because they're still at it fifteen years later. ❤
LAPD Detective Milo Sturgis, who's a regular character in this series, makes a brief appearance via phone calls - and I missed his big personality (and big appetite). 😊
The book has a 'horror' vibe, but it's in sync with other books in the series where Alex meets dangerous people. The story moves too slowly to be a gripping thriller - and Kellerman describes his characters' appearance and clothing in too much detail (as always) - but this is a serviceable mystery to pass a few hours with....and I cheered at the end.
Rating: 3 stars
I haven't read an Alex Delaware book for awhile. I have several on my bookshelf that I will get to eventually though. Nice, honest review of this one Barb, although I might not read this one unless I already own it.
ReplyDeleteThank you Carla. These books used to be big favorites of mine. Not so much anymore.😊🌺🌻
ReplyDelete