In this 29th book in the 'Dr. Alex Delaware' series, the child psychologist - and LAPD consultant - can't anticipate the trouble that will ensue when he consults on a child custody case. The book can be read as a standalone.
*****
Constance Sykes - a pathologist, is worried about her niece.
Constance claims her sister Cherie Sykes - a band groupie, is an unfit parent.
So Constance tries to get custody of Cherie's toddler. When Alex comes down on Cherie's side Constance becomes enraged and hires a hit man to get rid of him. (These child custody cases can get really ugly! 😕)
Unfortunately for Constance the hit man is Alex's former patient and spills the beans. Soon afterward Constance is killed, Cherie and the baby disappear, and several other people in Cherie's orbit turn up dead. Is Cherie the killer? Or is it the baby's unknown dad? Alex is on the case with his detective friend Lt. Milo Sturgis.
This turns out to be a rather thin story without much going on. The new characters are not terribly interesting and even the series regulars aren't particularly compelling. They don't engage in their typical humorous banter and Blanche the pet French bulldog - who usually provides a few smiles - is hardly there.
A disappointing addition to the series. I fear Jonathan Kellerman is running out of good ideas for the Alex Delaware books. 😒
Rating: 2 stars
After that many books it was you d to happen. Nice honest review Barb .
ReplyDeleteThank you Carla. I agree, it was bound to happen. :)
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