Thursday, March 29, 2007

The Murder Book, Jonathan Kellerman

"The Murder Book" by Kellerman is a top rate mystery. Milo, Alex's sidekick from the LAPD is regarded in the first person which broadens the scope of this man, brings him into focus along with Alex (who is a danger junky). The two make a good investigating duo, with psychology and good detective work together.

Alex receives a package in the mail of a murder book full of detailed, gruesome photos
of unsolved homicides. He shared the book with Milo and to their discovery one homicide case was one of the first cases of Milo when he was a rookie on the force. Milo was teamed up with Schwinn at the time and he did not confide in Milo. Schwinn was forced into early retirement and Milo was transferred off the case. The case was still active after twenty years and the murder book brought it back. The mystery begins! Alex and Milo gather much evidence and found that the wealthy and politics(the chief of police) had a big role in the case. Kellerman does a fine job in keeping the reader alert and focused on the story. It is a page turner that Kellerman does well, letting the reader know that he is a master author when it comes to mystery. There is no need to start from the beginning of the series, this book stands alone. Very much recommended!

Thursday, March 15, 2007

The Innocent Man, John Grisham

"The Innocent Man" by John Grisham is his first non-fiction book that takes on the writing style of Grisham in his fiction works. The story is about an Oklahoma resident who was wrongly accused of a murder and sentenced to die. The unscrupulous DA, police and the lawyer were responsible for the lies and false evidence that turned out the verdict. Ron Williamson was framed but held on to his innocence through the whole ordeal. Not until DNA evidence was refined did the court accept the appeal. Barry Sheck, from the OJ trial, headed the Innocent Project, a law firm that seeks out the innocent, and found much wrong doing in this trial. What scares me is how the justice system is able to do as they please, but with new efforts by people like Sheck, we have some latitude in the law. The book is very interesting, telling of the ordeal Ron had to deal with and a glorious outcome at the end. Good non-fiction story, the truth.......

Thursday, March 08, 2007

Rage, Jonathan Kellerman

"Rage" by Kellerman is a novel about Alex Delaware, clinical psychologist in Los Angeles. Alex works with the LAPD in consulting on cases with Milo Sturgis, a detective on the force. The story begins with the murder of a two year old girl abducted from a mall and killed by two teenage boys. One boy was killed in the CYA and the other made it through the sentence of eight years. Rand, the other killer, called Alex and wanted to meet with him, to tell Alex "he was a good person". Rand never showed for he was murdered. Alex and Milo assumed the father of the girl was the suspect. More dead bodies were uncovered which led to more speculation that headed in another direction. The killing of the toddler might have been a contract killing. The speculation between Alex and Milo gets so involved that the story gets twisted and makes the reader confused. The motivation of the real killer is bizarre and so far out there, that it is hard to believe that a psychologist can come up with this. The ending was very abrupt and leaves the reader with many unanswered questions. The book was a good read but his earlier novels are better.