True Detectives: A Novel
by Jonathan Kellerman
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Book Reviews of True Detectives: A Novel
Book Review: Kellerman + brother detectives - Alex Delware= not much fun
Summary: 3 Stars
True Detectives by Jonathan Kellerman is a break from his usual Alex Delaware series and stars Aaron Fox and Moe Reed from his 2008 book Bones. Alex and partner Milo Sturgis are listed as tertiary characters, but that is misleading; in 363 pages, they show up for about 3 of them. Fox and Reed and half-brothers and rivals. Fox is a high-priced private detective hired to look into the disappearance of a college girl, Caitlin Frostig . The girl's disappearance just happens to be a cold case belonging to Reed, a police detective still trying to find just where he belongs. The brothers have a complicated history leaving their communications prickly and full of competition. Working together, they discover the dark and dirty secrets of the very rich and very famous, but will that help them discover what happened to Caitlin? I was a bit disappointed with this book; it truly suffered from the terrific chemistry between Delaware and Sturgis that Kellerman has perfected over 20 some books. While the mystery takes plenty of twists and turns, the brother relationship is more frustrating than compelling. Fox is portrayed so differently from his appearance in Bones, I didn't even recognize him at first. In the end, readers will either love or hate the truth behind Caitlin's disappearance. Personally, I felt betrayed, like Kellerman was just playing with me. I'll be back to read more of Delaware's books, but I'll skip those featuring the detective brothers.Book Review: Sibling Rivalry and Reluctant Collaboration...
Summary: 4 Stars
Sibling rivalry colors this tale of two detectives - one brother, a police detective, and the other private - and follows each of them down the winding path to solving a case they are individually working. Occasionally collaborating, they piece together the puzzle that they have inherited.
Caitlin Frostig has mysteriously disappeared. Moe Reed, the police detective, and Aaron Fox, the private detective, approach the case in their unique ways. Moe has to reign in his actions to follow the "book," while Fox has more leeway in his work.
As the trail leads to several celebrities and other wealthy individuals with drug and alcohol problems, and adding pimping and prostitution to the mix, other casualties collect as the two amble toward the goal of solving the case.
When the body count suggests psychopathology, Reed and Fox consult with Dr. Alex Delaware, hoping his insight can help.
I deducted one star because, although it was interesting to follow the detectives as they pick up clues from various sources, and while unexpected murders added to the suspense, I grew weary of this meandering tale long before the climax. I did not find True Detectives: A Novel as intriguing as some of the other books by Kellerman.
Laurel-Rain Snow
Author of: Web of Tyranny, etc.
Book Review: fun investigative tale
Summary: 4 Stars
Half-brothers Moses Reed and Aaron Fox share the same mom, but have different fathers. Both became cops working for LAPD. However that is where the similarities end as Moses is middle class all the way while Aaron is upper crust. Finally Moses remains a police detective while Aaron left the force to open up an upper class private investigative firm.
Fox is hired to investigate the disappearance of twenty year old student Caitlin Frostig. He is shocked how good the coed behaved as Mother Teresa could not have been better and her grades are all "A"s. His inquiry runs into Reed who is doing his own investigation into the missing student. Both look closely at her college boyfriend Rory Stoltz and her single father. Clues lead to filmmaker Lem Dement and actor Mason Book.
The brothers made an appearance in the last Delaware-Sturgis thriller BONES and star in this investigative tale; Delaware and Sturgis play tertiary roles this time. The inquiry is fun to follow as the lead pair compete and team up in the search for an alleged perfect teen. However the emphasis on the antagonistic relationship bordering on dysfunctional between the siblings feels forced and intruding as their "Odd Couple" lifestyles would have been more than enough to emphasize their differing philosophies; though in fairness neither is close to the extremes of Oscar or Felix.
Harriet Klausner
Book Review: Best Kellerman since Billy Straight
Summary: 5 Stars
I've read every book written by a Kellerman (Jonathan, Faye, Jesse). Of late, Jonathan Kellerman's books have been a faux, punchy film noir-esque pain. I almost stopped reading them. Something made me pick up Bones, and I enjoyed the freshness of Moses Reed and Aaron Fox. When I saw this novel continued the relationship, I had to try it out.
I read it in one day.
This book returns Kellerman to an earlier time where he actually creates interesting characters with backstory; I'd grown so sick of Delaware and Sturgis' rhetoric (sorry Mr. Kellerman), and the essentially static relationship of Robin and Alex, as well as the implausibility of some of Alex's decisions.
The plot in True Detectives was convoluted, to be sure, but real life is more that way. Kellerman manages to include most of his major characters from his past novels in a way that seemed plausible. The development of the two main characters, Aaron and Moe, both as individuals and as brothers, was also authentic.
This book won't be for those readers who prefer basic plotline and simplistic character development. I did have difficulty keeping track of some of the characters (most notably Adella and Alicia), but enjoyed it far more for the challenge.
For those who enjoyed Billy Straight, you'll love this book.
Book Review: Exciting and dark; Kellerman starts a new series
Summary: 5 Stars
In his latest novel "True Detectives", Kellerman starts a new series using characters introduced in his last Alex Delaware novel "Bones", and does so to great effect.
Half-brothers Aaron Fox and Moses Reed are complementary opposites, each with their individual strengths and weaknesses that when combined produce a powerhouse investigative team. Fox - an ex-cop private eye - is Black, flashy, creative, intuitive, and somewhat reckless. Reed - a rising star in the LAPD detective division - is White, plodding, stolid, thorough, and regimented. But when they focus as a team, as unwillingly as that may be, on a target, they WILL solve the crime.
In this case, they end up focused on a missing person who may well be another victim of a serial sex-killer. As they work the case from their disparate yet convergent angles, we get an inside and fascinating look at the seamier side of Hollyweird and the Entertainment Industry, and the players and bottom-feeders who inhabit that milieu.
This novel is even darker than Kellerman's usual fare, and is peopled with unique and colorful characters all fully realized. As always, Kellerman nails LA to a tee, accenting the dark shadows lurking under the bright sunshine and palm trees.
A solid five stars, yet again.