Monster, by Jonathan Kellerman

Reviewed by: The Blind Monkey

As all the Monkies know, I await a new Kellerman novel with bated breath.. and the thrill of acquiring Monster, was no different.

That’s right, the master of the psychological thriller is back with the thirteenth installment in the Alex Delaware series, and another chance to delve into the minds of the deranged. This time, Dr. Alex and Detective Milo Sturgis find themselves at Starkweather State Hospital for the Criminally Insane after a psychologist is brutally murdered. To add to the mystery, her demise is startlingly similar to the mutilation of a wanna-be actor 8 months before.. a case that’s never been solved.

But things don’t really get interesting until they find that one of the patient’s incoherent mumblings may have predicted the murder.

As with most Kellerman novels, you’ll find that the real action happens off stage… which suits me just fine. His talent for extrapolating motivations and predicting future behavior from external clues is positively mesmorizing, and you will quickly find yourself getting into the act. It’s a definite reason for curling by the fire for this uncommonly fun tale of woe.

The second reason, of course, is the slightly tarnished co-co-star of all Kellerman’s novels, the City of Angels. A long-time Angelino himself, he knows every seedy corner and nebulous nook and cranny the city has to offer. He uses the location itself to drive the plot… and I’ll give you a hint… pay attention to the descriptive phrasing for a clue. =)

Monster is a great read, and it does take an interesting perspective on the finer points of psychosis.. but take heed, this story is for entertainment purposes only.

Hardcover- 416 pages (December 7, 1999) Random House; ISBN: 067945960X ; Dimensions (in inches): 1.35 x 9.58 x 6.55