This is the best novel Jonathan Kellerman has ever written. It is a Detective Petra Connor book, the first, I think, of a new series. Delaware, Kellerman's bread and butter character, is mentioned in the last chapter only, so, yes, they live in the same universe.Want to read a book that gives an excellent picture of a new street kid's introduction to a big city after running away from an abusive home? Want to understand why kids run away in the first place? This is a great thumbnail sketch, without psychiatric jargon, extended angst or melodramatic soap opera -just simple realism. The only things to fault here is Billy's incredible inner compass and sense of self-worth which informs his choices, as well as his amazing luck in avoiding destruction from street hoods and hanging on to his virginity as long as he does. He is 12 years old, which both protects him and handicaps him. He loves to read and believes in the emotional strengths and personal ideals that are represented in his books, while at the same time he doesn't trust a single adult to help him with only altruism in mind.He is as appealing as a big-eyed puppy and as great of a hero as Delaware or Petra, but the life he is trying to save is his own. With almost no resources, he survives for 4 months on the street, despite witnessing a terrible murder and eventually having a great many people hunting for him. Obviously, he has no way of knowing who the good guys are.The book is written with several points of view, each chapter carried forward by a different character, including the murderer, or I should say, murderers, because as usual, there are many characters here with unclean hands and motives. Billy Straight is the standout guy of the bunch, and I was in a state of high tension for him all the way through the book. It was like watching a family of ducks, mamma with her new babies, crossing a busy street full of speeding cars. This was a wonderful read for me! But Kellerman's new character, Petra, was definitely a backseat noise in comparison to the drama of whether this sweet boy would exist in the last page of the book! I stayed up all night to finish it.
Another excellent mystery by J.Kellerman. Twelve year old Billy, a frightened street kid hiding out in the famous Los Angeles’ Griffith Park, has witnessed a violent murder. He isn’t sure if he has been seen by the murderer, but to be safe he goes deeper into hiding, trusting no one.Homicide Detective Petra Conner, is part of the investigation team assigned to the Lisa Ramsey murder case. Her body was found in Griffith Park. Forensic evidence suggests that there had been a witness. Eventually, Billy’s identity, including his description, leaks to the dead girl’s parents , and they put a reward out on him, not realizing (or even caring) the danger they have put this young witness in.The story unfolds through two story lines. We follow Billy, as he moves from hiding spot to hiding spot, experiencing with him his fear. We also follow Petra as she follows twists and turns, trying to get to Billy before the murder does.I like how the author weaves the two story lines together, dropping clues, and then picking them up again. There are twists and turns and dead ends. But then the setting is Los Angeles. Acting is in everyone’s blood and things aren’t what they appear to be. Other books I have read by this author feature psychologist Alex Delaware. In this book, Alex doesn’t enter the story until the very end. As the story comes to a close, I like how old familiar characters were all tied in together . Still, this is a stand alone novel and if this is the first time you have read a book by J. Kellerman, you will not be disappointed.
What do You think about Billy Straight (1999)?
Jonathan Kellerman never seems to write a bad book, most of the books I have read revolve around his characters Alex Delaware and Milo Sturgis, this book introduced a new female character Petra Connor. I found I did not get into this character as much as I have done with the previous books; however this was still a fast moving thriller. Billy Straight is a young boy who leaves home after a problem with his mother’s dead beat boyfriend, while living rough in a park he is witness to a horrific murder, when his identity is leaked to the press he is in fear for his life. The murdered woman also just happens to be a celebrity’s ex-wife. I found the ending a little too convenient for real life but after what the young boy went through hey he deserved a happy ending!!
—Julie
Characters.. Lisa Ramsay...Victim Ramsay..perp.. Petra Connor ) D Inspectors.. & Stu Brown... Billy Straight aged 12..little hero.. Lisa Ramsay Murdered...Petra Investigates..Investigation goes on..list of suspects are investigated..Greg Blech (Ramsay's PA) Darrel( editor)Ramsay (husband of Lisa) are investigated..A book about presidents of USA found in the Crime scene..finger prints checked..leads to a 12year old kid Billy Straight..witness to murder..Billy straight a run away..DI petra sketches Billy's images with help of Book of presidents belonging to a lib., by getting his descriptions from the librarian..meanwhile Ramsay's servant maid also disappears..body found in Ramsays' Santa Barbara Castle..hide and seek..cat and mouse game starts..whodoneit..whodoneit..at last was poor R....Y..!!! Billy Straight happened to be legal hair to a wealthy lonely old women named Cora Anderson, His son also a Billy did this to one Sharla..underaged..after fiding kid Billy in newspapers Grandma asks Petra to give young Billy to her..So The End..Life goes on..not an master piece but okay..dokay ..time pass ..he..he
—Sridhar Babu
Novel about teenage homeless/murder/ hope!Billy Straight is a 12 year old teenager who ran away from home. Billy used to live with his mother and her boyfriend (who is not Billy’s father). Billy’s mother was being abused every day by her boyfriend and the boyfriend mistreated Billy as well. Billy ran away to a park where he picked several locations within the park to hide and seek shelter. One night, Billy was at one of his hiding spots when he heard a car pull up. A man and woman begin arguing. The man stabs the woman to death and leaves. Billy sees the car and the license plate number. Billy is so afraid that he leaves the scene also leaving evidence that can trace to him. The story follows Billy as he lives as a homeless teenager until he gets help. Billy runs into people that challenge him as well as those he learns to trust. Does Billy ever get home? Does Billy survive being homeless? Does Billy become a witness for the police? A must read for those who enjoy murder/ mystery stories.
—Beverly Johnson
