What do You think about Blood Test (2003)?
An entertaining read, but not one of his best. There are three different plots. The author attempts to tie them all together, but the book has a stop-and-go, "meanwhile, back at the ranch," feel. Once the reader settles into one storyline, an old one rears its head. The characters are nevertheless fully fleshed with dialogue, appearance, actions, and reactions, making Blood Test, for the most part, an enjoyable read.I did not enjoy the scenes designed to horrify or titillate. I thought they could have been more skillfully handled. It is enough to know that evil exists; the reader doesn't need to be bludgenoned with it. Kellerman's prose in these scenes felt disturbingly voyeuristic: heavy-handed and hedonistic.That said, I read it from start to finish and may re-read it again.
—Gwen
When psychologist Dr Alex Delaware was asked to meet Woody Swope and his family, he had no idea where this meeting would lead him. Woody was five years old and had cancer. His doctor at the cancer clinic was an old friend of Alex’s and valued his expertise; the family were not convinced treatment was helping Woody and they were threatening to remove him from the hospital.Playing checkers with Woody had Alex realizing he was a sweet, innocent child, one who had a good chance of surviving with the treatment they had down for him. But meeting his sister Nona, a beautiful red head who seemed sullen but volatile made him wonder about the parents; he organised to meet them for a family discussion, hoping he could make a difference. On arrival at the hospital the next morning, Alex discovered Woody had been spirited away in the night; the whole family had just vanished.With Detective Milo Sturgis, Alex began the investigation into Woody’s disappearance. Time was NOT on their side – Woody would die without medical intervention. But the following days were filled with intrigue, drama, danger and horror! Would Alex and Milo find Woody and his family before it was too late?This psychological thriller was brilliant! A totally gripping tale with a fantastic plot which kept me on the edge of my seat! I thoroughly enjoy Jonathan Kellerman’s Alex Delaware series and have no hesitation in recommending this one highly.
—Brenda
Alex Delaware has been asked by a friend, a pediatric oncologist, to speak with a family who is considering refusing cancer treatment for their son. The family is gone before he gets the chance to do so, leaving him a dark and bizarre case to solve.This is my first Delaware read. I loved the book. Fast-paced, suspenseful and intriguing, I couldn't put it down. My put off, however was the over description - sometimes a page is dedicated to character description. Also I didn't like Alex's over involvement in the case. Left me wondering where the police were. As for the description, I'd forgive Alex - he's a psychologist and psychologists tends to notice things in details.I'd have given it three stars, but the ending had me hooked. I love such twisted endings in a book, especially if it had me guessing wrongly all the while. I love the family stories and insight into the psychology of the characters, especially Nona.I have read Twisted and The Conspiracy Club, both Kellerman books. Think I'd go next for another Alex Delaware read. Mr. Kellerman is definitely a good writer.I give him **** on this one.
—Kaykay Obi
