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FLESH AND BLOOD by Jonathan Kellerman Ballantine, October 2002 437 pages $7.99 ISBN: 034541389X Buy in the UK | Buy in Canada

Alex Delaware demonstrates his fallibility as a doctor in an unsatisfactory, aborted, contact with a defiant, troubled, teen. Bright and beautiful even then, Lauren Teague, seems invulnerable to Doctor Delaware's talents. Years go by and he comes face to face with his fallibility as a man in a second, embarrassing contact with the same girl, now grown into a woman. A short time later, when Lauren Teague is found dead, Delaware is forced to examine her background in a way he never expected or intended. His explorations of his shortcomings jeopardize his relationship with long-time lover, Robin Castanaga. Throughout the book, the relationship between Alex and Robin acts as a counterpoint to the failed relationship and the connection the psychologist feels toward the dead woman.

The novel demonstrates Kellerman's flexibility, his willingness to take chances with the reader and his control of the medium. The book is strong in almost every aspect. Darker and longer than several of his earlier novels, it does nevertheless hold the viewer's attention. In many ways this novel fits into the traditional conventions of the hardboiled noir detective; Delaware holds steady on his course, once that's decided. In spite of potential personal loss, even under considerable pressure, he continues to delve into the murder because not to do so would seem a betrayal of his personal code of ethics. If he failed the girl when her parents first brought her to see him, at least, he can try to resolve her murder and so not fail her yet again. In the end, he, and we, are left with questions, not about this particular crime, but about the depth of our protagonist's motives and whether he can find his way to the future life and relationship he believes he wants.

The reviewer is the author of

INNER PASSAGES and

A SUPERIOR MYSTERY

http://www.Minnesotacrimewave.org/

Reviewed by Carl Brookins, February 2003

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