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I've always retained a soft spot for Jonathan Kellerman's Alex Delaware series. Yes, it went quietly bonkers mid-series, yes, Alex is almost certainly the author's Marty Sue persona, and yes, Robin is a very tiresome woman. But Kellerman at his best can do creepy like few other writers. And that's what we get in this book. COMPULSION doesn't rival his standalone THE BUTCHER'S THEATRE in read-through-the-fingers grossness, but there's a sinister air to it that carries it along at a good pace. A young woman disappears on a remote road. A retired schoolteacher is stabbed to death on her doorstep. Two women are murdered in a small-town beauty salon. And a posh car is stolen, then returned to its owner undamaged, aside from one small bloodstain. The cases appear motiveless, but once LAPD detective Milo Sturgis and his psychologist mate Alex Delaware start asking questions, they find themselves on the trail of a deeply bizarre serial killer who seems to disappear into thin air. Kellerman's books tend to work best when he focuses them on unorthodox gay cop Milo and stinking rich but seemingly under-employed shrink Alex. There's a nice little cameo role for Detective Sean Binchy, "a former ska-punk bassist who'd found Jesus and the LAPD simultaneously." Robin is there in the background, making a set of musical instruments for some millionaire who, she is convinced, has designs on her virginal body . . . The sub-plot of a cold case involving the murder of a young black teenager sixteen years ago is mildly distracting and not terribly exciting. And it does detract slightly from the ending, which is too easily tied up – the main case is resolved very suddenly, followed by an 'oh, by the way, before we forget . . .' anti-climax with the other one. But for once, though, Robin makes herself useful, as the ending with her client is unusual and even moving. COMPULSION isn't vintage Kellerman, but it's not far off.
Reviewed by Sharon Wheeler, December 2008
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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