The Murderer's DaughterI have read quite a few of Kellerman's Alex Delaware novels over the years and enjoyed them. The Murderer's Daughter, however, is either a stand-alone or the first in a new series.
Grace Blades is a survivor in every sense of the word. Her first years teach her not to count on her parents who are barely cognizant of her presence. When a domestic quarrel turns deadly when Grace is five, she must learn to adapt and find a way to get along in various foster situations. Grace, a remarkably gifted child, learns to cope and eventually to thrive when she finally lands in the safety net provided by a loving couple.
Grace's brilliance carries her far and fast, and she has built a solid reputation as a psychologist who is unusually successful with patients who have endured major physical or emotional trauma. Then a chance encounter at an upscale hotel bar begins a life-threatening situation rooted in events from the past.
The story shifts back and forth between past and present, giving plenty of background about the circumstances of Grace's childhood and adolescence. The alternating timelines reveal much about the way Grace lives in the present. She is a strong, independent character, but there is always a sense of isolation and wariness. As good as she is with her patients, her private life is mostly a solitary one.
The pace is better in the chapters concerning her past; the chapters in the present are mostly concerned with the research she is doing as she attempts to nail the bad guy.
This novel feels different from previous Kellerman novels, lacking the lurid violence of the Delaware series, and although Alex Delaware receives a couple of mentions, he never becomes involved in the novel.
Grace reminds me of a better adjusted Kathy Mallory (from the Mallory series by Carol O'Connell; if you are familiar with that series, you might enjoy this article--"Watching Mallory Grow a Soul"). Grace Blade could never have been described as a "baby sociopath" as Mallory was as a child, but both had horrific childhood events to overcome, both are brilliant women, and while both Grace and Mallory have achieved success in their careers, both still deal with emotional and social consequences from their pasts.
This is not an action driven novel, yet I never lost interest or felt that the novel dragged. The end, however, was rushed and somehow...didn't feel quite right. That being said, I found myself immersed in this novel from the beginning and hope for more of Dr. Grace Blades. If Alex Delaware isn't a part of future novels, so be it, but maybe Milo Sturgis could lend a hand.
Read in July. Blog review scheduled for Aug. 10, 2015.
NetGalley/Random House/Ballantine
Mystery/Psychological. Aug. 18, 2015. Print version: 384 pages.
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It's been a long time since I read a Kellerman book (either spouse). When I first saw this one, I assumed it was a Delaware book, but apparently not. Will keep it in mind.
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting to have a new character who steals the limelight from Delaware. He is mentioned, but as a former mentor, and he doesn't really have a role. I kept hoping that he would suggest Milo to help out, but it didn't happen.
DeleteThis sounds good. I have had a love/hate relationship with the Alex Delaware novels. I might give this one a try.
ReplyDeleteThe Alex Delaware novels got to be a little too graphic and bizarre, and I've not read much of that series in the last several years. This novel has less of the graphic stuff, and Grace has the potential for future novels.
DeleteI used to love the Delaware series in the beginning. I even binged on the first eight or so after discovering some of them in a used bookstore and filling in the rest with my own... this being years and years ago.
ReplyDeleteHowever I can't connect with Alex and Milo lately and you hit the nail on the head; I enjoy the backstory of the series, but the actual plots of the newer novels are just "meh" for me. It's sad when a much loved series goes out with a whimper (for me, it's still continuing, obviously).
I'm not sure whether to start another series by him. I firmly believe he is going to make this a series, a la One Kick by Chelsea Cain, to pick up new readers, and some from a younger audience. {and I did read the first two books in the Mallory series by O'Connell and found her too flaky for me to handle, but I can understand the appeal of a series with a definitely unusual MC}--going back to your review of The Hunter today; there are just so many stories to tell, so you need to make your own stand out. Thanks for a couple of good reviews I just read today :)
My goodness, I just looked the Alex Delaware books in order, and the first one was in 1985! And almost every year since then a new one!
DeleteI have a feeling that not everyone will be satisfied with The Murderer's Daughter, but I liked it. A great deal of backstory, but all of it was interesting.
Oh, and I didn't begin with the first books in the Mallory series. The first one I read was Shell Game, but I did go back eventually and pick up some of the earlier ones. I think Mallory was on the high end of the autism spectrum--in addition to all of her other problems.
DeleteI have a copy of this one and plan to read it. It'll be my first by Kellerman in years. I lost interest in the Alex Delaware novels somewhere along the way--I loved his earlier books. I am curious about this one though, about Grace. So we'll see.
ReplyDeleteIt must be difficult to write about the same character--year after year after year. I liked the early ones, but then kind of lost my affection for the series. Grace intrigued me, but she isn't always likable--dysfunctional background left her damaged, but not broken.
DeleteI don't think I've read anything by this author. Now my curiosity is piqued after reading all the comments here. Thanks for your review, Jenclair! :)
ReplyDeleteJonathan Kellerman has been writing the Alex Delaware series for years, but has also written a couple of stand alones. Faye Kellerman, his wife, also writes crime novels, as does their son, Jesse. I've read books by Jonathan and Faye, but not Jesse. Lots of choices in this family!
DeleteI've only read a couple of Faye Kellerman books and I don't think I've read any by Jonathan. I like that this is a standalone so I'm going to have check it out. I did see this one on Netgalley recently and wasn't too sure but glad to hear you liked it!
ReplyDeleteNeither the title nor the cover really appealed to me, but the author and description caught my interest. A new protagonist from Kellerman? Had to give it a try. :)
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