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Twisted: A Novel by Jonathan Kellerman
Synopsis: Hollywood homicide detective Petra Connor has helped psychologist Alex Delaware crack tough cases in the past. And in Jonathan Kellerman’s New York Times bestseller Billy Straight she took the lead in the desperate hunt for a teenage runaway stalked by a vengeful murderer. Now the complex and wryly compassionate Petra is once again at the center of the action, in a novel of cunning twists and page-turning suspense.Lifeless bodies sprawl in a dance-club parking lot after a brutal L.A. drive-by. Of the four seemingly random victims, one stands out: a girl with pink shoes who cannot be identified–and who, days later, remains a Jane Doe. With zero leads and no apparent motive, it’s another case destined for the cold file–until Petra decides to follow her instincts and descends into a world of traveling grifters and bloodthirsty killers, pursuing a possible eyewitness whose life is in mortal danger.Finding her elusive quarry–alive–isn’t all Petra has on her plate: departmental politics threatens to sabotage her case, and her personal life isn’t doing much better. If all that wasn’t enough, Isaac Gomez, a whiz-kid grad student researching homicide statistics at the station house, is convinced he’s stumbled upon a bizarre connection between several unsolved murders. The victims had nothing in common, yet each died by the same method, on the same date–a date that’s rapidly approaching again. And that leaves Petra with little time to unravel the twisted logic of a cunning predator who’s evaded detection for years–and whose terrible hour is once more at hand.“Why is it so hard to put down a Kellerman thriller?” asks Publishers Weekly. “It’s simple: the nonstop action leaves you breathless; the plot twists keep you guessing; the themes . . . are provocative.” Those in need of still further proof that “Kellerman has shaped the psychological mystery novel into an art form” (Los Angeles Times Book Review) need look no further than Twisted.From the Hardcover edition.
Review: This is the first novel of Jonathan Kellerman's that i have read and read it by complete accident as my boyfriend had bought it last year and i was desperate for something to read at the beach!
I have to say i was pleasantly surprised by this book and really enjoyed it. It had enough twists and intrigue to keep me reading and i didn't even guess the end which for me is a miracle! I read it in one weekend so it definitely got me. I did feel the character of Petra was a little undefined and i didn't really care about her - but Isaac Gomez i loved as his character and back story were well developed.
Whilst i was reading i couldn't get Eva Mendes (Hitch 2005) out of my head for the part of Petra if it ever went to the big screen.....anyone else with me on that?
I will definitely be sampling some more of the Mr Kellerman's work in the near future.
Review: First of all, I love the Alex Delaware novels that Johanathon Kellerman writes. I've read most of them and they are fantastic. However, this one to me is a dud. I believe the reason is first of all the main charactor, Petra just doesn't compare to the dynamic Delaware. I found I didn't really care about her. So consequently I didn't care about what was happening in the book. I literally had to force myself to read this one. The Delaware novels, I looked forward to read.
Review: Rarely do I find books about police detectives that explore the nuances of life. Twisted is the happy exception. Dr. Kellerman has written as fine a crime and detection book as I remember reading in recent years. I was reluctant to finish the book after having had so much fun with his delightful, engaging characters and unexpected plot.In Twisted, Alex Delaware is only an occasional off-stage presence. Instead, the focus is on the day-to-day activities of Hollywood detective Petra ("Barbie") Connor who appeared in A Cold Heart. Currently partner less, Petra has also been asked to baby sit a brilliant graduate student, Isaac Gomez, who sees investigations as chances to get acquainted with the attractive and appealing Petra while learning how to do something practical with his skills. As in life, the personal relationships of the two protagonists with their friends, families and co-workers regularly intrude in ways that flesh out the story, make it more real and provide great character development. Petra finds herself assigned to find the perp who gunned down four young people in a parking lot. When one of the victims cannot be identified, progress becomes even slower. With dogged attention to detail, Petra gradually unravels the crime. At the same time, Isaac has been running statistical tests on unsolved murders . . . and notices an annual pattern of similar murders. Could there be a serial killer behind the seemingly random mix of victims? Petra is gradually persuaded that Isaac is on to something, and she steals time from her other case to learn more about the victims . . . in hopes of finding a pattern that unlocks the puzzle before the anniversary of the killings comes again. The plot's development is deftly hidden from sight until Dr. Kellerman wants to lift up a tiny section of canvas to add a hint. That's one of the best qualities about the book. He gives you the minimum to advance the plot . . . and makes it feel natural and real . . . in the same way that you might put together a tough jig saw puzzle over several weeks. All I want for Christmas this year is for Mr. Kellerman to write another novel like this one featuring Petra Connor and Isaac Gomez. Please, Dr. Kellerman, please! I've been good.
Review: If you are a kellerman fan you will read it anyway, but if you haven't read his books before then go for one of his earlier ones.
An interesting read, but lacked the dynamic punch of his previous works.
Plus I was extremely disappointed to see the irrelevant Israel/Palenstine references.
Review: Not a very good book on any level. Not horrific, but overall really lame. A whodunit that you could never predict, because there was nothing to predict. It's like the author wrote the book and then when it came time to publish it, chose a character at random that 'did it' and wrote the last 10 pages. So save yourself some time, read the last few pages and make up your own adventure.
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