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In Cold Heart, the latest thriller from bestselling author Jonathan Kellerman, Dr. Alex Delaware picks up on clues missed even by his closest friend, LAPD detective Milo Sturgis. Leave it to this canny shrink to figure out that the only thing two otherwise unconnected murder victims have in common (they're both artists making comebacks after early career burnouts) may hold the key to their deaths. Even for Alex, this unlikely link is a stretch, especially since Baby Boy Lee was stabbed outside a nightclub and Julie Kipper was bludgeoned in the bathroom of an art gallery. But when a concert pianist dies on the eve of his greatest triumph, Alex is sure that the murders are not only the work of the same killer but also connected to the unsolved slayings of a Boston ballerina and an L.A. rock singer. By an even greater coincidence, two of the victims were tangentially involved with Alex's former lover, Robin Castagna, which provides the good doctor a few well placed paragraphs to ruminate on what went wrong in their romance as well as rescue her from the serial murderer who's targeted her as his next victim. As usual, Kellerman manages to make even a far-fetched plot like this one ring true, but after 17 Alex Delaware mysteries, his series protagonist holds few surprises for the reader, who longs for something to shake Dr. D. out of his smooth complacency. Losing Robin didn't do it--maybe the new woman in Alex's life will. --Jane Adams
 Customer Reviews 
You're a part of the story!
Rating: 5
Kellerman's descriptive talents are incredible. Every character, landscape, building and room is a picture in your mind's eye. Add that to his mastery of psychology and his talent for twist and you have a novel that you just don't want to put down.
Will Robin never be out of the picture??
Rating: 5
Yeah, Robin irritates me. Okay, this one starts with the murder of Blues guitarist Baby Boy Lee in Hollywood - that's Detective Petra Connor's turf and she features prominently in this one. (She has a new partner now and I like Eric Stahl - hope he sticks around. Yeah, he's weird, but so what?) A short time later, a talented young painter is murdered and Milo Sturgis is handling this case. Milo was recently promoted to Lieutenant, but isn't tied to a desk like most Lieutenants - special deal worked out with the previous Chief of Police before he retired. He works alone and usually handles cold cases, but this dead girl was from his home town and he was specifically asked to look into it. He calls his good friend Dr. Alex Delaware in to help and Alex begins to suspect the two cases may be connected. And there may have been others - artists cut down just as they're about to become famous.
Robin Castagna, Alex's former lover, is a guitar craftsman (craftswoman?) and she had worked on Baby Boy's instruments for years. She and Alex both are listed on the liner notes of Baby Boy's most recent CD - will that make them both potential victims too? Alex goes digging, as usual - starts making broad connections, but he is also dealing with a new relationship and all the uncertainty that entails. We met Psychologist Allison Gwynn in The Murder Book and now he is pursuing her affections - it's nice being with someone who gets it, as she puts it. Robin has a new guy too, but she just irritates me so bad - she wants her nice quiet life with Tim, but she wants to be able to run to Alex whenever she feels like it too - keeping him trapped in emotional limbo.
They're dealing with a very clever and vicious killer and Alex ends up in danger, as usual, but this time it is Robin who puts him there. Allison actually helps keep him safe. I like Allison - hope things work out with her and Alex. Another great twisted tale from the king of great twisted tales.
Another juicy story
Rating: 4
I really enjoyed this book, especially listening on tape. The reader was excellent as well. So glad Alex has finally found someone that understands his work and has parted from Robin. His new love seems more like a realistically portrayed woman character than Robin ever did. Great story, pretty spooky whodunit!
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