Jonathan Kellerman, Compulsion

Compulsion

Jonathan Kellerman

Ballantine, Apr 2008, $27.00

ISBN: 9780345465276

Psychologist Dr. Alex Delaware and Los Angeles Police Department detective Milo Sturgis have collaborated on several cases before (see THE MURDER BOOK, RAGE and GONE). They are currently working together on several homicides that seem to have no link except that the culprit apparently obsessively enjoys driving luxurious black cars and there are no obvious motives for what seems like random assaults on women.

Still the few early clues lead Alex and Milo into several directions in the greater LA area and surprisingly to a cold case disappearance of a child in New York City sixteen years ago. As they begin to find the key tie that binds the homicides and leads to the serial killer's motive, Alex and Robin are back together, but both wonder how long this time.

COMPULSION is a typical Dr. Delaware police procedural anchored by likable recurring characters working a strong investigative thriller. The story line focuses on what is justice as Alex and Milo slowly find and follow clues. Fans of the series will appreciate the latest tale as the killer's OBSESSION becomes gradually understandable to readers and to Alex, who learns some life lessons applicable to his relationship with Robin.

Harriet Klausner