Jonathan Kellerman, Obsession

Obsession

Jonathan Kellerman

Ballantine, Mar 27 2007, $26.95

ISBN: 0345452631

Tanya Bigelow was not even four years old when her slutty mom Lydia finally dumped her on her single Aunt Patty. The ER nurse took in her niece and raised her as best as she could. She got the child help from psychologist Dr. Alex Delaware and ultimately Tanya proved her aunt's assertion that she is a lady turned out true.

Now nineteen, Tanya calls Dr. Delaware to ask for his help. Just before dying from pancreatic cancer, Aunt Patty told her that she committed a homicide years ago. Tanya has trouble believing that the caring person who sacrificed so much for her could have killed someone, but needs to know the truth to obtain final closure about the person who was a mom to her. Unable to say no, Alex enlists the help of his friend LAPD detective Milo Sturgis as they determine "A did-it-even-happen" investigation? As they make inquiries into Patty's past, both are stunned with what they learn, including a new murder tied to their maybe cold case.

Though a light case for the level expected of the Milo-Alex tandem, this remains a fascinating tale as the investigators assume Patty was delusional at the end until they begin to find unexpected clues otherwise punctuated by the modern day murder. The storyline is action-packed from the first call until the final consultation that Alex knows is only the beginning for Tanya. Dr. Delaware's fans will enjoy this, combining a client's psychological need with a maybe-murder investigation.

Harriet Klausner