Where have all the GOOD mystery novels gone?
I’m trying folks, honestly, I’m trying to find a GOOD mystery novel to review, but it ain’t easy.
I just finished Jonathan Kellerman’s latest opus, “Bones.” The book started with a great premise. Someone finds a dead body in a protected marsh area in L.A. Cadaver dogs are brought in and…you guessed it, more bodies are unearthed. Unfortunately, the book goes down hill from there - rapidly. I have to wonder what happened to psychologist Alex Delaware? He used to treat patients in interesting subplots and only help Milo and the police out occasionally. Now he’s riding with Milo full time just like another cop. And what is with Kellerman’s weird penchant for describing what everyone is wearing? A character shows up – we get a full description of what he/she is wearing. Why?
The resolution of the book is…well, stupid. SPOILER ALERT. All the women in the swamp were killed over the period of a YEAR as a set up to kill one person – and then that person isn’t killed. HUH? Also, the connection between all the characters is so outrageous it’s laughable. I’ve read all of Jonathan Kellerman’s books and have noticed a rapid decline in the last few years. It’s sad because he used to be able to tell a good story. Now Jonathon, his wife Faye (also a book writer – I won’t say novelist) have managed to get their son Jesse into the business! Ah nepotism. I picked up Jesse’s first book, read about ten pages and threw it – with great force - against the wall.
So, mystery lovers out there in cyberspace, if you’ve read a good mystery lately, please let me know. I’m getting desperate!
