Compulsion

An Alex Delaware Novel

By: Jonathan Kellerman

Narrated by: John Rubinstein

Once again, the depths of the criminal mind and the darkest side of a glittering city fuel #1 New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Kellerman’s brilliant storytelling. And no one conducts a more harrowing and suspenseful manhunt than the modern Sherlock Holmes of the psyche, Dr. Alex Delaware.

A tipsy young woman seeking aid on a desolate highway disappears into the inky black night. A retired schoolteacher is stabbed to death in broad daylight. Two women are butchered after closing time in a small-town beauty parlor. These and other bizarre acts of cruelty and psychopathology are linked only by the killer’s use of luxury vehicles and a baffling lack of motive. The ultimate whodunits, these crimes demand the attention of LAPD detective Milo Sturgis and his collaborator on the crime beat, psychologist Alex Delaware.

What begins with a solitary bloodstain in a stolen sedan quickly spirals outward in odd and unexpected directions, leading Delaware and Sturgis from the well-heeled center of L.A. society to its desperate edges; across the paths of commodities brokers and transvestite hookers; and as far away as New York City, where the search thaws out a long-cold case and exposes a grotesque homicidal crusade. The killer proves to be a fleeting shape-shifter, defying identification, leaving behind dazed witnesses and death–and compelling Alex and Milo to confront the true face of murderous madness.

Good Read

I wonder what is in someone's mind to compell them to murder - Compulsion is a good novel to explore those thoughts while telling a very enjoyable story.

Excellent mystery!

This mystery is an example of Kellerman’s genius as a mystery writer. And I like the psychological angles, since I worked for 48 years as a psychology professor.

Convoluted.

This installment gets three stars because I continue to like Alex and Milo -- their friendship is intriguing, smart and funny. But the story itself is convoluted. There were too many subplots in this one. Rubinstein continues to excel and I will continue to listen but I hope the next one has a more interesting plot.

please listen!

this was another excellent mystery from jonathan kellerman and masterfully read, as always, by john rubinstein. the alex delaware novels all have such a great amount of suspense, drama, as well as humor. i have yet to be disappointed.

Delaware fans won't be disappointed

If you are a fan of Kellerman's Delaware/Sturgis combo, you'll like the book. Nothing new, just your average psycho sicko out for a joy ride in a nice car. John Rubinstein has read many of these books and delivers the same quality as he has on other readings. If you are new to Kellerman's Delaware character, I strongly recommend listening to some of his earlier work. In this book there is very little tension between the "good guys", something that I thought gave the other books an edge. I enjoyed the book, it was exactly what I expected.