Changing my ways.....

That's it! This book did it. I'm going to revise my audiobook buying habits. Just prior to this classic adventure with Dr. Alex and Milo, I'd bought -- and listened to -- four or five new books written and narrated by authors and narrators unknown to me. Most weren't all that bad, but neither were any of them all that good. Mediocrity reigned. I'd find my mind drifting off, have to backtrack, sometimes more than once. Occasionally near the end of the book a character's name would come up and I'd realize I had no idea at all who that was.

Then I reverted to "When the Bough Breaks" by this much loved author. Understand, I've read not only all the Alex Delaware books but all the "stand alones" too, "Billy Straight" and the best of them all, "Butcher's Theater". But I hadn't read "Bough" for a very long time -- decades, probably. I was betting I wouldn't remember much of the specifics of the plot.

Starting in, I was captivated from the very first minute. Good to be reminded of how Alex and Milo met, good to see Robin in the early stages of that relationship, good to remember when her workshop was in 'downtown' Venice, when she was just getting started. Loved the descriptions of Venice -- not that way anymore, but it was, back then.

I love this book -- I've loved them all. I love characters; I love the clinical insights scattered throughout, even though I know nothing of psychology. I really love the unbelievably accurate and fascinating LA-area scenery Kellerman describes so perfectly, much of which I'm familiar with myself. In this book, Dr. Alex takes a drive through that "other" Malibu, the upland hills, away from the sea, the one where snakes -- both those that crawl and those who walk upright -- thrive, where affluence isn't the order of the day, but drugs and danger lurk behind every turn. I think one time I was lost driving up in that area myself -- listening to the description again made me shiver. It's remote up there -- another world entirely, and Kellerman uses it to great advantage.

Bottom line: this was an enormously enjoyable book. I never lost concentration, not for one moment. It was well narrated, even though the narrator mispronounces "Ventura", over and over. (It's 'ven TUR a', from the Spanish. NOT 'ven CHUR a'. It has no connection to the English 'venture' -- more likely from San Buenaventura, one of the local holies of long ago.) Still, Alexander Adams' low key narration is just about perfect, smooth, pleasant and easy to listen to.

So? I've changed my strategy. From now on, I'm staying away from new books by unknown authors. I'm reverting to tried and true, golden oldies written by authors I know and love. I'll wait for the new authors to prove themselves.... and until then, I'll buy only books I already know I'll love. ... And now I'm hunting more by Jonathan Kellerman.

54 people found this helpful

Mixed feelings.

When I started listening to this book, I was delighted that, finally, someone with an analytical eye was creating interesting and believable characters; of course, he is a psychologist, so that figures. However, the descriptions of sex scenes just left me cold. What had started out as an interesting and engrossing mystery got diverted into cheap, gratuitous soft porn that added nothing to the story and only killed off the momentum of the mystery. Too bad, as the topic of child exploitation and abuse is such a horrific ongoing problem in the world and does not need to be ignored while we are subjected to graphic descriptions of the protagonist's own sexual encounters; an uncomfortable juxtaposition under the circumstances. Despite that, I MIGHT listen to another one of his books, but probably free from the library rather than paying for it. We'll see....

38 people found this helpful

Enjoyable....

Where does When the Bough Breaks rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It is above average and I'm an avid audiobook listener.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

I was about 3/4 of the way through before I started to get a hint of what the plot may be about. That's pretty good suspense in my book!

What about Alexander Adams’s performance did you like?

Not too dramatic.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Not particularly.

Any additional comments?

I am a mental health professional and thought the depiction/commentary of the mental health system in the book was pretty accurate.

24 people found this helpful

3 ½ stars. Slightly above average.

Ok as a mystery. The beginning was very good. I liked the way Alex investigated. Example, Alex needs to talk to a 7 year old girl who saw something. The girl’s mother is ignorant and poor and keeps the daughter on drugs to keep her quiet. Alex talks to the girl’s Doctor who prescribes the drugs. The Doctor won’t stop the drugs, he has a huge ego, he talks down to Alex. Alex befriends the girl. They go to the beach and a merry-go-round. There’s a whole mini story going on about the girl that is engaging and very interesting. It’s not just Alex going to the girl, asking questions and then leaving.

Alex talks to many people during the book, which are like mini stories, but the reader doesn’t get any good clues until the end when there is a tell-all. One bad guy is caught and reveals all the details. That was ok, but it’s not my preferred type of mystery.

In later sections of the book, my mind occasionally wandered, but not too bad.

The subject matter of raping children may bother some readers, but no details are shown.

I liked the narrator Alexander Adams. He does women nicely without sounding effeminate.

Genre: mystery with suspense

16 people found this helpful

Draws you in

Great page turner, intense and well-written suspense novel. I enjoyed it so much, I'm now involved in reading his subsequent books!

14 people found this helpful

A Great Beginning

For a first novel, When the Bough Breaks is pretty wonderful. And it is a great beginning to the Alex Delaware series, which now numbers 28 books and counting.

I like the way Kellerman writes. He does spend a lot of time in minute description, but somehow it's interesting, not boring, and he uses some descriptive metaphors and similes that seem unique and entertaining to me. He also spends a good deal of time describing both the emotional and physical aspects of his characters, and depicts most of those characters (except the bad guys) with empathy and compassion. Since his plots deal with psychological motivations, that seems appropriate. His plots are complex but easily followed. I do think the descriptions of Alex Delaware's own sexual encounters with his girlfriend are not very exciting.

The friendship and working relationship between Alex and Milo Sturgis, gay cop, is well drawn, and very believable.

The narration by Alexander Adams was excellent, with just the right ironic undertones that Kellerman put in Alex's words in certain passages. He handles male and female characters, with Latino, Southern and other accents, believably. And he is able to switch characters quickly in conversations. A difficult job well done.

11 people found this helpful

Entertaining

I've been a big fan of Kellerman's for a while and have read all of his books except this one, which is the first in the series about Alex and Milo. This is not his best work, but very entertaining - once you get over the idea that an ordinary psychologist can suddenly turn into a ruthless and tough PI (with more luck than anyone could hope for). Although the story deals with gruesome subject matter, I really enjoyed the story.

The narrator must be one of the best I’ve heard thus far and does an excellent job.

Definitely worth a credit if you are not too sensitive.

10 people found this helpful

THE BEST OF ALL THE DELAWARE NOVELS

Where does When the Bough Breaks rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It's up there in the top 20%.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Alex Delaware - the kick ass shrink. He seems more real in this first book. He has flaws, swears and isn't afraid to fight.

Have you listened to any of Alexander Adams’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I don't think so, but he did a great job.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, unfortunately I had a lot of things going on but kept returning to the book rather than working.

8 people found this helpful

Economic Snobbery Conspiracy Loses

I found the number of people who were killed without repercussions unbelievable. However, the ending resolved all issues, was surprising and yet believable. Over all, a non taxing and enjoyable listen. Good narration.

6 people found this helpful

All tell, no show

What didn’t you like about Alexander Adams’s performance?

It kind of felt like watching an old '80s rerun of Magnum PI or Colombo.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Interesting potential for unique plot, character, setting, if told with a more interesting voice and focus.

Any additional comments?

The plot is revealed through long monologues by characters speaking about what they did. The prose is replete with grandiose superfluous verbiage, as if Kellerman is trying to write too hard. He also wants to describe each room and character in excruciating detail, which leaves no room for imagination, if you pay attention and don't drift off out of boredom.

6 people found this helpful