I first discovered Jonathan Kellerman about ten years ago when one of his books, Devil's Waltz, was featured in my book club.  I was hooked!  With more twists and turns than a Law & Order episode, and more fascinating characters than CSI, Kellerman weaves tales of murder and woe that keep the reader guessing up to the end.

Kellerman has invented a trio of main characters who are featured throughout his books.  The main character is Alex Delaware, child psychologist (like Kellerman himself).  After a whirlwind career in both private practice and a pediatric hospital, Alex retired at the ripe old age of about 32 after a psychopath used Alex's office for his suicide spot.  Because of some wise real estate investments, Alex was able to live quite well without having to work.  He quickly bored of retirement but didn't want to have the commitment of long-term therapy, so he began doing forensic and court work.  He evaluated children in custody cases and helped children involved in accidents and other traumatic cases through the rough spots until a regular doctor could be appointed.  He also continued to write articles and amuse himself in various ways, most of them involving Robin Castagna.

Although she usually doesn't play a major role in Kellerman's novels, she does fill Alex's down time with companionship and, um, other stuff.  A red-haired beauty and professional luthier who hand crafts guitars and mandolins for some big-name talent, Robin has an on-again off-again relationship with Alex.  Even when they are off, she is still an important part of Alex's life.

The third main character appearing throughout the series is police detective Milo Sturgis.  He and Alex became best friends after Milo investigated the psychopath's suicide and pulled Alex out of the doldrums of depression.  Milo is gay and has a live-in lover named Rick Silverman, an emergency room doctor.  Milo often refers cases to Alex, and he often helps Alex with investigations.  All in all, the two of them have a way of getting each other into all kinds of interesting and often dangerous situations.

In this book, Alex (from whose point of view the book is written) ran into an old flame at a party.  Since Alex was on the outs with Robin, he agreed to meet Sharon for a date the next day.  Remembering how neurotic she was when he dated her before, Alex canceled the date, only to learn of Sharon's subsequent suicide.  Guilt motivated him to examine her life and determine what had driven her to suicide.  What he discovered shocked him.  The more he learned about her life, the more he discovered just how disturbed she was.  He unraveled lie after lie, discovering secrets of a troubled childhood and an even more troubled adulthood.  And the ending?  It puts a whole new twist on the "secret twin" scenario!  If you like murder, mystery, and intrigue, this book is for you.  And if you like it, there are about a dozen more Alex Delaware novels to enjoy.

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