The Murderer’s Daughter by Jonathan Kellerman
Publisher: Random House – Ballantine
Publication Date: August 18, 2015
Date Read: March 23, 2018
Length: 384 pages
Source: NetGalley
★★★★☆
From the #1 New York Times bestselling creator of the acclaimed Alex Delaware series comes a tour de force standalone novel that illustrates perfectly why “Jonathan Kellerman has justly earned his reputation as a master of the psychological thriller” (People).
A brilliant, deeply dedicated psychologist, Grace Blades has a gift for treating troubled souls and tormented psyches—perhaps because she bears her own invisible scars: Only five years old when she witnessed her parents’ death in a bloody murder-suicide, Grace took refuge in her fierce intellect and found comfort in the loving couple who adopted her. But even as an adult with an accomplished professional life, Grace still has a dark, secret side. When her two worlds shockingly converge, Grace’s harrowing past returns with a vengeance.
Both Grace and her newest patient are stunned when they recognize each other from a recent encounter. Haunted by his bleak past, mild-mannered Andrew Toner is desperate for Grace’s renowned therapeutic expertise and more than willing to ignore their connection. And while Grace is tempted to explore his case, which seems to eerily echo her grim early years, she refuses—a decision she regrets when a homicide detective appears on her doorstep.
An evil she thought she’d outrun has reared its head again, but Grace fears that a police inquiry will expose her double life. Launching her own personal investigation leads her to a murderously manipulative foe, one whose warped craving for power forces Grace back into the chaos and madness she’d long ago fled.
I enjoyed this book! I have always wanted to try Jonathan Kellerman’s work so I decided to give this book a try. Unfortunately, life got a little busy when I had originally planned to read this book and my review is about two and a half years late. I really wish that I had read this book when I first got my hands on it because it was really good.
This really is Grace’s story. Grace was a wonderful character and incredibly complex. She had a less than ideal childhood but as adult, she is a highly respected psychologist. I loved the fact that we get to know Grace both as a child and as an adult. I thought the contrast between the two periods was really well done. I wouldn’t really say that I ever liked Grace but I really did enjoy trying to figure her out and was very curious about her past.
Grace does have a bit of a secret life and that life intersects with her professional life early in this book. As she tries to figure out what really happened, she finds that things may be connected to her past. I thought that the mystery side of this book was really just okay. It was rather complex and I never had everything quite figured out but it wasn’t the most enjoyable part of the book for me.
I thought that the first parts of the book were the strongest. I really enjoyed all of the book that focused on Grace as a child. Adult Grace was really more interesting to me during the first part of the book as well. The book continued to bounce back and forth from past to present but as the story progressed the two timelines grew much closer to each other. As the focus of the book moved towards bringing the mystery to a conclusion, it seemed to fizzle out just a bit.
I would recommend this book to others. I really enjoyed the writing style and found this to be the kind of book that was easy to keep reading. I do hope to read from this author in the future.
I received a digital review copy of this book from Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine via NetGalley.
About the AuthorJONATHAN KELLERMAN has brought his expertise as a clinical psychologist to numerous New York Times bestselling tales of suspense translated into two dozen languages, including the Alex Delaware novels. He has won the Goldwyn, Edgar, and Anthony awards, and has been nominated for a Shamus Award. He and his wife, the novelist Faye Kellerman, have four children, including the novelists Jesse Kellerman and Aliza Kellerman.
I haven't tried any of his books yet, but this one sounds intriguing. I like that it kept bouncing back and forth from past to present until the two timelines grew much closer to each other, it's something that it has always worked well in my reads so far. Hope you get the chance to read and enjoy another of his books soon! 🙂
I thought that this story was layed out very well.
This one sounds really good. Great review and I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Thanks, Barb!
Great, balanced review. I read many of his Alex Delaware books but grew a little tired of them, so a new character sounds interesting.
Alex does make an appearance in this book which I thought was a nice touch.
Thanks for sharing. This does sound like an interesting book, but I'm sorry the first half seemed to be better for you.
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
I thought it was an overall good read so it worked out.
"my review is about two and a half years late"
Haha, you are just on time in my book!
I have a whole pile that are 2-3 years late.
I used to devour Kellerman's books when they came out, but I have gotten away from reading his books. I do have a copy of this one and would like to read it at some point. Grace sounds like an intriguing character. I am so glad you liked it, Carole!
I don't know how I haven't read Kellerman before now. I really did enjoy his writing style.
I have heard good things about his books
I can't believe that I waited this long to try his writing.
Great review. I'm intrigued from that blurb. The story seems really interesting. Glad you liked it.
It was a really great story, Shane!
I actually haven't heard of this author/book before, but this one definitely seems like my kind of book. I always love when two time periods are included, and I'm curious about Grace's secrets now. Great review!
Thanks, Lauren!
Despite the fizzle, this does sound good. I have Jonathan Kellerman on my list of authors I want to try 🙂
It really wasn't too much of a fizzle but I did think that beginning was the strongest part of the book.
I read a few books by Kellerman years ago and really enjoyed them though I do think his strength is more in the setup than the reveal. This sounds like a good mystery and an interesting read. I need to get back in the habit of reading Kellerman.
That is interesting that you say that because I would agree with that for this book. I do want to read more of his work. There was just something about his writing style that I really liked.
Sounds like a good one overall even if it didn't totally hold up until the end.
I just liked the beginning a bit more but it was still a good book.