The Clinic (Alex Delaware, No. 11)

Product Description Upon his return to Los Angeles from a harrowing adventure in the South Pacific, Alex is called upon by his friend Milo Sturgis to help solve the murder of a celebrity author.For three months the police found no clues to the murder of Hope Devane, psychology professor and controversial author of a pop-psych bestseller about men. She was found stabbed to death on a quiet, shaded street in one of L.A.'s best neighborhoods. The evidence suggested not random slaughter, but cold, calculated stalking. And the list of potential suspects was as extensive as the audience for her book and her talk show appearances.Newly assigned to the cold case, homicide detective Milo Sturgis calls on his friend, Dr. Alex Delaware to seek out insights into the victim's high-profile life. What Alex uncovers is a series of troubling inconsistencies about Hope, including her contradictory personas: the sensational, anti-male bestselling author versus the low-key scholarly university professor.But it is when Alex delves into Hope's childhood that he begins to understand the forces that made her the formidable woman she was--and the ties that entangled her life until the horrifying act of betrayal that ended it.From the Paperback edition. Review "Often, mystery writers can either plot like devils or create believable characters. Kellerman stands out because he can do both. Masterfully." --USA Today A Main Selection of the Book of the Month ClubFrom the Hardcover edition. From the Inside Flap Upon his return to Los Angeles from a harrowing adventure in the South Pacific, Alex is called upon by his friend Milo Sturgis to help solve the murder of a celebrity author.For three months the police found no clues to the murder of Hope Devane, psychology professor and controversial author of a pop-psych bestseller about men. She was found stabbed to death on a quiet, shaded street in one of L.A.'s best neighborhoods. The evidence suggested not random slaughter, but cold, calculated stalking. And the list of potential suspects was as extensive as the audience for her book and her talk show appearances.Newly assigned to the cold case, homicide detective Milo Sturgis calls on his friend, Dr. Alex Delaware to seek out insights into the victim's high-profile life. What Alex uncovers is a series of troubling inconsistencies about Hope, including her contradictory personas: the sensational, anti-male bestselling author versus the low-key scholarly university professor.But it is when Alex delves into Hope's childhood that he begins to understand the forces that made her the formidable woman she was--and the ties that entangled her life until the horrifying act of betrayal that ended it.From the Paperback edition. About the Author Jonathan Kellerman, America's foremost author of psychological thrillers, turned from a distinguished career in child psychology to writing full-time.His works include ten previous Alex Delaware books--When the Bough Breaks, Blood Test, Over the Edge, Silent Partner,Time Bomb, Private Eyes, Devil's Waltz, Bad Love, Self-Defense, and The Web--as well as the thriller TheButcher's Theater, two volumes of psychology, and two children's books. He and his wife, the novelist Faye Kellerman, have four children.From the Hardcover edition. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. Few murder streets are lovely. This one was.Elm-shaded, a softly curving stroll to the University, lined with generous haciendas and California colonials above lawns as unblemished as fresh billiard felt.Giant elms. Hope Devane had bled to death under one of them, a block from her home, on the southwest corner.I looked at the spot again, barely exposed by a reluctant moon. The night-quiet was broken only by crickets and the occasional late-model well-tuned car.Locals returning home. Months past the curious-onlooker stage.Milo lit up a cigarillo and blew smoke out the window.Cranking my window down, I con