Dr. Death

by Jonathan Kellerman

Book Overview

Who killed the killer? In this brilliant and startling psychological thriller, Jonathan Kellerman, perennial bestselling author, gives a sharp and timely twist to homicide's central question. Someone... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0679459618
• ISBN13: 9780679459613
• Release Date: December 2000
• Publisher: Random House (NY)
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.6" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Exciting Read

Jonathan Kellerman has done it again! I enjoyed the rich storytelling way in which he wrote this book. I found myself several times getting caught up in the characters lives. It is a book I'd definitely read again. Dr. Death depicts the psychological thrillers Kellerman is known for. It's suspenseful twists and turns, sends readers in to a whirlwind of demonic mazes, stealth bound hills, and unseen hallways of the psychopathic mind. I'd definitely recommend it for anyone who could stomach the suspense riddled plots born only in Kellerman's mind, through Dr. Death.

Avid Mystery Reader from LA

This is one of Kellerman's best books in years. The plot and characters are well crafted; the suspense and plot twists are what loyal Kellerman fans have come to expect of him, but seemed to be missing in some of his books of late. One of the true testimonials of reader loyalty has always been that Kellerman was able to take the protagonist ( Delaware ) and not give the reader any background into him, yet still make him immensely appealing. The best thing about 'Dr. Death' is that Alex Delaware has been finally fleshed out by his creator. We are finally given insight into the character's heritage and motivations. Perhaps Kellerman, as he gets older, is feeling more comfortable with his writing and his character and no longer feels the need for such anonymity. Whatever the reason for the author's revelations, it made the book a far more enjoyable and insightful read. I would heartily recommend it.

WHAT A LONG, STRANGE TRIP IT'S BEEN!

Jon Kellerman has done it again. The Michaelangelo of Mysteries has created yet another masterpiece. The trademark of Kellerman's work is the psychological profile of each of the characters. He also provides in-depth descriptions so that his readers have a full sense of what his characters look like and what makes them tick.Dr. Eldon Mate is known as "Dr. Death," because of his work in euthanasia. He calls his clients "travelers" and prepares them for their final trip. At the opening of the story, Dr. Mate is found mutilated and bound to his own apparatus, thus reinforcing the old adage of whoever lives by the sword, dies by the sword. It is up to Dr. Delaware and Detective Sturgis to crack this case.Their list of suspects is quite long and any or all of them quite likely candidates. One real estate developer, seemingly devastated over the loss of his wife is a suspect. His children possibilities. The decedent's widow and son more possible suspects. An FBI agent with an agenda of his own and several "Angel of Mercy" killers in hospitals are being considered.Kellerman takes his readers through some rough terrain to crack this case. He throws out some interesting symbols. For example, the name "Mate," can either mean "to reproduce," or it can be interpreted as the Spanish imperative form of "matar," to kill. A twisted artist paints a picture of Mate hooked up to his own machine with a second Mate figure preparing the traveler. Mate as traveler and travel agent -- this lends further support to the double edged sword of the name "Mate." Mate's widow is Latina, so it is possible Mate picked up some Spanish, including the Spanish meaning of the name "Mate."This is a first rate mystery and thriller. Your spine will tingle throughout the book.

Kellerman back in top form

I am glad to see Kellerman back in top form after his disappointing "Monster" last year. This time around Alex and Milo are on the trail of whoever killed Eldon Mate aka "Dr. Death", the assisted suicide doctor. The list of suspects is not a small one. Is it the husband of one of the doctors "victims"? or possibly his son? Or is it another doctor who likes to kill his ill patients and who is being hunted by the FBI? One of Mates followers? Great dialogue and interesting psychological insights by Alex help propel a suspenseful psycological thriller. Highly recommended.

AN EMOTIONALLY INTENSE READING

Tony Award-winner John Rubinstein has read the audio book versions of each of Jonathan Kellerman's Alex Delaware novels. "Performed" might be a more appropriate word than "read" as his deliveries are riveting. (Need we say that Kellerman, a master of the psychological thriller, writes can't-put-down tales?) There's a diabolical twist in this story as the man some have described as a killer is killed - Dr. Eldon Mate, a proponent of euthanasia, is murdered in the back of his own vehicle, attached to the mechanism he has used to assist others in ending their lives. Of course, the LAPD seeks assistance from Dr. Alex Delaware who has a few qualms of his own regarding the case. Rife with menacing characters and psychological detail, "Dr. Death" is Kellerman at the peak of his authorial prowess. In the case of the audiobook Rubinstein's emotionally intense voice is frosting on this devil's food cake.