katieeliza's review against another edition
3.0
I love this series - I've read them all - and have come to expect good things. This offering was bordering on the mediocre - it felt a little too long and disjointed; like there were two separate ideas for novels forced together. I look forward to the next with Kellerman getting back to form.
felinity's review against another edition
4.0
As Alex and Milo investigate Zelda's death and her missing son, they seem to be continually grasping at straws, always trying to find something - anything - to help them make progress before they're forced to move on. (It helps, of course, that Alex is pretty wealthy and not hampered by things like 9-5 jobs or a more streamlined budget.) Both are unwilling to let it go, feeling instinctively that there are connections they can't quite see yet, but time's running out, both for the case and for Ovid's likely survival.
This is more like the older books, with more psychology (some very insightful details, including the discrepancy of what crazy is and how it appears) and the touches of wry humor that make it both enjoyable and engaging. I'm glad to find myself interested in this series again.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is more like the older books, with more psychology (some very insightful details, including the discrepancy of what crazy is and how it appears) and the touches of wry humor that make it both enjoyable and engaging. I'm glad to find myself interested in this series again.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
valerylh's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
First I'll say that it drove me a little crazy that I didn't realize this was number 31!! in a series before I started listening to it. It's fine as a stand-alone but my low level compulsion for order was yelling at me about not starting from the beginning, lol.
The story was engaging and well-paced. The main character is a child psychologist who can't let go of the little details that keep him wondering just what is going on here. It reads like a detective novel, along the lines of the Kinsey Millhone series I've been reading but without the dated "hokiness" (sorry Kinsey fans...I still like the series, just calling a spade a spade ;).
On to book 1!
First I'll say that it drove me a little crazy that I didn't realize this was number 31!! in a series before I started listening to it. It's fine as a stand-alone but my low level compulsion for order was yelling at me about not starting from the beginning, lol.
The story was engaging and well-paced. The main character is a child psychologist who can't let go of the little details that keep him wondering just what is going on here. It reads like a detective novel, along the lines of the Kinsey Millhone series I've been reading but without the dated "hokiness" (sorry Kinsey fans...I still like the series, just calling a spade a spade ;).
On to book 1!
ekeyreads's review against another edition
5.0
This one reminds me of early Kellerman. No one does dysfunctional families like Kellerman and this novel is no exception. This one added in the Hollywood element which, for someone so removed from it, was very interesting.
xkay_readsx's review against another edition
3.0
Breakdown was the first book I read by Jonathan Kellerman. Interesting, it got my attention at the beginning, then it was meh, then it was good again towards the end.
shelleyrae's review against another edition
4.0
In the latest instalment of Jonathan Kellerman’s long running series featuring child psychologist Alex Delaware, the death of a former patient’s mother triggers an investigation into a missing child, and a string of unsolved murders. With the help of his best friend and unofficial partner, Lieutenant Milo Sturgis, Delaware slowly unravels a story of mental illness, family secrets, betrayal, and murder.
I generally prefer this series when the cases are focused on those which more fully involve Delaware’s speciality. Ovid, Alex’s former patient, is almost incidental to this story, other than as the catalyst for their curiosity. This is Kellerman’s 31st novel though, so I don’t begrudge the way in he changes things up from time to time.
The pace is a little slow at times, Alex and Milo spend a lot of time trawling through records, consulting experts, and speculating about the case. There isn’t a lot of suspense, but the investigation is well crafted and it’s always satisfying to have the mystery neatly solved with the killer brought to justice.
While not the strongest book in the series, fans should find Breakdown enjoyable enough.
I generally prefer this series when the cases are focused on those which more fully involve Delaware’s speciality. Ovid, Alex’s former patient, is almost incidental to this story, other than as the catalyst for their curiosity. This is Kellerman’s 31st novel though, so I don’t begrudge the way in he changes things up from time to time.
The pace is a little slow at times, Alex and Milo spend a lot of time trawling through records, consulting experts, and speculating about the case. There isn’t a lot of suspense, but the investigation is well crafted and it’s always satisfying to have the mystery neatly solved with the killer brought to justice.
While not the strongest book in the series, fans should find Breakdown enjoyable enough.
diannel_04's review against another edition
4.0
Alex Delaware never disappoints. I am still enjoying every minute of his exploits with Det. Milo Sturgis. Keep up the good work.