From Publishers Weekly
Kellerman devises a psychologically complex, highly satisfying plot in this latest mystery (after Time Bomb ) to feature child psychologist Alex Delaware, although we wait too long for the best parts and although Delaware, his love life on hold, seems less emotionally present than in previous cases. Harvard-bound, 18-year-old heiress Melissa Dickinson, whom Delaware had successfully treated for anxiety 10 years earlier, calls him with concerns about leaving her wealthy mother, an agoraphobe. Years before Melissa's birth, Gina Dickinson Ramp had been disfigured by acid thrown for never-revealed reasons by a former lover, now out of prison and back in town. Widowed for many years, recently remarried and making progress in her own intensive therapy with a noted husband-and-wife team of behaviorial psychologists, Gina is still fragile. When she disappears, Melissa enlists Delaware's help and that of his friend, Milo Sturgis, on leave from the LAPD (for having slugged, on TV, a homophobic superior). Kellerman deftly handles the strings of his plot, keeping in question the plight of Gina and the identities of those wishing her ill, until final events make what came before seem inevitable. A brief reunion with his former lover Robin will leave readers hoping for a reconciliation in Delaware's next appearance. 150,000 first printing; major ad/promo. Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
"Vividly realistic ... explores the subject with haunting emotional power."-- Playboy
"A page-turner from beginning to end." --Los Angeles Times
"A gut-wrenching scenario... might well be Kellerman's finest." --Booklist
Review
"Vividly realistic ... explores the subject with haunting emotional power."-- Playboy
"A page-turner from beginning to end." --Los Angeles Times
"A gut-wrenching scenario... might well be Kellerman's finest." --Booklist
Private Eyes ANNOTATION
The Edgar Award-winning author of Silent Partner offers a gripping tale set in the the old-money bastion of San Labrador, home to L.A.'s ultra-privileged. Unless Alex Delaware can uncover the truth behind the disappearance of of a reclusive woman, she will just be one more victim of a cold fury that has already spawned madness--and murder. "(Kellerman has) shaped the psychological mystery novel into an art form."--Los Angeles Times Book Review.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
The voice belongs to a woman, but Dr. Alex Delaware remembers a little girl. It is eleven years since seven-years-old Melissa Dickinson dialed a hospital help line for comfort—and found it in therapy with Alex Delaware. Now the lovely young heiress is desperately calling for psychologist's help once more. Only this time it looks like Melissa's deepest childhood nightmare is really coming true ... Twenty years ago, Gina Dickinson, Melissa's mother, suffered a grisly assault that left the budding actress irreparably scarred and emotionally crippled. Now her acid-wielding assailant is out of prison and back in L.A.—and Melissa is terrified that the monster has returned to hurt Gina again. But before Alex Delaware can even begin to soothe his former patient's fears, Gina, a recluse for twenty, disappears. And now, unless Delaware turns crack detective to uncover the truth, Gina Dickinson will be just one more victim of a cold fury that has already spawned madness—and murder.
SYNOPSIS
The voice belongs to a woman, but Dr. AlexﾽﾽDelaware remembers a little girl. It is elevenﾽﾽyears since seven-years-old Melissa Dickinson dialedﾽﾽa hospital help line for comfort--and found it inﾽﾽtherapy with Alex Delaware. Now the lovely youngﾽﾽheiress is desperately calling for psychologist'sﾽﾽhelp once more.
FROM THE CRITICS
Christopher Lehmann-Haupt
But my goodness! What a very dry meal of cliche without cream or sugar Mr. Kellerman does serve up in the process. His psychobabbly dialogue has the pace of a 78 r.p.m. record played at 33. There isn't a setting in the book that isn't overdescribed or a character who isn't overdetailed. . . maybe the point of "Private Eyes" is simply to entertain? Well, if the mere unscrambling of a complicated scramble is to your taste, then this novel is a multi-course banquet. -- New York Times
Publishers Weekly
Kellerman devises a psychologically complex, highly satisfying plot in this latest mystery (after Time Bomb ) to feature child psychologist Alex Delaware, although we wait too long for the best parts and although Delaware, his love life on hold, seems less emotionally present than in previous cases. Harvard-bound, 18-year-old heiress Melissa Dickinson, whom Delaware had successfully treated for anxiety 10 years earlier, calls him with concerns about leaving her wealthy mother, an agoraphobe. Years before Melissa's birth, Gina Dickinson Ramp had been disfigured by acid thrown for never-revealed reasons by a former lover, now out of prison and back in town. Widowed for many years, recently remarried and making progress in her own intensive therapy with a noted husband-and-wife team of behaviorial psychologists, Gina is still fragile. When she disappears, Melissa enlists Delaware's help and that of his friend, Milo Sturgis, on leave from the LAPD (for having slugged, on TV, a homophobic superior). Kellerman deftly handles the strings of his plot, keeping in question the plight of Gina and the identities of those wishing her ill, until final events make what came before seem inevitable. A brief reunion with his former lover Robin will leave readers hoping for a reconciliation in Delaware's next appearance. 150,000 first printing; major ad/promo. (Jan.)
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