Another gripping Alex Delaware novel from Kellerman, the king of psychological suspense and author of ten successive New York Times bestsellers. The setting is tropical but the atmosphere is sinister as Delaware probes the secrets of a wealthy scientist/philanthropist and unleashes an uncontrollable chain of violence.


From Publishers Weekly
Sleuthing psychologist Alex Delaware discovers that a respected scientist's offer of an expense-paid vacation is too good to be true. Kellerman's latest thriller spent 11 weeks on PW's bestseller list. Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
Psychologist Alex Delaware, last seen in Bad Love (Audio Reviews, LJ 5/1/94), is invited by the famous but eccentric scientist William Moreland to organize years of medical paperwork in preparation for publication. When Delaware arrives at Moreland's estate on the tropical island of Aruk, there are immediate signs that all is not right. Unusual house guests, Moreland's dark and dangerous insectarium, and a particularly gruesome murder add to Delaware's unease. When another local is murdered, Delaware finds himself unwittingly thrust into a psychological and political maze that culminates in a discovery far beyond his wildest fears. Kellerman's ability to weave an intriguing story with tantalizing hints of horror and breathtaking suspense makes this an unforgettable tale that will be popular with the author's fans as well as general fiction listeners. Reader John Rubenstein's mastery of a variety of character voices, coupled with occasional ominous background music, makes this an entertaining program.Susan McCaffrey, Legg Middle Sch. Lib., Coldwater, Mich.Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From AudioFile
John Rubinstein's experience as a narrator is evident in his accomplished performance of Kellerman's latest Alex Delaware thriller. Alex and Robin travel to a small island in Micronesia, where Alex has agreed to help Dr. Bill Moreland write articles on his research in the South Pacific. Soon, mysterious deaths and shocking secrets disturb this tropical paradise. Rubinstein deftly crafts the characterizations of a diverse group, injecting humor, pathos and fear into this story laden with unexpected twists. This is suspenseful listening, which makes the pulse race--and turning off the tape is almost impossible! M.A.M. An AUDIOFILE Earphones Award winner (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine


From Booklist
Kellerman's done it again! Of course, to say that his latest will be a megahit is only to say that his name on the cover guarantees sales; in Kellerman's case, however, the name guarantees great reading as well. This time, the story has psychologist Alex Delaware and wife Robin traveling to a remote island in Micronesia, where Alex has been invited to help Dr. Bill Moreland organize his case files and write a series of articles on his research in the South Pacific. But the peaceful island paradise Alex and Robin expected isn't so peaceful after all. Shortly after the couple arrives, another guest of Dr. Bill's is killed in a suspicious plane crash, Robin and Alex find four giant, venomous Madagascar cockroaches in their room, two local women are violently murdered in suspiciously cannibalistic style, and Bill's protege is accused of the murders. Alex and Robin decide to bail out--they can find stress like this back home in L.A.--but Dr. Bill has other ideas. He's determined to reveal a shocking secret, and Alex and Robin are to be his special confidantes--whether they want to or not. An intriguing, keep-'em-guessing plot, Kellerman's usual mix of psychologically fascinating characters, a megadose of suspense, and that always reliable heartthrob, Dr. Alex Delaware, make this one a must-have for all mystery collections. Emily Melton

ANNOTATION

Child psychologist Alex Delaware receives a revered scientist's invitation to spend three all-expenses-paid months in the South Pacific. All he has to do is help Dr. Moreland organize some papers, and the rest of the time is his to enjoy. But secretive houseguests, frightening nocturnal visitors, and the elusive doctor himself soom make it clear that Moreland's real purpose in inviting Alex is hidden under layers of deception.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Three months in paradise, all expenses paid. It's an invitation Alex Delaware can't refuse. Dr. Woodrow Wilson Moreland, a revered scientist and philanthropist on the tiny Pacific island of Aruk, has invited Alex to his home to help him organize his papers for publication - a light workload leaving Alex plenty of time to enjoy a romantic interlude with Robin Castagna. Quickly, however, secretive houseguests, frightening nocturnal visitors, and the elusive Dr. Moreland himself dim the pleasures of deep blue water and white sand. The cases Moreland chooses to share - a patient driven to madness by a cruel, unspeakable act; a man who succumbed forty years ago to radiation poisoning after a nuclear blast; a young woman, brutally murdered, whose mutilated body was found on the beach just six months before - seem unconnected. And yet Alex can't help wondering what the good doctor is trying to tell him... and what Moreland's real reason for inviting him to Aruk is.

SYNOPSIS

Psychologist-detective Dr. Alex Delaware finds terror in the heart of paradise in this relentlessly sinister novel by America's premier writer of psychological suspense, the author of ten successive New York Times bestsellers.￯﾿ﾽ￯﾿ﾽThree months in paradise, all expenses paid.￯﾿ﾽ￯﾿ﾽIt's an invitation Alex Delaware can't refuse.￯﾿ﾽ￯﾿ﾽDr.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Sleuthing psychologist Alex Delaware discovers that a respected scientist's offer of an expense-paid vacation is too good to be true. Kellerman's latest thriller spent 11 weeks on PW's bestseller list. (Oct.)

Library Journal