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The Clinic by Jonathan Kellerman
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Jonathan Kellerman's novel, The Clinic , ( Bantam Books, Published February 1997, Copyright 1996 by Jonathan Kellerman) tracks psychologist Alex Delaware as he solves the brutal murder of Hope Devane, a college professor and best selling feminist author. Dr. Alex Delaware's investigation probes the worlds of academia, psychology and medicine, revealing even these hallowed professions are not immune to debauchery and murder.
Alex Delaware is called into the Devane murder investigation after the case has gone cold and been assigned to his friend, Detective Milo Sturgis, of the L.A. police department. Milo and Alex have previously worked together, successfully, on police department cases and in this particular matter, Alex's psychological and academic background are assets Milo needs to solve the case. As Milo and Alex begin to investigate Devane's murder, the ugly underbelly of even these esteemed professions is revealed.
Hope Devane's life provides the investigative duo more leads than the murder scene or the physical evidence. Devane's book, Wolves and Sheep, was not only an international seller, it was fodder for numerous television talk shows and public appearances. The last year of Devane's life had been filled with guest appearances on the television talk show circuit. These talk shows had been characterized by hostile guests and misogynistic audiences. As Alex reviews the tapes, he is baffled, as is Milo, by Devane's public persona. She is attractive, personable and met her adversaries with a calm demeanor and intelligent debate. Her personal performance is at odds with the angry male bashing nature of her book. As Milo and Alex assess the anger caused by her book, they realize their suspect pool may be as large as the television audiences that have tuned into any number of shows she has appeared on.
Reviewing Devane's academic background, Alex finds in a footnote, Devane chaired the Interpersonal Conduct Committee, which even with Alex's academic background, he is unfamiliar with. He finds the committee, now defunct, was Devane's brainstorm and was described as a form for informal resolution of sexual harassment issues. While participation was to be voluntary, the transcripts revealed those called before the committee were subjected to a mini trial and that their presence was more or less commanded. The committee was shut down under threat of lawsuit, and a review of the proceedings only makes Alex realize their list of suspects has grown once more.
Even Devane's financial records give Milo and Alex new leads to pursue. In addition to Devane's book activities and academic duties, she also reported income from consulting for a prominent lawyer and a Beverly Hills ob-gyn and fertility doctor. Neither avenue was adequately investigated by the detectives who had been previously assigned the case. Preliminary research reveals the doctor, Milan Cruvic, is also active in a free abortion clinic. Both Alex and Milo agree if Devane had also been involved in the clinic, her killer could have ties to her clinic activities. Once again their circle of suspects has grown.
Last but the least is the victim's own husband, Professor Philip Seacrest. Seacrest's own behavior has done nothing to remove his name from the suspect list. He is much older than his deceased and more successful wife. He is poised to inherit her estate which will contain significant book royalties for years to come. He has shown almost no interest in the investigation into his wife's death and has been uncooperative with the police department. His reclusive lifestyle is only interrupted by contact with his wife's ex teaching assistant, Casey Locking. This association in and of itself is odd, as Seacrest and Devane seemed to live separate professional lives and his sudden association with Casey is out of character. While neither Alex nor Milo is fixed on Seacrest as a suspect, both are sure he has not been completely forthcoming with the police department as it relates to his wife's death.
As Alex and Milo delve deeper into the circles of Hope Devane's life, the more deception and oddity they find. Each avenue of her life seems oddly separate yet prove to be intertwined in a deadly way. The constantly changing suspect list and the bazaar underbelly of Hope Devane's life challenges the investigative skills of both Milo and Alex. While they manage to understand the odd world that Devane inhabited, it is not without discovering debauchery, abuse and criminal ties and more murders. The resolution of this case proves unexpected and shocking even to these two seasoned investigators.
Kellerman's book is a real page turner. The only problem is that sometimes the pages need to be turned backward to keep up with the multitude of characters that parade through this book. While keeping track of the players is a little difficult, the plot twists and turns make the effort worthwhile. I have to admit to being truly surprised as to the very adult plot twists that reveal the true nature of Hope Devane and the identity of her killer. This book is entertaining and riveting though it should have an adult warning label on it.
This is not Kellerman's only Alex Delaware novel. He is a prolific writer and child psychologist who has published non fiction psychology books along with at least sixteen Alex Delaware books and other works of fiction. This is my first Alex Delaware novel and I would certainly read others in the series based on this novel alone. While Kellerman's books are described as psychological thrillers, this novel is more of a murder mystery with a psychologist as an investigator and a victim. It could be that the use of psychology is much more accepted in criminal investigations than it was in 1996 when this book was copyrighted. Television shows , real or fictional, show police departments utilizing psychological profiling when solving criminal cases. It may be the ten years since publication has been a time of change in police procedure, and the public's constant exposure to crime shows has lessoned the impact of psychological analysis in criminal investigations.
Another explanation is Kellerman keeps the psychology in his books tightly focused on how it relates to the crimes his investigators are seeking to solve. What ever the cause and effect, this is not a psychology book masquerading as a murder mystery. It is a murder mystery involving psychology. The difference sets this book apart from the genre of medical/ scientific thrillers that require learning as much science as trying to figure out "who done it". I enjoy both type of novels. It is just a pleasant surprise to find one that uses the scientific information in a supportive position to the murder mystery plot instead of the other way around.
I would recommend this novel to adults, since some of the twists and turns get a little dicy. I have to admit to being shocked, and that does not happen very often. It is a real page turner and will prove a pleasant diversion from real life. The lasting impression of this book is the truth behind the social mask we all wear in our public lives. Also present is the unanswered question of whether education or achievement allows anyone to truly escape their upbringing. I will try some of the other novels in this series, even if I do have difficulty keeping tract of all of the characters. I liked this book and would recommend it as a " Good Read".
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