When the Bough Breaks by Jonathan Kellerman

This novel takes place in two distinct settings.

He’s in a stable relationship, he’s more or less at peace with himself, and it’s obvious that he has a commitment to those who are most vulnerable. He’s also mercifully free of a lot of the stereotypical ‘demons’ that beset all too many sleuths. He makes mistakes and a few times gets in over his head as the saying goes. That makes sense and is realistic since one would have to have that kind of skill in order to be a successful psychologist.Īnd yet, Delaware is no superhero. In all of these cases, Delaware is able to make people feel comfortable enough to talk to him. So is Elena Guitierrez’ best friend Raquel Ochoa and so is Professor Garth Van der Graaf, Professor Emeritus at Jedson College, where some key things happened that set off the chain of events in the story. In several places in the novel, he manages to make connections with characters who are at first unwilling to talk.

Delaware’s concerned about Melody though, and besides that, he has gotten curious about the case.Īlex Delaware is a psychologist, and both his profession and his skill at communicating are important elements in this novel. Blaming Delaware, Towle and Bonita Quinn deny him any more access to the child. Very soon though, Melody begins having nightmares.

He even persuades Melody’s mother Bonita to allow him to reduce the child’s medication so he can communicate better with her. He does manage to get some information from the child though, and establishes a kind of bond with her. Lionel Towle refuses to reduce her medication so that Delaware can interview her. When Delaware tries to interview Melody he discovers that she’s heavily under the influence of Ritalin and other medication intended for children with ADHD. Delaware isn’t any too eager to do this, but Sturgis promises it’ll be a matter of only one interview. Sturgis is hoping that Delaware may be able to communicate with the child and get her to open about what she saw. The only witness to the killings is seven-year-old Melody Quinn, and her account is both limited and somewhat incoherent.

Psychiatrist Morton Handler and his lover Elena Gutierrez have been brutally murdered in Handler’s apartment. Sturgis wants Delaware’s help on a disturbing case he’s working. He’s looking forward to a long life with much less overwork and trauma when he gets a visit from his friend LAPD cop Milo Sturgis. Delaware has recently retired as a child psychologist after a bout with poor mental and physical health stemming from stress, especially about one particular case.

When the Bough Breaks by Jonathan Kellerman