The Murderer's Daughter
A Novel
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4.0 • 686 Ratings
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- $8.99
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- $8.99
Publisher Description
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the creator of the acclaimed Alex Delaware series comes a tour de force standalone novel that illustrates perfectly why “Jonathan Kellerman has justly earned his reputation as a master of the psychological thriller” (People). Includes bonus material!
A brilliant, deeply dedicated psychologist, Grace Blades has a gift for treating troubled souls and tormented psyches—perhaps because she bears her own invisible scars: Only five years old when she witnessed her parents’ deaths in a bloody murder-suicide, Grace took refuge in her fierce intellect and found comfort in the loving couple who adopted her. But even as an adult with an accomplished professional life, Grace still has a dark, secret side. When her two worlds shockingly converge, Grace’s harrowing past returns with a vengeance.
Both Grace and her newest patient are stunned when they recognize each other from a recent encounter. Haunted by his bleak past, mild-mannered Andrew Toner is desperate for Grace’s renowned therapeutic expertise and more than willing to ignore their connection. And while Grace is tempted to explore his case, which seems to eerily echo her grim early years, she refuses—a decision she regrets when a homicide detective appears on her doorstep.
An evil she thought she’d outrun has reared its head again, but Grace fears that a police inquiry will expose her double life. Launching her own personal investigation leads her to a murderously manipulative foe, one whose warped craving for power forces Grace back into the chaos and madness she’d long ago fled.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Many readers will struggle to sympathize with Grace Blades, the protagonist of this standalone with an improbable plot from bestseller Kellerman (Motive), after a flashback opening that shows five-year-old Grace living in a trailer park, neglected by her parents, and forced at a young age to forage. Grace overcame those horrific circumstances and is now, at 34, a highly regarded psychotherapist in L.A. Even though she's independently wealthy, Grace doesn't accept insurance or allow her patients to pay on a sliding scale. She has a reckless side, which she indulges in one-night flings with strangers. To her shock, one of those hookups becomes a new patient, Andrew Toner, who traveled from out of state to see her. Soon afterward, he's found murdered, and Grace turns sleuth after figuring out that he was using an alias. Readers should be prepared for some florid prose ("the ocean to the west a series of gray-cresting waves on black satin, the mountains to the east an endless chocolate bar").
Customer Reviews
Disappointing .....
Kelleman is my absolute favorite author- and I love how he generally "ties" up the story line well.... But this time he did not. I found the ending disappointing and though their was the "mystery in progress" throughout the book- not just the who but the why- it was not wrapped up that way. Felt very disappointed. Also- I found Grace the main character to be a bit annoying and obnoxious.
The Murderers daughter
I loved, loved this book!!! I cannot wait for another about Grace!!!!! I loved that Alex Delaware made an appearance, so wonderful, it was so fun to have them together!!! Please keep writing!!!!
A Scary-Good Story
A scary-good story that parallels episodes of young Grace and mature Grace to create a thriller that doesn't stop. The story involves more than one psychopathic killer and the impact of childhood trauma on the lives of the adults. while the story involves sex and violence, they are handled with clear and succinct descriptions that are oriented to inform rather than titillate. The book provides outstanding examples of the best and worst of human nature, with a conclusion that is ultimately satisfying. This thriller is well worth several reads.