Bad Love

by Jonathan Kellerman

Book Overview

It came in a plain brown wrapper, no return address--an audiocassette recording of a horrifying, soul-lacerating scream, followed by the sound of a childlike voice chanting: "Bad love. Bad love. Don't give me the bad love... ". For Alex Delaware the tape is the first intimation that he is about to enter a living nightmare. Others soon follow: disquieting laughter echoing over a phone line that suddenly goes dead, a chilling act of trespass and vandalism...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0553089196
• ISBN13: 9780553089196
• Release Date: January 1994
• Publisher: Bantam Books
• Length: 386 Pages
• Weight: 1.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.4" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Classic Delware entry

The cassette tape arrives one morning in a plain brown wrapper with no return address. Alex Delaware, curious, puts it cautiously into his tape player, and a nightmare opens up before him. There is a long, soul-tearing scream, and then a child chanting the phrase, "Bad love, bad love, don't give me the bad love."Shortly after, he receives a mysterious phone call, and then confronts a cruel act of vandalism against him, and is forced to admit that someone, for some twisted reason, has him in their sights. He desperately searches his memory for recognition of the phrase "bad love", and eventually links it to a symposium he attended many years ago, dedicated to the work of child psychologist Andres de Bosch. Puzzled about how this could possibly link back to his taunter, Alex tries to get in contact with some of the other delegates, and discovers a chilling and random series of deaths amongst them. This is the best Delaware book so far (I am slowly but dedicatedly making my way through the series.) It contains everything that makes Jonathan Kellerman books good. Plenty of psychology, his characters, his probingly analytical writing style (which, I must admit now, doesn't serve actions too well) and possibly the best plot he's dreamt up so far. Existing fans will love it, and newcomers to the series would do well to start at the beginning (When the Bough Breaks) and just look forward to this gem. Kellerman's plotting is fluid, original, and moves at very good pace. It's also wonderful to witness Alex as he tries to work his way into the twisted and distorted logic of a killer and find even hints of a possible motive. The only times when this book falls down are when, occasionally, his prose seems too detached, and there are a couple too many characters. Otherwise, this is an excellent addition to a good series.

BAD LOVE; GOOD BOOK

I have read a couple of Kellerman's books and I really liked this one. Kellerman has a knack for pulling you into the mystery until you too are rubbing your hand over your face in concentration and confusion like Milo. I was totally surprised at the ending. You were pulled from one murder to another with the only connection being the words "Bad Love". When Kellerman pulls all the loose ends together you still get a big suprise of who and why. I highly recommend this quick reading, enticing murder MYSTERY.

Another Alex Delaware Adventure!

Kellerman in BAD LOVE pens another story in the life of child psychologist Dr. Alex Delaware. This time the story is intriguing, and will make the hair on the back of your neck stand! Alex recieves a tape that screams bad love, bad love. Next thing he knows he's the target of someone! For all he knows it could have something to do with a symposium he co-orated, on or it could have something to do with the two little girls he is counseling after their father murders their mother. Join Alex in this extremely tantalizing, can't put down, keep you up reading at night book! Kudos Kellerman for penning another exciting Alex Delaware book, and for making me stay up all night reading it! You will probably spend your nights awake reading it too!

Bad Love is a GREAT book!

'Bad Love' starts off tame enough, but after a few chapters I was engrossed and intrigued. I love Rover/Spike the dog. He is so lovable.I really enjoy Jonathan Kellerman's books. I am always eager to pick up another one and spend time with Alex, Milo and Robin again. This novel is excellent for the psychology of psychotics. I was burning to find out who was committing all these murders and WHY! The ending of this book was suspenseful, thorough and detailed. I don't believe J. Kellerman left any loose threads.In this book, Alex is caught up in a whirl of brutal killings and possible murders and he may be the next victim. As he and Milo track the killer(s?)they slowly gather clues and motives. I really enjoyed this book because the author keeps you guessing for a long time. I also like the friendship between Milo and Alex. Not too many friends like that around.The extra treat in this book is the dog. What a sweetie!~

I'm hooked on Kellerman!!!!

Bad Love was my first Kellerman book. I picked it up at a garage sale a couple of years ago. Needless to say when I was finished with it I was searching the bookcase for more of his. I had a hard time putting it down. I liked the style of writing, it kept my interest. It had a lot of characters and sometimes I had to think on which one was which, but it keeps your mind going. I fell in love with Delawares friendship (Milo), romance (Robin) and his own get up and go. I don't know if I found the book so good due to the fact that is was my first Kellerman or because it got me hooked on him. I think after reading 4 books of his that I picked the right one to read first. I liked Kellerman's style of writing, the introduction, climax and ending were all equal and made it very hard to put down. When I finished it I gave it to a friend and now she is on her 4th book of his, needless to say her hubby is not to happy with me. LOL You will be hooked on Kellerman's books after you read this one!!