JIGSAW

5 stars out of 5

Wow – can it be that this is the 41^st book in this wonderful series? I’ve been there almost from the beginning, though I’ve reviewed only 16 since starting my book blog. And you know what? I enjoyed every single one and looked forward to the next – and this one’s no exception.

The case started out like a slam-dunk; a young woman was found strangled in her own home, and strong evidence pointed to her ex-boyfriend, who was to be rounded up and charged. Until, that is, his hotshot, in-your-face attorney comes to his rescue, insisting he has an iron-clad alibi. So for homicide lieutenant Milo Sturgis, it was back to the drawing board (or should I say the murder board), and he calls in his long-time trusted friend, psychologist Dr. Alex Delaware, who’s a long-standing police consultant.

Just as they’re getting their heads together trying to poke holes in the suspect’s alibi, another murder happens; this one, an elderly woman whose body turned up in the freezer in her garage – appendages disengaged and rearranged. The house itself lends no clues; turns out she’s a big-time hoarder; just moving from room to room poses the threat of an avalanche. Complicating things is that she’s someone Milo used to know, and stuffed in between all that mess are envelopes full of cash – clearly more than a person like her would be likely to earn legitimately.

Then a third dead body turns up, and little by little, clues pile up – eventually suggesting that the cases may be not only related, but connected to a really nasty bad guy. But how? Learning that adds an additional dimension to the investigation, keeping both Milo and Alex busy (which, despite their protestations, means doing what they both love in sunny California and gives Alex’s long-time main squeeze, Robin, time to work on her professional guitar restoration projects. Of course, it all works out in the end – with a bit of a twist that wasn’t obvious along the way. Another winner in my book, for which I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to get up close and personal by way of a pre-release copy. Now bring on the next one!

Jigsaw by Jonathan Kellerman (Ballantine Books, February 2026); 256 pp.

PSYCHO-CYBERNETICS 365

5 stars out of 5

Observation No. 1: This is an insightful, enlightening book whether or not you read - as I did - the original
Psycho-Cybernetics that was written by Dr. Maxwell Maltz and published around 1960.

Observation No. 2: This likely will be the shortest book review I've ever written.

The first observation needs no further explanation, but the second one is a bit more complicated. As the book description says, psycho-cybernetics basically is using using self-image psychology, visualization and action to achieve your goals. That kind of thinking and acting has been a way of life for me for many, many years; but recently finding myself having to deal with a life-altering situation, I felt I could use a boost and thus was very intriged with this book (hey, even the most inner-directed and self-motivated folks can use an occasional boot in the derriere, capisce)?

What the author - president of the Psycho-Cybernetics Foundation - has done, then, is to revisit, if you will, basic ideas presented by the late Dr. Maltz and, as he puts it, lay them out in "manageable chunks" - meaning one for every single day of a year. And that's why my review necessarily is short: the chapters are brief, and trying to summarize them would leave less for readers to experience for themselves.

I am not, however, above offering a few examples, such as this one from the first day of the year: "How you see yourself in your mind's eye changes how you feel and the results you experience in life."

Or, how about, "Body, mind and spirit are interconnected. When you elevate one, the others improve as well."

Then there's one of my personal favorites: "Life is always exciting when you're involved in learning something new."

You get the drift. And if you want to improve your life, get the book. As for me, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to get my head back on straight by way of a pre-release copy. 

Psycho-Cybernetics 365 by Maxwell Maltz, M.D., and Matthew Furey (St. Martin's Essentials, August 2025); 388 pp.

FLEX YOUR FEELINGS

5 stars out of 5

When I requested this book, it was mostly because I've been a student of psychology most of my life; so much so, in fact, that my undergraduate degree is in the subject. Little did I know, however, that the direction my life would take at the time I started to read it would bring a few much-appreciated insights. Those life events, alas, also meant I was late in finishing and reviewing the book - a pre-release copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, for which I'm thankful (and very apologetic). But now I've finished, and with a little help from the book, I'm working to get my personal life back in order once again.

For openers, while it's easy to read, this isn't what I call a "pop-psych" book; you won't find cognitive distortions like "stinking thinking" or "analysis paralysis" (although I'll give the author, a clinical psychologist, points for tidbits like, "You only need to get up one more time than you fail"). Rather, she outlines seven steps for achieving emotional fitness: mindfulness, curiosity, self-awareness, resilience, empaathy, communication and playfulness. And she follows that up with a discussion of why we need to get better at each and presents specific steps for getting there.

That doesn't mean it will be a walk in the park. As she puts it, "Every single thing you want in your work and personal lives lives on the other side of discomfort." Examples taken from her personal experiences as a therapist are helpful, and exercises make it easier to put the suggestions to work in your own life so you can become, as the book description suggests, the best leader, entrepreneur and human you can be. At the end are resources like related books and the author's sources that back up what's in each chapter. I certainly learned from it, and I'm sure other readers will as well.

Flex Your Feelings by Dr. Emily Anhalt (G.P. Putnam's Sons, May 2025); 288 pp.

UNNATURAL HISTORY

4 stars out of 5

It's hard to believe this is the 38th book in this series, which has been a favorite of mine from the beginning (as far as I know, I've read - and loved - every single one). In this one, psychologist Dr. Alex Delaware and his longtime friend and colleague Los Angeles Police Detective Milo Sturgis are older, wiser and perhaps a titch more cynical, but otherwise it's pretty much same old, same old - just the way I like it.

This begins with the encountering of the hysterical assistant to a wealthy photographer she's just found in bed, quite dead as a result of three bullets. His latest project involved homeless subjects - people he invited into his studio to dress up as their "dream" person. After he photographed them, he fed them, paid them rather handsomely and sent them back to the streets.

As part of the investigation, Alex and Milo must speak to the victim's family, which turns out to be a challenge. Mostly a loner, the dead guy has several half brothers and sisters with whom he has little contact (and even less in common); the father, it seems, is a serial bridegroom who abdicates both the marriages and the offspring, although he freely shares his wealth. Most of the investigation, though, focuses on the seedy side of town. Could it be that one of the subjects in the victim's photo project liked his or her brush with luxury and returned to grab a bigger share?

As always, the expansive description of characters and settings far surpasses the action, but then that's part of the appeal of the books, at least to me. Loyal readers will be happy with it, I think - certainly I am - and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for once again allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy.

Unnatural History by Jonathan Kellerman (Ballantine Books, February 2023); 320 pp.

THE GOLDEN COUPLE

5 stars out of 5

It's been awhile since I read a book I really, really didn't want to put down. Granted, that makes it tough to get on with life - even if I'm willing to skip a meal, my husband would prefer to not. Even then, I managed to polish it off in about a day and a half. What makes it so enthralling? Much of it, I think, it the psychology angle (my favorite subject and my college major). The story centers around Avery Chambers, a onetime therapist whose outside-the-box techniques landed her in so much trouble that she lost her license. But that hasn't stopped her; she's built a very successful practice built on an unorthodox 10-session approach that allows her to pick and choose her clients.

Among the wannabes is Marissa Bishop, who learned of Avery through a friend. Marissa's marriage to Matthew is in danger because she cheated on him - a one-night stand she's regretted ever since. She still loves her husband and their 8-year-old son, though, and will try just about anything to salvage their marriage. In the hope that Avery can save the day, she convinces her husband to go with her to the initial session that will determine whether or not Avery will take the case of the "golden couple."

Of course, she does (if she hadn't, this book wouldn't exist). Chapters outline their sessions, and in-between chapters focus on the individual characters, giving readers clues to what's really going on in their lives and minds (not the least of which is that all concerned have secrets they either haven't revealed or are outright lying about). In between, Avery tries to ferret out what isn't being said so she can get to the truth that will, supposedly, free Marissa and Matthew to live [together] and love again. 

To be sure, Avery's keen powers of deduction exceed those of any character I've ever read about in any book including the esteemed Sherlock Holmes, thus making it a little hard to believe in spots. But I was so caught up in the story that it bothered me only a tiny bit. Twists and turns popped up in almost every chapter, leading up to a biggie at the end (which, if I'm honest, I'll admit wasn't entirely unexpected). Beyond that I won't comment lest I ruin things for other readers. But I will repeat that I really loved this book - and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy. Outstanding!

The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen (St. Martin's Press, March 2022); 329 pp.

CITY OF THE DEAD

5 stars out of 5

Is it possible to find a book in this series not to love? Of course, some plots are a bit less appealing than others - this is the 37th, after all - but police consultant and psychologist Dr. Alex Delaware and his friend, LAPD police officer Milo Sturgis, never disappoint. And with this entry, nothing's changed.

This time out, Milo and Alex visit a scene at which a moving van appears to have hit a naked man. An accident, perhaps - until one of the neighbors points to a nearby house he believes is being rented by a "suspicious" woman. When Alex and Milo go inside, they get a surprise - a woman inside has been brutally murdered. Alex, though, gets a double whammy: He once tangled with the woman, Cordelia Gannett, who at the time was posing as a psychologist.

Although she got caught, she failed to cease and desist; but as Alex and Milo investigate, they learn her earlier life was far more complicated. From there, several other familiar characters get involved, including Detective Moses Reed, Alex's guitar-repair expert and live-in love, Robin, and even Milo's physician husband Rick (always nice to hear from him, even if it's more of a cameo than a full-blown performance).

The details are what make the story take on a life of its own, but as always, everything gets sorted out in the end. This one, I think, will please most series fans like me. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy of it.

City of the Dead by Jonathan Kellerman (Ballantine Books, February 2022); 336 pp.

THE MUSEUM OF DESIRE

5 stars out of 5

Okay, so my request at NetGalley to read an advance copy of this book was approved. Big whoop. Now I'm finished. Another big whoop!

That first one, which was a literal shout-out that roused my husband from his recliner, came becauseI've been a fan of this series right from the start; I don't recall missing a single one, so of course I was excited. The second shout-out (prior to which I gave my long-suffering hubby a heads-up) came because, like the others, this one is very good.  Main characters Dr. Alex Delaware and LAPD Lt. Milo Sturgis are in fine form with their banter (as well as their obvious respect for each other as they mesh their complementary investigative skills). Alex's main squeeze Robin gets some face time, as does their lovable pooch Blanche.

This one begins with a scene that unsettles just about everyone who views it, including Alex and Milo: Four very dead bodies are found in a limousine; the three passengers, two men and a woman, have been covered with blood (apparently after the fact) and posed in a very suggestive way. Other than the driver, identifying them all takes quite a bit of doing; but accomplishing that is followed by the even bigger challenge of determining the connection among the victims that could unearth a motive and the identity of the killer (or killers).

The nooks-and-crannies investigation, which I'm not about to detail here, takes Alex, Milo and his very capable team into a dark world of art (a nod to the book title) as well as the dark streets of the homeless and forgotten. If I have a "complaint," it's that the cast of characters is a rather large one, making it a little hard for me to keep all the names straight. In the end, though, no matter; this one kept me entertained from the first page to the last. Well done! And please, sir, may I have some more?

The Museum of Desire by Jonathan Kellerman (Ballantine Books, February 2020); 368 pp.

MURDER GAMES

5 stars out of 5


Prolific author James Patterson and co-author Howard Roughan really hit a home run with this one: Intriguing story, interesting characters and, IMHO, an exceptionally satisfying ending. So much did I enjoy the characters, in fact, that I'd love to see psychology professor Dr. Dylan Reinhart and NYPD Detective Elizabeth Needham turned into a series (one that includes, I emphasize, Reinhart's delightful partner Tracy).

The book reeled me in right from the start (well, if I don't count the opening remarks by a serial killer dubbed "The Dealer") with the introduction of 34-year-old Reinhart, who teaches a course on abnormal behavior and is the author of a book on what he calls "persuasion theory." Psychology is my own undergraduate degree, and just about any time I find a mystery/thriller that focuses on that subject, I'm hooked. Sometimes that's a good thing and sometimes not, but in this case, I got to the end with a big smile on my face.

Truth be told, Reinhart has a bit of an obnoxious streak, but he clearly knows his stuff (and his sometimes off-putting personality is nicely tempered by the aforementioned Tracy). The plot begins as Needham interrupts one of Reinhart's classes, making the attention-getting pronouncement that someone apparently wants to kill the professor. Turns out that's her way of asking for help with a murder case in which the killer leaves a playing card. Reinhart is skeptical, but when a second murder takes place and another playing card is left at the scene, he realizes - as does she - that a serial killer is on the loose.

Reinhart and Needham develop something of a rapport, albeit grudgingly at first. Their investigative efforts are  interspersed with bits of humor as they come to respect one another and follow clues that extend to a pesky journalist and even the local mayor, who's in desperation mode while vying for reelection. But is the deck stacked so far against them that the killer will end up with the winning hand? 

Inquiring minds want to know - at least mine sure did. Now I do, and I'm sorry to close the book on these characters. Bring them back, please?

Murder Games by James Patterson and Howard Roughan (Little, Brown and Co., June 2017); 400 pp.