Twisted (Hardcover)

In Twisted, Alex Delaware is only an occasional off-stage presence. Instead, the focus is on the day-to-day activities of Hollywood detective Petra ("Barbie") Connor who appeared in A Cold Heart. Currently partner less, Petra has also been asked to baby sit a brilliant graduate student, Isaac Gomez, who sees investigations as chances to get acquainted with the attractive and appealing Petra while learning how to do something practical with his skills.

As in life, the personal relationships of the two protagonists with their friends, families and co-workers regularly intrude in ways that flesh out the story, make it more real and provide great character development.

Petra finds herself assigned to find the perp who gunned down four young people in a parking lot. When one of the victims cannot be identified, progress becomes even slower. With dogged attention to detail, Petra gradually unravels the crime.

At the same time, Isaac has been running statistical tests on unsolved murders . . . and notices an annual pattern of similar murders. Could there be a serial killer behind the seemingly random mix of victims? Petra is gradually persuaded that Isaac is on to something, and she steals time from her other case to learn more about the victims . . . in hopes of finding a pattern that unlocks the puzzle before the anniversary of the killings comes again.

The plot's development is deftly hidden from sight until Dr. Kellerman wants to lift up a tiny section of canvas to add a hint. That's one of the best qualities about the book. He gives you the minimum to advance the plot . . . and makes it feel natural and real . . . in the same way that you might put together a tough jig saw puzzle over several weeks.

All I want for Christmas this year is for Mr. Kellerman to write another novel like this one featuring Petra Connor and Isaac Gomez. Please, Dr. Kellerman, please! I've been good.

Four teenagers have been murdered outside a concert hall, "The Paradiso". One of the dead teenagers wearing pink sneakers is targeted for particular further investigation, identity remaining unknown until well into the book, and the basis of what turns out to be the sub-plot.

Along with Petra, the other main character in the book is Isaac, nicknamed "The Genius". At 22 he is completing his PhD, and then anticipating pursuing a medical career. Isaac has permission to study old police files to complete his sociological thesis on crime patterns, and by applying his mathematical brilliance, is convinced of a pattern to 6 previously unsolved murders. All these people have been bludgeoned to death on the same date, June 28th, all in different years. Isaac is assigned to Petra, as his official "babysitter".

When he suggests this theory to Petra, she is initially dismissive of his claims. Her time is dedicated to the current murder inquiry of the dead teenagers. Gradually however, her natural curiosity leads her to believe that Isaac is perhaps onto something important. She becomes puzzled and interested enough to make some enquiries of her own on an unofficial basis. After some investigation into the second of these 6 killings, Petra is becoming convinced that the crimes are "calculated, manipulative. Twisted"

The ambivalence that Petra initially feels towards Isaac provides Kellerman with the opportunity to develop these two very different characters. This initial unlikely coupling of Isaac and Petra, and the lack of credence she gives to his theories, leads to interesting conversations between the two, giving depth and interest to their developing relationship. Kellerman allows plenty of space to allow the diversity of these characters to be explored, portraying them both as 3-dimensional personalities, intellectual, emotional and sexual.

Isaac is a fascinating character, clearly of great intellect, and yet with what Petra regards as the emotions of an adolescent. Later in the book, this facet to Isaac is developed quite "hotly", when we discover that perhaps Isaac is not so much the blushing adolescent as Petra believes.

The reader is given clear evidence of Petra's tenacity and intellect, in her official investigation of the Paradiso Club murders. Also we watch while her vulnerability and emotionality is explored in her relationship with her boyfriend Eric, who is currently placing himself in danger in the Middle East- here we witness both Petra's strength as well as her vulnerability.

Investigations into the Paradiso case consume her attention, until she realises that she has not seen Isaac for some time. She starts to get worried, and soon discovers to her horror, that Isaac has unwittingly become involved in something serious, that has drawn the attention of other cops.

Although very different in nature, the main plot and accompanying subplot work very well together. Kellerman interweaves the themes quite seamlessly. Twisted runs smoothly, and some parts are quite un-putdownable. Not directly relevant to the story, the description of a suicide bomber involving Petra's boyfriend has great tension and presence. At times Kellerman's style is as effective as a steep drop on a roller coaster in raising levels of adrenalin.

Events in the book lead to Petra being taken off the case, and indeed seems to be on the verge of losing her job completely, when her case is taken over by other hot-shots of a task force within the police service. However, this does not deter Petra and her partner Eric in trying to solve the June 28th murders. Kellerman really increases the tension as this fateful day approaches, the time ticking away until June 28th, and the anticipated 7th murder. It is through Isaac's research that the horrific nature of the next murder is potentially revealed, and indeed the identity of the likely murderer. The pace becomes relentless, and it is not until the final few pages that the important threads of the story come together. Kellerman keeps the tension going right up until the end, and I was indeed surprised at the eventual outcome. There is certainly an unexpected twist at the end that I defy anyone to have deduced beforehand.

Kellerman lets the story involve in such an intelligent way, with great twists that this book poses no disappointment at all. Thoroughly recommended