Book Review - Capital Crimes
Two Novellas by Jonathan and Kaye Kellerman
This husband and wife mystery writing team collaborates on two original novellas, one by him and one by her. It's a great way to compare their styles, side-by-side.
Capital Crimes, released in November of 2006, features two short mysteries, one by each member of the popular husband and wife mystery team of Faye and Jonathan Kellerman. The two stories have a different style and point of view, an intriguing look at two best-selling authors writing styles, one next to the other.
My Sister's Keeper
The first novella, "My Sister's Keeper," introduces the reader to Davida Grayson, a Berkeley progressive state representative, and a lesbian, who comes from a well-respected and well-heeled Northern California family. Just as we get to know her, she's found dead in her office, shot in the back of the head. The suspects are many. Could it be her jealous -- and often drunken -- girlfriend, her boyfriend from high school whose never accepted her leaving him for a woman, or one of her many political rivals? As Berkeley detectives, Amanda Isis and Will Barnes investigate, with a little help from perennial Kellerman hero, LAPD detective Peter Decker, it becomes obvious that more than a few of the people close to Ms. Grayson have a few secrets to hide. And, Davida, we find, has kept a few secrets of her own.
Music City Breakdown
"Music City Breakdown," set in Nashville, tells the story of an over-the-hill rock singer, Jack Jefferies, who fights his phobia about flying to come from LA to the "Music City" to sing at a benefit concert. Helping him with his fears, and accompanying him, is favorite Kellerman sleuth psychologist Dr. Alex Delaware. It seems that Jeffries enjoyed the fruits of his success -- often to excess -- and is starting to pay the price. When he is found murdered in the street, just a few hours after arriving in Nashville, it seems that perhaps his past has finally caught up with him.
The two Nashville detectives investigating the case both have musical backgrounds, ones that at least one of them would rather remain hidden. They find that they are not the only ones involved in the case whose lives have been touched adversely by the Nashville music scene. But, how does this tie into Jeffries' murder?
About Faye and Jonathan Kellerman
Faye and Jonathan Kellerman are both best-selling mystery writers. Mr. Kellerman has won the Edgar, the Goldwyn, and the Anthony awards. He most recent work, Gone, was published in 2006. Mrs. Kellerman has won the Macavity award and been nominated for a Shamus. Her most recent work is the 2006 short story collection, The Garden of Eden. The couple has four children and lives in Los Angeles.
