Rating: 
Summary: Humdinger of a story!
Review: A mind-blowing look into the nature of madness. The psychological background is totally fascinating. I learned a lot about how the mentally ill are treated by the system, some background of schizophrenia, the difference between psychosis and schizophrenia and how they relate to the law, and so on. There's more, but I won't give away any surprises.The dialogue, as always in Mr. Kellerman's books, rings true. Watch out for the main characters, though! The twists and turns keep coming right to the end of the climactic chapter. A few minor complaints. I felt some secondary characters could've been developed more. This is just my taste, but I find the lengthy descriptions of buildings, landscapes, etc. a bit tedious. I had hoped for at least the beginning of a resolution to Milo's problems with homophobes at work. But you gotta save something for later in the series. I was taken aback to learn that, at the time OVER THE EDGE was written, gays were officially(?) considered deviants. Lots of food for thought in this book. There are many ideas here that'll get your gray cells going. If you have any interest in the workings of the human mind -- the sane and not-so-sane -- grab this book!
Rating:
Summary: leaves me speechless every time
Review: As a writer, and as someone who reads 100 books a year, I can usually spot where writers are going before they even get there. I've read several of Kellerman's books, but this one is not predictable and never gets old, and is so skillfully written that no matter how many times I read Over The Edge, I can't figure out how he ties everything up in such a neat package and ends the story with such a meaningful last sentence, which makes me cry every time I turn the last page.
As for the plot: How could the imprisoned and nearly comatose (when we first meet him face to face, and for most of the novel) Jamey Cadmus have strangled and mutilated a handful of prostitutes? But all the evidence points toward him. When we eventually find out why he is the only suspect, we have uncovered some of the rottenest, meanest forms of inhumanity towards the most vulnerable in our society.
Kellerman has filled Over The Edge with larger than life, colorful characters, even the secondary ones: Tully Antrim is kinda hip and cool; the art store owner has a major attitude; even the players in the Mexican restaurant seemed to have full lives beyond their short scene. I imagine Kellerman had a lot of fun with the two cops and all their scenes; I crack up every time they show up. As for the major characters, Alex Delaware is always a delightful pleasure to meet and get to know; Milo is a sweetie; Robin is a pleasant mystery; and Jamey, every time we meet him, is an uncomfortable reminder of whether or not he is guilty of extreme violence.
Kellerman tapped into some of my deepest fears: I was considered highly gifted at an early age, was aware of the term "genius/madness" shortly thereafter, and subsequently terrified that something horrible would go wrong with my brain, as happens to Jamey. The ride Kellerman takes me on every time I read this is frightening, thrilling, interesting and ultimately satisfying. I will never forget Jamey's story.
Rating: 
Summary: Best Delaware Story So Far
Review: Having also read THE BUTCHER's THEATER, WHEN THE BOUGH BREAKS, and BLOOD TEST, this book has only encouraged me to read more of Jonathan Kellerman's Alex Delaware. Although it moves slowly at first, the story is rich in detail and characters, and the plot develops very intellegently. Milo Sturgis cas become more complicated and more likeable at the same time, although Robin, Alex's girlfriend, seems irrelevant. Everyone other character emerges as a possible suspect, if even only for the reason that they are all psychologically a little OFF. Certain parts read like a psych textbook, that's true, but it's only at a point that research becomes very important in the discovery process of the case. This should only seem fascinating if you've been paying attention, and if you are, you might be able to figure it out only a step ahead of Dr. Delaware, whou doesn't actually get it all until the end, anyway. Altogethor, I thought this was a terrific advancement of the series, and I can't wait to read SILENT PARTNER.
Rating: 
Summary: Ok but not the best from Kellerman
Review: I have been reading all of the Alex Deleware books in order and actually had a hard time finding this one. The story intself will keep you interested. There is A LOT of technical jargon and big words used when talking about different types of drugs. If you can get past all that and get the main point it is a nice little book. Not one of his best but he is still better then most authors.
Rating:
Summary: One Of His Best
Review: I haven't read all of Jonathan Kellerman's books and usually lose interest three quarters of the way through, but I found Over The Edge great right through the perfect ending. The main characters come across as very believeable, although the secondary cops and bad guys seemed stereotpyed. I found myself fitting into Alex Delaware's thought patterns with no trouble and I managed to hang on through all the plot twists without getting lost or bored. I think the only parts I skipped were his long descriptions of people and places. My one real annoyance with the book was that the reader didn't get to know Jamey better, because I would have liked to.
Rating:
Summary: Proably his best book so far
Review: Jonathan Kellerman's may not be the most impassioned writing, or the most elegaic, elegant, beautiful, etc, but it has that one quality which all great writing should have: Intense readability. His prose is bright and breezy, cheerful and just plain easy to read. He creates a good cast of varying characters, the development of whom could only be improved upon a slight bit. This novel is certainly his best so far (im reading them in order) it has a complex, detailed and interesting plot, and it is packed full of interesting psychological stuff. (Although sometimes he goes too far with some of the exntensive medical explanations and words which mean squat to me.) The plot is interested, and the book powers along at great pace. (Although ends up about 50 pages too long...) There are some great characters, and this is very good, very enjoyable book.
Rating: 
Summary: Pretentious? Vous?
Review: Listen, I basically like the plots of these stories and the action. But poor Alex himself is getting so pretentious, he's verging on the insufferable! He has a house in the "Hills" with a deck and a koi pond, he cooks like a Cordon Bleu grad, drives a classic (restored by himself) Porsche. He can tell you the designer of any woman's dress he spots on Rodeo Drive, he drops the name of every cool jazz icon known to man, he has a live-in (and perfect, of course)lover that makes custom guitars for rock stars (whose workshop is in Venice!)... I mean, C'mon! This poor ... goes through the gamut of cliched pretense like Sherman through a goose! Sam Spade would dump a beer on his head. Lucas Davenport would toss him in his koi pond. Yikes! What an unbelievable fop!
Rating:
Summary: So intensely good
Review: This is the first Kellerman novel I have read. I picked it up having no idea what it was about and could not put it down. It is so intense from the first page to the last. The plot is great, it grabs your attention right away. I highly recommend this book. I think I could probably say this is the best mystery/thriller I've ever read!
Rating:
Summary: So intensely good
Review: This is the first Kellerman novel I have read. I picked it up having no idea what it was about and could not put it down. It is so intense from the first page to the last. The plot is great, it grabs your attention right away. I highly recommend this book. I think I could probably say this is the best mystery/thriller I've ever read!
Rating:
Summary: Another Great Tale By Kellerman!
Review: This is the sixth Johnathan Kellerman novel that I've read, and he has never dissapointed me.
This story revolves around a teenage genius (who also happens to be homosexual) who has been diagnosed schizophrenic. After placing a very desperate and confusing phone call to his former Therapist (Alex Delaware)he disappears from the institution he has been placed in. Shortly after this he is found, dazed and confused, with his lovers freshly murdered corpse. The police believe him to be the Lavender Slasher, a serial killer responsible for a number of slayings in California. Is he the killer? Is he really mentally ill? Read the book and find out!!
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