When the Bough Breaks Audiobook By Jonathan Kellerman cover art

When the Bough Breaks

An Alex Delaware Novel

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When the Bough Breaks

By: Jonathan Kellerman
Narrated by: Alexander Adams
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In the first Alex Delaware novel, Dr. Morton Handler practiced a strange brand of psychiatry. Among his specialties were fraud, extortion, and sexual manipulation. Handler paid for his sins when he was brutally murdered in his luxurious Pacific Palisades apartment. The police have no leads, but they do have one possible witness: seven-year-old Melody Quinn.

It's psychologist Dr. Alex Delaware's job to try to unlock the terrible secret buried in Melody's memory. But as the sinister shadows in the girl's mind begin to take shape, Alex discovers that the mystery touches a shocking incident in his own past.

This connection is only the beginning, a single link in a 40-year-old conspiracy. And behind it lies an unspeakable evil that Alex Delaware must expose before it claims another innocent victim: Melody Quinn.

©2003 Jonathan Kellerman (P)2012 Random House Genre Fiction Medical Medical & Forensic Mystery Suspense Thriller & Suspense Fiction Scary

Critic reviews

"An engrossing thriller.... this knockout of an entertainment is the kind of book which establishes a career in one stroke." ( New York Newsday)
"Suspenseful, neatly spun, fascinating." ( Philadelphia Daily News)
"Grab yourself a copy soon." ( Los Angeles Times)
Intriguing Plot Twists • Complex Characters • Vivid Descriptions • Engaging Mystery • Psychological Depth • Good Timing
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Wonderful start to this series and now I can't wait for the next book in the series.

When the bough breaks

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the profanity was difficult to hear and the details of the violation against children was very disturbing. the story line and plot was excellent but a lot of the details of the child molestation could have been left out. also some of the detailed descriptions could have been abbreviated.

very disturbing

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So happy to have all of these books to hear! I love the twists and turns so you can try to guess the ending... but you will probably be wrong!!

my favorite author!

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I found the number of people who were killed without repercussions unbelievable. However, the ending resolved all issues, was surprising and yet believable. Over all, a non taxing and enjoyable listen. Good narration.

Economic Snobbery Conspiracy Loses

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Would you consider the audio edition of When the Bough Breaks to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version, but the narrator was clear and interesting.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

It did, however his use of quite a bit of purple prose and overly descriptive language took away from some of the suspense.

What does Alexander Adams bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I thought his voice work was above average, and the characters were unique.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Dr. Delaware's compassion towards children. He truly cares.

Any additional comments?

A great introduction to a thus far interesting series. Just finished book 2 and am going back for more. You can tell the author is/was a medical professional by his proper use of terminology.

A wee bit long in the tooth.....

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Loved the narrator. It was a well written mystery that held my attention. The book is an older book but enjoyable.

Well done

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Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I don't think any of my friends read this genre

Has When the Bough Breaks turned you off from other books in this genre?

Not at all

What does Alexander Adams bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Not Alexander Adams as such, but I get different visuals from audiobooks than I do when I read on my own

Do you think When the Bough Breaks needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

I don't know, I didn't finish the book

Not for me

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It's obvious why this novel had to become the first in a "series"...it's that good on every level and the performance puts it over the top! The forthcoming Alex Delawares have now been
moved to the top of my wish list!

Twisted & Delicious

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Enjoyed the book very much. I have followed this character for a while. Love his passion for children.

good book

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This is a book that was published in the 80’s. There are some words used that we would never say today, but it was perfectly acceptable at the time. It’s probably going to make you uncomfortable though.

I enjoyed the book, I always struggle with the first book in a new series and this one was no different, but I hope I can get into it because there’s enough books in this series to last me well over a year and I’m always looking for a new series.

Whoa!

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