No. 21), Obsession (Alex Delaware

I enjoyed the imagery and storytelling. Character development was spot on and the dialogue was enjoyable. The plot itself was lacking a sense of excitement or urgency. A good read and a great example of Mr. Kellerman's talent, just not one of my favorites.

Obsession appeared to be way low below my expectations. Nothing compared to Doctor, Doctor or Rock Bottom. Of course, tastes differ, but as much as I enjoy Michael Schenker, I did not like this particular record.

Dr. Alex Delaware is surprised to hear from Tanya Bigelow. Years ago, he successfully treated her as a little girl with OCD tendencies. Now Tanya is nineteen and her problems are as grown up as she is. Her aunt, Patty Bigelow, has recently died. Patty was an ER nurse, very good at her job and very organized. She stepped up and raised Tanya when her mother dropped her off as a two year old so she is the only mother Tanya remembers. Before Patty died, she made a startling confession. She started telling Tanya she had killed someone but died before she could give any details. Was this the truth or was it the pain-filled fantasy of someone in the last minutes of life?

Delaware wants to help Tanya although he finds it hard to believe someone like Patty could have ever killed anyone. He enlists the aid of his friend, Detective Milo Sturgis, and between the two of them they start to piece together Patty's life all those years ago. Adding veracity to Patty's confession is the fact that one of the first people they talk to turns up dead days later. They come to realize that Patty was telling the truth and that someone evil is stalking Tanya. Can they find him before he finds Tanya?

This is the twenty-first novel in the Alex Delaware series. It's one of my favorites as there is lots of action but little gore or violence for the sake of violence. There is always a mystery and it is entertaining to watch as it unfolds. The friendship between Alex and Milo is interesting and the ability for them to solve crimes with their mixture of orthodox police investigation and Alex's psychological insights is intriguing. This book is recommended for mystery readers.

My first impression was - With so many characters sprouting out of nowhere, I was really curious about how they were all going to connect. Was it a single murder with multiple layers of mystery? Or was there more than one murder that would then lead back to one person. Even from the start, Robin's lack of appearance and Tanya's reappearance were warning bells that this may not be as good as the other Delaware books.

As I got to the middle, I felt - Curiouser and curiouser. Patty is turning out to be a crook. Was her deathbed confession real? I'm really torn and have to finish now. After everything she has done for Tanya, I cannot imagine Patty being capable of murder but a mother does everything she can to protect her child. Soooo .... I'm having a fingernail chewing moment considering the end of this story.

As I neared the end, I thought - Hmmmm. Tanya is more complexed than I thought. While some people may see a selfish young girl, her fear shows up as different obsessions and OCD routines. The manner in which the characters are all connected in the end was bizarre. In some ways, you want to say - come on, get real. Then it does make sense. For 15 to 20 years, all of this has been growing. Churning. Patty's confession then creates a domino effect and results in at least three murders including two cold cases being solved. Truly didn't see that coming.

My final impression and recommendations - Alex Delaware is consistent in this story as he is in the other books. For this sake, I would say read the book. Robin continues to be a mystery to me. I'm not sure I understand her purpose in the series or in Alex's life. She is absent, shows up and for the most part Alex receives support from Milo. One day, I'll figure out this strange relationship. In the meantime, if you are looking for a compelling, mystery that is well-written, Kellerman is your man.

Disclosure - As a Quality Reads UK Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation for my book review. This book review is based on my thoughts, opinion and understanding of the book. This book review does not reflect the opinion of other book club members.

Having been lured back to the Alex Delaware series by "Killer", I moved on to "Obsession" and found myself sadly disappointed. Before getting to the reason why, I should note one major positive. Like "Killer" (and unlike several other fairly recent books in the series), "Obsession" does show Alex functioning as a believable psychologist, and it does develop a real relationship between him and his patient, even going into what he tries to do to help her. But the story seems wrapped up in in talk: events are retailed though long discussions and conversations, characters get blurry, and at times the plot was less than clear. Also, the violence seems almost gratuitous, and there is a simmering undertone of anger in a lot of the conversation, particularly among the cops. I'm sure that's realistic, but it's not related to the story, and it gets wearing. After reading "Killer", I was ready to jump back on the Delaware train, but this book doesn't provide much incentive to stay there.

As an avid fan of Jonathan Kellerman and his Alex Delaware series, this book is yet another gem in the Kellerman crown. I was reeled into the story from the very first. As others noted, I loved the characters save for Robin, Dr. Delaware's live in lover. I find her trite and superficial and certainly not the doctor's intellectual equal. In fact, her primary contribution in the series is to serve as a sex and meal partner for Dr. Delaware. As another the store U.S. reviewer noted, the bedroom scenes were trite and tiresome. A large part of their interactions involve meals and her comments are quite inane. As readers of the series know, she is a luthier, but that gets little if any mention in the later books. One can't help but wonder why on earth Dr. Delaware continues to put up with her, betrayals, inanities and all. As another the store U.S. reviewer noted, Robin is nails on a chalk board. Lt. Sturgis, Dr. Delaware's crime busting companion has taken on a greater importance in the series and this book is no exception.

George Harrison gets a brief nod in this book when Dr. Delaware notes the neighborhood in which the former Beatle wrote his 1967 song, "Blue Jay Way." In Chapter 21 Robin claims to have met the former Beatle and fixed his Rickenbacher. Good thing she's a fictitious character and George was spared the likes of her. Robin was for the birds and not Blue Jay Way or George Harrison!

As in Private Eyes (Alex Delaware), Dr. Delaware reconnects with a former patient. Tanya Bigelow, Dr. Delaware's patient and her grandmother credited him for curing her of her OCD. Tanya, then 7 when she met Dr. Delaware arrived on the heels of her aunt Patty's growing concern about her niece's multitude of fears. Patty Bigelow gained custody of her niece after her sister literally dropped her then 2-year-old daughter off, never to return in their lives.

Some ten years later, Tanya, now 19 looks Dr. Delaware up. Tanya has deified the woman who raised her. Her aunt had been a nurse who, according to Tanya was a saint whose uncanny abilities kept the Emergency Room running like clockwork. To make a good thing even more interesting, she worked for Lt. Sturgis' partner, Dr. Rick Silverman. Just prior to her death from a brief illness, Patty discloses to her niece a deathbed confession - she committed "a terrible deed" for which she must atone.

Tanya's aunt makes allusions to a possible murder. More questions crop up - who was murdered? Were any of the casualties murdered by her? What was the link among the casualties if any?

Somehow Tanya feels that Dr. Delaware is her best hope at unraveling what would soon become a tangled skein of mysteries surrounding the death of her aunt. They travel down some long and winding roads with plenty of plot twists and turns before the mysteries are unravelled.

I've always had mixed feelings with UFO's Obsession. Let me explain.

When I first heard this album back in the year 2000, I immediately enjoyed the heck out of it. I just couldn't get enough of Phil Mogg's beautiful, underappreciated voice combined with Schenker's amazing and melodic guitar solos. However I went through a phase around five years ago where I developed a VERY low tolerance for hard rock music that sounded generic to me. I hate to say it, but compared to previous UFO albums such as Force It and No Heavy Petting, yes, Obsession definitely leans on the generic side.

However hearing it again tonight... while it took me a few listens to warm up to it again because by this point in time I had forgotten most of the material, I do believe the songwriting is good enough for me to recommend this album to those interested in discovering what has to NOW be considered one of the more underrated 70's bands. Yes my friends, there WAS a time when UFO used to be quite the popular band in America and Europe, but time hasn't been nearly as kind to this band as it has for, to pick an example, the Scorpions. Too bad.

Anyway, despite some fairly forgettable moments (by UFO standards, at least) I can easily overlook those minor shortcomings and focus on a pretty solid hard rock album.

The album starts off on an incredible note with "Only You Can Rock Me" with a VERY good chorus and pretty good verse melody. Such a chorus reminds me of the hair metal movement a few years before it officially got underway, so in a way, hey who knows- maybe it was a minor influence for those metal acts of the 80's. My favorite song is probably "Lookin' Out for No. 1". I absolutely LOVE the emotional feeling in the chorus and the orchestra is utilized in exactly the right way- not too abundant to become a distraction and not too light either. Just enough. I love this song. A song quite similar is the closer "Born to Lose". It features the same kind of passionate vocals but with an even better, and more energetic guitar solo.

Then you have fairly standard rockers such as "Hot 'n Ready" and "You Don't Fool Me" which are pretty good. Granted, they are definitely a disappointment compared to every single thing UFO released previously, but I don't really care about that. Other songs like "One More for the Rodeo" has a GREAT guitar solo at the very end with passable (though generic) vocal work, and "Ain't No Baby" is a pretty good song as well.

One song I really can't get into no matter HOW many times I listen to it is "Cherry". It just sounds awkwardly constructed to me. Everything from the verse melody to the chorus... I don't know. The band can easily do a heck of a lot better than this, I believe.

Overall, I'm thanking my lucky stars Mogg and Schenker are here, because these two fantastic musicians working together can only create amazing results.

I recommend Obsession immediately after you hear everything UFO released before. Yes, even their first album. Hey I'm apparently one of the few who's actually a big fan of UFO's first two albums. It's because I love melodic guitar solos and jams. Phenomenon is still their very best album though. That one is a songwriters dream come true and arguably captures the band at the height of their potential.

Generally I would expect to enjoy any of Jonathan Kellerman's Alex Delaware series, having read quite a few of them over the years. I thought this one started off quite promisingly with Alex himself in the starring role. However, it proved to be a strange book which definitely got bogged down and overly complicated in places and concluded with a whimper rather than a bang.

Tanya, a young woman who Alex has treated for OCD in the past, has just lost her adopted mother to cancer. Her mother's dying words were that she had been involved in a terrible event which was taken to mean that she had killed someone. Milo and Alex got involved and from then onwards there is a detailed investigation of the many places Tanya and her mother had lived over the years and the various deaths which took place in those vicinities. Of course, whilst the truth is eventually teased out most of this investigatory work is, in the end irrelevant. However, it does cover many rather tedious pages without taking the story forward.

The climax was, unfortunately, not very climactic and the author then seemed to need to draw things out for another twenty or so pages for no good reason that was obvious. So overall its an OK read, but far from the best from this author.

Obsession, by Jonathan Kellerman (348 pgs., 2007). This is the twenty-first novel in the mystery/suspense series featuring Dr. Alex Delaware & his intrepid companion (now) LAPD Lt. Milo Sturgis. Perhaps, Kellerman is getting mellower as he ages. While this novel includes its usual share of gruesome murders & kinky sexual stuff, the graphically gruesome depictions are shortened or left out. Thank you.
Kellerman is a bestseller. He has the knack down pat for writing a page turner. This is one of his better ones. He relies less on thrills. His characters continue to be fleshed out & devoted readers care more & more about them, instead of getting tired of them. He throws in twists, just so we pay attention. A Gay Police Lt. who is Delaware's best friend. A nurse who was beloved by everyone, & who dies much too young from cancer. A 19-year old daughter (adopted) with strong obsessive compulsive tendencies, who is now left alone; but for Delaware & a boy who may or not be stable or a stalker or someone truly in love with her. A deathbed confession to a murder by an angel. Six degrees of Kevin Bacon connections stretching back years & entwining the good guys with the bad guys & for a time the bad guys seem to be winning. Interdepartmental cooperation. Cooperation between the LAPD & the FBI (even is just for a brief time).
The best part of this novel for me is the true caring & friendship between the characters; especially, all the characters on the good side. This is a truly character-driven mystery/suspense novel with a strong plot. The plot or the procedures used to solve the multiple crimes unearthed in this novel does not overshadow the characters. That's what makes this a winning novel, for me.

I always love the Alex Delaware novels, and I would never tell anybody not to read this latest entry in the series. And that is despite my ongoing complaint about Kellerman's ridiculous attention to every street in Los Angeles by name (what does this mean to a reader in Poughkeepsie?).

My problem with Obsession is that I simply could not keep the characters straight. I don't know whether this is a fault of my own as a reader, or whether, as it seemed to me, they are endless stock characters of such variety and of such little interest that I kept confusing them in my mind. It got so I had to keep turning back to make sure the gentle giant erstwhile bodyguard was who I thought he was; the sicko serial killer/would-be music impresario, who had TWO names, was indeed himself; the FBI informant, what was his name? who weaves in and out of the book in a confusing manner, and all sorts of other peripheral and confusing characters.

The main plot is easy enough, but as other reviewers have said, Why would the LAPD care? A dying nurse of stellar reputation confesses, or seems to confess, on her deathbed that she killed somebody. Her daughter, Tanya, an uptight, hard-to-like highly implausible character, wants her name cleared. Alex once treated Tanya; he wants to help. Milo, although on a much-needed and rare vacation, agrees to give up all his personal time to follow a trillion fruitless leads. Petra is always a wonderful addition to the series; she is very real. Robin doesn't bother me as much as she bothers other reviewers. I just find her annoying. And the puppy? Well I'm a dog lover, so I enjoyed her antics, figuring that in real life, the Kellermans have gotten themselves a bulldog puppy!

As stated above, I wouldn't tell anybody not to read this book, but I found it extremely confusing and the ending very lame. I like the series so much, and even with all the confusion, Kellerman is fun to read, so hence the lukewarm recommendation.

After the studio masterpiece Lights Out, UFO had crafted a sound that was all their own, the three albums before it built towards developing the classic sound found on Lights Out and it's follow up, 1978's Obsession. While Phenomenon, Force It, and No Heavy Petting are chockfull of lost 70's nuggets Lights Out was a massive musical acheivement and it's follow up, although shares much of the same light is almost just as good. The album opens with another powerful UFO anthem Only You Can Rock Me and goes into the Zeppelinish Pack It Up (And Go). Ron Nevison(Zeppelin, Bad Company) returned to the knobs to produce this album after Lights Outs and his experience with Zeppelin often takes a similar approach in the sound here as Andy Parker's drums are the heaviest they've ever been a la John Bonham. Arbory Hill as is several other tracks, shows a lot of ambition and experimenting with the bands sound...a short pretty acoustic piece driven by Michael Schenker on flute! Though it might be an oddity for some, it is the very fabric that provides the light and shade of UFO. Ain't No Baby keeps things rolling but the real key track here is Looking Out For No.1 This song is a monster of a power ballad and serves some the best emotion and depth UFO ever displayed. Next, the they lay it on the listener with two classics Hot N' Ready and Cherry. Though these original versons are barnburners in their own way, after hearing the live album, you'll recognize these studio cuts were outshined. Cherry, however finds Pete Way's bass leading the track into this intelligent start-stop rocker. You Don't Fool Me is another highly recommended moment complete with some amazing Schenker soloing. The LOFN1 melody is reprised for a flash in the pan of more progressive diversity. This kinda thing is usually only seen on Pink Floyd or Eagles albums. It feels experimental and commercial all at the same time, which all adds up to a very impressive mark point for the band. One More For The Rodeo kicks off without pause from the reprise moment to add another dose of melodic rock but the albums ending cut again leaves you blown away. While UFO sacrifice in your face rock for more mellow string arrangements (as in Looking Out For No.1 ), this song has some breathtaking Schenker guitar work and becomes quite a beautiful song in the process (both of heartfelt songwriting and axe man wizardry). Obsession has a very American feel, as the it was recorded in LA. But tracks like Only You Can Rock Me and Hot 'N Ready also come off as very 70's American hard rock (Kiss, Ted Nugent). UFO previously had a very British sound but on this album they seem to be aiming for a lot more. Lights Out had a top 30 chartplacing in America giving them the spotlight for a bit in all the rock trades and even gave them the oppurtunity to make headway into bigger venues and larger audiances. But even still UFO remained a cult band and sadly still do. This was the last album to feature Schenker on guitar and although some UFO fans will tell you some of their 80's work was worth hearing, their 70's work is by far the stuff to hear before you check that out. Obsession had a commercial sound, yet it experimented, it had a big sound, obviously with the impression of taking UFO to the next level. Had Schenker stayed with the band who knows what they could've done. He plays the best riffs of his tenture with UFO on this stellar package. But even as is, they remain one of the bare essentials to heavy metal, it's influences, great guitar rock, melodic rock anthems, and even just great groovy rock and roll. Obsession, while sounding commercial at times (especially when compared to their first three albums, withstanding Lights Out had hints) but it shows a band of great development. UFO fans consider this UFO's best album. It may be true. The last offical record with this truely impressive to no end group would be a live record...Strangers In The Night. That album would work its way into the top ten lists for best live records ever and would also become UFO's only real recognized album to anyone outside the seekers camp. With Obsession, UFO gave us some dazzling studio work, and while I'd say its just a notch below Lights Out, of course reigns as an essential rock album for all concerned.

11 tracks - just under 36 minutes - little or no fat. UFO here on a roll in their late 70's heyday of drinking, drugging and on the evidence on this disc, at least periodically writing brilliant hard rock songs interspersed with brilliantly maudlin ballads. Once again songwriting skills are to the fore and the core songwriters of Way/Mogg/Schenker have here (and elsewhere) shown themselves masters of the three minute pop rock song.

As per Lights Out this album was produced by Ron Nevison and the simplicity of the production job allows the songs to breat whereas from around 2000 onwards recordings with such a sense of space in them would start to become the rarity rather than the norm. Schenkers guitar is allowed to either chug away on the riff in numbers like Only You Can Rock Me or seemingly dance around the song such as on You Don't Fool Me.

The use of some strings here and there doesn't detract from the warmth of this rock 'n' roll band of chemical commandoes and with the aforementioned Only You Can Rock Me coupled with Lookin' Out For No.1 the band have produced two of the best songs of their canon - numbers that just have t obe included on every 70's rock fans ipod.

Admittedly I have to state that not all the tunes hit the spot for me personally thus my rating this as four stars and if I had to choose I'd probably prefer Lights Out to this album on a points decision. But if you are a fan of 70's classic rock or want to explore the history of hard rock in general then this album is a pretty good buy.

Jonathan Kellerman's been writing Alex Delaware novels for a good long time now. I believe I read the first when it came out in paperback, and I've been a fan ever since. This latest entry is somewhere in the middle: not as good as his best books (lately I would rate Twisted the highest) but not as bad as some others. The author works the usual cameos into the main plot, mostly Petra Conner and Isaac Gomez, the main character of Twisted. This book mostly follows Alex and his long-time buddy Milo Sturgis, though Milo's partner Rick is also a character, more than he usually is.

One of the nurses who works in Rick's Emergency Room has died of cancer. The death is traumatic for everyone involved, because she was a steady, even-keeled woman who did a good job and was pretty much universally liked. She had raised her niece since the girl's mother abandoned the child with her sister and then went off and died in a motorcycle accident. The cancer victim's niece is concerned by a strange confession that her surrogate mother made on her deathbed, which seemed to imply that the lady had killed someone, somewhere in her past. Alex treated the nurse and mostly the daughter when they were younger, so when the young woman asks him and his friend Milo to investigate the claim, they dutifully begin to look into the circumstances of her life.

I enjoyed this book about as much as most of the Alex Delaware books. I will say that the plot is somewhat muddled and long, but those who aren't happy about that should note that with a detective story, the plot is always secondary to the characters and the atmosphere. Those are well-done here: Alex and Milo know where to get pancakes on Ventura Blvd. , and they move through a recognizable Southern California landscape. This is a good book.

UFO should have been primed for major US success after the release of 1977's 'Lights Out' and the June 1978 release of its immediate followup 'Obession'. However band chemistry (both literally and figuratively) was always teetered on self-implosion and the tour to support 'Obsession' proved to be the final straw that broke UFO's legendary lineup and any momentum that was needed to reach superstar status. The present record, again produced by Ron Nevison, featured a more bombastic sound and top gloss production job. Andy Parker sounds immense and Michael's guitar sound was never surpassed. Songs include "Only You Can Rock Me", which is probably my least favorite of their classics. I don't know why, maybe cuz of the chourus - kinda monotonous. I prefer the one-two punch of "Hot 'N' Ready" and "Cherry"; the former an amazing riff rocker with classic Phil Mogg vocals and lyrics and the latter, an amazing power ballad about "obsession" with a dancer (who hasn't been there?). Amazing! Others standouts include "You Don't Move Me", "Pack it Up" and "One More for the Rodeo". Two more power ballads (God I hate that term) close both sides of the original LP and I'm not crazy about either (especially "No. 1", kinda "Love to Love" lite). The guitar in "Born to Lose" makes this song slightly better but again, why another sappy tune to close the record? 'Obsession' would prove to be the end of an era for UFO though they would continue to make great records, the flirtation with superstardom ended with the departure of one Michael Schenker.

After the shameless mess of Capital Crimes, I had very low expectations of Obsession. I have not really enjoyed Kellerman for years. I bought this book out of desperation (had read out the book that I had with me in an longer-than-expected wait) and judged it the least offensive of the potential books on offer.

I think that since I had such low expectations, Kellerman was bound to exceed them. I actually enjoyed the book-- at least as a way to pass the time. It seemed a return to basic formula-- none of the stupid weirdness of books like The Web. The plot was underplayed, for a change, and relied less on sensationalism than some of his more recent books. I note that Robin has returned, and I was fond of the addition of Blanche (& me not even a dog person). I also thought that the OCD aspect of the characters was well played-- nice to show that people can learn to live with their illnesses instead of seeking magical cure.

There is certainly negative stuff. Yeah, the connections are stretched. Also, my poor tired disbelief had to work awfully hard to suspend itself in some chapters. Now that Robin is back, I was reminded how much it annoyed me that she is eternally cool and recognized by all musicians everywhere. I also found that Sturgis (generally the most interesting character in the Alex Delware novels) has crept over the line into self-parody.

So-- long story short. Brilliant?: No. A return to past glory?: No. Entertaining?: Yes.

Probably really only three stars, but one extra star from me because I did not hate it.

UFO has its legions of fans particularly in England and Europe, which is good because outside the larger U.S. cities, they never quite broke into the big time, which is a shame because this band was far better than Bad Company, Foghat, or (gag) Styx, to name a few mid-'70's outfits that stole the thunder undeservedly.

UFO has the last laugh right now; at least they're still together, playing and recording new material while the others have withered away.

"Obsession" is one reason why this hard rocking outfit still survives. The focal point has always been the street smart Phil Mogg on vocals, whose lyrics are intelligent and do not pander to anybody. It's heavy music for people who demand some sophistication in their rock. Mogg's vocals are slightly raspy at times, but his tone is great, and should have been in the same pantheon as Robert Plant or Paul Rodgers.

Add to Mogg's sensibilities Michael Schenker's five alarm lead guitar work that wails all over the disc and you have a band that maybe was too hot for its own good.

Cuts like "One More For The Rodeo" and "Hot And Ready" were as pyrotechnic as guitar gymnastics got before some hotshot from LA debuted with his "Eruption" solo soon thereafter. UFO also excelled in ballads that actually meant something and weren't just tossed in for filler. "Lookin' Out For Number One" and "Born To Lose" are wistful, Schenker's guitar frantic but surprisingly melodic and show a song writing skill very uncommon for heavy rock acts of the mid-'70's.

"Obession" is worth the import price, and goes very well with its predecessor, the semi-classic "Lights Out". Lovers of Scorpions and Saxon will dig this fer sure.

Action packed non-stop suspense! I absolutely loved this psychological thriller! The story line is imaginative; I felt compassion for Tanya immediately, loved Dr. Delaware, and either found most of the other characters amusing, downright weird, or instantly hated them. The perfect book! The narration by Rubinstein was done excellently as well, an all-around great listen! I would like to add; both my husband and I loved Obsession, so this is a good one for your next road trip too. Definitely a 5 Boundless Star book!...Beth

This novel, the 21st in the Alex Delaware series, starts with a fairly fantastic premise: on her deathbed, a nurse considered by most to be a saint tells her daughter that she committed murder. That daughter, Tanya, turns to her former psychologist, Alex, and his long-time detective friend, Milo Sturgis, for help solving the mystery of her mother's supposed crime. Alex and Milo and mostly disbelieving at first, but as with all of the Delaware books, a more complex plot gradually unfolds. Readers are also treated to a few rare glimpses into Alex's own childhood here.

One consistent thing about the Delaware novels is a lot of time is devoted to Alex and Milo sitting around, conjuring up seemingly random theories and speculations, some of which actually turn out to be true. In Obsession, many of these scenes are expanded further to include sometimes-recurrent character Detective Petra Connor, and the hypothetical discussions can sometimes drag on for pages. However, this is the bread and butter of Kellerman's writing style, so if you don't like it, you shouldn't read these books.

Overall, I found Obsession to be one of the more engaging recent works in this series, especially with the small twist thrown in at the very end, and I'm definitely looking forward to continuing reading about fellow psychologist Dr. Delaware in the future.

Jonathan Kellerman has set the bar for psychological thrillers, and he's set it high. Unfortunately, Obsession, the latest in the Alex Delaware series, falls short of his previous achievements.

While the usual elements are there -- a previous client needs help, and Delaware and his detective pal Milo Sturgis jump to the rescue -- things feel a bit stale. Everything is just a bit tepid. Their reason for becoming involved in the mystery (a dying request from Sturgis' lover's co-worker) is tenuous at best. Because there is no immediate crime to investigate, just the suspicion of one, things start off slow. And the character development seems to stagnate. Robin, Delaware's live-in love, is a mere two-dimensional place holder with no personality of her own, and nothing new about Delaware's or Sturgis' personalities is revealed.

The young girl they're interceding on behalf of is annoying and simple (does this college-aged girl REALLY call her mother "Mommy" ALL the time???). I wanted her to be guilty of something, just because she bugged me so much. Bad news when the reader is cheering for culpability on the part of the who's supposed to be protected.

All in all, a decently plotted and written mystery, but that spark of excitement and frisson of fear that accompanies most of Kellerman's books is missing.

This is my first Jonathan Kellerman/Alex Delaware novel and definitely my last. The plot, characters and writing are extremely monotonous and the story is flat. It was easy to see where the big climax (I say this sarcastically) was headed less than halfway through the book. I do not care for Kellerman's method of writing nor the extreme amount of babble among the characters that was absolutely worthless to the plot. I kept plugging along thinking the conclusion would be the big payoff just to be even more disappointed at the way Kellerman finishes off his extremely lengthy, convoluted novel. If you still feel that you have to read this book because you've read some of his other works and they were good, my advice would be to borrow the book or get it from the library, read the first 10 pages and then the last 10 pages and you have the whole story in a nutshell. Basic plot: a young girl (Tanya Bigelow) with an obsessive/compulsive personality (which seems to be completely irrelevant to the story), similar to her aunt/mother-figure, Patty Bigelow, is given some disturbing news of a possible "killing" by Patty on her deathbed. The rest of the 445-page novel goes on and on with lots of drawn-out conversation but no action, just to unravel in a very mind-numbing, predictable manner. To my way of thinking, this novel is a total waste of good reading time.

Thank you, Tup66, for writing the review that I now don't have to write. (Note to review readers: Scroll down and read his/her review.) You said it all---except for one more thing. I'm a dog lover and I'm sick of Alex's inane "obsession" with his dogs. I've read at least two thirds of the Delaware books, but this is the last one I will read. It was dreadful. The characters were shallow and cartoonish. Milo has lost all substance. Robin is a waste of space. Petra is a token. How many 20 year olds still call their mother "Mommy"? (Ugh!) How many more stereotypical caricatures could Kellerman have added to Blaise's character to let us know he was homicidal and perverted? The plot was as far fetched and as contrived as you can get. The police build their case on supposition and "what if" and---wow---that's exactly how it turns out. If only real police work were that easy. And the writing was tedious and prosaic. The last two pages just made me laugh. So Blaise's real father was the organized crime guy. So what? Why was that added,literally in the last two pages? I hated this book and will never read another Kellerman book.

Obsession by Jonathan Kellerman is the latest of (perhaps too many) books in the Alex Delware series. In this entry, a young woman, Tanya, comes to Alex to ask a favor after the death of her mother. Tanya's mother whispered something about a murder that Tanya wants to get to the bottom of in settling her mother's accounts. Alex and long-time cop friend Milo Sturgis investigate a crime that may not have been, but of course (otherwise there's not much of a book) quickly ends up in slums and mansions and with death at their heels. Kellerman, as always, manages to make LA seem like a small town where every reference and person met converge together in one large conspiracy. This is one of those books that's a bit like Chinese food, great going down, but ultimately not very satisfying. You'll end up craving one of Kellerman's earlier works or perhaps something by Anne Perry. It's kind of sad when the most appealing character in the book is Blanche, Alex and Robin's new dog. I enjoyed reading it, and it kept my interest, but the coincidences are red herrings were just a little too much. Skip this one and go back to the beginning with When the Bough Breaks when Kellerman changed the face of psychological thrillers.

Anyone who has read my reviews knows that I consider Strangers in the Night one of THE greatest hard rock albums ever recorded but this is my favorite UFO studio release. As much as I like the 4 before it (especially Force It and Lights Out) this one really moves me!! Schenker is simply ON FIRE on this album and I think the production is superior to the previous releases as well, though Lights Out comes really close. (I also apparently saw one of the few shows on this tour that Schenker bothered to show up for and he was on fire there too....even if a little "wobbly" on his feet :)

Bottom line....if you like UFO and/or Michael Schenker...WHY DON'T YOU ALREADY HAVE IT??....BUY IT...BUY IT NOW!!!!

(And now, thanks to the re-release of Strangers in the Night and the Live in Wolverhampton CD, we finally get live versions of more than just one song!!!)

But, in the existing reviews, I didn't see any comments on the quality of the remastering. I bought my copy WAY back in the late 1980s (when I 1st laid eyes on it!!) and that copy sounds just fine. I also didn't see any bonus tracks listed, which is the case with many remastered releases. Someone let me know if this version is worth it.

As in Kellerman's previous novel, Gone, Dr Alex Delaware, child psychologist and police consultant, finds himself investigating a very odd case with old friend LAPD Lieutenant Milo Sturgis. Happily Kellerman has stopped writing about peculiarly horrific crimes that plunge Kellerman into life-threatening situations. Now the crimes are still chilling but mercifully tend to happen `off-stage'. The emphasis has switched to `mystery' over `thriller' and the books are the better for it. Tanya Bigelow, a former child patient of Kellerman has lost her adoptive mother to cancer. Patty Bigelow had been a most valued nurse of Dr Silverman (Milo's life partner) - another connection. Just before lapsing into final unconsciousness Patty seems to tell Tanya that she had once killed a man "close by". Tanya believes her mother was not confessing but trying to warn her of impending danger. Delaware plucks Milo from his vacation and together they try first to discover whom she killed, where and when. Unfortunately during Tanya's childhood and adolescence Patty had moved house frequently and inadequately organised police records make it difficult to identify possible victims close to those very varied domiciles. Milo is sceptical that Patty ever killed anyone until the very first witness they interview is promptly strangled. Other deaths follow and gradually the two self-appointed detectives become aware of the existence of a deranged killer, a former child prodigy of violent crime who has matured to become a terrible menace to Tanya herself. Highly recommended.

Fans of Jonathan Kellerman's Alex Delaware novels will be pleased that Obsession features lots of Alex Delaware playing judicious shrink (both to a patient and in solving crimes) and plenty of Milo investigating. For those who don't like Robin, she plays a tiny role in this story.

The story starts off with a very strong premise: A former patient, Tanya Bigelow, wants his help in contacting Milo to get some help in checking out what seems to be a death-bed confession from her adopted mother, Patty, a highly regarded ER nurse. Alex correctly points out that there may be no crime at all, but Tanya wants to know. Tanya becomes Alex's patient again as her obsessive-compulsive tendencies resurface in the wake of becoming an orphan for the second time. Part of the appeal of the story is that you'll be rooting for Tanya throughout. That makes it easier to emotionally relate to the mystery.

The book soon bogs down into an extensive procedural that involves checking out all of the crimes associated with the areas around the places where Patty and Tanya had lived. Very little of this digging turns out to be relevant to solving the Patty mystery . . . but new questions arise as the investigation triggers strong reactions that pull Alex and Milo toward different puzzles. Along the way, you'll meet some pretty unappealing (at best) and disgusting (at worst) characters who will usually surprise you by acting more unpleasantly than you expect. I felt like I needed a long shower with lots of soap to get the filth off me after reading this book.

The characters are either drawn in very simple terms, or stay exactly the same throughout the book, with the exception of Tanya. Thank God for that! Otherwise, you will often feel like you are reading an overly plot-driven novel where the characters don't matter.

If you like intricate plots, you'll feel like you've got a dandy here. For my taste, the plot development seemed like it was overdone. I would have been happier with a simpler plot that moved along faster in a shorter book.

If abnormal psychology is your thing, Obsession is rich in that vein. You'll get keen insights into at least two different types that you probably don't run across every day.

The book's charm is mostly wrapped up in many short sequences involving Blanche, Alex's dog. These sections are fine enough to make you want to see a whole book that revolves around Alex and Blanche.

For those who like intricate plots and adore abnormal psychology, Obsession will be a four- or a five-star book.

Another in the series of Alex Delaware novels that start off has being his consulting with a former patient. She tells him what her mother had said before she died. She's wondering what this means, what her mother might have done at some point. Working with his friend Milo , they start coming up with clues that seem to lead no where. But the sudden murder of a person they had talked to, leads to more questions and discoveries.

I have purchased the entire UFO catalog four times now: lp, cd, cd remaster, and this remaster. Other than the very first purchase, this time has been the most satisfying. I have gotten quite burnt out on the remaster-repurchase money pit, but that money has never been better spent than on this reissue series. Put aside the fact that this is some of the best rock ever recorded, these remasters sound PHENOMENAL. The frequency response is to the limit, with crystal clear cymbals and bass that shakes your body; the clarity is perfect; and the imaging is absolutely amazing. These albums have been reborn. Schenker's guitar, which has always had an atmospheric quality to it, now burrows into your brain. You will hear elements you never noticed before, and you will hear the familiar with a refreshing clarity and intensity. If you like UFO (and if you don't, what's wrong with you?) buy these remasters! Oh, man, they sound SO good!

This is my favorite UFO release from start to finish, although I'm only familar with other "classics" Phenomenon, Force It, and No Heavy Pettin' through the live versions on Strangers In the Night. The reason I like this better than Lights Out (most peoples' favorite) lies in that this one rocks more consisently and has one or two better (in my opinion) songs. Personal favorites would include "Pack It Up (And Go)", "Ain't No Baby," "Cherry" which would incidently be nearly replicated a year or so later in "Money Money," and "Born to Lose." There are a couple of short instrumentals which break up the album nicely, so there are really nine actual songs (with lyrics). The recording on Obsession has an odd, live feel to it whereas Lights Out was more precise. Anyway, every time I listen to Obsession, I know I'm listening to a true classic featuring one of hard rock's (I wouldn't term UFO heavy metal) premier lead guitarists. Do yourself a favor and pick it up!

Tanya Bigelow was not even four years old, when her slutty mom Lydia finally dumped her on her single Aunt Patty. The ER nurse took in her niece and raised her as best as she could. She got the child help from psychologist Dr. Alex Delaware and ultimately Tanya proved her aunt's assertion that she is a lady turned out true.

Now nineteen, Tanya calls Dr. Delaware to ask for his help. Just before dying from pancreatic cancer, Aunt Patty told her that she committed a homicide years ago. Tanya has trouble believing that the caring person who sacrificed so much for her could have killed someone, but needs to know the truth to obtain final closure about the person who was a mom to her. Unable to say no, Alex enlists the help of his friend LAPD detective Milo Sturgis as they determine "A did-it-even-happen" investigation? As they make inquiries into Patty's past, both are stunned with what they learn including a new murder tied to their maybe cold case.

Though a light case for the level expected of the Milo-Alex tandem, this remains a fascinating tale as the investigators assume Patty was delusional at the end until they begin to find unexpected clues otherwise punctuated by the modern day murder. The story line is action-packed from the first call until the final consultation that Alex knows is only the beginning for Tanya. Dr. Delaware's fans will enjoy this combining a client's psychological need with a maybe murder investigation.

Harriet Klausner

I really enjoyed Jonathan Kellerman's Obsession which is an Alex Delaware/Milo Sturgis book. Tanya Bigelow was a patient of Alex's when she was just a girl. Now, at 19, Tanya calls Alex out of the blue and ultimately convinces Alex and Milo to investigate her mother's deathbed confession of having killed a man. Although armed with very minimal information, Alex and Milo believe they can quickly ascertain that Tanya's mother, Patty, did not murder anyone and give Tanya the assurances she is looking for. However, as they begin to explore the many address shifts Tanya and her mother made over the years they begin to believe perhaps a murder did occur. When someone new is murdered, they dig harder and uncover the truth. A very exciting and intricate plot...this is one you will probably have trouble putting down!

This is the last studio album with Michael Schenker on guitar (although he rejoined in the mid 1990's for the releases of the excellent "Walk on water", "Covenant" and "Sharks"). "Obsession" is a very strong effort and I believe it's one of the finer from UFO, with such strong tunes like the appealing mid tempo rocker "Only you can rock me", the musically diverse and interesting "Looking out for no.1", and "Hot `n' ready" with its groovy guitar riff. Even the instrumental tracks ("Arbory hill" and "Looking out for no.1 reprise") seem motivated and not just there for the lead guitarist to show off by playing as many notes as possible in the shortest possible time, which seem to be the main purpose with many instrumental heavy metal tunes. There are in fact not a single low mark on this release. If you like good vintage hard rock from 1970's, "Obsession" is absolutely for you!

Without the triangle of vocalist Phill Mogg, bassplayer Pete Way and kraut ace-guitarist Michael Schenker U.F.O. was really nothing out of the ordinary. Together, however, the three of them created great music. And this one is the best of them all. Strange as it might seem the band themselves seems to disagree since they never chose to include the songs from Obsession on their different live-releases (apart from "Only you can rock me" which seems to me to be the weakest song on the album). Well, to my mind this is their best ever - and certainly worth the money even at this day and age.

While always a great guitarist the playing of Schenker on this release is about the best he ever did ... truly outstanding without overplaying. His guitarfilling on "Pack it Up" and "One more for the Rodeo" is sheer and utter worldclass. You have to listen for several times to truly grasp and appreciate it.

The composing is strong as well and the songs - safe from a few - are all among the best of UFO. This goes for the two wellknown tracks - "CHERRY" and "Looking out for no. 1". But certainly for a number of other tracks too. By the way, note that the instrumental "Arbory Hill" was later included on Schenkers first solo-release in a longer version with lyrics.

UFO along with a few other bands (Judas Priest and Motorhead) helped bridge the gap between the rock-eras of the early seventies and NWOBHM and while not exactly essential rockhistory they did play an important role in maintaining the edges of rock through a difficult period with less commercial interest. And they did it with style, strong musicianship and above all an abillity to write melodic rocktunes.

Obsession is the UFO-record not to be missed. Next purchase you might consider would have to be one of the live-releases ... "Strangers in the Night" would be the classic choice. Other good releases are "Lights Out" and "No Heavy Pettin'". This is classic seventies rock ... don't you hessitate to buy this one.

After buying "Light's Out", naturally I had to get UFO's next album "Obsession". I wish you could have been there. I was on the road,in western Utah, at the east end of the great basin. I put in a tape I'd made of "Obsession", and rocked out like never before. Huge expanses of land and a sunset that must have taken an hour. All this time rocking out to "Pack it up and Go", "Hot and Ready", "One More for the Rodeo", "You Don't Fool Me", etc etc. It was December of 1978. I tried the same thing in 1979 but sadly, could not duplicate it. This is some of the best guitar work I've heard on any rock album. "Cherry" is a song that exemplifies what great guitar playing sounds like, but all the songs do. I never could decide which album I liked the most, this one or "Lights Out". But you be the judge, this album should be in every rock enthusiasts collection along with "Lights Out".

I have to disagree with several of the reviewers. I think that in this effort Alex Delaware has returned to what is enjoyable about these books. The story unwinds interestingly. It was like an peeling an onion. It is a linear mystery where each fact uncovers another. No character surprises us. Just when it looks like there is a dead end a new development is introduced that moves the story along.

Is it believable? Of course not. Does it keep you on the edge of your chair? No. Is it an enjoyable way to spend several hours with old friends? Yes it is.

As a last comment I for one am glad that this book did not spend endless pages on Milo's eating habits, the discrimination he feels as a gay cop or much about Robin. All those points were getting really tiresome.

Obsession by Jonathan Kellerman is the latest in the Delaware series. Quite often, too much of a good thing wears out fast. I suspect that I have to agree with other reviewers that the characters are getting cold. Dr. Delaware, and Milo Sturgis have very few secrets remaining and Kellerman is finding less and less to reveal about them.

Obsession is an interesting read, however, because of Kellerman's ability to tell a story. While he uncharacteristically reveals the secret early in the book, the reader is drawn on by the pacing of the book.

Tanya Bigalow is at her aunt Patty's bedside when she dies of cancer. In her last moments, Aunt Patty admits to commiting a homicide somewhere deep in her past. Troubled by this fact, Tanya turns to the only person she seems to trust, Dr. Delaware to investigate the matter. He had counselled Tanya when she was a small child and naturally, that is who she would turn to more than 12 years later. Credible?

Obsession is a good read, don't misunderstand me. The book just doesn't seem to contain the snap contained in his earlier novels.

The greatest release ever by UFO! That, of course, is my opinion, but let me get a little more into why. This release featured the same line-up as LIGHTS OUT, the next greatest album by UFO, Schenker, Mogg, Way, Parker, and Paul Raymond. This had to be the best line-up the band ever sported. It's not just the band that makes this a superior release, but the music and the lyrics.
What clinched UFO as a great band to me was watching them open for Rush two nights in a row at the Municipal Auditorium in San Antonio. Talk about two nights in heaven. My vocabulary isn't good enough to describe Schenker's artistry on guitar and the precision of the rest of the band. Both of these shows are 2 of the best concerts I ever attended!
The album they were promoting was OBSESSION. They were convincing enough to go buy it and FORCE IT, the only two with Schenker I didn't have at the time. The number of good songs here is, let me see, how many on the disc, 11, yes, 11 great songs! My favorites are "Pack it Up & Go", "Cherry", "Only You Can Rock Me", "One More for the Rodeo", "You Don't Fool Me", and "Born to Lose". Not unlike the Scorpions UFO have the ability to rock, to play ballads, and to churn out great instrumentals like "Arbory Hill".
This CD is something that you will regret not having bought sooner. It is that good! Quit wasting time and order it now! Help complete that serious Rock collection of yours with a gem of a release. Get obsessed, buy OBSESSION!

Synopsis

Tanya Bigelow was a solemn little girl when she first met Dr. Alex Delaware for treatment of her obsessive-compulsive disorder. Now, at 19, she again turns to the doctor with a plea for help to discover the truth behind her mother's mysterious deathbed confession of a murder that happened sometime in her past. With the help of a detective from the LAPD, the trio sets out to discover the real events that may or may not have transpired, with no clues, witnesses or motive to go on.

Stepping into the sleaziest neighborhoods of Los Angeles, the trail leads them to discover unscrupulous real estate brokers, heroin addicts, and an affluent family that thrives solely on the trust funds from prior generations and the slumlord investments willed to them. * * *

My Two Cents Worth

I finally gave in to the badgering of my bookworm friends to "read a Kellerman." They have raved about his talents for as long as I can remember, so I plucked Obsession from the stack and settled in to see what all the fuss was about.

The result? I agree with them that Kellerman is an exceptional wordsmith - I found myself marking phrases and tagging words that I thought particularly appealing at a rapid pace.
However, the story went nowhere in a hurry.

I read the first 101 pages on the first sitting, set it aside, and felt like giving up on it. There was far too much psycho-babble that had nothing to do with advancing the story line. Nothing had happened so far. An obscure deathbed confession followed by psycho analysis and speculation.

"Let's assume she meant ..." and "What if she meant ..." was all we were subjected to, without any action by the characters to uncover the plot. I was bored.

The efforts to merge the events of the past with the questions of the present to solve the mystery took a back seat to the symptoms and treatment of OCD.

I stopped at page 208 - the beginning of chapter 24. I gave up. I felt the story was just about to get started, but I couldn't force myself to care enough. After 2 1/2 hours I picked up a Dean Koontz, desperate for a story. This is a very rare occurrence for me - happens only about 2-3 times a year.

Paperback
464 pages
2 1/2 hours - did not finish - indifference

In terms of studio output this album signified the end of the "classic line up" to the dismay of myself and many young rock fans back in the late seventies. But what a masterpiece they recorded to bow out with! The general consensus amongst reviewers seem to agree that these heights were not reached again until this line up reformed for "Walk on Water". The guitar work really soars especially on "Ain't No Baby" and "Lookin' Out for No. 1" without being over indulgent. "Hot 'n' Ready" really rocks and "Cherry" is yet another showpiece for Moggy's lyrics and vocals. Although not one of my personal favourites "Only You Can Rock Me" finally gave UFO credible chart success and a commercial rock anthem to rival "Doctor Doctor". All round fabulous must have UFO album.

As a long time fan of both Jonathan Kellerman and Alex Delaware, OBSESSION does not disappoint. As I was immersed once again into another case of past meeting present, I was reminded of how much I love these characters!

When Dr. Delaware is contacted by a former patient after her mother dies, a very strange story unfolds. The girl's mother was a "saint," a nurse who kept the E.R. running smoothly with her tenacity and talents. The fact that she died after a brief illness, and after confessing to having committed a terrible deed, leads her daughter to seek Alex's help. The fact that her mother's boss was Rick Silverman, Milo Sturgis' significant other, only adds to the creative layers of this case.

Tanya Bigelow, now nineteen, once suffered from OCD, and thanks Dr. Delaware for "curing" her. Although Alex has his doubts about the state of Tanya's condition, more stressing matters are on his mind when bodies start piling up, and the "terrible deed" and possible murder that Patty Bigelow confessed to on her deathbed is only the beginning.

OBSESSION is a must-read for all Delaware fans, and for readers who really love a good thriller/mystery. I promise, you won't be disappointed -- although you will be wondering when the next Alex Delaware novel will be published!

I previously reviewed this CD after purchasing the remastered version made in 1999. I felt that version was a vast improvement over the initial CD release, although it still sounded flat. I just purchased the 2008 remastered and extended version by EMI. Although I now own three different issues of this album, I am satisfied with my purchase. The 2008 remaster is vastly better than the 1999 issue. It has a much fuller sound. As for the songs, I continue to believe that they are as good as any ever recorded by UFO. This and the other Schenker era CDs are a must have for any fan of classic rock.

There seemed to be too many interrelated characters here and quite honestly I just couldn't keep track of them - by the time I finished Chapter 24 I was completely baffled about who was who and who knew whom and when & why, etc. Just too confusing. Also the central character, Tanya, was too annoying to be likeable or appealing: I was sick to death of an adult referring to her mother as 'Mommy' constantly - that was more likely to be done by a 6-year-old. I just couldn't work up any sympathy for her, and everytime she spoke and said 'Mommy' (mommymommymommy - aaaiiieeehhh!) I wanted to smash her head against the wall and say GROW UP!

"Obsession" by Jonathan Kellerman.

This was my first book by Jonathan Kellerman, which I listened to on CD narrated by John Rubinstein.

This story, unfortunately, hardly held my interest. I also found that his use of cursing only added not to the story but to the authors failure to be a creative writer of a mystery.

Two stars. I will try again with another Alex Delaware mystery.

As always these are very satisfying, interesting and exciting books. I'm always amazed but the intricate detail as the story builds and the unique way he brings it all together. Each story holds it's own and feels complete without becoming redundant. I'm always ready for the next addition.

Many people think this is UFO's best recording. I personally prefer the new Covenant, Lights Out, and even High Stakes and Dangerous Men. I really should have given that recording 5 stars. Hay, we all make mistakes.
I can't find it but there is a website that has votes tallied of people's top favorite UFO recordings. Every recording is someone UFO fan's favorite. peteway has other UFO links which is a good resource of line up changes and lyrics etc.
If your an old UFO fan get some new UFO. If your a rocker who doesn't own any UFO I recommend Lights Out as a first purchase. However, their new stuff is as good as ever but takes a few listens to like unlike Lights Out which just blows many away right away.

after ignoring this album for years,opting in our band to play chosen tunes from lights out,no heavy petting,and phenomenon, i was looking for some different sounding ufo,and schenker guitar work.i picked up obsession ,dusted it off and played it through a couple times,then presented it to the band.we immediately started working on cherry,and looking out for number one.i had forgotten the amazing work this band created,coming off of a killer live album,and lights out.
this is by far one of the finest pieces of work for ufo,and deserves oodles of kudos.......buy it now!!!!!!

anymore, anyway. His world is divided into white and black - all right for pulp fiction, not for psychology. I wouldn't want him to try to make his characters any deeper, either. Even though Alex Delaware might recommend a patient take medication, Jonathan Kellerman thinks less of human beings who do. His "good" characters (victim/heroes), are too strong and good to succumb to needing medication. Hollywood = bad people. One of the worst villains in the book is named Robert Fisk, and likes healthy food.

But it's not a terrible read. I did lose some of the threads in the middle, like others. Milo and Rick's relationship is great to have highlighted, and there are some vivid scenes. I'll probably read more of Kellerman's books.