The Web Snared Me

The Web by Jonathan Kellerman

As much as I hate the little cards that have to be sent back to book clubs, I have them to thank for my discovery of Jonathan Kellerman. As usual, I had forgotten to return the card and The Web arrived in the mail. Rather than return it, I decided to give it a read. I had read several of his wife's books and liked them so I was willing to give him a try. I figured from the title that perhaps it was about cyberpunk or some Net mystery. I've never been so delighted to be wrong.

Kellerman's The Web takes the retired child psychologist/pseudo-detective (Alex Delaware) and his newly betrothed (Robin), a maker of musical instruments, to a secluded island where Alex has been asked to help a doctor with his research.

They're soon introduced to creepier elements of this island paradise in almost classical British mystery style. There's a violent drunk, a brash woman, a misunderstood native, and a sympathetic daughter. The doctor himself is alternately sympathetic and suspicious.

Along with Robin and Alex we discover a tangled web that has ensnared its victims for decades. While Alex does little in the way of actually "solving" a mystery, he discovers a secret long hidden and is able to facilitate making the situation as "right" as it can ever be.

The Web is a break from many of his other Alex Delaware novels as it focuses much more on redemption than on the dark acts of desperate humans. Indeed, even through the horror of human deeds we see a striving and an attempt to make things right.

Kellerman weaves richly complex characters who defy stereotypes even while inhabiting them. His dialogue is wonderful and The Web challenges our morals, our principles, and our minds.

--B. Redman