Jonathan Kellerman, Survival of the Fittest
Ballantine Books, 1997
Alex and Milo's finest adventure
Survival of the Fittest is the thirteenth in the Alex Delaware series (if I've got my count right), and with it Jonathan Kellerman seemed to have hit a peak that he hasn't been able to match since. This one takes off from the first page and defines unputdownable—starting off with a horrific suicide and ending with an undercover operation going very badly wrong.
An Israeli diplomat's hearing-impaired daughter disappears on a school trip and is later found murdered. There is no evidence of assault. Unfortunately, there is no evidence of any other kind either, and months later the case remains unsolved. Perceiving it to be unsolvable, the case is assigned to LAPD's 'favourite' detective Milo Sturgis. As usual, Milo calls his friend, psychologist Alex Delaware, who at times consults with the cops, for help. Which is how most Kellerman's Delaware novels start off anyway.
But actually, this one begins with a seemingly unrelated and public suicide of a cop. His sister, who works as a nurse with surgeon Rick Silverman (Milo's partner) at Cedars-Sinai ER, is devastated, and Rick asks Alex for a favour. Of course, we readers know the two cases will link up at a later stage, but when it does happen, it is quite a shocker.
Meanwhile, our friends Alex and Milo put their heads together yet again and come up with a few interesting angles. Why, for instance, is the father so vehemently denying the possibility of a political connection? Why is he so protective—almost desruptively so—of his wife? And do the murders of other disabled victims in different jurisdictions have any connection with the young girl's death? If so, why is there no common thread between the victims in terms of demographics as well as method of killing? And why has papa brought in his own high-tech Israeli cop into the investigation?
The answer, when it begins to become obvious, is chilling. Because of Milo's history, he doesn't hesitate to stamp about where others might hesitate to tiptoe, and Alex is one of those foolishly brave types who will not think about himself when he wants to help someone. In the end it seems that the only way to get more information is for Alex to go undercover to get into the inside circles of a dangerous group. But so distasteful is the discovery of the motive for these crimes, that our heroes completely forget to take into account something very important. Something that puts Alex's life in danger, something that Milo will never forgive himself for.
The Delaware novels are narrated in first-person from Alex's perspective, but this one is interspersed with a number of suspenseful third-person accounts of a rather dangerous sounding person who appears to be watching Alex and Milo! Inspector Daniel Sharavi also has a few passages devoted in third person, and he is rather intriguing. Even part of the climax is from a neutral point of view, and the effect is amazing. In fact, I would go so far as to say that Kellerman should stick to third person!
Once again, Detective Sturgis seems to be steamrolling through with the investigation, and the LAPD are quite fed up with him! It rankles them that their best detective—backed up by solve rate statistics—happens to be gay, and they don't exactly go out of their way to make Milo's life any easier. We get a rare insight into the relationship between Milo and his long-time partner Rick in this book. The suave, good-looking Rick and the sloppy, heavyset Milo seem to make an odd couple, but appearances are skin deep. Milo, for all his brash exterior, is basically a good guy, and a lot of his outward appearance is put on. Deep down, both of them are thoughtful, sensitve men, both involved in 'bloody work', given to introspection, and, observes Alex, 'their time together was often silent' (p.257).
We are also introduced to Detective Petra Connor, who plays a big role in some later books, and stars in one of the more recent titles. She is certainly interesting. Frankly, I was beginning to get a bit sick of Alex's first-person accounts—till Survival of the Fittest blew my mind, that is!—and look forward to seeing more Petra in the future.
If this is your first Delaware book, I'm afraid everything else is going to be disappointing. If, on the other hand, you are an old fan, put up your feet, take the telephone off the hook, and settle in for the day.
RATING: 8/10