Alex and his artistic wife Robin have a nice relationship that runs though his books. His best friend, homicide detective Milo Sturgis is his partner in crime...or solving crime...and their relationship often drives the books. Heartbreak Hotel opens with a strange phone call from a woman requesting a meeting with Alex in her hotel room. Although his patients are generally under twenty years of age, Thalia, a mysterious woman nearing one hundred, captured his interest. Their first meeting went well, and after she offered him a $6000. "account to be drawn upon" check, he agreed to meet again the next morning.
Her questions that first afternoon centered around psychopaths and criminal behavior. Alex was anxious to learn more in his second meeting, but Thalia couldn't keep that appointment. She was found dead in her room. Of course this gives Alex and Milo an opportunity to do what they do best...solve a mysterious murder.
The very first descriptions of Thalia's residence, the Aventura Hotel, foreshadow its involvement. Kellerman spends several pages describing it in all of its overdone glory -
"a scatter of leather deco-revival chairs dyed a strange liverish red were sided by chunks of resin pretending to be boulders." The obviously millennial type staff seemed somewhat helpful, as long as they could keep at least one eye on their computers while offering their assistance.
Thalia Mars was an accountant who somehow ended up with tremendous wealth and seemingly no heirs. People who knew her seemed to love her, yet she ended up dead. Kellerman does a good job taking us through the investigation and helping us understand this enigma of a woman. His descriptions tend to run on at times, but they do add to his stories in most instances.
If you are a fan of Kellerman, this book won't disappoint you, and if you haven't read him yet...what are you waiting for?
- Beverly
Publisher - Ballentine Books
Date of Publication - February 14, 2017