klvr52803@cs.com

Have you ever read Jonathan Kellerman before?
When I travel I listen to Books on Tape or CD. I especially like mysteries when I travel it helps the time go faster. I have listened to several of Mr. Kellerman's books.

What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
I like Anne Perry, Patricia Cornwell, Dean Koontz, and several others I can't think of right now.

What did you think of THE CONSPIRACY CLUB?
I really enjoyed THE CONSPIRACY CLUB. Once I found the time to start it I had a hard time putting it down. I liked the way you were given just a little hint of an answer, enough to keep you interested but not enough to give you the answer. A lot of the times I can figure out who the bad guy of girl is. I wasn't able to this time.

Would you ever read more Jonathan Kellerman titles?
I definitely plan on looking up more of Mr. Kellerman's books.

brothbart@juno.com

Have you ever read Jonathan Kellerman before?
No.

What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
I am not a big suspense/thriller person, but in the last year I have read the following
books that I would consider to be suspense/thrillers:
GONE FOR GOOD Harlan Coben
CHASING THE DIME Michael Connelly
FACELESS KILLERS Henning Mankell
THE DA VINCI CODE Dan Brown
TROPIC OF NIGHT Michael Gruber
ASYLUM Patrick McGrath
UTOPIA Lincoln Child
EPITAPH FOR A SPY Eric Ambler

I have also read books by Pelecanos, Lehane, Thomas Harris, Mary Higgins Clark and Case.

What did you think of THE CONSPIRACY CLUB?
I found it quite boring and unimaginative. It was full of cliches. It was not very good. It was not suspenseful or interesting at all. A good suspense novel should make me want to keep reading and losing track of time. With this book I kept checking how many pages were left.

Would you ever read more Jonathan Kellerman titles?
No, I don't think I would. He doesn't really offer anything new.

jalocke@comcast.net

What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
I read the outstanding works of #1--- Sara Paretsky; #2 James Patterson; also Elizabeth George; John Grisham; Patricia Cornwell; Tami Hoag; Jeffrey Archer; David Baldacci; Caleb Carr; Sidney Sheldon; Michael Connelly; Mary Higgins Clark; Robin Cook; Michael Crichton; Jeffery Deaver; Nelson DeMille; Nicci French; Andrew Greeley; W.E.B. Griffin; Faye Kellerman; Dean Koontz; Steve Martini; Ralph McInerny; and others here and there.

What did you think of THE CONSPIRACY CLUB?
I am an avid reader who always finishes a book with the belief that somewhere "in there" in any tome, there is something of value to learn.

The basic plot of THE CONSPIRACY CLUB is an attention getter. And yes the pages will turn. However, until I got to page 225, I was struggling with the decision --- is this a romance, mystery, or medical chronicle?

After approximately page 225, the plot does gain momentum. I did not find the story psychologically complex nor challenging.

I am slightly disappointed with this writing... specifically, connections to the plot are expressed in shallow, below standard, and insubstantial build-up and depth. There are only a tad of "breath-taking" moments, and desire for the reader to hurry to the end to find out "who-done-it." The characters, even the hero Dr. Jeremy Carrier, are too laid-back. Except for Jeremy, other characters are very inactive in their roles.

If I were to rate this book using the five-star system, I would give it a three-star rating. I did not find the culprit "hunt chilling" nor do I consider this tome a "21st century Jack the Ripper" --- far from it. A small number of victims, very little involvement of police activity and investigation expressed, and did not see the police represented as "assumed" heavy investigative factions --- a part which made the story (among other factors stated) "not believable."

Many nondescript factors combined make for "weak" 'story-telling'; other than description of what/where someone ate (for) lunch.

Doctors Gwynn Hauser and Dirgrove roles in the book were left "flat" with no follow-up; Arthur Chess and compatriots were left flat in most of the story, especially Dr. Chess in his travels and how they connected to the plot... I was left wondering whether the parts of the aforesaid characters add value to the story and am left with the question: "Are they necessary to the story?" On balance, I did enjoy the read and would read other books by this author.

Would you ever read more Jonathan Kellerman titles?
Yes

Joy4Bound@aol.com

Have you ever read Jonathan Kellerman before?
I have been reading Jonathan Kellerman books for years and have read the entire Alex Delaware series. One of the reasons I applied to read the ARC was because I enjoy his writing so much.

What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
Faye Kellerman, Sue Grafton, Michael Palmer, Tess Gerritsen, James Patterson, Mary Higgins Clark, Lisa Gardner, Patricia Cornwell, Judith Kelman (and I am sure there are others as well...)

What did you think of THE CONSPIRACY CLUB?
If I didn't know in advance it was by Jonathan Kellerman, I wouldn't have recognized the style as his. I thought the book was slow in the beginning and continued to be slow past the halfway point. The ending had a neat twist, which was a surprise, but overall I've preferred his other books more.

Would you ever read more Jonathan Kellerman titles?
Absolutely!

KebecM@aol.com

Have you ever read Jonathan Kellerman before?
I have read (I think) all of Jonathan Kellerman's books.

What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
Not sure who qualifies as suspense/thriller but here goes: Jeffery Deaver, Michael Connelly, John Grisham (occasionally) & Greg Iles to name a few. If we wander into the Mystery genre: Marcia Muller, Faye Kellerman, JA Jance, Janet Evanovich, Nevada Barr, Sue Grafton, Joan Hess, Jane Haddam, James Patterson, Bill Pronzini, Julie Smith to name a few.

What did you think of THE CONSPIRACY CLUB?
I understand Mr. Kellerman's need to explore avenues other than Alex Delaware. However, I found the main character, Jeremy Carrier a little on the whiny (in his own head) side. Got a little tired of the poor pitiful me routine. He seemed to lack depth somehow and frankly was half expecting him to turn up as the culprit just because he seemed so one dimensional and thought we were deliberately being misled. Anyway it just felt to me that Mr. Kellerman didn't vest enough in his main character. Was far more interested in the members of the Conspiracy Club and would have liked more information about them. All kinds of nuances in the relationship between Angela Rios and Jeremy Carrier no substance there either. Overall it was an OK read but felt a lot of promise not delivered.

Would you ever read more Jonathan Kellerman titles?
Yes. I'm a firm believer in loyalty and though this book was a little disappointing will still read further Kellerman books.

Kedrn@aol.com

Have you ever read Jonathan Kellerman before?
I have read practically all of J. Kellerman's books. I have one of the old ones to read SELF-DEFENSE.  I got it at a used book store and I think that is probably all of them.

What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
I am an avid reader of mysteries since I was a child and got turned on to Nancy Drew. (Ironically, I married a Drew.) I read P. Cornwell, S. Grafton, J. Evanovich, Grisham, Lescroat, Faye Kellerman and I know I am leaving off many.

What did you think of THE CONSPIRACY CLUB?
I really did enjoy the suspense and the little hook at then end.

Would you ever read more Jonathan Kellerman titles?
Yes, I certainly will read more.

Mjtaylor17@aol.com

Have you ever read Jonathan Kellerman before?
Yes, I have read all of his fiction to date

What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
James Patterson, Dean Koontz, Patricia Cornwell.

What did you think of THE CONSPIRACY CLUB?
I did not expect to be as interested in the Dr. Carrier character as much as I like the Dr. Delaware character but I was pleasantly surprised.

Would you ever read more Jonathan Kellerman titles?
Just as soon as they become available to me.

mtercha@worldnet.att.net

Have you ever read Jonathan Kellerman before?
Yes.

What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
Lawrence Block, Michael Connelly, Douglas Preston and Lincoln Childs, James Rollins, and James Patterson.

What did you think of THE CONSPIRACY CLUB?
I loved it. The character was fresh and likable. The story was original and unpredictable, with a great finish.

Would you ever read more Jonathan Kellerman titles?
Yes, I am a big fan of Alex Delaware.

Have you ever read Jonathan Kellerman before?
Yes, I have read THE WEB as well as WHEN THE BOUGH BREAKS.

Nancy10107@aol.com

Have you ever read Jonathan Kellerman before?
Yes, I think I have read all his books except possibly his latest release. I have followed the Alex Delaware stories --- and do find it sad that Alex and his partner Robin have separated.

What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
Richard North Patterson, Sandra Brown, Stephen White, Lisa Gardner.

What did you think of THE CONSPIRACY CLUB?
I enjoyed THE CONSPIRACY CLUB --- one of those books I couldn't put down until I finished it. I did find it a little unbelievable that Jeremy would be able to figure out what he did based on the clues he received. Also, why didn't Arthur or one of his cronies deal directly with [the suspects]? I realize it wouldn't make for such a suspenseful novel, but it did seem a bit manipulative.

Would you ever read more Jonathan Kellerman titles?
Definitely. I enjoy his books.

nmdicke2@datasync.com

Have you ever read Jonathan Kellerman before?
Yes, I've read most of his books.

What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
*Preston and Child
Val McDermid
*Carol O'Connell
Diana Gabaldon
*Laurie King
Dennis Lehane
*Stephen White
Reich
writer of "Aunt Dimity" series
Tess Gerritsen
Jeffery Deaver
Patricia Cornwell
James Patterson
*among my favorites

What did you think of THE CONSPIRACY CLUB?
I was surprised at the distraction posed by the format of the book! The "manual" format reduced my expectation of a wonderful read.

After reading about 25 pages I put it down. Although medical mysteries are my favorite genre I was bored. Perhaps I'll pick it up again later. The day before I started this book I finished Pelecanos's book, HELL TO PAY --- such a superbly written and plotted book; maybe it ruined me for mediocrity.

Would you ever read more Jonathan Kellerman titles?
Absolutely.

Piscesadel@aol.com

What did you think of THE CONSPIRACY CLUB?
THE CONSPIRACY CLUB seemed, at first, to move at a very slow pace.  Usually Kellerman's stories move right along and immediately pull you into the plot. This time it took a while before I really got into the book.  Of course it could be that the author was developing a new hero. THE CONSPIRACY CLUB did not pick up the pace until well into the story. Once that happened it was as engaging as all of Kellerman's other books.

Now that Dr. Jeremy Carrier has been introduced it will be interesting to see what new plots await him. Any time Dr. Alex Delaware appears in a plot you will definitely find me reading it.

What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
I also read books by Lisa Gardner, Barbara Vine/Ruth Rendell, Vivian Armstrong, Dennis Lehane, Ed McBain, etc. Currently I am reading Robert Barnard's THE BONES IN THE ATTIC.

SBanton343@aol.com

Have you ever read Jonathan Kellerman before?
I have read all of Jonathan Kellerman's novels and also those of his wife, Faye Kellerman.

What did you think of THE CONSPIRACY CLUB?
I have enjoyed Jonathan Kellerman's Alex Delaware series, and was delighted with THE CONSPIRACY CLUB.

In THE CONSPIRACY CLUB we have the launching of a new character, psychologist, Dr. Jeremy Carrier. Jeremy was introduced to violence when his girlfriend, Jocelyn Banks was murdered. The story starts after Jocelyn's murder and Jeremy is not adjusting well to his loss. Now enters Dr. Arthur Chess, a pathologist, who starts challenging Jeremy with probing thought provoking questions. When strange, seemingly unrelated articles show up in the interoffice mail, Jeremy starts a curiosity file. What do a young psychologist and elder pathologist have in common? Both were victims of horrendous crimes.
As the plot develops, Jeremy collects items in his "Curiosity" file. With a few wrong turns and assumptions in the final chapters he uncovers the murderer of Jocelyn. With the title of THE CONSPIRACY CLUB one might be led to believe that the Club is responsible for ensuring the victims of violence get justice. However, with such a talented writer as Jonathan Kellerman this would be too easy of an answer.

Would you ever read more Jonathan Kellerman titles?
Jonathan Kellerman is on my must read list. I would read more Alex Delaware novels and I am hoping to see more of Jeremy Carrier and the other CONSPIRACY CLUB members.

tcook@kemperinsurance.com

Have you ever read Jonathan Kellerman before?
Yes, I've read THE WEB, PRIVATE EYES, and SILENT PARTNER by Kellerman. I thought SILENT PARTNER was the best of these three books.

What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
I read Patricia Cornwell, Robert Parker (who is a little bit "lighter" than these other authors), John Sandford, and Lawrence Block. I've also read and enjoyed a bit of Jeffery Deaver and Robert Crais.  Also King and Koontz, I've read most of their works.

What did you think of THE CONSPIRACY CLUB?
The size of the Advance Reader's edition did make it a bit more awkward to hold/read than a regular hardcover or paperback. Also, there were many typos in the book, I assume because it's not going to press yet, which distracted me a bit.

However, the story was interesting, if not exactly gripping. I like the fact that Carrier wasn't able to make unrealistic instant intuitive leaps, and that he logically and credibly worked the "mystery" out on his own. The characters were well-defined and believable. The plot was intricate enough to keep me guessing, as a reader, and not blatantly obvious. Carrier's relationship with Angela was very well done, his shying away from any discussion of his past or especially his relationship with Jocelyn. When Angela began working closely with Dirgrove, I thought at first that it was uncharacteristic of her, since she seemed very taken with Carrier --- but then she proved to be true to her personality when Dirgrove hit on her and she told Carrier about it immediately. Doresh showing up to "save the day" at climactic moment was allowable because of his evident and continual distrust of Carrier, although I am a bit skeptical at those "just in time" rescues. However, the book was an overall good story, and well plotted with convincing three-dimensional characters.

Would you ever read more Jonathan Kellerman titles?
Yes, I would. I would like to eventually read the Delaware series from start to finish. I like Kellerman's ability to use his impressive vocabulary without burying the reader with unfamiliar terms.

traphilllibrary@yahoo.com

Have you ever read Jonathan Kellerman before?
No.

What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
Mary Higgins Clark, Catherine Coulter, John Grisham.

What did you think of THE CONSPIRACY CLUB?
I liked it much better than I thought I would. It kept me turning the pages wanting to know what happens next.

Would you ever read more Jonathan Kellerman titles?
Yes.

xephyr@gw-networks.net

Have you ever read Jonathan Kellerman before?
This is the first book I have read by Jonathan Kellerman.

What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
Other suspense/thriller authors I have read: Robert Ludlum, Tom
Clancy, Sidney Sheldon, Stephen Frey, John Grisham, Frederick Forsyth, David Baldacci, John D. MacDonald.

What did you think of THE CONSPIRACY CLUB? 
I found that the book was very slow in getting into the interesting part, which, of course, is the conspiracy. In fact, it was around page 175 when I finally found it interesting to read. I gather that the manuscript will be proofread before going to print, because I found a lot of spelling errors, doubling of phrases and some sentences that did not make any sense.

My advice to make it better would be to leave out some of the intricate hospital routine in the first half that to me is just fill and boring to read. Other than the fact you found out that Jeremy's girlfriend was brutally murdered, you were just left hanging for about half the book and that is just too long for most readers to keep their interest up.

Would you ever read more Jonathan Kellerman titles?
I think I will look at another book written by Mr. Kellerman to satisfy myself as to whether he normally develops the story with about the same timing as THE CONSPIRACY CLUB. I must say that the last half of the book was well written as it kept my interest up to the point that I could not wait to finish it. I like being bitten in the first or second chapter, like the authors I have already read. This book seemed to go on and on about trivial things without any direct evidence of a plot until about chapter 15.

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