When the Bough Breaks by Jonathan Kellerman Summary
Overview of When the Bough Breaks
When a child psychologist investigates a child's murder, dark secrets emerge. Kellerman's Edgar-winning debut launched a 41-book franchise spanning four decades. This psychological thriller that captivated 62,000+ readers redefined crime fiction with its unique psychological lens.
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Key takeaways
A Psychologist's Reluctant Return to Darkness
When Dr. Alex Delaware's doorbell rings at his hillside Bel Air home, it shatters more than his peaceful early retirement. His visitor, Detective Milo Sturgis, pulls him back into a world he thought he'd escaped-one filled with damaged psyches and unspeakable crimes. A psychiatrist named Morton Handler and his companion have been brutally murdered, with seven-year-old Melody Quinn as the only potential witness. Despite initial reluctance and haunting memories of a past traumatic case involving someone named Hickle, Delaware agrees to help interview the child. This decision marks the end of Delaware's "Be-kind-to-Alex time"-a necessary healing period after burning out spectacularly. A prodigy who earned his Ph.D. at 24 and became a program director at Western Pediatric Medical Center by 28, Delaware had pushed himself to exhaustion with 70-hour workweeks until Hickle's suicide in his home triggered dramatic life changes. Now, those peaceful days of playing guitar, reading for enjoyment, and building a relationship with Robin are about to end. What makes Delaware such a compelling protagonist is this contradiction: a brilliant professional who burned out dramatically, yet can't resist helping vulnerable children. As he steps back into the darkness, we witness the tension between self-preservation and moral obligation that will drive him throughout this investigation into Los Angeles' most disturbing secrets.
The Child Who Holds the Key
The Medical Establishment's Sinister Shadow
La Casa de los Ninos: Paradise with Bunkers
The Web of Power and Exploitation
The Shocking Truth Unraveled
Breaking the Cycle of Trauma
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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