Buy the Book
Jesse Kellerman’s debut thriller wowed the critics. His latest sets the bar even higher.
Young, idealistic, and overworked, Jonah is living the lonely life of a medical student in New York City when he accidentally stumbles across a murder in progress: a woman, being stabbed to death in the middle of the sidewalk. Without thinking, he rushes in to protect her-inadvertently killing her attacker in the process.
Thrust into the media spotlight, crushed by guilt, Jonah quickly learns that heroism isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. He receives a shower of unwanted attention-and hostility-from his superiors. The district attorney wants to “interview” him. The family of the dead man wants revenge.
Everything is further upended when the woman whose life he saved shows up at his apartment. What begins as a thank-you drink turns into a wildly passionate love affair. As their relationship deepens, however, Jonah realizes that she isn’t quite the woman she appears to be. His nightmare has only begun, and the price of kindness will turn out to be higher than he could have imagined.
Expertly crafted and chillingly suspenseful, Trouble is a heart-stopper: proof positive that Jesse Kellerman has joined the “first ranks of mystery and suspense writers” (Forbes).
Reviews for Trouble
Kellerman…shows that his impressive debut, Sunstroke, was no fluke with this gripping psychological page-turner that echoes the best of Hitchcock… Kellerman artfully conveys [a] descent into near madness, making the step-by-step degradation of a decent man who was in the wrong place at the wrong time plausible and chilling. Publishers Weekly (starred review) A shivery psychological thriller…the talented Kellerman travels to Ruth Rendell country, and the bet here is that you won’t have read a more nightmarish novel all year.
- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
[M]any perverse diversions and delights…unnerving…psychologically complex… That Kellerman maintains such a grimly hilarious perspective on his subject is its own twisted tribute to the survival instincts of writers who go down to the depths to entertain their readers.
- The New York Times Book Review
Critic’s Choice. A satisfying journey into the bizarre.
- People
With a nerve-jangling creepiness rising out of well-drawn, absorbing characters, “Trouble” has a lot to say to 21st century readers about the gray zone where heroes become villains, victims turn aggressive and love and violence are different sides of the same coin. That these issues are being raised by a young writer more than a little familiar with mysteries…only adds to the fun of watching him deconstruct the myths and stereotypes of the genre and serve them up as something disturbingly and deliciously different, altogether perfect for our times. – Los Angeles Times A major talent…a thriller so tightly wired that the reader’s self-control shatters nearly to the level of protagonist Jonah Stem’s…frightening suspense, wry humor and superior characterization and dialogue.
- Baltimore Sun
The pages fly…recommended for all fiction collections.
- Library Journal
Kellerman proves himself a fluid storyteller with a gift for characterization.
- Entertainment Weekly
There’s not a false turn…psychological suspense that chillingly escalates, complemented by sharp dialogue. In last year’s debut, Sunstroke, Kellerman showed he had the potential to deliver well-conceived mysteries. In Trouble, he demonstrates just how strong his talent is.
- Florida Sun-Sentinel
He was such a good baby. A very healthy eater. He never gave me any trouble. Until now, that is.
- my mom
Full of exceptional, literate writing that still manages to crackle with tension and menace… The best thriller I have read since Kellerman’s Sunstroke last year.
- The Guardian (UK)
His debut was excellent, but in Trouble he has lifted his game substantially and delivers a frightening parable of our times that grips like a vice.
- Irish Independent
The situation’s bad, very bad. Which makes the book good, very good.
- Sunday Sport (UK)
A mesmerising story of malevolence and obsession…Kellerman’s powerfully descriptive prose drives his nightmarish narrative on at a fast pace and makes Fatal Attraction seem like gentle teasing in comparison.
- The Sunday Telegraph (UK)
WOW… THE book to read for 2007. Jesse Kellerman is the new master for this genre…quite simply this book is brilliant.
- South Coast Register (Australia)
Kellerman is a thriller thoroughbred.
- Men’s Style (UK)
