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Description edit
The plot of the novel surrounds a five-year-old boy, Woody Swope, who is gravely ill, and his parents have refused to allow the one treatment that could save his life. Alex is asked by Dr. Raoul Melendez-Lynch to discuss the treatment with Woody's parents. Mr. and Mrs. Swope are convinced that... read more
Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit
Summary edit
It is a case unlike any psychologist Dr. Alex Delaware has ever encountered. Five-year-old Woody Swope is ill, but the real problem is his parents. They refuse to agree to the one treatment that could save this boy's life.
Alex sets out to convince Mr. and Mrs. Swope--only to find that... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)
Characters edit
- Dr. Alex Delaware: A child psychologist and court psych. expert who often teams with homicide detective Milo Sturgis.
- Milo Sturgis: Homicide Detective
- Dr. Raoul Melendez-Lynch: A pediatric oncologist and head of the department at Western Pediatric Medical Center.
- Heywood "Woody" Swope: A 5 year old boy who needs treatment for non-Hodgkins lymphoma at the clinic in order to survive.
- Garland Swope: Father of Woody and Annona.
- Robin: Girlfriend of Alex Delaware. She custom designed a guitar for a well known musician who touted it after using it at a concert in New York. She was invited to Japan to discuss mass marketing the guitar design.
- Annona Blossom Swope: Sister of Woody. Her stunning looks helped her to obtain a job at Adam & Eve Messenger Service.
- Mal Worthy: An attorney.
- Rick Silverman: a doctor, Milo's lover.
- Dr. Helen Holroyd: A PhD. working on research for Dr. Melendez-Lynch
- Richard Moody: A manic-depressive who is divorced from his wife and lost both custody and visitation rights to his 2 children. He is urged to get treatment for his condition and to submit proof of treatment to the courts in order to regain visitation.
- Diane Severe: Judge for the Moody case. She was a social worker before going to law school.
- Dr. Augie Velacroix: A Fellow under Dr. Melendez-Lynch. He was a nurse before going to medical school. He dresses unconventionally for a doctor and also sees the value in talking to and relating to patients and families, which makes him a bit misunderstood in the medical community.
- Beverly Lucas: A social worker assigned to the pediatric oncology unit.
- Emma Swope: Mother of Woody. She is quiet around her husband, but fiercely devoted to her son and unintimidated by all the rigamarole surrounding visitation to a cancer patient.
- Doug Carmichael: Works with Annona at the Adam & Eve Messenger Service.
Setting & Locations edit
Hollywood, California
- Western Pediatric Medial Center: Located in Hollywood, California. Occupies a square block. One newer column of concrete and glass houses the Pediatric Oncology Department. Other buildings are aged stone.
First Sentence edit
I sat in the courtroom and watched Richard Moody get the bad news from the judge.
Table of Contents edit
Chapters 1 - 28
Series & Lists edit
This is book 2 of 28 in Alex Delaware. (standard series)
Preceded by When the Bough Breaks, and followed by Over the Edge.
Authors & Contributors edit
- Jonathan Kellerman (Author)
First Edition edit
Original Language: English
Publisher: Bantam Books
Country: United States
Publication Date: 1986
ISBN: 0689116349
Page Count: 257
Publisher: Bantam Books
Country: United States
Publication Date: 1986
ISBN: 0689116349
Page Count: 257
Classification edit
- Library of Congress: Add the Library of Congress Classification.
- Dewey: 813.54
Subjects edit
Popular Tags
Books with Additional Background Information edit
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