The Web (published in 1996) - Authored by Jonathan Kellerman

Dr. Woodrow Wilson Moreland: philanthropist and saint. This is probably why he invited Alex and Robin over for three months to his heavenly abode in Micronesia, where Delaware could work with him and play with Robin. (Alex is like Kellerman’s alter ego - so while he does his ‘daddy day care’ bit in real life at 43, Delaware gets to holiday!)
Moreland had come across an article that Alex had written about group trauma, and is impressed by the practical and informed perspective the forensic –cum-child psychologist has; Woodrow himself has been studying patients for years, and seeks Alex’s help in organizing the large data base of the medical records he has, while he would’ve preferred an anthropologist, he changes his preference, and would rather, that Alex, with his background in clinical psychology, helps out. He even offers a joint collaboration as far as authorship of his book is concerned, with equal stakes.
This is just the break Delaware needs, for both he and Robin have been through hell - their home in Malibu was burnt down, and a spate of jinxes follow. So, Woodrow’s offer is heaven-sent! Thus far, the setting is idyllic, blue waters, warm sands, polite cohabitants- but these waters have been known to harbor sharks, who knows what secret lies buried beneath the sands, and ‘there is no art to find the mind’s construction in the face’.

The island of Aruk is divided, for convenience as per the windward and leeward sides, the former being close to town is where Moreland resides, and the latter is Stanton, a US naval base. The exits from the base along the southern beach have been blocked after there were rumors that sailors murdered a local girl. It seems, though, unfortunately, that there will be more deaths in days to come.

Woodrow Moreland has spent almost more than four decades on the seven hundred acre island, which he bought from the US government in 1963, himself having served in the army. He enjoys the patronage of the locals, who hold him in high esteem - he’s vaccinated kids on the island, cleaned up the water supply - and is everyone’s obvious favorite. But Alex’s sleuthing-gut tells him there’s more to Moreland than meets the eye - including strange house guests which don’t include his collection of giant centipedes, spiders and roaches. A husband-wife sub alto pair of doctors, Moreland’s daughter who is getting over a divorce, a misread local – all add to the dense and dark mystery of Aruk.

What is even more bizarre is that the eccentric Moreland chooses the most outlandish cases to palm off to Alex - a demented guy who has witnessed something horrific, a victim who succumbed to radiation after a nuclear mishap, the washed up and mutilated body of a woman. But those readers who are Delaware fans would know that he is at ease and at home amongst the bizarre, in fact any semblance of normalcy in his world, would entail the above!

Let’s just say that the book is well ensconced between horror and crime - causing many a frisson of fear and thrills to run down the reader’s spine. How Alex always manages to get embroiled in a mystery with dead bodies cropping up effortlessly - is something Robin would wonder, no doubt. She might even think twice before packing her bags for the next holiday destination Delaware suggests!