First, full disclosure, I have read Jonathan Kellerman's books for years. I love him, his attention to detail, and I'm a huge fan of how much detail he includes in his books (you will know what his characters eat, but you will not mind).

I look forward to the newest adventures of Alex, Milo, Blanche each year, although I could do without Robin, and this new book does not disappoint. This novel centers on an unidentified death at a wedding that leads Milo and Alex to investigate far away crimes and the motives of several characters involved in the wedding.

The characterization was deftly handled, and I was surprised about how I felt about certain characters by the end.

While I love this author and was satisfied by the book, it is not one of his best. The plot meanders and the ending, while it makes sense, is not really all that interesting as there is very little motive and exploration of the killer given after the reveal.

This book seemed to be less about psychology and more about a straight police case, making me wonder why Milo even needed Alex at all.

That said, Kellerman is great and always worth the read, just start with another book.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley.com for my free advanced reader copy.

Another smash hit from the author. Another Delaware book filled with ongoing mystery and suspense. This is a book that I would recommmend to all.

I've been reading Jonathan Kellerman - Alex Delaware/Milo Sturgis - for over 20 years. One of my all time favorite series. I just love the relationship between Alex and Milo. This is a great installment to the series and I highly recommend it. Really enjoyed this one!

Thank you #netgalley and #randomhouse-ballantine for the eARC.

Jonathan Kellerman writes a novel every year. Sometimes he partners with his wife, Faye Kellerman, to write more than one. I find the prodigious output simply amazing. In this novel, a murder takes place during a wedding reception at The Aura, a former strip club (the poles are still there). His descriptions capture the scene and the mood. Describing the nightclub where the murder takes place:: "Lacking music and dim lighting, the room had the sad, rancid feel of every after-hours club." Or describing one of the characters: "her smile nearly bisected her face" and "false eye lashed that could have been fashioned from tarantula legs." The florid descriptions don't slow the action. And a surprise ending (almost like Agatha Christie...who was such a pro with her I-never-saw-it-coming endings).. Highly recommended. A true page turner.

Ugh, I don't know. I wanted to love this book. I adore Alex and Milo, especially when working together. It was just a giant miss. I checked at least 3 times that this wasn't a co authored book, it never gelled. I wasn't interested in the plot and even the dynamic between two of my favorite book characters felt off. Pass on this one.

Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2577409933

The invitation for the wedding reception at the former strip club Aura instructed guests to look hot for the Sinners-and-Saints themed party. And this guest fit the bill: a red Fendi dress, Manolo shoes, expensive haircut. But the red ring around her neck wasn’t a necklace: it was a nasty gash from someone strangling her to death with a wire, helped along with a fentanyl-heroin cocktail. None of the disgruntled and drunk guests claimed to recognize the woman. Lieutenant Milo Sturgis calls on his friend, psychologist Alex Delaware, to consult on the case.

The bride’s parents, who run a personnel agency hiring personal assistants for celebrities, have a checkered history that might point to a motive, but the groom’s father, a veterinarian, has access to fentanyl. And the history of the venue might shed light on the identity of the victim. Alex and Milo must identify the victim and uncover the layers of secrets before anyone else meets the same fate.

With over thirty books in the Alex Delaware series, Jonathan Kellerman has mastered the genre. Reading The Wedding Guest is like putting on a favorite sweater: familiar, cozy, and comfortable. Alex and Milo maintain a strong friendship with humorous banter, and Alex’s relationship with Robin grounds him in “normal” life. Alex’s (silent) sardonic commentary is witty and often insightful, giving the book weight.

While there isn’t a lot of action in the book--most of the forward momentum comes from interviews and research--the book is still gripping and well-placed. I had a hard time putting it down while I was reading it. When the action scenes did arrive, I found myself holding my breath!

Now that I’ve been away from the book for a bit, some plot holes and questions of motivation are niggling at me. Additionally, it seemed the attitude towards the Me Too movement was a little condescending and dismissive. However, I enjoyed reading The Wedding Guest and recommend it to mystery lovers.

I'm late to the party: somehow this was the first book I've read in the long-running, much-beloved Alex Delaware/Milo Sturgis series. What's not to like? Competent professionals in charge of solving a crime, plenty of good characters with well-developed relationships, and enough suspects to keep the story moving. The central mystery--a party-crasher turns up dead at a wedding--is solid, but the most compelling thing about this book is its cast of characters. They made me want to start from the beginning and enjoy reading the entire series in order.

Excellent read! Great who done it! Loved catching up with these favorite characters, but the mystery was fresh, well written and enjoyable. Glad to have a chance to read it and you shouldn't miss it!

Alex, a doctor of psychology is a “consultant,” shall we say, to LAPD El Tee (Lieutenant) Milo Sturgis, and

Thanks to Netgalley, Random House UK, and Cornerstone for an advance copy of The Wedding Guest, the thirty-forth novel featuring Dr Alex Delaware, doctor of psychology and consultant to LAPD and Lieutenant “El Tee” Milo Sturgis. Together the partners have solved many crimes - 33, since this is the 34th book! Unbelievable how time flies.

Jonathan Kellerman has for years been one of my favorite murder mystery authors, and Alex Delaware (and Milo) by extension one of my favorite protagonists. Those who have read the series from the beginning have seen Alex evolve from a young Phd in pediatric psychology, treating complicated, sometimes damaged children and their parents (who are often worse off); have followed his few relationship ups and downs with Robyn, which in my view often took away from the smooth progression of the plot and story. Now their relationship has matured and flows comfortably with a gentle rhythm that might as well be supplied by one of the exotic, ancient musical instruments Robyn brings back to life with her healing hands and expertise knowledge of the world’s woods. I like this setup, oooh and I love Blanche - when you write as many books in a series as Kellerman has done here, there is a limit to how often you can create tension between characters like Alex and Robyn and stretch it to the breaking point, then bring it back to harmony. At some point, things have to settle between the characters or the author has to decide whether he’s writing a murder mystery or working on a different genre.

A young gorgeous woman—what else, this is LA—is found murdered at the wedding reception of a couple that comes across as a spoiled brat, the bride, and a sort of a hapless “yes dear” groom. Smart though, while she’s a self-centered scatterbrain who views the event as a great tragedy, not because the woman was murdered, but because her murder ruined her special day!! How inconsiderate to get herself murdered on Baby’s (as Brearly (really?) is called by family; hubby calls her Babe).

I always enjoy reading about the back-and-forth between Milo and Alex. There is great insight into their characters, but so much more - the society we/the characters live in, their/our desires, feelings which often are embarrassingly selfish and shallow. It’s like drinking smooth, fine wine slowly...

I enjoyed The Wedding Guest, but it’s not the best Kellerman Delaware novel I’ve read. It was a bit too slow, and I found myself not quite interested enough in the fate of the characters. Kellerman has often written tales that are truly creepy and keep you at the edge of your seat - and they are creepy for the very reason that the gore and gross isn’t in your face; it’s not there. Kellerman subtly communicates its essence, not its description, to the reader, and your brain—the greatest master at creating fear—takes care of the rest.

Ah, what could be better than another get-together of two of my favorite characters - police consultant and psychologist Dr. Alex Delaware and his curmudgeonly but lovable cohort Milo Sturgis? In this one, their back-and-forths seemed more frequent and provided greater insights into their characters (and their relationship) than usual - for me, much appreciated. Besides that, Alex's long-time love and guitar-maker Robin landed a more featured role - still another plus.

As the title suggests, this one begins with a wedding guest who didn't appear on the invitation list - not even as a plus one - and who for sure didn't get a great reception. In fact, she turns up dead; murdered with a combination of injected knockout drug and wire garrote reminiscent of a guitar string. No one can come up with an identity, and Milo calls Alex for help with the case. Fairly early on, it is learned that the somewhat unconventional venue used to be a seedy bar known for its equally seedy pole dancers, thus expanding the search beyond the rich and not-so-rich who enjoyed wedding guest-list status.

Despite their denials of anything connected to the victim, the families of the bride and groom - and the bride and groom themselves - remain on the suspect list (some very near the top). That in turn leads Alex and Milo down a number of aisles, most of which don't lead to blissful solutions. Finally, a previous case comes to light that rings bells in harmony, lifting the veil under which the real killer has been hiding.

And that brings me to the part that bothered me just a tiny bit. I can't be specific without spoiling things, but the ending seemed somehow disjointed - as if the usual suspects just weren't cutting it and a new ending was needed to deliver a more effective punch. That said, I enjoyed the book as a whole as always - Alex is in absolutely zero danger of dropping off my Top 10 list of all-time favorite book heroes. Given that this is the 34th in the series (all of which I've read), that's gotta be some kind of record. My undying gratitude goes to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy.

I've been reading Alex Delaware novels for 20+ years so it feels like having lunch with an old friend. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC for this review.

Kellerman does not disappoint in this latest adventure..master of the psychological thriller his writing is always rich with descriptions, fast paced plot, interesting characters, and a page turner ending.

As a fan I was delighted and, as usual, can't wait for the next one.

During a wedding, a bridesmaid finds a dead girl in an employee bathroom. This was no accidental OD. Alex Delaware and Milo Sturgis must work through the suspects including everyone who was at the wedding. I enjoyed this Alex Delaware installment as it is a straight mystery and did not delve into the personal lives of Alex and Milo.

I love books like this detective books it had me on the edge of my seat very good suspense mystery book would highly recommend it thank you net galley and the publisher for letting me have the chance to read this book hoping for more books from this author in the future

Another great Milo and Alex novel in the long running series. I have read every book by Kellerman and he remains one of my favorite authors. I enjoy the reoccurring characters and setting. Thank you the publisher for the early copy,. Our library will be sure to purchase this title.

I always look forward to the latest Alex Delaware book the way I look forward to French fries or potato chips. I know they won't be good for me, but love them nonetheless.

The usual,, a nasty murder in a public place, Milo Sturgis on the case, Alex tagging along for insight and a trail of breadcrumbs leading to morally bankrupt bad guys and ultimately murders.

Its always a fun read, although I am pretty sick of the endlessly perfect Robin and their perfect relationship. I do love the dog though.

If you are a Kellerman fan, you will like this, not the most dynamic of stories but reliably light and fun.

The recurring theme in the Wedding Guest was Saints and Sinners. Kellerman made it the theme of the wedding that was held in a former strip club that was previously a church. In order to continue with this theme, he incorporated the color red which signifies love and sex on the positive side and revenge and anger on the negative side. He used the color Red in his description of the clothing that the unknown victim wore, again eliciting thoughts of Sinner or Saint on the victim’s intention.

The use of this particular theme made an intriguing read. In addition to this engrossing theme, I found the book’s cover to be puzzling until I read the ending of the book. It was very surprising and apparent. Well done. I want to thank NetGalley and Ballantine Books for providing an ARC of this book to read and review.

Another GREAT Alex Delaware novel. Alex and Milo work to solve several murders made to look like suicide or accidental overdose. I didn't see the"who done it" coming.. Love the series. Keep it up Mr. Kellerman.

The Wedding Guest by Jonathan Kellerman is another special adventure crime novel in his series about Dr Alex
Delaware, a practicing psychologist and LAPD Detective Milo. This time they are called to investigate the mysterious murder of a young woman who is found at the scene of a wedding. Neither the bride and her family or the groom and his family have any idea who the woman could be. None of the guests recognize her. First Milo has to identify her and that takes up a lot of the book. The story proceeds slowly with a major portion of the book centered around learning who the victim is and wondering why she was at the wedding. Once they learn her identity they must connect her to some of the wedding guests. During their search several other bodies tare found that relate to their case. Gathering the evidence is a slow process but in the end they find their killer and solve the crime.