Serpentine is the 36th book in the series of thrillers that feature Psychologist Alex Delaware and while I have read Jonathan Kellerman before, this was my first encounter with the long-serving character.

The plot of Serpentine focuses on the revival of a thirty-six year old cold-case of Dorothy Swoboda – murdered and her body torched by persons unknown for reasons equally unknown. A chance meeting between Ellie Barker and Deputy Chief Veronique Martz has Lt Milo Sturgis and Psychologist Alex Delaware picking up the scant clues and investigating.

The plot is relatively simple; clue trickle in and towards the end of the book there is a torrent of information to unpack, but this doesn’t make Serpentine a unenjoyable read, more-so the opposite. There is enough of a plot hook, that gets stuck pretty quick, to keep the reader interested and the pacing swift enough to give enough information without being an information dump. It’s a masterfully written growth of tension and suspense.

Alex Delaware is, at this point, a well established character, but Serpentine doesn’t skimp on details of who he is or what he is all about and, even at this late stage in the series, offers room for him to grow in new directions. I was relieved to be given details of his origins and didn’t feel like I’d been left in the dark as to his character. As a new reader coming into this series with fresh-eyes I had my concerns that I’d not know who was who, this fear was unfounded as all the characters had a life of their own and it was easy to make a connection with them.

I particularly enjoyed the working chemistry between Alex Delaware and Milo Sturgis. The way they spoke to one another and mulled over different possibilities throughout the case were extremely enjoyable. The conversations flowed really well and weren’t bogged down with prolific descriptions; aiding to the pacing of the story. This doesn’t mean that the descriptive quality of scene setting was lacking, just that the decision of description placement was well chosen.

The cast surrounding the two leads is rather vast, some characters, I’d imagine, well established in previous offerings in the series. Some of them new for this stone-alone mystery. Ellie Barker is an interesting character and ‘client’ of Lt Sturgis and Psychologist Delaware. She is rich, but not of the sort of cliche one might expect from a rich woman in Hollywood, Los Angeles, where the novel and series is set. Ellie comes across as nervous and insecure which made her compelling in her own right, did she have something to hide? Why was she so interested in her mothers death after so long?

A lot of the characters that are mentioned in Serpentine have also passed-away. This case is cold and it seems that a lot of the people involved in the investigations are dead – this gives the impression of impossibility. And a lot of names for the reader to remember; personally I didn’t find it all that-taxing as I found the premise of the ‘who-dun-it’ and all involved fascinating, but I have seen in other reviews that some readers struggled with the vast cast.

As should be expected of a thriller, the case followed various threads and had it’s fair share of twists, turns and red-herrings. Serpentine was a story that kept me guessing throughout and I am happy to report that I had no idea at times who could be the guilty-party; the sign of a successful mystery.

Another tense addition to the Alex Delaware series of which I’m a long time fan.This was a really good involving addition to the series,#netgalley#serpentine

Although book 36, this is my first read of Kellerman and indeed his Delaware series.

Detective Milo Sturgis again looks for the assistance of his friend and psychologist Alex Delaware when he has a cold case forced onto him from above.

A very wealthy woman wants to know what happened to her estranged mother who was seemingly murdered over three decades ago. With no choice Milo and Alex go to visit her and so unfolds their research into looking into what little clues there are to try and solve a potential murder and the secrets held for over three decades.

This was fine. Enjoyable to a point if a little linear in tone. Rather slow paced with a huge cast of characters and paragraphs of descriptive narrative about the landscape and streets of Los Angeles which I found a little tedious after a while, especially with the slow paced linear tone of the book.

It plods along as it tries to not tie itself in knots with all the potential suspects, red herrings, theories etc, all with that linear pacing. I found myself losing interest on numerous occasions.

Like I said the story was fine and the ending decent. It just felt dragged out and a little underwhelming as a read it and a times outright boring.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK Cornerstone for an ARC.

Well it must be a good 15 years since my last encounter with the dynamic duo of Delaware and Sturgis.

A woman in her early 40's, looking for answers to questions that reside in a cold case file. Her mother, dead? What happened around the time of her disappearance?

A head on charge through the decadence of the late 70's and early 80's being investigated in the here and now
42.

I went into this thinking that it was going to be a let down and disappointment.

How wrong was I?

Status: Completed

Rating: 4.5/5.0

I have been a huge fan of the Johnathan Kellerman Dr Alex Delaware and Milo Sturgis books for years and was pleased to have been given the chance to read the latest (36th!!) book in the series.

MIlo Sturgis is told by the powers that be, that he has to go and see Ellie Barker, a wealthy woman in her late 30s, whose mother, Dorothy Svoboda, was found burned to death in car over 30 years ago. Milo feels it's a dead case but is pressured into investigating.

Milo meets with Ellie, dragging Alex with him, he likes Ellie and also starts to find the case interesting, not least because there seems to be minimal case files and information, even though at least two previous detectives worked on it.

I found the plot very twisty in parts, especially as there seemed to be an overload of characters, some so peripheral that I'm not sure they were needed, for example, Brannon and Sabino.

Some of the scenes have never changed in any of the books, Robin still making the instruments, they always seem to eat out etc etc, Blanche the dog always gets treats and Rick very rarely makes an appearance but is mentioned. These bits seem formulaic and very repetitive.

On the whole it was a good read, if slow to get started.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballentine Books for giving me the chance to read the book in exchange for an honest review.

I'm always a fan of Jonathan Kellerman and as always I enjoyed this book.. Milo and Alex are at their best with this twisty whodunnit.

I've read all thirty-six 'Alex Delaware' novels, and I've enjoyed them all.

Unlike some long-time series (::ahem:: I'm looking at you Patricia Cornwell and Kay Scarpetta), this one hasn't devolved into crap. In fact, it's pretty much the same now as when it first started.

Admittedly, some things are becoming a bit repetitive...Alex walking to Robin's studio to check in twenty-four times during the book, their way too lovey-dovey relationship, and the eternal restaurant scenes where Alex moderates and Milo gorges.

I've also noticed in these last few books that Alex has a pretty flat affect. He's so controlled, and in psychologist-mode so often, I want to scream at him to "loosen the eff up." On the other hand, Milo is still a total spark plug, and if I'm being honest, he's the main reason I still read these books. Serpentine was particularly heavy on the Milo, so I quite enjoyed it.

I do think there were a few too many characters...I had a hard time keeping track of everyone, but this is a solid mystery, which kept me turning the pages late into the night.

3.5 stars rounded up
Available February 2, 2021

My sincere thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for my review copy.

I devoured this book and it wasn't as light on the details as some past Kellerman Delaware/Sturgis reads of late. However, whilst the characters were plenty and there was some real depth in the storyline on this cold case I could not get through it fast enough! Kellerman is back on top form with this latest case for Milo and Alex. The scenes within this story seemed to be so full of life and I could really picture their journey across L.A. past and present.
A few plot twists and turns as always and not to mention the beaurocratic bull that comes within Milo's territory, everything that you would come to expect of this author and series.... defintely read it!

I loved this! Dr Alex Delaware and Lieutenant Milo Sturgis are back and they are on absolute top form.

As with all this author's best books, it's a slow burn, with many characters to track and wonderfully descriptive prose. This one is about Milo being given a cold case and it's a strange one. What follows is a trail of dead ends and frustration, but, all comes right in the end.

There are fabulous descriptive passages of LA and Hollywood and despite it being c40 years since I visited, I followed it all in my minds eye and felt I were travelling those roads again, so great were the descriptions. There are also such interesting characters as the duo progress their investigations and this all , along with the lovely Robin (Dr Alex Delaware's partner) blends nicely into the drama, murder, intrigue of the overall storyline.

If you are new to this author and these stories, do start at the beginning as they are fabulous reads. However, this absolutely stands alone. If you are new to the series, you lucky, lucky person! You get to enjoy all of these fabulous reads from the start. For those, like me, who are fans for many years, you won't be disappointed; it's like meeting old friends again. Wonderful!

Thanks so much to NetGalley, Random House, Cornerstone, UK and Jonathan Kellerman for the opportunity to preview this excellent read.

I knew I would enjoy this as a fan of the series and it didn't disappoint me. Kellerman weaves a good plot together and the characters are interesting and varied.

Highly recommended!
Milo Sturgis is a Lieutenant in the LAPD homicide division,Alex Delaware is a psychologist and a consultant for the police department
Milo and Alex are investigating a cold case, very cold a murder that happened 36 years ago.

I’ve always been a Kellerman fan , but found his last book the Museum of desire wasn’t up to his usual standard. With this book I’m glad to say he’s back to his usual quality and the book was everything I expect from a Kellerman novel.

The writing style is free flowing and the relationship between Milo and Alex is portrayed with authenticity. So much so that they now feel like old friends . The story was intriguing and there were twists that I didn’t see coming. The characters had depth and are genuine in their nature. A compelling read , that left me reading long in to the night to reach the conclusion.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for this arc copy.

As always Kellerman does not dissapoint. I have actually started recoemnded his books to friends and family, because the books really dont need to be read in order, nor do you need to know any back story for a single book to make sense. Kellerman does an amazing job yet again giving readers just enough backstory for each character. As soon as I started reading Serpentine I could not put it down, I HAD to know what was happening next. I love a good page turner and this gets top marks for that!!

LAPD Lieutenant Milo Sturgis has been contacted by a deputy chief to look into a cold case involving a woman who was shot to death in her car on Mulholland Drive in LA. Then the car was pushed over to the side and torched to look like an accident.

Detectives that worked on the case came to a head as there were no witnesses, evidence, or motive. The daughter of the deceased, Ellie Barker had enlisted help from two PI agencies but they were unsatisfactory.

At a fundraiser, Ellie meets a woman named Andrea Bauer who promises to help Ellie using her police connections. One call leads to another and Lieutenant Milo Sturgis is assigned the case. Milo asked his friend and psychologist Alex Delaware to consult on the case.

As the duo start digging, they soon uncover explosive secrets and discover threats hiding in the present.
A good, solid detective story, told in the laid-back first-person voice of Alex Delaware.

Many thanks to Jonathan Kellerman, NetGalley, and Century for the ARC of this book.

Really great addition to the Alex Delaware series. Slightly disappointed in the ending. It seemed to be wrapped up too quickly. Other than that, it felt like a return to some of the earlier novels.

I haven’t read any Jonathan Kellerman for several years because the books had just gotten too darn gruesome and gory for me. So Serpentine, although filled with brutality, intrigued me as Alex Delaware and Milo Sturgis take on very cold case. Ellie Barker, a young woman, is looking for information on her mother. Milo and Alex follow the serpentine trail of the woman believed to be Ellie’s mother; a quest in search of the truth, as is the case with all of their quests.

I have to say that while I enjoyed another round with the Alex and Milo duo, I had a very hard time following the story. There are so many characters that it’s almost impossible to keep everyone straight. Nevertheless, they do make stellar progress in this quest, whether or not I could keep up with what is going on, either in the narrative itself or their own heads.

I received this book as an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley.

Serpentine is ,quite amazingly,the 36th book in his massively successful Alex Delaware series which would suggest he's doing something right.
This one is a bit different, rich socialite Ellie Barker pulls some strings and Milo Sturgis is very reluctantly tasked with solving a cold case murder from 25 years previously. Helped by Alex Delaware what at first appears to be a complete dead-end ,a conclusion previous investigations appear to have reached,turns into a gripping case that certain people are determined to remain unsolved.
This is not a particularly action-packed book,the story is more in the detective work involved in digging into the past, a past that many witnesses want to forget . It's quite slow-moving but I don't think Alex Delaware fans will be disappointed,I certainly enjoyed it.

I pretty much drop everything when there is a new Jon Kellerman book out, but lately I am beginning to wonder why. While I love the characters, the wit, the chat, the discussion of foods and mostly Blanche, the stories are getting a little formulaic. A murder, gruesome, strange, overlooked, odd victim, etc, requires the special skills of both Milo and Alex. Some fits and starts, some use of favors and past connections and finding the one thread to pull to unravel the sweater.
No doubt some clever back story and/or underlying motive is going to be revealed; based on their prolific work together, Alex and Milo have seen some pretty out there motives. Which is, to me, always the most interesting part.
How they get there can be entertaining, the host of characters are described well and things move quickly so while not exactly as mysterious as it could be, it is always fun and fast to read the latest.
Although, I am really getting tired of this magical, endlessly perfect relationship with Robin, they are totally annoying. 4.5 stars

What a ride was reading this story!
Just like a serpentine, all the twists and turns kept me guessing throughout the chapters and honestly I loved every single moment of this book.
Great characters with so much depth and how their long time friendship is just taking its course and the solving of the case just flows uninterrupted. A cold case mystery, rich and famous family, people that are willing to take any risk for achieving their goals, so much suspense and drama, what’s not to like really?
So many small clues but also theories that aren’t proving to be right, and that for me makes a great must-read book.

This is number 36 in this series with Milo and Alex. If you've read any of them previously, you'll enjoy this one--catching up to what the duo are up to and a very interesting cold case that will keep you on your toes. It's every bit as good as you'd expect from Kellerman.

SERPENTINE by Jonathan Kellerman 1/3/2021

Picking up an Alex Delaware novel is reading comfort food. You know what you’re going to get – a thriller with a psychological angle, set in and around the Hollywood Hills, familiar company with Milo bringing in the bit of muscle needed, Susan playing her warm and supportive role, and some doggie love. And the food. Always wonderful food.

SERPENTINE is one of Kellerman’s surprise Delaware novels, a morality play, and the reader isn’t sure where and how it will turn out. Will the past catch up with the present, and who even knows that the past exists? How can the good guys win in an unwinnable situation? Can an evil pervading so many lives be stopped?

SERPENTINE is a solid entry in the Delaware series, and readers will appreciate the nuances of the justice meted out.

I wish to thank the publisher for providing a review copy of this book through NetGalley.