Whenever I get in a reading rut, it's always nice to come back to the familiarity of Delaware and Sturgis. Not my most favorite book in the series, but worth picking up, regardless. This one just felt a bit too far out there for me. Too many pieces to make things plausible for me. As with all of the Delaware books, it can easily be read as a standalone.

Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4296449175

I only recently started reading Jonathan Kellerman’s Alex Delaware/Milo Sturgis series and I’ve really liked the books I’ve read so far. And I definitely enjoyed Kellerman’s upcoming series title, City of the Dead, as well.

Kellerman’s main character, Alex Delaware, is a psychologist, but City of the Dead isn’t a psychological thriller. Instead, it’s essentially a police procedural, as Delaware teams up with his long-time buddy, Milo Sturgis of LAPD Homicide, to investigate what really led to the early morning death-by-moving-van of a naked guy in the quiet and very pricey Westwood streets right to the east of UCLA. At first, it appears to be just another unfortunate but accidental traffic fatality. But then a trail of blood leads to a nearby house, and another victim is found. So Milo gets called in, and then brings Alex in, and then things get complicated when it turns out the second victim was someone Alex had met – a quasi-therapist, Cordelia (Cordi) Gannett, who had gotten into trouble in the past for practicing without a license, and more recently had been styling herself as a “relationship expert” online.

So Milo and Alex have a few puzzles to figure out. Did the naked guy kill Cordi, and then get killed himself, in an odd twist of fate, while trying to escape? Or did someone else kill both of them – and if so, which of the two was really the intended victim? Or is something else entirely going on – maybe connected to Cordi’s checkered and difficult past? You’ll have to read the book to find out.

City of the Dead has all the hallmarks of the other Delaware/Sturgis books I’ve read. (And I’ll be reading more!) The writing is smooth, and pulls you into the story as Milo and Alex figure things out. I enjoyed watching as they each use their own skill sets to find things out and then move the investigation forward together. And although I had to sustain a bit of disbelief at one point due to a rather huge coincidence (you’ll know what it is when you read it), overall, the plot hung together well, while having enough twists to be interesting. I especially enjoyed the last few chapters, where Alex’s background as a child psychologist really comes into play. And although he’s a fictional character, the empathy and expertise he displays makes me think the world needs more child psychologists for real.

All-in-all, this was a quick and fun read, and I’m definitely going to keep catching up on Kellerman’s old backlist! Please note that I received an advance review copy of City of the Dead from Random House/Ballantine Books and from NetGalley, and my thanks go to them.

A naked young man run down in the street in a quiet Westwood neighborhood, but soon found to be dead before the truck ran over his body. A blood trail leading to another victim in the house he came out was carried from. The connections between them are unknown, but the homicide victim in the house isn't; she's a therapist without a license, famous on the internet and infamous in the professional circles Alex Delaware traveled in when he's not consulting with his homicide detective buddy Milo. Alex has a history with her, which comes. in handy in this umpteenth entry in the long running, immensely popular series . There are worse odd couples to spend a plane trip or a beach vacation with; the dialog twinkles rather than sparkles, the backstory is always more interesting than the plot, and few surprises in store, which doesn't detract one bit from the reader's pleasure .

I've read many books by Jonathan Kellerman and have enjoyed them all. This one, like all of them was easy to read and fast paced. Good characters and pacing. I highly recommend this book.

I am happily surprised every time I read a new Alex Delaware thriller and Jonathan Kellerman did not disappoint. Riveting from beginning to end this one goes even further into the relationship between Alex Delaware and Milo Sturgis. Thank you #NetGalley for this advanced copy. I'm looking forward to the next one.

Love this series and all the characters. Still as good as the 1st one. Milo and Alex are the absolute best

I love books with mystery, detectives, and especially with a detective and civilian or some other kind of professional working together to solve cases like this with the detective and the psychologist, but unfortunately for me, this was not one of these kinds of books that I love. I was excited to receive and read this story because I've heard of these books and wanted to check them out before, but this one didn't work for me.
This is about a detective and a psychologist that investigate and solve another case together, but it seemed to drag some through parts and I had a hard time getting into it like I wanted. This case was about a double homicide of a guy and a girl who were friends that's starts out with the detective and psychologist being called on them finding a dead body in the road and then they go check things out and find out what really happened. I did like the interactions, banter, and back and forth between the psychologist, Alex Delaware, and the detective and between the psychologist and his girlfriend with their dog. If you like the Alex Delaware series and this kind of book then keep track of it and make sure to check it out when it comes out next year.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for letting me read and review this interesting story. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Alex Delaware is back in #37.
Alex and detective Milo Sturgis are pulled into a grizzly murder.
This has all the classic sign of an Alex Delaware thriller you've come to expect and enjoy.
You'll be pulled into this with the quickly and it is hard to put down as the two work to try and find out what exactly is going on in the city.
You won't be disappointed in this latest Jonathan Kellerman it is gripping.

What could be better than another installment in the Alex Deleware/Milo Sturgis series? Combines an interesting plot with the great relationship between the two main characters.

I was so excited to receive this. This has been one of my favorite series since I read my first Alex Delaware book in college (1992). I took it off my boyfriend's shelf and that was it... I was hooked. So this is a hard review for me to write.

I think this series has run its course. These books used to pull me in and I would read all day and night until I finished it. The last few have taken me longer and this one I didn't even finish. For me, it was boring. The relationships felt forced. I didn't like the flow or the story line.

I think, for me, this is a series that I am just going to have say goodbye to. Thanks for 20+ years of Alex and Milo.

Thank you #netgalley and #Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine

Our favorite psychiatrist finds himself once again assisting his friend LAPD Detective Milo Sturgis solve a grisly murder in the city of LaLaland. It's incredible that this is the 37 book in the series. I've read every single book, which just get better and better, and each new book from Kellerman is like getting a visit from your favorite old friends who've gotten over all their relationship problems and are only a pleasure to have at your house over a weekend - you can just look forward to a good time of hanging out with them all! Assuming, of course, that you find murder a good time.

When Milo is called out on what appears to be an unfortunate auto mobile accident, he discovers upon investigating the body - a naked young man in the street - that there is something much more sinister than a car accident behind the death. And when the investigation leads them into the house of a young and beautiful woman, Milo is convinced that he has one his hands a baffling mysteries that requires the insights of his best friend, PhD and psychologist Alex Delaware. And Milo turns out to be correct. Not only is the second dead body a moderately well known social media influencer, but Alex know who she is. And from nothing good!

As I said, I have been reading the books from the beginning, and I like the stable, pleasant life of the protagonist. Along with helping his buddy Milo solving murder cases, Alex is still consulting for the LA County Justice System in Child Custody cases; he still sees a very few select few patients. In the early books, Alex was on and off with this girlfriends Robin - they broke up, they got got together - he got another girlfriend (I disliked her so much, I had a hard time reading those books!) Now Robin and Alex and a relationship anyone could dream of - she provides him with a smart, sexy (after all, he's sexy!) partner, who has an interesting profession and often knows some the characters that are involved in the cases. She's a great cook, and just a pleasant and important character. And don't forget the super important character - the French Bulldog Blanche!

This particular case was a bit weird. It had a little help from Deus Ex Machina. But that's OK. You can't make every book super special. Going on forty years, this series is an interesting commentary on the lives and times in our society.wouldn't be surprised. When it comes to psychiatry there is so much you real material you can use - Kellerman could for example dig in the the Satanic Panic and its related "recovered memories" which some psychologists are unfortunately beginning to recycle now. And perhaps in a few year, Kellerman will find a case to write about among deluge of coming lawsuits against doctors who supported wholeheartedly the use of hormones and dangerous drugs to block puberty in children, and "trans surgeries" of young girls who legally cannot even buy a pack of cigarettes, but can in the US have their breast sliced off without their parents' permission. (I should add, that Europeans are hitting the breaks: In 3/2021, Sweden's Karolinska Hospital, one of the world's top medical teaching institutes, announced that puberty blocking "treatments are...fraught with extensive and irreversible adverse consequences such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, infertility, increased cancer risk, and thrombosis. In light of the above, [such treatments] will not be initiated in gender dysphoric patients under the age of 16. For patients between ages 16 and 18, it is hereby decided that treatment may only occur within the clinical trial settings approved by the EPM (Ethical Review Agency/Swedish Institutional Review Board)). I am grateful for Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this excellent book.

Policy Change Regarding Hormonal Treatment of Minors with Gender Dysphoria at Tema Barn - Astrid Lindgren Children’s Hospital. https://segm.org/sites/default/files/Karolinska%20Policy%20Change%20K2021-3343%20March%202021%20%28English%2C%20unofficial%20translation%29.pdf



the last couple of books. But, even with that said, any Alex Delaware novel is still better than 90% of the mystery novels out there. Read the Alex Delaware series-you won't regret it.

Nothing I love more than spending some time with Alex and Milo. This was a true Kellerman mystery. The last few books have been a bit difficult for me to enjoy, but this one was just such a classic Delaware story. I love how the clues are planted and the slow reveal and then when it all comes together, it does it so quickly and yet still makes sense. Great resolution and I always hate having to leave Alex's world, knowing it will be a year before I can be back there. Loved how much this book involved Alex's actual job and getting back into that psychology niche that made me start reading the books in the first place. Great books!

Always nice to read an author who continues to tell fascinating tales so deep into their career. Even though Kellerman has been writing about Alex and Milo for over 30 years, the stories are still fresh and nuanced.

I had to look twice when I saw this was his 37th book in the Alex Delaware series. I have read and purchased every book – and loved them all. Jonathan Kellerman NEVER disappoints! He writing is smooth, quick and filled with twists. Alex and Milo have amazing adventures and they make the best team! The character development is so well done that I feel like I really know these two characters. If you haven’t read Jonathan Kellerman, what are you waiting for? My only negative is that I now have to wait another year to spend time with Alex and Milo! Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy. I could not put this book down.

Early one morning, the two of them find themselves in a neighborhood of pretty houses, pretty cars, and pretty people. The scene they encounter is anything but. A naked young man lies dead in the street, the apparent victim of a collision with a moving van hurtling through suburbia in the darkness. But any thoughts of accidental death vanish when a blood trail leads to a nearby home. Inside, a young woman lies butchered. The identity of the male victim and his role in the horror remain elusive, but that of the woman creates additional questions. And adding to the shock, Alex has met her while working a convoluted child custody case. Cordelia Gannett was a self-styled internet influencer who’d gotten into legal troubles by palming herself off as a psychologist. Even after promising to desist, she’s found a loophole and has continued her online career, aiming to amass clicks and ads by cyber-coaching and cyber-counseling people plagued with relationship issues. This is one of my all time favorite authors and series. I look forward to the next Alex/Milo book every year because they are all unputdownable and intriguing mysteries. This one kept me guessing all they way and the ending was perfect! I cannot wait until this time next ear! Thank you NetGalley for the advanced readers copy for review.

City of the Dead is classic Alex Delaware & Detective Milo Sturgis. Jonathan Kellerman is the compellIng author in the family. His writing speaks to me. The collaborations with his son and wife do not. While I can appreciate his desire to support his beloved family members, they do not write at the same level. This story felt true to the franchise. Jonathan Kellerman has not lost a step. When he writes about the investigation, psychological issues, family dynamics and solutions, it all makes sense.

After so many installments I’ve come to love the dialogue, the introspection, the comradeship and the love of Milo, Alex, Robin and furry Blanche. This story flowed beautifully, kept me interested and compelled me to spend an entire Sunday enraptured by my fictional friends.

While it may not be among the best of the series, it is really darned good. So, curl up in a comfortable chair with a cup of tea or glass of wine and get lost among the familiar characters.

Nice addition to the Alex Delaware series. A psychological thriller featuring Alex, Milo and Moses, the characters gel well together. A captivating plot with a mix of sarcasm, lots of twists and loved the surprised ending. Highly recommend for Kellerman fans and anyone who loves a good psychological thriller.

Special thanks to NetGalley, Jonathan Kellerman, and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for the advanced copy of The City of the Dead. #TheCityoftheDead #NetGalley

All these books later and the stories are still fresh and intriguing. When the dynamic duo land a case with glimpses from the past, things become even more complex. There are plenty of suspects and twists that will keep you guessing. This is Milo and Alex at their best. I didn't see that shocking ending coming. It's a gripping mystery that still feels like catching up with old friends. Everytime a new book in this series comes out I can't read it fast enough. I was up way past my bedtime. Excellent book.

Intelligent sarcastic, funny, complicated, and surprising with character relationships and depth that make this one of Kellerman's best. Robin and the No I are there as well:). Much, much better than the last 2 this author is on a renewed path of excel
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this arc

City of the Dead is another Kellerman classic. The Alex Delaware series continues in great fashion. The novel is gripping. The plot is intricately woven and takes the reader through many twists and turns until the very end.