City of the Dead
by Jonathan Kellerman
Pub Date: February 8, 0222
Ballantine
The past comes back to haunt psychologist Alex Delaware and Detective Milo Sturgis when they investigate a grisly double homicide and uncover an even more unspeakable motive in this riveting thriller from the #1 New York Times bestselling master of suspense.
Many of our male readers at our library are reading this series. I enjoyed this psychological mystery. This book is number 37 in the series, but it can be read as a stand alone. It is the only book that I have read by this author.
Thanks to Ballantine and NetGalley for a very satisfying read. I am recommending it and buying it for our library.
5 stars

I liked this story so much from the get-go that I wondered why I'd never before read a Jonathan Kellerman book. This novel is well-written (meaning factually and grammatically solid, with a strong flow and believable characters), but it's most of all a powerful, suspenseful story with a satisfying mystery.

The two elements that stood out were the psychological insight (unsurprising, since the author is a child psychologist), and the easy, realistic friendship between Dr. Delaware and Detective Sturgis. Kellerman raised lot of questions about the safety of social media, and included a few natural-seeming segments of Delaware's clinical work.

Some other reviewers were dismayed at the number of red herrings and the scarcity of foreshadowing on the identity of the original murderer. I didn't figure out the villain, either -- but Delaware's interaction with the killer early on kept resonating as I read, so there was clearly a strong subliminal suggestion there.

My curiosity was piqued, so I did some research and found that yes, I had in fact read a couple of the earlier books in the Alex Delaware series. They obviously hadn't made as strong an impression as City of the Dead has done, so I can only assume that the character and the author have matured nicely.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an advance readers copy.

Well, this was a quick read, I finished it in two days without much effort. I have read one other Jonathan Kellerman book that I could not wait for to be over... but this Alex Delaware series has a huge following so I thought I would give it another shot. The characters were solid and obviously well-defined after 36 previous episodes. The mystery set up well, too... I bought into it. I just did not feel the road to the solution was satisfying. There was no early foreshadowing-- I can not say much more without risking a spoiler. If you are getting onto an airplane and don't have anything disposable to read, pick this up at the gift shop. It is done professionally and will not challenge your intellect at all.

Three out of five stars. Thank you to Ballantine / Random House and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is an author that I never hesitate to pick up. I have loved his books from the first one I picked up. His writing style as well as his attention to details make his stories realistic. His characters are creative and bring the story to life. This book is no different. This is a series that is my favorite by this author and Alex Delware is such a great character that keeps me coming back for more. I enjoy being pulled into the book from the beginning. This is an engagaging, hard to put down story that is full of action and twists and turns. Alex is back in another page turning story and of course you can't forget about Milo. They get involved in another suspenseful, mystery, murder case that you don't want to miss. I loved this book and found it to be fast paced and entertaining. I highly recommend this book and this author.

37 books in and this series is still going strong. I started reading the Alex Delaware stories about 2 years ago, and am no where near caught up. Luckily this series doesn't need to be read in order, to be enjoyed.

The mystery was intriguing. There is enough to keep you guessing. When I started chapter 35 I thought, "Wow! Could that possibly be it?" The wrap up to the first murders in the story was a complete twist that I didn't see coming until then. The answer hinted at and then revealed in the last 10% of the story. An amazing job, once again, by Jonathan Kellerman.

Thank you to Ballantine Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to enjoy this fast paced mystery e-ARC.

Good book. Lots of red herrings to work through. As a follower of this series, it was nice to have all the regulars involved. Full resolution gave a satisfying ending.

I have never read one of the Jonathan Kellerman’s novels so since I was not familiar with the recurring characters it took me awhile to figure out who was who, their occupations, and how they fit together. I did have trouble following one of the subplots and not sure it really fit into the storyline. Once I figured out everyone and started to follow the story I enjoyed it. I guess I have to go back and read some of his earlier novels with Alex Delaware.

I'm a sucker for a new Kellerman, he's one of those authors that I actively search for when the next book will be out, and thanks to Netgalley I got this one before release. In City of the Dead, Milo catches a new case; a naked man found dead in the street after getting run over by a moving truck and,following leads from the neighbors, finding another victim, a woman found dead in her home with her throat slashed. Milo and Alex begin to weave their way through scant clues and dead ends to find a ruthless killer.

As with all the Kellerman books I've read, I found the characters fascinating,there's always an eclectic slice of life to the peripheral characters in this series, especially Cordi's mother, whose disassociation from Cordi and her self-imposed estrangement along with the pain of her murder was probably to protect her own fragility. It adds a gritty realism and also a poignant human element that makes for a memorable read.

A salaciously sinuous plot, it kept me guessing with each chapter, with a pace that kept moving and grinding from clue to clue. One thing that really stood out in my mind was the interactions between Alex and Milo. After decades of this series, I never get tired of the two of them working together. In this one, Alex had met the victim in a custody case he had worked and was put in a tight spot a few times when his professional ethics and integrity prevented him from giving information to Milo and it's a real testament to Alex and Milo's friendship how they resolve their differences without rancor or hard feelings.

Finally, just a short note. I received an advanced copy and although it's requested not to share details in case they're changed or edited out in the final release, I do want to say that I found the discussion about one of the Beatles' songs interesting and amusing and I'm now wondering if I'm an outlier because it's one of my favorite songs and I could live in that song's vibe happily ever after, picking up the rice...

A master in this genre and an excellent offering by the author. Well paced with an intriguing story line that keeps you up burning the midnight oils. But worth every bit of it. An outstanding read.

It took a couple of chapters for me to get into City of Dead because it has been a few years since I read a novel in Jonathan Kellerman's Alex Delaware series. At first, it seemed the book was written for avid readers of the series who were familiar with many of the characters and their history, which slowed me down a bit. The only excuse I can come up with for not reading more books in this series is there are so many authors writing good books and I have been incredibly busy. That said, let me make it clear I really liked this book and will soon be reading all the Alex Delaware stories.

City of Dead moved along quickly after my slow start. It was easy to follow the investigation as it developed, and appreciate the professional partnership between Detective Milo Sturgis and Dr. Delaware in solving the murders. Yes, this is a crime/murder mystery. I don't want to reveal the surprising twist, but it was unique. I'm glad I read this book, and recommend it highly.

As a HUGE Kellerman fan, I was thrilled to be chosen as an early reader of City of the Dead. The book focuses on yet another case worked by the illustrious Milo Sturgis and Dr. Alex Delaware, two of my favorite partners in literary history!

Sturgis calls in Delaware to help investigate a rather strange murder situation he's discovered. Delaware is surprised when he knows the victim, and the two set off to find out "who done it."

A page-turner, full of twisty subplots and who done its, this was another Kellerman win in my book!

Just when I thought that Jonathan Kellerman couldn’t find another mystery to surprise me - HE DID and what a great twisted story City of the Dead was!! This is the 37th book in the Alex Delaware series. Dr Alex Delaware and Milo Sturgis are once again trying to solve crimes in the book, City of the Dead.

Milo called in Alex when he found an unusual victim killed by being run over by a moving van. Only the scenario is very unusual in the fact he is naked and only steps away from a rented house where a woman was killed by a knife. Just to make everything more interesting, Alex recognizes her from a case earlier in his career.

The murder mystery is compounded by finding information about the victims. Each step seems to be more unknown information and more dead ends to follow. Luckily neither Milo or Alex give up. Persistence starts to pay off but the answers lead to more questions. City of the Dead by Jonathan Kellerman is a great thriller with lots of surprise twists.

Psychologist Alex Delaware is again working with Detective Milo Sturgis on a murder case; double murder case. The murdered woman turns out to be someone Alex met briefly in the past. While investigating the case, the main murder suspect is also found murdered so the case stalls. Alex continues with his regular job of evaluating in child custody cases and while doing that comes across information that puts Milo back on the murderer's trail.

A moving van drives through an expensive neighborhood before dawn, the movers hoping for an early start until a disturbing collision halts their progress. They expect to find they’ve hit an animal, not the naked young man dead before them.

At first, the detective believes he’s at the scene of a tragic accident, until a blood trail leads to a nearby home. Inside, the police find a beautiful woman whose throat had been cut. Milo calls in Dr. Alex Delaware who is rattled to recognize the victim, Cordelia Gannett, who he’d encountered when she was impersonal a doctor on a child custody case. Though censured for her fraud, since then, she reinvented herself as a relationship expert with a heavy social media presence.

With two victims, questions abound, from the relationship between the two to the true target, not to mention the identity of the man. As Alex and Milo probe the past for answers, they uncover surprising connections and a depraved motive behind the crime.

The why of this crime was completely surprising and why Milo needs a consulting psychologist. Their banter is always amusing to me!

It’s amazing to me that even thirty-seven books into the series Kellerman keeps the cases fresh and interesting with a continued high bar for quality writing. My least favorite part of the series is time spent on Alex’s relationship, and I was pleased that Robin appeared very little in the book. (However, I always love Blanche, the French Bull Dog!)

Mysteries and thrillers are my comfort reads, with the Alex Delaware series one of my go-to series, and I’m pleased that this did not disappoint. Though this is well into the series, it’s definitely possible to jump in here or read as a stand-alone.

Read if you like police procedurals, detective-civilian partnerships, or mysteries that focus on the psychological element of the crime!

I have read Jonathan Kellerman for years and always enjoyed his police procedure novels, but this one I just could not get into.
The characters were stereotypical and the dialogue seemed dated - does everyone involved in police work actually speak like an old "Law & Order" episode?

Holy moly what a ride this book was. I am not a big fan of the subplots though, I think one of them was actually completely unnecessary.

A woman who claims to be a "doctor" turns up dead in West Hollywood, discovered when her friend is tossed at a moving van that is well, moving. Pursuit of a killer ensues. As with most Kellerman books, red herrings abound as to whodunit. As I mentioned above, this one felt like overkill, pun fully intended. While there is a lot of banter between Alex and Milo, it lacks the usual warmth and laugh out loud qualities I have come to expect of Milo. This was more Milo's on his case and Alex is doing his shrink thing and occasionally this overlaps.

For all my complaints I was quite swept up in the plot(s) of this book. Kellerman never fails to deliver on an ending and he certainly does in this book too. All I can say is yikes. I know people think Stephen King has a wild mind with some of the horror he concocts but the human psyche and Kellerman's baddies sure beat any fiction King dreams up. While this wasn't the best book in the Delaware series, devoted readers will enjoy. If you're just starting the series, don't start with this one.

It’s been a long time since I’ve read anything by this author.

A great murder mystery. Everyone seems to be hiding something.

So many people intent on burying the past. All those abandoned identities moldering in psychological graves. The real city of the dead.

This long time partnership between Milo Sturges and Alex Delaware is still going strong even after 37 books.

This was a very enjoyable quick read.

City of the Dead, (Ballantine, $28.99, 336 pages, ISBN 978-0-525-61858-4), by Jonathan Kellerman is his 37th book featuring the duo of LAPD consulting psychologist Alex Delaware and Los Angeles Police Department Detective Milo Sturgis—now a Lieutenant, and an openly gay homicide investigator—whose solve rate is “close to 100 percent.”
The novel opens with the body of a naked and very dead man who’s been hit by a moving van in the Westwood section of the city near the UCLA campus. Then, just as the reader begins to focus on the mystery of the naked man, the first of a series of plot twists . . . and a trail of blood droplets . . . lead the cops to a second body in a nearby house; it’s a woman named Cordelia Gannett, who’s been stabbed to death, whom Delaware recognizes from a child custody case he testified in two years previous. Gannett claimed to be a psychologist, but was exposed as a fraud. Now, she’s been selling herself on the web as a “relationship expert.” As Lt. Sturgis and Alex Delaware try to identify the nude man and look into Gannett’s activities, a number of other crimes and fascinating characters begin to emerge in this entertaining whodunnit. The insights of Mr. Kellerman, who’s an actual trained psychologist, are always spot-on, educational and enlightening as he digs into the minds of his interesting, but damaged human beings. Reading this novel however, was like slipping into an old flannel shirt and a comfortable chair, then spending the evening conversing with two old friends. Interesting and familiar . . . but not much in the way of drama and excitement.

This Jonathan Kellerman book was fast-paced and entertaining the way that his books always are! The basic premise of the double murder in this Alex Delaware series was engaging and overall very enjoyable. However, the ending felt a little contrived in a deus ex machina kind of way. I would recommend this book for fans of his or a brand new reader of his work, although it helps a little to know the back story of some of the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

In this 37th book in the 'Alex Delaware' series, the psychologist helps LAPD detective Milo Sturgis investigate a tricky case. The book can be read as a standalone, but familiarity with the characters is a plus.

*****

A moving van has almost reached its destination in an upscale Los Angeles neighborhood near UCLA when it hits a young man who seems to appear out of nowhere. The victim is dead....and naked. When the police arrive a crotchety old man who lives on the block suggests the deceased came from a house down the street, which 'gets a lot of visitors.' The cops approach the house in question, see some drops of blood, and enter to find the dead body of homeowner Cordelia Gannett.

LAPD homicide detective Lt. Milo Sturgis gets the case, and as always in unusual situations, calls his friend Dr. Alex Delaware, a psychologist who consults for the Los Angeles Police Department. It turns out Dr. Delaware is acquainted with deceased Cordelia Gannett, a beautiful blonde with a checkered past. When Alex was doing a child-custody evaluation for the court a couple of years ago, Cordelia Gannett showed up to testify for the husband, claiming to be a child psychologist.

Cordelia, who barely finished high school, was exposed as a fraud and charged with misrepresentation. Afterwards, Cordelia reinvented herself as a sort of life coach, a profession that doesn't require a license or credentials.

Milo and Alex conclude that the dead man was Cordelia's houseguest, and he may have killed her, panicked, and ran into the street. On the other hand, someone else may have killed them both and thrown the nude man into the moving van to confuse the authorities.

The naked victim can't be identified because his wallet is gone, his face is crushed, and his fingerprints aren't in the system. Thus an early order of business is to find out his name. The investigators also learn that a lawyer loosely connected to Cordelia was murdered, and things get even murkier.

Milo and Alex spend a lot of time driving around Los Angeles to interview people, including Cordelia's mother, stepfather, half-brother, clients, and acquaintances. When the naked corpse is identified, Milo and Alex speak to the people who knew him as well. It turns out both Cordelia and the naked man had difficult childhoods and broke away from their families to better themselves as adults.

Meanwhile, Alex is also working on a child custody evaluation for a divorcing couple. Alex meets with the parents separately, and learns the mother wants to take the couple's daughter to Kentucky, where her rich horse-breeding family lives., and the father opposes the plan. The manipulations of both parents, and the shenanigans of a snooty devious lawyer, add interest (and a touch of fun) to the story.

As always in this series, Alex hobnobs with his girlfriend Robin and their cute French bulldog Blanche; and Milo eats enormous amounts of food, including a monumental burrito and a huge steak.

I like police procedurals and I enjoyed the book. My major quibble is that the solution to the murders doesn't come from clues accumulated by the investigators but is more of a deus ex machina. Armchair detectives would have to be clairvoyant to suss out the killer, and I felt a bit cheated.

Still, I'd recommend the book to fans of the series.

Thanks to Netgalley, Jonathan Kellerman, and Ballantine Books for a copy of the book.