Unnatural History by Jonathan Kellerman brings more than just murder and suspense to the 38th book in the Alex Delaware series. It combines a police procedural with psychology to bring additional insights into the story and people. The books are also tend to be cerebral in nature.

Los Angeles Police Lieutenant Milo Sturgis and psychologist Dr. Alex Delaware team up again when Milo is called to the scene of the murder of a handsome, wealthy photographer, Donny Klement. He was found dead by his new personal assistant, Mel Gornick. His latest project is one of homeless people in their “dream” situations. Did one of them feel exploited? Was it a simple robbery gone wrong or does his death have something to do with his family or inheritance?

Milo and Alex have been friends for years and while they often approach cases from different standpoints, their investigative and cognitive techniques gel as well as their dispositions, and they keep the cases fresh, entertaining and moving along. The way they bounce ideas off of each other feels natural. At this stage of the series, the main characters are well known to this reader and have depth. Some secondary characters from previous books in the series show up to keep things interesting and provide additional awareness of how Milo and his team work together. However, some were missing from this story line entirely. Milo’s partner was only mentioned in passing.

The writing style flowed well and I knew I was back with old friends. Kellerman’s writing is polished and appealing, doing a good job of transporting me to the Los Angeles area. Whether they are talking about or experiencing the traffic or food or the people, I was living the events with Milo and Alex. They both want to achieve justice and hold bad people accountable for their actions. The story had several twists and there were a couple of surprises along the way.

As always, the story is descriptive. This book will thrill fans of crime thrillers who relish a story with realistic and diverse characters. Additionally, several themes are explored including mental health, addiction, friendship, family, jealousy, and much more. This riveting mystery kept me turning the pages quickly.

Overall, this was a story that quickly drew me into Milo and Alex’s world and their latest case. It was an engaging read with a deeply involved plot and a solid mystery to unravel. I also liked the insights into Alex’s work with child custody cases.

Readers that like the series, mysteries, and police procedurals should enjoy this latest novel. I don’t recommend jumping into this series at number 38, though. Start earlier in the series to have the best reading experience. I have read over 20 books in the series and plan to read them all. They’re never disappointing.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine and Jonathan Kellerman via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for February 7, 2023.

Ebook/Mystery:. This is another enjoyable Alex Delaware novel. There's lots of Milo and some .o Reed. This wasn't the most suspenseful of the series, but it did keep my attention. I really wanted more backstory on Donnie's father and if I remember correctly, we only meet him briefly twice. I do recommend the book, but don't expect anything but an average plot. The Serpent was much better.

This is the 38th book in the Alex Delaware series and I have read all of them. Obviously, I enjoy the investigative duo of Detective Milo Sturgis and psychologist Delaware, as well as all the supporting characters and look forward to each new addition. Whenever I crack open a Kellerman book, I can’t seem to put it down.

When a photographer is found dead, the investigative duo look into the victim’s wealthy but eccentric family as well as his recent shoot involving homeless individuals.

Kellerman writes true police procedurals, albeit a little different due to Milo being unconventional and Alex along to provide psychological insight. True, they do tend to be a bit formulaic, as Alex and Milo chase down leads, generate and discuss different theories, interview persons of interest, enjoy a few good meals. Kellerman’s descriptions are particularly picturesque and entertaining and he always seems to put a fresh spin on cases, although I wasn’t as fond of number 38 as some of the prior in the series.

This can be read as a standalone, but if you are familiar with this series, it is always enjoyable to meet up with these familiar characters.

This is one of Mr. Kellerman’s better books! If you are a fan of his like I am, definitely read this one. This one is an intense study in abnormal family psychology that will keep you turning the pages.

A solid addition to the Alex Delaware series! Jonathan Kellerman writes another great mystery with a twist you don’t see coming.

Many thanks to Random House's Ballantine Books and Netgalley for proving me with an eARC of this book!

I had almost forgotten how captivating the Alex Delaware novels are (with of course Alex's essential friend Milo).

This novel is a wonderful representative of the series, and I enjoyed how much it made me consider how elements of one's wealth (or lack thereof) is ALMOST an insignificant issue when it comes to the real issues and struggles we all encounter and have to struggle through on a daily basis.

As usual, Mr. Kellerman provides us with an intriguing and intelligent "whodunit" will prompting us to consider much larger cultural and personal issues.

Great read!

Another lovely mystery from Jonathan Kellerman, starring my two favorites: Dr. Alex Delaware and Milo Sturgis!

Called to the scene of a gruesome murder, Dr. D and Milo must work together once again to figure out #WhoDoneIt.

A young woman showed up to her dream job, being the assistant to an up and coming photographer. What she found instead, was a dead body.

The photographer's latest project was taking the homeless off the streets and dressing their up in their dream job. Doctors, pilots, CEOs- everyone has a dream. Were one of his subjects the murderer? Was someone else from the streets the guilty one?

Digging deep into the victim's past, we find his father is one of the richest and most elusive billionaires in the land. Is this the connection? How deeply do family ties run?

Surrounded by the usual cast of characters, Kellerman once again keeps me engaged with the plot and constantly guessing the connection. This is another mystery I didn't want to end!

I've read a number (but not all) of the books in this series, and they are hit or miss with me. This one fell about in the middle. This far into the series, the characters are well-known to regular readers, and little stands out from book to book to make it memorable after the final page. This installment dragged a bit more than others I've read. I'm not sure whether or not I'll read future books in the series.

Jonathan Kellerman has been writing the character of Alex Delaware since 1985. Unnatural History is the 38th book in the series.

"A photographer, Donny Klement, is found shot and killed in his own bed. Lt. Milo Sturgis gets the case and asks his longtime friend, Dr. Alex Delaware, to consult. Milo discovers a photo project that Donny had been working on involving several homeless men and women. As Milo and Alex dig into Donny's background they discover his reclusive billionaire father and several half siblings. Was it a family member? Did a homeless person take advantage of a naive young man?
And now the people from the phot project are turning up dead..."

Because Delaware is a psychologist, you always get a lot of motive and the psychological ramifications of a murder and a scene. Kellerman never veers into the overexplaining that many authors do. It's just enough input to add depth to the story.
This is a procedural - Sturgis and Delaware follow leads until they find the bad guy. Kellerman adds a nice twist here near the end.
The homeless play a big part in the plot and Kellerman uses that to make some commentary on the homeless situation in several California communities.

This is the next book in a long series but can totally be read as a stand-alone. More great crime fiction from Kellerman.

Psychologist Dr. Alex Delaware and Detective Milo Sturgis seem like an odd couple, but together they are unique team able to see different sides to each murder mystery. In Unnatural History the two delve into the life of Donny Klement, a handsome, young, wealthy photography. The story begins with Donny’s murder, but from the beginning I couldn’t figure out who would want to hurt such a gentle soul. Following his current project of photographing homeless people dressed up in a costume as their dream persona, we meet various street people and learn how they viewed Donny and his project.

Besides questioning the people Donny photographed, Alex and Milo look for Donny’s family, which is a very odd family. His father a recluse and almost invisible online, without any photos and very few details about his life. He has the habit of marrying a woman, fathering a child, and then divorcing the woman. Always on good terms, but then he really isn’t part of the child’s life other than financially supporting his children and ex-wives. Donny is his youngest child; Donny’s mother died when he was young and he seemed like a very lonely young man.

As more people turn up dead, the questions are who is killing these people who knew Donny, and why? I was totally caught off guard by the ending.

Thank you to Random House Publishing/Ballantine and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of Unnatural History. This is my honest review.

January 2, 2022
Being a former librarian, I was familiar with this author and Alex Delaware but had never taken the chance to read one. While I was very eager, it still took me awhile to get into this story. I understand it's the 37th in the series, and I suspect I may not have been so confused if I had read some of the others. The story does pick up and get better as you sort of "acclimatize" to it, but I don't feel like I can give it five stars. Thanks, NetGalley for the chance to read it. I should probably go back to book 1 and get a better feeling for the series.

The above is my review for the previous Alex Delaware. I was rather astonished when I checked it to find that it was exactly what I was planning to say for this one! At first, At first, I told myself, "No more Jonathan Killerman books for me" but then decided to buy the first one "When the Bough Breaks" and see if it's any easier to read.

Detective Milo Sturgis calls his friend Dr. Alex Delaware to meet him at a crime scene on Venice Boulevard. This time even more than psychological consulting, Milo wants Alex to help with the victim's distraught young assistant who had just discovered her boss's dead body in his small apartment. The murder victim is Donny Klement, an up and coming young photographer and the son of a rather reclusive billionaire. After Alex calms down the hysterical girl at the crime scene, Milo also enlists his help in deciphering the mystery of Donny’s death. Milo and Alex find themselves following several angles as they try to determine who killed Donny. Was Donny’s death related to his latest creative project involving street people or was it financially motivated because of his affluent father? Or was it something far more sinister? As their investigation ensues, Alex gets a bit too close for comfort. Kellerman has crafted another nail-bitingly good thriller. Readers will enjoy accompanying Milo and Alex to gritty crime scenes and delving into the psychological analysis of several individuals closely involved in Donny's murder. Readers will also enjoy more small glimpses into Alex's childhood. # 38 in this popular series does not disappoint.

Actually I count 18 reviews of this author on our blog (men reading books.). And I agree with WCD's accessment, 'this is not his best work.' I think Kellerman's formula is getting tired. His dynamic duo of characters has been doing the same thing for much longer than real time would allow. Time to inject some fresh blood. I'm still a big fan. Thanks for the hours of enjoyment.

A wealthy, eccentric photographer has been found murdered. The case is confusing, no obvious suspects or motive. Alex and Milo are working together to solve the case. There are a lot of twists and turns along the way. This is part of a series but can stand on its own. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

Not my favorite in the series but always Greta to spend time with Milo & Alex anyway. The pacing felt a little slow even around the case breaks. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

Jonathon Kellerman is an auto buy author for me. In my opinion he writes a solid mystery. I also like that you can pickup any of his books and pretty much read them as stand alone stories..This one was no exception. I was hooked from the beginning. Fast paced but not a lot of extraneous filler. Straight forward police procedural.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest opinion. I’m a little early on this one. It comes out in the beginning of February. 4⭐️

Alex Delaware is back and better than ever.. Packed full of suspense, drama, twists and turns he does what he does best. in a page turning and exciting way.. You need to read this.

As usual, an enjoyable read, great story and I love the base characters. I found it to be engaging and was unable to easily put it down.

Unnatural History is the 8th Jonathan Kellerman novel reviewed in this blog about Dr. Alex Delaware, a clinical psychologist who is also a friend and crime solver with his best friend, Milo Sturgis, an LAPD homicide lieutenant. In this book, there’s been a murder of a young man, a photographer who is currently focused on LA’s homeless population. He also happens to be the son of a billionaire. The father, Victor Clement, has structured the oddest of family lives. He’s about to have his sixth child with his soon to be sixth wife. All of the marriages have been brief, and except for a few exceptions, the children have been kept isolated from one another. Victor’s new wives have never taken on the role of step mother to the younger children. While giving generous settlements with each divorce, Clement has had almost no ongoing contact with his children. He admits that he has “abdicated” paternal responsibility for them as he moves about the world on his own whims.

The youngest son, Donny, was in his 30s when he was murdered at his LA photography studio. There was a list of homeless people who he had photographed, none of whom this reader found to be particularly compelling. There was little emotional connection between the family members, so there was simply a real sense of loss among the surviving family members. There was a sometimes interesting detective process as the real killer was finally discovered.

Basically, while we’ve generally reviewed Kellerman’s novels with praise, this is not his best work, and it does not merit by own recommendation. I’ll be curious to see if Midwest Dave, a devout fan of Kellerman, feels differently about this novel. This one is scheduled for release on 2/7/23.

The Alex Delaware series is up to #38, I haven’t read them all but didn’t feel lost. Another solid murder mystery in the long running series worth reading, I certainly enjoyed it!
The canyons, cliffs, the beaches and blue sea beyond, even traffic clogged freeways, are enough to make me want to experience those views. I have a difficult time choosing between the interesting plot and the vivid regional descriptions as my favorite part of this murder mystery. Having never visited this area of California reading about the setting put me right there.
Milo and Alex have a ‘work friends’ relationship. A homicide Lieutenant and therapist piece different aspects of a case together in a common goal to narrow down the suspect list, find motives and apprehend the criminal.
The investigation into Donny's murder incorporates a genuine representation of the plight of homeless population in LA. The young artist seems to have paid a high price for his intended kindness to them. Well constructed believable characters known as “The wishers” were brought to life. Jangles especially touched my heart. Our society has made scant progress towards understanding or assisting those on the fringes.
Easy to follow even though there are many adult kids fathered by a prolific eccentric billionaire, Victor. His character isn’t likable, in fact rather despicable. I kept waiting for him to change his ways and see what he’d missed, family dynamics are complicated. There were certainly many suspects to choose from with half-siblings, X-wives, and Donny’s photography subjects. Common denominator – money, everybody wants it.
Many thanks to NetGalley for the digital advance reader copy of “Unnatural History”, an Alex Delaware novel by Jonathan Kellerman, and to Ballantine Books. These are all my own honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily without compensation.