Kellerman continues his competent series of Alex Delaware. Haven't finished the book yet, but this unusual murder mystery has certainly piqued my interest.

It's hard to believe this is the 38th book in this series, which has been a favorite of mine from the beginning (as far as I know, I've read - and loved - every single one). In this one, psychologist Dr. Alex Delaware and his longtime friend and colleague Los Angeles Police Detective Milo Sturgis are older, wiser and perhaps a titch more cynical, but otherwise it's pretty much same old, same old - just the way I like it.

This begins with the encountering of the hysterical assistant to a wealthy photographer she's just found in bed, quite dead as a result of three bullets. His latest project involved homeless subjects - people he invited into his studio to dress up as their "dream" person. After he photographed them, he fed them, paid them rather handsomely and sent them back to the streets.

As part of the investigation, Alex and Milo must speak to the victim's family, which turns out to be a challenge. Mostly a loner, the dead guy has several half brothers and sisters with whom he has little contact (and even less in common); the father, it seems, is a serial bridegroom who abdicates both the marriages and the offspring, although he freely shares his wealth. Most of the investigation, though, focuses on the seedy side of town. Could it be that one of the subjects in the victim's photo project liked his or her brush with luxury and returned to grab a bigger share?

As always, the expansive description of characters and settings far surpasses the action, but then that's part of the appeal of the books, at least to me. Loyal readers will be happy with it, I think - certainly I am - and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for once again allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy.

I enjoyed the book and it was a quick read. But, I didn’t love the book. The characters were interesting and easy to hope for. The murder victim’s family and complicated life provided an interesting backdrop to the story. While I didn’t love the book, I am interested to read more of the series.

As usual, this new Alex Delaware novel kept my fully engaged. Alex is called by his friend Milo to consult at the scene of the murder of a young photographer named Donny Klement. Donny is the son of billionaire Victor Klement who has been married many many times! Donny has recently been working on a project called "Wishing Makes It So" in which he photographed homeless people dressed up in order to fulfill their dreams. Had one of the homeless people murdered Donny? Was his death tied to his wealthy family? Working together , Alex and Milo do what they do best- follow the clues and see where they lead!

I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.. This is another very good Jonathan Kellerman mystery involving LAPD Detective Milo Sturgis and his friend, Dr. Alex Delaware, psychologist. Adonis “ Donny” Klement is murdered in cold blood in his California home and the detective and doctor are trying to gather clues to determine who is responsible for the murder. Donny was involved in a project to help the homeless people. He gave them money and food in exchange for them posing for pictures in costumes and portraying various professions and people. With so many homeless people coming and going in Donnie’s home, it was a challenge to find the murderer. In addition to the alcoholics and drug addicts, there seemed to be many suspects including relatives and friends . The story was good, but, a little slow and seemed repetitive at times.

I wonder how the author researched for this book. Street people play a big roll in this mystery. They don't use real names and relationships are fuzzy. Yet a wealthy photographer used a few in a photo project then ends of shot. The case seems to stall rather quickly. There is more speculation than facts. But in true Kellerman fashion it all does come together. The book was interesting and it is always a good story when Milo and Alex are involved.

This series is one of the best ones out there. Jonathan Kellerman is back with another addition to the series of detective novels featuring Dr. Alex Delaware and Lt. Milo Sturgis. This time, they are investigating a murder of an artist who had a very complicated life.

Donny Klement was a photographer who was the son of a reclusive billionaire. He was working on a project that earned him some accolades. He was photographing Wishers, homeless people who he paid to pose for photographs dressed as someone from their dream career. Unfortunately for Donny, someone murdered him in his studio. Dr. Delaware, the psychologist, and Lt. Sturgis, the detective, investigate the crime.

This is another great entry in this series. I’ve read most of them over the years and always enjoy this series. The camaraderie between the main characters makes them very realistic. The settings in Los Angeles really make the city come to life. The reader is invited into a richly-detailed world that doesn’t seem like fiction. For example, even the police get stuck in traffic and must use traffic apps to find the fastest routes to their crime scenes. Even great detectives make mistakes. Fictional crime scene techs have feelings about the scenes and the people they affect. The ocean smells salty and makes constant sounds. Procedures must be followed by the police when they apprehend a dangerous murder suspect, so they take their time to make the safest approach. Specifics like that really make the story real for the reader. The little details create an immersive world, and the reader loses themselves in the tale. That’s the wonderful thing about Kellerman’s writing. It’s why I enjoy this series so much, and always look forward to the next book.

This book looks at the world of the homeless in Los Angeles. This is contrasted with the world inhabited by rich people, such as Donny and his siblings, who are supported by their billionaire father. The contrasts between their lives are dramatic. The tough street life some of the characters live is heartbreaking. The scenes are vividly described and bring back memories for anyone who has ever lived in L.A.

Most of the books in the series can be read alone, but you get more background on all the characters by reading the whole series. All in all, this is another great entry in the series and should appeal to fans of detective fiction.

Milo Sturgis and Alex Delaware are back and I couldn't be happier. Psychologist Dr. Delaware and Detective Sturgis team up to try to solve the mystery of the death of Donny Klement, whose body was found in his photography studio by his assistant. He had been taking pictures of the homeless dressed in costumes of people they would have liked to have been if their lives had been different. Most people approved but some called it exploitative. Had one of them murdered him? Or did it stem from his bizarre, billionaire family where his father married multiple times and wanted only one child from each marriage?

If I could give this 6 stars, I would. 5 will have to do.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Unnatural History.

I've been reading the Alex Delaware series for a loonnnggg time, and I'm always excited when a new book comes out.

One of the biggest highlights of this series has always been Alex's friendship with Milo; their banter, the way they play up each other's strengths, their respect and admiration for each other.

The mystery itself wasn't interesting, though I did enjoy the psychological aspects of the family drama; a reclusive billionaire who marries and divorces, producing a child with each union but maintaining no relationships with his children.

I always like the procedural aspects in each book; Alex and Milo pounding the pavement interviewing witnesses and suspects; Milo's positive relationships with his colleagues, and their loyalty and diligence.

I've noticed in the last few books that there's less interaction between Alex and Robin, another high point of this series, the curation of their long romance and relationship was also one of the positives of this series.

I would like to see Alex and Robin and Blanche spending more time together.

As time goes on, I realized I've come to enjoy this series more for Alex and Milo's bromance and less for the mystery itself.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this in advance. I look forward to Alex and Milo's next adventure!

It is so good to have Jonathan Kellerman back! It reminded me of his earlier books with the suspense and creative story. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an excellent read!!

I wanted to give thanks to #RandomHousePublishingGroup, #BallantineBooks, #NetGalley for the digital ARC. I have enjoyed Jonathan Kellerman's books for years and I enjoyed this one as well. Alex Delaware is along for the ride with Milo trying to give psychological insights for the latest murders. This book follows the similar structure of the other books in this series, Milo and Alex are running down leads and hit the wall a few times until blind luck and good clues eventually come together. I enjoyed this book but for me the ending came about quicker than I anticipated. That can be the downfall of reading a digital version, it is easier to lose track of how much of the book is actually left. As always, I feel like I need more of these 2 characters and will now have to wait for the next book.

I used to read the Alex Delaware novels religiously but somewhere along the way I somehow forgot about this series, and it's been a minute since I've read them. Even though I haven't read all of the prior novels, I fell right back into this world and found Alex and Milo's relationship and investigation just as interesting and well-grounded as ever and really enjoyed this novel. Now I have to catch up on the ones I've missed!

Review of Advance Reader’s Copy

When Melissande Gornick finds her boss, photographer Donny Klement, dead in his studio loft, she tells Los Angeles Police Department Lieutenant Milo Sturgis that he had no enemies. His recent project, The Wishers, involved bringing homeless men and women into the studio to pose in costumes related to their wishes.

Could one of them have returned to murder the naïve, gentle photographer?

With child psychologist Doctor Alex Delaware consulting, Milo sets out to search the homeless encampments in the area, hoping to locate those who’d participated in the photo shoot and, hopefully, find some answers.

And then the body count rises.

Can Alex and Milo find the killer before he strikes again?

=========

Thirty-eighth in the Alex Delaware series, the story works well as a standalone for readers who are new to the series. With its strong sense of place . . . Los Angeles is like a character here . . . and well-defined characters, readers will find themselves pulled into the telling of the tale from the outset. Many of the expected characters [Robin, Moe, Sean, Alicia, and Blanche the bulldog] are part of the telling of the tale and, as the plot twists and turns, unexpected revelations help to keep the suspense building.

The plight of the homeless takes center stage as the unfolding story delves into the stories of these men and women. The dark and sometimes gritty backstories are truly heart-wrenching. In addition, the disparity between these men and women and those with access to unlimited funds is readily apparent.

As always, there’s the requisite traffic discussion [definitely relatable by any reader who has ever driven in Los Angeles] that adds to the realism of this complex police procedural. Compelling, intriguing, and fascinating, readers will find it difficult to set this one aside before turning the final page.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine, Ballantine Books and NetGalley
#UnnaturalHistory #NetGalley

Johnathon Kellerman has developed an amazing story of a detective and a phycologist that try to discover how the homeless community is tied into the murder of a young rich man.
Where life homeless is hard scrabble and you do anything for a dollar.
What else they find in the investigation is how an extraordinarily rich man has never developed a relationship with any of his children. Unfortunately for his son and stepdaughter; that was a most Unnatural History.

Alex Delaware has always been a great character, and he's particularly luminous in this latest thriller. The backdrop is L.A.'s gritty homelessness, and Alex and Milo tread through it with empathy but realism. A strong page-turner.

The 38th book in the legendary Alex Delaware/Milo Sturgess mystery series by Jonathan Kellerman is about to be released in February 2023. As readers have come to expect, Unnatural History is another expertly plotted murder mystery that delves into the psychological baggage of victims and suspects. Long-time fans will enjoy the fast-paced story, probably finishing it in a day or two.

While the mystery in Unnatural History has everything I love about Kellerman's books, the last several installments have virtually abandoned any attention to the characters' backstories. At home, Alex has short encounters with Blanche (his pet French Bulldog), Robin (his woodworking, sexy partner), and his Koi fish, but those stories have become lackluster and predictable. Same with Milo and his Physician partner. I miss the earlier books where more happened in the background.

I suggest starting this series at the beginning, but because there is no deep backstory in this installment, you can read this book as a stand-alone.

I'll keep reading every Alex Delaware book Kellerman writes. His plots and characters are always fun to untangle. But I wish more would happen in the lives of the returning cast.

I received a free ebook version of the novel in exchange for an honest review.

A good story overall, but the first I've read in the series which may be why I wasn't as into the story as others that reviewed this book were. Shows a dark side of Los Angeles homeless society, and a good psychological thriller. If you've read others by this author in this series I highly recommend this one.

Unnatural History
By Jonathan Kellerman

Jonathan Kellerman never fails to deliver. His plots are always worthy of his main characters Dr. Alex Delaware and Detective Milo Sturgis. In this case the main murder victim is an altruistic photographer who has taken various homeless, asked them what they wished they had become and then photographed them in the garb of their vision.
After being found dead in his unsecured home Alex and Milo try to figure out if one of the photo subjects might have returned to help themselves to some of the cash they had seen around.
As Alex and Milo start investigating, some of the homeless themselves start ending up murdered.
A compelling read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the advanced copy for review purposes.

Another great Alex Delaware story. Keeping it current by including a lot of the homeless population in the character list.

Milo Sturgis, an LA homicide detective, is assigned the murder case of Donny, the photographer son of a reclusive billionaire. There were no clues and no witnesses so Milo engaged the help of his friend psychologist, Dr. Alex Delaware to help find the killer. Donny was found alone in his studio by his assistant. The man’s mother was dead and his father could not be reached. The family was composed of a group of only children with different mothers who had little or no contact with each other or their father.
The photographer’s assistant informed the detective that Donny had no enemies. The last project he had worked on was Wishers, a series of fantasy photos of homeless people dressed as heroes. Since these folks were photographed at the studio, the detectives set out to find them in the many homeless encampments around that area. Then some of the homeless models turn up dead as well.
This story takes the reader into the underbelly of life In California as well as the lives of trust fund kids with access to unlimited funds.
This is the 38th book in the successful Alex Delaware series.Fans of the series as well as those who enjoy murder mysteries, will not be disappointed.
I received this ARC from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.