Member Reviews

There have been almost forty installments in this series but as numerous as that sounds, each are fresh (could be read as a standalone) and I never get tired of this author’s descriptive, quasi-humorous writing style. “Barn door, horse.”

There are two threads in this one, a minor thread about an adopted juvenile and Milo’s double homicide. Alex is a child psychologist but is frequently pulled into an investigation by his homicide detective buddy, Milo Sturgis, as is this one.

The female victim is older and married (but not to the young male found in proximity), extremely rich through her marriage. He is likewise embarrassingly rich, the young son of an Italian shoe empire.

No question there are negative feelings for both victims at the beginning of the book. Spoiled rich kid—mysterious lady, hidden past. Hmmm. So, who was the target and who was the collateral damage?

Obviously a layered investigation. As Alex and Milo progress through interviews, the sentiment gradually begins to sway just a tad to neutral and by the end of the book becomes strongly sympathetic to both victims.

As always, I enjoy the atmosphere of the LA area and surrounds as well as both main and support characters. Alex and Milo are the perfect antithesis and their dynamic works.

These installments always leave me anticipating the next one, but gotta say, I really enjoyed this one a lot! Recommended—a don’t miss!

I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the author and publisher through @NetGalley that in no way influenced this review. These are my honest thoughts.

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I have enjoyed spending time with Detective Lt. Milo Sturgis and psychologist Alex Delaware through the author's long-running series. And even though this is #39 in the Alex Delaware Novels, I still found the story fresh and fascinating.

A man and a woman are found slain by the pool of a Bel Air mansion. But which one was the primary target? Gio has a history of financial mishaps and a wealthy family who continues to support him. Meagin has an almost untraceable past and a husband who travels continuously for his job. This is the type of case where Alex is especially helpful to Milo, so although the detective still feels guilty four months after their last case together resulted in serious injury to Alex, he knows his friend is more than ready to get involved once more.

Alex narrates the detailed story of how the colleagues sift through the clues together and apply their skill and insight to solve an impossible crime with multiple suspects. The meaning of the book's title doesn't become evident until more than halfway through the story, but that worked for me. In a secondary plot, Alex tackles a difficult custody battle where neither spouse seems to want to continue to parent their adopted 15-year-old son, resulting in an unexpected conclusion.

The characters are well drawn, the protagonists have a convincing partnership, and I appreciate the mature, long-term relationship between Alex and Robin. I'd like to see this series continue to run indefinitely!

My thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

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Partners, Milo, a police detective and Alex a psychologist are back investigating the death of a women with a mysterious past and the man she is having an affair with. Who is she and why was killed take up much of the storyline. It is easy to read, with likeable main characters and an interesting storyline

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A master writer at the peak of his game another tor de force of a thriller that was engaging and interesting and propulsive read .
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review the book

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It was such a pleasure to be back in the company of Alex Delaware and Milo Sturgis! Having to wait for Jonathan Kellerman’s next book is sometimes torture! This one definitely did not disappoint me.

Alex and Milo are back on track after Alex has recovered from his injuries at the end of the last book. This case starts with a double homicide—-an Italian businessman and a wealthy socialite,obviously having a romantic tryst at the home of the Italian. There’s immediately a catch—-she’s married to a very rich guy who travels almost continuously.

The way the case unfolded made me wonder how in the world they would ever find out who the perpetrator was. But finally, and of course almost at the end of the book, a clue drops. It requires more digging, but Milo was able to solve the murder.

There’s also a sidebar regarding a custody case that Alex has taken on, a sad situation that tells us more about Alex’s background, as well as the adolescent involved.

I really,really love this series! My thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine for the ARC. My review is given voluntarily.

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If you're a Kellerman fan, I have nothing to say to you because you KNOW he always delivers and this is another five star read. If you have never read a Kellerman book (and I'm including his wife Faye here) you are missing out. This series has been going on for over 30 books and it just never disappoints. I particularly found this addition to be easy to follow and the storyline was complex, but comes together beautifully. I think it may be one of his shorter books and that's fine, too. Now I will just sit here and wait for the next one!

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. Another winner. No surprise!!

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As always, I set other books aside to read the latest Alex Delaware and Milo Sturgis adventure. And as usual, the books are fun to read. At this stage, as talented a writer as Jon Kellerman is, he is phoning his most recent efforts. The premise is clever; working the case backwards, Milo and Alex peel back the history and motive and again, as always, they figure it out and understand why things happened.
It is. a pleasure to read his writing, he is both talented and experienced, it would be nice if he could put a little more effort into a new storyline.

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Disclosure: Received an uncorrected ARC of this book from NetGalley and Ballantine /Penguin Random House LLC (Thank you!) in exchange for an honest review.

As a huge fan of this series (this is #39!) I am biased in that I love the characters and am invested in their evolution. But even if this weren't the case, as a mystery/crime lover, I am pretty sure I would still give the same 5 star rating given the depth of characters and the engaging storyline. No spoilers here to ruin the mystery for others, and you need not have read any of the prior books to enjoy this one.

What I will share is that the case, as usual, is a murder and the frustration of the characters as they work their way toward solving it is palpable. I was torn as I read along because I wanted to know who was responsible but also, I wanted to savor the reading experience for as long as possible. Other bookworms will understand this push-pull of not wanting to put the book down to find out the answer but forcing yourself to put the book down to extend the gratification since once it's finished, the long wait for the next one begins.

I am also happy to report that there seemed to be less descriptions of driving around L.A. I suppose it wouldn't be a true Alex Delaware story without these bits but I wasn't as distracted by the inclusion this time (in some past books these descriptions are mind-numbing and have pulled me out of the story- but not so in this one!).

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Things are a little strained between Alex and detective Milo after the events of the previous book. At first, Alex was concentrating on his rehab, but boredom is now setting in and he is missing the thrill of solving mysteries with Milo. And finally Milo contacts Alex with a new murder case. At first, it seems like Milo is just throwing Alex a bone, and doesn't really need him. But soon, the case becomes larger than life. Two people are found murdered, a man and a woman. But the puzzler soon becomes which one was the target and which collateral damage. When they try to investigate the individual backgrounds, details start becoming murkier and they remain unconvinced as to the actual target. In addition, Alex has also been asked for an evaluation in a child custody case, so he has his hands full. With 39 books in this series, the relationship between these two still has not become stale. I love the repartee between the two and the individual insights each one contributes to the case in hand. I found the mystery to be really intriguing trying to figure out the actual target of the murder. However, I deducted one star because I found the ending (solution) to be too forced and contrived. That having been said, I can't wait for the next story because they are always a worthwhile read. Disclosure: I am voluntarily reviewing this book through NetGalley and all opinions are strictly my own.

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The Ghost Orchid is book 39 the Alex Delaware series by Jonathan Kellerman.
This was an engaging read that I was riveted to and I found the conclusion to be thrilling.
Delaware is a great lead character. He’s clever, smart and great company.
Kellerman’s ability to craft a gripping, twisted, edge-of-your-seat story story coupled with fantastic characters is outstanding.
Another fantastic crime thriller with a strong plot.
A police procedural with a great psychological twist, Kellerman continues to write excellent crime novels.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and Random House/Ballantine Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

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This is book #39 in the Alex Delaware series. Each of the series can be read as a stand alone, they contain an entire investigation. The series arc includes the background stories of Alex Delaware and Detective Milo Sturgis, LAPD. These two have been a team for many, many years and it shows in their interactions and dialogue. There is also the relationship of Alex and his wife, Robin. These add depth to the stories and familiarity to the series.

There is a double homicide in BelAir. Either victim could have been the target, but no suspects seem right. So Milo asks Alex for input. It is at this point in the series' books that the story takes off.......
Each of the victims has a background that does not match the information they have shared with the public. As the investigation goes a couple of layers deeper, we will meet some very unsavory people that had plenty of motive for killing. Jonathan Kellerman is excellent at skillfully unwinding the layers of a physcological investigation. The tension builds as the pace excelerates until every door has been opened to find..........well, you'll have to read to find out what they see.

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Thank you to net galley and the publisher for the arc copy of The Ghost Orchid, it did not disappoint and as always it’s great to catch up with Dr Delaware and Milo. Highly recommend.

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Meagin (not a misspelling, no matter what autocorrect thinks) and Gio have been killed, execution style in Gio’s rented Bel Air home. Meagin is older than Gio and married to another man. Which one of them was the target? Was it a jealous husband? Milo Sturgis and Alex Delaware are on the case.

Entry number who-knows-what in this dependable series. This one doesn’t stand out in any way but it’s fine, as far as it goes….at this point you probably know if you like Alex Delaware or not. There’s a subplot about a boy no one wants that doesn’t really go anywhere and that seems like a bit of a missed opportunity, but overall this is a fine bit of fluff.

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Review of Advance Reader’s Copy

After four months of recuperation following a near-fatal encounter while working with homicide detective Lieutenant Milo Sturgis, psychologist Alex Delaware is anxious to work with Milo once again. But Milo, still feeling guilty, has been hesitant to call on Alex. Until a double homicide in Bel Air.

A pool cleaner discovered the bodies of Giovanni Aggiunta and Meagin Lea March at the home Gio was renting. When they learn that Meagin was married, it seems that, perhaps, her husband, Douglass, might be involved. But as they dig deeper for answers, other possibilities emerge.

Who murdered Gio and Meg? And why?

=========

In this, the thirty-ninth outing for Alex and Milo, readers will find all the expected characters in place. Although there is sufficient backstory for readers new to the series, each book works as a standalone.

A strong sense of place, believable, well-developed characters, and a complex, intriguing plot all work together to pull readers into the telling of the tale from the outset and to keep those pages turning as fast as possible. As with previous books in the series, the author highlights the friendship and camaraderie between Alex and Milo. In addition, the readers also see the loving relationship between Alex and Robin [and their adorable dog, Blanche].

Readers who enjoy police procedurals, unexpected plot twists, and intriguing mysteries will find much to appreciate in this unputdownable tale.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book from Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine, Ballantine Books and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
#TheGhostOrchid #NetGalley

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Psychologist Alex Delaware is itching to consult with his pal Lieutenant Milo Sturgis on a homicide investigation. Following his four month recovery period after his life was endangered, Alex gets his chance. Milo calls him to the scene of a double homicide in Bel Air where an affluent man and women were shot right before a sexual encounter. Finding no apparent motive and few clues. Alex and Milo begin searching for leads. Their search eventually directs them to Florida and beyond as they start to piece together a decades- old motive. Ghost Orchid does not disappoint. It offers readers what they have come to expect in an Alex Delaware novel. There's a psychological mystery to reconstruct, more glimpses into Alex's troubled past, heartfelt moments between Alex, Robin and Blanche, a custody consult case, and another birds-eye view into the enduring camaraderie between Alex and Milo. Kellerman also offers a fun "Easter egg"- he references one of his own non-fiction books- will you find it?

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A couple is found murdered in Bel Air, and they turn out to be involved in an illicit affair. Was it a jealous husband? A spurned lover? Someone from her past? His past?

Detective Milo Sturgis and psychologist Alex Delaware are frustrated by the lack of clues and dead ends. In true Kellerman style, the reader will follow every step of the investigation, and be finally rewarded when everything comes together. Highly recommended. “GhostOrchid” #NetGalley #SaltMarshAuthors

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Another great Alex Delaware/Milo Sturgis story. This one has money, sex and a "bad seed" to make it a great story to read. Be sure to keep track of who is who or you will be going back to make sure you know who is talking.

Coming from a poor and abused background, Meagan March has made herself into a upscale classic rich married woman. She is left by herself often and looks for fun/pleasure doing things that she shouldn't be doing. In one of these "fun" episodes, she and her lover are shot to death.

As the story unfolds, you find she has two brothers. One works as a church secretary and the other one can't seem to keep himself out of trouble. Then there is the 15-year-old Russian child who has been adopted by parents who should never be parents. This part of the story is just a very small part of the book with the main focus on the murders.

If you are an Alex Delaware fan, this is yet another great story to add to your reading material.

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Ghost Orchid is another solid installment in the Alex Delaware series.
Delaware and Milo Sturgis are called to a double homicide of a young man and his older married lover Meagin March. Meagin's husband is a suspect, with jealousy as his motive. As the book progresses, we learn that Meagin is an enigma, and a product of an abusive, dysfunctional family. Delaware and Sturgis do their skilled, sensitive investigation, and ably succeed. Great read!

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Alex Delaware is back! This installation of the series finds Alex and Milo working together to unravel the mysterious poolside murder of a married woman and her wealthy and young secret lover. Which of these two were the attended victim? Is the woman's scorned husband the culprit or is there something more sinister at hand? As usual, this is a well crafted mystery that kept me engaged and wondering where all the threads would lead. I enjoyed reading the interactions between Milo with the three younger detectives who work with him. If you are a fan of this series, you won't be disappointed.

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Another great case for Alex Delaware!

As a seasoned reader of Kellerman, one walks into a novel with a high expectation. Lucky for us all, #39 definitely scratched the itch for more adventures for Alex and Milo.

It has been a while since reading one of the series, and I did notice in this book how much conversation took up of the story itself. Good, in that it solidifies the beloved main characters, and follows the canon, but also a helpful and interesting way to deliver the exposition to the reader.

Kellerman is definitely a cerebral person’s novelist, and clever in tying the private cases Alex has to the thread of the main mystery. This one was a nice touch and a perfect button to the story.

All in all, another great story from a great novelist.

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