Open Season concerns the murders of several seemingly unrelated people in different states. The investigating process is intriguing but, despite the brevity of this novel, this reader was overwhelmed by a significant portion of the rhetoric— for example “a pimple so rosy it had to be fresh had erupted on her chin like a nasty volcano” or referring to a dog “waiting patiently for bits of culinary goodwill “ or hoop earrings the size of drink coasters dangled from her ears” or the incomprehensible “the sun was avid.” This reader found this to detract from an otherwise interesting story and I thank NetGalley and Random House for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to publication.

Look, Dr. Alex Delaware novels are just a comfort read for me. I have been reading them for . . . I guess over 20 years (!!) so getting a new one is like getting a Christmas gift!

In this entry, Alex and Milo are working to solve the case of a body dumped at a hospital--the first of a number of similar murders that come to their attention. Then it appears that someone is taking out bad men who have seemingly escaped justice.

Of course, if you read this series (and this is the 40th installment!) you read it not just for the murders and mysteries but for the character development and the relationships between them. This story does not disappoint. The give and take between Alex and Milo is perfect. And while some series really peter out after so many entries, the Alex Delaware series is still going strong. So if you love this series like so many others--or you're just thinking about giving this a try--go ahead. This won't disappoint either way.

Alex Delaware and Milo Sturgis are back, and this time it's a real mystery. A couple of apparently random murders soon appear connected, and yet the reason and cause are not easily discernible. Sometimes I can guess at the reason, or even identify suspects, but I had no idea this time. Definitely one of the stronger books in this series, and if you're new to it, don't feel afraid - you can pick up this one and enjoy it as a standalone.

Cheers to Jonathan Kellerman for making it to #40 in his Alex Delaware series! Mark your calendar for January 4th, 2025, when this book will be released. As usual, this is a well-plotted police procedural; however, it started out a little rocky. I had difficulty getting into this book as it seemed like the two storylines/murders were not connected. Plus, the early writing felt abrupt; the sentences felt blunt and jarring. It didn't read like JK was writing to me. But by 1/3 of the way through the novel, it felt more like an Alex/Milo adventure, and I read it in one day. I am sad that there is little attention to the characters' personal development in these later installments, but I'll keep reading. I love to touch base with Blanche and all the characters inhabiting Kellerman's world. I love to meander around LA, navigating traffic with Alex and Milo.


Thanks to NetGalley for giving me an eBook in exchange for a review.

I was very excited to be chosen to read the latest Alex Delaware offering from Jonathan Kellerman. I have been a life long fan since the character played by Ted Danson in the 1986 movie version of When the Bough Breaks. I had actually envisioned Danson as the character when I first read the book so when he was cast I was forever hooked. I have read virtually all of the Delaware stories and they are well -researched, taut thrillers that I cannot put down. There is something to be said for enjoying the exploits of the same characters for over 30 years and this new work does not disappoint. Alex and Milo need to piece together what starts with a dump and drive of a drugged girl at a seedy hospital. and moves on to an ever increasing pool of seemingly unrelated murders around the area. As I raced to the conclusion, I was again reminded why I love this series.

If you love Milo and Alex you will not be disappointed. The regular cast of characters and the same methods for solving the crime are employed. This is book 40. I’ve read every other book (in order) and this book was exactly what I thought and wanted it to be. Jonathan Kellerman knows not to mess with a good thing.

I am a huge fan of the Alex Delaware and Milo Sturgis series. The dogged detective and the intelligent psychologist make a very good team and are very entertaining. I kind of wish there was a little more story development in the personal lives of these two, but the crime drama definitely makes up for it. Recommend!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for gifting me this ARC in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are my own.

I am a big fan of all the kellerman family of authors. I especially like the Alex Delaware novels. The twists and turns in this novel keep you guessing til almost the end. I love the way this author ties everything together and you can see how it is figured out. This is the story of s twisted serial killer who thinks he is doing good.
Thank you for letting me read this and give my opinion

Alex and Milo once again join forces to solve seemingly unrelated homicides. It begins with investigating the death of a young woman who has been drugged, murdered and whose body was dumped outside a hospital. Next the prime suspect in her murder has been shot dead. More bodies turn up but no connection can be found between the victims except the weapon and a shot to the throat. I enjoy the banter between Alex and Milo. Alex works the psychology of the killings while Milo follows the evidence. Several suspects surface during their investigation but I never predicted the eventual murderer. Great plot twist and surprise. A real suspenseful page turner with light humor provided thru Alex and Milo’s quirky relationship. A definite must read. Can’t wait for their next adventure in crime solving!

Another entry in the Alex Delaware series that does not disappoint. I look forward to each of the books in this series. Alex and Milo are working against time to find a serial killer. When the murder o a young woman appears to be related to murders from past time, the Alex and Milo use all their skills to find the madman. I especially liked seeing Alex work through all the possible scenarios as to who the killer could be and the why behind the murders. I do like the series because the "good guys" usually win. Sometimes, we need that!

"People come to Los Angeles to chase their dreams. Sometimes they find themselves cast into a nightmare. And sometimes, the most ardent dreamers turn out to be the most vicious monsters."

An apparent sniper is murdering people while shooting a nearly impossible shot. Perfectly. Every time.

This book sounded so much like one I would love. After all, I loved the previous book. Sadly, this one wasn't close to being one of my favorites. One of the issues has been mentioned by other reviewers. The street issue. I just didn't need a play-by-play of every single street being driven on.

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As if that weren't bad enough, the same thing was done for characters and their vehicles. One example of many: "A red Chevy Tahoe pulled next to Milo's Impala. The woman who got out and waved at us wore an aqua top, jeans, and running shoes. Five-four, square-shouldered, and curvy, with honey-blond hair drawn back in a ponytail.

She walked to us quickly and confidently. Up close her youth was obvious - not yet 30, with a smooth, almost childlike face, and small, well-placed features. Mocha complexion, bright hazel eyes. Civilian clothes, but a Sheriff's I.D. badge above her right breast read S. Flores."

The only part of that lengthy description that pertained to the storyline was where she was finally identified as a Sheriff's deputy. I wanted to scream! It took me nearly a week to get through the book because all of the extraneous material kept making me forget what the book was actually about.
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In all fairness, the parts of the book about the crime were fascinating and I couldn't begin to guess who the shooter was, or what his or her motivation was.

Thank you to #BallantineBooks and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of Open Season. This book is #40 in the Alex Delaware Series and it has an expected publication date of February 4, 2025.

“Open Season” by Jonathan Kellerman is #40 in this excellent series. Dr. Alex Delaware and Detective Milo Sturgis are immediately caught up in the mystery of a dead woman who was dumped near a hospital in a shabby part of Los Angeles. As the mystery enfolds, multiple people are showing up dead without a connection except for a 308 rifle used in their murders. It begins to look like we may have a very deranged serial killer without an obvious motive, and of course only Dr. Delaware can get behind the mind of this type of murderer while Milo works the tangible evidence to find him before he strikes again.

As always a very fun and exciting read. If you have never read any of this series before, this book stands on its own so it can be enjoyed by anyone who loves this genre.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

DNF at 44%

So, it’s an anniversary, but not the happiest of celebrations. First, let’s give credit where it is due. This is the 40th Alex Delaware book, so congratulations to Jonathan Kellerman on creating a character who, over time, has not become an insufferable asshole (looking at you, Kay Scarpetta) nor have his cases gone beyond the ludicrous by having every member of his family kidnapped, I think, and on and on (giving you the side eye, Alex Cross…plus, is Nama Mary 128 years old now? I haven’t read in book in awhile, so maybe she actually died…but I doubt it. Cash cow, that Nana Mary. Besides, who would cook?)

Nope, Alex and Milo Sturgis just keep fighting L.A. traffic (which, in true L.A. style you hear all about) and solving mysteries that don’t involve things like, you know, werewolves. So, for that, Mr. Kellerman, a tip of the hat.

This time Alex and Milo are investigating three seemingly unrelated murders. Note, by the way, that Milo has absolutely no reason to involve Alex so I guess Kellerman has decided that pretense was too much trouble this time.

The jacket information says the investigation is a “race against time” but some of these crimes took place over two years ago, so I’m not so sure about that. I’ll bet the jacket guy/gal didn’t even read the book. It IS the fortieth one. Just include the right names, “L.A.,” “murderous spree,” “twisted killer,” “race against time” and then “where’s my check?”

But I digress. This….is not the pair’s best outing. It was incredibly boring and hard to follow. I get that the crimes were unrelated, maybe they were so unrelated I couldn’t bring myself to care? So I gave up. Usually I find Alex pretty reliable, but not this time…sad for an anniversary book.

But in tribute to the 40th:

“Good Lord, Alex, how can you stand to live in that world, even part time?”
I said, “It can be challenging, Lee. But it’s not that different from the other work I do. From what you do.”
“Uh-uh, I’m sorry, that makes no sense to me.”
“Different tools for trying to fix the world.”

Happy 40th, Dr. Delaware. I’ll be back for more.

Another great Jonathan Kellerman book! I have read every book in the series and they are still as good as the first ones. Looking forward to reading the next installment. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.

This is such a good book! I love Alex Delaware and I can't wait to see what happens next in the series.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

I just love the way Homicide Detective Milo and his Psychologist pal Alex play off each other. Whenever there’s a case Milo needs perspective and insight on, either the perpetrator or the victim, Alex has the ability to see things in a different light. The setting and atmosphere in L.A. authentic, I just wish I could walk to some of their local eateries. They seem to do their best theorizing over food and drink. Milo has a new investigation involving an unexplained death. It’s a body dump at a small hospital with no leads on suspected perpetrators or motives. Little does he realize that this is just the beginning of a demented rampage by a precise sniper. There are few clues other than the weapon’s history. Victims are piling up and Milo need a break soon to put this to an end. Can Alex come up with a profile or anything to help Milo stop this psycho? As always the plot kept me guessing and reading far into the night for answers.
These are characters I hear and see in my head as I read their stories. I can’t wait to see what difficult criminal they’ll encounter next. Thanks to Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine (via NetGalley) for providing an Advance Reader Copy of “Open Season” An Alex Delaware Novel (volume 40) author Jonathan Kellerman, publication expected 02/04/2025. The honest personal thoughts and opinions given are mine given without compensation.

Open Season, Book 40 of Jonathan Kellerman's Alex Delaware series, is another extraordinary action packed police procedural that will not bore even the most jaded cop book readers. Psychologist Alex Delaware is tasked by his close personal and professional friend, Homicide Detective Milo Sturgis, with stopping what appears at first to be a typical killer but turns out to be a brilliant challenge to Alex who often thinks he's seen it all. Not this one, though. This might be his cleverest mystery.

I always enjoy the interaction between Alex and Milo in the books, how they play off against each other, one inspiring the other as they together unravel even the knottiest crimes. Milo’s solid problem solving basics are a perfect complement to Alex's ability to connect even the most disparate dots. I am looking forward to the next book.

As a Jonathan Kellerman fan since When the Bough Breaks in the 80's, I have watched main characters Alex Delaware and Milo Sturgis solve many cases. The stories are always twisty, turny with some being better than others. One thing that doesn't change however, is the men's deep friendship. I love that. I highly recommend reading the series from the beginning, but that is a LOT of books so one could read this one, #40, I believe, as a standalone for a really good mystery about acting hopefuls being murdered. The first victim is a young actress dumped at a hospital, dead of an overdose. Her friends swear she would not touch drugs. The next girl is shot to death. Possibly a serial sniper? Here come Alex and Milo to the rescue! As I have said before, enjoy this one, but do yourself a favor and read the entire series! You're welcome!

Thank you to #NetGalley, Jonathan Kellerman and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

I will post my review to Amazon, Instagram and other retail and social media sites upon publication.

What I'm about to say will sound slightly strange because I'm talking about a crime novel complete with multiple shocking murders, but the Alex Delaware series always makes me feel all warm and cozy. I think that's because I know exactly what to expect every time. There's always a mystery with some really bad guys, but the good guys also always prevail, and getting from start to finish is always filled with lots of detailed police procedure mixed with some awesome psychological sleuthing. This one was no exception. Since the plot of this book follows somewhat of a formula, and long-time fans no exactly what there getting, I'll just point out a couple of things that I think set Jonathan Kellerman's writing apart. First, the setting. I've never been to Los Angeles, but after reading this series, I feel like I have. The city almost comes alive in these books, almost like it's another character. I can't think of another book, not set in a fantasy world, where the setting is so vivid. Second, the male friendship. So many times male friends in literature are forced into romantic situations or are portrayed as something like drinking buddies or sports teammates, but in this series Alex and Milo are friends in the truest sense of the word. It's so refreshing to read. Even though I love the mystery aspect, if this series was written in another genre, I'd still read it just for the friendship.

Another great page-turner with Dr. Alex Delaware and Detective Milo Sturgis. Is Los Angeles facing another serial killer, this one with the skills of a sniper? People are turning up dead - shot with a .308 rifle and yet there are no connections and no reason why they show up dead. First is an aspiring actress dumped behind a hospital and when they come close to apprehending her killer, he winds up shot in the neck on his terrace. Then a mom is found floating on the lake in her boat, with her two-year-old traumatized beside her. A Rapper/DJ is next on the list and a beloved teacher is shot while taking out his trash. Only Alex Delaware can help get behind the mind of a killer and unravel this mystery before more are killed. Definitely one of Kellerman's best so far. I didn't want it to end. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the privilege of reading an advance reader copy of this amazing book.