The adventures of the crime fighting duo, Dr. Alex Delaware and L.A. Detective Milo Sturgis continue in Open Season.
The body of a young starlet is dumped at an emergency room entrance of a decaying hospital in a seedy area of L.A. She has been drugged and inspection of her social media leads the crime fighters to a likely suspect known for his misogyny and reputation for date rape. Before the police can question him, he is shot to death with a 308 rifle. The rifle used in this killing is quickly tied to other crimes and the M.O. is found to be consistent with several other murders around the country. Alex goes to work developing a psychological profile while Milo turns his team loose on the now expanding suspect pool. They think the killer is avenging the victims of men without boundaries but finding and capturing this vigilante takes all the skills Alex and Milo can muster.
Open Season is Kellerman’s fortieth Delaware/ Sturgis novel. I have read them all and never tire of the formula… it’s all about the chase. Kellerman is a master of engaging the reader and not letting go until the end.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advance look.

Open Season is a psychological detective story that is centered in Los Angeles. It begins with a woman found dead near a hospital, but soon others are found dead from the same style of shooter. The quest is on to determine if this is in fact a serial killer, and if so who?

I found the beginning to be a little slow, but the last third of the book was really exciting.

I had never read of or heard of Alex Delaware books before, so was fascinated to learn that this is #40 in the series. That aside, this book can be read successfully without reading any others in the series. Just keep notes on the characters, because there are so many (especially for first time readers).

Thanks to Random House / Ballantine and NetGalley for the ARC.

Alex and Milo are trying to solve a case. It leads to areas of California with potential to other states. It has lots of twists and turns associated with the Alex Delaware novels. This makes it a really great read!

Alex Delaware is at it again: working with Lt. Milo Sturgis of the Los Angeles PD, belong to solve a seemingly unrelated sniper killings. The murders of a young club dancer, a university professor, a hardened hitman and a young mother tell Alex that it's 'open season' on unsuspecting victims. A perpetrator no one could identify needs to be captured and Alex and Milo race to find him. Great read!

It's hard to believe that Open Season is number 40 in Jonathan Kellerman's excellent Alex Delaware series--I think I've read every book! Fans know what to expect: a successful partnership between LAPD detective Milo Sturgis and psychologist/consultant Alex Delaware that ultimately results in the apprehension of the villain. It's how they get there that never ceases to be intriguing. Alex narrates the story, including details of the investigation and insights learned, as well as immersion into the LA setting.

It starts with the discovery of a young woman's body--drugged, killed, and abandoned outdoors. We learn that other women in the area have met the same fate, but then the investigation opens much wider. Some of the victims are men, and it's a challenge to determine whether the motives can be attributed to just one killer.

I wouldn't say there is a lot of action in this book, but I found the closing scenes to be quite satisfying. And although I wouldn't call it one of my favorites in the series, it is certainly enough to keep me looking for the next book.

My thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

This is an outstanding thriller-suspense adventure that will stay in one’s head ….
I cannot help saying this, but I think this series keeps getting better with more sophisticated characters and crimes
that are so realistic and so frightening that you have to hope they do not actually happen.
I adore Milo and Alex working together~their partnership is so realistic and the insights provided by Alex are spot on.
The Lt. is a great mentor to, “the kids,” he has assembled over the series and it’s great fun to watch how they have come
into their own and are such a great collection of up and coming detectives.
The plot of book is really well written. Some small pieces fell together but one piece never revealed itself until
the time was right.
My rating for this book is ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ and I thank Ballantine Publishing via NetGalley for the download of this
book for review purposes.

I'm pretty sure that I've read everything Kellerman has written because he's just so darn good at this genre. I found Open Season to be one of this best because of the elaborate way that it all tied together. There was no way to guess how it would all turn out and that just means that it holds the reader's attention throughout. The usual familiar characters are always a pleasure. Now, there's nothing left but to wait for the next one.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. Kellerman is always a winner.

I don’t think there is any book that this author can write that I don’t love. I have read them all and listened to all the audiobooks. Just a great author and story teller!! Never will Alex and Milo get old.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley.

Dr. Delaware and Milo Sturgis are stymied by murders that look like hits, but without any common denominator with the victims that they can see. A lot of intense, detailed police work is necessary to get some commonality and the reader is taken along with the process. The attraction in Kellerman's books is his in-depth depiction of all the characters involved along the way, getting us involved with them as well as the investigation. The action ramps up towards the end and then it's impossible to put down until the last page.

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.