Jonathan Kellerman is best known for writing the Alex Delaware series, which follows a forensic psychologist, with a background in child psychology, who has retired early. Captivated by the details of a new case, Alex gets himself deeply involved with a case that would send him down a dangerous spiral.
With 38 novels in the series, this is a fantastic one to dive into if you’re looking for a new, gripping story that’ll last a while. Kellerman himself has said that the books do not need to be read in any particular order. However, just by reading some reviews, many readers claimed to have benefited from Alex’s character development by reading these novels in publication order.
A handful of his books have been written alongside his son, Jesse Kellerman, and others have had the helping hand of his wife, Faye Kellerman, another mystery writer. In addition to novels and non-fiction, Jonathan has written 2 short stories and has contributed to a variety of mystery profiles for a range of authors including Lee Child and John Connelly.
This article will be an ultimate guide to Jonathan Kellerman’s books, including the entirety of his Alex Delaware series, all of his fictional standalones, and his non-fiction publications.
About the Author
Jonathan Kellerman was born in 1949 in New York City and was raised on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. After a sudden move to California, Kellerman attended the University of California, Los Angeles, studying psychology, and worked as a journalist, cartoonist, and editor alongside his studies.
Kellerman received a Ph.D. in psychology and began working in child psychology almost immediately after. He did specialist research into child cancer patients and has significantly contributed to the field of behavioral medicine.
As part of his research, he has written a few non-fiction books, which are all standalones and do not have to be read in any particular order. As a cancer survivor himself, Jonathan’s cancer research was all the more personal. Alongside his work with child cancer patients, Jonathan also dug deep into the psychological effects of cancer treatment on patients of all ages and worked with directors in the Hematology Oncology department attempting to find a less psychologically damaging form of cancer treatment.
Due to Kellerman’s background in psychological research, all of his fictional novels have strong psychological undertones and the accuracy of the cases included makes the stories all the more interesting and compelling.
The Alex Delaware Series
This series is multi-dimensional. Although the Alex Delaware series is gripping and contains some excellently written, psychologically driven plot lines, much of the praise received by Kellerman for this series is down to the characterizations of his protagonists.
Alex Delaware is a complex and likable character who works with the Homicide division of the Los Angeles Police Department. He helps to analyze evidence and creates practical solutions for active cases, often alongside Milo Sturgis, a gay homicide detective who is one of the most adored characters in these books.
Kellerman has been thoroughly praised for creating a realistic gay character who helps to break the stigma and stereotyping around LGBTQ+ characters. Sturgis and Delaware work with each other in numerous different capacities and Delaware takes on a variety of different roles and duties throughout the series.
This series allowed Kellerman the public recognition he now has and these books are some of the best-selling novels in the psychological crime genre. If you’re new to Kellerman’s work, you’re in for a treat!
Let’s take a look at what order you should be reading these fantastic books.
When the Bough Breaks (1985)
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Blood Test (1986)
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Over the Edge (1987)
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Silent Partner (1989)
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Time Bomb (1990)
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Private Eyes (1992)
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Devil’s Waltz (1993)
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Bad Love (1994)
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Self-Defence (1995)
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The Web (1996)
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The Clinic (1997)
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Survival of the Fittest (1997)
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Monster (1999)
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Doctor Death (2000)
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Flesh and Blood (2001)
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The Murder Book (2002)
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A Cold Heart (2003)
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Therapy (2004)
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Rage (2005)
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Gone (2006)
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Obsession (2007)
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Compulsion (2008)
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Bones (2008)
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Evidence (2009)
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Deception (2010)
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Mystery (2011)
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Victims (2012)
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Guilt (2013)
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Killer (2014)
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Motive (2015)
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Breakdown (2016)
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Heartbreak Hotel (2017)
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Night Moves (2018)
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The Wedding Guest (2019)
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The Museum of Desire (2020)
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Serpentine (2021)
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City of the Dead (2022)
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Unnatural History (2023)
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The Petra Connor Series
This is a list of books that include Petra Connor, a police officer within the Hollywood division of the Los Angeles Police Department. These are a mixture of standalones and appearances in the Alex Delaware series.
Billy Straight (1998)
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A Cold Heart (2003)
This is one of the Alex Delaware novels featuring Petra Connor. Many don’t include this one as part of the Petra Connor series but click here for more information and buying options.
Twisted (2004)
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The Jacob Lev Series
The Jacob Lev series was co-written by Jesse Kellerman, Jonathan’s son. These stories are action-packed and filled with mystery and even touch on supernatural elements. They follow Jacob Lev, a tired LAPD detective.
The Golem of Hollywood (2014)
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The Golem of Paris (2015)
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The Clay Edison Series
This series was additionally written alongside Jesse Kellerman and it hones in on Clay Edison, a coroner. Clay works with detectives, attempting to get to the bottom of suspicious deaths and provide evidence from corpses that may point detectives in the right direction.
Crime Scene (2017)
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A Measure of Darkness (2018)
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Lost Souls (also known as Half Moon Bay) (2020)
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The Burning (2021)
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The Lost Coat (Expected, 2023)
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Non-Series Fiction (In Publication Order)
The Butcher’s Theatre (1998)
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The Conspiracy Club (2003)
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Double Homicide (2005)
Jonathan wrote this book alongside his wife, another crime writer, Faye Kellerman. Click here for more information and buying options.
Capital Crimes (2007)
This book was also co-written with Jonathan’s talented wife. Click here for more information and buying options.
True Detectives (2009)
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The Murderer’s Daughter (2015)
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Short Stories
Daddy, Daddy, Can You Touch the Sky? (1994)
This is a collection of poems tailored to children and young readers. It is a colorfully illustrated book that tackles childhood issues. Click here for more information and buying options.
The Right Thing to Do (2015)
This short story focuses on a young man who has recently graduated from Harvard and struggles at law school. Click here for more information and buying options.
Non-Fiction (In Publication Order)
Kellerman’s non-fiction work is still used in psychology teaching and training. Besides continuing to write his successful crime novels, Kellerman still researches psychology thoroughly. Many readers enjoy his work because they provide insight into the darker side of the human brain and use science to unpick relatable feelings and problems. His work has been particularly useful to researchers and parents who work or deal with children with psychological issues or trauma.
Psychological Aspects of Childhood Cancer (1980)
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Helping the Fearful Child (1981)
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Savage Spawn: Reflections on Violent Children (1999)
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The Best American Crime Reporting 2008 (2008) (co-written with Otto Penzler and Thomas H. Cook)
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With Strings Attached: The Art and Beauty of Vintage Guitars (2008)
This one is the anomaly in Kellerman’s non-fiction repertoire and touches on his avid interest in vintage guitars and string music. Click here for more information and buying options.
Awards
Jonathan Kellerman has both won and received a plethora of awards for his work. His recognition has predominantly been with Alex Delaware and the 38 books that follow him but he has been decorated for his standalone work, too.
Most notably, Kellerman has won the Edgar, Goldwyn, and Anthony awards and has been nominated for a Shamus award for Best P.I. Hardcover Novel (for Monster).
Final Thoughts
Jonathan Kellerman has written a wide selection of literature, predominantly centering around crime fiction and psychology. With a dramatic tone and meticulous detail, Kellerman produces some of the most gripping, twisted books in the genre and the psychological accuracy helps to build a vivid picture of the characters and plot lines.
If you’re interested in psychological dramas or crime fiction, you’ll love what Kellerman has to offer but strap yourself in – it’s going to be a long ride!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alex Delaware based on the author?
To an extent, yes. Delaware and Kellerman share similarities but in interviews, Kellerman has specified that his protagonist is a young, athletic, and good-looking man that has experiences that a family man like Kellerman wouldn’t have. Kellerman has used his own experience and expertise in the field of psychology to write this character and create immersive plots.
Is Kellerman still writing?
On his website, he maintains that he will continue writing crime novels for as long as they’re in demand, so we shouldn’t expect him to stop anytime soon.
Is Jonathan Kellerman’s wife also a novelist?
Yes – Faye Kellerman writes mystery novels and is best known for her ‘Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus’ series. She and Jonathan have been married for 13 years and both had careers in separate fields of science before starting to write.
Is Alex Delaware LGBTQ+?
The series has been praised for its characterizations. These novels portray a strong character who defies gay stereotypes.
Who are some authors similar to Jonathan Kellerman?
Dennis Lehane, J.D. Robb, Behcet Kaya, Liane Moriarty, and Freida McFadden are all authors who write about similar things and use a similar writing style.
Based in Ontario, Canada, Colton is an avid writer who enjoys learning while he writes. With years of writing experience, Colton has covered topics varying from books to business, travel, tourism, and video games. When he is not writing, you may find him hiking, reading, or on some road trip!
![Alex Delaware Books In Order [All 38 Books]](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNTAgMTUwIiB3aWR0aD0iMTUwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjE1MCIgZGF0YS11PSJodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnJ0Ym9va3Jldmlld3MuY29tJTJGd3AtY29udGVudCUyRnVwbG9hZHMlMkYyMDIzJTJGMDQlMkZBbGV4LURlbGF3YXJlLUJvb2tzLUluLU9yZGVyLUFsbC0zOC1Cb29rcy0xNTB4MTUwLmpwZyIgZGF0YS13PSIxNTAiIGRhdGEtaD0iMTUwIiBkYXRhLWJpcD0iIj48L3N2Zz4= "Alex Delaware Books In Order [All 38 Books]")
