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Series · mystery
Alex Delaware
The Alex Delaware series by Jonathan Kellerman has 41 known books (40 published; 1 with an undated publication record). It is best read in publication order, starting with When the Bough Breaks (1985).
- Books
- 41 known books (41 novels)
- Published
- 40
- First published
- 1985
- Status
- ongoing
- Shelved under
- Mystery & Crime
Start here: When the Bough Breaks (1985)
— then read straight through in publication order.
Reading order
The date order of published books and any announced future entries — the default way to read the series.
- Book 1:
When the Bough Breaks
"When the Bough Breaks" (1985) is the first entry in Jonathan Kellerman's Alex Delaware series, in which the semi-retired LA child psychologist keeps getting pulled back into consulting for LAPD homicide detective Milo Sturgis. It runs 351 pages. Alternative text for cover: Cover of When the Bough Breaks - Book 2:
Blood Test
Published in 1986 at 320 pages, "Blood Test" is the second Alex Delaware book -- like the rest of Kellerman's series, it pairs the psychologist's reading of victims and killers with Milo Sturgis's police-procedural legwork around Los Angeles. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Blood Test - Book 3:
Over the Edge
The third Alex Delaware novel, "Over the Edge" (1987, 448 pages) draws on Kellerman's own clinical psychology background, building its case around the psychology of victims, witnesses and killers rather than pure procedure. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Over the Edge - Book 4:
Silent Partner
"Silent Partner" (1989) continues Kellerman's long-running series at 484 pages -- self-contained as a mystery, though Alex's friendship with Milo and his relationship with sculptor Robin Castagna keep evolving quietly in the background. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Silent Partner - Book 5:
Time Bomb
At 494 pages, "Time Bomb" (1990) is the fifth case for Alex Delaware, the LA child psychologist whose consulting work for the LAPD often uncovers cult dynamics, childhood trauma or the damage that wealth and status can disguise. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Time Bomb - Book 6:
Private Eyes
"Private Eyes" is Jonathan Kellerman's sixth Alex Delaware novel, published 1992 at 525 pages -- part of a series built on dense, dialogue-driven plotting and a strong sense of Los Angeles geography and class stratification. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Private Eyes - Book 7:
Devil's Waltz
Published 1993, "Devil's Waltz" (503 pages) is the seventh book in the Alex Delaware series, which pairs the psychologist protagonist with gruff LAPD detective Milo Sturgis in a partnership that has held since When the Bough Breaks in 1985. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Devil's Waltz - Book 8:
Bad Love
"Bad Love" (1994, 435 pages) marks the eighth entry in Kellerman's series -- like every Alex Delaware mystery, it stands alone as a case even as the Alex/Milo partnership and Alex's bond with Robin Castagna develop across the wider series. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Bad Love - Book 9:
Self-Defense
"Self-Defense" (1995) is the ninth entry in Jonathan Kellerman's Alex Delaware series, in which the semi-retired LA child psychologist keeps getting pulled back into consulting for LAPD homicide detective Milo Sturgis. It runs 520 pages. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Self-Defense - Book 10:
The Web
Published in 1996 at 385 pages, "The Web" is the tenth Alex Delaware book -- like the rest of Kellerman's series, it pairs the psychologist's reading of victims and killers with Milo Sturgis's police-procedural legwork around Los Angeles. Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Web - Book 11:
The Clinic
The 11th Alex Delaware novel, "The Clinic" (1997, 465 pages) draws on Kellerman's own clinical psychology background, building its case around the psychology of victims, witnesses and killers rather than pure procedure. Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Clinic - Book 12:
Survival of the Fittest
"Survival of the Fittest" (1997) continues Kellerman's long-running series at 485 pages -- self-contained as a mystery, though Alex's friendship with Milo and his relationship with sculptor Robin Castagna keep evolving quietly in the background. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Survival of the Fittest - Book 13:
Monster
At 396 pages, "Monster" (1999) is the 13th case for Alex Delaware, the LA child psychologist whose consulting work for the LAPD often uncovers cult dynamics, childhood trauma or the damage that wealth and status can disguise. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Monster - Book 14:
Dr. Death
"Dr. Death" is Jonathan Kellerman's 14th Alex Delaware novel, published 2000 at 448 pages -- part of a series built on dense, dialogue-driven plotting and a strong sense of Los Angeles geography and class stratification. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Dr. Death - Book 15:
Flesh and Blood
Published 2001, "Flesh and Blood" (422 pages) is the 15th book in the Alex Delaware series, which pairs the psychologist protagonist with gruff LAPD detective Milo Sturgis in a partnership that has held since When the Bough Breaks in 1985. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Flesh and Blood - Book 16:
The Murder Book
"The Murder Book" (2002, 545 pages) marks the 16th entry in Kellerman's series -- like every Alex Delaware mystery, it stands alone as a case even as the Alex/Milo partnership and Alex's bond with Robin Castagna develop across the wider series. Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Murder Book - Book 17:
A Cold Heart
"A Cold Heart" (2003) is the 17th entry in Jonathan Kellerman's Alex Delaware series, in which the semi-retired LA child psychologist keeps getting pulled back into consulting for LAPD homicide detective Milo Sturgis. It runs 410 pages. Alternative text for cover: Cover of A Cold Heart - Book 18:
Therapy
Published in 2004 at 387 pages, "Therapy" is the 18th Alex Delaware book -- like the rest of Kellerman's series, it pairs the psychologist's reading of victims and killers with Milo Sturgis's police-procedural legwork around Los Angeles. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Therapy - Book 19:
Rage
The 19th Alex Delaware novel, "Rage" (2005, 391 pages) draws on Kellerman's own clinical psychology background, building its case around the psychology of victims, witnesses and killers rather than pure procedure. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Rage - Book 20:
Gone
"Gone" (2006) continues Kellerman's long-running series at 456 pages -- self-contained as a mystery, though Alex's friendship with Milo and his relationship with sculptor Robin Castagna keep evolving quietly in the background. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Gone - Book 21:
Obsession
At 461 pages, "Obsession" (2007) is the 21st case for Alex Delaware, the LA child psychologist whose consulting work for the LAPD often uncovers cult dynamics, childhood trauma or the damage that wealth and status can disguise. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Obsession - Book 22:
Compulsion
"Compulsion" is Jonathan Kellerman's 22nd Alex Delaware novel, published 2008 at 337 pages -- part of a series built on dense, dialogue-driven plotting and a strong sense of Los Angeles geography and class stratification. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Compulsion - Book 23:
Bones
Published 2008, "Bones" (463 pages) is the 23rd book in the Alex Delaware series, which pairs the psychologist protagonist with gruff LAPD detective Milo Sturgis in a partnership that has held since When the Bough Breaks in 1985. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Bones - Book 24:
Evidence
"Evidence" (2009, 362 pages) marks the 24th entry in Kellerman's series -- like every Alex Delaware mystery, it stands alone as a case even as the Alex/Milo partnership and Alex's bond with Robin Castagna develop across the wider series. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Evidence - Book 25:
Deception
"Deception" (2010) is the 25th entry in Jonathan Kellerman's Alex Delaware series, in which the semi-retired LA child psychologist keeps getting pulled back into consulting for LAPD homicide detective Milo Sturgis. It runs 337 pages. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Deception - Book 26:
Mystery
Published in 2011 at 320 pages, "Mystery" is the 26th Alex Delaware book -- like the rest of Kellerman's series, it pairs the psychologist's reading of victims and killers with Milo Sturgis's police-procedural legwork around Los Angeles. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Mystery - Book 27:
Victims
The 27th Alex Delaware novel, "Victims" (2012, 338 pages) draws on Kellerman's own clinical psychology background, building its case around the psychology of victims, witnesses and killers rather than pure procedure. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Victims - Book 28:
Guilt
"Guilt" (2013) continues Kellerman's long-running series at 429 pages -- self-contained as a mystery, though Alex's friendship with Milo and his relationship with sculptor Robin Castagna keep evolving quietly in the background. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Guilt - Book 29:
Killer
At 384 pages, "Killer" (2014) is the 29th case for Alex Delaware, the LA child psychologist whose consulting work for the LAPD often uncovers cult dynamics, childhood trauma or the damage that wealth and status can disguise. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Killer - Book 30:
Motive
"Motive" is Jonathan Kellerman's 30th Alex Delaware novel, published 2015 at 173 pages -- part of a series built on dense, dialogue-driven plotting and a strong sense of Los Angeles geography and class stratification. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Motive - Book 31:
Breakdown
Published 2016, "Breakdown" (350 pages) is the 31st book in the Alex Delaware series, which pairs the psychologist protagonist with gruff LAPD detective Milo Sturgis in a partnership that has held since When the Bough Breaks in 1985. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Breakdown - Book 32:
Heartbreak Hotel
"Heartbreak Hotel" (2017, 384 pages) marks the 32nd entry in Kellerman's series -- like every Alex Delaware mystery, it stands alone as a case even as the Alex/Milo partnership and Alex's bond with Robin Castagna develop across the wider series. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Heartbreak Hotel - Book 33:
Night Moves
"Night Moves" (2018) is the 33rd entry in Jonathan Kellerman's Alex Delaware series, in which the semi-retired LA child psychologist keeps getting pulled back into consulting for LAPD homicide detective Milo Sturgis. It runs 395 pages. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Night Moves - Book 34:
The Wedding Guest
Published in 2019 at 496 pages, "The Wedding Guest" is the 34th Alex Delaware book -- like the rest of Kellerman's series, it pairs the psychologist's reading of victims and killers with Milo Sturgis's police-procedural legwork around Los Angeles. Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Wedding Guest - Book 35:
The Museum of Desire
The 35th Alex Delaware novel, "The Museum of Desire" (2020, 348 pages) draws on Kellerman's own clinical psychology background, building its case around the psychology of victims, witnesses and killers rather than pure procedure. Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Museum of Desire - Book 36:
Serpentine
"Serpentine" (2021) continues Kellerman's long-running series at 453 pages -- self-contained as a mystery, though Alex's friendship with Milo and his relationship with sculptor Robin Castagna keep evolving quietly in the background. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Serpentine - Book 37:
City of the Dead
At 336 pages, "City of the Dead" (2022) is the 37th case for Alex Delaware, the LA child psychologist whose consulting work for the LAPD often uncovers cult dynamics, childhood trauma or the damage that wealth and status can disguise. Alternative text for cover: Cover of City of the Dead - Book 38:
Unnatural History
"Unnatural History" is Jonathan Kellerman's 38th Alex Delaware novel, published 2023 at 486 pages -- part of a series built on dense, dialogue-driven plotting and a strong sense of Los Angeles geography and class stratification. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Unnatural History - Book 39:
The Ghost Orchid
Published 2024, "The Ghost Orchid" (304 pages) is the 39th book in the Alex Delaware series, which pairs the psychologist protagonist with gruff LAPD detective Milo Sturgis in a partnership that has held since When the Bough Breaks in 1985. Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Ghost Orchid - Book 40:
Open Season
"Open Season" (2025, 288 pages) marks the 40th entry in Kellerman's series -- like every Alex Delaware mystery, it stands alone as a case even as the Alex/Milo partnership and Alex's bond with Robin Castagna develop across the wider series. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Open Season - Book 41:
Jigsaw
"Jigsaw" (2026) is the 41st entry in Jonathan Kellerman's Alex Delaware series, in which the semi-retired LA child psychologist keeps getting pulled back into consulting for LAPD homicide detective Milo Sturgis. It runs 321 pages. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Jigsaw
Key facts about the Alex Delaware series
The Alex Delaware series has 41 books on our list. 40 are out now. 1 more has no firm date yet.
Start with When the Bough Breaks, since it opens the publication order in 1985. Blood Test is book 2, from 1986. Over the Edge is book 3, from 1987.
Silent Partner is book 4, from 1989. Time Bomb is book 5, from 1990. Private Eyes is book 6, from 1992.
Devil's Waltz is book 7, from 1993, while Bad Love is book 8, from 1994. Self-Defense is book 9, from 1995.
The Web is book 10, from 1996, while The Clinic is book 11, from 1997. Survival of the Fittest is book 12, from 1997. Since the list above shows all 41, you can find the rest there.
Each title links to its own page, while the list keeps them in date order. Each book page shows its dates and editions. The catalogue marks it as ongoing, yet no next book has a date so far.
The books came out between 1985 and 2025, while their length runs from 173 to 545 pages. That is a run of 40 years.
Jonathan Kellerman has 47 books on our list. Additionally, they write Clay Edison. We shelve the books under mystery.
About the Alex Delaware series
Alex Delaware is a child psychologist in Los Angeles, semi-retired from private practice by burnout and a healthy trust fund, who keeps getting pulled back into consulting on cases -- almost always at the request of his closest friend, LAPD homicide detective Milo Sturgis. Jonathan Kellerman, himself a clinical psychologist before he became a novelist, builds each book around the psychology of victims, witnesses and killers as much as the crime itself: cult dynamics, childhood trauma, family pathology and the particular damage wealth and status can disguise in Los Angeles's private schools, gated enclaves and celebrity culture. Milo, a gruff, openly gay detective operating in a department not always comfortable with that, does the police-procedural legwork while Alex reads the people involved -- a duo dynamic that's held the series together since When the Bough Breaks in 1985.
The series is known for dense, dialogue-driven plotting, a strong sense of L.A. geography and class stratification, and a slow-burn central relationship: Alex's on-and-off romance with forensic sculptor Robin Castagna anchors the domestic side of the books across four decades. With over 40 entries and still going strong, it's one of the longest-running psychological crime series in the genre, appealing to readers who want their whodunits grounded in real clinical insight into why people do terrible things, alongside a satisfying, familiar investigator partnership.
Frequently asked questions
How many books are in the Alex Delaware series?
There are 41 novels as of Jigsaw (2026), published from 1985 to the present.
What order should I read the Alex Delaware books in?
Publication order, starting with When the Bough Breaks, gives the fullest picture of Alex and Milo's friendship, but each book's mystery is self-contained enough that you can start almost anywhere.
Is the Alex Delaware series finished?
No, it's ongoing. Jonathan Kellerman has published a new Alex Delaware novel almost every year since 1985, most recently Jigsaw (2026).
Do I need to read Jonathan Kellerman's other series first?
No. Kellerman's other work (including books co-written with his wife Faye Kellerman, or their son Jesse Kellerman's novels) is unrelated; Alex Delaware stands alone.
Is Alex Delaware a detective?
No -- he's a child psychologist who consults with the LAPD, primarily through his best friend, homicide detective Milo Sturgis, rather than a sworn police officer or private investigator.
If you like the Alex Delaware series
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