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Killer
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
After thirty-five riveting, internationally acclaimed novels of psychological suspense, #1 New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Kellerman returns with his most stunning thriller to date. Killer is a mesmerizing L.A. noir portrayal of the darkest impulses of human nature carried to shocking extremes.
The City of Angels has more than its share of psychopaths, and no one recognizes that more acutely than the brilliant psychologist and police consultant Dr. Alex Delaware. Despite that, Constance Sykes, a sophisticated, successful physician, hardly seems like someone Alex needs to fear. Then, at the behest of the court, he becomes embroiled in a bizarre child custody dispute initiated by Connie against her sister and begins to realize that there is much about the siblings he has failed to comprehend. And when the court battle between the Sykes sisters erupts into cold, calculating murder and a rapidly growing number of victims, Alex knows he’s been snared in a toxic web of pathology.
Nothing would please Alex more than to be free of the ugly spectacle known as Sykes v. Sykes. But then the little girl at the center of the vicious dispute disappears and Alex knows he must work with longtime friend Detective Milo Sturgis, braving an obstacle course of Hollywood washouts, gangbangers, and self-serving jurists in order to save an innocent life.
Killer is Kellerman—and Delaware—at their finest.
Praise for Killer
“Killer is well plotted and paced. . . . One of [Kellerman’s] best.” —Bookreporter
“As usual, the rapport between Alex and Milo is a show-stealer, and longtime fans . . . will love the well-executed flashbacks to Alex’s professional past.”—Booklist
“Kellerman kicks this one up to a whole new level.”—RT Book Reviews
Praise for Jonathan Kellerman
“Jonathan Kellerman has justly earned his reputation as a master of the psychological thriller.”—People
“Kellerman really knows how to keep those pages turning.” —The New York Times Book Review
After thirty-five riveting, internationally acclaimed novels of psychological suspense, #1 New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Kellerman returns with his most stunning thriller to date. Killer is a mesmerizing L.A. noir portrayal of the darkest impulses of human nature carried to shocking extremes.
The City of Angels has more than its share of psychopaths, and no one recognizes that more acutely than the brilliant psychologist and police consultant Dr. Alex Delaware. Despite that, Constance Sykes, a sophisticated, successful physician, hardly seems like someone Alex needs to fear. Then, at the behest of the court, he becomes embroiled in a bizarre child custody dispute initiated by Connie against her sister and begins to realize that there is much about the siblings he has failed to comprehend. And when the court battle between the Sykes sisters erupts into cold, calculating murder and a rapidly growing number of victims, Alex knows he’s been snared in a toxic web of pathology.
Nothing would please Alex more than to be free of the ugly spectacle known as Sykes v. Sykes. But then the little girl at the center of the vicious dispute disappears and Alex knows he must work with longtime friend Detective Milo Sturgis, braving an obstacle course of Hollywood washouts, gangbangers, and self-serving jurists in order to save an innocent life.
Killer is Kellerman—and Delaware—at their finest.
Praise for Killer
“Killer is well plotted and paced. . . . One of [Kellerman’s] best.” —Bookreporter
“As usual, the rapport between Alex and Milo is a show-stealer, and longtime fans . . . will love the well-executed flashbacks to Alex’s professional past.”—Booklist
“Kellerman kicks this one up to a whole new level.”—RT Book Reviews
Praise for Jonathan Kellerman
“Jonathan Kellerman has justly earned his reputation as a master of the psychological thriller.”—People
“Kellerman really knows how to keep those pages turning.” —The New York Times Book Review
400 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2015
About the author
Jonathan Kellerman
172 books6,033 followersJonathan Kellerman was born in New York City in 1949 and grew up in Los Angeles. He helped work his way through UCLA as an editorial cartoonist, columnist, editor and freelance musician. As a senior, at the age of 22, he won a Samuel Goldwyn Writing Award for fiction.
Like his fictional protagonist, Alex Delaware, Jonathan received at Ph.D. in psychology at the age of 24, with a specialty in the treatment of children. He served internships in clinical psychology and pediatric psychology at Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles and was a post-doctoral HEW Fellow in Psychology and Human Development at CHLA.
IN 1975, Jonathan was asked by the hospital to conduct research into the psychological effects of extreme isolation (plastic bubble units) on children with cancer, and to coordinate care for these kids and their families. The success of that venture led to the establishment, in 1977 of the Psychosocial Program, Division of Oncology, the first comprehensive approach to the emotional aspects of pediatric cancer anywhere in the world. Jonathan was asked to be founding director and, along with his team, published extensively in the area of behavioral medicine. Decades later, the program, under the tutelage of one of Jonathan's former students, continues to break ground.
Jonathan's first published book was a medical text, PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF CHILDHOOD CANCER, 1980. One year later, came a book for parents, HELPING THE FEARFUL CHILD.
In 1985, Jonathan's first novel, WHEN THE BOUGH BREAKS, was published to enormous critical and commercial success and became a New York Times bestseller. BOUGH was also produced as a t.v. movie and won the Edgar Allan Poe and Anthony Boucher Awards for Best First Novel. Since then, Jonathan has published a best-selling crime novel every year, and occasionally, two a year. In addition, he has written and illustrated two books for children and a nonfiction volume on childhood violence, SAVAGE SPAWN (1999.) Though no longer active as a psychotherapist, he is a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics and Psychology at University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine.
Jonathan is married to bestselling novelist Faye Kellerman and they have four children.
Like his fictional protagonist, Alex Delaware, Jonathan received at Ph.D. in psychology at the age of 24, with a specialty in the treatment of children. He served internships in clinical psychology and pediatric psychology at Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles and was a post-doctoral HEW Fellow in Psychology and Human Development at CHLA.
IN 1975, Jonathan was asked by the hospital to conduct research into the psychological effects of extreme isolation (plastic bubble units) on children with cancer, and to coordinate care for these kids and their families. The success of that venture led to the establishment, in 1977 of the Psychosocial Program, Division of Oncology, the first comprehensive approach to the emotional aspects of pediatric cancer anywhere in the world. Jonathan was asked to be founding director and, along with his team, published extensively in the area of behavioral medicine. Decades later, the program, under the tutelage of one of Jonathan's former students, continues to break ground.
Jonathan's first published book was a medical text, PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF CHILDHOOD CANCER, 1980. One year later, came a book for parents, HELPING THE FEARFUL CHILD.
In 1985, Jonathan's first novel, WHEN THE BOUGH BREAKS, was published to enormous critical and commercial success and became a New York Times bestseller. BOUGH was also produced as a t.v. movie and won the Edgar Allan Poe and Anthony Boucher Awards for Best First Novel. Since then, Jonathan has published a best-selling crime novel every year, and occasionally, two a year. In addition, he has written and illustrated two books for children and a nonfiction volume on childhood violence, SAVAGE SPAWN (1999.) Though no longer active as a psychotherapist, he is a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics and Psychology at University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine.
Jonathan is married to bestselling novelist Faye Kellerman and they have four children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
October 19, 2025
Alex Delaware gerät mitten in einen Sorgerechtstreit zweiter Schwestern. Es geht um ein kleines Mädchen das laut ihrer Tante besser bei ihr als bei der leiblichen Mutter aufgehoben wäre. Als Alex ein anderslautendes Gutachten ausstellt, wird er von der Tante des Mädchens bedroht. Kurze Zeit später ist wird sie ermordet aufgefunden und Mutter und Kind sind verschwunden.
Sich zwischen zwei wütende Frauen zu stellen war noch nie eine gute Idee. Das merkt Alex Delaware spätestens dann, als er von Constance Sykes bedroht wird. Als die jedoch ermordet wird und Connys Schwester mit ihrer Tochter verschwunden ist, beginnt er an seinem Urteilsvermögen zu zweifeln. wie konnte er übersehen, dass die junge Frau zu so etwas fähig ist?
Im Lauf der Ermittlungen erkennt er, dass er sich keineswegs geirrt hat. Auch wenn das Motiv für das Verschwinden von Mutter und Kind lange im Dunkeln bleibt, ist schnell klar dass jemand anderes dafür verantwortlich ist. Und der scheint Delaware und Sturgis bei ihrem Ermittlungen zu folgen.
Killer ist ein unterhaltsamer Krimi, mehr nicht. Mich hat die Auflösung nicht wirklich überzeugt und ich bezweifle auch, dass mir der Inhalt lange im Gedächtnis bleiben wird. Aber als nette Unterhaltung für zwischendurch ist der Krimi allemal geeignet.
Sich zwischen zwei wütende Frauen zu stellen war noch nie eine gute Idee. Das merkt Alex Delaware spätestens dann, als er von Constance Sykes bedroht wird. Als die jedoch ermordet wird und Connys Schwester mit ihrer Tochter verschwunden ist, beginnt er an seinem Urteilsvermögen zu zweifeln. wie konnte er übersehen, dass die junge Frau zu so etwas fähig ist?
Im Lauf der Ermittlungen erkennt er, dass er sich keineswegs geirrt hat. Auch wenn das Motiv für das Verschwinden von Mutter und Kind lange im Dunkeln bleibt, ist schnell klar dass jemand anderes dafür verantwortlich ist. Und der scheint Delaware und Sturgis bei ihrem Ermittlungen zu folgen.
Killer ist ein unterhaltsamer Krimi, mehr nicht. Mich hat die Auflösung nicht wirklich überzeugt und ich bezweifle auch, dass mir der Inhalt lange im Gedächtnis bleiben wird. Aber als nette Unterhaltung für zwischendurch ist der Krimi allemal geeignet.
March 20, 2015
Jonathan Kellerman has a formula, but I enjoy it. Alex Delaware is the smartest human being in the room, Robin his girlfriend, the sexiest, kindest, luthier ever, and his buddy Detective Milo Sturgis one of the most compelling fictional police officers written. Always wondered why there hasn't been films based on these very likable and interesting characters.
Apparently I read this before, I forgot.
Apparently I read this before, I forgot.
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December 15, 2022The City of Angels has more than its share of psychopaths, and no one recognizes that more acutely than the brilliant psychologist and police consultant Dr. Alex Delaware. Despite that, Constance Sykes, a sophisticated, successful physician, hardly seems like someone Alex needs to fear. Then, at the behest of the court, he becomes embroiled in a bizarre child custody dispute initiated by Connie against her sister Ree (Cherie), and begins to realize that there is much about the siblings he has failed to comprehend. And when the court battle between the Sykes sisters erupts into cold, calculating murder and a rapidly growing number of victims, Alex knows he’s been snared in a toxic web of pathology.
Nothing would please Alex more than to be free of the ugly spectacle known as Sykes v. Sykes. But then the little girl, Rambla, at the center of the vicious dispute disappears and Alex knows he must work with longtime friend Detective Milo Sturgis, braving an obstacle course of Hollywood washouts, gangbangers, and self-serving jurists in order to save an innocent life.
Nothing would please Alex more than to be free of the ugly spectacle known as Sykes v. Sykes. But then the little girl, Rambla, at the center of the vicious dispute disappears and Alex knows he must work with longtime friend Detective Milo Sturgis, braving an obstacle course of Hollywood washouts, gangbangers, and self-serving jurists in order to save an innocent life.
January 27, 2015
Alex Delaware, psychologist and law enforcement consultant extraordinaire. In “Killer” he starts off by being assigned to evaluate two sisters who are embroiled in a child custody dispute. The assignment and its outcome seem like a no brainer to Alex but that is until the bodies start hitting the floor and people start disappearing without a trace. Great read! The narrative is easy to follow, the characters exhibit varying degrees of quirkiness, the dialogue is concise, and the setting comes to life with just enough descriptive details that it won’t bog you down. “Killer” is an entertaining psychological thriller that gives you a glimpse into the inner workings of family court and explores humans at their best and worst.
December 2, 2014
I'll keep reading Kellerman because I love this series, but this makes me want to go back and read some of the earlier books that blew me away. (This is my favorite series!) This one keeps the trend of what I've said the past few - kinda flat story, no real explanation at the end, and no character interaction. Maybe he is assuming you've read all the books so you don't want to hear milo and Alex's conversations or something. Their friendship is one of the best parts, and it's been neglected here. As always though, a good quick read, just not knock your socks off good like they used to be. (This one actually has almost no action.)
April 5, 2015
Kellerman is my favorite author. I love the characters in the Delaware series. However, the last books Kellerman has put out were disappointing. Seems like he was rushed. I was pleasantly surprised with this one. As usual, it was hard to put down. I hadn't figured out the ending at all which is always a bonus. Unique story. Seems like he took his time with this one. Probably doesn't deserve a five, but I'm so happy the quality has gone back up that I felt generous.
I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13269901
I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13269901
March 22, 2016
Fast-paced and intriquing, Kellerman delivers. I've been a long-time fan of Jonathan Kellerman's work and this book did not disappoint. Intricately plotted with believable characters, the story pulled me right in. The only misgiving that I had was the solution.
September 9, 2015
This book is another fast-paced reading pleasure. However, I found it difficult to really care about most of the characters except for Ree, her baby and Dr. Delaware's dog (not unusual for me to care more about a dog or cat in a book than the human characters). The book was interesting enough and kept my attention, but I was not looking forward to reading it at the end of a long day (which is what usually tells me when I find a VERY good book).
October 14, 2019
I read a number of these back in the 90s and remembered them as being pretty good. Either that was through rose tinted glasses, or, more likely, after 20-odd books they have just turned into a production line. A couple of hundred pages of drab red-herrings before quickly finishing with a storyline that has nothing to do with the rest of the book. Probably the uninspiring title should have been a sign.
November 19, 2019
Maybe the other books in this series are better. I have only this one so this is all I can judge. While the beginning was bit weak and the first chapter totally useless, I enjoyed the book overall. One of those that are good to read in between books to cleanse the palette.
No big surprises, no big shock moments or sudden turns. Simply an easy read.
No big surprises, no big shock moments or sudden turns. Simply an easy read.
February 9, 2015
Child psychologist Alex Delaware’s involvement in an unusual child custody case leads to one surprising turn of events, and then another. His best friend, policeman Milo Sturgis, and Alex disagree, but is Alex fooling himself? The solution is hard to swallow, but the trip there was page-turning.
February 23, 2019
Really good crime thriller. It has a great plot that is realistic in its approach. The story is based around a child custody case gone bad. As the damage and bodies pile up, you never really know what is coming next.
July 22, 2021
This was an interesting read. It kept me guessing till the very end about who killed who, so I guess that's good, or maybe I'm not that perceptive. But I sure didn't see this one coming. Maybe you will.
November 27, 2014
As usual, an excellent Alex Delaware novel. I like Alex...but love Milo Sturgis. How on earth does Mr. Kellerman dream these books up?
November 28, 2014
Good book as are all of Kellerman's books.
December 1, 2014
Finally! A return to the Alex Delaware of old. Love that Kellerman made this one about Dr. D. and his patients and work again. Hope he sticks with it.
December 6, 2014
Excellent as always, totally recommend!!!
January 9, 2015
Once again the twists and turns make it unable to put this book down.JK is truly one of the best writers to create a character like Alex Delaware that comes to life on every page.
January 10, 2015
One of his better ones. Kept me guessing for quite some time.
February 4, 2015
Another excellent JK book. Didn't figure out who did it until the end. Well written -as all - complex interesting characters. Great book. Looking forward to reading the book written with his son.
February 12, 2015
Ended rather lamely, I thought.
March 1, 2015
He is baaack!
October 24, 2015
another good book in the Alex Delaware series - a lot of misdirection into who the killer or killers might be
November 30, 2015
Not one of Kellerman's best. Seemed to slow down. Milo must be getting too old.
January 17, 2016
Another great thriller by Jonathan Kellerman. I always enjoy the look into the minds of the criminals provided while the main characters work to solve the crimes.
February 7, 2016
Not one of the better books by Jonathan...
February 12, 2016
Another excellent Alex Delaware novel.
March 12, 2016
Psychological Thriller.
February 10, 2017
Entertaining enough to finish reading but the plot wasn't very developed.
March 24, 2023
3.5/5
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews