Bones

Alex Delaware #23

by Jonathan Kellerman

Un informante anónimo de voz escalofriante llama a una reserva natural de Los Ángeles para darles un mensaje: «malas noticias... enterradas en vuestra marisma». El voluntario que atiende la llamada lo toma a broma, pero nadie le encuentra la gracia cuando aparece el cuerpo de una mujer en la marisma. Tras exhumar los huesos de otras víctimas, el agente de homicidios Milo Sturgis comprende que la ciudad se enfrenta a un temible asesino en serie. Para atraparlo, lo primero que hará será llamar al psicólogo Alex Delaware. Todas las víctimas son prostitutas, excepto la última, Selena Bass, una joven y brillante pianista de la costa este que daba clases de música al niño prodigio de una familia adinerada. Casualmente -o tal vez no tanto- los acaudalados patrones de Selena han salido de viaje, y el nerviosismo del administrador de la finca levanta sospechas. Pero el instinto de Milo y la perspicacia de Alex son muy finos para aceptar la respuesta más sencilla, y su investigación irá dando paso a nuevas e inquietantes hipótesis -sobre las víctimas y los sospechosos- a medida que se adentran en las tenebrosas y enigmáticas profundidades de la marisma. Los escabrosos pormenores de los crímenes parecen indicar que se trata de un diabólico asesino en serie, pero un nuevo asesinato desbarata la primera hipótesis de Alex y Milo, y les obliga a barajar una posibilidad aún más siniestra. En Bones, novela llamada a convertirse en otro de sus clásicos, Kellerman desnuda poco a poco la psique de sus personajes para desvelar las sombras que abrigan en su interior.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Crime, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook, Suspense

402 pages, Hardcover

First published October 21, 2008

About the author

Jonathan 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.

Reviews

[Phrynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent read in this wonderfully long series.

Alex and Milo make a great team as they search for the murderer(s) of a rather large number of bodies found in the local marshes. With very little to go on, they investigate every tiny little thing until certain clues start to fall into place. I must admit to feeling cross with Milo for his blinkered approach to who the guilty party might be. Thank goodness Alex was more open minded and declined to fixate on the obvious. The ending was still a shock and a rather gruesome one at that.

I do like the way Kellerman writes and I aim to continue reading the rest of the series.

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF - Gave up after 80 pages.

I tried to give you a second chance Jonathan Kellerman but couldn't get into it at all. Not wasting another second of my life on it thanks.

One star.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

It seems like Jonathan Kellerman is getting more graphic, unnecessarily. I thought there was less psychology. I gave up the Kay Scarpetta series by Patricia Cornwell years ago for the same reason.

[PamG · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kellerman's books are always good and this one was no exception. The story was enjoyable, but it is not one that I would re-read. There was no character development for Alex and Milo, and Robin was a very minor character in this book. While there are some twists and turns to the plot, the ending was not a surprise. This book was okay, but not one of my favorites.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Honestly, the last three I've read have been fairly bland. Not that the murder mystery isn't salacious (it is) and nasty (ditto) but the characters have stalled out. Milo is Milo, Alex is Alex, Robin is an afterthought, we get a bit more of Dr. Rick but honestly, who cares? There's a new character, a rookie cop, named Moe. I found him the most interesting.

I'm tired of how all of Kellerman's killers are real sickos. (I know, I know -- aren't murderers, by definition, mentally unbalanced? Yes, but Kellerman's killers are really really bent.)

Also, I figured out the killer early on.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not sure about getting out at 3, but it’s definitely not a 2 so 🤷🏻‍♀️. Also I think I’ve come to the conclusion that my ratings are not equivalent across genres/categories: for example, my 3 star mysteries are not equivalent to my 3 star MM reads & my 4 star MM reads are not equivalent to my 4 star YA/NA reads etc…🤔🤷🏻‍♀️

[Mary JL · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read and enjoyed most of the "Alex Delaware" series. Alex and his good friend, Milo Sturgis, are like old friends to me. I like the interaction between the two; I like the many twists and turns in the plots and I like Kellerman's brand of psychological suspense.


The body of a young strangled woman is found in a nature preserve. Her right hand has been cut off. Joined by a rookie Detective---Moe Reed--Alex and Milo begin a search of the scene---and discovere three more corpses buried in the marsh....

And we're off! This book imho is one of the better books of the last few. Jonathan Kellerman, like many successful authors, stays with what he knows and writes what his readers expect from Alex and Milo. I really like the two main characters so I keep reading the books.

For those unfamiliar with the series, each story does stand alone and can be read in any order. However, he does refer back to earlier events sometimes and reading in order may be a bit more effective in understanding some of the details of the characters.

Recommended for any adult mystery fan. Some violence, so not for anyone under 18 imho. Good characterization and lots of plot twists. Not a lot of slam bang action--but lots of suspense to keep readers turning pages.

[Craig Monson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was surprised to find an Alex Delaware that I hadn't read. Diverting enough, with some of the old, familiar characters (who by now are seeming a bit pale). Newer additions to the stable (e.g., the rookie detective and his brother) seem to garner a bit more attention and care from the author, as do some of the walk-on characters who appear and disappear (but those have always represented a Kellerman strong point). The plot (as dark as many others, this time with hookers' bodies, discovered in a marsh, missing a hand) had enough twists and turns that at one point I was confused enough to wonder if I'd missed a chapter and had to backtrack. A guilty pleasure--just not as pleasurable as some others.

[Baba · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alex Delaware #23:
Another decent mystery crime thriller in Kellerman's internationally best selling series. Human finger bones are found in an abandoned garage lot sale; later four handless female corpses are found on ground reserved by ecologists! Everything points to the perpetrator being a local estate manager with a dodgy past, but can this case be really that straight forward? Despite having written over 20 books in this series Kellerman manages to keep these books thrilling and unputdownable! 6 out of 12

[Brent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty solid detective/mystery that was short with good pacing which was what I needed. Not as good as the Bosch series but I do like the characters and the episodic nature so I'll probably keep doing these on audio.

[Jack Heath · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars. What can I say, it's a classic psychologist Alex Delaware novel. I don't like the word "formula" but that's one of the reasons for my excitement. It's why I return to Kellerman! Here's how they work: a serious situation develops; detective Milo Sturgis bulldogs his way through the evidence, and many massive meals, and then Delaware's talent at reading suspects becomes key to the resolution. In suburban Los Angeles, an environmental sanctuary called the Bird Marsh has recently been saved from development. A call comes in, anonymous of course, saying there's a body in your marsh. A prank? Not at all. Bodies and bones! Are they all part of the same crime? Is Travis Huck, the man with an unknown past who is now managing the Vander estate, the person responsible? And just where are the Vanders? You'll enjoy Kellerman's little dig at himself; at one point Milo jokes about authors of thrillers solving 100% of their cases whereas, he says, in reality the percentage is much less! You'll also enjoy meeting rookie detective Moe Reed and his questionable, older half-brother, PI Aaron Fox. I've got two more Delawares on my bookshelf. (January 2020)

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A new detective is introduced, Moe Reed, and he is a welcome addition to the tired duo of Alex & Milo. The anthropologist doctor investigating the crime scene in the marsh was another welcome addition, for it affixed interesting detail to an otherwise bland book. Kellerman used to write psychological thrillers, but they seem now to be cop buddy books, with Alex seeming like an honorary detective instead of a psychologist.

[Tory Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read this series off and on for many years and always enjoy coming back to it. The mysteries are always interesting and the characters continue to grow throughout the series. Every time I read a new one I feel as though I am visiting old friends. It is not necessary to read the series in order, but for those inclined, you will have many days of reading bliss ahead of you!

[Wonda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3...Better than the last novel in this series, for sure. Am hoping Alex has a client to carry through other novels, due to the ending! Am really missing the "child" psychology part...

[ElaineY · Rating 1 out of 5]

Omigod. This was so tedious. I wanted to give up several times but stuck it out.Finally, with 4 hours left I told myself I couldn't do it anymore. This is typical of my experience with Kellerman's books. They start out okay but soon starts to drag, I lose interest, and then I lose the thread of whatever was going on or where they were at the murder investigation! Sigh. I'll go try his wife's books. Have had better experience with those.

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was slow going and a tad bit boring. I could not wait to finish it. I expected more excitement and more explanations in the story line.

This book was just ok for me. I understand his previous writings are much better which is good to know because after reading this one I might now have picked up another one of his books

[Jenn Locke · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5🌟

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not one of the best in the series. Both Milo and Alex jumped to a conclusion and wouldn’t budge. That usually doesn’t happen in this series which is one of the reasons I like it.

[Neil Barlow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Alex Delaware novel with an interesting twist.

[Marzia Adelfio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Il protagonista di Ossa e di tutti gli altri libri della serie – perchè sì, è una serie – è Alex Delaware, uno psicologo che lavora come consulente della polizia di Los Angeles affiancando nelle indagini il tenente Milo Sturgis.
Vi innamorerete di questi due perchè insieme sono divertentissimi, specialmente il tenente Sturgis, anche se il mio preferito è proprio Alex.
Studiando psicologia, normalmente, sono molto critica verso la figura degli psicologi nei romanzi, li trovo spesso terribilmente stereotipati, il che mi irrita parecchio, e finisco poi con il mollare il libro con delusione. Alex è diverso, forse perchè Kellerman è, a sua volta, uno psicologo e riesce, per cui, a scrivere di psicologia senza risultare banale, scontato o imprigionato in stereotipi e luoghi comuni. A dire il vero Alex Delaware è piuttosto originale come personaggio e differente da tutti gli altri psicologi e consulenti della polizia che ho incontrato in vari libri sino ad ora.
Un'altra caratteristica preziosa di questo libro, oltre alle descrizioni sorprendentemente belle, realistiche e poetiche, è l'umorismo intelligente, credeteci o no ma, a me, un po' di sana ironia, che fosse sagace e non scontata, era mancata davvero molto.
Pollici in su, dunque, per questo strabiliante romanzo che mi ha tenuta incollata al divano e che mi ha fatto riscoprire la magia e la curiosità di un thriller psicologico ben scritto.
L'idea della trama è ottima e ben sviluppata, i personaggi sono realistici e ben disegnati, lo stile di scrittura è magico e vi trasporterà in una Los Angeles un po' più inquietante.
Sicuramente una lettura caldamente consigliata agli amanti del genere: prendetelo, leggetelo e amatelo! *-*

[Elizabeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

On a recent roadtrip, my mom asked me to run into a bookstore and pick up a book on tape. A good thriller, she said. I scanned the picked over shelf, and my eyes settled on BONES, with the promising banner across the top - #1 New York Times Bestselling Author. This should do it, I thought, scooping it up and scurrying back to the car.

What a mistake. If I could rate a book with negative stars I would. This was awful from it's discouraging start to it's banal, unimaginative end. Worst part is my family hung tough through close to 9 hours of recording, feeling that having logged a few hours we needed to see it through. Mistake #2. I wish I could say there was something redeeming about the story. I never grew to care about any of the characters - I never even liked them. The plot was overly complicated. The hairs on the back of my neck never rose. My pulse never quickened. All I felt was increasingly annoyed, and somewhat uncomfortable to be listing to the sordid sex details with my parents in the front seat. I see now that this is #23 in the series - maybe Kellerman got bored with his own schtick? I sincerely hope #1-5 are better.

[Jerry B · Rating 3 out of 5]

It looks like “Bones”, 23rd in Kellerman’s popular Alex Delaware series (of currently 34) failed to energize many of even long-time fans of these tales – including us. While it of course featured protagonists Alex and his interesting police detective pal Miles Sturgis, who is mentoring a new detective herein, the plot was so complicated, and yet somewhat far-fetched, that we tired of it long before the big reveal.

Some bones are discovered in an eclectic LA-area marsh that supposedly has an organization engaged in protecting it, and soon a murder or more from the bodies therein set off the hunt for the killer. A wealthy family seems involved, especially a helper they have hired who becomes a likely suspect throughout. Alex and Miles are often stumped for progress, and much of the plot becomes a bit tedious and a bit boring – rendering this adventure not one of our favorites in a series we usually enjoy. {2.5}

[Kay Sachse · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, definitely a detective story written by a pro. And maybe that´s the reason why I couldn´t be thrilled by it. It was just another episode of a long-running show that has lost its A-status.
A young piano teacher gets killed and in the course of events it shows that three other women were buried at the same spot as she were, all of them missing the right hand. This appears to be plan of a broader context and on the course of revealing the dark mysteries of a killer, the reader meets far too many characters who are more or less irrelevant to the story and a lot of children with messed-up relations with their parents (and vice versa).
In the end you´ll get a solution to all these crimes but that´s about it.
So, 2 stars is really a very good score for this standard detective story.

[Ron · Rating 2 out of 5]

Can't tell if I've simply read too many of these Alex Delaware stories, but I'm not finding them as interesting as I used to. This one is fairly well written, as they all are, but it has the feel of an episode of "Diagnosis Murder." Suspense never really built, Delaware's insights a little too on-target too early in the story, some characters bordering on caricature, overall just felt overly formatted and bland.

[Kylie Stoneburner · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book just didn’t hold my interest, so the details didn’t really make that much sense to me. Plus the ending felt incomplete and even after I was finished I was still going, “huh?!”

[Marleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a huge fan of these series, I was pleased to read this installment where yet another new secondary character, a rookie detective, (from Venice precinct), is introduced. Admittedly, I feel that Moe (Moses) Reed received a more thorough character description than Sean Binchy, another young detective, that was introduced in earlier books. With Binchy, we stay on the surface, with Moe Reed, we feel the author dig deeper, especially when also introducing his half brother, Aaron Fox. There's bad history there and that's what we'll hopefully learn in TRUE DETECTIVES, when the author takes a closer look at the story of Moses and Aaron, and their respective fathers.
Now for BONES, this 23rd book, I will not give away spoilers, but let me say, that I was on the right track; and my instincts were spot on. The man, who is seen and treated like a suspect for the bigger part of the book, was made to look like one and unfortunately, the good detectives, as in Milo and Moe ran with it.
All in all, a very disturbing murder plot, with vulnerable victims, and a bit of tunnel visioned investigators on the scene. Still loved it though, especially as Alex disperses the wisdom and the healing everyone seem to need.

[Jjean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detective- mystery - plenty twist & turns - possible serial killer - psychologist thriller - many different suspects - vivid crime scenes - not a fast read but interesting to end.

[Tucker · Rating 1 out of 5]

“This suuuucks” -Eric B.

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of them came across insensitive to me in this one but as always kept me reading. I really liked Moe Reed as a new character.

[Bjorg Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

For some reason I just couldn’t get super into this one. I mean I still like kellerman as an author, this just wasn’t one of my favorites.