Ellie Barker is a self-made millionaire by the age of forty, and is obsessed with reopening the coldest of cases: the decades-old death of the mother she never knew. She hires LAPD homicide lieutenant Milo Sturgis to help.

Twenty-five years ago, Ellie's mother was found with a bullet in her head in a torched Cadillac that has overturned on infamously treacherous Mulholland Drive. No physical evidence, no witnesses, no apparent motive. And a slew of detectives have already worked the job and failed.

This is a case that calls for the insight of brilliant psychologist Alex Delaware. And as he and Sturgis begin digging, the mist begins to lift. There are too many coincidences. Facts turn out to be anything but. And as they soon discover, very real threats are lurking in the present...

Although this is book number 36 in the series, it is my first Alex Delaware book and I could still read it as a standalone without having read any of the previous books.

This was definitely a slow-paced plot but it was quite intriguing. The investigation carried out by Milo and Alex is meticulous, even though there is not much evidence due to the passage of time, they leave no stone unturned.

There were lot of characters involved and a detailed description of the surroundings, which left me slightly lost in between. But there were some twists at regular intervals to keep me interested and read on till the end. And the ending was not what I was expecting, so it was actually a surprise!

Overall, an okay read.

Thank You NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for this ARC!

3.5★s

A thirty-six-year-old cold case had landed on Lieutenant Milo Sturgis’ desk, a case that had been opened many times in the duration. Now the daughter of the woman killed, Ellie Barker, wanted to know why her mother abandoned her, why she’d been killed, and who did it. Hiring Milo, who was in the Los Angeles Police Department’s Homicide squad, felt right. His solve rate was astronomical, Ellie wanted answers and as she was three when it went down, she didn’t remember anything. Her father reared her and now with him gone, she needed to know.

Milo retained the services of psychologist Alex Delaware, who worked often with the LAPD, and Milo in particular. But both of them would be frustrated as little came to the surface. Many of the original investigators plus others involved were dead. Would this be another time the case would be set to one side, unable to be solved? Or would Milo be the one to crack it, lay it to bed and provide Ellie’s answers?

Serpentine is the 36th in the Alex Delaware series by Jonathan Kellerman, a series I’ve been following – and enjoying - for some time. I found there was a little too much filler in this one, a lot of long-winded descriptions of various people, houses and so on. I lost some interest before things picked up as we moved toward the finish. There were plenty of twists and red herrings; plenty of characters – good and bad – and the usual antics between Alex and Milo which are often quite humerous. Recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

One of my very favorite Jonathan Kellerman books — and I’m pretty sure I have read them all! The story was violent but without the gore. And there were plenty of red herrings. Classic Kellerman. If you are already a fan you’ll love it. And new readers won’t feel left out. Although I always recommend reading the books in order. My only gripe is that we never get to see much of Robin. And as always Milo eats too much. Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC.

Odd couple, glamour boy psychologist Alex Delaware and grumpy cop Milo Sturgis return in this, their 36th outing together since 1985.
Fans of the series will embrace the familiar routines, the endless descriptions of driving in LA to question rich suspects then eat superb meals, the seemingly bottomless pockets of the duo as well as their clients, and should be able to shrug off that Milo still works for LAPD but the department hires him out in some way to look at tricky cases brought by the very rich. Alex's partner Robin is still a beautiful cipher, working away on her bespoke stringed instruments. MIlo's partner Richard is still slaving away at the hospital, occasionally breaching confidentiality in a way that would get most people suspended on the spot.
Kellerman's rhythmic language, rich with description, is consistent. There is a sense of timelessness about that, but I found some of the old-school old man references a little jarring (comedians being fed up with being told what they can't say, for example) and the other characters did not develop at all. I did not care for this, but many many others will.

When Ellie Barker was a small child, her mother, Dorothy Swoboda, was found with a bullet in her head, in a burnt out Cadillac on Mulholland Drive. After years of detectives and private investigators trying to solve the mystery, Ellie mobilises her Hollywood friends to put pressure onto the mayor and LAPD lieutenant Milo Sturgis is tasked with solving the cold case. With the case being so unusual, Milo once again teams up with psychologist Alex Delaware. It soon becomes apparent that Ellie's stepfather, who raised her, also died under unusual circumstances, as did other people connected to both cases. As Alex and Milo make headway in the case, they discover a still lingering danger.

The plot was interesting and there were good and unexpected twists. Kellermann is an excellent writer and deserves the accolade of bestselling author. The book was a pleasure to read and highly recommended.
Reading the book definitely made me miss the madness of LA a little bit and good restaurants such as Musso & Frank.

While this is the 36th instalment in the Alex Delaware series, the book can easily be read as a standalone and no prior knowledge of the characters is necessary to understand the plot.

Thanks to NetGalley, Random House UK Cornerstone and Jonathan Kellerman for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Jonathan Kellerman’s creative juices still continue to flow unabated after dozens of bestsellers over the last few decades, and he is back with the thirty-sixth Alex Delaware thriller, Serpentine, close on the heels of the previous one.

This time around, LAPD Homicide Lieutenant Milo Sturgis is forced to take on a mega-loser of a case—a thirty-six-year-old unsolved murder of a young woman. The victim, who had left behind a three-year-old daughter, was found shot to death inside the wreck of an expensive car. All these years later, the daughter—a wealthy woman now—is helped in her effort to find closure by an influential acquaintance by getting the case reopened. Milo’s friend, psychologist Alex Delaware, is drafted into the investigation immediately and the duo embarks on a mission where three previous attempts over the years have been utter failures. The latest investigation throws up more suspicious deaths—of people connected with the original case—albeit without any pattern. Milo’s tenacity and Alex’s insightfulness open up several avenues and present them with several suspects before a totally unexpected revelation refutes all their theories. The stone-cold case finally rushes to its resolution through some solid detective work aided by a bit of luck.

As always, watching Milo and Alex go about their business is a lot of fun. Their easy camaraderie, cerebral interactions and the way they complement each other once again provide great entertainment. It’s nice to meet some of the other recurring characters too. Kellerman’s writing is what I would call—in my limited experience—classy; he has a way with words that draws the reader in and does not let go easily. Serpentine’s intriguing plot is neatly paced, with new revelations and twists coming at regular intervals, keeping the reader guessing all the way towards the satisfying end.

While it is a terrific read, Serpentine has the same recurring issues of the past few novels in this series: too much description of food, people and roads; Alex’s underutilisation as a psychologist; repetitive sequences of Milo’s visits to Alex’s home and kitchen; and the too-perfect domestic life of Alex and Robin. But the positives outweigh the negatives so far and all is well, at least for now.

To put it shortly, Kellerman delivers yet another gripping police procedural with his evergreen pair of protagonists conquering yet another seemingly unsolvable case, and I would rate Serpentine a solid 4 out of 5. My immense gratitude to the author and the publisher of Serpentine, and NetGalley, for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I read most of Jonathan Kellerman´s books, especially, the Alex Delaware´s novels. The duo Alex + Milo never cease to entertain and surprise the reader as they complement each other and work in tight connection although with totally different working lines. Serpentine was no diferent, strong ploy, strong digging in very old case files and old memories, what seemed impossible to discover comes to light with an unexpected ending. Enthralling, full of action, and with lots of funny or dear comments in spite of the dire circumstances of both main characters work. Another very entertaining story, worth reading every single word!

A woman’s body discovered with a bullet in her head in a torched Cadillac at the bottom of a ravine off Mulholland Drive, decades ago. That is all Milo Sturgis LAPD detective has to go on when this cold case is literally dumped in his lap after a direct order from the head of the department.
An uber wealthy children’s book author and illustrator wants to determine if it may be the body of a mother she never knew . Milo’s best friend, psychologist Alex Delaware is asked for help. Clues are rare, this is the coldest of cases and Sturgis is getting pressure from above to solve this case.
Lots of psychological twists, great plot, characters.
Another great book from Kellerman!
5 stars- Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my unsolicited comments,

My thanks to NetGalley and publisher Random House UK, Cornerstone, for the ARC.

I have read a few of the Alex Delaware series and you can happily read this as a standalone. I enjoyed it - it has a complex and twisty plot which can't be guessed at, I found myself totally absorbed in it, from the first tentative steps of this excellent investigation where there is absolutely nothing to go on, to the gradual development of varying strands coming together to solve the mystery.

Ellie Barker's mother, Dorothy Swoboda, disappeared from her life when Ellie was 3yrs-old. Now, a self-made millionaire aged 39, she wants to find out the truth because her mother's body was found in her burned-out car at the bottom of a ravine - assumed to be a car accident. Through a chance conversation at a charity benefit - and friends of friends in high places - the Deputy Chief Veronique Martz personally assigns this very cold case to LAPD homicide Lieutenant Milo Sturgis. Having scant information to go on, except for the fact that Dorothy had been shot in the head, he engages the assistance of psychologist extraordinaire, and best friend, Alex Delaware.

Together they start digging-around and in the process uncover some strange coincidences - previous detectives assigned the cold case turn up dead, as does Dorothy's widower. What on earth went on all those years ago - and is the past bleeding into the present?

I thoroughly enjoy the relationship between Milo and Alex, Milo's propensity for food, Alex's wife and dog. Thoroughly enjoyable read which is totally absorbing.

Another winner from one of my all-time favorite authors

I have been reading Jonathan Kellerman books since he first started publishing fiction in 1985. SERPENTINE is the 36th offering in his Alex Delaware series and I have read them all - . and enjoyed them all. I have also read some of his other fiction but have never ventured into his non-fiction world. Before becoming a novelist, Kellerman was a child psychologist and has written some non-fiction books based on that time in his life. These books look interesting but - you know - so many books and so little time.

I feel like I'm catching up with old friends every time I read an Alex Delaware book. I love Delaware, his wife, his dog, his lifestyle, and the partner he helps out - LAPD Homicide Detective Milo Sturgis.

In this book, Sturgis is told to find out what he can about an ancient "cold case." He's not thrilled to be doing this especially because someone higher up in rank than him is doing a favor for someone.

But soon Milo and Alex find themselves not just with one "cold case" but many along with a whole slew of secondary characters.

These books always ring true to me, maybe because author Kellerman is also a child psychologist like Dr. Alex Delaware plus the stories are usually based in the Los Angeles area, which the author is very familiar with.

I highly recommend this newest. Alex Delaware book - and if you've never read the series and love psychological thrillers like I do, start at the beginning and work your way through them (it doesn't have to be expensive. I don't know of any library system that doesn't carry this best-selling author's books).

I received this book from Random House through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.

Coming back to Alex and Milo is like visiting family. I adore these characters and any book with this duo in it is going to be great. A fast paced thriller with a great story line. This book moves along and rapidly draws you in start to finish. When you think it will zig it zags and you are guessing till the last jaw dropping page. Suspense galore combined with the characters we love make this one unputdownable
The one critique I have was that I did find there were a lot of characters and names to remember in this one which took a tiny bit away from my enjoyment as I had to put in extra effort to remember who was who.

As someone who has been a fan of Jonathan Kellerman for years, I was not disappointed by his latest book! This is Alex Delaware and Milo Sturgis at their best as they work together to solve a cold case. The case involves the murder, from over 30 years ago, of a young mother but the investigation brings more questions than answers. Who would want to murder the victim, where had she been living and why would she leave a young daughter behind? In typical Kellerman style we find that the truth brings lots of twists and shocks.
It's no surprise that this is the 36th book featuring Alex Delaware as this series contains everything a reader would want. A great read!

4.5 STARS

Detective Milo Sturgis and Psychologist Alex Delaware team up again when Milo is assigned to look into a cold case ...

The powers that be have ordered Milo to investigate the death of a woman who's wanting to know what happened to the mother she never knew. Thirty-five years ago a woman was found in a torched car with a bullet in her head. The case was never solved.

The more Milo and Alex dig, the more questions they have. Over the years several detectives have been given the file, but with no witnesses, no DNA, no suspects, it's remained unsolved.

Does anyone believe in coincidences? As they go back in time, they find several other "accidents" that have taken the lives of people who knew the original victim... and the killing still goes on today. Who is killing ... and why? While digging up the past, the present becomes much more dangerous for the duo.

It's another winner for Jonathan Kellerman! Although 36th in the series, it is easily read as a stand alone. This series just never gets old. The plots are intricate with plenty of suspects to follow. The characters are solidly drawn amid a background of suspense and mystery. Fans of Alex Delaware will eagerly grab this book. For newcomers, this is a great place to start.

Many thanks to the author / Penguin Random House - Cornerstone / Random House - Ballantine / Netgalley for the digital copy of this exceptional crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

It’s been quite some time since I’ve read an Alex Delaware mystery, but by the end of the first chapter it was like I’d slipped right back into Alex and Milo land. These two friends and crime fighters are at it again when Milo is asked to look into a thirty-six-year-old cold-case murder. The case quickly becomes a covulated mix of suspects and witnesses that the team manage to dig up from all those years ago. Someone isn’t happy with their investigation though, and strange things begin to occur. Will the pair be able to put all the many threads together in time to catch the culprit before anyone else gets hurt? The book started slow for me, but picked up about halfway through and my interest was heightened. I thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion. I gave it three and a half stars rounded up to four.

3.5 stars

In this 36th book in the 'Alex Delaware' series, the psychologist helps his friend, Lieutenant Milo Sturgis, investigate a cold case. The book can be read as a standalone.

*****

Thirty-nine year old Ellie Barker is thriving and wealthy, having recently sold off her exercise wear company for gazillions. Ellie feels a lack in her life, however, because her mother, Dorothy Swoboda, was murdered in Los Angeles 36 years ago, and the crime was never solved. The homicide was investigated by a series of LAPD detectives, and Ellie recently hired private investigators, but no one was able to identify the perpetrator.

Ellie happens to mention her situation at a ritzy fund raiser, and a Hollywood mover and shaker named Andrea Bauer takes up Ellie's cause. Bauer calls a state assemblyman, who calls a mayor, who calls a police deputy chief, who hands the VERY COLD case to LAPD Detective Milo Sturgis....and tells him not to argue and look into it.

As usual when Sturgis has a difficult case he calls on his friend, LAPD consulting psychologist Alex Delaware, and the duo mount a fresh investigation into Dorothy Swoboda's death. When Milo and Alex speak to Ellie, they learn that Dorothy took off when Ellie was a toddler, leaving her in the care of a stepdad in northern California.

Dorothy apparently prospered after that, because she was driving a Cadillac when she was shot and immolated on a ritzy part of Mulholland drive. Milo and Alex speculate that Dorothy may have found a sugar daddy, and proceed to investigate using that theory.

As the investigators delve into Dorothy's homicide, they find many fatal accidents and missing persons that seem connected to Dorothy's case, and things get more and more curious.

A good part of the narrative consists of Milo and Alex traveling around Los Angeles and its environs; interviewing people in homes and restaurants; looking up information on the internet; brainstorming about data they uncover; meeting with additional LAPD detectives; and so on.

In addition to helping Milo investigate, Alex spends time doing his day job as a child psychologist, hanging out with his girlfriend Robin, and playing with his dog Blanche.

As always in this series, Milo - who's a big guy with a hearty appetite - frequently drops in on Alex and Robin, raids the refrigerator, and makes himself enormous sandwiches and omelets with everything.

We also see a little more of Milo's boyfriend, Dr. Rick Silverman, and it's nice to get to know the surgeon a bit better.

Milo and Alex's investigation spooks someone, and the book has plenty of twists and surprises.

This is a fine addition to the Alex Delaware series, recommended to fans of thrillers.

Thanks to Netgalley, Jonathan Kellerman, and Ballantine Books for a copy of the book.

What a ride! Read in one day.
Alex, a psychologist, and Milo, a homicide lieutenant, often team up to solve crimes.
Ellie's mother was murdered in her early twenties, when Ellie was three. Ellie knows nothing about her mother - over thirty-five years later, she mentions her mother's death to a politician - and now it's assigned to Milo.
Together Milo and Alex delve deep into 1980s Los Angeles - a shady night club, a man who collected blondes, and a daughter simply wondering who she is.
Excellent plot. Lenghty descriptions to lend the sense of a femme fatale noir.

Very rich Ellie never really got to know her mother who was found in her car with a bullet through her head. Someone had set fire to the car also. Ellie was overheard talking about the cold case and Sturgis and Alex decided to investigate. What they found were some very new clues which made them realize that this case was far from old. It takes place in LA and sometimes becomes overly descriptive. There are several characters to keep up with. I usually like Jonathan Kellerman's books, but this one was not one of my favorites. I do thank the author, publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

This is the 36 in the series… Yes 36th!!! I have read a number of this series but not all of them. But the problem is if you read too many of them near to each other it is easy to figure out and that is what was happening here.

The story was a bit slow. And easy for me to figure out. The characters are abundant and while there are some twists and turns nothing that wasn’t expected.

While there are so many in this series each can be a stand alone.

I wish Kellerman would move beyond this series and try to lead us onto a different adventure. Kellerman writes well and can be very enjoyable but I believe this series has grown stale.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I have read every Alex Delaware novel there is. Jonathan Kellerman has always been one of my go-to authors i can depend on for a fast witty read.
"Serpentine" does not disappoint. Written in Kellerman's unique style, told from Alex's point of view, i felt as if i had been reunited with old friends, Alex and his cop buddy Milo.
Alex is a child psychologist who sometimes consults for the LAPD homicide division, partnering with Milo Sturgis, his gay homicide detective friend to solve unusual cases that have psychological twists.
In this book the duo team up to silve a cold case that is over 30 years old. Pressured by the higher-ups in the police department and pilitical arenas, Milo enlists Alex's aid in looking into the case of a murdered mother whose daughter was 3 at the time of her death. The daughter remembers nothing about her mother or how she died. With reluctance Milo delves into the past bringing Alex along with him and what they uncover endangers the present and maybe the future.
Told with the quick-witted banter that has made Kellerman one of my favorite authors, this one lives up to my expectations of what a Alex Delaware novel should be. I felt the last couple of Alex Delaware novels were becoming routine and losing their "edge", but with this one i feel Kellerman is back to his best and at the top of his game once again.
As always there is good character development, the dialogue is quick-witted, intelligent, and humerous at times. Kellerman weaves psychological insights into his stories with great skill and precision, never failing to give the reader insight into the inner workings of the mind.
Reading this book was like spending time with my old friends, familiar, comfortable, and just plain fun. 5 stars for sure, this novel publishes on February 4th, 2021, don't miss this one. I recommend for all crime and mystery novel fans.
Thank you for the free ARC from the publishers at Random House UK and NetGalley, i am giving my honest review in return.
#NetGalley
#Serpentine
#randomhouseuk
#jonathankellerman

No surprise Jonathan Kellerman knocked it out of the park again! No matter how many of his books I read, I'm never prepared for that twist. Great read, interesting premise and story. Gripping from the first chapter to the very end.