I love the back and forth that Alex and Milo have and I think this what makes the books so enjoyable.
Alex is still recovering from injuries in the last book and Milo is getting over guilt for putting him in harms way when they take on a double homicide in Bel Air. As Milo and Alex look into the suspects of the case there are a lot of twists and turns.
All books are very riveting to read whether you are a first time reader of this series or not. I look forward to the next escapade that they will be on.

With many authors, after reading several books I had tired of the standard Kellerman Alex Delaware books. But The Ghost Orchid has renewed my excitement in future Jonathan Kellerman stories. The Ghost Orchid brought back Kellerman's grasp of Southern California geography, making it an interesting part of the mystery. I would have like a bit more of the Delaware homelife, but perhaps that will be in his next one. Can't wait.

Sorry to share that I found this one boring, bordering on tedious. I've read all of the Alex Delaware books -- actually, I've read everything written by Jonathan Kellerman, even his non-fiction (including his book Savage Spawn, which shows up in this book by self-serving reference), and this one is simply boring. Can something happen? Marry the girl? (I thought maybe something with the kid . . .) Something? Still love the characters, But please.

Thanks, NetGalley folk, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

Book: The Ghost Orchid
Series: Alex Delaware #30
Author: Jonathan Kellerman
Publisher: Penguin/ Random House Publishing Group ~Ballantine. Ballantine Books
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: February 6, 2024
My Rating: 4.4 stars
Pages: 304

I always look forward to Child Psychologist and Consultant Alex Delaware and Homicide Detective Milo Sturgis teaming up again.
I have read and enjoyed only fifteen stories in this series, they are the more recent stories and I am hooked am always excited about the latest.😊
In "Unnatural History" Book #38, Alex was nearly killed and Milo is feeling guilty. It has been over four months and sweet Robin calls Milo to let him know all is well and Alex needs to get back at it. So this story starts when Milo and Alex investigate a 911 call. The scene is at the kidney-shaped swimming pool at a BelAIr rental. (BTW: Why the illustrator chooses to make the pool a rectangle and not kidney shaped had me thinking - Hmm perhaps artist creativity or someone didn't read this story!)

Two people are from dead from gun shots. The renter is a thirtyish young Giovanni Aggiunta who is a big deal with an Italian shoe empire. The woman is Meagin Marsh an attractive neighbor and the wife of millionaire real estate developer Douglass March.
(The spelling of Megan got my attention and was pleases the story gets more into her background and the name.).

I enjoy these characters~ [author: Jonathan Kellerman|43626] still comes up with idea and does not disappoint! I believe this story is one of his best and should give 5 stars!

As you know the story is usually centered in LA. I was please to find Orange County mentioned when Milo and Alex want to talk to a social worker who is now a professor of social work at Chandler University , a small selective institution in Orange Ca.
(Chandler is factious however we do have Chapman University in Orange, Ca which is an excellent University. So this made me smile with delight!)

Story also included more about young Derek Ruffalo and I wonder if we will be seeing more of him in Book #40?
In other words I am already looking forward to Milo, Alex, Robin, Blanche, their French Bulldog, as well as the usual gang!

Want to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group ~Ballantine. Ballantine Books for granted me this early uncorrected proof.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for February 6, 2024.

I admit it. I love the duo of Alex Delaware and Milo Sturgis. They are always at their best when they are together. Robin and the dog are OK, too. Though not his best, Jonathan Kellerman's story this time is a good one, full of murder, mystery and secrets. People die by the swimming pool in swanky L.A., but who are they really and why are they there? Wealth and privilege don't prevent the kind of mayhem brought on in this episode. Enjoyable read. Good job, J.K! Keep them coming.. I received this as an advanced reader copy in exchange for my review. Expected publication February 2024.. Many thanks to the author and publisher.

This author never disappoints. I love this series and this book is no exception. the characters are real and the mystery has lots of surprises.

I am a longtime reader of Jonathan Kellerman and this book does not disappoint. Alex and Milo are on the hunt to find a mysterious murderer who has left behind zero clues as to motive or identity. Through a twisting story, with many memorable characters, the surprise ending is worth it!

I enjoyed the continuing story of Alex and Milo, two of my literary friends, who I've followed for a long time. Picking up with the aftermath of the previous story, it was interesting to see how that relationship morphs over time. Although I felt the book was a little slow at the beginning, the more I get into it, the easier it was to read and the ending was not at all what I expected when I started the book. The author did a very good job of shifting through different suspects and scenarios throughout the book. I definitely look forward to reading more about Alex and Milo in the future.

A GRIPPING NEW THRILLER CRAFTED BY A DEFT HAND

It’s a double whammy for Milo Sturgis and Alex Delaware. A couple is found poolside at a luxury home in Bel-Air. Both shot dead, the scantily clad bodies hint at more going on than just swimming. With no signs of robbery, the motive for the brutal murders points to a personal vendetta. But a vendetta against whom? Gio Aggiunta, a very much single Italian playboy? Or Meagin March, a married woman who swore off older men in lieu of youth? LA homicide lieutenant Milo Sturgis endeavors to find out. Enlisting friend and psychologist Alex Delaware to help, the two launch an investigation concentrating on identifying which victim was the real target. They quickly discover that questions only beget more questions, and that leads dry up into dead ends. In desperation they widen the scope, hoping to clear away the confusion. But the only thing that becomes clear is that they’ll have to dive into the deep end of the pool to unearth a tangled web of lies obscuring the truth.

That is the gist of this nifty new thriller from Jonathan Kellerman, A solidly constructed tale that wears its heart on its sleeve, it’s that way with all this author’s work. His stories always contain a deeper meaning, and an even deeper respect for the human spirit. It translates into the understanding that life happens sometimes, and when it does, we don’t always handle it very well. It’s why a psychological profiling takes place right alongside the search for tangible evidence. The characters of Milo Sturgis and Alex Delaware are symbolic of this duality and represent the inclusion of investigating both aspects of every case to assure an exquisitely detailed journal of the hard work taken in tracking down a killer. It also assures having deliciously rounded out characters with a uniqueness that never fails to hold our interest.

The best part about a Jonathan Kellerman book? Everything. A superb writer—and a consistent one—he never seems to falter. And GHOST ORCHID is no exception. Flawless in composition, the dialogue bristles as the pacing keeps a steady advancement of plot. There’s also a surety in the words … a promise that you will be entertained. And we are. It’s why readers like me come back for more, and new releases are more an event likened to Christmas. Five stars for GHOST STORY and a salute for producing another winner.

Thank you to Random House/Ballantine Books for allowing me to read an advance copy.

Very goods. Many levels needed to be unraveled and it was done in a satisfying was. Small, secondary story was successfully concluded.

I can never say enough good things about JK. He was one of the first suspense authors I started reading and here we are at Alex #39!

Intriguing, smart, oddly charming.
This book was another hit.

Alex Delaware books are always a good read, but there is a very set formula to them. Alex and Milo have a weird murder, they speculate on the wildest possible explanations, and then it turns out they are right. I will keep reading them because I've read every one so far, but wow is it formulaic.

I don’t care how many books Mr Kellerman writes, I will read and cherish each and every one. This has been a go to author for me almost my entire life and I look forward every time I know a new book is coming.
Alex and Milo, as far as my opinion, have no other rivals in the book world as characters. I have loved reading their development. And I enjoy the way this author writes the plots. They bring the reader on a journey from start to finish. I also need to add the audiobooks are extremely well done also.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley.

The Ghost Orchid is written by Jonathan Kellerman. Alex Delaware and Milo Sturgis are at it again. I absolutely love this team. This time - it's a double homicide. The victims Gio Aggiunta, the playboy heir to an Italian shoe empire, and a gorgeous, even wealthier neighbor named Meagin March. A married neighbor. However when they start to dig into Meagin's past - they suddenly have no idea who she actually is.

Meagin has a troubled past - she has overcome a poor and abusive background. She is married, living the life of luxury. Her husband leaves her alone a lot - which is how the affair with Gio Aggiunta starts. Who killed her? So many suspects. SO many twists and turns.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read a copy of this book - all thoughts are my own.

It seems like forever I have been reading Alex Delaware books--and I never get tired, bored, or frustrated with them (well, maybe a little with Alex and Robin, they are the perfect couple; why don't they get married?). I have learned after all these years to plan on reading the book in one sitting--I just can't put it down and so must have uninterrupted time--I plan a Alex and Milo days. This new book is no exception to Kellerman's successful formula and yet it is always new and exciting. This one does seem to delve a little deeper into the character's backgrounds and Alex and Milo's relationship, but it makes the characters more real. I especially loved the author's reference to the Ghost Orchid made famous by Susan Orlean's book the Orchid Thief, it was kind of like an inside joke between author and reader...

I have been a huge fan of Jonathan Kellerman's books for a very long time and was extremely excited to read his newest Alex Delaware story, The Ghost Orchid. It is hard to believe that this is book number 39 in the series and all 39 of them have been a joy to read. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone, whether you have read the other 38 Alex Delaware novels or not. These books are written so well, that you can pull out any one of them and be able to follow the story

Simply another fantastic Jonathan Kellerman book!

Another fantastic Kellerman novel. Always a great read from this fantastic author. Can’t wait to read the next by this stellar writer.

I became a big fan of Jonathan Keller man after reading his early works. But, it's been a long time since I last picked up one of his books. So,when he'd be publishing a new book soon, I jumped at the chance to read it. And I'm glad I did!

Most of Mr. Keller man's novels involve the character, Alex Delaware, a psychologist, and his best friend, Milo Sturgis, a detective lieutenant with the L. A. police. Their relationship is great. It's yin and yang. This time they're out to solve a double murder in Bel Air. They start out with nothing. And as usual, through good hard detective work, and a little help from their friends, manage to solve the crime. You will never guess who done it. It's that original.

This novel was fast paced and "unputdownable", if that's even a word. I loved it and think other mystery readers will too. It's a winner, as far as I'm concerned.

Once again Alex and Milo are back, and better than ever. I love how Kellerman continues their friendship and finds new mysteries and crazy stories to tell. What a great book!

I always think I will enjoy revisiting the characters in Kellerman’s books, it really seems like he’s calling it in. No interesting character development - they remain stagnant and have been for many books. Simple criminal procedure.