Open Season
Jonathan Kellerman
Open season is a wonderful book. Opens slowly and builds wonderfully. More cerebral than many others of the genre but what we have grown to expect from the author being a clinical psychologist.
Milo the detective and Dr. Alex Delaware of what they suspect is a serial killer and once they notice murders separated by time and distance. The voyage to the conclusion is entertaining and provocative.
I recommend this book highly and recommend reading all the previous books as the characters backstories come into play from time to time. There is one instance in this book where a comment is directed at Milo that addresses part of story but never mentioned in this book. Enjoy

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read an ARC for this one. Kellerman kept me interested and hooked while reading this one.

I love the interaction between Milo and Alex, it's one of my favorite series. This book was pretty good, of course they solved the crimes!

Can it be that this is the 40th book in the Alex Delaware series? I have read all of them. Obviously, I enjoy the investigative duo of Detective Milo Sturgis and psychologist Alex Delaware, as well as all the supporting characters and look forward to each new addition. Whenever I open a Kellerman book, I can’t seem to put it down.  

A young woman who was drugged is found dead. Soon after, the main suspect is discovered shot through his neck. The bullet that killed him matches an earlier murder and the investigative team suspect other deaths may be tied to the same killer. What do the victims have in common that will help them find the shooter?

Kellerman writes true police procedurals, albeit a little different due to Milo being unconventional and Alex along to provide psychological insight. They tend to have a familiar rhythm, as the duo chase down leads, generate and discuss different theories, interview persons of interest, enjoy a few good meals. Kellerman’s descriptions are particularly picturesque and entertaining and he always seems to put a fresh spin on cases. Yes, this can be read as a standalone, if you are unfamiliar with this series and enjoy police procedurals, do yourself a favor and read some of the earlier ones as well.

Thank you to Net Galley, Jonathan Kellerman and Ballantine Books for allowing me to read this book ahead of publication.

It has been a bit since I have read a Jonathan Kellerman book, I have read some of the prior Alex Delaware books, but certainly need to go back and catch up on those that I have missed!

Alex Delaware is a psychologist that is pulled in by detective Milo Sturgis as a 'consultant' on a variety of crimes in the LA area. This story was a typical L A story of wannabe actresses, models, bouncer and the like trying to survive and make it in the city of Angels. The problem is some of them are turning up date and Alex and Milo need to determine how and why? Is this the work of one particularly sick individual or the work of a few psycho's running around? That is their task and they are certainly up to the task!

Keep alert as the twists and turns just keep coming in the book!

Another great story from M. Kellerman. Have been reading his books for years and he always amazes me with the stories., Milo and Dr. Delaware have to catch a seriial killer but can they do it before more people get killed. A gripping story for sure.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Jonathan Kellerman’s latest thriller, Open Season, plunges readers into the dark and twisted underbelly of Los Angeles, where dreams can quickly turn into nightmares. This 40th installment in the Alex Delaware series showcases Kellerman’s mastery of psychological suspense and his ability to craft a gripping narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

The story begins with the discovery of an aspiring actress’s body, dumped near a hospital emergency room. The victim has been drugged and murdered, and the motive remains elusive. As psychologist Alex Delaware and LAPD homicide detective Milo Sturgis delve into the case, they uncover a series of murders linked by a sniper’s rifle, each victim seemingly unconnected to the others. The investigation becomes a race against time as more bodies pile up, and the duo must decipher the complex motivations of a highly skilled killer.

Kellerman excels at creating multi-dimensional characters, and this carries forward in Open Season.

Alex Delaware’s analytical mind and Milo Sturgis’s street-smart instincts, as always, make for a magnetically appealing partnership. Their dynamic is both professional and personal, adding depth to the narrative.

The supporting characters, from Hollywood hopefuls to seasoned detectives, are vividly portrayed, each adding a layer of intrigue to the story.

The novel’s pacing is relentless, with twists and turns, keeping us guessing until the very end.

Kellerman’s depiction of Los Angeles is glamorous and gritty, capturing the city’s dual nature as a place of dreams and despair. The psychological complexity of the plot is a testament to Kellerman’s background in psychology, providing a chillingly realistic portrayal of a killer’s mind.

Open Season is a testament to Jonathan Kellerman’s enduring talent as a storyteller. Fans of the Alex Delaware series will NOT be disappointed, while new readers will find themselves quickly drawn into the world of suspense and mystery. This novel is a wild ride through the surreal landscape of L.A., culminating in a conclusion as shocking as it is satisfying.

Open Season is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a well-crafted thriller with deep psychological insights and a plot that keeps you hooked.

Jonathan Kellerman has once again proven why he is a master of the genre.

Mr. Kellerman’s novels are a must read for me. I love the interaction of Alex and Milo, an unlikely duo who always manage to solve the crime. This is a great story and has some twists, so you will not know where the clues lead. But please Mr. Kellerman, enough of writing about what roads they drive on and how long it takes them to get places.

For a series 40 books in, they still hit without being overly repetetive. There are few things I love more than a reliably good series. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Kellerman never ceases to amaze, with yet another Alex Delaware novel. (I cannot fathom how he manages to keep each story fresh after so many preceding novels in this series.) In Open Season, Detective Milo Sturgis and Dr Delaware are up against a vigilante killer with his own ideas as to who deserves to die and who does not. Are our heroes up to the task?

I found several typos, along with what could be choices(?) for the editor... For example, phrases in proper grammar vs contractions, such as "He might have been going/He might've gone..."

(I'm mainly pointing this out as a way of volunteering myself as a free proofreader. Wink, wink)

Loved this series. Kellerman is one of my favorite authors I read any and everything he writes. He just gets better with every novel

This plot was absolutely bananas and how it came together in the end, just WOW. I must say, I loved the banter between Milo and Alex in this one. I chuckled multiple times while I was reading. However, those minor moments didn't detract from the graveness of the overall plot.

Lt. Milo Sturgis of the LAPD has got a doozy of a homicide. Woman was seen being dumped at a failing hospital garage on a security camera. Can't see the killer's face, make or model of the car. He has his BFF, Dr. Alex Delaware, evaluate the case. When the evidence leads back to another homicide victim, different method this time, the case becomes even more puzzling. However, being the ace Milo is and the psychological analysis of Delaware, pieces start coming together that don't make any sense. It appears there is a serial killer in the midst, although one with an undetermined purpose and there are no current viable suspects. Until....

Like I said, the plot for this Delaware novel, in my opinion, is one of his best. Think a psychological Stephen King in terms of plot intricacy (only with apologies to Mr. King, Kellerman's ending are much better!). I wonder and also worry about where he gets his ideas. I am still thinking about this book even after I finished it.

For 40 books in a series, I am darned impressed. I'm already looking forward to the next one.

My thanks to Ballantine Books and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Not normally my cup of tea but I needed something a bit different from the norm and this book did definitely keep me in suspense! I've not read the previous books in the series but it didn't seem to impact my ability to enjoy this one on its own.
Thanks to Netgalley and Ballentine Books for the complimentary review copy!

This book had a clever concept thinking outside of the box. It took a while to get into the book but the ending made it a true thriller.

Open Season
Psychologist Alex Delaware was once again helping LAPD Lieutenant Milo Sturgis to solve a crime. A body was dropped off at small hospital in LA. The doctors then discovered that the young woman was dead from an apparent overdose of a date rape drug.
The police traced the man who dropped her off to his home where he was found dead He has been shot in the neck with special bullets. While searching for other shootings using those bullets, Milo and Alex found a series of them in past years. Some of the shootings were even in other parts of the US. So Milo engaged a whole group of detectives to find the killer.
This book is similar to others in the series where the lieutenant seeks the help of the psychologist to solve murders. I enjoyed it because the lead characters are intelligent and humorous.
I received this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have just finished Open Season by Jonathan Kellerman, his 40th book in this series. All I can say is “it was great and once again I couldn’t put his book down - and now I have to wait for #41!” Thank you to NetGalley, Random House and Mr. Kellerman for this ARC. It is a privilege and delight to read an Alex and Milo book. (yes, I’ve read them all - multiple times). Jonathan Kellerman does an excellent job of developing character and building relationships - within a tightly woven crime mystery. After 40 books in this series, the characters continue to evolve and are not stale. In Open Season, there are seemingly disconnected crimes and a race to stop more from happening. Milo and Alex (and the outstanding supportive detective team) put the pieces together to solve the mystery. If you haven’t read any in this series, what are you waiting for? They are excellent and Open Season is no exception.

By the way, Milo and Alex kept me company and calm during Hurricane Milton, Open Season was so good it kept my mind off the storm. Thank you!

Read Jonathan Kellerman - he is truly a Master.

#OpenSeason #NetGalley

This book was very slow and very cookie cutter to author's other books in the series. I did not find the plot unique or engaging and the characters were not well fleshed out. This book was very mundane.

Not having read previous Kellerman novels, I was glad to receive the ARC of Open Season and see what the hullabaloo is about. I found the murders, as they piled up, a bit confusing as they seemed so unrelated, but I got with the program soon enough. That right there shows why Kellerman is popular. The leads, Sturgis and Delaware, are convincing although for a while I was thinking that Delaware was female. Not sure why.
Altogether, an easy way to pass the time on a lazy day.
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

This book was not my favorite from Jonathan Kellerman. It was a slower read as all the dots didn't connect neatly together.

another terrific book with Alex and Milo pairing up to solve the unsolvable the writing is sharp and you never know where the narrative will take you