Open Season: An Alex Delaware Novel

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars | 1,913 ratings

Price: 19.69

Last update: 02-16-2025


About this item

The most beloved and enduring duo in American crime fiction is back.

Psychologist Alex Delaware and Homicide Detective Milo Sturgis race against time to find a twisted killer in this riveting thriller from the #1 New York Times bestselling “master of suspense” (Los Angeles Times).

People come to Los Angeles to chase their dreams. Sometimes they find themselves cast into a nightmare. And sometimes, the most ardent dreamers turn out to be the most vicious monsters.

The body of an aspiring actress is found dumped near a hospital emergency room. She’s been drugged and murdered and the motive for the callous crime remains maddeningly out of reach. Until, a prime suspect materializes. Another Hollywood hopeful. Only to be shot dead by a sniper using a weapon that turns out to have been catalogued in a previous murder. And another, before that. It’s not long before more bodies begin piling up.

What makes the murderous spree baffling is the apparent lack of connection among the victims. Is this the work of a random thrill killer, the toughest of all cases to unravel?

But as Alex and Milo dig deeper they’re faced with an even knottier scenario: a highly complex killer with deep-seated motivation that will require all of their highly honed skills to decipher.

The latest thriller from #1 New York Times bestseller Jonathan Kellerman, is a tale of psychological complexity, dark suspense, and shocking surprises. A wild ride through L.A.’s surreal underbelly climaxed by an edge-of-the chair conclusion.


Top reviews from the United States

  • Dez N
    4.0 out of 5 stars 40 for Alex Delaware!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2025
    Jumping right into the case, we begin with our favorite psychologist, Alex Delaware, already in the office of friend and Detective Milo Sturgis. The pair are watching footage of a body dump in a lonely spot at nearly 3AM. Once the body is printed, we get a name and address and the investigation begins.... A suspect is found relatively quickly, but there's just one problem: he has a bullet in his head. But who killed the killer? Although the second case is not in another jurisdiction, Milo is brought in to help. And then it gets weirder. The rifle was used in another case. And another. And two more. Is there a gun for hire running around the greater L.A. area? Or a vigilante looking for justice?

    A wonderful mixture of mystery and thriller, with the beautiful writing style that is Kellerman. I love how these books mirror more of a true murder investigation than say, everyone's favorite dun duns. You know what I mean.

    I literally read this in 24 hours. I absolutely love the Alex Delaware books, and have read nearly all of them. I can't believe this is the 40th! Congrats Alex, Milo, and Mr. Kellerman! Here's to hoping there are 40 more!
  • Joanie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great addition to the series
    Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2025
    Alex is assisting his police buddy Milo on his new case. A young woman who OD'ed was dumped on the steps of a nearly closed down hospital. The woman never did drugs, so Milo is looking for someone in her circle who could have slipped her the drugs. He finally gets a suspect, but the man has been shot dead on his patio. Since Milo's case links with that of the Hollywood divisions, he is paired up with them to work both cases. When evidence leads to more than one past case the list of suspects also keeps growing. Alex combs the internet after there are leads to cases from Ohio he finds information leading them to someone that was never on anyone's radar and is a complete surprise. But, the surprises don't stop with the identity of the killer. Very intriguing read.
    (Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy)
  • VdKeck
    4.0 out of 5 stars Compelling Psychological Thriller
    Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2025
    In Open Season, the 40th installment of the Alex Delaware series, Jonathan Kellerman delivers a compelling psychological thriller that delves into the dark side of Hollywood dreams. The story kicks off with the body of an aspiring actress found near a hospital, setting the stage for a complex investigation led by psychologist Alex Delaware and LAPD Detective Milo Sturgis.

    As the duo delves deeper, they encounter a series of murders linked by a sniper’s rifle, with victims seemingly unconnected. The narrative is fast-paced and suspenseful, keeping readers engaged as Delaware and Sturgis navigate the labyrinth of clues. Kellerman’s vivid descriptions and character development shine, making the protagonists’ enduring partnership a highlight of the novel.

    While the plot is intricate and engaging, some readers might find the multitude of characters and subplots a bit overwhelming. However, Kellerman’s skillful storytelling ensures that the narrative remains cohesive and compelling.

    Overall, Open Season is a solid addition to the series, offering a thrilling ride through Los Angeles’s underbelly. Fans of crime fiction and long-time followers of Delaware and Sturgis will find much to enjoy in this latest installment.
  • V. Rock
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fast-paced Plot.
    Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2025
    “Open Season,” by Jonathan Kellerman, Ballantine Books, 288 pages, Feb. 4, 2025.

    In Los Angeles, the body of Marissa French, 25, an aspiring actress, is found dumped near a hospital emergency room. She’s been drugged and murdered.

    While there is a poor security video of the body dump, she wasn’t found for six minutes. Homicide Detective Milo Sturgis is in charge of the investigation. He calls in psychologist Alex Delaware.

    Then they get a call from Detective Petra Conner, who was assigned to the homicide of Paul O’Brien, 43, who was shot. Marissa’s clothes and identification are in his apartment. If he killed her, then who killed him?

    The police learn that the gun that was used to kill O’Brien was used in an earlier homicide. And another before that. It’s not long before more bodies begin piling up.

    The characters are believable and the plot is complex and fast-paced. The reason behind the murders is unusual and as a psychologist, Alex figures out the motive.

    This is the 40th in the series.
  • kimconfidential
    4.0 out of 5 stars Thrilling crime novel
    Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2025
    Open Season is a psychological detective story that is centered in Los Angeles. It begins with a woman found dead near a hospital, but soon others are found dead from the same style of shooter. The quest is on to determine if this is in fact a serial killer, and if so who?

    I found the beginning to be a little slow, but the last third of the book was really exciting.

    I had never read of or heard of Alex Delaware books before, so was fascinated to learn that this is #40 in the series. That aside, this book can be read successfully without reading any others in the series. Just keep notes on the characters, because there are so many (especially for first time readers).

    Thanks to Random House / Ballantine and NetGalley for the ARC.
  • Kathleen Hughes
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, as usual from Kellerman!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2025
    There are no simple cases for Alex Delaware and Milo Sturgis and Open Season, the 40th in this superb series by the talented Jonathan Kellerman is no exception. The first body, wrapped tightly and dumped at a not so nice hospital in a not so nice section of Los Angeles, begins this complicated cold blooded murder case. More seemingly unrelated victims follow the first. Only one thing links these cases - the ammunition used by the killer. As Delaware and Sturgis work to unravel this twisted case, they discover the murderer has made one mistake. He thinks he/she is smarter than Alex.

    Milo and Alex have an easy rapport and rely on each other’s strengths to solve complex cases. A backdrop of familiar characters, especially Robin and the beloved Blanche, bring life to the mystery and new characters add to the intricate plot line. 5 stars.

    Thank you to NetGalley, Ballantine Books and Jonathan Kellerman for this ARC.

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