I always enjoy Jonathan Kellerman’s books.
Each is reliably entertaining and well-written, with smooth pacing that never lags. Kellerman is particularly skilled at writing character dialogue and can spin a story into an intricate and intriguing mystery. My favorite thing about the Alex Delaware series however, is the genuine and enduring relationship dynamic between Alex, Robin and Milo. Returning to these familiar characters is like a long overdue conversation with really good friends.
In this latest book, we find Detective Milo Sturgis at the scene of a double murder in Bel Air, CA. Both victims have been shot through the heart. Meagin and Gio were lovers. They had wealth, privilege and were afforded the privacy of Gio’s lush, secluded backyard, safely hidden from view. Yet, both are now dead, and Milo is tasked with notifying Meagin’s husband, Doug, a businessman preoccupied with real estate acquisitions. Before making that call however, Milo contacts Alex, and they survey the crime scene. For readers new to the series, Alex is a psychologist. He specializes in child custody cases, but offers Milo his knowledge and insight regarding the psychology of human behavior. The two friends consult frequently, and Alex’s expertise has been invaluable to the LAPD in solving some of their toughest homicides.
Finding nothing unusual and retrieving what little evidence there is, both men then proceed to the March residence to inform Doug of his wife’s untimely death.
Subsequently, what follows, is an exhaustive deep-dive into the lives of the deceased, the potential suspects and the various leads to track down. First, they must determine who was the primary target. Was it Giovanni Aggiunta, the mildly successful Italian playboy, indulged by his family? Perhaps he had potential enemies across two continents. Maybe the main target was Meagin March, the pampered, but ignored, wife of a young, Uber-rich entrepreneur? Meagin had an erratic, troubled past, and many secrets she tried to outrun.
Like all of Kellerman’s books, I marveled at the sheer number of characters that were created in order to construct a believable crime story and the corresponding police investigation. Each strand of the narrative unspools gradually. By combing databases, researching possible tangential connections and the legwork needed for interviews and interrogations, Milo and Alex begin to uncover the darkness that lurks just below the surface. Kellerman is a confident writer, and the plot unfolds with a deft touch. You won’t find a misstep or a stone left unturned. Intelligent and compellng crime fiction that checks all the boxes and provides everything that Kellerman fans have come to expect. “The Ghost Orchid” is a police procedural detective story with many layers and multiple characters. As an aside, I particularly liked the character of Derek, a clear-eyed, wise teen embroiled in his own
custody case. It’s a minor subplot, unrelated to the murder investigation, but still poignant and endearing. “The Ghost Orchid” is a satisfying read. It offers a chance to revisit some longtime favorite characters and explores how past trauma can continually inform the present without sufficient professional help and intervention. I would highly recommend this one.
The Ghost Orchid: An Alex Delaware Novel
4.5 | 10,101 ratings
Price: 2.99
Last update: 09-17-2024
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Top reviews from the United States
Susan M. Baumann
Sharp, intelligent and Compelling
Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2024G Henry
Sturgis and Delaware ride again.
Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2024
Allen Duhe
Alex Delaware Never Fails To Deliver
Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2024Kindle Customer
Excellent
Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2024Daryl O'Neill
Another Kellerman Winner!
Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2024Barbara
Always a good read.
Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2024Lisa P.
Off His Game?
Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2024Cynthia Squiabro
Surprised As Usual
Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2024