Milo and Alex are back in the City of the dead

Jonathan Kellerman is an author who has been part of my reading life for as long as I can remember. He's a former psychologist and researcher, earning a PhD in psychology in the treatment of children at just 24. Kellerman's approach to exploring the human psyche in the context of both murder and child custody in his novels is interesting, perceptive, and well written.

Jonathan Kellerman is a prolific author of what I would call psychological crime novels that clearly draw on his professional and academic background. Along with several standalone novels, he has penned two series with son, Jesse, one featuring Deputy LA Coroner Clay Edison and another with LA Detective Jacob Lev that blends the criminal with the supernatural.

The Alex Delaware series began in 1985 and there has been at least one new novel published each year since then. City of the dead is number 37 in the series. Detective Milo Sturgis solves homicides for the LAPD with the help of consultant and friend Dr Alex Delaware, a psychologist specialising in child custody cases. Milo occupies an unconventional place in the LAPD homicide division: He's a gay man who takes Alex along to interviews with witnesses and suspects and to team case reviews to provide psychological insight. It's probably not very realistic, but it makes for an entertaining read. I always learn stuff about the psychology of crime and human behaviour from Alex's input. The psychological insights Alex provides are what sets the novels apart from standard detective fare.

The series also relies on the strength of the friendship between Milo and Alex - a seemingly unlikely partnership - who accept and respect each other. They have different approaches to the solving the crimes but their respective insights get them there in the end. Their friendship is fleshed out as the series progresses and is a joy to read.

Like Elvis Cole from Robert Crais's novels, I have a slight literary crush on Alex as he is kind, smart, and provides fascinating insights into human behaviour and motivations. Milo and Alex have their own foibles and flaws but nothing about them is overdone. There's just enough in the books to give the characters depth and nuance without detracting from the pursuit of justice. The peripheral players - Milo's partner Dr Rick Silverman, Alex's partner and wooden instrument technician, Robin, and the team of detectives Milo leads - are fleshed out well enough to make them more than just sidebars to the stories.

You can read my review of book 39 here.

City of the dead | Book 37 | Published February 2022 | Read September 2023

City of the dead is another great read and proof that Jonathan Kellerman writes consistent, quality novels. Milo and Alex investigate a double homicide involving a self-styled influencer who is passing herself off as a therapist. The novel contains the usual bouncing of ideas between Milo and Alex that keeps the reader interested. I liked the pace of this novel and the way The Reveal unfolded. It kept me guessing until the end. I also liked the way that Alex's input was woven into the story. It felt a bit more realistic this time, as a true consultant rather than him being part of the action.

Clever and well crafted, Jonathan Kellerman never fails to produce a cracking story and continues to provide depth of characterisation of all players involved. The books are an easy read, entertaining and interesting and comforting in their enduring formula. Alex and Milo are like old friends to me now, and I always look forward to reading their stories.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Series rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐