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Alex Delaware

by Jonathan Kellerman

40 books Started 1985 Latest 2025
Publication Reading Order

The Alex Delaware is a Crime Fiction / Mystery series by Jonathan Kellerman, made up of 40 books published between 1985 and 2025. It begins with When the Bough Breaks (1985), and is best read in publication order. The most recent entry is Open Season (2025), spanning 40 years of storytelling.

40books
40years active
5decades
~1yrs between books
2025latest release
# Title Year Buy
1980s
1 When the Bough Breaks 🏆 Anthony Award 1986🏆 Edgar Awards 1986Full award history → 🎬 Adapted for film/TV → 1985 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
2 Blood Test 1986 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
3 Over the Edge 1987 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
4 Silent Partner ★ NYT 6w · peaked #7 1989 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
1990s
5 Time Bomb 1990 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
6 Private Eyes ★ NYT 8w · peaked #6 1992 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
7 Devil's Waltz ★ NYT 7w · peaked #5 1993 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
8 Bad Love ★ NYT 9w · peaked #5 1994 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
9 Self-Defense ★ NYT 7w · peaked #4 1994 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
10 The Web ★ NYT 9w · peaked #5 1995 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
11 The Clinic ★ NYT 8w · peaked #2 1996 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
12 Survival of the Fittest ★ NYT 8w · peaked #7 1997 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
13 Monster ★ NYT 8w · peaked #8 1999 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
2000s
14 Dr. Death ★ NYT 5w · peaked #7 2000 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
15 Flesh and Blood ★ NYT 5w · peaked #7 2001 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
16 The Murder Book ★ NYT 4w · peaked #5 2002 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
17 A Cold Heart ★ NYT 6w · peaked #6 2003 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
18 Therapy ★ NYT 4w · peaked #5 2004 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
19 Rage ★ NYT 5w · peaked #7 2005 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
20 Gone ★ NYT 6w · #1 2006 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
21 Obsession ★ NYT 5w · peaked #2 2007 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
22 Compulsion ★ NYT 5w · #1 2008 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
23 Bones ★ NYT 3w · peaked #4 2008 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
24 Evidence ★ NYT 2w · peaked #6 2009 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
25 Deception ★ NYT 4w · peaked #4 2009 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
2010s
26 Mystery ★ NYT 4w · peaked #3 2011 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
27 Victims ★ NYT 5w · peaked #2 2012 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
28 Guilt ★ NYT 4w · peaked #3 2013 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
29 Killer ★ NYT 5w · peaked #2 2014 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
30 Motive ★ NYT 3w · peaked #4 2015 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
31 Breakdown ★ NYT 3w · peaked #2 2016 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
32 Heartbreak Hotel ★ NYT 4w · #1 2017 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
33 Night Moves ★ NYT 2w · peaked #3 2018 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
34 The Wedding Guest ★ NYT 3w · peaked #4 2019 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
2020s
35 The Museum of Desire ★ NYT 1w · peaked #5 2020 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
36 Serpentine ★ NYT 1w · peaked #4 2021 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
37 City of the Dead ★ NYT 1w · peaked #3 2022 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
38 Unnatural History ★ NYT 1w · peaked #9 2023 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
39 The Ghost Orchid ★ NYT 1w · peaked #9 2024 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
40 Open SeasonLatest ★ NYT 1w · peaked #8 2025 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia

Alex Delaware series: frequently asked questions

What order should I read the Alex Delaware series?

Start with When the Bough Breaks (1985), the first book in the Alex Delaware series by Jonathan Kellerman. Follow the books in publication order for the best reading experience.

How many books are in the Alex Delaware series?

There are 40 books in the Alex Delaware series by Jonathan Kellerman, published between 1985 and 2025.

What is the first book in the Alex Delaware series?

The first book in the Alex Delaware series is When the Bough Breaks, published in 1985 by Jonathan Kellerman.

What is the latest book in the Alex Delaware series?

The most recent book in the Alex Delaware series is Open Season (2025) by Jonathan Kellerman.

More books by Jonathan Kellerman View all series and reading orders →
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About Jonathan Kellerman

Jonathan Seth Kellerman (born August 9, 1949) is an American novelist, psychologist, and Edgar- and Anthony Award–winning author best known for his popular mystery and psychological thriller novels featuring the character Alex Delaware, a child psychologist who consults for the Los Angeles Police Department.

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