How to read all Jonathan Kellerman books in order

Jonathan Kellerman is an American author who has written more than 40 bestselling novels and book series, including the Alex Delaware series, featuring child psychologist Alex Delaware as the main protagonist, and the Petra Connor series, featuring a police detective in Los Angeles.

Kellerman’s writing is known for its psychological complexity and intricate plotting, and he is widely regarded as one of the most successful and popular authors in the crime fiction genre. It should be noted that the Petra Connor series is a spin-off from the Alex Delaware series, and some of the characters and events from the Alex Delaware series are referenced in the Petra Connor series.

Jonathan Kellerman has also co-authored several books with his wife, Faye Kellerman. Overall, Jonathan Kellerman’s books are best read in the order they were written within each series. This way, you can see how the characters change and the stories progress. However, his books can also be enjoyed as standalone novels, with each book offering a complete and satisfying story.

Exploring the writings of Jonathan Kellerman

Jonathan Kellerman is a highly acclaimed and bestselling author in the crime fiction genre, and he also has a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Southern California. His novels have consistently appeared on the New York Times bestseller list and have been praised by both readers and critics alike. He has won numerous awards for his work, including the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best First Novel, and has been nominated for several others.

As an Amazon Associate, Kellerman’s books are widely available for purchase and are often recommended by the site based on the reader’s past purchases and preferences. He has also received numerous positive reviews from readers on Amazon, with many noting his ability to keep them hooked and engaged throughout the entire story.

Overall, Jonathan Kellerman is a highly respected and successful author whose work has captivated readers for many years. Kellerman’s writing is characterized by a sense of suspense and tension that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, and his attention to detail creates a rich and immersive reading experience.

Alex Delaware series

The Alex Delaware series is a collection of crime fiction novels written by Jonathan Kellerman featuring the child psychologist Dr. Alex Delaware as the main protagonist. Alex Delaware books span over 30 titles, with the first Alex Delaware novel When the Bough Breaks published in 1985.

Alex Delaware is a former child psychologist turned consultant to the LAPD, who uses his expertise to help the police solve complex cases. Delaware is aided in his investigations by his best friend, LAPD detective Milo Sturgis, who often provides him with key insights and support.

The Alex Delaware series is known for its psychological depth, complex plotlines, and well-drawn characters, with each book offering a unique and engrossing story.

Petra Connor series

The Petra Connor series is a collection of crime fiction novels written by Jonathan Kellerman featuring the LAPD detective Petra Connor as the main protagonist. The series spans over seven books, with the first novel The Butcher’s Theater published in 1988.

Petra Connor is a determined and hard-working detective in the LAPD, who often finds herself at the center of complex and dangerous investigations. Throughout the series, Connor must navigate the complex world of LAPD homicide. She is often aided in her investigations by her partner homicide detective, Eric Stahl, as well as other colleagues in the LAPD.

Detective Jacob Lev series

The Detective Jacob Lev series is a collection of crime fiction novels written by Jonathan Kellerman, featuring the Los Angeles police detective Jacob Lev as the main protagonist. The series consists of two books, The Golem of Hollywood and The Golem of Paris.

In the series, Jacob Lev investigates a range of disturbing cases, including murder, kidnapping, and ritualistic killings, which lead him on a journey through the darker side of human nature.

Clay Edison series

The Clay Edison series is a collection of crime fiction novels co-authored by Jonathan Kellerman and his son, Jesse Kellerman, featuring Alameda County Deputy Coroner Clay Edison as the main protagonist. The series consists of two books, Crime Scene and Half Moon Bay.

In the series, Clay Edison investigates a range of cases, including murder, suicide, and accidental deaths, using his forensic expertise and investigative skills to unravel the complex web of clues and motives.

In what order should I read Jonathan Kellerman books?

It is recommended to read Jonathan Kellerman’s books in the order they were published. This will allow readers to follow the character development and ongoing storylines throughout each series.

For the Alex Delaware series, it is suggested to start with When the Bough Breaks and read through to the most recent book, Serpentine. For the Petra Connor series, beginning with The Butcher’s Theater and continuing with Billy Straight, Twisted, The Conspiracy Club, The Golem of Hollywood, The Golem of Paris, and Heartbreak Hotel.

For the co-authored books with Faye Kellerman, it would be best to read Double Homicide, Capital Crimes, Beverly Hills Dead, The Case of the Red-Handed Sister, and Crime Scene in the order they were published.

It’s worth noting that Kellerman’s writing often deals with the dark and disturbing subject matter, including murder and mental illness, so readers who are sensitive to these topics may want to exercise caution. Overall, Kellerman is a master of the crime fiction genre and his books are sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Publication order of Alex Delaware books

1. When the Bough Breaks (1985)
2. Blood Test (1986)
3. Over the Edge (1987)
4. Silent Partner (1989)
5. Time Bomb (1990)
6. Private Eyes (1992)
7. Devil’s Waltz (1993)
8. Bad Love (1994)
9. Self-Defense (1994)
10. The Web (1995)
11. The Clinic (1996)
12. Survival of the Fittest (1997)
13. Monster (1999)
14. Dr. Death (2000)
15. Flesh and Blood (2001)
16. The Murder Book (2002)
17. A Cold Heart (2003)
18. Therapy (2004)
19. Rage (2005)
20. Gone (2006)
21. Obsession (2007)
22. Compulsion (2008)
23. Bones (2008)
24. Evidence (2009)
25. Deception (2009)
26. Mystery (2011)
27. Victims (2012)
28. Guilt (2013)
29. Killer (2014)
30. Motive (2015)
31. Breakdown (2016)
32. Heartbreak Hotel (2017)
33. Night Moves (2018)
34. The Wedding Guest (2019)
35. The Museum of Desire (2020)
36. Serpentine (2021)
37. City of the Dead (2022)
38. Unnatural History (2023)

A few other noteworthy mentions

In addition to his popular series, Jonathan Kellerman has also written several standalone novels that are worth mentioning:

• Jonathan Kellerman Omnibus (1996)
• The First Alex Delaware Omnibus (2001)
• The Alex Delaware Collection (2015)
• Alex Delaware: A Mysterious Profile (2022)

Publication order of Petra Connor books

1. Billy Straight (1998)
2. Twisted (2004)

Publication order of Detective Jacob Lev books

1. The Golem of Hollywood (2013)
2. The Golem of Paris (2015)

Publication order of Clay Edison books

1. Crime Scene (2017)
2. A Measure of Darkness (2018)
3. Half Moon Bay (2020)
4. The Burning (2021)

Publication order of standalone novels

1. The Butcher’s Theater (1988)
2. Double Homicide (1993)
3. The Conspiracy Club (2003)
4. Capital Crimes (2006)
5. True Detectives (2009)
6. The Murderer’s Daughter (2016)

Publication order of short sories/novellas

• The Right Thing to Do (2015)

Short story collections

Jonathan Kellerman has also published several short story collections, including:

• Daddy, Daddy, Can You Touch the Sky? (1994)

Alex Delaware graphic novels

Jonathan Kellerman has also published several graphic novels featuring the character Alex Delaware, written in collaboration with graphic novelist Michael Gaydos.

• The Web (1996)
• Silent Partner (2012)

The graphic novels offer readers a chance to experience Kellerman’s stories in a new way, and the illustrations by Gaydos add a new dimension to the storytelling. Fans of the Alex Delaware series, as well as those who are new to Kellerman’s work, may find these graphic novels to be a unique and engaging way to experience the character and his stories.

Publication order of non-fiction books

1. Helping the Fearful Child (1981)
2. Savage Spawn (1999)
3. The Best American Crime Reporting 2008 (2008)
4. With Strings Attached: The Art and Beauty of Vintage Guitars (2008)
5. Breakdown (2016)
6. Heartbreak Hotel (2017)
7. Night Moves (2018)
8. The Wedding Guest (2019)
9. The Museum of Desire (2020)
10. Serpentine (2021)
11. City of the Dead (2022)
12. Unnatural History (2023)

Audiobooks collection of Jonathan Kellerman

Jonathan Kellerman’s novels are also available in audiobook format, narrated by a range of talented actors and voiceover artists. Some of the popular audiobooks in his collection include:

• When the Bough Breaks narrated by John Rubinstein
• Blood Test narrated by John Rubinstein
• The Murder Book narrated by John Rubinstein
• Gone narrated by John Rubinstein
• Killer narrated by John Rubinstein
• Heartbreak Hotel narrated by John Rubinstein
• Crime Scene narrated by John Rubinstein and Jesse Kellerman
• Serpentine narrated by John Rubinstein

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