Below is the complete list of Jonathan Kellerman books in order. For this series, the chronological reading order is the same as the order of publication.
Publication Order of Alex Delaware Books
Publication Order of Petra Connor Books
Publication Order of Clay Edison Books
Publication Order of Standalone Novels Books
Publication Order of Detective Jacob Lev Books
Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books
About Jonathan Kellerman
Jonathan Kellerman is an American novelist and clinical psychologist widely known for writing psychological crime thrillers. His books often combine detailed psychological insight with gripping detective plots, a style that reflects his professional background. Over the course of his career, Kellerman has become one of the most prominent authors in modern crime fiction, best known for the long-running Alex Delaware series.
Jonathan Kellerman was born on August 9, 1949, in New York City and grew up in Los Angeles, California. His early life was shaped by a strong interest in storytelling as well as psychology. As a teenager, he attended college early and later studied psychology at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he eventually earned a doctoral degree in clinical psychology.
Before becoming a full-time novelist, Kellerman worked as a clinical psychologist specializing in pediatric psychology. Much of his professional work involved helping children and families cope with trauma, medical challenges, and emotional disorders. This experience would later influence his fiction, where psychological complexity often plays a central role in solving crimes and understanding characters’ motivations.
Kellerman’s transition into fiction began during his graduate studies when he started writing short stories and experimenting with novel-length manuscripts. His breakthrough came with the publication of his first novel, When the Bough Breaks (1985). The book introduced readers to psychologist Dr. Alex Delaware and police detective Milo Sturgis, a partnership that would become the foundation of Kellerman’s most famous series.
The Alex Delaware novels are notable for their blend of psychological analysis and police investigation. Rather than focusing solely on traditional detective work, the stories often explore the psychological motivations behind violent crimes. Alex Delaware’s background as a child psychologist allows him to uncover behavioral patterns and emotional triggers that help solve complex cases.
Reading Jonathan Kellerman’s books in publication order allows readers to follow the evolving partnership between Alex Delaware and Milo Sturgis. While Delaware provides psychological insight, Sturgis contributes the experience and instincts of a seasoned homicide detective. Their dynamic—one analytical and introspective, the other pragmatic and determined—has remained a defining feature of the series.
Kellerman’s novels are also deeply connected to Los Angeles, which frequently serves as the backdrop for his stories. The city’s diverse neighborhoods, cultural contrasts, and hidden corners provide a rich setting for the mysteries he constructs. Through these settings, Kellerman often explores themes such as social inequality, family conflict, and the darker sides of human behavior.
Beyond the Alex Delaware books, Kellerman has written additional crime fiction, including collaborations with his son, fellow novelist Jesse Kellerman. Together they have co-authored several thrillers that combine psychological tension with intricate plotting.
Jonathan Kellerman’s work has received numerous literary awards, including the Edgar Award for Best First Novel. His books have been translated into many languages and sold millions of copies worldwide, establishing him as one of the most successful writers in the psychological thriller genre.
Kellerman’s background in psychology continues to influence his storytelling, giving his novels a distinctive focus on human behavior and emotional complexity. Readers following Jonathan Kellerman’s books in publication order can observe how the Alex Delaware series—and Kellerman’s broader body of work—has developed into one of the most enduring crime fiction franchises of the past several decades.