Guilt: An Alex Delaware Novel

by Jonathan Kellerman

2014

Status

Available

Publication

Ballantine Books (2014), 448 pages

Description

Fiction. Mystery. Suspense. Thriller. HTML:NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER � �The combination of Alex Delaware [and] Detective Milo Sturgis . . . makes for the most original whodunit duo since Watson and Holmes.��Forbes In an upscale L.A. neighborhood, a backyard renovation unearths an infant�s body, buried sixty years ago. Soon thereafter, in a nearby park, another disturbingly bizarre discovery is made not far from the body of a young woman shot in the head. Helping LAPD homicide detective Milo Sturgis to link these eerie incidents is brilliant psychologist Alex Delaware. But even the good doctor�s vast experience with matters both clinical and criminal might not be enough to cut down to the bone of this chilling case. Backtracking six decades into the past stirs up tales of a beautiful nurse with a mystery lover, a handsome, wealthy doctor who seems too good to be true, and a hospital with a notorious reputation�all of them long gone, along with any records of a newborn, and destined for anonymity. But the specter of fame rears its head when the case unexpectedly twists in the direction of the highest echelons of celebrity privilege. Entering this sheltered world, Alex little imagines the macabre layer just below the surface�a decadent quagmire of unholy rituals and grisly sacrifice.   Don�t miss the excerpt of Jonathan Kellerman�s Killer in the back of the book! Praise for Jonathan Kellerman and Guilt   �A solid, poignant tale of violence against the innocent . . . cool, brisk and polished.��The Washington Post   �Action-packed . . . Kellerman proves he can keep readers entertained and engrossed in a story that keeps them on the edge of their seats to the final page.��Wichita Falls Times Record News �Certainly one of [Kellerman�s] best offerings to date . . . Do not miss this one.��Bookreporter   �Jonathan Kellerman�s psychology skills and dark imagination are a potent literary mix.��Los Angeles Times �Jonathan Kellerman�s novels are an obsession; once started it is hard to quit.��Orlando Sentinel   �Kellerman doesn�t just write psychological thrillers�he owns the genre.��Detroit Free Press.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member GarySeverance
Jonathan Kellerman's 28th Alex Delaware novel is a good addition to the series. There are seemingly unconnected mysteries in the book that require the brilliant interpretive skills of Dr. Delaware to link together. The psychologist teams up with his longtime friend, LAPD Lieutenant Milo Sturgis to
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add insight that can help with the police work. The two main characters are well-developed and some of their long history together described in past novels is brought out in this novel.

When a dead baby is found hidden on the grounds of a Los Angeles mansion by new owners, Alex and Milo are forced to reconsider the vile nature of some human beings and the tragic consequences for their victims. Both men experience disturbing life-reviewing thoughts and the reader gets some good information about why a psychologist continues his consulting work in gruesome crime cases and why a hard-boiled detective calls him in. Alex tells us the reasons he became a psychologist in the first place. He seems always to be protecting people who are hurting as he did as a child. He indicates that he gets a bit heavy handed with psychological interpretations now and again. But I learned in Kellerman's novel Victims that most of Dr. Delaware's interpretations are behavioral (empirical) rather than psychoanalytic (theoretical).

The mystery widens with the discovery of more bodies in an LA park. Could these two cases be related? At first Milo does not bother with speculation about a possible connection, but Alex cannot let it go. His intuition suggests they go together in some way. If there is a relationship between the investigations, it is convoluted and Alex and Milo face many challenges to solve the case. Guilt is a better novel, more interesting to me than Kellerman's most recent Alex Delaware novel, Victims, because of the more detailed deductive crime solving reasoning of the fictional psychologist.

This is only the second Alex Delaware novel I have read. I did not want to read the series all these years because I imagined the novels to be filled with psychobabble. But reading Victims and then Guilt, I came to appreciate the way Kellerman shows us the psychology of deadly characters, their victims, and the professionals who track them down rather than describing their personalities with psychological jargon.
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LibraryThing member blockbuster1994
It is hard to believe this is the 28th Alex Delaware novel. I love this guy; as in the author and the character. I know the product will be an intelligent novel, albeit with a touch of sarcasm.

Alex and Milo make a fascinating long term crime fighting team; Alex as a tireless and caring
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psychologist with Milo as a hard edged gay detective. When the bones of a long buried infant are unearthed in an up-and-coming exclusive Los Angeles neighborhood, Alex and Milo are on the cold case. Additional, fresher bones and bodies pop up, and the investigation broadens across the City, enveloping many uniquely LA type characters (at least as this Midwest gal sees them). There is a mix of the 1950s' nostalgia meshed with current day drama that works terrifically.

The real craft is in the writing and dialogue, which is spot on. Even though the series is long standing, I never get bored with the action or the characters. I received this book on my first day of vacation and spent many late nights reading it with much joy.
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LibraryThing member Ronrose1
Alex Delaware, a doctor of psychology, works with police Lieutenant Milo Sturgis to solve crimes in southern California. This book makes it plain why they have appeared in over 25 best sellers. The two investigators work seamlessly together, each complimenting the other. The story is fast paced and
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interesting. It starts with the unearthing of a small metal box in a suburban back yard. The box turns out to hold the bones of a tiny baby. The only clue is the name of an old hospital written on the side of the box. The trail will eventually lead to some of the biggest names in Los Angeles. A quick read, very entertaining. Book proved for review by Amazon Vine.
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LibraryThing member phoenixcomet
I am always happy when Kellerman is writing an Alex Delaware / Milo Sturgis novel. A woman finds a box buried in her yard with the bones of an infant inside of it. Within days, someone finds a dead body in the park and on the other side of the park, another infant's skeleton grossly preserved. It
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is up to Alex and Milo to figure out who just murdered this baby and this woman, and what exactly did happen 50 years ago to the other infant?
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LibraryThing member melissajoy
Guilt was a good read. I liked the relationship between the two main characters. It also gave an interesting perspective of Hollywood elite. I would read more in the series.
LibraryThing member Twink
Guilt is the 28th (!) entry in Jonathan Kellerman's long running Dr. Alex Delaware series. I've been following this series for many years, but the last few books have fallen short for me. But, old habits are hard to break, so I was willing to see what was in store with this latest offering.

Alex is
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a psychologist who consults with the LAPD - specifically with Homicide Detective Milo Sturgis. "Most homicides are mundane and on the way to clearance within a day or two. Milo sometimes calls me on 'the interesting ones.'" Milo is an outsider within the ranks, but he has one of the highest clearance ranks in the department. Together this pair make an interesting investigative duo, with each bringing different strengths and outlooks to the cases.

In Guilt, a new homeowner discovers a metal box buried in the backyard. But, the contents are unexpected - they're the bones of a baby. The remains are determined to be sixty years old, but of course must be investigated. Then a young woman is found dead in a nearby park with another set of infant bones close by - and this time they're more recent.

Kellerman lets us follow along as Alex and Milo scour the past and pursue the present in search of answers. Alex takes the lead role in Guilt, striking out on his own many times, using his own connections and pursuing threads he believes will lead to answers. I did find sone leaps to leads rather circumstantial and a bit hard to buy, and the title appears to have been drawn from a note that is never fully explained.

Kellerman is a psychologist himself and the character of Alex is especially well developed because of this background. His conversations and mannerisms ring true. In Guilt, Alex practices more counselling than he has in the last few outings. Milo still remains my favourite character, but he takes more a backseat in Guilt. Blanche the bulldog does seem to steal a lot of scenes as well.

Reading the latest Jonathan Kellerman is like slipping on a favourite pair of slippers - they're comfortable and you know how they'll fit. Guilt was a good read to keep me entertained on a recent train trip.
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LibraryThing member WhitmelB
Mr. Kellerman has produced another fine psychological thriller starring our favorite team: psychologist-sleuth Alex Delaware and police detective Milo Sturgis. Their interaction, as they pursue the bad guys, is what makes these books work. Leads are discussed, clues examined, and most importantly,
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possible reasons for the crime or crimes. Doctor Delaware delves deeply into the psyche of various actors in the story as well as that of the possible perpetrator when he or she shows up.

This book starts with the discovery under a potting bench of a rusting strongbox containing two baby skeletons wrapped in newspaper sixty years old. As a cold case detective Milo gets the assignment and turns immediately to Alex for help in tracing the line of owners of the house which leads to a mystery woman, a nurse to several of the previous owners. But when two more recently dead infant skeletons are discovered the case shifts from cold to hot and a modern day malevolent killer must be found.

The writing is taut, finely honed and delightfully perceptive. How can you not like this description of a witness: “The duration and warmth of Grace Monahan’s smile said life was just grand in her eighth decade. One of those women who’d been a knockout from birth and had avoided addiction to youth.”

Nor is Mr. Kellerman parsimonious with commas, as too many writers are these days. To read his sentences is to hear the pauses and breaks that occur in everyday talk whether serious or humorous. His characters live.

Whether you are a long-time fan or a newcomer to these books, grab up GUILT and prepare for a “can’t put it down” read.
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LibraryThing member shelleyraec
I can’t remember when I first discovered Jonathon Kellerman’s Alex Delaware series but I have been a loyal reader for quite some time. I have read every one and own more than a dozen – picking them up second hand when I come across them.

Guilt is the 28th book in the long running series and I
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always look forward to joining child psychologist Alex Delaware and LAPD Detective Milo Sturgis on a case. In Guilt, the discovery of an infant’s remains from more than sixty years ago in an upscale LA neighborhood is deemed low priority until another set of infant bones are found in a nearby park. This tiny skeleton shows signs of being ritually cleansed and the infant died far more recently. Delaware and Sturgis doubt the two cases are related but both warrant further investigation, especially when another body, that of an adult woman, is found.

The mysterious identity of the newborn discovered in a hospital supply box leads to a decades old conspiracy involving a beautiful nurse, a handsome doctor and a hospital that offered discreet services to the wealthy who found themselves ‘in trouble’.
The tenuous connection between the second set of infant remains, meticulously cleaned and polished with beeswax, and the executed woman, has Delaware speculating about an angry father. His basic theory proves to be sound, though in a unexpected manner, as he follows the trail into the privileged world of celebrity.
In both instances Alex’s contacts are crucial to solving the case as he gathers information from his own medical colleagues and Robin’s celebrity clients while Milo spends much of his time distracted by office politics and a persistent reporter.

I have to admit the pacing wasn’t quite as quick as I usually expect from Kellerman with there being little in the way of immediate danger to anyone during the investigation, though I always enjoy the back and forth speculation about the perpetrators and victims between Alex and Sturgis. There are plenty of twists to keep things interesting though and it’s always satisfying to have the mystery neatly solved and the killer brought to justice.

I expect someone unfamiliar with the series could enjoy this novel as a stand alone, while fans of the series are sure to enjoy trailing Delaware and Sturgis through the psychological detritus LA once again as I did.
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LibraryThing member dyarington
This is the first Kellerman book I have read and I'm sorry I've missed so many of them. What a great idea to pair a child Psychologist with a police detective. I read the book in three days, having trouble putting it down. I agree with one other reviewer that the extra set of baby bones was
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superfluous to the story. However, the plot was most interesting and moved smoothly from surprise to surprise. Milo and Alex form a great team. The seemingly true story of the Hollywood super stars moved the story right along, albeit with the surprise at the end which I believe was somewhat unnecessary. Great book!
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LibraryThing member etrainer
There were some funny errors and editing comments in this uncorrected proof! But, my review . . .
Just as in my review of Victims, I think this book is that same story, told over and over, that Kellerman does so well. He must, I have them all. This one has a very interesting plot, with the usual
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misdirections and dead ends. Gruesome murder, possible weird cult practices, movie stars, and low-lifes. Don't forget the endless smart ass quips between Alex and Milo. And there's the final twist at the end. Kellerman makes it work every time. Why else do I buy them as soon as they come out?
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LibraryThing member Bumpersmom
Jonathan Kellerman's AlexDelaware series has always been at the top of my favorites list. He neve disappoints, and this time is no different. Alex tags along with his friend, Lt. Milo Sturgis on a call of bones found in the back yard of a home. Several days later, they are called to a park not far
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from the home where more bones and a body have been found. Are they related? To be found out as the story progresses. Alex uses his skills as a psychologist to search for meaning to the 3 different sets of remains. The story turns to the ensuing investigation finding witnesses and seeking information. We find ourselves suddenly in the entertainment world where life is so very different and the people do things their own way. Good read and surprising ending make this an enjoyable time spent.
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LibraryThing member gpangel
Guilt by Jonathan Kellerman is a mystery novel in the Alex Delaware series, set for release on 2/12/13. The book is published by Ballantine / Random House. A young couple expecting their first child, buy their first home. A large tree is downed and the young wife finds a box buried under the tree
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that contains the bones of human baby. This gruesome discovery has Milo and Alex investigating the previous owners of the property. Then a young lady is murdered and another set baby bones are found close by. Were the two cases connected? The investigation gets sticky when the murders lead to a Hollywood power couple. Good old fashioned police and detective work lead us from clue to clue as though we were actually riding along with Milo and Alex. Kellerman's Alex Delaware novels are genuine whodunits and police prodecurals. Kellerman has the ability to put you in the mist of the investigation. The descriptions of L.A. and it's mind set is always a part of the story. In this case, we get a peek into the life of Hollywood legends and life on their compound, which is very different from the image the public may have. There is also a cold case that plays out in the background that was also really interesting. As usual, the characaters we are all familiar with are back and they all play a part in the investigation, including Robin and Blanche. This one was a bit darker that most of Kellerman's novels. The novel explores the pitfalls and scams that people can fall into and become victims to, and gives us real insight into the darker side of human nature. I've read most of Jonathan Kellerman's Alex Delaware novels. They are familiar to me and I always like checking in to see what these characters have been up to. Overall this one gets a A- Thanks so much Edelweiss for the ARC!
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LibraryThing member rdurant1217
I've been a long-time fan of the Alex Delaware/Milo Sturgis series and this is yet another installment. This was a pretty good novel overall, nothing overly gruesome or high suspense, but a solid story that keeps us update on our characters.

I would have liked to see either 1) more engagement with
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the secondary storyline or 2) no secondary storyline at all. It was distracting the way the book started out, you meet this person and then see them 1 more time and then nothing. I kept hoping that it would tie back in but it never really does in a way that is satisfying.

Also, the Preema parts are a little sloppy - I wasn't really buying it there during that portion.

But overall, decent enough for a beach read, enjoyable and you don't have to think too hard, which is all I look for from Jonathan Kellerman.
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LibraryThing member tomray
Once I had the time to sit down and get into reading this book it was quite enjoyable. Full of twists and turns.Alex and Milo will not disappoint you.Excellent read.
LibraryThing member Dr.Vickie
I really enjoyed this novel. The last couple of Alex Delaware novels were a little uneven, in my opinion. This one, however, was very engaging and a really good read. I am thankful that NetGalley allowed me to read this before publication. The central mystery of the story was very plausible and the
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thinly-veiled character based on Angelina Jolie and her children added a nice maternal touch that we don't always see in mystery novels. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. My one quibble was the frame story of the box of baby bones unearthed from 40 years ago was little bit unneeded. It added very little to the central mystery, since it had no real bearing on the central plot. But, that's minor. Again, I highly enjoyed this book.
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LibraryThing member dianaleez
Alex Delaware and Milo Sturgis are faced with a mysterious metal box containing the remains of an infant in Jonathan Kellerman's latest police procedural,
'Guilt.'

Readers who enjoyed the interaction between the caring psychologist and the hard-boiled gay police detective will probably enjoy this
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outing as well. The plot follows the usual Kellerman twists, focusing more on character than action.

Perhaps it's time to add a few surprises along the way?
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LibraryThing member cmeilink
Jonathan Kellerman hit a home run with this one. A long-time fan of his Alex Delaware series, I always look forward to the latest release, and I was not disappointed.

When a baby's skeleton is found in the yard of a young married couple, it's hard to believe that anything could be worse--until
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another baby's body and a woman's body are discovered.

Alex and Milo, one of the best crime-solving duos around, work their way through the labyrinth of dead-end clues and cooperative and not-so-cooperative suspects and witnesses as they attempt to bring the killer to justice.

Even with numerous false-starts and assumptions, Alex and Milo keep on the trail--a trail that leads them to some of the most powerful people in L.A.

One of the best of the Alex Delaware series,I received this book through LibraryThing Early Reviewers, and it's a book that I would highly recommend. Go, Alex!
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LibraryThing member Darcia
I've been a fan of Kellerman's Alex Delaware series since the first book came out. He's adept at bringing characters to life and letting readers get inside their minds. This latest book shows off Kellerman's gift at characterization, allowing first time readers to get to know all the players
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without boring long time fans.

That being said, this was not one of my favorite Kellerman novels. The plot felt a little choppy, with a lot of speculation and great leaps of progress coming out of the blue. Delaware does a lot of investigating on his own, acting more as a police detective than a psychological consultant, and leaves Milo out in the cold. The ending wrapped everything up, but felt more like necessity than a way of tying together all the separate plot lines.

Despite all of that, I still enjoyed the story. Kellerman's characters have a way of holding my attention, even when I'm not totally committed to the plot.
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LibraryThing member allthesedarnbooks
This is the latest installment in Kellerman's long-running Alex Delaware mystery series. There have been some weak entries within the last few years, but I quite enjoyed this one, which starts with a young pregnant woman finding a box with a baby's skeleton in her backyard and from there spirals
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out into a complex mystery involving Brangelina-like celebrities. This was a quick read for me, and one I couldn't put down once I started. Definitely enjoyable, if perhaps far-fetched. Four stars.
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LibraryThing member Readanon
Excellent read. I haven't read many books by Jonathan Kellerman yet (though I did read The Butcher's Theater, which was excellent, and I've read all of Faye Kellerman's books), and I can tell that I need to go back and start reading this series from the beginning. Interesting plot and characters,
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it definitely kept my interest. I'm looking forward to reading the others, and any future books he writes.
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LibraryThing member mrdoan72
Jonathan Kellerman has wrote another great Alex Delaware book. I would say it is one of the best of the series. I would highly recommend this book
LibraryThing member jsharpmd
Jonathan Kellerman once again tells a story featuring Alex Delaware and Milo Sturgis that keeps one reading until late at night. Following a storm a pregnant mom discovers a strange box underneath an uprooted tree. Sad for her as the box contains the bones of an infant. Not much later another
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infant’s bones are discovered nearby.

Psychologist Alex Delaware and Detective Sturgis are called to investigate the remains which lead them to movie star Prema Moon and her four adopted children. Living on the same property but a separate house is Prema’s husband who is a very unsavory character.

As mentioned the book was difficult to set down. It was a very enjoyable read, full of suspense and interesting characters. I give it 4 ½ stars out of 5.
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LibraryThing member wcath
I am a long-time reader of Jonathan Kellerman's Alex Delaware series and have spent many an enjoyable hour following the cases that Alex and Milo Sturgis try to solve. Guilt begins with the discovery of a metal box buried in the backyard of a house in an affluent neighborhood. The box contains the
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bones of a human infant. Questions arise as to how the infant died, how long ago the bones were buried, who may have buried them there and why. Kellerman is always reliable for a good story. That said, this was not my favorite of the series. I think that anyone who enjoys a good psychological thriller or has read and Kellerman's other books in the series will enjoy this book.
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LibraryThing member she_climber
Excited to get an Advanced Copy of the latest Alex Delaware novel by Kellerman. I've been with this series from the beginning and it continues to entertain. Dr. Delaware continues to be likable and engaging. Lt. Sturgis I would love to have a meal with one day. And I always want more Robin. This
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book took a while to get me involved but once the celebrity aspect was introduced I was hooked. I'm not normally a celebrity junkie but I kept picturing Brangelina (not sure if that was in intent or not) but it kept if fun....as fun as gruesome murders can be anyway. The initial story seemed very disconnected after the second crime scene and seemed very forced. I think the book would have carried just fine without it. I will continue to recommend this series and now that I got my annual Delaware fix I will have to patiently wait until next year.
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LibraryThing member Scrabblenut
Another enjoyable Milo Sturgis and Alex Delaware mystery, with lots of snappy dialogue and wild speculations about suspects and motives. I enjoy the psychological input into the mystery, and Alex takes a central role, doing some of his own sleuthing. Very good.

Language

Original language

English

Original publication date

2013-02-26

Physical description

448 p.; 4.19 inches

ISBN

0345505743 / 9780345505743

Barcode

1600726
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