The Alex Delaware books in order follow psychologist Alex Delaware and LAPD homicide detective Milo Sturgis through a long-running series of Los Angeles murder investigations. Jonathan Kellerman blends psychological suspense with police procedural elements, while Alex and Milo’s friendship gives the books their continuing story.
Alex is a former clinical child psychologist who becomes a trusted consultant on difficult homicide cases. Each book centers on a new investigation, but the personal continuity between Alex, Milo, and Robin Castagna rewards readers who stay with the series.
For Kellerman’s full bibliography, including Petra Connor, Clay Edison, Jacob Lev, standalones, short works, and nonfiction, use my Jonathan Kellerman books in order guide.
Last reviewed: July 22, 2026.
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Alex Delaware Books in Order
I recommend starting with When the Bough Breaks and continuing in publication order.
- When the Bough Breaks (1985)
- Blood Test (1986)
- Over the Edge (1987)
- Silent Partner (1989)
- Time Bomb (1990)
- Private Eyes (1992)
- Devil’s Waltz (1993)
- Bad Love (1994)
- Self-Defense (1995)
- The Web (1996)
- The Clinic (1997)
- Survival of the Fittest (1997)
- Monster (1999)
- Dr. Death (2000)
- Flesh and Blood (2001)
- The Murder Book (2002)
- A Cold Heart (2003)
- Therapy (2004)
- Rage (2005)
- Gone (2006)
- Obsession (2007)
- Compulsion (2008)
- Bones (2008)
- Evidence (2009)
- Deception (2010)
- Mystery (2011)
- Victims (2012)
- Guilt (2013)
- Killer (2014)
- Motive (2015)
- Breakdown (2016)
- Heartbreak Hotel (2017)
- Night Moves (2018)
- The Wedding Guest (2019)
- The Museum of Desire (2020)
- Serpentine (2021)
- City of the Dead (2022)
- Unnatural History (2023)
- The Ghost Orchid (2024)
- Open Season (2025)
- Jigsaw (2026)
- Malice (2027)
When the Bough Breaks was also published under the alternate title Shrunken Heads. It is the same first novel, so don’t count it as a separate installment.
Most cases stand alone, but I recommend publication order if you plan to read the whole series. Alex’s relationship with Robin and his friendship with Milo develop across the books. Readers looking for Milo Sturgis books in order should use this same sequence because Milo does not have a separate novel series.
Alex Delaware Graphic Novels
There are three graphic adaptations of Alex Delaware novels. They are optional versions of stories already told in the series, not additional installments. I prefer reading the prose originals first, then trying the graphic novels if you want a visual take on those cases.
- Silent Partner: The Graphic Novel (2012)
- The Web: The Graphic Novel (2014)
- Monster: The Graphic Novel (2017)
Optional Alex Delaware Novella and Crossover Appearances
Alex also appears outside the numbered series. These works are optional and do not change the main reading order, but I’ve included them for readers who want every verified appearance.
- Billy Straight (1998)
- Music City Breakdown (2006) (Novella) (found in Capital Crimes)
- True Detectives (2009)
- The Murderer’s Daughter (2015)
- Crime Scene (2017)
Alex has a brief part in Billy Straight, a meaningful supporting role in “Music City Breakdown,” and assists Aaron Fox and Moses Reed in True Detectives. He also appears briefly in The Murderer’s Daughter and makes a cameo in Crime Scene. My advice is to fit these into the series by publication year only if you want the connected appearances. None is required to understand the 42 Alex Delaware novels.
Optional Alex Delaware Nonfiction Companion
This short nonfiction profile is not a story or a series installment. Jonathan Kellerman discusses the creation and development of Alex Delaware and Milo Sturgis, so I’d consider it bonus background for longtime readers.
Alex Delaware Screen Adaptations
Alex Delaware has one released screen adaptation, along with later television development projects. The novels remain the main continuity, so I’d treat every screen version as a separate interpretation.
The first novel was adapted as the 1986 television movie When the Bough Breaks. Ted Danson plays Alex Delaware, Richard Masur plays Milo Sturgis, and Rachel Ticotin also appears in the cast. I recommend watching it after reading the novel because it is its own version of the case rather than part of the book continuity.
IDW Entertainment announced an earlier television development effort in 2017, and Barry O’Brien was attached as writer and showrunner in 2018. That effort is separate from the later Amazon MGM adaptation.
Amazon MGM Studios is developing an Alex Delaware series for Prime Video, with Jennifer Johnson attached as writer and executive producer. The project is being developed around an adaptation of When the Bough Breaks. No cast or release date has been announced.
Who Is Alex Delaware?
Alex Delaware is a psychologist and former clinical child psychologist who consults on difficult criminal cases. He is not a regular LAPD officer. Milo Sturgis is the homicide detective who brings Alex into investigations and becomes his longtime friend and investigative partner.
Alex’s psychological insight helps him read behavior, interview witnesses, and recognize motives that conventional police work can miss. Milo brings investigative experience and access to the LAPD. In my view, their contrasting approaches and steady friendship are the reason the series holds together across so many separate cases.
Looking for more books in order?
If you want more thriller authors and reading-order guides like this one, start with my Thriller Books in Order index.