Alex Delaware Books In Order

The Alex Delaware series is a crime fiction series by Jonathan Kellerman that began in 1985 with When the Bough Breaks.

The series follows Alex Delaware, a Los Angeles–based child psychologist who consults with law enforcement on criminal investigations.

Latest Alex Delaware Books

Alex Delaware Series (Books in Order)

The list below shows the Alex Delaware novels in publication order, which is also the recommended reading order for the series.

Reading Order

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, 1995
10. The Web, 1996
11. The Web, 1996 (graphic novel)
12. The Clinic, 1997
13. Survival of the Fittest, 1997
14. Monster, 1999
15. Doctor Death, 2000
16. Flesh and Blood, 2001
17. The Murder Book, 2002
18. A Cold Heart, 2003
19. Therapy, 2004
20. Rage, 2005
21. Gone, 2006
22. Obsession, 2007
23. Compulsion, 2008
24. Bones, 2008
25. Evidence, 2009
26. Deception, 2010
27. Mystery, 2011
28. Victims, 2012
29. Silent Partner, 2012 (graphic novel)
30. Guilt, 2013
31. Killer, 2014
32. Motive, 2015
33. Breakdown, 2016
34. Heartbreak Hotel, 2017
35. Night Moves, 2018
36. The Wedding Guest, 2019
37. The Museum of Desire, 2020
38. Serpentine, 2021
39. City of the Dead, 2022
40. Unnatural History, 2023
41. The Ghost Orchid, 2024
42. Open Season, 2025
43. Jigsaw, 2026

Who is Alex Delaware?

Alex Delaware is a retired child psychologist who works as a consultant for the Los Angeles Police Department in Jonathan Kellerman’s bestselling crime series. Based in Los Angeles, he uses his psychological training to help interpret behavior, motives, and patterns in complex criminal cases.

Although no longer practicing as a doctor, Alex Delaware often works with LAPD homicide detective Milo Sturgis on major cases. His role focuses on behavioral analysis, interviewing, and reconstructing crime scenes, which complement traidtional police work rather than replacing it.

Where to Start with the Alex Delaware Series

New to Alex Delaware? Start here:

• Most common starting point: When the Bough Breaks – the first Alex Delaware novel (and the basis for the 1986 TV movie).
• If you prefer a more modern entry point: you can start later in the series with a recent title and then circle back to the earlier books; the cases are mostly self-contained, but character relationships evolve over time.

Related Jonathan Kellerman Series

• Jonathan Kellerman Books in Order – complete list of Kellerman’s series and standalone novels.