Barb's Book Reviews: Review of "Jigsaw: An Alex Delaware Mystery" by Jonathan Kellerman

Thursday, March 19, 2026

Review of "Jigsaw: An Alex Delaware Mystery" by Jonathan Kellerman

In this 41st book in the 'Alex Delaware' series, the psychologist Alex Delaware helps his friend, LAPD detective Milo Sturgis, investigate multiple murders in Los Angeles.

The book can be read as a standalone, but familiarity with the characters is a plus.

*****

Dr. Alex Delaware is a pediatric psychologist who specializes in child custody issues. This requires Alex to interview children and parents; speak with attorneys; and write reports for judges.

Alex also spends time with his partner Robin - who makes and repairs fine musical instruments - and their French bulldog Blanche.

Still, when LAPD Homicide Detective Milo Sturgis needs assistance with a case, Alex - who's a paid consultant for the Los Angeles Police Department - is always ready to pitch in.

This time, Milo needs help investigating the murder of thirtysomething Sophie Barlow, who was found sitting at her kitchen table in Los Angeles, strangled to death. Near Sophie, there was an ashtray with a few Marlboro Gold cigarette butts. DNA analysis traced the butts to Sophie's ex-boyfriend Michael Heck, and Milo thought 'case closed' and arrested Heck.

Heck was in a dirty jail cell for two horrible days.....

.....until his attorney Bettina Bel Geddes PROVED Heck was 120 miles from the crime scene, at a hotel in La Jolla with a woman.

Now Michael Heck and his lawyer are yelling 'false arrest' and threatening to sue the LAPD, which is bad for Milo and the department.

Milo and Alex speculate that someone collected Heck's discarded cigarette butts and planted them in Sophie's house, to frame Heck for her murder. So Milo and Alex go searching for someone with a grudge against Heck.

In the meantime, a police welfare check on 72-year-old Martha Matthias reveals Martha's body in an old freezer in her garage, with her arms severed and folded across her chest.

Milo's protégé - a newbie detective called Alicia Bogomil - catches the Martha Matthias case, and Milo and Alex drive over to assist.

Milo realizes he knows the victim Martha Matthias, who was an investigator for the LAPD until she retired a decade ago.

Since her retirement, Martha has become a hermit and a hoarder, with a garage and house filled floor to ceiling with magazines, newspapers, bills, bank statements, flyers, receipts, and other things.

A police search reveals envelopes stuffed with thousands of of dollars hidden amongst the trash, which suggests robbery as a motive for the crime.

When an autopsy reveals Martha was strangled like Sophie Barlow, Alex suggests a link between the murders. A third homicide cements the notion, and Milo and Alex go on the hunt for a multiple murderer.

Most of the book is a police procedural, with cops canvassing the areas around the crime scenes; checking CCTV cameras; searching for an implement that can sever arms; comparing fingerprints and DNA; surveilling suspects; and so on. Milo and Alex also interview every person they can find who knew the victims.

There are some interesting developments before the cases are resolved and a dangerous perpetrator is detained.

In addition to the investigative elements of the story, we get a glimpse of Alex's private life. Alex likes to run; have dinner, watch movies, and cuddle with Robin; play his guitar; pet and pamper Blanche; etc.

In some of the novel's lighter moments, Milo - who's a big guy with a hearty appetite - raids Alex and Robin's refrigerator. For example, Milo makes himself a sandwich with thick hand-cut slabs of rye bread, roast beef, smoked turkey, Genoa salami, coleslaw, provolone, purple onion, red bell pepper, and a tiny bit of romaine lettuce 'to keep it healthy.' Little Blanche looks on enviously until Alex gives her some roast beef and a dog treat.

The novel is a serviceable mystery but not nearly as good as early books in the series. In the initial spate of Alex Delaware stories, the killers were disturbed weirdos with fascinating psychological problems.

Now, the murderers are more mundane, and Alex and Milo spend a lot of time driving around Los Angeles and chatting. Still, fans of the Alex Delaware might enjoy an afternoon with the psychologist and the LAPD.

Thanks to Netgalley, Jonathan Kellerman, and Ballantine Books for an ARC of the novel.

Rating: 3 stars

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Barb's Book Reviews

Thursday, March 19, 2026

Review of "Jigsaw: An Alex Delaware Mystery" by Jonathan Kellerman

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