If you are a fan of Jonathan Kellerman, you probably enjoy books that explore the darker corners of the human mind. His Alex Delaware novels are full of complex characters and twisty plots. They often take place in the fascinating city of Los Angeles.
Are you looking for authors who offer a similar reading experience? Here are some writers you might want to check out.
Readers who enjoy Jonathan Kellerman’s psychological mysteries may find Michael Connelly’s crime thrillers equally satisfying. Connelly has a talent for building suspense, featuring detailed police investigations and complex characters.
In his gripping mystery “The Black Echo”, we meet detective Harry Bosch, a tough Los Angeles cop who often defies authority to get justice.
When Bosch investigates the mysterious death of a fellow Vietnam War veteran, he discovers connections to a daring bank robbery and layers of corruption within his own department.
The meticulous detective work and atmospheric Los Angeles setting in Connelly’s books have a depth that fans of Kellerman might appreciate.
Patricia Cornwell is a bestselling author known for her detailed and realistic crime novels featuring forensic pathologist Dr. Kay Scarpetta.
Readers familiar with Jonathan Kellerman’s psychological depth and intense procedural detail will likely enjoy Cornwell’s gripping approach to criminal investigation.
In her book “Postmortem,” Scarpetta faces a chilling scenario: a serial killer who terrorizes the city of Richmond. As the chief medical examiner, Scarpetta becomes deeply involved with the investigation.
She untangles clues from autopsies and forensic evidence to identify the killer. Cornwell builds suspense with each revealing detail, making “Postmortem” an excellent choice for those who appreciate forensic crime fiction.
Faye Kellerman is an author who crafts absorbing crime mysteries focused on vivid characters and complex relationships. Her novel “The Ritual Bath” introduces readers to Detective Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus.
When a brutal incident shatters the tranquility of a quiet Jewish community, Decker investigates the crime while also navigating cultural boundaries. Kellerman blends methodical police work with authentic Jewish traditions and personal drama.
Readers of Jonathan Kellerman who enjoy thoughtful mysteries anchored by compelling detectives and rich interpersonal stories will find Faye Kellerman’s novels equally captivating.
Books by James Patterson often appeal to readers who enjoy Jonathan Kellerman’s psychological thrillers. Patterson weaves tight plots filled with suspense and intriguing characters.
A good example is “Along Came a Spider,” which introduces Alex Cross, a detective and psychologist drawn into a complex kidnapping case. The case becomes more sinister as Cross tries to unravel the motivations of a criminal determined to pull off the perfect crime.
Patterson delivers vivid dialogue and intense suspense, creating a story where every lead opens another unexpected twist. If you’re hooked by Kellerman’s Alex Delaware novels, Patterson’s Alex Cross series offers a similar blend of psychological depth and sharp detective work.
Harlan Coben is a popular writer known for mysteries and thrillers that delve into family secrets and hidden pasts. If you’re a fan of Jonathan Kellerman’s suspenseful and psychological plots, you may also like Coben’s novel “Tell No One.”
The story revolves around Dr. David Beck, whose wife was murdered eight years earlier—or so he believed, until an alarming message suggests she’s still alive.
As Beck searches for answers, he is confronted by powerful people, shadowy agendas, and a truth more disturbing than he ever imagined. This book is full of fast-paced twists and turns that keep readers hooked until the very end.
Tami Hoag is a skilled author who crafts suspenseful psychological thrillers with strong characters and intricate mysteries. If you enjoy Jonathan Kellerman’s style, Hoag’s book “Night Sins” might appeal to you.
The story begins in the small town of Deer Lake, Minnesota, shaken by the sudden disappearance of a young boy. Agent Megan O’Malley arrives to investigate the case and finds a community hiding secrets beneath its quiet appearance.
Hoag carefully weaves the psychological and investigative aspects of the plot, building tension and suspense page by page. The story explores the darker side of human nature while keeping readers guessing until the very end.
Books by Lisa Gardner offer suspenseful thrillers with psychological depth and gripping storylines. Her novel “The Perfect Husband” introduces readers to Tess Beckett, a woman who believes she has escaped her abusive husband’s reach.
But Tess soon realizes that danger remains close, threatening her safety and sanity. Gardner builds a tense atmosphere with realistic characters and emotional stakes, qualities fans of Jonathan Kellerman will appreciate.
Her ability to combine complex personalities, mystery, and suspense keeps readers guessing until the very end.
John Sandford is a fantastic author for readers who enjoy Jonathan Kellerman’s smart, psychological mysteries. Sandford writes clever detective stories filled with intriguing cases and memorable characters.
One of his standout novels is “Rules of Prey,” the first book in his Lucas Davenport series. Davenport, a Minneapolis detective, pursues an intelligent serial killer nicknamed “Maddog,” known for leaving cryptic rules at each crime scene.
The chase is intense and the psychological tension builds monumentally as detective and killer engage in a cunning game of cat-and-mouse.
For anyone hooked on Kellerman’s Alex Delaware novels, Sandford’s Lucas Davenport series provides another engaging detective character you’ll want to follow from book to book.
Readers who enjoy Jonathan Kellerman’s psychological mysteries and intriguing detective stories might also appreciate Elizabeth George. George writes crime novels rich in character complexity and psychological depth, often set against the backdrop of English society.
In “A Great Deliverance,” Inspector Thomas Lynley and Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers team up to investigate a disturbing crime in rural Yorkshire.
A teenage girl stands accused of a horrific act, and the detectives must dig into family secrets and troubled histories to uncover the truth. George expertly explores human motives and emotional struggles, creating suspense and unforgettable characters throughout the novel.
Jeffery Deaver is an author known for suspenseful thrillers packed with psychological twists and deep character portrayals. If you’re into Jonathan Kellerman’s Alex Delaware novels, Deaver’s “The Bone Collector” could definitely hold your interest.
This book introduces Lincoln Rhyme, a retired detective and forensic genius who teams up with Amelia Sachs, an intuitive rookie police officer. Together, they try to track down a meticulous killer who leaves chilling clues at the scene of his crimes.
Deaver skillfully layers tension and forensic detail throughout the story, while exploring complex human motivations. “The Bone Collector” will pull you into its suspense from the very first chapter until the surprising conclusion.
If you enjoy Jonathan Kellerman’s psychological depth and complex suspense plots, you might appreciate Karin Slaughter’s novels. Her book “The Good Daughter” explores family secrets and troubling crimes in a small Georgia town.
Two sisters, deeply scarred by a traumatic childhood event, find their lives entangled again when a violent incident shakes their community. Slaughter crafts characters who confront unsettling truths, revealing deeply personal motivations behind hidden crimes.
The tension builds steadily, and readers are drawn into a dark puzzle of damaged relationships and dangerous lies.
Readers who enjoy Jonathan Kellerman’s psychological thrillers might appreciate Greg Iles, known for suspenseful storytelling and richly detailed characters. One of Iles’ standout novels is “The Quiet Game,” the first in his Penn Cage series.
The story follows Penn Cage, a lawyer and former prosecutor who returns to his hometown in Mississippi seeking peace after personal tragedy.
His quiet return quickly takes a twist when he becomes involved in investigating an unsolved civil rights-era murder, confronting secrets and powerful figures in the community.
The novel offers well-paced suspense, psychological depth, and vivid portrayals of Southern life, elements readers of Kellerman would surely enjoy.
Peter Robinson is a British-Canadian author known for his well-crafted detective stories and strong, believable characters. If you’re a fan of Jonathan Kellerman’s psychological depth and compelling mysteries, Robinson’s “In a Dry Season” might appeal to you.
The story begins with Detective Chief Inspector Alan Banks assigned to investigate human remains discovered in a village that had been submerged beneath a reservoir decades earlier. Banks navigates a complex trail of old memories, hidden secrets, and wartime deceptions.
The book shifts between wartime England and present-day investigation, uncovering links that span generations. Robinson skillfully connects past and present, building a mystery rooted in the careful uncovering of clues and powerful emotional stories.
Books by Lee Child feature intense action, smart plot twists, and a hero tough enough to rival Kellerman’s Alex Delaware. Especially memorable is “Killing Floor,” the first novel in Child’s Jack Reacher series.
Jack Reacher, a former military policeman, finds himself arrested for a murder he did not commit in a small southern town. To clear his name, Reacher digs deeper into the town’s secrets and soon uncovers a dangerous conspiracy.
The pacing is quick, the plot keeps you hooked, and Reacher himself is sharp, resourceful, and impossible not to root for. Fans of Jonathan Kellerman wanting smart storytelling mixed with suspense and strong characters will enjoy Lee Child’s books.
Kathy Reichs is a forensic anthropologist and author known for her crime novels featuring Temperance Brennan, a skilled and dedicated forensic expert.
Readers who enjoy Jonathan Kellerman’s Alex Delaware series might find Reichs’ blend of suspenseful plots and deeply explored characters appealing.
Her book “Déjà Dead” introduces Brennan, whose work analyzing skeletal remains leads her into a complex hunt for a serial killer in Montreal. As the evidence mounts and the tension builds, Brennan realizes she must act quickly before she becomes the killer’s next victim.
Reichs’ storytelling combines detailed forensic science with fast-moving drama, making her novels a rewarding choice for Kellerman fans.