Victims: An Alex Delaware novel is a scary story about a very mentally ill man. From the beginning through the end the book keeps its pace and feeling of terror. Victims is a suspenseful novel and highly recommended. Four stars were awarded in this little review. ( )

Just another thriller by Jonathan Kellerman – another grisly set of murders, another convoluted plot. No huge surprises here, but a pretty good plot twist and the enduring empathy for damaged children that Alex Delaware a decent character to follow. ( )

Not a lot to say about this one. More pulpy than I usually read, but it was fine. Not a lot expected from it, not a lot gained from it. It was a gift form someone who knows I like crime novels, and I suppose in that respect I'll have positive memories of having read it. And who am I kidding? I'll remember flashes of the horrific crimes committed in the novel.

That said, I imagine I'll forget about this one pretty soon. It's a series, one that follows psychologist Alex Delaware and detective Milo Sturgis. Generic names for a genre read, but the cop's name stands out as stereotypical. Anyway, I imagine I'll forget about this book soon, but I'll remember that I've never read a book wherein the central character is a psychologist and actually does anything. Alex Delaware does nothing at all in the way of psychology, unless he's so good at it he doesn't even mention any psychological principles, ideas, or even facts. I could make up dialog coming from a psychologist right now and it would sound as convincing. And really, it was as non-descript more than anything.

Still, one wonders about the imaginations of writers who can come up with vivid ways of killing people. Creative, to be sure, but not memorable. Maybe that's all that needs to be said about this book. ( )

A series of murders occur, where the victims are knocked unconscious and then neatly gutted. Milo Sturgis and Alex Delaware are initially baffled by the apparent randomness of the victims until they find a common thread tying all of the deceased back to a California state mental hospital and a severely misdiagnosed patient, who is not properly treated. Much better than the last one ... whew. ( )

Had to wade through gory bits to get to the good part ( )

Fun,quick read ( )

Fun,quick read ( )

Victims. Jonathan Kellerman. 2012. Unpleasant people are being killed; Milo cannot figure out a connection so he asked Alex who works with him. Milo still eats like a horse. Alex is back with Robin. Same formula as all the others. If you like the Alex Delaware novels, you’ll like this one. I bogged down in this one about midway through-good but not one of his best. I missed the one where he and Robin got back together. ( )

The murders are gruesome. Once Delaware and Sturgis piece together who the serial kicker is, the chase is on to stop him before there are more murders. This book kept me turning pages. ( )

The serial killer has a deeply disturbed past and the investigation is conducted in a sequential, traditional manner -- interview witnesses, develop sketches, delve into the background facts and dig up the next clue. The victims have been eviscerated in the most gruesome manner and the author is informative without being overly graphic. He carefully weaves the plot details in a cohesive and intricate fashion, creating the appropriate tension throughout the story. When the bodies begin to pile up, Milo’s lead detective position is threatened, bringing a little more intensity to the plot. All in all, a solid, reliable story that will please and entertain you. Enjoy! ( )

I lost interest after Chapter 1. ( )

Really good book! Fast read and good story! ( )

Not as hard-boiled as I like, but definitely a good read. ( )

As usual Kellerman is a good read, a good escape. ( )

Returning to the Delaware series after quite a break, I enjoyed a gallop through this page-turner (not sure what that says about me, given the particularly gruesome nature of the crimes...)
It's not perfect by any means but fulfils the main requirements of the genre and kept me reading. I am not sure I'd have found it satisfying in terms of characters if I'd come to it cold, without some background on Alex and Milo but that's always a danger with a series, I suppose.
Some twists and turns with the dénouement keep the readers on their toes. ( )

Very complex plot for a Kellerman mystery. If you're a fan or a new reader you'll enjoy ( )

Great thriller from Kellerman. He does the police procedural so well with loads of psychological insight. The book's a bit more gruesome than his other reads. ( )

A serial killer is carrying out his agenda, bodies are piling up but Milo doesn't seem to have clues that point to a specific suspect. Alex and Milo find a thread tying some of the recent victions that takes them to Ventura State Hospital, now closed, as are most state mental hospitals. Is the suspect a former mental patient?

Kellerman doesn't fail to deliver with this latest Alex Delaware novel. ( )

With his gift for pithy dialogue and ability to hone in on the criminal mind, Kellerman has snagged another great story featuring cynical LAPD detective Milo Sturgis and his super sleuth psychologist Alex Delaware.

Kellerman’s trademarks: style, intelligence, logic and humanity.

Victims is an ingenious psychological page-turner which takes us into the darkest depths of a human mind so brutal and so lethal that even the most hardened detectives are shocked and sickened by a series of gruesome killings. And the only clue left behind – a blank page bearing a question mark – seems to be both a menacing taunt and a cry for help from a killer baffled by his own deadly urges.

Under pressure to end the killing spree and prevent a citywide panic, Milo redoubles his efforts to discover a link between the victims. Meanwhile, Alex navigates the secretive world of mental health treatment, from the sleek office of a Beverly Hills therapist to a shuttered mental institution where an unholy alliance between the mad and the monstrous may have been sealed in blood.

As each jagged piece of the puzzle fits into place, an ever more horrific portrait emerges of a sinister mind at its most unimaginable. “This one was different,” Alex observes.

Full of twists and turns, police procedural detail and emotional daredevil mrides, Victims is slick, harrowing and utterly gripping. ( )

I've read almost all the Alex Delaware novels. As with all long-term series, it has ebbed and flowed in quality. I feel Kellerman is getting back on track with this one. The crime is one in which Delaware's talent are actually needed. There's not a lot about his (or anyone's) personal life, which may leave new readers a little cold. I'm looking forward to the next one.

This is my first Jonathan Kellerman but it will not be my last.This was a fast paced,gory novel about a serial killer that kept my interest to the end. ( )

I am an Alex Delaware junkie. This book helped to feed my addiction. It was a quick read with loads of excitement that kept me on the edge. If you like a great (serial) murder mystery with gore, this is the book for you! ( )

Solid Delaware novel, if nothing too memorable or gripping. The book is a quick read, but engaging, as Kellerman's usually are. His earlier works delved more into the lives of the characters, whereas his last few have shied away from that and have become more story/plot based. I would say that something seems to be missing - the heart and soul of making you love the characters is gaining insight into their lives. If I were new to the series, based solely on this book I wouldn't really feel compelled to read more about these characters, which is sort of a shame, because the world in which they live is quite interesting. Kellerman has made you love these characters over the years and, while this was pretty solid, didn't really do anything to make me feel anything for the characters. ( )

Victims is an improvement over his last Alex Delaware book, Mystery, but it is still more police procedural than psychological thriller. I like the supporting characters Milo Sturgis and, in this book, Petra Connor, so it was a good read. There are a few appearances by Robin and the new dog.

Delaware himself seems burned out as I may be on this series. Perhaps it's time for him to retire gracefully. ( )

Always a fan of Kellerman's novels, this book did not disappoint. I love it when my interest is held throughout the book such as it was in Victims. The Alex Deleware series is a favorite of mine and I never get tired of reading each new plotline. The psychological thriller is particularly appealing and I was taken in from page one. ( )