Book Review: Jigsaw (An Alex Delaware Novel)
By Jonathan Kellerman
Format: Audiobook
The Story
After not hearing from him in over a month, LAPD Homicide Lieutenant Milo Sturgis shows up at psychologist Alex Delaware’s place looking worn out and overworked. He’s stuck on an “easy” case that suddenly turned into a mind-bending whodunit.
When a young woman is found dead at her kitchen table, the initial evidence points directly to an ex-boyfriend with a criminal record. But Milo knows better than to trust an obvious answer, so he turns to Alex, his best friend and long-term consultant on “those cases,” the ones that are different, to help unravel an investigation that refuses to fit together.
Then comes a second grisly discovery: an elderly woman found frozen and mutilated inside a deep freeze. When Milo learns her identity, he’s stunned because she’s someone from his past. Complicating matters further, her home is an extreme hoarder’s den, virtually impassable due to years of accumulated trash and seemingly meaningless objects. Except for the envelopes of cash stashed among the garbage.
As Alex and Milo dig deeper into the seemingly unrelated crimes, they discover shocking links between the victims, unraveling a complex, multi-layered mystery that tests both Milo’s investigative acumen and Alex’s psychological insight.
About Alex Delaware
Alex Delaware made his debut in Jonathan Kellerman’s 1985 detective novel When the Bough Breaks. A forensic psychologist who originally worked in pediatric psychology, Alex frequently consults for the LAPD alongside his close friend, Lt. Milo Sturgis, who appears in every installment of the series.
- Series Context: Jigsaw marks book 41 in the long-running mystery series.
- Fun Fact: The series inspired an upcoming streaming adaptation on Prime Video, which is currently in development.
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Review
I like the Alex Delaware novels because they involve psychological themes and the author is a psychologist specializing in the treatment of children. This gives them an authentic voice that I find intriguing. With Jigsaw, Jonathan Kellerman delivers another gripping psychological mystery that takes what looks like an open-and-shut homicide and twists it into something far more intricate.
Milo and Alex remain the beating heart of the narrative. Their long-standing friendship gives their professional partnership genuine warmth and authenticity, while their contrasting investigative styles keep the pacing sharp and engaging.
Character Analysis
- Dr. Alex Delaware: The analytical anchor of the story. Relying on keen psychological insight rather than brute force, Alex’s primary role is decoding the hidden motives behind irrational behavior—from a calculating killer leaving subtle clues to the complex profile of a severe hoarder. His calm, observant demeanor balances the darker, more visceral aspects of the crimes.
- Lieutenant Milo Sturgis: Driven, cynical, yet fiercely loyal, Milo brings grit and procedural muscle to the duo. Because this case hits exceptionally close to home, the personal connection introduces a rare layer of emotional vulnerability to his hardened LAPD persona, significantly raising the emotional stakes.
Core Themes
- Deception vs. Hidden Reality: The narrative repeatedly contrasts surface appearances with deeper truths. A seemingly straightforward domestic homicide unravels into a layered mystery, reminding us how easily initial evidence can mask darker realities.
- Psychological Decay and Hoarding: Beyond serving as a physical obstacle, the hoarder’s den acts as a powerful metaphor for hidden trauma, obsession, and emotional isolation. The physical clutter directly mirrors the tangled mental state of the victim and the labyrinthine nature of the crime itself.
- The Interconnectedness of Disparate Lives: Kellerman explores the hidden webs connecting seemingly unrelated individuals, illustrating how past relationships, secret transactions, and forgotten histories cross paths—reinforcing the idea that no crime occurs in a vacuum.
Final Verdict
Jigsaw is a fast-paced thriller that expertly fits every piece together for a shocking final reveal. Set against a vivid, noir-infused Los Angeles backdrop, Kellerman captures the city’s unique ambience with sharp, haunting detail. Delaware’s nuanced behavioral analysis balances Sturgis’s street-smart instincts, delivering the exact cerebral punch long-time fans crave.
It is a deeply satisfying read for anyone who enjoys psychological depth paired with classic detective work, proving once again why the Delaware-Sturgis dynamic remains a gold standard in crime fiction.
About the Author
Jonathan Kellerman is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than three dozen crime novels, including the Alex Delaware series, The Butcher’s Theater, Billy Straight, The Conspiracy Club, Twisted, True Detectives, and The Murderer’s Daughter.
He co-authored Double Homicide and Capital Crimes with his wife, bestselling novelist Faye Kellerman, and The Golem of Hollywood and The Golem of Paris with his son, bestselling novelist Jesse Kellerman. He is also the author of two children’s books and several nonfiction works, including Savage Spawn: Reflections on Violent Children and With Strings Attached: The Art and Beauty of Vintage Guitars. He has won the Goldwyn, Edgar, and Anthony awards.
