The Wedding Guest

An Alex Delaware Novel

By: Jonathan Kellerman

Narrated by: John Rubinstein

Length: 12 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times Best Seller

Psychologist Alex Delaware and detective Milo Sturgis unravel a shocking crime at a raucous wedding reception in this gripping psychological thriller from the best-selling master of suspense.

“Jonathan Kellerman’s psychology skills and dark imagination are a potent literary mix.” (Los Angeles Times)

LAPD Lieutenant Milo Sturgis is a fine homicide detective, but when he needs to get into the mind of a killer, he leans on the expertise of his best friend, the brilliant psychologist Dr. Alex Delaware. While Sturgis has a knack for piecing together the details of a crime, Delaware can decipher the darkest intents driving the most vicious of perpetrators. And there’s no better place for the doctor’s analytical skills to shine than a rowdy hall full of young men and women intoxicated on life and lust...and suddenly faced with the specter of death.

Summoned to a run-down former strip joint, Delaware and Sturgis find themselves crashing a wild Saints and Sinners-themed wedding reception. But they’re not the only uninvited guests. A horrified bridesmaid has discovered the body of a young woman, dressed to impress in pricey haute couture and accessorized with a grisly red slash around her neck. What’s missing is any means of identification, or a single partygoer who recognizes the victim. The baffled bride is convinced the stranger snuck in to sabotage her big day - and the groom is sure it’s all a dreadful mistake. But Delaware and Sturgis have a hundred guests to question, and a sneaking suspicion that the motive for murder is personal. Now they must separate the sinners from the saints, the true from the false, and the secrets from those keeping them. The party’s over - and the hunt for whoever killed it is on.

“As usual, [Delaware and Sturgis] form a formidable team. Also as usual, the characters here are varied and described with gritty clarity, and the puzzle facing the duo involves a delightful mix of L.A. culture, this time from its dive bars to its much more serious side.” (Booklist)

©2019 Jonathan Kellerman (P)2019 Random House Audio

Good read BUT not Great

When thinking back over previous Alex Delaware Novels I found this lacking. Maybe it was in part due to the narration which was mediocre (I found the women’s voices, especially in the beginning irritating and difficult to understand.
The story line seemed to bounce around a lot, and took awhile to make sense.
I did enjoy the book, just not as much as I’d hoped. Maybe I’m expecting to much for Jonathan Kellerman.

great narrative

John Rubinstein does a great job in narrating this book. It was interesting and suspenseful. Took me two days to get through the book. Very enjoyable would recommend.

It could be better

Not sure why I keep thinking his books will get better...they don't. I am tired of the superfluous details that go on ad naseum about what a person is wearing, how he or she looks, etc. No mention of Rick but more than enough information about Robin and the pug. I am beginning to like Alex Delaware less and less and not sure why. Milo I like but not Alex. Maybe because he sounds smug and the other characters like Robin don't add anything to the stories but Kellerman spends a lot of time on them. As for the psychological parts - really? Story was disappointing. A flat tire of an ending given the circumstances. Somehow a hero who rides a gas guzzler Cadillac is unappealing. I will pass on his future books.

Long but enticing

This book was very long and story was confusing. It was intriguing once I figured out names and relationships.

Boring story. Author is usually better than this.

Disappointed with this book. Have read other books by this author which kept your interest. This one never reached that point.

As usual, a joy!

Great plot, marvelous performance.Kept me engaged all the way through with the usual precise and beautiful descriptions.

Best yet

So happy Jonathan Kellerman is still publishing. I think this is the best Delaware/Sturgis ever!

Best one in a few books

This was a great edition of the Delaware series. Milo was at his very pithy best. only fell asleep twice. These are long books.

I really enjoyed this one

I found this Alex Delaware story to be really interesting. As with every Alex Delaware story it relies heavily on the large cast of characters that Alex and Milo interview and talk to in the course of the novel. Kellerman did a great job making a wide range of interesting people in this book for Milo and Alex to play off of as they investigate the crime. I enjoyed the solution to the puzzle, the people, and the events. This was an engaging and fun novel. What I really liked is how the Bride and Groom change in the different interviews as the novel progresses and we see more and more of the two people as things change around them. In other words I think this was a good mystery and good time if you enjoy the Alex Delaware series. It isn't the worst novel to start the series on either.

Best Alex Delaware I can remember

Ends on an up note with hope and joy. More inclusion of Milo's support team.