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Alex Delaware #12
Survival of the Fittest
The daughter of a diplomat disappears on a school field trip--lured into the Santa Monica mountains and killed in cold blood. Her father denies the possibility of a political motive. There are no signs of struggle, no evidence of sexual assault, leaving psychologist Alex Delaware and his friend LAPD homicide detective Milo Sturgis to pose the disturbing question: Why?
Working together with Daniel Sharavi, the brilliant Israeli police inspector introduced in Jonathan Kellerman's The Butcher's Theater, Delaware and Sturgis soon find themselves ensnared in one of the darkest, most menacing cases of their careers. And when death strikes again, it is Alex who must go undercover, alone, to expose an unthinkable conspiracy of self-righteous brutality and total contempt for human life.
Working together with Daniel Sharavi, the brilliant Israeli police inspector introduced in Jonathan Kellerman's The Butcher's Theater, Delaware and Sturgis soon find themselves ensnared in one of the darkest, most menacing cases of their careers. And when death strikes again, it is Alex who must go undercover, alone, to expose an unthinkable conspiracy of self-righteous brutality and total contempt for human life.
544 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1997
907 people are currently reading
3188 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Kellerman
203 books5,823 followersJonathan Kellerman was born in New York City in 1949 and grew up in Los Angeles. He helped work his way through UCLA as an editorial cartoonist, columnist, editor and freelance musician. As a senior, at the age of 22, he won a Samuel Goldwyn Writing Award for fiction.
Like his fictional protagonist, Alex Delaware, Jonathan received at Ph.D. in psychology at the age of 24, with a specialty in the treatment of children. He served internships in clinical psychology and pediatric psychology at Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles and was a post-doctoral HEW Fellow in Psychology and Human Development at CHLA.
IN 1975, Jonathan was asked by the hospital to conduct research into the psychological effects of extreme isolation (plastic bubble units) on children with cancer, and to coordinate care for these kids and their families. The success of that venture led to the establishment, in 1977 of the Psychosocial Program, Division of Oncology, the first comprehensive approach to the emotional aspects of pediatric cancer anywhere in the world. Jonathan was asked to be founding director and, along with his team, published extensively in the area of behavioral medicine. Decades later, the program, under the tutelage of one of Jonathan's former students, continues to break ground.
Jonathan's first published book was a medical text, PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF CHILDHOOD CANCER, 1980. One year later, came a book for parents, HELPING THE FEARFUL CHILD.
In 1985, Jonathan's first novel, WHEN THE BOUGH BREAKS, was published to enormous critical and commercial success and became a New York Times bestseller. BOUGH was also produced as a t.v. movie and won the Edgar Allan Poe and Anthony Boucher Awards for Best First Novel. Since then, Jonathan has published a best-selling crime novel every year, and occasionally, two a year. In addition, he has written and illustrated two books for children and a nonfiction volume on childhood violence, SAVAGE SPAWN (1999.) Though no longer active as a psychotherapist, he is a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics and Psychology at University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine.
Jonathan is married to bestselling novelist Faye Kellerman and they have four children.
Like his fictional protagonist, Alex Delaware, Jonathan received at Ph.D. in psychology at the age of 24, with a specialty in the treatment of children. He served internships in clinical psychology and pediatric psychology at Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles and was a post-doctoral HEW Fellow in Psychology and Human Development at CHLA.
IN 1975, Jonathan was asked by the hospital to conduct research into the psychological effects of extreme isolation (plastic bubble units) on children with cancer, and to coordinate care for these kids and their families. The success of that venture led to the establishment, in 1977 of the Psychosocial Program, Division of Oncology, the first comprehensive approach to the emotional aspects of pediatric cancer anywhere in the world. Jonathan was asked to be founding director and, along with his team, published extensively in the area of behavioral medicine. Decades later, the program, under the tutelage of one of Jonathan's former students, continues to break ground.
Jonathan's first published book was a medical text, PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF CHILDHOOD CANCER, 1980. One year later, came a book for parents, HELPING THE FEARFUL CHILD.
In 1985, Jonathan's first novel, WHEN THE BOUGH BREAKS, was published to enormous critical and commercial success and became a New York Times bestseller. BOUGH was also produced as a t.v. movie and won the Edgar Allan Poe and Anthony Boucher Awards for Best First Novel. Since then, Jonathan has published a best-selling crime novel every year, and occasionally, two a year. In addition, he has written and illustrated two books for children and a nonfiction volume on childhood violence, SAVAGE SPAWN (1999.) Though no longer active as a psychotherapist, he is a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics and Psychology at University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine.
Jonathan is married to bestselling novelist Faye Kellerman and they have four children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 380 reviews
August 7, 2017
Fascinating series! gruesome,excellent plot and storyline,exceptional writing,insightful,interesting and relationship issues..never a dull moment (paperback!)
May 11, 2025
Really great read from start to finish. I especially loved that one of my favorite characters from The Butcher landed in the middle of this major serial who-dunnit!!
Both Milo and Alex really shine in this installment—their friendship, how they complement each other and their commitment to justice makes this a cut above the usual Alex Delaware series.
Despite having been written nearly 20 years ago, the villainous theme still resonates today. Possibly the reason why this one surprised me.
The Delaware series is almost always good for 🌟🌟🌟 but this one was definitely 🌟🌟🌟🌟.
(I’m glad I’m reading some of the older books in this series— I’ve found them to still be great mysteries despite the lack of technology.)
(Reviewed 3/7/20)
Both Milo and Alex really shine in this installment—their friendship, how they complement each other and their commitment to justice makes this a cut above the usual Alex Delaware series.
Despite having been written nearly 20 years ago, the villainous theme still resonates today. Possibly the reason why this one surprised me.
The Delaware series is almost always good for 🌟🌟🌟 but this one was definitely 🌟🌟🌟🌟.
(I’m glad I’m reading some of the older books in this series— I’ve found them to still be great mysteries despite the lack of technology.)
(Reviewed 3/7/20)
May 27, 2021
Just another good book I DNF'd before. This is a mystery who-killed-who kind of book written by a psychologist. I totally forgot to continue reading when I reached the middle chapters. The past version of me was stupid, right?
October 18, 2017
Another great read! I love that Kellerman keeps you guessing the whole time. Just when you think you have it figured out, he throws in something else! I confess that I was not able to see what was coming, but I like that better!
July 28, 2012
The Kellermans (husband, wife, and son) write mystery and suspense novels. I appreciate all three authors and enjoy the books for distraction and figuring out who did it or how the person is going to get caught. I've read so many of Jonathan's books that there are certain passages I expect to find. If he didn't include driving directions from one spot in L.A. to another, it wouldn't be Jonathan's book. If Milo didn't scrub his face with his hands a dozen times per book, or wolf down sandwiches in the psychologist's kitchen, I'd suspect someone else wrote it. I like the books enough to keep checking them out of the library and buzzing through the whole family's contributions.
I do not think of them as great literature, but I don't expect them to be. They fill that great need for "snack" books. And I don't have to to the gym to work of the calories, either.
I do not think of them as great literature, but I don't expect them to be. They fill that great need for "snack" books. And I don't have to to the gym to work of the calories, either.
January 13, 2018
Lots of problems with this one. The biggest was all the ridiculous espionage stuff to "solve the case." It felt contrived and like so much overkill. Alex and Milo have managed to solve how many cases up to this point without all that nonsense? Haircuts and fake IDs and a cover apartment? Seriously? It seemed obviously designed to include Daniel Shavari, who apparently starred in another of Kellerman's books. Including him in this book did not feel natural or necessary.
Additionally, switching from first person to third person is always irritating to me. It seems like all series authors do it eventually--maybe it's the boredom that comes from writing so many books from the same character POV. Doing so is very limiting, I get it. But in this book, it was done solely to cast some spotlight on Shavari and allow him to have a featured place in the novel. That just made it worse, because I'm not sure why he was in the novel in the first place. Aren't these spy guys supposed to be background ghost-types anyway?
Last, and perhaps the most annoying: The author plastering Milo's sexual orientation on every page, in every conversation, every interaction. Granted, this book is from another era, and back in the 90s, I suppose it was downright scandalous for a man to come out as gay, particularly in the police department. But the fact that Milo is gay comes up in almost every book, and in almost every case, and it is completely irrelevant. Yes, it plays into his social problems within the department, as well as complicates his career as a cop. Valid. But this constant harping on and on about Milo being gay has always been a source of annoyance for me in these books, and in this one, it was over the top. I mean, no one made any fuss at all about Shavari or Alex being straight, but how many times did it come up that Milo is gay? And did Milo's sexual orientation have anything whatsoever to do with some crazy ass freaks running around killing people? No. It didn't even have anything to do with his ability to catch them.
Additionally, switching from first person to third person is always irritating to me. It seems like all series authors do it eventually--maybe it's the boredom that comes from writing so many books from the same character POV. Doing so is very limiting, I get it. But in this book, it was done solely to cast some spotlight on Shavari and allow him to have a featured place in the novel. That just made it worse, because I'm not sure why he was in the novel in the first place. Aren't these spy guys supposed to be background ghost-types anyway?
Last, and perhaps the most annoying: The author plastering Milo's sexual orientation on every page, in every conversation, every interaction. Granted, this book is from another era, and back in the 90s, I suppose it was downright scandalous for a man to come out as gay, particularly in the police department. But the fact that Milo is gay comes up in almost every book, and in almost every case, and it is completely irrelevant. Yes, it plays into his social problems within the department, as well as complicates his career as a cop. Valid. But this constant harping on and on about Milo being gay has always been a source of annoyance for me in these books, and in this one, it was over the top. I mean, no one made any fuss at all about Shavari or Alex being straight, but how many times did it come up that Milo is gay? And did Milo's sexual orientation have anything whatsoever to do with some crazy ass freaks running around killing people? No. It didn't even have anything to do with his ability to catch them.
February 2, 2009
This book provides insight into eugenics and the concept that the weak should be culled, even from the human 'herd' to protect the species. Kellerman provides chapter and verse on those in the past who advocated removing people who are developmentally disabled from the gene pool. Although the book was published in 1997, it gives some terrifying insights into the minds of the bureaucrats today who have no problem cutting and/or eliminating funding to those programs in our country that provide services to the disabled. If you read it when published, give it another read. The mindset will give you chills.
April 26, 2020
REVIEW: About average for the Delaware series, which means somewhere near 3 stars for me. Gets a bit silly at the end.*
BONUS POINTS: Addition of another detective was interesting.
DEMERITS: Too many unnecessary, too-detailed descriptions of almost every character's clothing. Overall, felt about 20% too long as a story.
* in which the bad person(s)
BONUS POINTS: Addition of another detective was interesting.
DEMERITS: Too many unnecessary, too-detailed descriptions of almost every character's clothing. Overall, felt about 20% too long as a story.
* in which the bad person(s)
October 30, 2013
Jonathan Kellerman is a reliable name—if looking for a book that will hold your attention all the way to the end. This one took two stories that are seemingly separate and wove them together in a final finish that was a corker. Detective Milo Sturgis is trying to solve the murder of an Israeli diplomat''s retarded daughter. Psychologist Alex Delaware is trying to help a nurse come to terms with the suicide of her brother, a policeman. Neither death seems to make sense. But bodies start to pile up, and as the two friends look at all the events involved, they slowly come to find a pattern that explains the deaths, but the motives of the killer/killers are difficult to process.
May 24, 2018
Delaware is brought into an unpublicised murder of the daughter of senior diplomat at the Israeli embassy - a girl with learning difficulties - and a conspiracy begins to emerge which spirals into a dangerous ending. This book was about 100 pages longer than it needed to be.
December 23, 2021
Alex and Milo join up with some new associates to infiltrate and break a murder ring targeting persons with disabilities in this highly enjoyable thriller.
April 18, 2022
2.6 stars??
February 10, 2012
The central character in this story, Alex Delaware, is a psychologist who assists the police in solving crimes, either recent or 'cold' as is the example in this story. The author is himself a (former) psychologist so it is natural, I suppose, that he would portray psychologists as actually being useful for something (other than collecting large fees from those unfortunate people who have been persuaded that a psychologist can actually help them). This story is interesting enough and written in intelligent prose and would likely be enjoyed by any fan of mystery stories, especially one with a different scenario than just murder and robbery.
June 7, 2014
I liked it even better on the second read. In the four years since the first read, I've read the earlier books in the series, which made my appreciation for the characters and their dynamics richer and subtler. And that, dear friends, is one of the reasons I only read a series in order and from book 1... unless I get caught out, as happened with this book back in 2010. As to the substance and writing of the book, I will say only that I recommend it highly, whatever order your own personal reading bugaboo forces on you.
June 2, 2017
A good, fast-paced story. Someone is killing kids with disabilities in LA, and a young policeman eats his gun. Alex Delaware tries to help the cop's sister deal with the trauma, and also consults with Milo Sturgis on the murders. Wouldn't you know there's a connection, as well as an Israeli connection.
August 23, 2015
This is an exciting case that Dr. Delaware gets very involved in. Lots of suspense. Don't know how Kellerman does it, but he keeps coming up with great stories. Not tired of them yet; so on to the next one.
June 2, 2016
Two-haiku review:
Cold case for Milo.
Israeli girl on school trip,
Embassy father.
Other deaths emerge.
Alex puts self in danger,
Desperate for truth.
Cold case for Milo.
Israeli girl on school trip,
Embassy father.
Other deaths emerge.
Alex puts self in danger,
Desperate for truth.
September 2, 2014
Well excellent book, just ugly facts about how some peoples minds work and what should and shouldn't be allowed. Sad thing is that its not fiction but life.
May 6, 2019
Erie...only the fittest survive or should survive according to some. This book is creepy in the thought process of some and scary as this has happened before. Think Hitler.
August 15, 2017
I was in two minds about giving this book two or three stars but I did enjoy it so I have plumped for three. I found it a bit of an odd set up as even though this is a crime book and there is a dedicated and interesting police officer character, the story is told from the point of view of his friend, the psychologist. I can see this is the 12th book in the series so I am not sure if it is always the police officer and psychologist together or if the books actually focus on the psychologist and he teams up with other characters in the other novels.
The crime in this book is that disabled kids are being killed. It was an interesting plot, although there were too many killers at the end of the novel for me. I find it difficult to believe that a whole group of people would have supported violently killing disabled children and other people.
I also found the book a bit emotionless for me. The crimes being described were horrific but the book just seemed concerned about solving the mystery and having some action. For me, the best parts of the books were the scenes like the one with Irit's mother and her grief but these were very few and far between.
The book has left me with the impression that I wouldn't turn away another book in this series but I wouldn't going out of my way to read one either.
The crime in this book is that disabled kids are being killed. It was an interesting plot, although there were too many killers at the end of the novel for me. I find it difficult to believe that a whole group of people would have supported violently killing disabled children and other people.
I also found the book a bit emotionless for me. The crimes being described were horrific but the book just seemed concerned about solving the mystery and having some action. For me, the best parts of the books were the scenes like the one with Irit's mother and her grief but these were very few and far between.
The book has left me with the impression that I wouldn't turn away another book in this series but I wouldn't going out of my way to read one either.
October 31, 2019
A little more told upfront of the true story that normal but the adventures in it was interesting. Milo and Alex are around together a lot and we get some new introduced characters I enjoyed meeting, especially Daniel. Full review to come.
October 26, 2021
Alex and Milo team up to solve the murder of a child of a Israeli consulate employee along with the assistance of an Israeli detective putting Alex in danger as he goes undercover for the solve. Another exciting ending leading me into the next book.
July 28, 2020
3...Sensitive subject matter, for sure! And once the case was unraveled it was too similar to a James Patterson novel I have read before...
May 9, 2025
Decent enough crime novel, plot was interesting, although felt a little rushed towards the end.
If I had been Robin, I would have been furious with Alex for the things that happened between him and Zena. I liked Daniel the most out of all the characters, would be good to read 'The Butcher's Theater' which features him as the main character.
Even though I'm not familiar with the authors previous work, I love that this is a crossover book.
If I had been Robin, I would have been furious with Alex for the things that happened between him and Zena. I liked Daniel the most out of all the characters, would be good to read 'The Butcher's Theater' which features him as the main character.
Even though I'm not familiar with the authors previous work, I love that this is a crossover book.
March 26, 2012
"Survival of the Fittest" by Jonathan Kellerman is a psychological crime thriller with a Darwinistic twist gone awry.
I unknowingly selected this book without realizing that this was a part of a series, but this novel can stand alone. It starts off with psychologist, Dr. Alex Delaware and detective Milo Sturgis at the crime scene of Irit Carmeli, the daughter of an Israeli diplomat. At first, the diplomat denies any political motive, but as the bodies begin piling up, the victims all have one thing in common.
In a game of cat and mouse, Dr. Delaware and Det. Sturgis must find out who's on their side and who is behind these crimes with a eugenical twist. Does the officer Nolan Dahl, who committed suicide have something to do with it? Is it politically driven? Kellerman does a fantastic job of weaving a great plot, driven characters and Los Angeles as its main setting. A great, fast read, and enjoyable on its own as well as part of a series.
I unknowingly selected this book without realizing that this was a part of a series, but this novel can stand alone. It starts off with psychologist, Dr. Alex Delaware and detective Milo Sturgis at the crime scene of Irit Carmeli, the daughter of an Israeli diplomat. At first, the diplomat denies any political motive, but as the bodies begin piling up, the victims all have one thing in common.
In a game of cat and mouse, Dr. Delaware and Det. Sturgis must find out who's on their side and who is behind these crimes with a eugenical twist. Does the officer Nolan Dahl, who committed suicide have something to do with it? Is it politically driven? Kellerman does a fantastic job of weaving a great plot, driven characters and Los Angeles as its main setting. A great, fast read, and enjoyable on its own as well as part of a series.
January 26, 2025
I'm contemplating whether to give this book 3 or 4 stars. And frankly I can't decide, so I guess I'll end up right in the middle, with 3.5.
What makes me swing between these numbers, us that I like the book, but I'm a bit disappointed at the same time. I learned that this was an Alex Delaware book featuring Daniel Sharavi.
And Sharavi was present. Unfortunately he didn't have the same strong role as in the book The Butcher's Theatre. There he led the investigative group. Here he was one of the gang.
Milo and Alex are already strong characters. Put a 3rd beside them won't work well, I guess.
The book was a good read. Interesting, unusual, gruesome.
When you think you've got the story figured out, the plot takes a turn and your guessing can start over again.
I truly hope Sharavi will return in a book where he can play a bigger role again.
He's too big, too interesting to be a marginalized character.
What makes me swing between these numbers, us that I like the book, but I'm a bit disappointed at the same time. I learned that this was an Alex Delaware book featuring Daniel Sharavi.
And Sharavi was present. Unfortunately he didn't have the same strong role as in the book The Butcher's Theatre. There he led the investigative group. Here he was one of the gang.
Milo and Alex are already strong characters. Put a 3rd beside them won't work well, I guess.
The book was a good read. Interesting, unusual, gruesome.
When you think you've got the story figured out, the plot takes a turn and your guessing can start over again.
I truly hope Sharavi will return in a book where he can play a bigger role again.
He's too big, too interesting to be a marginalized character.
August 29, 2010
Survival of the Fittest was super thrilling. This was a great whodunit?. As always Alex & Milo never let me down. I really enjoyed it alot. It was a really awesome how Alex & Milo solved this horrific, brutal murders of mentally disabled victims. This was a dark, and disturbing case, very erry. But the ending was not a disappointment.
I could never get tired of Jonathan Kellerman's Delaware & Sturgis series. He totally knows how to captivate his readers and leave them wanting more. I would suggest anyone to read this novel. It was a excellent, clever tale that had alots of finessing suspense & psychological skills and tatics. Which made it a very interesting and fast read. Since I was in the hospital emergency room sitting for hours waiting and luckily I brought the book with me so I finished it there.
Overall; I rated this book with 5 stars and 2 thumbs up. =)~
I could never get tired of Jonathan Kellerman's Delaware & Sturgis series. He totally knows how to captivate his readers and leave them wanting more. I would suggest anyone to read this novel. It was a excellent, clever tale that had alots of finessing suspense & psychological skills and tatics. Which made it a very interesting and fast read. Since I was in the hospital emergency room sitting for hours waiting and luckily I brought the book with me so I finished it there.
Overall; I rated this book with 5 stars and 2 thumbs up. =)~
April 1, 2016
For some reason I stopped reading his books at the one before this. This and several others have been on my shelf for ages.
So, I started this expecting to find it out of date but it was no such thing. Ok, technology has moved on since then but the book didn't suffer one bit.
I loved the story but dropped a point because most of the action is towards the end. It does build to a great crescendo and then comes crashing to an ending. Much preferable to these books that keep you hooked and then peter out.
Am now looking forward to the next Alex Delaware story
So, I started this expecting to find it out of date but it was no such thing. Ok, technology has moved on since then but the book didn't suffer one bit.
I loved the story but dropped a point because most of the action is towards the end. It does build to a great crescendo and then comes crashing to an ending. Much preferable to these books that keep you hooked and then peter out.
Am now looking forward to the next Alex Delaware story
February 27, 2017
Daniel Sharavi the detective from Kellerman's earlier book "The Butchers Theatre", helps Delaware and Sturgis solve a cold case. When the disabled daughter of an Israeli diplomat's is found dead, a disturbing eugenics plot is discovered by the team. The ending was rather gloomy, but a pat happy ending would not have been appropriate for the case.
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