#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Alex Delaware and LAPD detective Milo Sturgis investigate the death of Alex’s most mysterious patient to date in the sensational new thriller from the master of suspense, #1 New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Kellerman.At nearly one hundred years old, Thalia Mars is a far cry from the patients that child psychologist Alex Delaware normally treats. But the … Delaware normally treats. But the charming, witty woman convinces Alex to meet with her in a suite at the Aventura, a luxury hotel with a checkered history.
What Thalia wants from Alex are answers to unsettling questions—about guilt, patterns of criminal behavior, victim selection. When Alex asks the reason for her morbid fascination, Thalia promises to tell all during their next session. But when he shows up the following morning, he is met with silence: Thalia is dead in her room.
When questions arise about how Thalia perished, Alex and homicide detective Milo Sturgis must peel back the layers of a fascinating but elusive woman’s life and embark on one of the most baffling investigations either of them has ever experienced. For Thalia Mars is a victim like no other, an enigma who harbored nearly a century of secrets and whose life and death draw those around her into a vortex of violence.
Heartbreak Hotel is classic Delaware and classic Kellerman.
Praise for Heartbreak Hotel
“Easy to dive into for mystery fans unfamiliar with the series, and a welcome treat for readers who have been with Officer Sturgis and Dr. Delaware since the beginning.”—Booklist
Praise for Jonathan Kellerman
“Jonathan Kellerman’s psychology skills and dark imagination are a potent literary mix.”—Los Angeles Times
“Kellerman doesn’t just write psychological thrillers—he owns the genre.”—Detroit Free Press
“A master of the psychological thriller.”—People
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I love Kellerman. With few exceptions you can’t go wrong with his Alex Delaware series. I love these characters. They are old friends.
Alex gets a cold call from an elderly woman wanting him to come to her for a consult. He explains he works with kids, but she eventually talks him into coming to an old hotel where she has lived for the past 60 years. He meets with her and agrees to come back the next day. When he returns, she has been murdered.
Eventually, Alex and Milo figure it all out, but it takes awhile. Several people die in the process.
Not the best of the Alex/Milo books, but an interesting and enjoyable read.
If you enjoy Alex Delaware, I recommend this. It isn’t the best, but it’s pretty good.
The new Alex Delaware novel is a welcome addition to the collection. The mystery was tight and well plotted, with interesting twists. A murder, or two or three, theft, missing money and jewels, and hidden identities make for a good yarn. Just when the story is over and all twists are resolved, there comes a final twist I didn’t expect at all. Well written and entertaining, and although there is a series of Alex Delaware books, this works as a completely stand alone novel.
I have read all of the Alex Delaware stories and I am never disappointed. In this new book Alex has been called to the Adventura by a nearly 100 year old Thalia Mars for a consult even though he has explained to her he normally only treats children. The witty and charming Thalia talks him into a consult anyway. After meeting with her he is intrigued and agrees to return for a second meeting but when he arrives it first appears that she has passed away in her sleep but on closer examination she was murdered. Now it is up to Milo and Alex to find who would kill this harmless elderly woman who seems to be loved by all. Another great read by Jonathan Kellerman. I would like to thank the Publisher and Net Galley for the chance to read this ARC.
Pretty typical Jon Kellerman- mystery, old secrets, red herrings, clever and insightful remarks and the relentlessly boring wonderful relationship with the girlfriend. Entertaining, fast read, won’t shock you.
Always a reliable story based on past grievances that someone simply can’t tolerate anymore and takes dramatic, read murderous, action. The bad guys rarely get away, and that does make it more fun to read.
A return to a more classic tale of Dr. Alex Delaware and his Detective friend, Milo, the mystery was unique and unexpected.
The last few Alex Delaware books were hard slogs for me. There was a lot of information about Alex’s personal life and, whether Kellerman’s writing style is to blame or his characterization, that’s not why I pick these up. I want Alex to be my keyhole into a gritty and usually twisted mystery. This book got the series back on track, but it was a little hard to stay engaged because of the cold case aspect.
All in all, Kellerman reeled me back in to following Dr. Delaware again.
Great story with interesting plot and characters.
What can I say, Jonathan Kellerman you are one of my favorite authors and I love the Alex Delaware series and its characters. Thank you for continuing and keeping me entertained.
Once again Alex Delaware and Milo Sturgis find themselves in the middle of a murder mystery. This one kept you guessing until the end and had a great surprise twist.
I enjoy Jonathan Kellerman’s writing. Plot keeps the reader guessing and his description of characters and settings is brilliant, he can be comical even when the scene is serious.
I’ve read Kellerman (both Jon & Faye) for years. Always enjoy the entertaining way they tell a story. I love Milo & Alex Delaware and those places they take me. The police procedural plus have a psych eval on every person involved, including the culprit, is always an intriguing read. Thanks for a great story. Reading Night Moves next!
Thalia Mars, just short of her one hundredth birthday, gets in touch with child psychologist Alex Delaware. Normally, he would not consider treating someone outside of his usual patients, but her charm and wit change his mind.
Alex meets her in her suite at the Aventura, a luxury hotel. He hopes for answers as why Thalia needs his expertise and her reply is not at all what he expects. She asks him about guilt, patterns of behavior, and victim choice and when Alex tries to get her to be more forthcoming but Thalia refuses to budge until their next meeting. But, when he arrives for his second visit there are paramedics on the scene and Thalia is dead.
I have read all thirty-two books in the Alex Delaware series by Jonathan Kellerman. The characters Robin, Alex, Milo, and Blanche the dog are dear to me as a reader. Yet, despite the interesting premise of Heartbreak Hotel, reading the book became a drag. The pace to get answers to who killed Thalia and why are very slow in coming which is atypical with a Kellerman novel. I usually dive into one of his Delaware mystery books and before I know it I am at the last page. Not this time. Also, Kellerman introduces another murder that is similar and just as hard to solve as Thalia’s murder.
I did finish the book but it was not as satisfying as I know this series can be.