Jonathan Kellerman

Jonathan Kellerman, born in 1949, is an American author and psychologist. He is primarily recognized for his mystery novels that feature Alex Delaware, a child psychologist who assists the Los Angeles Police Department. Kellerman's early life included a move from New York City to Los Angeles. He pursued his education in psychology, earning a Bachelor of Arts from UCLA and later a PhD from USC, where his doctoral research focused on the attribution of blame in childhood psychopathology.

Kellerman's professional career began in academia, serving as a staff psychologist and later a clinical professor at USC's Keck School of Medicine. He also established a private practice in the early 1980s. His literary career took off with the publication of his first novel, "When the Bough Breaks," in 1985. After achieving success with several best-selling novels while still practicing psychology, he transitioned to writing full-time in 1990. He has since authored numerous crime novels, along with nonfiction works and children's books. Kellerman is married to author Faye Kellerman, and they have collaborated on several projects.

Jonathan Kellerman's background as a psychologist deeply informs his literary work. After completing his doctoral studies at USC, where his research delved into the psychological factors contributing to childhood psychopathology, he began his career in clinical psychology. He held a position at the USC Keck School of Medicine, eventually becoming a clinical professor of pediatrics. Alongside his medical practice, which he started in the early 1980s, Kellerman began writing novels. His debut novel, "When the Bough Breaks," was published in 1985. The success of his early novels, written while he was still actively practicing psychology, allowed him to dedicate himself fully to writing by 1990. This dual expertise in psychology and storytelling has been a cornerstone of his prolific career.

Kellerman is most celebrated for his extensive series featuring the character Alex Delaware, a child psychologist who consults with the LAPD. This series, beginning with "When the Bough Breaks" in 1985, includes over forty titles. Beyond the Alex Delaware novels, Kellerman has also written standalone novels and contributed to other series, such as the Petra Connor series. He has also engaged in collaborative writing projects with his wife, Faye Kellerman, and their son, Jesse Kellerman, resulting in works like "The Golem of Hollywood" and "Crime Scene." His bibliography also includes nonfiction books related to psychology and other subjects.