Victims
An Alex Delaware Novel
by Jonathan Kellerman
Ballantine Books 2012
Easy read — content targets 9th–12th grade
Reading level 5.7 (5th grade) but themes aimed at ages 14+
Themes include trauma and past abuse
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Genre
Themes
- serial murder
- psychological profiling
- justice vs. vengeance
- trauma and past abuse
- identity and secrets
- deception and manipulation
- friendship and loyalty
- law enforcement procedure
- moral ambiguity
- Los Angeles noir
About this book
When acid-tongued recluse Vita Berlin is found murdered and grotesquely staged, LAPD detective Milo Sturgis calls in psychologist Alex Delaware. Soon, more victims appear in the same ritual fashion, with no clear link among them—except for a cryptic calling card: a blank page marked with a single question mark. As Delaware and Sturgis dig into buried histories and old grudges across contemporary Los Angeles, they race to unmask a meticulous, remorseless killer.
Setting: Contemporary Los Angeles, California (LAPD jurisdiction and various LA neighborhoods)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Victims right for my child?
It depends — here's what to consider for Victims. The reading level is AR 5.7, which is typical for 5th grade. The interest level is rated Upper Grades (9–12), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 14+ (9th–12th grade). Themes include serial murder, psychological profiling, justice vs. vengeance.
How long does it take to read Victims?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, Victims takes around 11h to finish. The book has 106,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Victims have an AR quiz?
Yes — Victims has an AR quiz available, worth 16 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.
What grade level is Victims?
Victims has an AR reading level of 5.7, which places it at a 5th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Upper Grades (9–12) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.