The Web was published by Bantam Books in 1996. Alex accepts an invitation from a wealthy researcher to visit his private island in the South Pacific, ostensibly to consult on a psychological study. Once on the island, Alex discovers that the research is not what it appears, the islanders have their own grievances, and the wealthy owner’s agenda involves secrets from his past that he will kill to protect.
The novel is the series’ most geographically unusual — removing Alex from his Los Angeles habitat and placing him in physical isolation where his usual resources (Milo, the LAPD, his professional network) are unavailable.
Collecting The Web
First edition (Bantam Books, New York, 1996): Boards with dust jacket.
Market values:
- Fine in dust jacket: $15–$25
- Very good: $8–$15
Projected values (2026–2036): Moderate appreciation.
The Island Departure
The Web is the series’ most unusual entry because it removes Alex from Los Angeles — his natural environment and the source of his investigative advantage. On a remote Pacific island, stripped of his professional network and familiar geography, Alex must rely on pure psychological observation. The isolation increases the danger but also forces the reader (and Alex) to pay closer attention to character dynamics without the usual procedural scaffolding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Alex Delaware novels considered literary fiction? They occupy a middle ground. Kellerman’s prose is more accomplished than most genre crime fiction — his Los Angeles descriptions are genuinely evocative, and his psychological portraits have clinical depth — but the novels are plotted as commercial thrillers with suspense, action, and resolution. They are best described as high-quality commercial fiction with literary aspirations.