First Chapter Review: I DIDN'T FORGET by James S. Kelly #firstchapterreview

 

Thanks for visiting Literarily Speaking! Today's post is a first chapter review for I DIDN'T FORGET, James S. Kelly's latest mystery novel. First, a little about the book....

The double murder of two long time friends has caused hysteria in the small town of Solvang, Ca. Its up to Clay Wrens, the county’s premier detective to solve the murders and calm the townspeople.

Complicating the investigation is a local politician who’s afraid the Wrens will uncover his financial transgressions, while a female reporter, with her own agenda, is suggesting that Wrens be replaced.

As the investigation moves to a climax, Wrens is drawn to a twenty five year old murder and the convicted murderer, who’s just been released from prison.

FAVORITE QUOTE FROM FIRST CHAPTER:
 
"I don't have an enemy in the world."

BOOK COVER:

I am intrigued by the woman on the cover. Was that the girl he had words with in the first chapter?

FIRST CHAPTER REVIEW:

One of the things I loved about this first chapter was how the author showed the many sides of the protagonist, Clay Wrens. He's obviously afraid of commitment toward marriage but is totally committed to his job. I mean totally. Seriously I think his heart is trying to be in the right place, but his job is #1. Sometimes one can't be in two places at the same time without one of them overriding the other no matter how you try. So we open this chapter with him sitting in a restaurant and he's remembering a little spat between him and his girlfriend which I take it it was more than a little spat; she doesn't want to see him again. He's sitting there and there's an accident out front of which he flies out there (the detective in him) to find out what happened and this is mostly the gist of the first chapter. But it is in this chapter we get to know Clay Wrens. He's not  good in the romance department but great in the career department.

KEEP READING?

Sure, I'd keep reading. I want to know if he and his girlfriend ever make up? And the hit and run - is this a hint as to what the rest of the book is going to be about or was it one of many things the detective goes through? Guess I'll have to read more!

Pick up your copy!

Amazon → https://amzn.to/3cS2I4b

James S. (Jim) Kelly is a retired United States Air Force Colonel with over 100 combat missions in Vietnam. Prior to his retirement, Jim was Program Director for a Communication’s Program in Iran, working directly under the Shah. Jim and his wife, Patricia own and operate High Meadow’s Horse Ranch outside Solvang, California. All of his novels use Solvang and the Santa Ynez Valley as a setting. Over the past 15 years, Jim and his wife have been active in a charity supporting our troops in forward operating locations, in hostile territory, overseas. To contact Jim, email him at jkelly2020@outlook.com.

Website: www.kellywritings.com