Head Case

Michael Wiley

Mar 2021 · A Sam Kelson mystery Book 3 · Severn House Publishers Ltd

About this ebook

Chicago private investigator Sam Kelson uncovers more than he bargained for when he investigates a series of suspicious deaths at the Clement Memorial Hospital. "My friend, this place is killing people." While in the hospital recuperating from a gunshot wound, Chicago PI Sam Kelson is approached by a nurse who's troubled by three recent deaths. No pattern, no connection - except that three patients died when they shouldn't have. Initially skeptical, Kelson starts asking questions - and the more he uncovers, the clearer it becomes that something isn't right. What exactly has been going on at Clement Memorial Hospital? Has someone been killing patients? If so, why? As Kelson digs deeper, he comes to realize that someone is determined to prevent him finding out the truth. Whatever it takes.

Ratings and reviews

Sam Kelson is a private investigator in Chicago. Sam isn't your ordinary man ... while he was a detective just a few years ago, he was shot in the head while on duty. He's lucky to be alive .. but because of the trauma, he now suffers from inhibition .... in his case, the inability to tell a iie. No matter what, there is no way he can ever keep a secret .... a little problematic when questioning people. And then there are those who know of his condition and ask him things just to see what he says .. .like his 13-year-old daughter. He's been shot again, luckily it's only an arm wound, but he's in hospital for a day or two. While there, he's approached by a nurse ... who tells him people are dying. Well, okay, thinks Sam .. it's a hospital, people do die here. But the nurse explains that there have been several unexplained deaths ... no connection between the deceased, no pattern, the only thing in common is that they should not have died. Sam starts asking questions, and the more he uncovers, the more he begins to believe that something is really wrong at the hospital. And someone wants to make sure Sam doesn't learn what .. or why. Sam is a great character .. he's made the most of his inability to filter what he says, and he's just down right funny. I love his interactions, not only with his friends, but also with his daughter. The plot is cleverly written, there is much action, a bit of violence, and characters that are solidly drawn. Although 3rd in the series, this is easily read as a stand alone, but I do recommend reading in order. Many thanks to the author / Canongate Books / Severn House / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

About the author

Michael Wiley was brought up in Chicago, and now teaches literature at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. As well as the Sam Kelson mystery series, he is the Shamus Award-winning author of the Chicago-based Joe Kozmarski PI series, the Daniel Turner and the Franky Dast series. His Franky Dast thriller, Monument Road, was nominated for the 2018 Shamus Best PI Novel award.