Trouble in Mind

Michael Wiley

Nov 2019 · A Sam Kelson mystery Book 1 · Severn House Publishers Ltd

About this ebook

Introducing maverick Chicago private investigator Sam Kelson in the first of a hardhitting new crime noir series.

Sam Kelson is a PI like no other. As a consequence of being shot in the head while working undercover as a Chicago cop, he suffers from disinhibition: he cannot keep silent or tell lies when questioned. But truth be told ― and Kelson always tells the truth ― he still feels compelled to investigate and, despite the odds, he’s good at his job.

Hired by Trina Felbanks to investigate her pharmacist brother whom she suspects is dealing drugs, Kelson arrives at Felbanks’ home to make a shocking discovery ― his client’s brother has been murdered. Arrested on suspicion of his murder, Kelson makes an even more startling discovery concerning his client’s identity. Kelson would appear to have been set up … but by whom, and why?

As events spiral out of control and the body count rises, Kelson realizes he’s made a dangerously powerful enemy. Will he survive long enough to discover who has targeted him ― and what it is they want?

Ratings and reviews

Sam Kelson is a Private Investigator with a diagnosis of disinhibition after he was shot in the head while working undercover in narcotics when he was a Chicago cop. His condition requires pain pills on a daily basis, and more importantly, he cannot control what comes out of his mouth. His thoughts, his feelings, and he cannot lie ... he is incapable. And when asked a question, he absolutely must answer. Surprisingly enough, he's rather good at his job. A woman walks into his office and wants to hire him to investigate her brother ... a pharmacist who may be dealing drugs. And when he tracks down the brother, he's met with quite an eye opener. Kelson is arrested on suspicion of murder ... especially when the cops identify the dead man. And then they learn that his sister wasn't his sister at all. It seems that Kelson has been set up .. but why and by whom? This is a real page turner, filled with action from the very first page. The mystery is nicely paced with suspense that holds one's attention to the the surprising end. Various twists and turns with an occasional red herring make this an excellent read. Many thanks to the author / 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. He is the Shamus Award-winning author of three novels in the Chicago-based Joe Kozmarski PI series, as well as the Daniel Turner and Franky Dast series.