You might not recognize Joe Kenda’s name. All Is Not Forgiven is his debut novel. But, many of you might recognize his voice if you heard it. Kenda was a homicide detective in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and the show “Homicide Hunter” was based on his cases. He’s also the host of the Discovery+ show “American Detective”. Now, his first police procedural, All is Not Forgiven, features rookie detective Joe Kenda. It’s inspired by a case Kenda worked on as a rookie detective.
Kenda narrates his part in the book, and a killer looks back at his career. On July 6, 1975, Kenda is just starting in the Homicide Division of the Colorado Springs Police Dept., working with a veteran partner and mentor, Detective Lee Wilson. Kenda is sent into the Rocky Mountain foothills to pick up a severed hand. That hand is connected to the most complex and far-reaching case of his career.
A week later, Kathryn Montgomery, the one with money in her marriage, is killed with six kill shots. It definitely appears to be the work of a hired assassin. Kathryn’s husband, Fred, has an alibi. He was at a conference in Las Vegas at the time of his wife’s death.
Kenda’s debut is filled with violent men, and, one in particular, enjoys violence against women. There are a number of retired military who turn to black-ops work and become assassins. And, Kenda does wrap up the case. There is a satisfying solution.
However, All Is Not Forgiven is violent, graphic at times, and there’s lots of background information on Kenda himself. There were too many details about too many cases, and it didn’t always seem as if the author could keep his storylines straight. Who is the target audience for the book? Although it may be a police procedural, I have the feeling Kenda’s book is aimed at the audience who already appreciates him from his television appearances. There’s nothing wrong with that. I just don’t think this novel is actually aimed at fans of police procedurals.
All Is Not Forgiven by Joe Kenda. Blackstone Publishing, 2023. ISBN 9798200924356 (hardcover), 216p.
FTC Full Disclosure – I received a .PDF from the publisher because the author was on a panel I moderated.
