I am a huge fan of Joe Kenda’s (a former homicide detective with the Colorado Springs Police) TV shows on Discovery: Homicide Hunter and American Detective. When I realized Joe had also written some novels, I immediately purchased book one in the Detectives Kenda & Wilson series, All is Not Forgiven, a crime mystery that I am reviewing today. Watch for more reviews of the books I read by NY Times & USA Today bestselling author Joe Kenda soon.
Title: All is Not Forgiven
Series: Detective Kenda & Wilson, book one
Author: Joe Kenda
Genre: Crime, Mystery
Length: 236 pages
Release Date: July 25, 2023
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
The Homicide Hunter’s riveting debut novel proves that fiction really can be stranger than truth …
Blurb: In this first novel, the rookie Det. Kenda investigates a 1975 case that begins with the murder of a beloved Colorado philanthropist and society figure whose husband, a gambler and womanizer, appears to have an air-tight alibi.
Mentored by his veteran partner Det. Lee Wilson, a former Nashville singer turned skilled investigator, Kenda’s case quickly attracts attention from the FBI, CIA, and Interpol, for its similarity to a string of killings involving wealthy married women. All the murders appear to have been committed by a hired professional whose trademark is the use of an unusual form of lethal ammunition that leaves no trace.
Detectives Kenda and Wilson travel across the country, following leads to Las Vegas and a mob “made man” pit boss who moonlights as a matchmaker for hit men. In this first extraordinary case, the detectives join a full law-enforcement blitz to track down a twisted killer who has made murder his business.
ALL IS NOT FORGIVEN is the debut crime novel by television star Joe Kenda, a former homicide detective, whose hit series Homicide Hunter and Homicide Hunter: American Detective air on Investigation Discovery, the #1 true crime channel available in more than 80 million homes.
Available at:
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I’m a huge fan of Joe Kenda’s TV shows on the Discovery Channel: Homicide Hunter and American Detective. When I realized Joe had published some books, I snatched up his debut fictional novel, All is Not Forgiven. Did he disappoint? Nope. Not a chance.
Just like his narrative on both TV shows, Joe uses the same voice when telling the fictional story of a serial killer who not only murders for pleasure, but also for pay. I must say I liked this concept he used. Second, he gives plenty of POVs. Normally, I don’t care for that many POVs, but Joe makes each one stand out. He uses these characters to attach them to the plot, giving you great insight into all of the players involved in the case that Kenda and Wilson are trying to solve.
Let’s talk about Kenda and Wilson. Kenda is the rookie with a keen eye for detail as he’s being mentored by the older Wilson, who loves John Wayne and hazing his mentee. They had great chemistry, both intent on justice for the murdered women.
Each character we meet is portrayed in a realistic way. I must say my fave was Captain. He really stood out, and I liked how he was involved in the ending of the book.
Joe also gives great details of the areas they cover, giving the reader a feeling of being present as each scene unfolds.
As for the plot, this was well done. Everything that occurred tied together right up until the end. which was a great twist that I never saw coming. Way to go, author!
I also learned much about police procedure, guns, the different governing bodies throughout the world that specialize in upholding the law, as well as the military. Learning about this wasn’t tiring but fascinating. Joe also knows his weapons.
I devoured every word, enjoying the journey Joe took me on. You don’t have to be a fan of the two TV series to enjoy the book. It stands on its own.
If you enjoy crime thrillers, I highly recommend you give the novel a read.
Maggie Blackbird 
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