Sam Kelson Mysteries
“My friend, this place is killing people.”
“[An] outstanding third mystery featuring Chicago PI Sam Kelson. The whodunit plotline is enhanced by Wiley’s superior gift at integrating humor, mostly deriving from Kelson’s inability to keep himself from sharing blunt truths. The author’s ingenuity shows no sign of diminishing.”
(Publishers Weekly)
“The setup is red meat for crime-story lovers. We get to keep company with obliquely funny Sam, who must . . . always speak the truth. Fortunately, he has Wiley to write his lines, and they are perceptive and graceful. The case is resolved in a stunning climax that will leave readers paging back to take in those magical lines one more time.”
(Booklist)
“My boyfriend stole my Jimmy Choos.” Genevieve Bower has hired Private Investigator Sam Kelson to recover her stolen shoes. But no one has seen the boyfriend for the past two weeks. Kelson can't find the shoes, but he finds a body . . . and then another . . . .
“This darkly humorous PI novel offers nonstop, violent action, and is perfect for readers who enjoy Donald Westlake’s quirky ‘Dortmunder’ characters.”
(Library Journal)
“In Wiley’s strong sequel to 2019’s Trouble in Mind . . . [h]umor enhances the clever whodunit plot. Wiley’s quirky lead, who’s unable to keep his thoughts to himself . . . will appeal to fans of oddball sleuths.”
(Publishers Weekly)
“I may have found a new favourite private investigator!”
(Books on Tour)
“Looking for a darkly humorous PI novel with a quirky cast and non-stop, violent action? Check out Wiley's second Sam Kelson book, Lucky Bones.”
(Lesa’s Book Critiques)
“The characters are fabulous. Wiley has a knack of creating quirky, endearing characters who are easy to root for, even when they’re running afoul of the law. . . . [T]his was a terrific novel. I recommend this to anyone who loves noir and crime novels.”
(Meredith Rankin Book Reviews)
“PI Sam Kelson might be the most unusual fictional PI I’ve ever read. Kelson’s a genuinely intriguing character.”
(Caitlyn Lynch Book Reviews)
Available now
Editor’s Pick
Introducing maverick Chicago private investigator Sam Kelson in the first of a hardhitting new crime noir series.
“Wiley keeps the twists coming.” (Publishers Weekly)
“A funny tableau that begs for screen treatment. . . . Sure to satisfy.” (Booklist)
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. Arrested on suspicion of murder, he 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?
Karen’s Picks, for January 2020. (Poisoned Pen)
“Trouble in Mind is a clever mystery with an eccentric cast of colorful characters.” (Book Reviews and More)
“Highly recommended.” (Nonstop Reader)
“Wiley wowed me. . . . Wiley creates a cast of well-developed, interesting, realistic people. The story has plenty of twists, the dialogue’s sad-funny snappy, and there’s terrific use of language. But it was the people who kept me reading.” (Meredith Rankin Book Reviews)
Available now