First Case

McRyan Mystery Series Prequel

By: Roger Stelljes

Narrated by: Johnny Peppers

Length: 2 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

A prestigious job at a top law firm, a beautiful home, and a gorgeous wife all made for an ideal life - but then life gets in the way. For Mac McRyan, a family tragedy meant forgoing a lucrative legal career for one in the family business - the St. Paul Police Department. After four years as a cop, Mac crosses the crime scene tape for the first time as a homicide detective. The back alley murder of a young trial lawyer from a high profile law firm doesn't add up. In an emotionally charged investigation full of unexpected twists and turns, Mac will need to follow a convoluted trail of evidence, secrets, and hidden agendas to help solve a murder mystery that is his First Case.

New York Times and USA Today

©2012 Roger Stelljes (P)2015 Roger Stelljes

Who done it?

This book is about a good detective working a murder case. I found this story to be entertaining and a nice way to pass an afternoon.

Murder, mystery and intrigue

Would you listen to First Case again? Why?

A short twelve chapter story that is the start of the series. I'm looking forward to hearing the rest of the books in the series.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Mac McRyan was my favorite character. The book told the backstory and about his first case. A great way to dive into the books.

What does Johnny Peppers bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Peppers brings the characters to life with multiple voices and an easy listening style. The books have a lot of characters so this is no easy feat and he seems to do it seamlessly and creates suspense.

A good start to a series

This was my first book by Roger Stelljes. I bought the series on Kindle with Audio so I could listen on a road trip. I wasn’t expecting anything great just some to entertain during my windshield time.

I found the book to just ok, if you like a good old fashioned cops and bad guys genre ala All American style then you will like this story. You get a solid introduction of "Mac," his persona, and his investigative skills. The story itself was not exactly impressive. You could guess fairly easily who the murderer was, or at least I did. Nevertheless, it was a good read and you don’t waste a lot of time.

Great prequel novella to a police thriller series

I look forward to listening to the novels this series in order. Johnny peppers does a fine job of narration although I think of him as a romance novel narrator.

Dan's review

loved it. liked the characters banter and development. in a small story it expected my expectations

Mac's First Case

Would you listen to First Case again? Why?

No, I very rarely listen to a book twice. I already know the ending.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

No, but it did hold my attention the whole time. I found parts of it to be amusing. He seems to be a nice guy, trying to make it out there. Yes???

Have you listened to any of Johnny Peppers’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, but I loved his performance. I think he was "perfect" as Mac, I REALLY hope they keep him on!!!!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

WATCH OUT FOR THE GUY IN THE TRENCH COAT, HE MIGHT BE LOOKING FOR YOU!

Any additional comments?

Great start ROGER AND JOHNNY, (keep them coming!) 🏃🏃😀

Looking toward next in series

novella, short, Minneapolis, crime-fiction, thriller, threats, mystery, procedural, local-law-enforcement, local-politics, lawyers, suspense, suspicion****

Life is what happens while you're making other plans. Mac had his life planned out and so did his wife. He'd opt out of the family tradition of law school and go into practice like his wife. Then several family members of the Thin Blue Line were murdered On The Job and he felt the need to make a turn. He loved it, she didn't. Then a lawyer is murdered and it becomes his first case as a Detective. And it all goes sideways. Good read that makes me want to go on with the series.
Johnny Peppers is an uninspired reader.

Great Short One That I Didn't Think I Would Like

I almost didn't listen to this one, because the name of Mac's partner threw me off . . . and I still don't like it . . . but throughout the entire book, its the ONLY thing that really turned me off. The story is spot on, EXCELLENT, a cop deciding to become a cop for the RIGHT reasons. I didn't see at all who the killer was in the back and forth of the investigation. I didn't much care for the arrogant fella (lawyer) who was murdered, although he was good at his job. His extra curricular activities made my stomach turn. 🙄 This series has the promise of being GREAT!

I really enjoyed this story

This is my first time reading this author and I'm very glad I tried this book. I found it very enjoyable!

Save a credit, buy this on sale.

First Case is a short story. The words to price ratio is VERY low. I did get it on sale and for that price, enjoyed it. Once again, Stelljes refreshingly takes us into a police procedural where none of the cops are Peter Principle promotions, but instead are decent, intelligent professionals who like and respect each other to work as a team. The tension here's created by bad guys on the street, not bad guys among the brass. How original huh?

At the right price, grab this little thing for a good introduction to the McRyan series. However, you don't need to read this short story to jump right in and start with "The St. Paul Conspiracy". It'll tell you all you need.

Johnny Pepper reads it good.