Rarely do I give 5 stars on any given book, but I could not find anything truly wrong or disappointing with this one. I love the unique real life look into this fictional piece. It isn't real, but it could be. It is written well and made me want to continue reading. I am looking forward to Mr. Kenda's next book.

“First Do No Harm” by Joe Kenda is a fictional story that offers a compelling and insightful look into the real-life experiences of the author, who is a retired homicide detective. The book blends a gripping narrative with the kind of meticulous research that lends credibility and authenticity to Kenda’s stories. As a pharmacist, I appreciated the level of detail the author includes, especially around medical aspects, which adds depth and realism to the story. Kenda’s narration is outstanding, with his distinct voice adding a personal touch that draws listeners in. The second narrator also complements Kenda well, enhancing the overall experience. It's a fascinating blend of crime, investigation, and human experience that is both educational and entertaining.

I have watched every episode Joe Kenda has out, so when I saw I could ALC one of his books I had to!!

I loved being able to listen to the story of First Do No Harm. The narrator’s voice was perfect and kept me invested into the story.

This book is set back in the 1970s in Colorado. People start overdosing and dying which catches the attention of the police and the drug mafia to get to the bottom of it. They discover fentanyl is being cut into the drug which is causing people to overdose just using a small amount

This book hit home for me. My son’s father overdosed and passed away, so these stories really tug at my heartstrings.

4⭐️

I received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley for an honest review.

I have loved watching Joe Kenda's show on Investigation Discovery for so many years, and I have picked up his non-fiction books too. I had no idea he was starting to write fiction! I got this novel from Netgalley and realized it was book #2, so I immediately went and got book #1 (All is Not Forgotten) and blew through that and immediately picked up this one. I appreciate that the first novel was based on a real case, whereas, this novel was based on real events overall, not necessarily a real case. Regardless, it was very well written and realistic and overall enjoyable to read. I do hope he keeps writing his fiction and non-fiction books!

First Do No Harm
by Joe Kenda
Narrated by Joe Kenda & Bradford Hastings

Though this is a work of fiction, First Do No Harm easily reads as non-fiction. Kenda explores the initial onset of the fentanyl crisis that has taken over the country. Intersecting with the Mexican cartels and a nasty anesthesiologist by the name of Dr. Blair Moreland. This was a totally enjoyable listen. I loved the narration and felt that it added to the story because, well, it's Kenda narrating. Honestly, he could have just narrated the whole thing, and it would have been fine.

The story was a little slow-moving in parts, but I was enjoying it so much overall that I didn't really mind. It wasn't really a matter of whodunit, because you knew much of what was going on throughout the book, but it was so easy to believe that you were listening to a true story. This is my first Kenda book, and it won't be my last. Overall 4.7/5 Stars.

Thanks so much to NetGalley, Kenda, and Blackstone Publishing for the chance to review and listen to this ARC!

3.5 stars.

A string of overdoses in Colorado Springs has Detectives Joe Kenda and Lee Wilson on the lookout for a bad batch of heroin that has been cut with a drug they’ve never seen before. Dr. Blair Moreland—the notoriously unpleasant head anesthesiologist—has found a way to feed his deepening addiction to the very same powerful new drug: fentanyl. Detectives Kenda and Wilson must stop Moreland before he can escape the long arm of the law.

As I had expected, this was a straightforward action-focused suspense book. There was no mystery, as the pure-evil villain was revealed early on. What followed was a thrilling journey of how Kenda’s path converged into the villain’s path, and how he ended up closing in to bring in justice.

The highlight of the story for me was Kenda’s own perspective on the fictionalised version of himself, including his relationship with the fictionalised version of his wife, Kathy. It was also interesting to hear Kenda narrating his own part. Overall, the audiobook was enjoyable - the narration was good, with great intonation and pace. I went through this book really fast.

Solid. I really enjoyed this story and the audio was great. I have always enjoyed Joe Kenda and his stories. Fitting that he would write a book. Funny that he went backwards too. Most authors start with a book and move to TV.

I thought this audio was done very well. The narrator did a great job with changing his voice to represent all the various characters. I especially liked his Hispanic accents. I also found his tone to be clear and precise. I had no issues speeding this up to 2x.

Book 2 from JK, this is a classic police procedural. It's done well and a good story. I would read more from this series. This read fine as a standalone

I really enjoyed this and will definitely be checking out the rest of this series. It was fast paced and really kept me interested. The narrator was great. The author researched this topic really well so it felt very authentic!

I love Joe Kenda, I watched all his shows and have read his non-fiction books. Given his background, I think he is the perfect match for writing fiction crime novels, so when I saw he was starting a series, I knew I would need to check it out. I was not disappointed. Fiction that is convincing enough to be real. So good!

The narrator has the perfect voice for a detective, and obliviously, having parts narrated by Kenda himself is fantastic.

What a fantastic storyline! I enjoyed this book right from the beginning as it had me hooked instantly, all the way to the end of the storyline and into the prologue. Outstanding story, interesting main and sub-protagonists, educational as to drug abuse and it's dangers, informative drug information on fentanyl and addiction, a dishonest abusive doctor, the drug cartel you never cross without paying the price of your life, savvy detectives that stop at nothing to get to the truth, and so much more packed in this forward moving engrossing story.

I kept reminding myself that the author stated it was a work of fiction, but it didn't read like fiction - you know when you have those moments of eye rolls and sighs, or you're talking to yourself : "Right, that wouldn't happen"! No, it didn't happen to me- not in this story. I was fully engrossed and listened to the whole book in one sitting. Days later, I'm still thinking about it.

The setting is Colorado, and the places mentioned are accurate in description (coming from an area I personally know well). Beautifully written, capturing the realistic and proper emotion of the characters, the narration by Joe Kenda & Bradford Hastings is a treat to listen to. EXCELLENT PROLOGUE!

5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

My profound thanks to NetGalley, Joe Kenda, and Blackston Publishing Audiobooks for an AAC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Who doesn't love Kenda and his wife! Loved this book, it was very realistic and a great read. I already shared it with a friend and am looking for book 1 in the series.

This audio was enjoyable and read like true crime.
I appreciated the insights the author has but this really wasn’t bad or good it was just ok for me. I think it’s because it was so realistically told, I felt like I was being told the story by a cop. I guess I was lol. I gave this 3 stars but I don’t see recommending it on my page.

This book was okay. It was slow. I just didn't care for it. I found the lead detective to be arrogant. I thought it took much too long to reach the point where it was engaging.

I've been a long time fan of Joe Kenda, so I had to take the opportunity to read this work of fiction written by him. The story was suspenseful and fast paced. I liked that the story focused on the fentanyl epidemic and seemed fairly realistic. I would warn that there were some moderately descriptive murders, so I would recommend checking triggers before reading. The narrator was mostly excellent and easy to listen to. The only thing that I didn't care for was the way voices of the Hinojosa family members, but that was just my personal taste and opinion.

First Do No Harm is a good, quick read! It's very well paced and the action was easy to follow despite featuring lots of characters and changing locations.

The story follows the detectives solving murder cases from drugs, the doctor cooking the drugs, and the Mexican cartel weirdly stuck between. I found this fascinating! It's a dark story,. As it says in the end that while it's a work of fiction, it is indeed within the realm of possibility as fentanyl is a real, actual danger in our country. But with that said, it's not overly graphic or gory; it's plot driven but the characters are excellent. They are each unique and well fleshed out for this being so short at 7 hours.

The audiobook is narrated by Bradford Hastings who I have never listened to before, but his skill and the sound of his voice is in the same flavor as Ray Porter and R C bray (who mainly do sci-fi) who happen to be my all time favorite narrators. Which is to say, I LOVED his narration and will absolutely go listen to more by him! Highly recommend! He did many accents well and great female intonation.

Thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Audio for an audio arc to listen to and review. All opinions are my own.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC in audiobook format.

First Do No Harm by Joe Kenda, narrated by Joe Kenda and Bradford Hastings, is a gripping and authentic crime thriller that immerses listeners in the dark and dangerous world of drug trafficking and murder. Known for his role in the hit TV series “Homicide Hunter,” Kenda brings his real-life experience as a homicide detective to this riveting tale, adding a layer of authenticity and depth that is hard to match.

The story centers around a series of overdoses in Colorado Springs, which leads Detectives Joe Kenda and Lee Wilson on a desperate hunt for a new, deadly batch of heroin laced with an unknown substance. The plot thickens as they uncover a connection to Dr. Blair Moreland, a corrupt anesthesiologist with a dangerous addiction to fentanyl. Moreland’s involvement with a Mexican crime syndicate sets off a chain of events that threatens to engulf the entire city in violence and chaos.

Kenda’s narration is a standout feature of this audiobook. His deep, authoritative voice lends credibility and gravitas to the story, making listeners feel as though they are right there with him, unraveling the mystery. Bradford Hastings complements Kenda’s narration with a dynamic performance that enhances the tension and drama of the narrative.

First Do No Harm  has meticulous attention to detail. Kenda’s firsthand knowledge of police procedures and criminal investigations shines through, providing an insider’s look at the complexities and challenges of solving such high-stakes cases. This book is not just a thriller; it’s an educational journey into the world of law enforcement, filled with insights and anecdotes that only someone with Kenda’s background could provide.

The characters are well-developed, with Kenda and Wilson’s partnership serving as the backbone of the story. Their camaraderie and determination to bring justice to their community are portrayed with authenticity and depth. Dr. Moreland, as the antagonist, is a chilling and complex character whose descent into criminality is both fascinating and horrifying.

First Do No Harm is a must-listen for fans of true crime and police procedurals. Joe Kenda’s storytelling, combined with Bradford Hastings’ engaging narration, makes this audiobook a compelling and immersive experience. 

P. S. I love 😘 Joe Kenda and all of his books are stellar! ❤️🌹

Slow to get started. Interesting take on the beginnings of the fentanyl crisis. Some characters were better drawn than others. Narrator was good but I don’t think the additional narration by the author added anything.

I realized this one was book 2 in a series and I was super lucky I got book 1 first because holy heck... this is quite the series. It does standalone as a standalone novel though!

Its fiction but it has this clever true crime vibe to the way it is written. it felt like it could be real and that added to the enjoyment factor.

I really enjoyed the Kenda and Wilson. I was gripped from the get go

4 stars

Fans of Joe Kenda will enjoy this, but hard-core mystery/thriller fans will find it mediocre. Initially it reminded me of Breaking Bad, but it found its own way. It moved along well, the characters were interesting, had a believable beginning of
plague upon mankind, and it there were a lot of facets to it. I just found it completely overt, unsubtle, leaving nothing for the reader to imagine or interpret, everything spelled out and no thought required. I like a little more nuance in my books.

Kenda is a great storyteller on TV. His delivery is both impactful and sardonic, which makes him fun to watch. But it's like reading a standup comedian's routine or reading an impassioned TED Talk... it's a performative art and doesn't translate well to books, even audiobooks.

This is a detective novel solving a string of drug overdoses in late 1970’s . It takes place mostly in Colorado City. Colorado. It’s just not your typical drug overdose. Someone is making it synthetic which one can easily overdose within minutes.
I really enjoyed the layout of Colorado Springs and surrounding towns back in the days. I used to go to deaf school there. Anyways, there are different POVs in this book that will keep you hooked. It doesn’t even get confusing at all. I especially enjoyed the relationship between the detective and his wife who happens to be a nurse at the hospital.
If you’re into a detective novel or want some drama/thriller or something to pass the time or take a break from other genre, then this is the book for you.
I was kind of disappointed at the ending for an obvious reason. But that’s just me.
I’m going to give it a four stars.
Thank you Blackstone Publishing and Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook. As usual, all of my reviews are purely my own opinions without any influence from any publisher.