Hermit's Peak

Kevin Kerney #4

by Michael McGarrity

Hermit’s Peak is a seminal novel in the crime fiction series that places New Mexico lawman Kevin Kerney in the pantheon with Tony Hillerman’s heroes—while carving out territory that is distinctly his own across the American Southwest.

When Kevin Kerney, deputy chief of the New Mexico State Police, inherits an unexpected windfall of 6,400 acres of high-county land, the last thing he wants to think about is work. But while visiting his new property, he comes across an ailing stray dog that leads him to the butchered bones of a murder victim near the rugged mountain of Hermit's Peak.

After assigning the case to his subordinates, Kerney returns to Santa Fe to spend time with a woman he cares about, Sara Brannon, a career army officer who is visiting him on holiday. But his time with Sara must wait, as he is called back to Hermit's Peak when another body is found at a remote cabin. Now, Kerney must unearth the shattering truth about his new land and follow a twisting trail of blood through the majestic landscape of the American Southwest.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Westerns, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook, Crime, Suspense

320 pages, Hardcover

First published June 15, 1999

About the author

With the publication of Tularosa in 1996, Michael McGarrity turned to writing full time. Many of his novels have been national best sellers. He holds a BA with distinction in psychology and a master's degree in clinical social work. As an undergraduate, he held a Ford Foundation Scholarship at the University of New Mexico. Additionally, he is an honor graduate of the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy.

His career in criminal justice spanned over twenty-five years and included creating treatment programs for drug offenders, supervising outreach services for at-risk juveniles, and re-establishing mental health services for the Department of Corrections after the infamous 1980 riot at the New Mexico Penitentiary. As a Santa Fe County deputy sheriff, he worked as a patrol officer, training and planning supervisor, community relations officer, and was the lead investigator of the sex crimes unit, which he established. Additionally, he taught courses at the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy, served as a caseworker and investigator for the Public Defender's District Office, and conducted investigations for a state government agency. In 1980 he was named New Mexico Social Worker of the Year and in 1987 was recognized by the American Legion as Police Officer of the Year.

In 2004 he received the New Mexico Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts -- Literature. He is also the 2015 recipient of the Frank Waters Exemplary Literary Achievement Award and the 2015 Santa Fe Mayor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts – Literature. He has been instrumental in establishing the Hillerman-McGarrity Creative Writing Scholarship at the University of New Mexico, the Richard Bradford Memorial Creative Writing Scholarship at the Santa Fe Community College, and the N. Scott Momaday Creative Writing Scholarship at the Institute of American Indian Arts.

He lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico with his wife Emily Beth (Mimi).

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

So happy with this book and the Kevin Kerney series. After three books where Kevin Kerney is homeless, poor, and sort-of loveless this book brings to him all the happy things you wished for him. Love this story-line and the police work laid out in it. On to #5 now.

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

How thoroughly enjoyable to read a book in chronological order and holding dozens of characters without the flip flop timing or narrator issue. Even with this particular novel, which has such a dire and crazy tragic core. Gabe's life, the outcome here- such tragedy and grief.

But the entire was at least 4 stars. The writing smooth and Kerney not at all anything but his stoic and observant self. Loved the Shoe aspect in this one. That outcome with the dog tells you a whole lot about Kevin's core and the values he lives.

Regardless of the horror of outcome in this case. Both with the earlier death and the latter one- both such YOUNG people! Despite that extremely sad nugget of this passing time- the book was overall still a better than average read. New Mexico, the reality of the natural world- and all the lifestyles it may perceive and compose? All of that- it's no small nuance that this series imposes and compacts.

Why do I find it rather so run of the mill Kerney luck that they find that species of cactus on his middle edge arroyo ground. Of course, so that there is a way he can use /keep his non-relative inherited mesa of grazing land etc. and have a happy ending to his life dream. (Can you tell the Michael McGarrity la-la land group think going on in that story line- the bias of his politico is once again overwhelming.) And of course that Knowlton Cactus is more important than the humans in any aspect of the housing or making a base living agenda. It made me laugh that road around the impossibility of Kevin paying the 8 or 9 million dollar taxes. Pure dream land scenario which would and could NEVER happen in reality. It would be just like the White Sands Military Base getting the ranchers' land confiscated for a pittance through government eminent domain or some other new legal definition that has become its next generation child. That's the reality of that species' protection. When this was written, now- or anytime in between.

Regardless, it's a nice dream. And the outcome with Sara? Can't say I'm a fan. But of course she will need to be away for the next 10 years. At least 10. Which I guess some might consider the base of an entirely practical and livable marriage. Well, at least you aren't going to be doing lots of laundry or dishes. Huh!

Well, such a man's outlook IS very real. But be warned if you take this novel on. It's very, very sad. Absolutely the saddest of the series so far. Will Gabe be a central character going forward? I will find out. McGarrity always leaves you wanting more. More than Hillerman did.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Master story teller author Michael McGarrity's iconic Kevin Kerney returns for the fourth book in his outstanding series, "Hermit's Peak". Kerney is a deputy chief in New Meico's state police. Hobbling around on a bum knee and lonely with his recent girlfriend Lt. Colonel Sara Brannon in Korea, Kerney receives an inheritance of 6400 acres from spinster Erma Ferguson. Long ago Erma was the college roommate of Kerney's mother. Erma taught art history for many years and Kevin usually looked out for elderly woman. Kevin and pal Dale Jennings drive out to see Kerney's new land. Quickly they come across the shallow grave of a female who has been dead about a year. Along with a stray dog who looked in bad shape Kevin and Dale see several other things that are alarming. Soon Sara arrives to spend time with Kerney. However after a few days she runs off to Tucson to visit a close girlfriend from her Naval Academy days. Sara is conflicted knowing she's in love with Kerney but wants her military career to continue for ten more years. A long distance relationship with Kerney will never last ten years. Meanwhile Kerney is trying to determine the identity of the dead girl on his new land. Before long the town's biggest drug dealer is dead and a theft ring working out of Texas has the department tied up chasing suspects. Kerney starts honing down on the son of Sgt. Gabriel Gonzales as a suspect in his murder mystery. But Orlando Gonzales has disappeared from sight and his one time pal Bernardo Barela may be involved. In a riveting plot running 350 pages this thriller delivers with a packed punch. Emotionally touching and suspenseful author Michael McGarrity once again spins a top notch thriller. McGarrity's Kevin Kerney character never fails to deliver a Bogart like performance within the pages of his novels. I'm not sure how many of McGarrity's Kerney novels I've read over the years but they are a series that rereading is as enjoyable as the first time around. Every March at the Tucson Festival Of Books the one author who is a must see is Michael McGarrity. I've seen him speak at many many panels and he's an amazing story teller. Five stars out of a possible five stars for author Michael McGarrity's, "Hermit's Peak". McGarrity's Kevin Kerney series is a must for suspense thriller readers. Highly recommended, Keven Kerney is without a doubt a quintessential American lawman. Read this series over and over again !

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been a bit off on my suspense and thrillers reading lately. It's been mostly paranormal or cozy/amateur sleuth. I started this book so that I could get it to my dad before our trip next month so he'd have it to read. He passed away a few days after I started reading the book so I might keep on reading suspense and thrillers in memory of him. He loved his suspense mysteries.
This is a series I turned Dad onto, too. I read TULAROSA, the first book in the series, a long while back and knew Dad would love the premise. Kerney is an officer of the law and the books are more than just a mystery. It's about the characters involved and what they do and why. Intricately woven tales. I love them. And I have been away too long from the series and this author. It's being remedied now.
There are several voices telling the tale here, not just Kevin Kerney even though he's the main character. The reader knows most of the whodunit fairly early in the book. The beauty is in watching everyone work to find the culprit.
I can highly recommend this book, series and author. My dad would too.

[Tracy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wow, just terrible. We listened to the audio version of this on the way to actually climb Hermit Peak in New Mexico. It was a brutal struggle to finish the book. The writing style and dialogue were not to our taste. This may have been compounded by the reader being a monotone drudge who didn’t know how to pronounce many of the words. I can’t recommend this experience. It was only by the strictest discipline that we managed to finish. Two stars instead of one because the plot in itself could have made for an interesting story.

[Russell j. VanAllen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am prejudice as I have liked every book I have read in the Kevin Kerney Novels. I became acquainted with Michael McGarrity at an excellent bookstore in Santa Fe, NM while on an RV trip. I grew up loving the cowboy radio shows, then TV shows and western novels that my father and I read. I have read other modern-day western authors favoring McGarrity. I like his characters and his style of writing. I enjoy looking at maps while reading as his geography descriptions are good and yearn to travel back to this area someday.

[Ricky Ginsburg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the most exciting murder mystery out there. Slow to develop plot.

[Melody · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow to start but closes with emotions from all sides

[Janet Hutchinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The continuing saga. Still engaging and draws me in. When I finish, I run and put the next one on hold.

[Tom Ferguson · Rating 4 out of 5]

With multiple, interlaced story lines, lots of action and some edge of seat tension, this is the best Kevin Kerney detective novel yet. Well developed characters drive the story lines and they face real world issues and seem to react like real world people. I truly enjoyed this fast paced story. Looking forward to reading the next in the series - Under The Color Of Law.

[Susan Coley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much stuff going on in this book. Too many storylines left open. The banjo music at the end of a chapter was annoying.

[Anne, Unfinished Woman · Rating 4 out of 5]

SPOILER ALERT

Another fascinating story as Kevin Kerney deals with his inheritance of 64oo acres of mesa grasslands. Unfortunately he finds out that it is worth $13 million with a inheritance bite of $6 million. While Erma Fergurson wanted the gift free of taxes, she died before the trust to handle that piece could go into effect. Kevin, as the Deputy Chief of the New Mexico State Police has four cases on his hands. As he and his friend Dale Jennings are surveying his property they find skeletal remains. The dismembered body is scattered around the mesa and grasslands. He also finds a dog that is suffering from malnutrition, which he adopts and names Shoe, having found the body when the doge comes out of the trees with one shoe, then another. When Lane writes to him asking is he had found his dog Buster, and to send him to Lane, the best dog ever, Kevin is conflicted. Shoe/Buster is indeed a sweet and smart dog. But he sends him to Lane.

As they investigate a body is found on a property nearby. Carl Boaz was shot, and his property reveals a huge marijuana business, and stolen property. As they follow the leads, the woman who had been living with him, Wanda Know with her son Lane, are contacted in their new home in Arcadia CA. The boy remembers as truck, and can describe it fully, and Wanda tells of a man named Rudy who owed Carl money. Additionally Kevin and Dale find a timber cutting, that was done badly and was poached from his property. There is significant erosion. In the greenhouse they had also found some cactus, that one of men thought might be hallucinogenic, and takes the plants to an expert at the university. Professor Ruth Pino tells them that they are the rare Knowlton's cactus, only found in one other place in NM, the only place in the world, and now on Kevin property. It changes the direction of Kevin inheritance. The property also has a lease on it that Nestor Barela owns until the end of the year. He had sold the adjacent ranch now the Horse Canyon Ranch, owned by an English woman Alicia Bingham. They trace the remains to a young woman who had worked on the Ranch and on another, The Box Z.

She had been seen walking near the property, and also a pickup owned by Nestor with Bernardo and another person in it. He had been seen harassing her at both ranches. Part of the story is the relationship between Bernardo and the son on a police officer Orlando Gonzales. They reveal they had picked up Luiza San Miguel, a Mexican worker, raped and Bernardo had killed her. He has found the killing to his taste and is now stalking another woman. When Bernardo realizes that Orlando is going to tell what they did he murders him and buries his body on a road that is being worked on.

Following up on the stolen property, the police find a significant operation between NM and Texas, including the sale of stolen timber and appliances. Rudy Espinoza along with Joaquin Santistevan and others have been stealing from homes and businesses. They also solve this case.

At the same time Major Sara Brannon who has been in Korea, patrolling the DMZ, is involved in stopping a rogue North Korean from assassinating the Secretary of State, the president of South Korea, and the General in charge of Korean security. They find the tunnels into Panmunjon where a meeting was to take place. She had been watching a cougar that was active in the DMZ who had been spooked during a evening observance. The Army crawls in, is fired upon, a couple of men being hit, and kill and capture the North Koreans. They are all promoted including Sara to Lt. Col. She also gets an early return home, an decides to surprise Kevin. They had been writing to one another during the two year she was there. They rekindle their relationship and then decide to marry.

The discovered cactus leads to the Nature Conservancy making an offer for the entire piece of land, to keep it pristine and protect the cactus. Kevin will sell and become a wealthy man, able now to fulfill his dream of having a ranch. Once again McGarrity has written a creative and well plotted tale of the present west. The characters are well-developed and compelling and human, heroic and flawed. Always a fascinating read.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meeting the love of ones life

Very attractive series based on a lawman in New Mexico and his family. This is part of the series called the Kevin Kerney Novels. This paragraph applies to all books in this series. The story’s are great, but what makes this series stand out is how the country is worked into the story, It’s almost as if you are there. The author is a gifted story teller.

Do you need to read this series in order: Yes, it helps a lot. Note that Hard Country and Backlands (and one pending maybe) are the prequels.

Triggers: Cops and police situations, there are rapes, homicides, and crime.

When Kevin Kerney, deputy chief of the New Mexico State Police, inherits an unexpected windfall of 6,400 acres of high-county land, the last thing he wants to think about is work. But while visiting his new property, he comes across an ailing stray dog that leads him to the butchered bones of a murder victim near the rugged mountain of Hermit's Peak.After assigning the case to his subordinates, Kerney returns to Santa Fe to spend time with a woman he cares about, Sara Brannon, a career army officer who is visiting him on holiday. But his time with Sara must wait, as he is called back to Hermit's Peak when another body is found at a remote cabin. Now, Kerney must unearth the shattering truth about his new land and follow a twisting trail of blood through the majestic landscape of the American Southwest.

[Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in McGarrity's excellent Kevin Kerney series. Kerney is the ex-Santa Fe chief of detectives who was forced to retire after sustaining some gunshot wounds. But in this one he is now Chief of the New Mexico State Police. The novel starts out with Kerney inheriting a large piece of land outside of Las Vegas, New Mexico. While visiting the property, a stray dog leads him to some bones of a murder victim near the mesa of Hermit's Peak. The skeleton is incomplete but forensics determine that the victim was a young woman, probably Hispanic, who was probably raped and murdered. Meanwhile, Sara Brannon, the army major who worked with Kerney in the first book, TULAROSA, returns from her assignment in Korea with a promotion to Lieutenant Colonel. While Kerney works on his relationship with Sara, another murder takes place in a remote cabin near the site of some illegal clear cutting of timber. The victim also is near a greenhouse filled with a large crop of marijuana. So why was he killed?

This was really another compelling page-turner from McGarrity. The story took some interesting twists as Kerney and his deputies try to identify the young woman found on the mesa and the reasons behind the killing of the marijuana grower. This one really kept me reading and concluded with a very tragic turn of events for one of Kerney's deputies. I have one more book on my shelves from this series that I will be reading very soon.

[Wanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good mystery that moves along at a good pace interspersed with the romantic interest of the main character Kevin Kerney. As deputy chief of the state police he has his fingers in many areas and has to oversee a lot of things.
The story starts when he is surveying the land he has inherited and finds some human bones. His efforts to find out who the victim is leads to finding out about several other crimes. There are a lot of other police officers involved and the author gives some good descriptions and some background info on them. One of the officers is quite involved in the investigation and his son is connected to one of the suspects.
While investigating another death they come across across some rare plants and the professor who is interested in them is very pushy and wants everyone to drop what they are doing and just focus on what she wants to protect the plants. It adds an interesting side story to the main story.
Really enjoy this series and the descriptions of living in some remote western areas.

[Jennifer Bolton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This addition to the Kevin Kerney series is really a collaborative effort with plenty of other characters doing their bit to solve a murder. When his mother's long term friend, artist Erma Ferguson, dies of a stroke, Kerney discovers she's left him some prime land near Hermit's Peak. At last his dreams of owning a ranch just might come to fruition, except the discovery of human skeletal remains on his land creates a complication Kerney didn't expect. There's also evidence of illegal clear-cutting, the murder of a marijuana grower, and the discovery of an extremely rare and endangered cactus. The one good thing in Kerney's life is the return of newly promoted Lieutenant Colonel Sara Brannon, but her quick retreat to a friend's house in Sante Fe leaves Kerney wondering what he's done wrong. With murder investigations and love issues, Kerney's got his plate full. You'll have to read this one to see how it all pans out!

[Ken Finlay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four books in and no complaints - the series continues at full throttle. Kevin Kerney's dream has come true, he's been left a ranch by his old friend Erma - the downside comes with an astronomical tax bill.
Taking a tour of his new ranch he discovers that trees have been illegally felled and the eco-system badly damaged, nearby he find the skeletal remains of a young woman. The plots thicken with more murders, marijuana growing, smuggling and a rare species of cactus.
Keven Kerney's personal life begins to expand in several suprising way. An old flame, Sara Brannon, returns for a surprise visit and Kerney realises for the first time that she could be the one - Sara, however, is confused; do her feelings conflict with her career, is it possible to be married and continue to advance in the military? There is also another surprise when he is given a fine for trespassing on Indian land...
As always the landscape of New Mexico is not just a backdrop, it very much front and present.

[Dave Weller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hermit's Peak was another quality effort from Michael McGarrity. In this installment Kevin Kerney has inherited a ranch in northern New Mexico, and Sara Bannon returns after being a romantic interest in book one. Kerney discovers a skeleton on his new ranch land in the early going, and this proves to be integral to the main plot of the book. In addition, an unknown person clear cut a stand of trees near the northern border of the property. With his usual masterful touch, McGarrity blends these threads together to create a compelling thriller. Gabe Gonzales, a police sergeant in Las Vegas, NM becomes a central character in the book along with his son, Orlando, and the author does a nice job of creating their characters. Kerney's taciturn nature continues to be a frustration, especially regarding his significant other, but despite this, I raced through this novel in search of answers. Bring on book 5.

[Doug Sundseth · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Kevin Kerney series is as evocative of the sense of New Mexico as the Walt Longmire series is of Wyoming or the Leaphorn/Chee series is of Navajo country. The stories could not be told as well in any other setting. McGarrity obviously knows the area and its people and presents them in an enjoyable way.

Kerney is an excellent protagonist, with both flaws and virtues that are important to the stories told.

Unfortunately, this is a weaker entry in this book series than previous books, with two rather slight and largely unrelated stories intertwined, neither of which has the depth or emotional impact of previous books.

This is a solid police procedural, but not exemplary. It's entertaining, and will not stop me from reading further books by McGarrity, but it's only good, not great.

[Viva · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book on a vacation and by the time I came back I already couldn't keep track of the plot. That's because the whole series basically runs-on as one long book. All the events of Kerney's life goes from book to book while he solves crimes. Other reviewers have done a great job of summarizing the book so I won't write a lot. In this book Kearney solves the murder of a long buried woman on his just inherited ranch.

The strength of this series is in the development of the police investigation (the procedural part) and the development of the characters. The pace of the plot is somewhat low key but if you like police procedurals with character development set in the beautiful state of New Mexico, this series is for you.

[Taylor Segen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. Books have to be pretty amazing to get 4 stars from me and police procedurals are rarely truly amazing. I love the Kerney series. Great characters and the author is never afraid to kill one off. As a writer I find that to be an extremely difficult thing to do and perhaps it shows just how far McGarrity is willing to go for his creations. I started reading these books based on a recommendation of a friend who knew I was preparing to move to New Mexico. The author obviously loves the terrain, something that hasn't happened for me yet. Maybe McGarrity will , over time, sink it and I'll find redeeming qualities to rattle snakes and a high desert apart from amazingly low humidity. I do wonder why the title gives a possessive to "Hermit" as it is Hermit Peak minus the possessive.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I decided this series was sufficiently entertaining to continue reading, even after discovering that there are nearly 20 in the series. Fortunately I can read one in two hours, so that's ok.
In this episode Kerney inherits a huge chunk of land in the mountains and has to figure out how to pay the taxes... though the immediate discovery of a body on the land complicates things... almost as much as the discovery of a stand of rare cacti... forget the million dollars of weed grown at a nearby ranch. As usual, McGarrity slaps on the layers with a heavy brush (oh, yeah, there's a small painting angle).
I haven't looked up the murder rate in New Mexico, but the bodies in this series must inflate the number by at least a factor of three.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another engrossing story in this great series. Kevin Kerney continues his duties as deputy chief of the New Mexico State Police at the same time he is dealing with significant changes in his personal life. A woman he has been involved with off and on for several years returns from an overseas military stint, and Kerney is torn between work and time he can spend with her. And then his personal life and work become entangled when several dead bodies are discovered on a piece of land, 6,400 acres which have been left to him through the will of a deceased friend. This author is so talented in developing all these multiple plots, and his descriptions of the New Mexico desert mountain landscape are outstanding.

[virgil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining Police Procedural 4.5🌟

There is not a lot of action in this crime investigation novel, but that is more than compensated by the excellent investigation procedures. Tension is built as events and further evidence unfold. I really like how the author uses the secondary characters as temporary MC's when appropriate. It is much more realistic for the chief of a large department to assign investigation to subordinates than (as in a lot of books) solving every case himself. Characters, both principle and supportive, are important and well developed. The setting is exceptional in this modern western novel!

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

The four stars are not only for this particular title but for the series as a whole. I am always looking for new mystery authors and I seem to be late in discovering Michael McGarrity. Well written, well plotted and well developed characters. I always like a series with a sense of place and the stories are worked out through accurate descriptions of the mesas, mountains, arroyos, and deserts of New Mexico, as well as weaving in NM history. Definitely recommended for fans of TJ Box and Craig Johnson and there is also a bit of Connelly's Bosch in the character of Kevin Kerney.

[Nancy H · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very good mystery in the milieu of New Mexico. When Kerney inherits some property and goes to visit it, he finds not only that someone has been illegally taking timber off his property, but he finds bones that belong to a human body that someone has dismembered and tried to dispose of in the woods. Things get very complicated, and there are more deaths before Kerney can figure out how everything fits together and who actually committed the various crimes. This is a good story in an excellent series.

[Richard Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the Goodreads Blurb: Kevin Kerney of the New Mexico State Police investigates the apparent murder of an unidentified woman whose bones he had found on a beautiful ranch that he had just inherited.

Sara comes home. Exotic cacti. Shoe. A lot of the investigative work is in the hands of Gabe Gonzales, a Sergeant with the Las Vega Police force. Gabe is one of several good "supporting" characters. The bad guy is a very nasty bad guy.

This was book #3 on our 2022 Read-alouds List and book #2 on our Read-alouds with Lutrecia List.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

More gritty Western police work in New Mexico where the landscape again plays a primary role in the narrative. With Kevin Kerney limping from location to location, he very adeptly anticipates suspects movements and marshals his police force to corner the criminal. McGarrity has worked Kerney's love interests into this series and a background feature of the mystery but key aspect of Kerney's life. What I especially like about McGarrity's writing is that he doesn't indulge in excessive description of the demise of the antagonist.

[Al · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael McGarrity, is an addicting author. So far in the series he is able to bring you along through an investigation with all of the twists and turns a good mystery writer can lay before you. So far he has not disappointed me with his tales. As his own career must be a mirror of his main character Kevin Kerney. The horrific side to these investigations keeps me riveted reading "Just Another Chapter" before I set the book down for the night.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book displays Mr. McGarrity's improved plot development skills; the pace is engaging. He definitely knows police science, which can, sometimes, come off as clinical. Kevin Kerney is a well-developed character, but don't look for a highly emotional man. Kerney is a steely man of few words. McGarrity has established Sara, to my mind, as a fully actualize woman/soldier. Would like to see Sara giving Kerney feedback in future cases.