Blond Hair, Blue Eyes: An Emmett Hardy Crime Novel

by Chris Kelsey

“Poignant and funny, studded with characters who haunt your imagination long after you’ve read the final page.” —Anne Hillerman, New York Times bestselling author of The Way of the Bear on Kelsey’s Where the Hurt Is

Burr, Oklahoma, summer, 1976: On the eve of America’s Bicentennial celebration, a notorious local politician is assassinated at a campaign rally. The case seems open and shut; the killer—a young, anonymous homeless woman—is shot by police at the scene. With the death of the assassin, the lead investigator is content to write off the crime as a random act. Burr’s Chief of Police, Emmett Hardy, isn’t so sure. Hardy becomes convinced the killing is the culmination of something deeper and darker—a violent conspiracy that not only makes a mockery of justice but ultimately threatens his life and those around him. A tale of murder, revenge, and intrigue, Blond Hair, Blue Eyes is Emmett Hardy’s most difficult and exciting case yet.

287 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 2, 2024

Reviews

[Michael Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Six years ago I bought “Where the Hurt Is” by Christ Kelsey for the basic reason that we’d connected through my reviewing his music, then becoming friends on Facebook and me seeing his history of writing. I don’t know what I expected - but probably not that I’ve have pre-ordered every entry in the series in the ensuing years and thoroughly enjoyed them!

Blond Hair, Blue Eyes is the fifth Emmett Hardy mystery - and by my measure the best one since the second book in the series (Butcherville) set a nearly impossible standard. We know the characters, the setting, and the history - now it is time to solve a new mystery!

I really loved how at this point we’ve fully moved into the 70s, it is truly a different time from when we started. The history of the region also reflects those changes, but sometimes we just can’t escape the past. Emmett and Karen are at the center, but many other characters return but in new roles, along with new main and secondary characters.

I was 80% through the Kindle book and had a ton of thoughts about how the intertwined events and sprawling mysteries might have happened, but there was still so much to learn. What I loved was the pacing - it was never rushed or forced, things were revealed in a satisfying way and I felt part of how things resolved.

I’m not sure if the author plans for more books in the series - but it is set up well either way. Numerous things have been wrapped up, but there is still plenty for Chief Hardy and Red to do in little old Burr, OK.

[Michael Tower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trip down memory lane

I've been reading this series because I like a good who done it mystery and Mr. Kelsey writes such.
That his tales are set in Oklahoma is a bonus as I'm an Okie, born and raised. As such, I form a mental image of each town, business, event, or personality he mentions, finding each description accurate.
I highly recommend this book and the series to those who enjoy gritty, fast-paced mystery stories.

[Dianna Coffee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Chief Hardy !!!

I’m invested with these characters and I’m ready for the next read… I live in small town rural Oklahoma!!! Lindsay OK population under 3000…I really enjoy the descriptions of the times and what is occurring in the state… it’s nostalgic or familiar! I know the Hardys will find justice in the end but this book had a lot of moving parts 🤗

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second novel I have read by Chris Kelsey and I really like his style. Great characters, especially Emmett and I like the way he addresses his readers acknowledging we’re reading his story. Not sure if Oklahoma is so racist & corrupt these days - assuming it was exaggerated for dramatic effect! Really get a feeling for the location and small town pettiness. Leon’s story is very sad and even Emmett has to speculate as to his girlfriend’s identity, back story and actions prior to the shooting.
Realised that I’m reading this series out of order having read the first & then this one! Not sure it matters but now need to go back in time to complete Emmett’s story.

[Linna]

I have read all 5 in the Emmitt Hardy series by Chris Kelsey. These books truly capture your imagination and keep your attention until the very end. Being from Oklahoma, myself they were truly a trip home!

[Camilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chris Kelsey is an exceptional writer. I just finished the final book in his Emmett Hardy series, and I am hoping to see more of them. Few authors have made me laugh out loud as much as Kelsey has, not only in this book but throughout the entire series. As someone who grew up in western Oklahoma and lived in Norman, I have a personal connection to Emmett Hardy’s world—he could easily have been the police chief in my own small town. Recognizing familiar names of towns and places such as Arnett, Vici, Woodward, the Sunshine Store in Norman, and the Glove Man, makes the experience even more special and nostalgic for me. I wish I could rate Kelsey's books higher than five stars.

[Lee Tyner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great, but a Consistent Flaw

This is my fifth Emmettt Hardy book. Great as always. The story is a little intricate at times but it all comes together. The one star deduction is how the author names people too similarly. For example, Kathy, Kath, and Karen. Then there’s Joe, Joe John, and Joel. There’s also Emmett, Everette, Edgar, and Edgar Jr. Oh, and Herksher, Hawpe, Hopalong, and Hooks. Also, several characters had names like Jim Jameson, Steve Stack, and Gary Gracer. What gives? Hard to keep the characters straight, especially with an intricate story.

[Barry Bridges · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Up next in my Oklahoma reminiscing, Chief Hardy chases a murder of a local politician. Not as much scenery as previously, but still some excellent period references to stir the memories. I love the characters, Hardy and his band of tiny town cops, his interactions with the beautiful Red. Past threads intertwine and build on previous books in the series.

[Suzen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good tale that brings full circle the corruption of the small town of Burr, Oklahoma and the killing of a black family getting runout of town on a rail. When a mysterious fire occurs and an unidentified John Doe, and then the shooting of a Jane Doe, the corruption runs really deep and over decades. Good series setup, and liked all the Oklahoma references.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kelsey delivers again

Kelsey succeeds in packing a lot of crime into a small town. Things were different in the 70s and crimes got solved even without DNA analysis and cell phones. It’s reassuring.

[Scout Cloud Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Complex and engaging. I don't usually like crime novels But this 1 sucked me in.

Anyone who likes A good whodunit Crime novel will enjoy this read. I enjoyed it enough to sneak out and read a few more Books by Chris Kelsey.

[DENNIS g BRUNSWICK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good

I don't think this author has ever written a bad novel, and he hasn't with this one either. A nice easy read..

[Susan Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

another good Emmett hardy mystery

Good story with some unsuspecting twists and turns. This is a good series with small town , believable crooked politics and murder.