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First Chance
First Chance
is a suspenseful thriller that listeners can’t wait to sink their teeth into—perfect for fans of Sue Grafton, Michael Connelly, and
Mare of Easttown.
Chance Kirby isn’t new to detective work, but starting over in Hopeful, Texas is a big step. Determined to leave behind her father and stepmother’s shadow and carve out a future of her own, she opens a small PI agency expecting missing heirlooms and small disputes. What she gets is anything but.
Darla Weaver’s sister, Patience, was found abandoned on the roadside months ago. The official investigation has gone cold, leaving Darla without answers. Frustrated by the town’s indifference and desperate to know what really happened, she turns to Chance.
As she begins to dig, Chance discovers a small town brimming with secrets, uncovering layers of eccentricities, unexpected alliances, and quiet tensions simmering just beneath the surface. Slowly, Chance begins to suspect that Patience’s murder may be only one shade of a much darker pattern …
Chance Kirby isn’t new to detective work, but starting over in Hopeful, Texas is a big step. Determined to leave behind her father and stepmother’s shadow and carve out a future of her own, she opens a small PI agency expecting missing heirlooms and small disputes. What she gets is anything but.
Darla Weaver’s sister, Patience, was found abandoned on the roadside months ago. The official investigation has gone cold, leaving Darla without answers. Frustrated by the town’s indifference and desperate to know what really happened, she turns to Chance.
As she begins to dig, Chance discovers a small town brimming with secrets, uncovering layers of eccentricities, unexpected alliances, and quiet tensions simmering just beneath the surface. Slowly, Chance begins to suspect that Patience’s murder may be only one shade of a much darker pattern …
359 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 8, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
September 14, 2026
FIRST CHANCE Kasey Lansdale ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
There are some good twists and it kept me guessing. But it was the characters that I loved the most. Particularly Chance Kirby—she's a fighter and she struggles, but she knows the difference between people doing the wrong things not necessarily because they are bad but because they are broken, while still standing firm against what is inexcusable.
Small-town, East Texas mystery where the three main characters are female and are united to find out why girls are being killed, while also trying to find their own place in this life and being good to and for each other.
The dialogue is very relatable to me as I live in TX. It's snappy and reflective. Kasey writes and speaks in a language that I absolutely love. The story hits on an emotional level because of the bond between the women. There are dark, sad moments, both in the people and the town.
I enjoyed the humor, warmth, and just laugh out loud parts, like a certain minor character who named his pink Chevy "The Panty Dropper." And I spotted some easter eggs that fans of Joe R. Lansdale will smile over.
Also, a big shoutout to Sissy, a very good dog.
I hope this is just the beginning for Chance. I would love to follow along on whatever future cases she takes on, even if they take on her sometimes.
Notes on the audiobook:
Expert narration. I know Kasey Lansdale's voicework from her dad's (Joe R. Lansdale) books, especially Fender Lizards and The Donut Legion. I think she outdid herself with this narration. Her story, her voice, her time.
There are some good twists and it kept me guessing. But it was the characters that I loved the most. Particularly Chance Kirby—she's a fighter and she struggles, but she knows the difference between people doing the wrong things not necessarily because they are bad but because they are broken, while still standing firm against what is inexcusable.
Small-town, East Texas mystery where the three main characters are female and are united to find out why girls are being killed, while also trying to find their own place in this life and being good to and for each other.
The dialogue is very relatable to me as I live in TX. It's snappy and reflective. Kasey writes and speaks in a language that I absolutely love. The story hits on an emotional level because of the bond between the women. There are dark, sad moments, both in the people and the town.
I enjoyed the humor, warmth, and just laugh out loud parts, like a certain minor character who named his pink Chevy "The Panty Dropper." And I spotted some easter eggs that fans of Joe R. Lansdale will smile over.
Also, a big shoutout to Sissy, a very good dog.
I hope this is just the beginning for Chance. I would love to follow along on whatever future cases she takes on, even if they take on her sometimes.
Notes on the audiobook:
Expert narration. I know Kasey Lansdale's voicework from her dad's (Joe R. Lansdale) books, especially Fender Lizards and The Donut Legion. I think she outdid herself with this narration. Her story, her voice, her time.
September 13, 2026
When reviewing a debut novel (especially one as strong as this), I’d typically consider it in poor form to ruminate overmuch on the author in relation to their already famous relatives. But Kasey Lansdale makes it all but impossible to avoid, seemingly on purpose, at least if one’s already a longtime fan of her father, author Joe R. Lansdale.
Kasey Lansdale’s FIRST CHANCE simultaneously is and isn’t a spinoff of her dad’s long-running Hap & Leonard series, which has followed the titular rough-an’-tumble best friends since the early 90s to the present. That series’ more recent entries delt with Hap’s discovery of his long lost daughter Chance, who came to fit right in with the rest of the growing found-family explored and developed over the course of those books. Meanwhile, Joe’s real-life daughter Kasey has grown up to have a successful singer-songwriting career, while occasionally collaborating with her dad on anthologized short fiction. So come time for her to unleash her own debut novel upon the world, and it’s an East Texas crime thriller where our heroine/narrator is a young lady named Chance, who’s just moved to a new town to start her own detective agency, out of the shadow of her father’s reputation in the same profession. Said father is herein referred to as “John Kirby” as opposed to Hap Collins, but from everything we hear about him, in both Chance’s backstory and other anecdotal references, it’s not exactly subtle who the guy really is.
Ol’ Joe has openly acknowledged over the years how his recurring hero/narrator Hap is a semi-self-portrait, so when Chance acts in certain ways and people point out (with affection and/or chagrin) that she’s definitely her father’s daughter, the meta double-speak couldn’t be more obvious or deliberate.
The family resemblance carries over into the razor-sharp prose, characterization, dark humor, and pervasive flavor of backroads weirdness and local color. I very quickly found myself feeling right at home, but what really sucked me in and held my attention was getting to know Kasey’s own voice. Chance’s first big case quickly ensnares her in an ongoing serial killer investigation, which as the twists and turns escalate, threaten not just her but those close to her, such as her adopted little sister/ward Tia, her best friend Izzy aka Police Chief Lopez, and a number of other personal connections I can’t really get into for fear of spoilers. Other recognizable folks show up from the H&L universe, also under different names, though what’s revelatory is perceiving these same people through Chance’s eyes as opposed to Hap’s, not in contrast, but rather in illumination of the multifaceted nature of people in general, and of how the best fictional characters come to feel like living, breathing, three-dimensional beings; as two people can look at the same picture and see something totally different, so you or I might stand before our best friend, or before their spouse/kid/acquaintance etcetera, and no two of them are likely to perceive us in quite the same way, or focus on the same details. This theme is further explored through the central murder investigation plot, in how Kasey threads the needle between mystery genre mechanics (who is/isn’t what they seem, how much should Chance or us, the reader, trust them, etc), with her own insights and ruminations on the stickiness of human complexity.
Lansdale keeps the pages turning while the intrigue and danger piles up at a steady clip, though she also has a fine sense of when to let us catch our breath and just hang out with her characters for a bit…which is no big ask in and of itself, since Chance and her found family are a fun, likable bunch to hang out with, though she lets this wander further than mystery thrillers often do, reminding us even amidst a murder investigation, mundane day-to-day life goes on too…except be careful not get too relaxed, because you just never know when something like walking the dog, or taking the kid to the pool, or visiting relatives, or fixing dinner, might collide with one’s dangerous professional life, without warning.
Nor is Lansdale overly beholden to conventional narrative structure; at one point late in, everything appeared to be definitively wrapping itself up for this kind of tale…only for me to notice there were nearly a hundred pages to go. And sure enough, Lansdale had a couple more rugs to yank out from beneath my feet, before all was said and done. I hope she gives Chance plenty more chances to do so, in many more books to come.
Kasey Lansdale’s FIRST CHANCE simultaneously is and isn’t a spinoff of her dad’s long-running Hap & Leonard series, which has followed the titular rough-an’-tumble best friends since the early 90s to the present. That series’ more recent entries delt with Hap’s discovery of his long lost daughter Chance, who came to fit right in with the rest of the growing found-family explored and developed over the course of those books. Meanwhile, Joe’s real-life daughter Kasey has grown up to have a successful singer-songwriting career, while occasionally collaborating with her dad on anthologized short fiction. So come time for her to unleash her own debut novel upon the world, and it’s an East Texas crime thriller where our heroine/narrator is a young lady named Chance, who’s just moved to a new town to start her own detective agency, out of the shadow of her father’s reputation in the same profession. Said father is herein referred to as “John Kirby” as opposed to Hap Collins, but from everything we hear about him, in both Chance’s backstory and other anecdotal references, it’s not exactly subtle who the guy really is.
Ol’ Joe has openly acknowledged over the years how his recurring hero/narrator Hap is a semi-self-portrait, so when Chance acts in certain ways and people point out (with affection and/or chagrin) that she’s definitely her father’s daughter, the meta double-speak couldn’t be more obvious or deliberate.
The family resemblance carries over into the razor-sharp prose, characterization, dark humor, and pervasive flavor of backroads weirdness and local color. I very quickly found myself feeling right at home, but what really sucked me in and held my attention was getting to know Kasey’s own voice. Chance’s first big case quickly ensnares her in an ongoing serial killer investigation, which as the twists and turns escalate, threaten not just her but those close to her, such as her adopted little sister/ward Tia, her best friend Izzy aka Police Chief Lopez, and a number of other personal connections I can’t really get into for fear of spoilers. Other recognizable folks show up from the H&L universe, also under different names, though what’s revelatory is perceiving these same people through Chance’s eyes as opposed to Hap’s, not in contrast, but rather in illumination of the multifaceted nature of people in general, and of how the best fictional characters come to feel like living, breathing, three-dimensional beings; as two people can look at the same picture and see something totally different, so you or I might stand before our best friend, or before their spouse/kid/acquaintance etcetera, and no two of them are likely to perceive us in quite the same way, or focus on the same details. This theme is further explored through the central murder investigation plot, in how Kasey threads the needle between mystery genre mechanics (who is/isn’t what they seem, how much should Chance or us, the reader, trust them, etc), with her own insights and ruminations on the stickiness of human complexity.
Lansdale keeps the pages turning while the intrigue and danger piles up at a steady clip, though she also has a fine sense of when to let us catch our breath and just hang out with her characters for a bit…which is no big ask in and of itself, since Chance and her found family are a fun, likable bunch to hang out with, though she lets this wander further than mystery thrillers often do, reminding us even amidst a murder investigation, mundane day-to-day life goes on too…except be careful not get too relaxed, because you just never know when something like walking the dog, or taking the kid to the pool, or visiting relatives, or fixing dinner, might collide with one’s dangerous professional life, without warning.
Nor is Lansdale overly beholden to conventional narrative structure; at one point late in, everything appeared to be definitively wrapping itself up for this kind of tale…only for me to notice there were nearly a hundred pages to go. And sure enough, Lansdale had a couple more rugs to yank out from beneath my feet, before all was said and done. I hope she gives Chance plenty more chances to do so, in many more books to come.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The fact that Chance Kirby opened a brand new private investigation business expecting cheating spouses and missing grandma jewelry, then immediately stumbled into what was basically decades of everyone in town collectively pretending not to notice a predator... ma'am. You picked the absolute worst possible week to become self-employed.
Hopeful, Texas has that very specific small-town energy where everybody knows everybody until it's suddenly time to know absolutely nothing. Every conversation had me squinting like, "You're being weirdly calm for someone who definitely has at least three secrets and an old truck." By the time Chance started pulling on one little thread, the whole town started unraveling like an old sweater that should've stayed in the donation pile.
I really liked that Chance doesn't roll into town acting like the smartest person in every room. She asks questions. She gets things wrong. She has to wait for leads. She second-guesses herself. Honestly, it made me trust her more because watching someone magically solve everything in three chapters is fun exactly once. Watching someone slowly piece together a case while occasionally making decisions that had me yelling, "Girl... maybe don't go THERE by yourself?" felt much more believable.
The real MVPs, though? Tia and Sissy. Tia has the exact personality that hears "stay out of it" as friendly encouragement, and I kind of respected the commitment. Their little found family situation ended up being one of my favorite parts because it gave the story room to breathe between all the murder, lies, and increasingly suspicious men wandering around Texas. And Sissy deserves unlimited treats simply for existing in the middle of all this chaos without filing for emotional compensation.
Then there's Izzy, who immediately became one of those characters I wanted in every scene. Her friendship with Chance gives the whole story its heartbeat. They actually feel like people who trust each other instead of becoming instant best friends because the plot needed it. Toss Officer Riley into the mix, throw enough suspects onto the table to make everyone look guilty at least once, and suddenly I was mentally updating my suspect list every other chapter like I was preparing evidence for a jury that absolutely did not ask for my opinions.
What surprised me most was how quietly the story kept circling back to the women at its center. Beneath all the investigating, there are people carrying grief that never really got acknowledged, survivors trying to build something better, and this really satisfying thread of found family holding everyone together when blood family either couldn't or wouldn't. It never stopped feeling like the murders mattered because the victims mattered, and that's harder to pull off than it looks.
I will say there were stretches where I found myself wishing everyone would stop politely discussing things and just kick another door open already. The investigation takes its time, which worked for me more often than not, but every now and then I could feel myself bouncing impatiently in my seat waiting for the next domino to fall. Thankfully, once those dominoes started going, they really committed to the assignment.
This ended up being one of those mysteries where I wasn't racing through it because explosions were happening every five pages. I kept reading because I genuinely wanted Chance, Tia, Izzy, and yes, obviously Sissy, to come out the other side okay. That's a pretty solid reason to keep turning pages. This landed at a comfortable 3.5 stars for me, and I'd absolutely show up to see what disaster Chance accidentally signs herself up for next.
Whodunity Award: For Making Me Side-Eye Every Friendly Guy Within a Fifty-Mile Radius of Hopeful, Texas
And thank you to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC. I came for one murder investigation and somehow left emotionally attached to a detective, a teenager, a police chief, and one extremely good dog. I would like to invoice someone for that.
Hopeful, Texas has that very specific small-town energy where everybody knows everybody until it's suddenly time to know absolutely nothing. Every conversation had me squinting like, "You're being weirdly calm for someone who definitely has at least three secrets and an old truck." By the time Chance started pulling on one little thread, the whole town started unraveling like an old sweater that should've stayed in the donation pile.
I really liked that Chance doesn't roll into town acting like the smartest person in every room. She asks questions. She gets things wrong. She has to wait for leads. She second-guesses herself. Honestly, it made me trust her more because watching someone magically solve everything in three chapters is fun exactly once. Watching someone slowly piece together a case while occasionally making decisions that had me yelling, "Girl... maybe don't go THERE by yourself?" felt much more believable.
The real MVPs, though? Tia and Sissy. Tia has the exact personality that hears "stay out of it" as friendly encouragement, and I kind of respected the commitment. Their little found family situation ended up being one of my favorite parts because it gave the story room to breathe between all the murder, lies, and increasingly suspicious men wandering around Texas. And Sissy deserves unlimited treats simply for existing in the middle of all this chaos without filing for emotional compensation.
Then there's Izzy, who immediately became one of those characters I wanted in every scene. Her friendship with Chance gives the whole story its heartbeat. They actually feel like people who trust each other instead of becoming instant best friends because the plot needed it. Toss Officer Riley into the mix, throw enough suspects onto the table to make everyone look guilty at least once, and suddenly I was mentally updating my suspect list every other chapter like I was preparing evidence for a jury that absolutely did not ask for my opinions.
What surprised me most was how quietly the story kept circling back to the women at its center. Beneath all the investigating, there are people carrying grief that never really got acknowledged, survivors trying to build something better, and this really satisfying thread of found family holding everyone together when blood family either couldn't or wouldn't. It never stopped feeling like the murders mattered because the victims mattered, and that's harder to pull off than it looks.
I will say there were stretches where I found myself wishing everyone would stop politely discussing things and just kick another door open already. The investigation takes its time, which worked for me more often than not, but every now and then I could feel myself bouncing impatiently in my seat waiting for the next domino to fall. Thankfully, once those dominoes started going, they really committed to the assignment.
This ended up being one of those mysteries where I wasn't racing through it because explosions were happening every five pages. I kept reading because I genuinely wanted Chance, Tia, Izzy, and yes, obviously Sissy, to come out the other side okay. That's a pretty solid reason to keep turning pages. This landed at a comfortable 3.5 stars for me, and I'd absolutely show up to see what disaster Chance accidentally signs herself up for next.
Whodunity Award: For Making Me Side-Eye Every Friendly Guy Within a Fifty-Mile Radius of Hopeful, Texas
And thank you to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC. I came for one murder investigation and somehow left emotionally attached to a detective, a teenager, a police chief, and one extremely good dog. I would like to invoice someone for that.
September 8, 2026
It is summer in deep Southeast Texas and all that entails as First Chance by Kasey Lansdale begins. Heat, humidity, drought, and a side of murder. It has been 10 months since 16-year-old Patience Milroy had been found with her throat cut, missing a shoe, and her clothes on backwards. She had not been raped. So why was she killed. And why were her clothes put back on her backwards? Local police have not figured out either question and are no closer to doing so than the day she was found tossed into the high grass along a roadside.
Darla Weaver, married, and sister to Patience, has come to see Chance Kirby. She wants to hire her to look into the case and find the killer of her baby sister. This is going to be her first case as a fully licensed private investigator, but Chance has worked cases before for her step mom, Harper Jones. So, she knows some things. Her dad, John Kirby, also does investigative work, and it seems that the apple did not fall far from the tree.
As the local private eye in Hopeful, Texas, down near Houston, Chance Kirby knows some people. While Chance knew a bit about the Patience case, she did not know about the case, in a nearby small town, where another young woman was found dead in nearly identical circumstances. That case seems to mirror what happened a few months later with Chance. According to Darla, the respective police departments didn’t tell each other about their cases. The cops now call it all a coincidence, but Darla does not buy that. She also does not think much of the cops, or even Chance now that she has met her.
Yet, Darla is desperate, and at her whits end. She decides to go ahead and hire Chance to try and get some answers. Good thing Chance has contacts in her local police department and some other folks she can count on in the weeks ahead.
Finding the truth about what happened to Patience and others is going to take considerable time. Chance also has her hands full with a teenage foster daughter, a dog that gets loose, and a complicated relationship with her family. All of those situations provide an enjoyable backdrop to the main story line of Chance finding out what happened to Patience and trying very hard not to get killed doing it.
While it reads to me as this could be the first book of a planned series, I have no idea if that is the plan or not. It could just be a really good stand alone, but there are a lot of support beams here for the floor of a series. Either way, First Chance by Kasey Lansdale is a complicated and really good mystery. It is very much worth your time.
My digital reading copy came from the publisher, Blackstone Publishing, through NetGalley, with no expectation of a positive review.
Kevin R. Tipple 2026
Darla Weaver, married, and sister to Patience, has come to see Chance Kirby. She wants to hire her to look into the case and find the killer of her baby sister. This is going to be her first case as a fully licensed private investigator, but Chance has worked cases before for her step mom, Harper Jones. So, she knows some things. Her dad, John Kirby, also does investigative work, and it seems that the apple did not fall far from the tree.
As the local private eye in Hopeful, Texas, down near Houston, Chance Kirby knows some people. While Chance knew a bit about the Patience case, she did not know about the case, in a nearby small town, where another young woman was found dead in nearly identical circumstances. That case seems to mirror what happened a few months later with Chance. According to Darla, the respective police departments didn’t tell each other about their cases. The cops now call it all a coincidence, but Darla does not buy that. She also does not think much of the cops, or even Chance now that she has met her.
Yet, Darla is desperate, and at her whits end. She decides to go ahead and hire Chance to try and get some answers. Good thing Chance has contacts in her local police department and some other folks she can count on in the weeks ahead.
Finding the truth about what happened to Patience and others is going to take considerable time. Chance also has her hands full with a teenage foster daughter, a dog that gets loose, and a complicated relationship with her family. All of those situations provide an enjoyable backdrop to the main story line of Chance finding out what happened to Patience and trying very hard not to get killed doing it.
While it reads to me as this could be the first book of a planned series, I have no idea if that is the plan or not. It could just be a really good stand alone, but there are a lot of support beams here for the floor of a series. Either way, First Chance by Kasey Lansdale is a complicated and really good mystery. It is very much worth your time.
My digital reading copy came from the publisher, Blackstone Publishing, through NetGalley, with no expectation of a positive review.
Kevin R. Tipple 2026
September 25, 2026
I love Southern-themed books, and this one was an unexpected gem. Chance Kirby is determined to step out of her father and stepmother’s shadow and forge her own path as a private investigator. After learning the ropes from them, she opens a small agency, expecting to take on minor cases while she gains experience. Instead, Darla Weaver walks into her office with a far more serious problem: Darla believes her sister, Patience, was murdered. A previous investigator had already taken Darla’s money, misled her, and padded his bill, leaving her frustrated and still searching for answers.
Tired of empty promises, Darla takes a chance on Chance—and for good reason. Although Chance is still inexperienced, her instincts lead her into places she would rather avoid. Once she accepts the case, she keeps Darla informed at every step. The investigation grows increasingly frustrating as each lead points in the wrong direction. Chance realizes that the people she thought she knew may not be who they seem, and mounting suspicion begins to shake her confidence. Then one person catches her attention, and she refuses to let go until she uncovers the truth and secures justice for Patience.
Overall, this was an enjoyable story with a strong Southern atmosphere, a convincing small-town setting, and memorable characters. The pacing occasionally dragged, and some sections included more detail than necessary, but the action kept me engaged. The characters felt lifelike and worth investing in, especially Chance. She is lovable, intelligent, tough, and relentless when the situation demands it—a compelling female lead who can hold her own in a fight. I would take a second “chance” on another book featuring this PI.
Tired of empty promises, Darla takes a chance on Chance—and for good reason. Although Chance is still inexperienced, her instincts lead her into places she would rather avoid. Once she accepts the case, she keeps Darla informed at every step. The investigation grows increasingly frustrating as each lead points in the wrong direction. Chance realizes that the people she thought she knew may not be who they seem, and mounting suspicion begins to shake her confidence. Then one person catches her attention, and she refuses to let go until she uncovers the truth and secures justice for Patience.
Overall, this was an enjoyable story with a strong Southern atmosphere, a convincing small-town setting, and memorable characters. The pacing occasionally dragged, and some sections included more detail than necessary, but the action kept me engaged. The characters felt lifelike and worth investing in, especially Chance. She is lovable, intelligent, tough, and relentless when the situation demands it—a compelling female lead who can hold her own in a fight. I would take a second “chance” on another book featuring this PI.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Sassy detective story that’s a debut for both the author and her character, newly on-her-own PI, Chance Kirby. Chance is a fresh voice in the detective genre but to me in a style classic noir style of narration - shades of Robert Montgomery as Philip Marlowe on my favorite noir movie, Lady in the Lake. But since the story takes place in Texas, I must add there is an element of Southern gothic as well.
Chance has greet professional drive, only followed by her love for her ward, Tia, and her dog, Sissy - who wouldn’t like some with a dog. When sixteen Patricia Milroy is found dead, her half sister, Darla, hires her because the police don’t seem to be getting anywhere, especially when there is a similar murder one town over that they are ignoring. Chance knows police chief, Izzy Lopez - another woman of color - and with her help (Chance is hired by Izzy to help investigate the murders), and Tia’s (she’s Chance’s techie help, and another PI the case seems to be going somewhere. But then a suspicious threatening note appears and it maybe that someone on the police force is involved. Now Chance has to be careful for herself as well as Tia.
I really liked Chance. She’s a great character, so I hope we see more of her. The detective story is small town so there aren’t leaps all over the place. You get to know the supporting characters as a result. The twists were to be at least minimal and the ending is satisfying.
This is a perfect book for lovers of classic noir mysteries or those who enjoy small town mysteries as well.
My thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for allowing me access to this ARC.
Chance has greet professional drive, only followed by her love for her ward, Tia, and her dog, Sissy - who wouldn’t like some with a dog. When sixteen Patricia Milroy is found dead, her half sister, Darla, hires her because the police don’t seem to be getting anywhere, especially when there is a similar murder one town over that they are ignoring. Chance knows police chief, Izzy Lopez - another woman of color - and with her help (Chance is hired by Izzy to help investigate the murders), and Tia’s (she’s Chance’s techie help, and another PI the case seems to be going somewhere. But then a suspicious threatening note appears and it maybe that someone on the police force is involved. Now Chance has to be careful for herself as well as Tia.
I really liked Chance. She’s a great character, so I hope we see more of her. The detective story is small town so there aren’t leaps all over the place. You get to know the supporting characters as a result. The twists were to be at least minimal and the ending is satisfying.
This is a perfect book for lovers of classic noir mysteries or those who enjoy small town mysteries as well.
My thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for allowing me access to this ARC.
August 31, 2026
Arc Review:
A young woman gets her first case as a PI to find a killer… soon she learns that it’s a serial killer & this case becomes much more complicated & a bit life threatening!
This story was a bit of a change for me as I don’t read police procedural stories, and the slower pacing was so different from the quick chaos of what I am used to! But it makes sense for the type of story this is. (More of a mystery than a thriller.)
As with any mystery story, the suspect pool is large, and the evidence gathering is tedious! I started off thinking the killer was 1 person until I switched to thinking maybe it was 2 people… I was partly right, but when you only have little nuggets of info (cause you are in Chance’s pov) it’s tough to make the leaps!
The side characters are my favorite part! Billie Jean & Joe Dean, Tia & Sissy! Absolutely love them! And such an array of characters they were! A trans woman who knows how to sleuth in databases, wise yet gruff ole redneck PI who’s always “just passin through”, a sassy teen obsessed with McDonald’s & a German Shepard who gives zero fucks!
The representation on east Texas was fucking perfect! Majority of assholes here are racist, close minded, backwoods bible thumpers… but when you find truly “good people” who help/support/protect each other you couldn’t ask for a better community!
Thank you Kasey Lansdale for sending me the physical Arc & to NetGalley for allowing me to read the ebook!
A young woman gets her first case as a PI to find a killer… soon she learns that it’s a serial killer & this case becomes much more complicated & a bit life threatening!
This story was a bit of a change for me as I don’t read police procedural stories, and the slower pacing was so different from the quick chaos of what I am used to! But it makes sense for the type of story this is. (More of a mystery than a thriller.)
As with any mystery story, the suspect pool is large, and the evidence gathering is tedious! I started off thinking the killer was 1 person until I switched to thinking maybe it was 2 people… I was partly right, but when you only have little nuggets of info (cause you are in Chance’s pov) it’s tough to make the leaps!
The side characters are my favorite part! Billie Jean & Joe Dean, Tia & Sissy! Absolutely love them! And such an array of characters they were! A trans woman who knows how to sleuth in databases, wise yet gruff ole redneck PI who’s always “just passin through”, a sassy teen obsessed with McDonald’s & a German Shepard who gives zero fucks!
The representation on east Texas was fucking perfect! Majority of assholes here are racist, close minded, backwoods bible thumpers… but when you find truly “good people” who help/support/protect each other you couldn’t ask for a better community!
Thank you Kasey Lansdale for sending me the physical Arc & to NetGalley for allowing me to read the ebook!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Every detective has to survive their first case. Every writer has to survive their first novel. Kasey Lansdale pulls off both with First Chance, a debut that mixes classic PI fiction with a healthy helping of East Texas attitude.
Chance Kirby isn't a super-sleuth. She interviews people, waits for leads, makes mistakes, and slowly pieces together a cold murder case. That grounded approach is refreshing, even if the investigation occasionally spins its tires. A little less world-building and a few more detours into side cases would've kept the engine humming. But once Lansdale floors it, the story kicks like a Texas twister. Better yet, Chance's friendship with Police Chief Izzy Lopez gives the novel a warmth and authenticity that makes you want to follow these characters into the next book.
First Chance isn't a perfect debut, but it's an honest, confident, and thoroughly entertaining one. Kasey Lansdale proves she has a voice all her own, seasoned with plenty of Texas charm and just enough grit to leave you eager for Chance Kirby's next case.
Read my full review over on Read @ Joe's for the complete breakdown, favorite moments, and why I'd happily ride shotgun for Case No. 2.
Chance Kirby isn't a super-sleuth. She interviews people, waits for leads, makes mistakes, and slowly pieces together a cold murder case. That grounded approach is refreshing, even if the investigation occasionally spins its tires. A little less world-building and a few more detours into side cases would've kept the engine humming. But once Lansdale floors it, the story kicks like a Texas twister. Better yet, Chance's friendship with Police Chief Izzy Lopez gives the novel a warmth and authenticity that makes you want to follow these characters into the next book.
First Chance isn't a perfect debut, but it's an honest, confident, and thoroughly entertaining one. Kasey Lansdale proves she has a voice all her own, seasoned with plenty of Texas charm and just enough grit to leave you eager for Chance Kirby's next case.
Read my full review over on Read @ Joe's for the complete breakdown, favorite moments, and why I'd happily ride shotgun for Case No. 2.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
"First Chance" torched the rest of my TBR pile with no mercy as soon as I picked it up. This is not a common occurrence, but Kasey Lansdale's debut is a rare thing. I fully inhabited the world of Hopeful, Texas, while reading -- and every time I was forced to put the book down, it called me back.
"First Chance," laced with sharp (and sassy) dialogue, leads our newly-solo PI and matchless crew on a chase to find a cold case killer. The intriguing rollout of this case, with higher and higher stakes at every turn, draws everyone into its maze alongside Chance and Tia, and let's not forget a couple of really awesome canine characters.
Fans of John Connolly's fast-burning Charlie Parker series will find a refreshing in-between read with a gritty flavor, layers of detection deep enough to sink teeth into, and plenty of action in "First Chance." Hang on for the ride, and let's hope this is the first of many Chance Kirby adventures to come!
Chance Kirby and her found family are far from perfect, but all the more enjoyable for it. The motto "Nose forward, ears back," printed on the new business cards for her small startup agency, will no doubt pop into my head at needed moments in life from now on, and I will be glad of it. "First Chance," best chance -- until the next one comes out please please please, and then we get to do it all again!
"First Chance," laced with sharp (and sassy) dialogue, leads our newly-solo PI and matchless crew on a chase to find a cold case killer. The intriguing rollout of this case, with higher and higher stakes at every turn, draws everyone into its maze alongside Chance and Tia, and let's not forget a couple of really awesome canine characters.
Fans of John Connolly's fast-burning Charlie Parker series will find a refreshing in-between read with a gritty flavor, layers of detection deep enough to sink teeth into, and plenty of action in "First Chance." Hang on for the ride, and let's hope this is the first of many Chance Kirby adventures to come!
Chance Kirby and her found family are far from perfect, but all the more enjoyable for it. The motto "Nose forward, ears back," printed on the new business cards for her small startup agency, will no doubt pop into my head at needed moments in life from now on, and I will be glad of it. "First Chance," best chance -- until the next one comes out please please please, and then we get to do it all again!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is an interesting debut thriller that is being marketed as "Texas noir" -- and it's pretty darn dark at times. I enjoyed the story, and the protagonist and narrator Chance was lots of fun to spend time with. The plot is centered around a serial killer of young girls and novice private investigator Chance working with the local police trying to solve the case.
Chance is a great character, funny and sassy with a great deal of heart. Her relationship with Tia, a young teen girl who has been unofficially adopted by Chance's family, is heartwarming and Tia is a fascinating character in her own right. Chief of police and a friend of Chance's family Izzy serves as a wonderful foil, smart and clever and offering some great dialogue with our narrator. And there's a goofy dog to enjoy as well!
The mystery builds steadily and the villain escalates the creepiness and violence. I was entertained throughout this read and I recommend it to fans of the genre who like to give new authors a chance.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Chance is a great character, funny and sassy with a great deal of heart. Her relationship with Tia, a young teen girl who has been unofficially adopted by Chance's family, is heartwarming and Tia is a fascinating character in her own right. Chief of police and a friend of Chance's family Izzy serves as a wonderful foil, smart and clever and offering some great dialogue with our narrator. And there's a goofy dog to enjoy as well!
The mystery builds steadily and the villain escalates the creepiness and violence. I was entertained throughout this read and I recommend it to fans of the genre who like to give new authors a chance.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
September 27, 2026
First Chance pulled me in with a setup that feels familiar at first, but quickly becomes much more complicated. Chance Kirby is trying to build something of her own in Hopeful, Texas, only to find herself investigating Patience Weaver’s unresolved death. I really liked the small-town setting because it gives the mystery a feeling that there are secrets everywhere, even among people who seem completely ordinary.
The investigation becomes more interesting as Chance starts uncovering the personalities, tensions, and unexpected connections hiding beneath the surface. What begins as one family looking for answers gradually feels like something much bigger, and I enjoyed watching Chance follow the pieces even when they led somewhere uncomfortable. She has a strong presence without making the story feel like it is only about the detective.
What stayed with me is the combination of a determined investigator, a cold case, and a town that clearly has plenty it would rather keep hidden. First Chance should appeal to readers who enjoy character-driven crime mysteries where the deeper you dig, the more complicated the truth becomes.
The investigation becomes more interesting as Chance starts uncovering the personalities, tensions, and unexpected connections hiding beneath the surface. What begins as one family looking for answers gradually feels like something much bigger, and I enjoyed watching Chance follow the pieces even when they led somewhere uncomfortable. She has a strong presence without making the story feel like it is only about the detective.
What stayed with me is the combination of a determined investigator, a cold case, and a town that clearly has plenty it would rather keep hidden. First Chance should appeal to readers who enjoy character-driven crime mysteries where the deeper you dig, the more complicated the truth becomes.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
First Chance by Kasey Lansdale is a top-notch police procedural that completely hooked me from the start. I loved all of the main characters, especially Chance, a private detective taking on her first major case. When a young woman is murdered, Chance finds herself investigating a crime that may be connected to several other killings.
Chance’s good friend, Police Chief Izzy, allows her to consult on the related cases, and together they uncover more suspects and more danger. As the investigation intensifies, Chance and Tia, the teenage girl she is raising, may find themselves in serious jeopardy.
This was a fast-paced, suspenseful read that I could not put down. I finished it in a single day and was eager to see how everything would unfold. The mystery kept me guessing, and the characters were compelling enough that I wanted to spend more time with them.
This is an easy 5-star read for me. I hope this becomes a series because I would love to see more of these characters and continue reading Kasey Lansdale’s excellent writing.
Chance’s good friend, Police Chief Izzy, allows her to consult on the related cases, and together they uncover more suspects and more danger. As the investigation intensifies, Chance and Tia, the teenage girl she is raising, may find themselves in serious jeopardy.
This was a fast-paced, suspenseful read that I could not put down. I finished it in a single day and was eager to see how everything would unfold. The mystery kept me guessing, and the characters were compelling enough that I wanted to spend more time with them.
This is an easy 5-star read for me. I hope this becomes a series because I would love to see more of these characters and continue reading Kasey Lansdale’s excellent writing.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC!
First Chance is a gritty police procedural mystery about young women being murdered in a small Texas Town and Chance getting her first opportunity to solve a big case as PI. It deals with the topics of feminine rage and empowerment, motherhood-how it changes you and the relationships you have with your children, and found family.
This definitely kept me guessing and it held my interest. I didn’t see some of the twists coming. The characters felt real and I enjoyed the relationships between Chance, Tia, and Izzy. There were times I frustrated with Chance’s choices and lack of knowledge of procedures given her past. I had some moments that took me out of the story for a moment due how some things were worded, but I was able to get back into the story.
Overall, an enjoyable mystery with strong female characters.
First Chance is a gritty police procedural mystery about young women being murdered in a small Texas Town and Chance getting her first opportunity to solve a big case as PI. It deals with the topics of feminine rage and empowerment, motherhood-how it changes you and the relationships you have with your children, and found family.
This definitely kept me guessing and it held my interest. I didn’t see some of the twists coming. The characters felt real and I enjoyed the relationships between Chance, Tia, and Izzy. There were times I frustrated with Chance’s choices and lack of knowledge of procedures given her past. I had some moments that took me out of the story for a moment due how some things were worded, but I was able to get back into the story.
Overall, an enjoyable mystery with strong female characters.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
To be published by Blackstone Publishing on 8 September 2026
First Chance, literally Chance Kirby’s first case as a P. I., is about a young woman following in the footsteps of her parents. She’s not certain that she had the right stuff. Well, this is author Kasey Lansdale following in the footsteps of her much-heralded father. Wisely, she embraces her Inner Joe, with the same sort of humor and love of mayhem as the Old Man. Even some of the characters, like the eccentric Detective who pops up to assist or the precocious 13 year old girl, seem to fit in to the Lansdale tradition. However, Kasey makes the family tradition her own. This is a real nail biter, with twists you may not see coming. However, it is a first effort, and it has some flaws, some repetition, but its pulpy verve won me over.
First Chance, literally Chance Kirby’s first case as a P. I., is about a young woman following in the footsteps of her parents. She’s not certain that she had the right stuff. Well, this is author Kasey Lansdale following in the footsteps of her much-heralded father. Wisely, she embraces her Inner Joe, with the same sort of humor and love of mayhem as the Old Man. Even some of the characters, like the eccentric Detective who pops up to assist or the precocious 13 year old girl, seem to fit in to the Lansdale tradition. However, Kasey makes the family tradition her own. This is a real nail biter, with twists you may not see coming. However, it is a first effort, and it has some flaws, some repetition, but its pulpy verve won me over.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy of this book.
2.5 stars rounded up
This had great potential and good bones but got caught up in minutiae that did nothing to move the narrative forward. Rather than keeping my interest, I was only good for a couple of chapters at a time, which is very unusual for me, so it took forever to get to the end. I liked the characters, and the writing wasn't bad, but it teetered too much on boredom. Fleshing out the characters would have made it much more interesting. As for a police chief and a private detective, Izzy and Chance sure were absolutely clueless too much of the time. I wasn't a fan of the ending, either, which wrapped up everything too neatly and quickly in a telling/not showing way. If this is the start of a series, I'm not sure I'd continue.
2.5 stars rounded up
This had great potential and good bones but got caught up in minutiae that did nothing to move the narrative forward. Rather than keeping my interest, I was only good for a couple of chapters at a time, which is very unusual for me, so it took forever to get to the end. I liked the characters, and the writing wasn't bad, but it teetered too much on boredom. Fleshing out the characters would have made it much more interesting. As for a police chief and a private detective, Izzy and Chance sure were absolutely clueless too much of the time. I wasn't a fan of the ending, either, which wrapped up everything too neatly and quickly in a telling/not showing way. If this is the start of a series, I'm not sure I'd continue.
September 8, 2026
This was an impressive debut novel. Chance, a new by private detective, thinks she will get work looking for missing pets, cheating spouses yet her first case is a cold case murder. As Chance begins her investigation, she slowly begins peeling back the layers. Tia, Chance’s adopted sister add her sassy teen attitude in the best way, assisting with some online snooping. Isabelle, the new appointed police chief, unofficially officially steers Chance. We soon meet Joe Dean and Billy Jean, these two are always in the right place at the right time, and are a true pleasure to read. This was a lightening fast paced and incredibly entertaining read. Just when you think you may have figured out what’s going on, just hold on to your hat. Highly recommended.
October 26, 2026
This entire book proceeded in ways I did not expect, so I can easily state it subverted expectations. I expected a detective procedural, which is what it starts out as in the first few pages. Then it flips to a thriller with days moving quickly, but just as you feel the thriller vibes, I think it settles into being a mystery, that WANTS to be a thriller. Hard to pin down. But for sure there’s very little procedural and a lot more internal family dynamic stuff between our MC Chance, and Tia, who are great together as characters. I enjoyed the character interactions more than the overall tale, but story is well done…if a bit simple. I had this constant feeling of, “if I see it, why don’t you?” But that is likely done purposefully as this is Chance’s first major gig. All in all, well done. Love the characters, and you feel the East Texas setting as it’s own tertiary character as well.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC to review!
I got to say the characters make this book so enjoyable. Everyone we come across does not feel like the same person down to the dialogue and traits. And I really loved seeing how they all interacted with each other.
The investigation part as our FMC Chance alludes to does not yield immediate results. So we are for the majority of the book trying to solve the mystery, but I liked how we pieced together the clues along the way. I was making a list of suspects in my own head along with her.
Overall, it was a fun mystery and everyone needs a dog like Sissy.
I got to say the characters make this book so enjoyable. Everyone we come across does not feel like the same person down to the dialogue and traits. And I really loved seeing how they all interacted with each other.
The investigation part as our FMC Chance alludes to does not yield immediate results. So we are for the majority of the book trying to solve the mystery, but I liked how we pieced together the clues along the way. I was making a list of suspects in my own head along with her.
Overall, it was a fun mystery and everyone needs a dog like Sissy.
July 6, 2026
I unfortunately wasn’t a fan of this story.
My biggest pet peeve in a book is when characters talk with slang or in a very unnatural way, which was a big part of this book. It took me so far out of the story and nearly every conversation with Tia was frustrating to read.
I also feel like this story did a lot of telling instead of showing - a big example being the final chapter where they tie up every possible loose end by saying “what happened to - this .. and as for - this happened ! and we never spoke to - again” obviously fans don’t like loose ends but it just seemed redundant.
The writing style and characters weren’t for me at all and this was a story I wouldn’t recommend .
My biggest pet peeve in a book is when characters talk with slang or in a very unnatural way, which was a big part of this book. It took me so far out of the story and nearly every conversation with Tia was frustrating to read.
I also feel like this story did a lot of telling instead of showing - a big example being the final chapter where they tie up every possible loose end by saying “what happened to - this .. and as for - this happened ! and we never spoke to - again” obviously fans don’t like loose ends but it just seemed redundant.
The writing style and characters weren’t for me at all and this was a story I wouldn’t recommend .
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an e-arc for an honest review.
Thank you, Netgalley for the opportunity!
First Chance was my first dive into the mystery/thriller in a long while. It did not disappoint!
I like that Chance isn’t a perfect detective. She has flaws and is allowed to make mistakes. As the story develops and grows, you find yourself getting more attached to everyone and its mysteries.
There were many points where I found myself at the edge of my seat! Once I started, I couldn’t put it down.
The story itself could have benefited from letting certain things cook a little longer, but despite that I had a wonderful time with this book.
Thank you, Netgalley for the opportunity!
First Chance was my first dive into the mystery/thriller in a long while. It did not disappoint!
I like that Chance isn’t a perfect detective. She has flaws and is allowed to make mistakes. As the story develops and grows, you find yourself getting more attached to everyone and its mysteries.
There were many points where I found myself at the edge of my seat! Once I started, I couldn’t put it down.
The story itself could have benefited from letting certain things cook a little longer, but despite that I had a wonderful time with this book.
September 14, 2026
A Great Listen!
We took Chance, Tia, Izzy, Sissy, and the other cast of characters on our cross-country trip from CA to PA. It seemed like Kasey Lansdale was along for the ride, too. There are only a few fiction writers I have found who have the skills to read their own writing. Non-fiction, yes. I only want to listen to David Sedaris, Bill Bryson, Maya Angelou, and Jenny Lawson read their books. If you didn't know anyone who grew up in East Texas, you will when you've finished the book. Kasey makes East Texas another character in First Chance with charm and wit. I don't think I'm being hyperbolic thinking she might be the next Sue Grafton. I'm looking forward to Second, Third...Chance.
We took Chance, Tia, Izzy, Sissy, and the other cast of characters on our cross-country trip from CA to PA. It seemed like Kasey Lansdale was along for the ride, too. There are only a few fiction writers I have found who have the skills to read their own writing. Non-fiction, yes. I only want to listen to David Sedaris, Bill Bryson, Maya Angelou, and Jenny Lawson read their books. If you didn't know anyone who grew up in East Texas, you will when you've finished the book. Kasey makes East Texas another character in First Chance with charm and wit. I don't think I'm being hyperbolic thinking she might be the next Sue Grafton. I'm looking forward to Second, Third...Chance.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A wonderful book featuring a new private detective, Chance Kirby, as she unravels a cold case featuring the murder of a teenage girl. With her adopted sister Tia and her dog Sissy, Chance begins to suspect that this case might be connected to a string of murders in the local Texas area. Will Chance crack the case, or become a victim herself?
I read this book in two days and loved every minute of it. Strong, engaging characters and a tightly woven plot make for what I hope to be the first book in a series. Kasey Lansdale is a phenomenal author, and this book is worth celebrating. 5/5 stars.
I read this book in two days and loved every minute of it. Strong, engaging characters and a tightly woven plot make for what I hope to be the first book in a series. Kasey Lansdale is a phenomenal author, and this book is worth celebrating. 5/5 stars.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Kasey Lansdale's first full length novel is worth reading. I've been familiar with her short stories for more than a decade and was excited to experience this. I was not let down. She is an accomplished author and the storytelling was flowing, engaging, and told with a real voice. Her outlooks on life and Texas are experienced and thoughtful. If you've come this far checking out reviews, I would like to encourage you to go on and read First Chance. Good characters, good story, and hopefully setting up for further adventures.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The first chapter of First Chance had me invested, and it kept me interested the entire way through.
Chance Kirby has opened her own private investigation agency in a small Texas town. She expects to handle simple cases, but instead, she is handed the cold case of a murdered teenage girl. As she starts digging, she realizes there may be a lot more happening in this town than anyone knows.
I’ve always secretly wanted to be a private investigator, so I really enjoyed following Chance as she searched for clues and tried to piece everything together. Apparently, all my years of being nosy could have been career preparation.
I liked Chance as a main character, and the small-town setting and secrets kept me wanting to know what she would uncover next. This was a solid mystery that held my attention from the beginning, and I would absolutely read another book featuring Chance Kirby.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the gifted ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Chance Kirby has opened her own private investigation agency in a small Texas town. She expects to handle simple cases, but instead, she is handed the cold case of a murdered teenage girl. As she starts digging, she realizes there may be a lot more happening in this town than anyone knows.
I’ve always secretly wanted to be a private investigator, so I really enjoyed following Chance as she searched for clues and tried to piece everything together. Apparently, all my years of being nosy could have been career preparation.
I liked Chance as a main character, and the small-town setting and secrets kept me wanting to know what she would uncover next. This was a solid mystery that held my attention from the beginning, and I would absolutely read another book featuring Chance Kirby.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the gifted ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 25, 2026
First Chance, Kasey Lansdale [Blackstone, 2026].
First Chance is the debut novel by Kasey Lansdale featuring private eye Chance Kirby. In the East Texas town of Hopeful, the sister of a murder victim hires Chance Kirby to investigate, who uncovers an active serial killer.
***
Kasey Lansdale is the head editor of Pandi Press, a singer-songwriter, and short story writer. Her story “The Companion,” written with Keith Lansdale and their father Joe, was adapted for the horror anthology series Creepshow. Lansdale lives in Los Angeles.
First Chance is the debut novel by Kasey Lansdale featuring private eye Chance Kirby. In the East Texas town of Hopeful, the sister of a murder victim hires Chance Kirby to investigate, who uncovers an active serial killer.
***
Kasey Lansdale is the head editor of Pandi Press, a singer-songwriter, and short story writer. Her story “The Companion,” written with Keith Lansdale and their father Joe, was adapted for the horror anthology series Creepshow. Lansdale lives in Los Angeles.
October 30, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Chance Kirby is exactly the kind of PI I’d want to grab coffee with, even if trouble seems to follow her everywhere! 🔎 I really liked her chemistry with Izzy and Tia, and Sissy the dog totally stole my heart. 🐶 The mystery gets surprisingly dark, but there's enough humor and snappy dialogue to balance things out. Some parts moved a little slowly, and a few clues felt too convenient, but honestly, the characters kept me hooked more than the actual whodunit. A fun, gritty Texas mystery, and I'd happily tag along for Chance's next case!
Chance Kirby is exactly the kind of PI I’d want to grab coffee with, even if trouble seems to follow her everywhere! 🔎 I really liked her chemistry with Izzy and Tia, and Sissy the dog totally stole my heart. 🐶 The mystery gets surprisingly dark, but there's enough humor and snappy dialogue to balance things out. Some parts moved a little slowly, and a few clues felt too convenient, but honestly, the characters kept me hooked more than the actual whodunit. A fun, gritty Texas mystery, and I'd happily tag along for Chance's next case!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars
First Chance was a fun mystery/thriller read. I loved all of the side characters. They really helped make the story. I felt like you get a little bit of that Stephanie Plum fun and messiness but the overall story reads more serious. Just enough lighthearted to keep the storyline from ever being too heavy. I really enjoyed it and would love to see more in this world.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
First Chance was a fun mystery/thriller read. I loved all of the side characters. They really helped make the story. I felt like you get a little bit of that Stephanie Plum fun and messiness but the overall story reads more serious. Just enough lighthearted to keep the storyline from ever being too heavy. I really enjoyed it and would love to see more in this world.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really enjoyed this book and the the twist and turns to find out who was the killer. It was a thrilling murder mistery- whose done it with quirky banter. I would definitely like to read more books about the main character Chance. Kasey Lansdale hits it out of the park- I will be looking for more of her books. Thank you Netgalley for the free read for honest review.
September 10, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed this. It felt a little like book 2 in a series with all the backstory the characters had. They were all very fleshed out and well written. The mystery was good as were the procedural portions. First Chance was very polished for a first book. I know Kasey has been writing music and short stories for a long time, but I was pleasantly surprised at how well this flowed.
September 26, 2026
Thanks to the publisher, via Netgalley, for an advance e-galley for honest review.
This debut PI novel is an interesting premise and a main character in Chance Kirby that readers will be willing to invest in if this is just her first outing. This is definitely a slow burn, and the investigation takes its time, being much more focused on really investigating the plot than relying on twists.
This debut PI novel is an interesting premise and a main character in Chance Kirby that readers will be willing to invest in if this is just her first outing. This is definitely a slow burn, and the investigation takes its time, being much more focused on really investigating the plot than relying on twists.
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