What do you think?
The First Kill: A Cam Derringer Novel
Cam Derringer killed a man when he was eighteen years old. He had no choice. At least, that’s what he’s told himself ever since.
More than thirty years ago, Cam tried to save Susan Towns from her violent father. He was seconds too late to save the girl he loved—but not too late to make sure the man responsible never hurt anyone again.
Cam thought that terrible night was buried with the past.
He was wrong.
Now men connected to Susan’s death are turning up dead, one after another, and someone is watching Cam’s every move. His name is Ray Collins, and he knows things about Cam, Susan, and that long-ago night that he shouldn’t possibly know.
But Ray isn’t the only danger closing in.
A deadly threat from Kailey and Brittany’s past has reached Key West, dragging Cam into a second battle where the rules don’t exist and the people hunting them are professionals. With Jack at his side and Walter refusing to leave it, Cam is caught between two mysteries—one threatening the people he loves today and another reaching back to the night that changed his life forever.
To stop the killing, Cam will have to uncover who Ray Collins really is.
And the truth may be more dangerous than the killer.
THE FIRST KILL is Book 23 in the Cam Derringer series, a fast-paced Key West thriller packed with murder, mystery, tropical danger, old secrets, and Florida Keys action. Perfect for readers who enjoy tropical thrillers, private investigator mysteries, crime thrillers, and suspense set in paradise.
In Key West, the past never stays buried. Sometimes it comes back to kill.
More than thirty years ago, Cam tried to save Susan Towns from her violent father. He was seconds too late to save the girl he loved—but not too late to make sure the man responsible never hurt anyone again.
Cam thought that terrible night was buried with the past.
He was wrong.
Now men connected to Susan’s death are turning up dead, one after another, and someone is watching Cam’s every move. His name is Ray Collins, and he knows things about Cam, Susan, and that long-ago night that he shouldn’t possibly know.
But Ray isn’t the only danger closing in.
A deadly threat from Kailey and Brittany’s past has reached Key West, dragging Cam into a second battle where the rules don’t exist and the people hunting them are professionals. With Jack at his side and Walter refusing to leave it, Cam is caught between two mysteries—one threatening the people he loves today and another reaching back to the night that changed his life forever.
To stop the killing, Cam will have to uncover who Ray Collins really is.
And the truth may be more dangerous than the killer.
THE FIRST KILL is Book 23 in the Cam Derringer series, a fast-paced Key West thriller packed with murder, mystery, tropical danger, old secrets, and Florida Keys action. Perfect for readers who enjoy tropical thrillers, private investigator mysteries, crime thrillers, and suspense set in paradise.
In Key West, the past never stays buried. Sometimes it comes back to kill.
264 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 15, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
The First Kill - a review by Rosemary Kenny.
The First Kill is a maelstrom of danger and intrigue, as PI Cam Derringer, his daughter Diane, ex-wife Malinda, (aka Brittany) current girlfriend Kailey, both trained assassins, Cam's on-off lover Stacy and Walter, Cam's clever golden retriever, all have different parts to play in avoiding the killers trying to take them out, and deciding whom they can trust.
Then two faces from the past arrive at the Palm Beach marina where Cam's boat, The Same Old Song is moored...and nothing will ever be the same again.
A dark secret emerges and you'll be on the edge of your seat when the showdown begins. Cam and his loved ones have a special place in my heart and Walter is such a sweetie, that I can't believe author Mac Fortner would betray his legion of fans by letting our hero bite the dust...but my lips are sealed, so you'll have to buy a copy to find out what leads up to the end - even if you have to stay up reading all night!
The First Kill is a maelstrom of danger and intrigue, as PI Cam Derringer, his daughter Diane, ex-wife Malinda, (aka Brittany) current girlfriend Kailey, both trained assassins, Cam's on-off lover Stacy and Walter, Cam's clever golden retriever, all have different parts to play in avoiding the killers trying to take them out, and deciding whom they can trust.
Then two faces from the past arrive at the Palm Beach marina where Cam's boat, The Same Old Song is moored...and nothing will ever be the same again.
A dark secret emerges and you'll be on the edge of your seat when the showdown begins. Cam and his loved ones have a special place in my heart and Walter is such a sweetie, that I can't believe author Mac Fortner would betray his legion of fans by letting our hero bite the dust...but my lips are sealed, so you'll have to buy a copy to find out what leads up to the end - even if you have to stay up reading all night!
September 16, 2026
excellent book
Wow. An excellent story by this author that really holds your attention and makes you think about life. Highly recommend reading this series to anyone who likes a good story and interesting characters
Wow. An excellent story by this author that really holds your attention and makes you think about life. Highly recommend reading this series to anyone who likes a good story and interesting characters
September 20, 2026
Really great
Once again cam Brittany Melinda jack and crew come to place all the bad guys where they belong under the jail can't help but know that Walter and cam make a great pair and the rolls from Betty's bakery always keep the glue on things ciao from Bobbie and her pops
Once again cam Brittany Melinda jack and crew come to place all the bad guys where they belong under the jail can't help but know that Walter and cam make a great pair and the rolls from Betty's bakery always keep the glue on things ciao from Bobbie and her pops
September 25, 2026
Events from Cam’s distant past come back to haunt him at the same time Malinda and Kailey find themselves under attack from unknown enemies. As action-packed as always, such an interesting series based on one of my favorite locations!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews