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Detective Cancini Mysteries #1
A Guilty Mind
Accused of murdering his psychiatrist, a broken man must face his horrific past in order to protect his future...
George Vandenberg is a drunk with a volatile temper, haunted by the memory of the young woman he once loved and tragically lost. Wrestling with his guilt and pushed by his psychiatrist to confess his role in her death, he teeters on the edge of a nervous breakdown, blacking out drunk more often than not.
But when his doctor turns up dead, brutally stabbed to death in his office, George has nowhere left to turn. Stunned and confused, George emerges as the primary suspect in an investigation led by Detective Mike Cancini, a D.C. cop who knows all too well how far a man can go when he's pushed.
To prove his innocence, George must face the police, his manipulative wife, and the shell of a man he's become. But as much as George wants to forget his history, the past is not done with him...
George Vandenberg is a drunk with a volatile temper, haunted by the memory of the young woman he once loved and tragically lost. Wrestling with his guilt and pushed by his psychiatrist to confess his role in her death, he teeters on the edge of a nervous breakdown, blacking out drunk more often than not.
But when his doctor turns up dead, brutally stabbed to death in his office, George has nowhere left to turn. Stunned and confused, George emerges as the primary suspect in an investigation led by Detective Mike Cancini, a D.C. cop who knows all too well how far a man can go when he's pushed.
To prove his innocence, George must face the police, his manipulative wife, and the shell of a man he's become. But as much as George wants to forget his history, the past is not done with him...
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 25, 2012
62 people are currently reading
464 people want to read
About the author
K.L. Murphy
11 books278 followersK.L. Murphy is the award-nominated author of Her Sister’s Death, a 2023 Silver Falchion Finalist for Best Mystery and the January 2023 Once Upon a Book Club Pick. She is also the author of the Detective Cancini Mystery Series: A Guilty Mind, Stay of Execution, and The Last Sin. Her short stories are featured in Deadly Southern Charm and Murder by the Glass. Last Girl Missing, the first book in her new crime series, will be published in July of 2024.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
August 31, 2014
Disappointing
I found this novel rather slow moving and I didn't find the ending believable. The characters were not well developed.
I found this novel rather slow moving and I didn't find the ending believable. The characters were not well developed.
July 7, 2019
Great Novel. Kept you guessing to the end.
July 27, 2017
Quite a good story examing the role that guilt plays in people's lives and it's consequences. George Vandenberg, a well to do man falls in love with Sarah who, in her opinion, comes from the wrong side of the tracks. She tells him that she is pregnant and he is more than willing to marry her, but she has reservations, citing that she will never fit into his family as she is just a waitress. I suspect she does not love George as much as he loves her. They have a fight over this issue - George pushes her, she falls on her head, lots of blood. George believes he has accidently killed her. His official girlfriend, whom his father has picked out for George, comes upon this scene. She tells George to go home and that she will take care of everything. George is never held responsible for what he believes is his crime. Twenty years later, George consults a a psychiatrist. He is not living well with his guilt over this incident. The psychiatrist urges George to confess.....the psychiatrist is murdered.......George is the logical suspect. Detective Cancini is asssigned to find the killer. It turns out not to be as simple as it appears.
August 24, 2017
The plot was overdone. This didn't need to be quite so tortured in its twist and I suspected what was really going on before the author was ready to reveal. Also the relationship between the suspect and his wife was all over the board. He believed she didn't love him for the entirety of his marriage, only married her because of pressure from his father and then proceeded to torture himself and his wife and they stayed together? I know it happens but i couldn't figure out why in their case. She's a smart person.
February 8, 2022
George Vandenberg is a broken man, a depressed drunk who cannot move on from an event which happened many years ago When he is accused of murdering his psychiatrist, he cannot remember much about that night as he was drunk and regularly suffered from blackouts. When Detective Cancini begins to piece together what actually happened that night, truths and lies are suddenly exposed which change Georges life and the event he has been struggling to deal with all these years.
January 17, 2019
Love This Series
I did not read the Cancini series in order but it didn't matter. Every one is outstanding and this one, in my opinion, is the best one. I really like her characters and her story lines. Murphy is a master at keeping one in the dark. I can figure out most "Who done its" half way through a book but not hers. She always surprises me. Can't wait for the next one.
I did not read the Cancini series in order but it didn't matter. Every one is outstanding and this one, in my opinion, is the best one. I really like her characters and her story lines. Murphy is a master at keeping one in the dark. I can figure out most "Who done its" half way through a book but not hers. She always surprises me. Can't wait for the next one.
September 21, 2024
Good debut! Reads like a first novel, but there is definitely potential! The idea was fresh, the characters were interesting, and I cared about what happened. There was opportunity to reduce some repetitive internal character musings, but experience and editing will likely take care of that. I look forward to reading more of this author’s work!
September 8, 2017
Good Book
The story will keep you turning page after page. Kept you guessing till the very end. Would recommend this to anyone who likes a great mystery and thriller all rolled up into a great book.
The story will keep you turning page after page. Kept you guessing till the very end. Would recommend this to anyone who likes a great mystery and thriller all rolled up into a great book.
December 17, 2018
A Guilty Mind
A truly sad but great story! Had to get to the end but for a hint about half way through. Now on to the next one! Adaption great but never sure where its going. Sometimes problems for children but also can be for parents too. Choices difficult.
A truly sad but great story! Had to get to the end but for a hint about half way through. Now on to the next one! Adaption great but never sure where its going. Sometimes problems for children but also can be for parents too. Choices difficult.
February 20, 2019
Twists and turns...
Great story line... took some time to grasp the back and forth mental struggles and guilt built up in the main character, but the story comes together with clarity by the end. Excellent plot and character building.
Great story line... took some time to grasp the back and forth mental struggles and guilt built up in the main character, but the story comes together with clarity by the end. Excellent plot and character building.
March 6, 2019
First of the Cancini books I've read. It was hard to put down once I started reading it. I took off a star because of the ending. It was disappointing to say the least. I won't spoil it for others as it is a good read and will keep you reading til the end
March 23, 2019
Complex characters and plot. Detective Cancini is an appealing and believable character as are all of the people around him. I particularly appreciated the way that the author illustrated the detective's inner life's struggles as concerned the case. Highly recommend.
June 18, 2019
Excellant
Bought this a while back,never got far, then I tried it again, glad I did.Pacing good,kept me interested once I have it a chance. Surprising.
Bought this a while back,never got far, then I tried it again, glad I did.Pacing good,kept me interested once I have it a chance. Surprising.
March 10, 2020
Enjoyed reading ii
Overall it was a good book. It was hard to follow at times and maybe should have got to the end sooner.
Overall it was a good book. It was hard to follow at times and maybe should have got to the end sooner.
April 4, 2020
I love Murphy's Detective Cancini mysteries. Great characters and plot twists. This one is a page-turner that you won't want to put down.
November 28, 2021
A quick read, and a good little mystery.
March 25, 2017
4.5 stars. Great twists!
November 8, 2012
I loved this 50 chapter book. Being from the eastern panhandle of West Virginia, I’ve always enjoyed books that feature areas near my hometown. This book was set in Washington DC and Richmond, Virginia. Have you ever read a book that blows your mind? That after you finish it, it forces you to reflect on what you just read, whether you feel sorry for the characters or because the plot was too awesome to forget? Well, that’s what this story did for me. I shed a couple of tears (definitely at the ending) reflecting on George’s life. Then it dawned on me that this isn’t a real person, so I shouldn’t be so sad LOL.
This was a psychological mystery that definitely had a lot of twists and turns. The opening scene where Dr. Michael gets attacked from behind was very creepy (in a good way). It gave me chills down my spine. Also when George is aware that someone broke into the shed and he chased the person through the woods at night also scared me.
A Guilty Mind was told through George and Detective Cancini’s third person point-of-view. I loved this set-up because they were my favorite characters. I loved the drama–both characters had incredible devastating backgrounds. Poor George lost the love of his life so had to settle with a woman he didn’t love. He became an alcoholic to escape the pain and guilt. He went to therapy, trying to solve his problems but didn’t get any support from his wife. Poor Detective Cancini–he was still guarded and heartbroken from his failed marriage.
My favorite lines were: 1) “And truthfully, he didn’t mind his loner reputation, finding it kept most of the nosier bunch as well as the kiss-ups away from him.” Since I’m a loner, I could relate to the Detective’s personality. 2) “The crime itself might be perfect but the killer isn’t.” Great concept to work with in a story that played mindgames on its characters. 3) “This wasn’t an episode of Law & Order, you know. It won’t be over in an hour.” I enjoyed the shout-out to one of my favorite cop dramas.
Kellie Larsen Murphy has an incredible talent with setting. She described locations, characters, and their interactions with one another so vividly that I got lost in the story. It didn’t feel like I was reading about a character’s journey. It felt like I was experiencing their life with them. I could picture this book as a blockbuster hit. I could see Thomas Jane as George and Andy Garcia as Detective Cancini.
This story had twists, mystery, drama. And I appreciated every second of it, especially the flashbacks of George trying to remember the day he lost Sarah forever. If you want to read a story that takes you on an emotional rollercoaster, then definitely give this book a try. I wish I could discuss the ending (my favorite part), but I can’t give the twist away.
I RECOMMEND this book to read.
This was a psychological mystery that definitely had a lot of twists and turns. The opening scene where Dr. Michael gets attacked from behind was very creepy (in a good way). It gave me chills down my spine. Also when George is aware that someone broke into the shed and he chased the person through the woods at night also scared me.
A Guilty Mind was told through George and Detective Cancini’s third person point-of-view. I loved this set-up because they were my favorite characters. I loved the drama–both characters had incredible devastating backgrounds. Poor George lost the love of his life so had to settle with a woman he didn’t love. He became an alcoholic to escape the pain and guilt. He went to therapy, trying to solve his problems but didn’t get any support from his wife. Poor Detective Cancini–he was still guarded and heartbroken from his failed marriage.
My favorite lines were: 1) “And truthfully, he didn’t mind his loner reputation, finding it kept most of the nosier bunch as well as the kiss-ups away from him.” Since I’m a loner, I could relate to the Detective’s personality. 2) “The crime itself might be perfect but the killer isn’t.” Great concept to work with in a story that played mindgames on its characters. 3) “This wasn’t an episode of Law & Order, you know. It won’t be over in an hour.” I enjoyed the shout-out to one of my favorite cop dramas.
Kellie Larsen Murphy has an incredible talent with setting. She described locations, characters, and their interactions with one another so vividly that I got lost in the story. It didn’t feel like I was reading about a character’s journey. It felt like I was experiencing their life with them. I could picture this book as a blockbuster hit. I could see Thomas Jane as George and Andy Garcia as Detective Cancini.
This story had twists, mystery, drama. And I appreciated every second of it, especially the flashbacks of George trying to remember the day he lost Sarah forever. If you want to read a story that takes you on an emotional rollercoaster, then definitely give this book a try. I wish I could discuss the ending (my favorite part), but I can’t give the twist away.
I RECOMMEND this book to read.
January 14, 2013
I should begin this review by saying that I was lucky enough to win this book in the Goodreads Giveaway Program. After a psychiatrist is found murdered in his office, suspicion falls on one of his patients, George Vandenberg. George had been in counseling to deal with his guilt over the accidental death of his girlfriend, Sarah, more than 20 years earlier, however the interaction between doctor and patient seems to be personal rather than clinical, leading detective Michael Cancini to suspect the doctor's murder may be somehow tied to Sarah's death.
The novel swiches between two point of view, Detective Cancini and George Vandenberg. It felt like this book was intended to be the first of a series featuring Michael Cancini, and it would be nice to learn more about Detective Cancini in another book. There was a great plot twist at the end. I wasn't completely sold on the resolution of the story; that Detective Cancini would do what he did, or that George would feel "at peace" with his decision. However, overall I really enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to others who enjoy mystery and suspense novels.
The novel swiches between two point of view, Detective Cancini and George Vandenberg. It felt like this book was intended to be the first of a series featuring Michael Cancini, and it would be nice to learn more about Detective Cancini in another book. There was a great plot twist at the end. I wasn't completely sold on the resolution of the story; that Detective Cancini would do what he did, or that George would feel "at peace" with his decision. However, overall I really enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to others who enjoy mystery and suspense novels.
July 12, 2013
George Vandenberg is a man with a troubled past and who is a violent blackout drunk. George has been under a lot of pressure from his nagging wife and Dr. Michael, his therapist, has been pushing him to come forward about his past. When Dr. Michael turns up dead, George isn’t sure if he did it because he doesn’t remember anything during the timeframe of the murder. While Detective Cancini is searching for Dr. Michael’s murderer, George is flashing back to his past. Yet, things are not quite as they seem all around…and the murderer may be closer than anyone suspects.
‘A Guilty Mind’ is a good mystery, but it seemed to go very slowly as you are led through George’s past and Cancini’s investigation. I did not like George or his wife and George only redeemed himself at the end of the story. As the mystery unravels, it is a corker which will leave your jaw dropping. I didn’t really like any of the characters, except the detectives, but there was something compelling about the story which kept me reading.
‘A Guilty Mind’ is a good mystery, but it seemed to go very slowly as you are led through George’s past and Cancini’s investigation. I did not like George or his wife and George only redeemed himself at the end of the story. As the mystery unravels, it is a corker which will leave your jaw dropping. I didn’t really like any of the characters, except the detectives, but there was something compelling about the story which kept me reading.
April 27, 2013
I received this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
For me this book was a slow read. Some parts went fast, and others went very slow. I personally had a hard time getting through it. The parts of George's past seemed to go slow. I feel there was too much back story of the "accidental" death and describing what happened. It didn't need to be that long to tell the story.
The murder of the doctor seemed to run quickly. Things seemed to fall into place rather fast on that aspect.
I knew from the summary of the book that George really was not the killer. If I did not read that part I would of known shortly after starting to read the book he was not the killer. It was too obvious to make it George.
I was shocked as to who the killer was though. I didn't see that coming and how everything got tied up at the end. That was a unique twist.
For me this book was a slow read. Some parts went fast, and others went very slow. I personally had a hard time getting through it. The parts of George's past seemed to go slow. I feel there was too much back story of the "accidental" death and describing what happened. It didn't need to be that long to tell the story.
The murder of the doctor seemed to run quickly. Things seemed to fall into place rather fast on that aspect.
I knew from the summary of the book that George really was not the killer. If I did not read that part I would of known shortly after starting to read the book he was not the killer. It was too obvious to make it George.
I was shocked as to who the killer was though. I didn't see that coming and how everything got tied up at the end. That was a unique twist.
February 14, 2013
Hmmm...a 4.2 average rating from Goodreads? I'm not sure why. Maybe enough people haven't rated it yet? I thought it was just OK. It wasn't very hard to figure out the big mystery, for one thing. And based on his portrayal throughout the first 90% of the book, I don't believe the detective would have completely switched gears in the end. Maybe my expectations were just too high for this one.
May 7, 2013
This mystery novel was a excellent read. I enjoyed reading about the character George who was tormented by secrets of his past. These secrets have haunted him for years and have affected his personal life and more importantly his family life. The author has written the book in such a way that we are kept wondering until the end who the true murderer is as well as some unexpected turn of events. Twists, turns and intrigue...all makings of a fabulous read!!
September 30, 2015
I know there were some people talking about the writing and grammer in this book. I didn't find that to be the case. This was a good read. It keeps you into the story and makes you want to turn the page. The book will take you into minds of many people and maybe teach you how to fight your internal demands. I hope by the end of this book you will learn how to love someone you might not even know? I know this is an older book and I can't wait to read the next one that came out in 2013.
December 30, 2015
Strong characters and plot twists
I gave 5* since I couldn't put it down, except to pause to figure out where the plot was taking me. Didn't turn out the way I thought but I enjoyed the outcome. I liked most of the characters and the premise. I look forward to more books from this author.
I gave 5* since I couldn't put it down, except to pause to figure out where the plot was taking me. Didn't turn out the way I thought but I enjoyed the outcome. I liked most of the characters and the premise. I look forward to more books from this author.
June 6, 2013
George felt guilty for something that happened a long time ago. It was an accident, but he couldn't forget. Great mystery all the way to the end. Satisfying and believable ending even if I didn't see it coming.
April 22, 2014
Slow paced
started out promising but started to drag on about ten chapters in.I skipped to the last five chapters and understood the ending completely without feeling like I missed anything in the middle.
started out promising but started to drag on about ten chapters in.I skipped to the last five chapters and understood the ending completely without feeling like I missed anything in the middle.
April 11, 2013
enjoyed the author's style..entertaining storyline which made it hard to put down but not sure I liked the culmination of events!
May 28, 2013
slow, and very predictable.
July 14, 2013
It was a surprise ending. It was not the best, and certainly not the worst.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews