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Sam Kincaid Mystery #1
The Commission: A Sam Kincaid Mystery
Levi Vogue, Chairman of the powerful Utah Board of Pardons and Parole, is gunned down in the driveway of his home as he returns from a late evening tryst with Sue Ann Winkler, an exotic dancer employed in a Salt Lake City strip club.
Sam Kincaid, Chief of the Special Investigations Branch (SIB) of the Utah Department of Corrections, is assigned to help Salt Lake City Police Department homicide detective Lt. Kate McConnell solve Vogue's murder.
The investigation soon leads Kincaid and McConnell into the seedy world of prostitution and strip clubs. Ultimately, the investigation focuses on Charles (Slick) Watts, a violent ex-convict with a long criminal history and a score to settle with Levi Vogue. But before Watts can be apprehended, his body is discovered at an abandoned military base in Wendover, Nevada.
When the medical examiner concludes that Watt's death was a homicide elaborately staged to look like a suicide, Kincaid and McConnell are forced to turn their attention to a complex conspiracy behind the murders.
Ultimately, the investigation leads Kincaid and McConnell inside the Utah state prison to a small group of corrupt prison employees known as the Commission. As the police close in, Commission members turn, first on each other, and then on Kincaid.
Sam Kincaid, Chief of the Special Investigations Branch (SIB) of the Utah Department of Corrections, is assigned to help Salt Lake City Police Department homicide detective Lt. Kate McConnell solve Vogue's murder.
The investigation soon leads Kincaid and McConnell into the seedy world of prostitution and strip clubs. Ultimately, the investigation focuses on Charles (Slick) Watts, a violent ex-convict with a long criminal history and a score to settle with Levi Vogue. But before Watts can be apprehended, his body is discovered at an abandoned military base in Wendover, Nevada.
When the medical examiner concludes that Watt's death was a homicide elaborately staged to look like a suicide, Kincaid and McConnell are forced to turn their attention to a complex conspiracy behind the murders.
Ultimately, the investigation leads Kincaid and McConnell inside the Utah state prison to a small group of corrupt prison employees known as the Commission. As the police close in, Commission members turn, first on each other, and then on Kincaid.
249 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2007
39 people are currently reading
234 people want to read
About the author
Michael Norman
6 books26 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Michael D. Norman lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, with his wife Diane and their two pit bulls, Joyce and Eddie. He is a former police officer, state parole board member, and most recently, a Professor of Criminal Justice at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah.
Michael D. Norman lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, with his wife Diane and their two pit bulls, Joyce and Eddie. He is a former police officer, state parole board member, and most recently, a Professor of Criminal Justice at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
August 11, 2007
THE COMMISSION (Licensed Investigator-Utah-Cont) – G+
Norman, Michael – 1st book
Poisoned Pen Press, 2007- US Hardcover – ISBN: 1-590583582
*** Sam Kincaid, Chief of the Special Investigations Branch of the Utah Department of Corrections (DofC), is called in to work with the police on the homicide of Levi Vogue, Chairman of the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole. For the DofC, the fear is Vogue having been killed by a resentful parole. This appears to be the case when the trail leads to ex-con “Slick” Watts. Watts turns up as an apparent suicide until forensics pronounce it murder. For some, the trail could mean professional disaster; for Sam, personal tragedy.
*** It took me into a part of the justice system I don’t believe I’d ever read before. Sam is well-developed as a character, with a personal life as a single dad. The child is there and believable, but doesn’t get in the way of the story. I appreciated the Utah setting, with Sam working in Salt Lake City but living the Park City, but would like to see the author do more with the setting the future books. The dialogue was a bit stiff, for my taste, but not terrible. All-in-all, I enjoyed this debut by Norman and would certainly read his next book.
Norman, Michael – 1st book
Poisoned Pen Press, 2007- US Hardcover – ISBN: 1-590583582
*** Sam Kincaid, Chief of the Special Investigations Branch of the Utah Department of Corrections (DofC), is called in to work with the police on the homicide of Levi Vogue, Chairman of the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole. For the DofC, the fear is Vogue having been killed by a resentful parole. This appears to be the case when the trail leads to ex-con “Slick” Watts. Watts turns up as an apparent suicide until forensics pronounce it murder. For some, the trail could mean professional disaster; for Sam, personal tragedy.
*** It took me into a part of the justice system I don’t believe I’d ever read before. Sam is well-developed as a character, with a personal life as a single dad. The child is there and believable, but doesn’t get in the way of the story. I appreciated the Utah setting, with Sam working in Salt Lake City but living the Park City, but would like to see the author do more with the setting the future books. The dialogue was a bit stiff, for my taste, but not terrible. All-in-all, I enjoyed this debut by Norman and would certainly read his next book.
March 2, 2009
Heard of this book from a lady who was reading it in the waiting room of InstaCare. She said it was good. We'll see.
Edit: Not bad.
Edit: Not bad.
February 18, 2025
Okay, this mystery kept my attention, although I wasn't surpristed by the outcome ... largely predictabl. The writing was rather basic, unsophisticed. I personally had a big problem with the way it ended ... that last page, oh that ridiculous last page!
August 12, 2017
A new twist on a crime story
I have not seen this angle before. Perhaps there are many more that I am just not aware of. Good pace and we'll developed characters.
I have not seen this angle before. Perhaps there are many more that I am just not aware of. Good pace and we'll developed characters.
June 14, 2020
Utah Parole Board member is killed and there are more bad guys to uncover.
December 25, 2017
This was not a great book, but it was pretty darn good.
It’s a well-told tale of corruption and greed with Norman hitting all the marks for this type of story. About 80% of the story is the characters getting nowhere in their investigation before everything falls into place in the last 50 or so pages. And near the end, the hero saves his family from the bad guy by keeping him talking until backup arrives.
One thing I liked about this story was Norman didn’t have the male and female leads fall into bed almost as soon as the met – a much more realistic scenario than having that happen.
I had a little trouble keeping some of the secondary characters straight. Several of the more important ones had similar names and some appeared briefly early in the story just to get them on stage then disappeared until they were needed to fulfill a specific function.
I only spotted one grammar/punctuation/usage error in this book but there were some quirky formatting issues that made reading a bit tricky where they occurred.
Still, I’d like to read more about these two main characters.
It’s a well-told tale of corruption and greed with Norman hitting all the marks for this type of story. About 80% of the story is the characters getting nowhere in their investigation before everything falls into place in the last 50 or so pages. And near the end, the hero saves his family from the bad guy by keeping him talking until backup arrives.
One thing I liked about this story was Norman didn’t have the male and female leads fall into bed almost as soon as the met – a much more realistic scenario than having that happen.
I had a little trouble keeping some of the secondary characters straight. Several of the more important ones had similar names and some appeared briefly early in the story just to get them on stage then disappeared until they were needed to fulfill a specific function.
I only spotted one grammar/punctuation/usage error in this book but there were some quirky formatting issues that made reading a bit tricky where they occurred.
Still, I’d like to read more about these two main characters.
June 30, 2008
I read about one of Norman's books in the (sub)Standard Examiner and decided to check it out. It interested me because it takes place in Utah.
The story was eh, ok.
The writing was dry and flat.
The language was not great.
So many books take place in NYC, etc... I was happy to read a book that took place in SLC, but it still wasn't a great book.
The story was eh, ok.
The writing was dry and flat.
The language was not great.
So many books take place in NYC, etc... I was happy to read a book that took place in SLC, but it still wasn't a great book.
July 15, 2009
The story in this novel managed to capture my attention fairly well (even if I did figure out a good portion of the plot early on), but the writing was rather painful. The author left nothing to the imagination or inference, but spelled every single plot point, emotion, and thought out. I found myself rolling my eyes fairly often... but still curious as to what would happen next.
November 6, 2012
This is a good police procedural. The two protagonists are likable and seem to be good at their jobs. The minor characters are not so numerous as to be confusing, but lack definition. The plotting is straightforward and moves along at a brisk pace. I liked the book for what it is - a pleasant diversion - and have downloaded the next book in the series.
December 30, 2007
I really enjoyed this crime book because it was set in Salt Lake City, Utah. It was fun to read about places that I knew about. Also, my husband thinks Michael Norman was his teacher at Weber State!
November 9, 2012
I enjoyed this book. It was a good police procedural. The two main characters were interesting, and I enjoyed their banter and growing relationship. There was enough mystery to keep you wondering who did it, and why.
February 19, 2013
This was a nice easy read. I needed something light and entertaining to read while traveling and this was perfect. Not a masterpiece but I enjoyed it enough that I'll proceed to another book in this series.
June 29, 2013
I enjoyed this. As others have said, it's a good police "murder mystery" story. Since the main character isn't a police officer but an officer for the Utah Correctional Facility, it's slightly different than other police based books. It was interesting and kept my attention throughout.
July 8, 2015
Great
One of the finest stories I have read in some time. Believable people and you just fall in love with. I'm going to read more of your stuff although this book can stand alone you just want more
One of the finest stories I have read in some time. Believable people and you just fall in love with. I'm going to read more of your stuff although this book can stand alone you just want more
January 28, 2013
not bad...not great...a free e book for my kindle pc
February 9, 2013
good police procedural. got a bit meandering, but all in enjoyable if you stick to it. good enough to keep track of the series, anyway.
March 16, 2013
The writing was flat and unimaginative, but ... well, this was an okay book. I think it does tellquite a lot that I have nothing to say of this. More like 2,5 - 3- stars...
April 15, 2013
very interesting mystery revolving around the state prison system. Recommended!
August 18, 2013
This is an excellently written procedural with a plot that is well thought out and well developed. I will read future Sam Kincaid mysteries.
May 19, 2013
I liked it, the author does a great job at crafting a thrilling story. Four stars, well done!
August 28, 2013
an ok read
August 31, 2013
Heavy handed. Sophomoric. Author insults reader regularly.
Read
December 7, 2013False
February 5, 2014
An okay book, but it was nice to read about SLC names and places in this detective book. That was the best part, but still an okay read.
August 23, 2015
Kept my attention ... would like to check out more by this author .
May 20, 2015
Nice Read
Great plot, just enough suspense to make you want more. Can't wait to get more Sam Kincaid. Thanks Michael Norman.
Great plot, just enough suspense to make you want more. Can't wait to get more Sam Kincaid. Thanks Michael Norman.
February 1, 2016
2* I have listened to many excellent books lately and although it kept me engaged enough to finish it, this one just did not measure up.
March 14, 2016
The first Norman Book I've read. It held my attention predictable but we'll written .
November 15, 2016
Good book
The book had a good flow to it and kept your attention. You knew the outcome but just had to keep reading. Now hooked on Sam Kincaid series.
The book had a good flow to it and kept your attention. You knew the outcome but just had to keep reading. Now hooked on Sam Kincaid series.
February 2, 2017
Audio bad.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews