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C. J. Floyd #8
First of State
Robert Greer’s latest novel—a prequel to his CJ Floyd mystery series—takes readers back in time to a very young CJ Floyd. It’s 1972, and the 22-year-old decorated war vet has recently returned to Denver from Vietnam with post-traumatic stress disorder. Navigating depression, he finds a friend in World War II vet and amputee Wiley Ames, who shares his passion for rare and valuable western memorabilia.
When Ames and a mysterious Chinese man are found murdered, CJ’s already fragile world threatens to collapse. His attempts to find his friend’s killer are thwarted at every turn, and finally he joins his Uncle Ike’s business as bail bondsman and bounty hunter. Five years later one of Ames’s treasured antique license plates turns up at a Denver flea market, and CJ is once again off and running. The trail to Wiley Ames’s murderer leads CJ down a dark path strewn with backstabbing antique dealers, conniving friends and relatives of Ames’s, and a shadowy musician. Equally a white-knuckle-ride murder mystery and a tale of a traumatized young man coming to terms with his past, First of State features the kind of fresh characters, street-smart dialogue, and ingenious plot twists that have made this series a critical and commercial success.
When Ames and a mysterious Chinese man are found murdered, CJ’s already fragile world threatens to collapse. His attempts to find his friend’s killer are thwarted at every turn, and finally he joins his Uncle Ike’s business as bail bondsman and bounty hunter. Five years later one of Ames’s treasured antique license plates turns up at a Denver flea market, and CJ is once again off and running. The trail to Wiley Ames’s murderer leads CJ down a dark path strewn with backstabbing antique dealers, conniving friends and relatives of Ames’s, and a shadowy musician. Equally a white-knuckle-ride murder mystery and a tale of a traumatized young man coming to terms with his past, First of State features the kind of fresh characters, street-smart dialogue, and ingenious plot twists that have made this series a critical and commercial success.
- GenresMystery
396 pages, Hardcover
First published October 19, 2010
6 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
About the author
Robert Greer
25 books20 followersRobert Greer, author of the CJ Floyd mystery series, lives in Denver, where he is a practicing surgical pathologist, research scientist, and Professor of Pathology and Medicine at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. He also edits the High Plains Literary Review, reviews books for National Public Radio, and raises Black Baldy cattle on his ranch near Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
Series:
* C. J. Floyd
Series:
* C. J. Floyd
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 19, 2010
It is autumn 1971, and 20 year-old CJ Floyd has returned home to Denver after serving two tours of duty in Vietnam. Home is a longstanding Victorian house on Denver’s Bail Bondman’s Row, where CJ lives with life-wise Uncle Ike, who is the sole black bail bondsman in Denver. As CJ takes baby steps back to righting his life to normalcy, he decides to follow-up on a mission that he did not complete before shipping out to Vietnam, the retrieval of a rare antique license plate from a secret hiding place. While CJ finds that the hiding place no longer exists, he does meet Wiley Ames, a World War II veteran, who recognizes the same pain in CJ’s eyes that he had for many years before someone befriended him. As the two unlikely friends bond over their common war experiences and love for collecting rare and valuable western memorabilia, Uncle Ike begins teaching CJ the business of being a bail bondsman and bounty hunter. But just as the fog is beginning to lift off CJ, Ames is murdered, throwing CJ back into the throes of depression. How will CJ be able to solve this murder if the police do not even have a clue? Will CJ be able to push the demons aside long enough to live in the present, and forge a future that will honor him and those in his past?
A good mystery series needs a hero with a style of their own. I found this in CJ Floyd driving around town in his signature 1957 Chevy Bel Air, wearing an outfit that always included a Stetson, a gambler’s vest and cowboy boots. This book will take you through several years before the Ames murder is fully solved, but the secondary storylines will keep you turning the page. I enjoy mysteries, where clues are well placed and you can solve the mystery along with the characters. The characters were well-developed with colorful personalities. Uncle Ike, with his practical approach to life, was one of my favorites. The author did a wonderful job of making the location, Denver, and the time period, the 1970s, an integrated part of the storyline. I enjoyed the information about the black Five Points neighborhood, and the migration of blacks from the different parts of the country to Denver, and how they blended their old traditions with their new ones. All of these features explains why this series has many loyal fans.
First of State is a prequel to the existing CJ Floyd mystery series, and is a good place for a reader new to the series to start, and for fans to understand how it all started. I recommend this book to mystery readers and readers who enjoy stories with a western locale.
A good mystery series needs a hero with a style of their own. I found this in CJ Floyd driving around town in his signature 1957 Chevy Bel Air, wearing an outfit that always included a Stetson, a gambler’s vest and cowboy boots. This book will take you through several years before the Ames murder is fully solved, but the secondary storylines will keep you turning the page. I enjoy mysteries, where clues are well placed and you can solve the mystery along with the characters. The characters were well-developed with colorful personalities. Uncle Ike, with his practical approach to life, was one of my favorites. The author did a wonderful job of making the location, Denver, and the time period, the 1970s, an integrated part of the storyline. I enjoyed the information about the black Five Points neighborhood, and the migration of blacks from the different parts of the country to Denver, and how they blended their old traditions with their new ones. All of these features explains why this series has many loyal fans.
First of State is a prequel to the existing CJ Floyd mystery series, and is a good place for a reader new to the series to start, and for fans to understand how it all started. I recommend this book to mystery readers and readers who enjoy stories with a western locale.
February 7, 2017
I enjoyed this novel with Vietnam vet, CJ Floyd attempting to solve the murder of WWII vet, Willie Ames when he returns from his tours of duty. Although Floyd is a flawed character, he is lovable and empathetic and those are the characters I really like as they are so much more human than characters who can never do wrong. This is my first Robert Greer novel but it won't be my last. I appreciate this opportunity to be introduced to this series!
December 16, 2010
Robert Greer is the writer of the critically acclaimed C.J. Floyd mysteries, and has won many awards for his work. First of State, recently published in October 2010, is a prequel to the C.J. Floyd series, and serves as a fine introduction to an intriguing world of fascinating characters. I haven’t yet read the other books, but I'll certainly look out for them.
The book opens with C.J. Floyd’s return from Vietnam. He comes back to his hometown, to the room where he grew up in his uncle’s home, and to a growing depression fueled by post-traumatic stress. At twenty-two, he has no idea what he’s going to do with his life, living instead a day at a time, following unfocussed impulses and treading carefully in the paths of old dreams.
C.J. used to collect things. Specifically, he used to collect antique license plates, and that urge leads him back to the old G.I. Joe’s pawn store, where he meets World War II veteran Wiley Ames. Wiley’s instant recognition and friendship, coupled with wise advice, offer a ray of light. But soon the safe world of hometown peace has left two corpses lying in the street, and C.J. grapples with single-minded determination to find out what happened.
C.J.’s uncle is the first black bail-bondsman and bounty hunter in the area—successful, wily, and wise. Soon C.J. is working for him, learning the ropes, training his investigative thoughts ‘til they might be called skills, making mistakes, and getting out of scrapes. His friends help him. Strangers either hinder or help. And violence lurks still too close to the surface for comfort as his temper is tested. There’s the murderer of a friend’s son to be found, a cheating salesman putting pressure on another friend’s father, and behind it all, as years begin to pass, there’s C.J.’s longing to solve that first mystery that welcomed him home. If he could just do this, and control his temper, and improve his self-esteem, and feel like he deserved the girl of his dreams…
Dialog and voice are pitch-perfect. The world of the 70s is evocatively drawn. Characters are filled with down-to-earth humor and kindness and common sense. And the plot twists keep C.J. and reader guessing right to the end. First of State is an intriguing character-driven mystery with a fascinating view of post-Vietnam America, curious insights on the worlds of flea-market and bail, and richly drawn settings in an African American neighborhood of 1970s Denver.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Caitlin Hamilton Marketing and Publicity LLC in exchange for an unbiased review.
The book opens with C.J. Floyd’s return from Vietnam. He comes back to his hometown, to the room where he grew up in his uncle’s home, and to a growing depression fueled by post-traumatic stress. At twenty-two, he has no idea what he’s going to do with his life, living instead a day at a time, following unfocussed impulses and treading carefully in the paths of old dreams.
C.J. used to collect things. Specifically, he used to collect antique license plates, and that urge leads him back to the old G.I. Joe’s pawn store, where he meets World War II veteran Wiley Ames. Wiley’s instant recognition and friendship, coupled with wise advice, offer a ray of light. But soon the safe world of hometown peace has left two corpses lying in the street, and C.J. grapples with single-minded determination to find out what happened.
C.J.’s uncle is the first black bail-bondsman and bounty hunter in the area—successful, wily, and wise. Soon C.J. is working for him, learning the ropes, training his investigative thoughts ‘til they might be called skills, making mistakes, and getting out of scrapes. His friends help him. Strangers either hinder or help. And violence lurks still too close to the surface for comfort as his temper is tested. There’s the murderer of a friend’s son to be found, a cheating salesman putting pressure on another friend’s father, and behind it all, as years begin to pass, there’s C.J.’s longing to solve that first mystery that welcomed him home. If he could just do this, and control his temper, and improve his self-esteem, and feel like he deserved the girl of his dreams…
Dialog and voice are pitch-perfect. The world of the 70s is evocatively drawn. Characters are filled with down-to-earth humor and kindness and common sense. And the plot twists keep C.J. and reader guessing right to the end. First of State is an intriguing character-driven mystery with a fascinating view of post-Vietnam America, curious insights on the worlds of flea-market and bail, and richly drawn settings in an African American neighborhood of 1970s Denver.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Caitlin Hamilton Marketing and Publicity LLC in exchange for an unbiased review.
December 12, 2010
First of State by Robert Greer (ARC)
Published by North Atlantic Books
ISBN 978-1556439155
At the request of Caitlin Hamilton Marketing & Publicity, an ARC was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
Synopsis (back of book): Robert Greer's latest novel-a prequel to his CJ Floyd mystery series-takes readers back in time to a very different CJ Floyd. It's 1972, and the twenty-two-year-old decorated war vet has recently returned to Denver from Vietnam with post-traumatic stress disorder. Navigating depression, he finds a friend in World War II vet and amputee Wiley Ames, who shares his passion for rare and valuable western memorabilia.
When Ames and a mysterious Chinese man are found murdered, CJ's already fragile world threatens to collapse. His attempts to find his friend's killer are thwarted at every turn, and finally joins his Uncle Ike's business as a bail bondsman and bounty hunter. Five years later one of Ames's treasured antique license plates turns up at a Denver flea market and CJ is once again off and running. The trail to Wiley Ames's murderer leads CJ down a dark path strewn with backstabbing antique dealers, conniving friends and relatives of Ames's, and a shadowy musician. Equally a white-knuckle-ride murder mystery and a tale of a traumatized young man coming to terms with his past.
My Thoughts and Opinion: This was the first time reading this author, and it being the prequel, has piqued my curiosity as to the rest of the series. The characters became life like whereas I instantly liked the 2 main characters CJ and his uncle Ike, even with their flaws. Set in the 1970s, CJ just back from Viet Nam, the plot touched upon Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, which I feel that Dr. Greer gave credibility for the veterans that suffer from this disease. The writing was descriptive where I could picture in my mind the scenarios of crimes and suspects that CJ investigated. The story line did move forward but at times not as fast as I would have liked. I enjoyed the characters more than the basic plot, and because of that I am quite interested in reading more of CJ Floyd and how his character evolves and develops over the years.
My Rating: 3
Published by North Atlantic Books
ISBN 978-1556439155
At the request of Caitlin Hamilton Marketing & Publicity, an ARC was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
Synopsis (back of book): Robert Greer's latest novel-a prequel to his CJ Floyd mystery series-takes readers back in time to a very different CJ Floyd. It's 1972, and the twenty-two-year-old decorated war vet has recently returned to Denver from Vietnam with post-traumatic stress disorder. Navigating depression, he finds a friend in World War II vet and amputee Wiley Ames, who shares his passion for rare and valuable western memorabilia.
When Ames and a mysterious Chinese man are found murdered, CJ's already fragile world threatens to collapse. His attempts to find his friend's killer are thwarted at every turn, and finally joins his Uncle Ike's business as a bail bondsman and bounty hunter. Five years later one of Ames's treasured antique license plates turns up at a Denver flea market and CJ is once again off and running. The trail to Wiley Ames's murderer leads CJ down a dark path strewn with backstabbing antique dealers, conniving friends and relatives of Ames's, and a shadowy musician. Equally a white-knuckle-ride murder mystery and a tale of a traumatized young man coming to terms with his past.
My Thoughts and Opinion: This was the first time reading this author, and it being the prequel, has piqued my curiosity as to the rest of the series. The characters became life like whereas I instantly liked the 2 main characters CJ and his uncle Ike, even with their flaws. Set in the 1970s, CJ just back from Viet Nam, the plot touched upon Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, which I feel that Dr. Greer gave credibility for the veterans that suffer from this disease. The writing was descriptive where I could picture in my mind the scenarios of crimes and suspects that CJ investigated. The story line did move forward but at times not as fast as I would have liked. I enjoyed the characters more than the basic plot, and because of that I am quite interested in reading more of CJ Floyd and how his character evolves and develops over the years.
My Rating: 3
September 22, 2010
CJ Floyd is not your typical sleuth. He's not a cop. Or an ex-cop. Or anything (or ex-anything) remotely related to crime-solving, except that he reluctantly agrees to join his Uncle Ike in the bailbonding biz.
This prequel to the CJ Floyd mystery series finds a young CJ back home from Vietnam, resuming his suspended life in Denver's Five Points district. He returns to a pawn shop from which he is slowly stealing a license plate -- a rare "first of state." But the license plate is no longer in the wall where he had hidden it two years earlier. As CJ makes small talk with pawn shop employee Wiley Ames, teasing out clues to the license plate's fate, he is surprised to discover a quickly-developing bond with this man over their shared passion for collecting.
But this is a mystery, so of course murder rears its ugly head, and Wiley is killed along with a tall Chinese man. CJ vows to bring his new friend's killer to justice. If only it were that easy.
The author, Robert Greer, has a gift for creating memorable characters. And another gift for killing off those same characters. As this is the first CJ story I've read, I can only hope that his other books are filled with characters who are just as memorable as those here, and that Greer has had the graciousness to allow at least some of them to live.
Greer's one flaw is that he sometimes tries to squeeze too much information into his sentences. There are authors who can do this successfully; unfortunately Greer's monster sentences often get away from him and become ungainly beasts. In one case he unnecessarily packs a sentence with information that only a few paragraphs later is delivered again through dialog. But on the whole Greer's writing is strong and engaging. Once you get caught up in life in Five Points, you won't want to leave.
CJ Floyd is a refreshing change of pace in the world of mysteries, and I look forward to reading other books in this series.
This prequel to the CJ Floyd mystery series finds a young CJ back home from Vietnam, resuming his suspended life in Denver's Five Points district. He returns to a pawn shop from which he is slowly stealing a license plate -- a rare "first of state." But the license plate is no longer in the wall where he had hidden it two years earlier. As CJ makes small talk with pawn shop employee Wiley Ames, teasing out clues to the license plate's fate, he is surprised to discover a quickly-developing bond with this man over their shared passion for collecting.
But this is a mystery, so of course murder rears its ugly head, and Wiley is killed along with a tall Chinese man. CJ vows to bring his new friend's killer to justice. If only it were that easy.
The author, Robert Greer, has a gift for creating memorable characters. And another gift for killing off those same characters. As this is the first CJ story I've read, I can only hope that his other books are filled with characters who are just as memorable as those here, and that Greer has had the graciousness to allow at least some of them to live.
Greer's one flaw is that he sometimes tries to squeeze too much information into his sentences. There are authors who can do this successfully; unfortunately Greer's monster sentences often get away from him and become ungainly beasts. In one case he unnecessarily packs a sentence with information that only a few paragraphs later is delivered again through dialog. But on the whole Greer's writing is strong and engaging. Once you get caught up in life in Five Points, you won't want to leave.
CJ Floyd is a refreshing change of pace in the world of mysteries, and I look forward to reading other books in this series.
June 27, 2013
A prequel to the CJ Floyd Mystery Series
CJ Floyd is twenty years old, just returning from a back to back tour in Vietnam Nam. Before he left for war though, he stashed an antique porcelain license plate behind the wall in a local pawn shop. CJ collects old memorabilia, and although his collections will probably never be complete, he'd sure like that license plate back.
When he goes to the pawn shop, he heads directly to the wall where he had stashed the plate a few years ago. But the wall is new, and covered with faded photographs. He meets Wiley Ames, a veteran of WWII who came home with half of his arm lost. He runs the pawn shop now, and recalls the plate that CJ is looking for. He knows there's a connection between him and CJ, he just can't quite put his finger on it.
CJ is having problems sleeping and night sweats and asks Ames for advice. The two strike up a friendship, so when Ames and his buddy Chin are found murdered, CJ's already fragile world is turned upside down. He tries to find his friends killer but hits a break wall every time. So, to try and overcome his depression, he joins his uncles bail bondsman business and becomes a bounty hunter.
When a license plate shows up at a flea market five years later, CJ knows it had to be one in Ames collection. It triggers the murders all over again and this time CJ is ready to investigate. Filled with twists and turns, compelling and likable characters and a solid plot, First of State is a engaging mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I have not read the CJ Floyd mystery series, so I did not know these characters. Fans of the series though, will enjoy reading of them when they were younger and how they all met. Thumbs up!!
CJ Floyd is twenty years old, just returning from a back to back tour in Vietnam Nam. Before he left for war though, he stashed an antique porcelain license plate behind the wall in a local pawn shop. CJ collects old memorabilia, and although his collections will probably never be complete, he'd sure like that license plate back.
When he goes to the pawn shop, he heads directly to the wall where he had stashed the plate a few years ago. But the wall is new, and covered with faded photographs. He meets Wiley Ames, a veteran of WWII who came home with half of his arm lost. He runs the pawn shop now, and recalls the plate that CJ is looking for. He knows there's a connection between him and CJ, he just can't quite put his finger on it.
CJ is having problems sleeping and night sweats and asks Ames for advice. The two strike up a friendship, so when Ames and his buddy Chin are found murdered, CJ's already fragile world is turned upside down. He tries to find his friends killer but hits a break wall every time. So, to try and overcome his depression, he joins his uncles bail bondsman business and becomes a bounty hunter.
When a license plate shows up at a flea market five years later, CJ knows it had to be one in Ames collection. It triggers the murders all over again and this time CJ is ready to investigate. Filled with twists and turns, compelling and likable characters and a solid plot, First of State is a engaging mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I have not read the CJ Floyd mystery series, so I did not know these characters. Fans of the series though, will enjoy reading of them when they were younger and how they all met. Thumbs up!!
December 12, 2010
I absolutely love how Robert Greer added a second story line to First of State! I don't know if he meant to keep the readers interested in it by doing so, but he kept me wanting to come back for more! I must say that Mystery is one of my all-time favorite book genres because of the characters and the whole idea of maybe being able to solve the 'mystery' yourself by developing you own ideas. The characters were absolutely unique and very interesting, ones that surely won't be forgotten-even if Mr. Greer kills them off in the end. Not many people really pay too much attention to the quotes that are in the beginning of the book...I do! I love quotes and this particular one really piqued my curiosity.
From the book:
Money is the last thing a wise man will hoard-Will Durant
For some reason this particular quote is what made me read this book before all the others and I'm so glad I did!
If you enjoy reading mysteries with awesome characters I highly recommend First of State by Robert Greer!
From the book:
Money is the last thing a wise man will hoard-Will Durant
For some reason this particular quote is what made me read this book before all the others and I'm so glad I did!
If you enjoy reading mysteries with awesome characters I highly recommend First of State by Robert Greer!
October 5, 2011
FIRST OF STATE
By Dr. Robert Greer
This intriguing mystery is a prequel to The C. J. Floyd series that takes you to the African American neighborhood known as Five Points in Denver, Colorado in the early 1970’s. Twenty two year old C. J. Floyd, a disillusioned veteran finds a kindred spirit in a World War II amputee and antique dealer. When C. J. discovers he has been murdered, he vows he will find the killer. In the meantime he throws himself into his Uncle Ike’s bail-bond business and gradually reveals the pain behind his emotionally guarded personality, and his reluctance to use any kind of violence.
C. J. Floyd is an absolutely marvelous character from his distinctive dress to his unique perspectives.
This a must read for mystery readers with a setting outside the ordinary, and a colorful hero who cracks cases and has a weakness for sweet potato pie.
A very satisfying entry in a thoughtful and multilayered series.
By Dr. Robert Greer
This intriguing mystery is a prequel to The C. J. Floyd series that takes you to the African American neighborhood known as Five Points in Denver, Colorado in the early 1970’s. Twenty two year old C. J. Floyd, a disillusioned veteran finds a kindred spirit in a World War II amputee and antique dealer. When C. J. discovers he has been murdered, he vows he will find the killer. In the meantime he throws himself into his Uncle Ike’s bail-bond business and gradually reveals the pain behind his emotionally guarded personality, and his reluctance to use any kind of violence.
C. J. Floyd is an absolutely marvelous character from his distinctive dress to his unique perspectives.
This a must read for mystery readers with a setting outside the ordinary, and a colorful hero who cracks cases and has a weakness for sweet potato pie.
A very satisfying entry in a thoughtful and multilayered series.
December 10, 2010
Actually 4.5 Stars
From my book review blog Rundpinne...."Greer creates the most diverse, detailed, intriguing, and deep characters I have had the privilege to read in a long time. Part of the genius in Greer’s characters is the simple fact that each one is human and flawed in one way or another, humble, and trying to do their best to make it through the day. ".....the full review may be read here.
From my book review blog Rundpinne...."Greer creates the most diverse, detailed, intriguing, and deep characters I have had the privilege to read in a long time. Part of the genius in Greer’s characters is the simple fact that each one is human and flawed in one way or another, humble, and trying to do their best to make it through the day. ".....the full review may be read here.
September 5, 2010
The book was of first interest to me because of the Denver setting, because I was born and raised there. Some of the landmarks were fun to try and recall. The author has a way of keeping you thinking about the next obstacle in the case, although a slow read, I will read more from this author. Thanks to goodreads this was a first read.
August 28, 2010
I really liked this book, from page one I kept myself reading. I took awhile to read this one, it was a long one, it kept me excited to see what was in store on the next page. Would recommend this one to all.
September 28, 2010
A slow read. I had a hard time really getting into this one. It was a good story with a basic mystery premise but I just couldn't get into it. I am curious to read more by this author to see if his others are any better.
September 11, 2010
From the opening few paragraphs my interest was held. The author protagonist was immediately sympathatic and likeable. I have not read any of Robert Greer's earlier books. I will seek them out to read.
January 15, 2011
Fun mystery. This is another Denver author who we saw speak at an event last year. Robert Greer is a medical doctor and professor who just happens to write great books on the side. :) I will try another of his series about CJ.
July 16, 2013
Excellent book. The story centers in Denver, Colorado during the 1970's. I lived in Denver from 2009 until 2011. The story mentioned a lot of landmarks, streers and transit buses that I was very familiar with. I enjoyed the book very much.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews