Thank you, NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy.

Jeep was a big city cop who, after burn out, returned to his small town as its chief. Like many communities, it is a town of haves and have nots. Jeep came from the latter. His first homicide victim turns out to be his childhood friend Johnny who comes from one of the more affluent families but quite reckless. As.Johnny's father said when Jeep arrived to give the family notice said (paraphrasing) What has he done now?

The story toggles back and forth between their friendship over time to the present as Jeep investigates the death. Also causing him strife is the mayor who constantly demeans Jeep and his abilities,

While not the literary intrigue of many books, Johnny Careless held my attention as an instant gratification type book.

A dead body has links to a police chief's past

A body washing up on a beach on Long Island's Gold Coast is going to be a headache for newly minted Nassau County PD's second squad Police Chief Jeep Mullane...the local residents (in particular one of the mayors) are already up in arms over a rash of high end auto thefts which have thus far avoided injuries or worse but are happening all too often. The face of the victim has been churned up beyond recognition, but a small tattoo is all Jeep needs to see to know that it is Johnny Chambliss, son of one of the wealthiest area families and someone who was Jeep's closest friend back in high school. Johnny earned the nickname of "Johnny Careless" from his coaches back in the day because he always did what he wanted when he wanted and couldn't care less about the damage he left behind through his actions. Jeep by contrast was the son of a NYPD cop but his friendship with Johnny had him running with the country club set that dominated their small town; he was well-liked by everyone, but was never truly accepted as an equal. As Johnny's then-girlfriend (now ex-wife) Niven put it, Jeep might sign the guest book but would never be a member, a cutting remark that hurt even more coming from someone for whom Jeep had feelings. Jeep and Johnny have drifted apart through the years as geographical distance and life circumstances put them on different paths, but old loyalties die hard. Jeep doesn't agree with the assessment that Johnny's death was an unfortunate accident, particularly when he finds out how much pressure is being brought to bear on the PD and ME to accept it as such. But digging around could prove dangerous to Jeep's health and could also uncover some damaging secrets that the powerful would like to keep hidden.
Author Kevin Wade is better known as a writer and producer for the highly successful TV series Blue Bloods and for working on screenplays for movies like Meet Joe Black and Working Girl, so while this may be his debut novel he is no newcomer to writing about crime and developing characters. There is considerable depth to Jeep, Johnny, Niven and others while the author keeps the pacing of the story humming along. Jeep finds himself back in his hometown after his career (following in the steps of his late father as an NYPD cop) implodes in the wake of a domestic violence case that went horribly wrong. He's a hometown boy, but one who is not nor has ever been part of the ruling class there. His feelings towards Johnny are complex, as are those he harbors about Johnny's parents and Niven. The tale also features a solid detective whose personal problems are endangering his career, the younger cops that Jeep is trying to mold into a cohesive team, the pressure to crack the auto theft ring in a state where even when the police arrest a suspect that person is back on the street (and often on their way out of the country) before the paperwork on the arrest is fully complete...and there is Johnny, who is revealed through flashback chapters that alternate with those detailing actions in the present All this in 240 pages....this is a story that grabs the reader's attention from the opening pages and keeps it until the end, a classic crime novel whose hero isn't perfect but strives to live up to the standards his father set so many years ago. I am hoping that this is the first in a series featuring Jeep Mullane that will explore other fault lines within the communities he serves. Fans of authors like Nelson DeMille, Thomas Perry and John Sandford should add Kevin Wade to their list of authors to explore. Many thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for allowing me early access to this outstanding addition to the ranks of topnotch crime authors.

Just WOW! What a fantastic debut! I will be on the lookout for more of Kevin Wade’s fast paced stories. A cast of wonderful characters that kept me flipping pages long into the night. There was never a dull moment and it felt impossible to know who to trust. Do yourself a favor and pick this gem up.
Thank you NetGalley, Kevin Wade and Celadon Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This book held my interest. I especially liked getting to know the characters from kids up to the present day. Their history and relationships makes for a bittersweet seasoning. I became more and more interested in the characters and to the resolution of the mystery,, which, by the way, I didn’t see coming. I hope that we get to see these characters again.

Police Chief Jeep Mullane sucked me into the story. I loved the laid back personality with the intelligence and caring personality. Finding a dead body that belong to his childhood friend. Dealing with the standard politics in law enforcement, the secrets and so much more. I did struggle with some of the thought process his dad taught him (perfect example in the very beginning) but that was a small price to pay for a story line that intrigues, provides some humor and makes you care about the main character. Thank you for the advanced copy. I freely share my honest thoughts and opinions. #JohnnyCareless #KevinWade #CeladonBooks #NetGalley

Overall, I found Johnny Careless to be a decent read—nothing groundbreaking, but enjoyable enough for a quick escape. Some chapters did feel a bit corny or overly dramatic at times, with a few predictable tropes popping up that detracted from the overall experience. It may not offer anything particularly profound or groundbreaking, it’s a solid and enjoyable read for those seeking a quick, feel-good book
Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy

A gripping, atmospheric mystery that deftly blends gritty crime fiction with poignant nostalgia. At its heart is Police Chief Jeep Mullane, a complex and endearing protagonist whose return to his Long Island hometown unearths both personal and professional ghosts. Wade masterfully captures the tension between Jeep’s blue-collar roots and the opulent, secretive world of the North Shore elite, setting the stage for a tightly-wound mystery.

When Jeep’s childhood friend Johnny Chambliss—a charming but reckless “golden boy”—is found dead, the investigation plunges Jeep into a labyrinth of long-buried secrets, family rivalries, and corruption. The narrative weaves seamlessly between past and present, as Jeep’s sharp wit and emotional vulnerability lend depth to the story’s twists and turns.

Wade’s evocative prose and keen eye for character dynamics bring this world to life, from the glitzy, guarded mansions to the gritty, small-town police department. Equal parts whodunit and character study, Johnny Careless is a richly layered tale that keeps readers hooked until its poignant, satisfying conclusion. A must-read for fans of crime fiction with heart.

Thanks to Celadon Books for providing this copy via NetGalley for my honest, voluntary review.

#JohnnyCareless #NetGalley #CeledonBooks

Jeep Mullane left being an NYPD detective to return home to Long Island's North Shore and become the Chief of Police. He's even living in his childhood home and trying to get over the effects of one of his last cases in New York. The calm and quiet of living back in the small town is turned upside down when Jeep identifies the dead body of his childhood friend Johnny Chambliss that has washed up on the beach. The death could have been an accident or it could be related to one of the many secrets from their childhood. Which is it...Jeep is determined to find out.

3.5 stars

I wanted to read this because I enjoy procedural mysteries and I went to school in this area. And holy crap, Wade really nails the setting! I'm pretty good at imagining the story I'm reading but I didn't even have to try here. I knew so many of the places he mentioned but his descriptions helped cement me there.

The interplay between the different "tribes" (don't love that) as Jeep calls them feels faithfully captured. There's a visible sense of haves and have nots on the North Shore and it 100% carries over into attitudes and personalities. I thought the characters embodied that nicely without becoming caricatures. Johnny, Niven, Jeep -- they all felt real and genuine. And there's that double-speak that always confuses me, where they're saying one thing but mean something completely different. (Think <i>Succession</i> but toned WAY down.)

I enjoyed the switch between Jeep's third-person present and first-person past PoV! I thought it was unique and added a lovely element to the story. The past portions were more compelling but maybe that's because we knew they were leading to something bad happening to Johnny. I think we needed it because the mystery itself isn't terribly complicated. Very little about this plot surprised me.

This story isn't going to stick with me. It was a quick read, more enjoyable because I have ties to the area. I know people with deeper ties to the North Shore who will probably love it and I've already been talking it up to them! But this is one that I'll selectively recommend.

<i>Many thanks to NetGalley, Celadon, and the author for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.</i>

My thanks to Net Galley and Celadeon for this arc to review .

I'm on the fence with this. I liked the mystery of the body washing up of Jeeps old friend Johnny and him investigating. However I found the non linear back and forth time line hard to focus on. I felt there was much background info I didn't need.

Jeep is the new police detective in the town he grew up in filled with the haves and the have nots. Jeep is a have not, Johnny a trust fund kid, but they become the best of friends. While they no longer spend a lot of time together Johnny still considered Jeep his go to person.

When Jeep rolls up on a murder scene he discovers it's his old friend Johnny is the victim It appears that people high up would like to close this case as an accident. There also seems to be a high end car jacking ring operating in the same area. There doesn't seem to be a connection and Jeep is tasked with stopping the ring or possibly losing his job. Meanwhile Johnny's ex-wife and Jeeps good friend, and boyhood crush, Niven keeps showing up at his house.

This is a great story that jumps around in time taking us back to when Jeep and Johnny were teens at different critical time periods. Through these flashbacks we learn more about Johnny and Jeep. We learn about their character, explore their dreams and learn about the obstacles in their way.
I've never read anything by Kevin Wade before but I will be seeking out his backlist. His writing is gritty and raw and his characters complex. A truly great read.

I received an ARC through "NetGalley" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

This story is about two boys that have been friends from childhood. Johnny is the son of a wealthy family while Jeep is the son of a MYPD Detective. Even though their family had different backgrounds, they became friends and even played on the same spots team. This story then details Jeep's determination to discover who and how Johnny was killed.

Jeep was called to a scene when a body was discovered on the beach on Long Island, NY. Identification was unable because the face was damaged through a collision with a boat. Jeep on looking at the body knew immediately that it was friend Johnny. This case was turned over to other police dept., but Jeep also looked into on his own to bring peace to Jonny's family as well as himself.

In addition to this case, there was also a group stealing high price vehicles from multiple areas. One of the vehicles stolen was from the Mayor of Bayville, Jeep's location where he was chief. As Jeep was looking into Johnny's death, he also gained insight into the individuals stealing cars. Jeep got a break on both cases when he was able to locate one individual.

To discover who the individual and why it was important, then you need to read this book. In the end you will discover who killed Johnny.

This is the 1st book from this author that I have read and I look forward to reading more. Get this book, you won't be disappointed.

Exciting crime fiction with good characters and wit
Jeep Mullane has returned to his hometown on Long Island’s North Shore to become chief of police after rising to detective in NYPD, but both the circumstances that caused him to come home and events after his return are not pleasant. A body washed up on a local beach is sad but part of the job, but when the body turns out to be that of his close childhood friend Johnny Chambliss, Jeep has to deal with very challenging emotional turmoil in addition to a difficult investigation.
Johnny Careless received well-earned praise from several well-respected writers. John Sandford described it as a “fast-moving classic crime novel.” This is accurate, and the plot certainly kept my interest, but it does not do the book full justice. I cannot remember reading a book that described police procedures in such an interesting and informative way, no doubt a legacy of Kevin Wade’s writing for the TV drama Blue Bloods. In addition, the character development, a feature that too often takes a back seat in crime novels, was very well done.
Author Carl Hiassen says that Johnny Careless “combines grit and wit in a way that conjures Donald Westlake or Robert Parker in full stride”. This is very true. I wrote many “ha ha”s and “smile”s in my kindle as I read!
Two aspects somewhat reduced my enjoyment of the book but certainly not enough that I would not recommend it. The first was the writing style. Some of the sentence structure came across as more fitting for dialogue than narrative. In addition, some of the colloquial speech is simply not in my vocabulary; it may be appropriate but could perhaps be couched to be a bit easier to interpret.
The second aspect, though, is some VERY explicit description of sex acts, well beyond what I normally see in books in this genre. I would prefer not to have such details but can handle them. Some readers will be very offended.
Despite the comments above, I thoroughly enjoyed Johnny Careless and recommend it to readers who enjoy good crime fiction with well-drawn characters and wittiness.
I received an advance review copy of this book from NetGalley and Celadon Books.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

"Johnny Careless" by Kevin Wade is a compelling and gritty novel that plunges readers into the underbelly of urban life, filled with complex characters, moral ambiguities, and unflinching realism. Wade's narrative prowess shines through in this story, creating a vivid and immersive experience that resonates long after the final page.

This novel follows Johnny Careless, a street-smart yet deeply flawed protagonist navigating the treacherous waters of crime, loyalty, and redemption. Set against a backdrop of a decaying cityscape, Johnny's world is one of constant struggle and survival. As he becomes entangled in a dangerous scheme, Johnny must confront his own demons and make choices that will determine his fate and the lives of those he cares about.

Wade's writing is raw and evocative, capturing the harsh realities of life on the margins with unflinching honesty. His characters are richly drawn, each with their own distinct voices and layered complexities. Johnny, in particular, is a compelling figure whose vulnerability and resilience make him a relatable and engaging protagonist.

The plot is intricately woven, with a steady build-up of tension and suspense that keeps readers hooked. Wade masterfully balances action and introspection, providing a deep and nuanced exploration of Johnny's psyche while maintaining a relentless pace. The novel's twists and turns are both surprising and satisfying, leading to a climactic and thought-provoking conclusion.

"Johnny Careless" explores themes such as identity, morality, and the impact of one's choices. Wade delves into the gray areas of human behavior, challenging readers to consider the complexities of right and wrong in a world where survival often necessitates compromise.

The setting of this novel adds to its atmospheric intensity, with Wade's vivid descriptions bringing the gritty urban landscape to life. The city's decay mirrors Johnny's internal struggles, creating a powerful and cohesive narrative that draws readers into its depths.

"Johnny Careless" is a gripping and thought-provoking novel that showcases Kevin Wade's talent for storytelling and character development. It is a must-read for fans of urban fiction and anyone who appreciates a well-crafted, emotionally resonant narrative. This novel is a testament to the power of resilience and the enduring human spirit, leaving readers satisfied and contemplative.

If you like mysteries with twists and turns, this one is for you. Taking place on Long Island, it's the age old tale of the have and have-nots, but in this instance, a "have-not" has crossed over....somewhat. Through his lacrosse prowess, our "have=not" protagonist becomes a teammate and friend with the title character (I think you can guess from the nickname Johnny is one of the "haves"). The story loosely follows their lives and after Johnny is found dead and it's up to his friend, who is now the police chief, to solve the case.

Great character development, a driving story, this is one you won't put down.

Johnny Careless by Kevin Wade, is his debut book and does not disappoint. It is about Jeep Mullane, the Police Chief of the small town on Long Island. He grew up there with many close friends, one of whom comes from a wealthy family and goes by the nickname of Johnny Careless. His name says it all!
The story begins when they find Jeep’s close friend Johnny dead. Jeep does not agree with the reason for the death and goes out on his own to find out what really happened.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book as it is well written with great characters. You will not be disappointed with this book and the surprising ending. I would like to thank NetGalley and Celadon books for this ARC.

Can't believe this is Kevin Wades first book. Great read. I hope he writes more. His characters were both believable and true to real life. I felt like I was living on the East Coast while reading this book

A murder mystery, an international theft ring, a police chief and the towns people make for a good mystery. In a town where everyone knows each other there are still secrets that can be revealed. This book has it all--catchy dialogue, tough talking cop and family drama. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary digital ARC. This review is my own thoughts and words.

Johnny Careless by Kevin Wade is a highly recommended procedural and the debut novel of a veteran screen writer and showrunner for Blue Bloods.

Police Chief Jeep Mullane has returned to head up the small police department in his hometown on Long Island’s North Shore after working at the NYPD, as his father did. Jeep is used to being the blue collar guy among the wealthy. His best friend growing up was Johnny Chambliss, nicknamed Johnny Careless, son of the elite Chambliss family. When a body washes up on a beach in Bayville, Jeep can immediately identify him from the tattoo on his ankle. Jeep has a matching tattoo so he knows it is his friend Johnny.

Mourning the loss of his friend, Jeep is also questioning what happened to Johnny and, since he can't investigate the death, undertakes his own investigation into Johnny's death. Jeep knows many of his friends secrets and the corruption among the wealthy elite and eventually has a colleague give him clues to follow. At the same time he is under pressure from the local mayors to break up an organized gang who are target stealing expensive cars in the area.

The well-written narrative moves between the present day action to flashbacks from Jeep's past following incidents, many involving Johnny, that are spaced about a year apart, leading up the the present. This develops both the characters of Jeep and Johnny, while showcasing their friendship and how it changed over the years. Since Jeep knew Johnny's family, he is privy to inside information and has insight into their characters too.

As the even-paced plot unfolds, there is a lot of political and societal expectations heaped upon Jeep's shoulders. This is an intricate mystery that has many moving parts that don't all connect as expected, but it does reach a satisfying conclusion. Johnny Careless is a police drama that is a quick read and compelling throughout.

Thanks to Celadon Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Edelweiss, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for the free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Jeep Mullane is the Police Chief of a small town in Long Island, where he grew up. He's very familiar with the town, its people, and its culture. When his BFF is found dead, Jeep questions the findings of the case. Also, there seems to be a sophisticated ring of car thieves stealing expensive cars in his hometown and the surrounding areas. Facing the politics and traditions of protecting the privacy and history of the people of the area, Jeep moves forward with both cases to determine if there is a link or what he can find out.

This is a well written, police procedural book that is fast paced and has well developed characters. I was pulled in and really liked the characters and story. I think that the author is also a contributor to Blue Bloods which came through in the story. Very well researched and intriguing! Highly recommend!!!