Step into the sun-scorched deserts and rugged mountains of New Mexico, where Kevin Kerney, a retired Santa Fe detective, tackles crime with grit and heart. Michael McGarrity’s Kevin Kerney series is a thrilling blend of crime fiction and Western soul, weaving authentic law enforcement drama with vivid landscapes and deep character arcs. Ready to ride alongside a modern cowboy-lawman?
This 14-book saga captures the essence of New Mexico’s wild beauty while unraveling complex mysteries. McGarrity, a former deputy sheriff, infuses his stories with real-world expertise, making every investigation feel like it could headline tomorrow’s news. Let’s explore how this series became a gem in crime fiction.
How Kevin Kerney Began
Michael McGarrity, a Santa Fe resident with over 25 years in criminal justice, launched the Kevin Kerney series in 1996 with Tularosa. Drawing from his experience as a deputy sheriff and sex crimes investigator, McGarrity crafted Kerney as a flawed yet honorable ex-cop, haunted by an on-the-job injury but driven by justice. His goal? To merge the procedural precision of police work with the mythic allure of the American West, set against New Mexico’s stunning vistas.
The series grew from McGarrity’s love for storytelling and his intimate knowledge of New Mexico’s culture and terrain. Inspired by the state’s history and his own career, he created a hero whose investigations reflect the region’s complexities—racial tensions, land disputes, and gritty crime. The result was a series that feels both timeless and grounded.
The Heart of Kevin Kerney
The Kevin Kerney series kicks off with Tularosa, where Kerney, two years retired, hunts for his former partner’s missing soldier-son near White Sands Missile Range. The case spirals into a conspiracy stretching from military secrets to Mexican border towns. In Mexican Hat, Kerney, now a forest ranger, uncovers a 60-year-old feud tied to a Mexican tourist’s murder in the Gila Wilderness. Serpent Gate sees him tackle a cop-killing and art theft, chasing clues to Mexico against a cunning foe. Hermit’s Peak finds Kerney investigating a murder on his newly inherited ranch, blending personal stakes with procedural depth.
Themes of honor, family, and redemption pulse through the series, set against New Mexico’s Tularosa Basin, Santa Fe, and Hermit’s Peak. McGarrity’s prose paints the land as a character—harsh, beautiful, and unforgiving—while his police procedurals shine with realistic detail. Kerney, a loner with a strong moral code, evolves across the series, grappling with divorce, injury, and fatherhood, making him relatable and compelling.
The series also includes the Kerney Family Trilogy (Hard Country, Backlands, The Last Ranch), a prequel tracing the Kerney family from 1875 to the Vietnam War. These historical novels deepen Kerney’s backstory, exploring ranching life and New Mexico’s turbulent past, earning praise for their rich historical detail.
Why Kevin Kerney Resonates
The Kevin Kerney series has carved a niche in crime fiction, blending Western grit with police procedural authenticity. Fans praise McGarrity’s vivid settings and Kerney’s grounded heroism, with books like Tularosa and Hermit’s Peak earning Anthony Award nominations. The series’ focus on New Mexico’s cultural and historical tapestry sets it apart, offering readers a window into a region rarely explored in mainstream crime novels.
McGarrity’s work has inspired devoted readers, with some planning New Mexico vacations based on the series’ locations. Its influence extends to aspiring writers, showing how regional storytelling can elevate genre fiction. Though McGarrity concluded the series with Head Wounds in 2020, its legacy endures through its authentic voice and unforgettable landscapes.
- First Book: Tularosa (1996)
- Total Books: 14, plus 3 in the Kerney Family Trilogy
- Awards: Nominated for Anthony Awards (1997, 2002); McGarrity received the New Mexico Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts
- Setting: New Mexico, primarily Santa Fe, Tularosa Basin, and Hermit’s Peak
Grab Tularosa and dive into Kevin Kerney’s thrilling world of crime, honor, and New Mexico’s wild heart!