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In the real world, crime investigations often hinge on forensics, gathering evidence, analyzing DNA and reconstructing events in careful detail. Lab work and the precision of technology have made it easier to catch the culprit; however, they are not yet able to disclose why criminals do what they do.
However, in fictional noir, the focus shifts from forensic details to psychological depth. Instead of picking up test tubes and tracing evidence, detective noir depends on exploring the human psyche to reveal motives. It uses thrill as a tool to dissect the complex relationship between individuals and the societies they inhabit.
This shift is what makes noir so compelling. Readers aren’t just curious about how crimes are solved; they want to understand why they happen. What drives someone to commit murder? How does the investigator’s personal baggage influence their pursuit of justice? These are the questions that elevate crime fiction from procedural to profound.
And it’s this mantle that author Bob Kelly artfully carries forward with his Chicago Detective Jack Fallon series.
Early life in Chicago
Born and raised in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood, Kelly embraced the West Side’s culture and tough realities early in life. He grew up in a stable, loving family with his mother, grandmother and brother.
At 13, Kelly’s family relocated to the North Shore suburb of Glencoe, which was quite the opposite of the bustling West Side. It was a major culture shock but Kelly adapted quickly, finding friendship on the basketball court. “Moving to Glencoe was a challenge, but sports helped bridge the gap,” he reflects.
These formative years have influenced his writing. His experiences taught him adaptability and resilience, which later helped him excel in his career and character.
Growing up, Kelly’s imagination was sparked by the suburban streets and vast green fields surrounding New Trier East High School. The school’s impressive facilities and engaging extracurriculars nurtured his budding love for literature. As he pored over classic novels in the library’s quiet corners, he found himself absorbing the creativity himself.
From law to literature
Though Kelly’s literary aspirations began early, life had other plans. He began pursuing a legal career, earning his juris doctor at Chicago-Kent College of Law and an L.L.M. in transnational business and tax at McGeorge School of Law. His work took him to Copenhagen, where he coached basketball teams and completed an internship with a prestigious law firm.
Upon returning to his hometown of Chicago, Kelly established his solo legal practice, navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship. However, life had another surprise in store. When Kelly relocated to New York to support his growing family, he juggled a demanding mix of roles — bartending to make ends meet, substitute teaching to share his knowledge, and coaching to stay connected to his athletic roots.
It was during this period that Kelly’s commitment to justice and advocacy shone through. He eventually secured a position as a criminal defense attorney, tirelessly fighting for the rights of his clients. Kelly’s compassion extended to family law, where he became a vocal advocate for children.
It wasn’t until the 2020 pandemic, when courts closed and life slowed, that Kelly found the time to rekindle his first passion. “The world was on pause, and I decided it was time to fulfill my dream of writing fiction,” he says. What began as a personal project soon became a full-fledged literary career, with three detective novels completed in three years.
“Chicago is a character in its own right” – Bob Kelly
Kelly’s love for the Windy City shines through in the Chicago Detective Jack Fallon series. He draws on his experiences growing up in the city and his years as an attorney to craft authentic, nuanced stories.
His novels capture the city’s duality: the glamour of its high-end art shows and elite social clubs contrasted with the shadowy underworld of crime and corruption. Through Detective Jack Fallon, Kelly explores themes of justice, morality and human frailty, offering readers an interesting and relatable protagonist.
Kelly hopes his books provide readers with a sense of fulfillment. “I hope my stories resonate with people, that they feel the tension, fear, anger, sorrow and love my characters experience,” he says.
Kelly believes in telling stories that probe the inner workings of human behavior. “For me, it’s much more important to tell stories about what makes people tick and how their behavior is affected by and affects the society in which they live,” he explains. He uses methods that align with the greats of detective noir, where human flaws, virtues, and moral gray areas are used as archetypes.
Bob Kelly’s BookFest Award-winning novel, “Chicago Detective Jack Fallon in the Mystery of the Exotic Escort Murders,” begins in the dark underbelly of Chicago. Tasked with solving the gruesome murders of escorts in the city’s upscale hotels, Fallon and his new partner, Elaina Rodriguez, uncover a labyrinthine plot involving street gangs and elite corruption.
Kelly’s other novel in this detective-verse, “The Mystery of the Egg of Chaos,” directs the spotlight toward a high-profile art theft and the murder of a Chinese Consulate General. The titular “egg of chaos,” a symbolic artifact of yin-yang forces, became both a plot device and a metaphor for the dualities in Fallon’s world.
The series continues to evolve with “The Mystery of the Legally Dead,” where Fallon and Rodriguez face a chilling web of anarchists, white supremacists and Russian mobsters. This installment focuses on themes of justice, loyalty and moral ambiguity while also introducing a romantic entanglement.
As he continues to develop the Chicago Detective Jack Fallon series, Kelly remains open to exploring other genres and ideas. “Right now, I’m focused on this series, but other ideas keep popping into my head,” he says. His passion for storytelling shows that whatever he writes next will be just as exciting as the Chicago Detective Jack Fallon series.
For fans of detective noir, Kelly’s work promises a thrilling ride through the shadowy streets of Chicago and the even murkier depths of the human psyche.
Visit Bob Kelly’s website to learn more.
— Provided by Ascend Agency
The news and editorial staffs of the Chicago Tribune had no role in this post’s preparation.