I realise this is the author's first book and that he has written several more.  I also know that he has edited this one and republished it.  I've been an editor for 40 years, and as with all books, no matter who publishes them, something always gets by everybody.  With that in mind, I read this, hoping I would find a new writer to enjoy, and I did.  There were things in this mystery to which I could relate:  not so much the murders as the type of relationship that was developing between Penny and Jim.  That was my father and my stepmother, who saw each other again after 40 years at their own high school reunion.  A few other things related to me, and to be honest, there wasn't a single far-fetched thing for me in the story.  A few items were perhaps stretching, but not a complete field goal out of sight.  I think for a first work, this was pretty good.  Rather than follow the progression of the books, though, to see how Bob's writing changes and gets better, I'm simply going to jump forward to the most recent and go from there.  Good job on this one, Mr. Moats.  You have a new fan.