Reviews
“Intriguing! Carolyn Ryder Retired FBI Agent is mixed up with two other women in finding a kidnapped 19-year-old. Clayton Morelli Chief of Police doesn’t consider her missing until Carolyn convinces him to dig deeper. She and two new acquaintances try to find her themselves. They get mixed up in some very dangerous situations. A great story that keeps you wondering if they will make it out alive. Definitely keep you turning the pages needing to know how it all ends. Then you’re left with a great cliffhanger. Can’t wait till the next book is out.” – Avid Reader, Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2025
“Excellent thriller in the series. Aamon Jessop arrives in Erin’s Bay looking for Ellie Sutton. Carolyn Ryder and her two new friends are on to him and turn the tables to make him the prey in the latest thriller in the Carolyn Ryder series. Highly recommend this series for fans of thrillers with lots of twists and turns. I am looking forward to learning more about the missing girl whose name was written on the back of the hidden billboard. Looking forward to many more volumes in this series with the intertwining of characters from other series by the author.” – Lisa Stewart, Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2025
“Erin’s Bay is attracting more and more evil. Another great read where we follow Carolyn on her mission to rid the world of evil killers. Curiosity draws Carolyn into more and more danger. Fast paced and action filled, with the story twisting and turning. Can’t wait for the next installment.” – Vanessa, Reviewed on Goodreads, May 1, 2025
“I was excited, lucky, and thankful to be the recipient of an advance copy of A Dark Kill, Book No. 6 in “The Killing Seasons Series” slated for publication on May 16, 2025. J.K. Ellem’s spine-chilling thrillers rank among the very best I’ve ever read. I thought Sam Pritchard, a/k/a The Highway Killer, was the most petrifying and evil killer Ellem would ever create – but I was wrong! Now he’s sent Aamon Jessop to Erin’s Bay, and the handsome blue-eyed diabolically deranged devil has retired ex-FBI Agent Carolyn Ryder in sight as his next victim. Readers better buckle up for another dangerous and wicked ride. And not only does Ryder have a killer on her heels, the romantic relationship between her and Chief of Police Morelli is on rocky ground as well. Poor Carolyn, she can’t seem to get a break. So, I gulped this utterly addictive, twisty high-octane stunner down in one-sitting. The faint of heart may need to take a chill-pill or a glass of wine. It left me with a few ragged fingernails and my brain reeling from the revelations throughout. Still — WOW — well-worth it! Believe me, you know you’re in for a top-notch smartly written thriller whenever you begin reading a book by J.K. Ellem! So, clear your schedule – once you start, you won’t be able to put it down. And it’s sure to stick with you long after the final page. Extra-extra – exciting news: Readers can expect the 7th installment in the Killing Seasons Series – A FORGOTTEN KILL – to be released on December 5, 2025.” – Anne OK, Reviewed on Goodreads, April 28, 2025
“Wow! This is a bit of an explosive read, from start to finish! Carolyn Ryder, ex FBI agent, finds herself in a whole spot of bother in this latest read. Investigating the abduction of a young woman, Carolyn is hunting down a deranged psychopath in Erin’s Bay, not a place I will ever be visiting any time soon! The characterization and plotting are spot on and the whole read is a rollercoaster of a ride right to the end. The author has produced another easy 5* read from me, I am off to check the windows and doors now, as well as looking over my shoulder. I recommend this series to lovers of thrillers.” – Martha Brindley, Reviewed on Goodreads, April 27, 2025
“What an explosive and jaw dropping start for A Dark Kill, have you been naughty or nice? The people of Erin’s Bay are soon to find out. All Ex-FBI Agent Carolyn Ryder wants is peace and tranquility especially after The Highway Killer Sam Pritchard. But trouble tends to find Carolyn no matter how hard she tries to distance herself from it. There is murder and mayhem happening again in Erin’s Bay and the Chief of Police Morelli is taking out his frustration on Carolyn especially after they split up. But there is more than one person being naughty and one that you would never suspect. Hang on to your hats folks because you are in for one heck of a ride. Fans of Harlan Coben, James Patterson and Lisa Gardner will devour this series.” – Allison Valentine, Reviewed on Goodreads, April 15, 2025
“The Women’s Murder Club on Steroids! I’m a huge fan of The Women’s Murder Club, but A Dark Kill is a darker, grittier, more ruthless version that I absolutely devoured. Carolyn Ryder and her crew of unlikely heroes don’t just catch killers; they reign fire and brimstone down on them. I loved her in The Killing Seasons and was a little sad when it all ended. But now she’s back in a spin-off series, and she’s got some new friends on her side. Murderers, psychos, crazies, serial killers—you name it. Look out, these women are coming for you. Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an ARG copy to read. This is an unpaid review and is my own, honest opinion.” – T Devine
“Grabbed me from the very first page.I was so looking forward to reading this book after finishing A Wintry Kill and OMG! I laughed, I cried, I yelled and screamed and even hid under the covers at one point in the story. You’ll know the scene I’m talking about when you read the book. Once again, we’re back in the picturesque town of Erin’s Bay, where Carolyn is pitted against a truly evil villain. With the help of Abigail Brenner, Carolyn needs all the skills she has to defeat him. Along with Clayton Morelli, Alice Munro and the rest of the gang from the Erin’s Bay Police Department, it was like reuniting with old friends without missing a beat. I love seeing more of these wonderful characters. Hopefully, I will see more of them in the future.” – Molly W.
“It’s everything you want in a crime, mystery, thriller. I received A Dark Kill as an advanced reader copy for an honest review. As cliché as it reads, I could not put this book down! As with all Carolyn Ryder stories, there’s heaps of action, suspense & mystery &, as usual, this book does not fail. Carolyn and Clay have settled into domestic life, especially after the events that occurred in Erin’s Bay before Christmas. But Carolyn is uneasy, sensing something is amiss in the picturesque beach town, & as usual, her instincts are not wrong! I really love these characters and story arcs & I’m so pumped that JKE is continuing the character Carolyn Ryder in A Dark Kill which is book #1 in a new series, The Erin’s Bay Thrillers. What a cracker of a start too! Please write them faster.” – Jemma A.
“Lock the doors and windows! I was so excited to receive my advance reader copy of A Dark Kill. And like before, I waited until the weekend, turned off my notifications, locked the doors and windows, poured myself a glass of wine, and curled up on the sofa and began reading. I read this book over the weekend and stayed up late Sunday night to finish it. What an action-packed story it was! Carolyn is back to doing what she does best, hunting down the worst in society. She has a new offsider helping her, along with a few familiar faces. Download your copy today, you won’t regret it. Can’t wait for the next one in the series.” – Donna B.
“Six stars out of five! A Dark Kill is the next book featuring one of my favorite characters, Carolyn Ryder. Carolyn has settled into the community of Erin’s Bay, but you know when Carolyn is around you are always wondering what is going to happen next. JK Ellem writes characters that are so real that you just get drawn into their hopes, dreams and struggles. I can’t say too much about the book, other than I had serious withdrawal symptoms after finishing it. Everything else now on my TBR now seems kinda, meh. That was the only criticism I have of the book. It’s six stars from me. I received an advance reader copy of A Dark Kill, and this is my honest review.” – Suzie A.
