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The Killing Seasons #2
A Spring Kill
It’s Spring, and a new evil has awoken.
Sam Pritchard, the Highway Killer from Utah, tried to kill her…but failed.
Robin Hood, the winter serial killer who terrorized most of the Midwest, did kill her, and technically, Carolyn Ryder, for almost five minutes, was dead. But the woman who surgeons brought back to life on the operating table is not the same woman who was wheeled into the ER without a heartbeat.
She has changed. But one thing hasn’t changed. Carolyn Ryder has some unfinished business, and it’s called Sam Pritchard. She wants to find him real bad. And when she does…she’s not interested in capturing him.
She’s going to kill him.
Sam Pritchard, the Highway Killer from Utah, tried to kill her…but failed.
Robin Hood, the winter serial killer who terrorized most of the Midwest, did kill her, and technically, Carolyn Ryder, for almost five minutes, was dead. But the woman who surgeons brought back to life on the operating table is not the same woman who was wheeled into the ER without a heartbeat.
She has changed. But one thing hasn’t changed. Carolyn Ryder has some unfinished business, and it’s called Sam Pritchard. She wants to find him real bad. And when she does…she’s not interested in capturing him.
She’s going to kill him.
- GenresThrillerMystery Thriller
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 14, 2023
1085 people are currently reading
553 people want to read
About the author
J.K. Ellem
35 books221 followersJK Ellem was born in London and spent his formative years preferring to read books and comics rather than doing his homework.
He is the innovative author of short chapter, Hitchcock-style adult thrillers in the genres of crime, mystery, and psychological thrillers which have multiple plot lines that culminate in explosive, unpredictable endings that will leave you shocked.
In 2022 he was accepted into the Curtis Brown Creative, Writing Your Novel in Six Months course which he undertook in London while working on his manuscript for future submission.
He splits his time between the US, the UK and Australia.
Are you following JKE on Amazon? Great way to keep up-to-date with all my new releases, prime and kindle deals. Just click on the Follow Button found at the top of his author page. By following me you will receive notifications about all deals on all his books.
Just click here and "Follow"→ https://amzn.to/3qK8YI2
Why not curl up and read one of his can't put down thrillers:
Ravenwood Series:
Mill Point Road
Ravenwood
The Sisterhood
An Unkindness of Sinners
The Killing Seasons:
A Winter’s Kill
A Spring Kill
A Summer's Kill
A Fall Kill
A Wintry Kill
A Dark Kill
A Forgotten Kill
Thrillers:
All Other Sins
Murder School
Audrey Kills Again!
Taxi Man
No Justice Series:
Deadly Touch
No Justice
Cold Justice
American Justice
Fast Justice
Sinful Justice
Dark Justice
Hidden Justice
Raw Justice
Final Justice
Octagon Trilogy:
Soldiers Field
Octagon
Infernum
Visit my Author Page on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/jkellem
Follow me on Facebook: https://goo.gl/pQZ9Du
Follow me on Instagram: https://goo.gl/jLKruA
Visit my YouTube Channel : https://bit.ly/3pMqV5X
He is the innovative author of short chapter, Hitchcock-style adult thrillers in the genres of crime, mystery, and psychological thrillers which have multiple plot lines that culminate in explosive, unpredictable endings that will leave you shocked.
In 2022 he was accepted into the Curtis Brown Creative, Writing Your Novel in Six Months course which he undertook in London while working on his manuscript for future submission.
He splits his time between the US, the UK and Australia.
Are you following JKE on Amazon? Great way to keep up-to-date with all my new releases, prime and kindle deals. Just click on the Follow Button found at the top of his author page. By following me you will receive notifications about all deals on all his books.
Just click here and "Follow"→ https://amzn.to/3qK8YI2
Why not curl up and read one of his can't put down thrillers:
Ravenwood Series:
Mill Point Road
Ravenwood
The Sisterhood
An Unkindness of Sinners
The Killing Seasons:
A Winter’s Kill
A Spring Kill
A Summer's Kill
A Fall Kill
A Wintry Kill
A Dark Kill
A Forgotten Kill
Thrillers:
All Other Sins
Murder School
Audrey Kills Again!
Taxi Man
No Justice Series:
Deadly Touch
No Justice
Cold Justice
American Justice
Fast Justice
Sinful Justice
Dark Justice
Hidden Justice
Raw Justice
Final Justice
Octagon Trilogy:
Soldiers Field
Octagon
Infernum
Visit my Author Page on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/jkellem
Follow me on Facebook: https://goo.gl/pQZ9Du
Follow me on Instagram: https://goo.gl/jLKruA
Visit my YouTube Channel : https://bit.ly/3pMqV5X
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
June 18, 2024
A Spring Kill
is the second book in The Killing Seasons FBI Crime Mystery Series. Carolyn Ryder is now retired from the FBI, but she has some unfinished work to do. Sam Pritchard, the Highway Killer from Utah, tried, but failed to kill her. She wants to find him and isn’t interested in capturing him. She wants vengeance exacted for the women he’s killed as well as for her attempted murder.
Carolyn can be vindictive and vengeful. She’s willing to trash friendships to get Pritchard. She’s fiercely independent, strong-willed, determined, and has a relentless focus on her goal. Readers also get some incite in other characters, including Pritchard.
This fast-paced and traumatic story kept me engaged, but I had trouble understanding her lack of weapons. Additionally, there are some graphic and violent scenes that are disturbing with vivid descriptions. Despite this, I was hooked on the story and kept turning the pages.
Overall, this is an intense and suspenseful crime thriller with good characterization and excellent atmosphere. It immediately captured my interest with a compelling plot and intense action. Will you see the end coming? It was a surprise for me.
I purchased a copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date was July 14, 2013.
--------------------------------------
My 3.92 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
Carolyn can be vindictive and vengeful. She’s willing to trash friendships to get Pritchard. She’s fiercely independent, strong-willed, determined, and has a relentless focus on her goal. Readers also get some incite in other characters, including Pritchard.
This fast-paced and traumatic story kept me engaged, but I had trouble understanding her lack of weapons. Additionally, there are some graphic and violent scenes that are disturbing with vivid descriptions. Despite this, I was hooked on the story and kept turning the pages.
Overall, this is an intense and suspenseful crime thriller with good characterization and excellent atmosphere. It immediately captured my interest with a compelling plot and intense action. Will you see the end coming? It was a surprise for me.
I purchased a copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date was July 14, 2013.
--------------------------------------
My 3.92 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
July 6, 2023
**FULL REVIEW POSTED July 6, 2023**
With his second release in the "Killing Season Series," J.K. Ellem has masterfully written another shock-filled story with this electrifying and petrifying crime thriller.
Ellem’s mind must go into overdrive while creating characters who don’t conform to the norm. Nobody writes them better! Among them, of course, are those incredibly evil “bad” guys/gals who motivate his heroes/heroines into action beyond the expected.
Another season -- another crime! It’s springtime and the "Highway Killer"has crawled out of his hidey-hole and is once again on the prowl looking for his next unsuspecting victim. Carolyn Ryder is a tenacious and gutsy former FBI agent, now retired and facing her own personal kind of hell. But that isn't going to stop her from tracking Sam Pritchard, the man who has become known as the “Highway Killer.” And when she finds him – he’s going to die -- if it’s the last thing she ever does.
An intense thriller that will send chills down your spine as a killer(s) leaves a trail of murder and mayhem behind. Often, the best criminal thrillers are the ones that make readers feel an overwhelming sense of unease with a creeping dread that something terrible is about to happen. And Ellem has a special knack for building that crucial sense of impending doom with the addition of frightening imagery and verbiage aimed at scaring the bejeezus out of his readers.
If you’ve read Ellem’s Murder School, you’ll recognize the character of Beatriz Vega who makes a welcomed appearance delivering her own extraordinary brand of expertise to Carolyn Ryder in her endeavors to solving this latest crime.
From the start, the chills and thrills never stopped, plus a surprise ending that I never saw coming! You never know who’s about to knock on your door – so be aware that a “A Summer’s Kill” may be on the horizon. You know you’re in for a heart-thudding, nail-biting thriller each time you open a J.K. Ellem book. Each simply leaves you reeling -- from a writer at the top of his game!
**A Summer’s Kill, Book No. 3 in "The Killing Seasons Series" is slated for publication on November 10, 2023.**
July 20, 2023
An Exciting Read.
This is another great read from J K Ellem. This is the second book with Carolyn Ryder, in this book she is still after the serial killer, Sam Pritchard. After a young girl leaves home to visit her father, she goes missing, her name is Emma. When Carolyn finds out Emma is missing she askes help from a friend if Sam Pritchard has kidnapped her. Once it's confirmed, Carolyn is dead set in hunting Sam Pritchard and killing him, and returning Emma back home alive, even though she doesn't work anymore for the force.
The characters are well place, and the storyline has plenty of action happening right to the very end, where all explodes to a terrible nightmare.
Warning- there is a lot of strong violence in the book, with Sexual references.
A highly recommend read.
This is another great read from J K Ellem. This is the second book with Carolyn Ryder, in this book she is still after the serial killer, Sam Pritchard. After a young girl leaves home to visit her father, she goes missing, her name is Emma. When Carolyn finds out Emma is missing she askes help from a friend if Sam Pritchard has kidnapped her. Once it's confirmed, Carolyn is dead set in hunting Sam Pritchard and killing him, and returning Emma back home alive, even though she doesn't work anymore for the force.
The characters are well place, and the storyline has plenty of action happening right to the very end, where all explodes to a terrible nightmare.
Warning- there is a lot of strong violence in the book, with Sexual references.
A highly recommend read.
July 14, 2023
Following on from A Winter's kill, this part picks up the story quickly and slowly builds up tension.
A relentless chase that doesn't ease up until the final showdown.
Strong determined women pushed to the edge of their endurance trying to survive.
A great follow up with promise of much more. Nice to see our favourite hacker still doing her part.
A relentless chase that doesn't ease up until the final showdown.
Strong determined women pushed to the edge of their endurance trying to survive.
A great follow up with promise of much more. Nice to see our favourite hacker still doing her part.
January 16, 2025
I'm so torn on what to rate this , at times, it felt too much. Excessive foul language and really grafic writing. At times, I had to stop reading and take a little breather because it got really uncomfortable. On the other hand, l, I felt compelled to finish reading . I had to find out the outcome .... let's say I will be reading the third book
July 18, 2023
l loved it! Very intense and I couldn’t put it down! Love Carolyn! Great job! Can’t wait for the next one!
July 19, 2023
Excellent
Another triumph from JK Ellem. Yet again I lost many hours sleep as couldn't put it down. JK Ellen is an awesome author. Totally recommend All his books are brilliant.
Another triumph from JK Ellem. Yet again I lost many hours sleep as couldn't put it down. JK Ellen is an awesome author. Totally recommend All his books are brilliant.
April 8, 2024
Read the 1st book in the series. It was ok, so I decided to read the 2nd book. Still not impressed. Maybe somewhere down the line I'll read the next book.
August 22, 2025
3.5 rounded up
Another dark, intense and unnerving book from JK Ellem! I really liked the first book in this series, A Winter’s Kill, and I was so excited to dive straight into the next.
A Spring Kill isn’t just a tension-filled thrill ride. It’s a grim horror and a chilling mystery, with our fearless MC Carolyn Ryder hunting down the serial killer who once tried to take her life. When Carolyn is given life-altering news, she makes it her mission to not only find the man who tried to kill her, but to ensure he never hurts another woman again. I really enjoyed the continuing development of Carolyn’s character in this book, and I can see how this will continue into the next book of the series. She’s such a brilliant character to follow who has been through a hell of a lot. Hearing from three main POVs worked really well and had me flying through this book. How this killer hunts down his victims is something that will really stay with me.
This book seemed much darker than the last, which had its pros and cons, and I’m interested to see where the author takes this ruthless hunt for a serial killer in the third book! I preferred the first book in the series to this one, but I still enjoyed this and would definitely recommend it, as well as this series!
Another dark, intense and unnerving book from JK Ellem! I really liked the first book in this series, A Winter’s Kill, and I was so excited to dive straight into the next.
A Spring Kill isn’t just a tension-filled thrill ride. It’s a grim horror and a chilling mystery, with our fearless MC Carolyn Ryder hunting down the serial killer who once tried to take her life. When Carolyn is given life-altering news, she makes it her mission to not only find the man who tried to kill her, but to ensure he never hurts another woman again. I really enjoyed the continuing development of Carolyn’s character in this book, and I can see how this will continue into the next book of the series. She’s such a brilliant character to follow who has been through a hell of a lot. Hearing from three main POVs worked really well and had me flying through this book. How this killer hunts down his victims is something that will really stay with me.
This book seemed much darker than the last, which had its pros and cons, and I’m interested to see where the author takes this ruthless hunt for a serial killer in the third book! I preferred the first book in the series to this one, but I still enjoyed this and would definitely recommend it, as well as this series!
January 26, 2024
This is the 2nd in the series about former FBI Agent, Carolyn Ryder. In the Winter's Kill, Carolyn gave up her career to come home and care for her mother who was critically ill. While in her hometown, killings are taking place and Carolyn gets involved and she solved this one about the Robin Hood serial killer.
Carolyn is still haunted by the serial killer that left her for dead, Sam Pritchard. He is still out there and still killing women all over the US. Although the FBI wants her back, Carolyn wants no part of being an agent again, but she still is hunting for Sam. This time Carolyn has the help of a hacker who can obtain information from the FBI website. She is not going to give up the hunt for him.
Love this series and can't wait to start on the next one!!
Carolyn is still haunted by the serial killer that left her for dead, Sam Pritchard. He is still out there and still killing women all over the US. Although the FBI wants her back, Carolyn wants no part of being an agent again, but she still is hunting for Sam. This time Carolyn has the help of a hacker who can obtain information from the FBI website. She is not going to give up the hunt for him.
Love this series and can't wait to start on the next one!!
July 1, 2023
This is a very good psychological thriller, the sequel to A Winter's Kill. Carolyn Ryder is back with a vengeance, what a brilliant, strong character she is! I really liked the pacing, there is plenty of action and a thrilling chase to find the man who almost succeeded in killing her, Sam Pritchard. The tension just seeps out of the pages and fans of thrillers will enjoy the journey! A really enjoyable read. My thanks to Jack for my advanced copy, it was very much appreciated.
July 26, 2023
Short and scary
This was a traumatic and exciting story but for the life of me I can't understand how someone would go into battle with nothing more than grit and determination. One would think an ex FBI agent would have many weapons at their disposal. Look forward to see what ramifications come from from the health outcome and the joining of forces of the hunter and the hunted.
This was a traumatic and exciting story but for the life of me I can't understand how someone would go into battle with nothing more than grit and determination. One would think an ex FBI agent would have many weapons at their disposal. Look forward to see what ramifications come from from the health outcome and the joining of forces of the hunter and the hunted.
July 12, 2024
A Spring Kill (The Killing Season FBI CRIME MYSTERY SERIES BOOK 2) J. K Ellem
Another astounding thriller and what interesting characters. Carolyn is off alone to hunt and kill a monster that almost killed her. The hunt was a marvel as a new character is introduced into her life. She intends to finish what almost cost her, her life and things get very testy from that
Moment on to the end.
Another astounding thriller and what interesting characters. Carolyn is off alone to hunt and kill a monster that almost killed her. The hunt was a marvel as a new character is introduced into her life. She intends to finish what almost cost her, her life and things get very testy from that
Moment on to the end.
September 4, 2024
Trigger warning: SA/CM
The story line wasn't terrible. The only reason I kept reading it is because I have a really hard time not finishing a book after I start it, and I wanted to know if Carolyn got the bad guy. But in my opinion, any book that writes about s3xual assault or murdering children for absolutely no reason, it really puts a foul taste in my mouth. There's plenty of other ways to give the gore effect in my opinion, and those particular subjects are just flat distasteful.
The story line wasn't terrible. The only reason I kept reading it is because I have a really hard time not finishing a book after I start it, and I wanted to know if Carolyn got the bad guy. But in my opinion, any book that writes about s3xual assault or murdering children for absolutely no reason, it really puts a foul taste in my mouth. There's plenty of other ways to give the gore effect in my opinion, and those particular subjects are just flat distasteful.
November 8, 2023
Good serial killer read.
I did not enjoy this one as much as the first one in this series. It seemed less of a psychological thriller and more like a horror read. After reading the first one, I was looking forward to a real mind twister.
I will definitely be looking into more from this author based on the first in this series.
I did not enjoy this one as much as the first one in this series. It seemed less of a psychological thriller and more like a horror read. After reading the first one, I was looking forward to a real mind twister.
I will definitely be looking into more from this author based on the first in this series.
February 5, 2024
Fast paced and lots of butt kicking! It was a nice read, enough that I have already downloaded the next book in the series. My only wish is that I could get to know the main character, Carolyn, more. She’s likable and strong. I just didn’t feel like I bonded with her.
March 30, 2024
Great book
I discovered this series yesterday and just finished book 2 . Carolyn an ex FBI agent is still on the hunt for a serial killer she has tangled with before. I'm hooked tomorrow I will start book 3
I discovered this series yesterday and just finished book 2 . Carolyn an ex FBI agent is still on the hunt for a serial killer she has tangled with before. I'm hooked tomorrow I will start book 3
October 5, 2024
A good good story
I love Carolyn and everything about her character. Your stories are just so real and your writing will put you right beside Carolyn..your books do not disappoint..on to Summer Kills. Thank you for a wonderful story!!
I love Carolyn and everything about her character. Your stories are just so real and your writing will put you right beside Carolyn..your books do not disappoint..on to Summer Kills. Thank you for a wonderful story!!
January 3, 2025
Too much bad language!
I couldn't finish this book due to the number of F- words used. The story seemed like it would be interesting to read, but I can't handle the language. That is MT preference.
I couldn't finish this book due to the number of F- words used. The story seemed like it would be interesting to read, but I can't handle the language. That is MT preference.
March 8, 2025
even better than the first
The first book of this series was good but this was even better. The story is so detailed that you can literally see it happening in your mind. It was heartbreaking with many nail biting moments.
The first book of this series was good but this was even better. The story is so detailed that you can literally see it happening in your mind. It was heartbreaking with many nail biting moments.
March 17, 2025
Fast moving and suspenseful.
JK Ellem draws you into the story and difficult to put down. Love the way he writes and describes all the events happening in this book. Read it, you won’t regret it.
JK Ellem draws you into the story and difficult to put down. Love the way he writes and describes all the events happening in this book. Read it, you won’t regret it.
September 24, 2025
I wish Carolyn would have been less selfish and asked for assistance from her friends to help instead of thinking that she could handle herself; that is the only thing that bothers me in this book. Especially knowing what she went through, ughh, book 1 was better; this one just annoyed me.
December 28, 2023
Another brilliant book by J K Ellem. Couldn’t put it down - just downloaded the next one and can’t wait to read it.
March 1, 2024
Loved it
December 12, 2024
Another fantastic thriller I read so fast because I loved it! Can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
February 1, 2025
First book of the series is better while I liked this one, I felt the ended was weird.
June 16, 2025
This 2nd installment is just as good as the 1st one. This is 5 stars.
July 5, 2025
The books are very good but a little slow at the beginning. The middle and ending more than make up for it. I am starting book 3 now so they must be good. LOL
August 25, 2025
This was a stressful read 😅
October 20, 2025
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews