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The Killing Seasons #3
A Summer's Kill
It’s summer, and a cunning, demented killer is rising.
Carolyn Ryder made a choice that she may come to regret. It’s been three months now since her near-death encounter with the country’s most wanted Sam Pritchard, and still no sign of him. Returning to the coastal haven of Erin’s Bay, she soon catches the unwanted attention of the new Chief of Police, Clayton Morelli. He’s more than a little curious about the woman who lives in the beach house high on the clifftops.
Then there is the town’s newest resident, Ellie Sutton. A mysterious young woman with an uncertain past who lives down by the boat harbor. Ellie avoids attention at every turn — that is until she puts a burly trawlerman into the local hospital with a broken arm.
Despite Pritchard’s vanishing act, Carolyn knows he’s not finished with her. Like a slow, creeping death, he’s out there, somewhere, watching and waiting to enact his revenge.
It’s summer, but something cold and murderous is lurking in the shadows of the township.
The worst thing you can do is try to kill a serial killer… and fail.
Carolyn Ryder made a choice that she may come to regret. It’s been three months now since her near-death encounter with the country’s most wanted Sam Pritchard, and still no sign of him. Returning to the coastal haven of Erin’s Bay, she soon catches the unwanted attention of the new Chief of Police, Clayton Morelli. He’s more than a little curious about the woman who lives in the beach house high on the clifftops.
Then there is the town’s newest resident, Ellie Sutton. A mysterious young woman with an uncertain past who lives down by the boat harbor. Ellie avoids attention at every turn — that is until she puts a burly trawlerman into the local hospital with a broken arm.
Despite Pritchard’s vanishing act, Carolyn knows he’s not finished with her. Like a slow, creeping death, he’s out there, somewhere, watching and waiting to enact his revenge.
It’s summer, but something cold and murderous is lurking in the shadows of the township.
The worst thing you can do is try to kill a serial killer… and fail.
- GenresThriller
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 10, 2023
532 people are currently reading
403 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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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
November 21, 2023
WHAT A BRILLIANT READ
The third book in the J K Ellem series is brilliant.
The storyline is extremely well written with a fast moving story that's exciting reading.
The characters are wonderfully placed, where good and evil finally collide, at the end of an excellent read.
I'm waiting for the final installment in this series.
Bring it on.
A highly recommend read.
The third book in the J K Ellem series is brilliant.
The storyline is extremely well written with a fast moving story that's exciting reading.
The characters are wonderfully placed, where good and evil finally collide, at the end of an excellent read.
I'm waiting for the final installment in this series.
Bring it on.
A highly recommend read.
November 10, 2023
The third instalment of Carolyn's story did not disappoint. Enjoyed reading about Erin's Bay and what dark secrets it was hiding. Evil hides in plain sight. There is no rest for the wicked in this story. All the pieces are in place for the ultimate showdown. Cannot wait for the next season, and where we are heading.
May 1, 2024
When I first started this series, I wasn't very impressed. I kept reading. Granted the same recurring characters, but that's what series are all about. Now with the final season, I'm going to have to find another mystery.
October 20, 2023
This is the third book in the Kill series but can easily be read as a stand alone.
It's been a few months since Carolyn Ryder had her encounter with serial murderer Sam Pritchard. But with her health declining she is as determined as ever to catch him before time runs out.
Carolyn needs some much needed R&R and heads back to Erin's Bay but the small coastal town has other ideas!
On her regular morning walk along the beach Carolyn discovers a naked Male body and it doesn't look like an accidental drowning.
Carolyn really doesn't want to get involved but knows she has to contact the local police department and that hopefully they just take her statement and leave her alone.
Chief of Police Clayton Morelli is enjoying working in this small sleepy town where only the odd drunk or missing dog to look into but when he gets the call about a body washed up on the beach he knows that it will shake this quite community.
When another body turns up this time close to Carolyn's home Clayton knows that Carolyn needs to be involved with this investigation.
This is a fantastic series and if you haven't already I urge you to read the other two books in the series. A Winter Kill and A spring Kill.
It's been a few months since Carolyn Ryder had her encounter with serial murderer Sam Pritchard. But with her health declining she is as determined as ever to catch him before time runs out.
Carolyn needs some much needed R&R and heads back to Erin's Bay but the small coastal town has other ideas!
On her regular morning walk along the beach Carolyn discovers a naked Male body and it doesn't look like an accidental drowning.
Carolyn really doesn't want to get involved but knows she has to contact the local police department and that hopefully they just take her statement and leave her alone.
Chief of Police Clayton Morelli is enjoying working in this small sleepy town where only the odd drunk or missing dog to look into but when he gets the call about a body washed up on the beach he knows that it will shake this quite community.
When another body turns up this time close to Carolyn's home Clayton knows that Carolyn needs to be involved with this investigation.
This is a fantastic series and if you haven't already I urge you to read the other two books in the series. A Winter Kill and A spring Kill.
October 30, 2025
A Summer’s Kill is yet another dark, tension-filled read in this series, completely stuffed with the suspense and unease that I’ve come to love with JK Ellem’s books. In book three, Carolyn is back after a showdown with Sam Pritchard, the country’s most wanted killer, three months ago. And if it’s even possible, I feared this guy even more in this book. Knowing he was out there somewhere, waiting to strike again, made me feel nauseous, quite frankly.
Carolyn’s development in this book was excellent, and this book is probably my favourite yet in terms of character building. We go so much deeper into her life which made me love her even more. There are new characters to love and to hate which kept the plot interesting and always had me eager to to read just one more chapter. And the ending… book four, I am coming for you!
Gritty, action-packed and a whole lotta fun if you love dark crime/thrillers!
Carolyn’s development in this book was excellent, and this book is probably my favourite yet in terms of character building. We go so much deeper into her life which made me love her even more. There are new characters to love and to hate which kept the plot interesting and always had me eager to to read just one more chapter. And the ending… book four, I am coming for you!
Gritty, action-packed and a whole lotta fun if you love dark crime/thrillers!
January 27, 2024
This is the 3rd in the series about Carolyn Arnold, former FBI Agent. Carolyn is still hunting serial killer, Sam Pritchard, but this time she has Ellie Sutton, who is also fighting her own demons being the "one that got away" from Sam.
Carolyn and Ellie are trying to lead a life that is unnoticed, while they are making plans to find out if Sam Pritchard is still alive. Carolyn has hunted him down three times and although she might have almost killed him this time, she was forced to make a decision and save Ellie's life.
This is such a thriller and it keeps you turning the pages..I can't wait to read the next on one on Carolyn. Grown to love this character!
Carolyn and Ellie are trying to lead a life that is unnoticed, while they are making plans to find out if Sam Pritchard is still alive. Carolyn has hunted him down three times and although she might have almost killed him this time, she was forced to make a decision and save Ellie's life.
This is such a thriller and it keeps you turning the pages..I can't wait to read the next on one on Carolyn. Grown to love this character!
October 20, 2023
Book 3 in this series finds Carolyn back in the small town of Erin's Bay. I like the character development and the lovely descriptive passages transport you right to the beach. You can almost feel the heat and the sea breeze. The plotting is good, I like the mysterious Ellie too. There is a killer out there though, with unfinished business, will he come to Erin's Bay? I would recommend the read to lovers of thrillers and mysteries. Thanks to Jack for my ARC, it's a very enjoyable read.
November 7, 2023
FULL REVIEW POSTED November 7, 2023
J.K. Ellem continues to hold his readers in a vice-like grip with the third installment in the “Killing Seasons" series. Expect another utterly diabolical thrill ride to the very end.
Ex-FBI agent Carolyn Ryder’s health is declining and she returns to Erin’s Bay for a much-needed summer retreat. When Carolyn finds a body washed up on the beach, she’s apprehensive to become involved. But the Sheriff arrives before she can remove herself from the scene and they butt heads over her involvement. As other strange sightings and the disappearance of several young women take place, Carolyn and a young woman new in town get wrapped up in investigating the situations. All the evidence seems to point to one person. And he’s as evil as they come. Believe me, never a dull moment to be found inside the pages of an Ellem book!
I’ve been so captured by the “Killing Season” series and absolutely love Carolyn Ryder. She’s smart, strong and tough -- all wrapped up in a very enticing and interesting character. Throughout the series, there have been several secondary characters that have earned my attention as well. Chief of Police Clayton Morelli is the latest addition to the good-guy list, and he certainly gives us much to appreciate. I sure hope to see more of Clayton as the series continues.
As an author, Ellem is sometimes unconventional but totally effective in using all the tools at his disposal for achieving breath-stealing, suspense-filled and top-notch terror in explosive knock-out plots.
The fourth and final installment in what has been an amazing collection of books, “A Fall Kill” is scheduled for release on February 16, 2024.
November 14, 2023
Amazing addition to the series
I absolutely love where this is going. The meticulous weaving of previous storylines along with new encounters made this the best in the series to date. I was hooked from the first chapter and read it through in a day. Carolyn and Ellie make a great team. As the final chapter says, everything is coming full circle, but it’s a circle I can’t complete on my own. Do I detect the return of Ben to complete the circle?
I absolutely love where this is going. The meticulous weaving of previous storylines along with new encounters made this the best in the series to date. I was hooked from the first chapter and read it through in a day. Carolyn and Ellie make a great team. As the final chapter says, everything is coming full circle, but it’s a circle I can’t complete on my own. Do I detect the return of Ben to complete the circle?
December 5, 2023
Hopeful
With an unexpected twist at the end of this book I now have hope that this series will continue into the future. Each one is filled with non stop action and a mystery that will one day, hopefully, be brought to completion.
With an unexpected twist at the end of this book I now have hope that this series will continue into the future. Each one is filled with non stop action and a mystery that will one day, hopefully, be brought to completion.
December 25, 2023
Terror in New England
Creepy thriller,
Some of the scenes felt like Lovecraft's. I kept waiting for a deep one to appear in the caves on the island. However the real terror was hiding in plain sight.
Excellent story!
Creepy thriller,
Some of the scenes felt like Lovecraft's. I kept waiting for a deep one to appear in the caves on the island. However the real terror was hiding in plain sight.
Excellent story!
January 27, 2024
Suspenseful, Thrilling and Addicting
In this 3rd installment of Carolyn’s quest to catch Pritchard. She meets new allies, and her sickness has taken hold. But she still holds that grit and determination that captured you in the first book. Cannot wait to read the 4th.
In this 3rd installment of Carolyn’s quest to catch Pritchard. She meets new allies, and her sickness has taken hold. But she still holds that grit and determination that captured you in the first book. Cannot wait to read the 4th.
March 31, 2024
Wow
What a ride this book took us on. These book are so good, I'm reading them in 1 sitting. When a body washes ashore in front of her rental she is pulled into the investigation.
What a ride this book took us on. These book are so good, I'm reading them in 1 sitting. When a body washes ashore in front of her rental she is pulled into the investigation.
July 16, 2024
A Summer's Kill ( The Killing Season FBI CRIME MYSTERY Series Book 3)
Carolyn is ill and trying to stay low, Ellie finds her and they begin their hunt. Bodies appear in the small town they are in and the small town police are understaffed. They begin! It is a great read as usual.
Carolyn is ill and trying to stay low, Ellie finds her and they begin their hunt. Bodies appear in the small town they are in and the small town police are understaffed. They begin! It is a great read as usual.
October 6, 2024
Wow!
Loved this story better than number 2 in the series. Your books just keep getting better and better. I am glad Carolyn had a positive outcome..I love her already and hope her and Ellie are united again. Love your writing!
Loved this story better than number 2 in the series. Your books just keep getting better and better. I am glad Carolyn had a positive outcome..I love her already and hope her and Ellie are united again. Love your writing!
January 2, 2025
I personally love this series, I believe it could be a mini series on television. It has enough suspense and surprise twist and turns. Wasn't predictable like a few other FBI/ Serial killer books I've read.
May 15, 2025
Hooked!
These books keep getting better. I'm so invested in character development. I am excited to start the next book! I've been looking forward to it, I saw the description for it first, but had to start at the beginning.
These books keep getting better. I'm so invested in character development. I am excited to start the next book! I've been looking forward to it, I saw the description for it first, but had to start at the beginning.
February 20, 2024
Good, but not quite as captivating as the two before it. I am hoping for a comeback on the fourth book.
June 23, 2024
Love JK’s books. Never a let down and always super good. Love the characters, plot twists and never can you pr3dict what is going to happen. Always superb.
November 1, 2024
This series is very good.
November 19, 2024
Good page turner.
I enjoyed this book. I can't wait to see what's going to happen in book 4. I'm looking forward, Prichard.
I enjoyed this book. I can't wait to see what's going to happen in book 4. I'm looking forward, Prichard.
January 13, 2025
Just like the first 2….i loved this book! great read!
June 5, 2025
Enjoy all of JK Eleem books. Would have given 5 stars but it was not quite as good as No Justice. Disappointed that his books are not available at my library.
July 9, 2025
Excellent series but need a break from serial killers 🤣🤣 will come back to finish the series
August 26, 2025
These are wild and action packed !!?? Also pretty dark so check TWs!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews