Fog of Dead Souls

by Jill Kelly

When college professor Ellie McKay walks into the Maverick Bar in Farmington, New Mexico, late one evening, she plans to get drunk, not engaged. But within thirty minutes, she’s met cowboy Al Robison, he’s proposed to her, and she’s accepted. Al only knows that Ellie is attractive, vulnerable, and single; he doesn’t know that she has been on the run for weeks from a sociopath who killed her surgeon boyfriend in Pennsylvania and raped and tortured her.

Reeling from the ordeal and deeply scarred emotionally and physically, Ellie flees first to Paris, where she seeks refuge in the bottle. Then, coming to her senses, she returns to Pittsburgh to resume her life and her career, believing she will be safe there. When that proves untrue, she takes to the road, no longer caring much what happens to her.

Ellie’s escape route leads her to Santa Fe and then north to Farmington, where Al seems the safest bet. When she says yes to Al’s proposal, she knows only that he is a local rancher. She doesn’t know about Al’s own dark past, and she doesn’t tell him that her heart belongs to Doug Hansen, the detective who originally investigated the case.

Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Arcade, Yucca, and Good Books imprints, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in fiction—novels, novellas, political and medical thrillers, comedy, satire, historical fiction, romance, erotic and love stories, mystery, classic literature, folklore and mythology, literary classics including Shakespeare, Dumas, Wilde, Cather, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

Genres: Mystery, Audiobook, Fiction, Thriller

272 pages, Hardcover

First published March 4, 2014

About the author

I am a child of the Pacific Northwest, born in a tiny village up the Columbia Gorge in a snowstorm. I grew up in and around Portland, Oregon, then lived for a number of years in California, Texas, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and France before settling into Portland again about 15 years ago.

For two decades I was a college professor of French, English as a Second Language, and writing. When I moved west, I reinvented my life, becoming a freelance editor and writer. Eventually I also developed myself into a visual artist (pastels) and an author (memoir, fiction). For some examples, visit my website.

Sober Truths was written over a 7-year period. I wanted to understand the patterns of my past and the various threads of my present. I wrote over 50 stories and included a bit fewer than half. Memoir can be tricky business as memories are unreliable. In the end, all we can do is tell about our own remembrances, our own realities. I hope you enjoy reading the book!

Reviews

[Erika Nerdypants · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots to like here. First off, I love that the main character is a woman in her 60s. There are far too few protagonists of that age, and Ellie was created with such attention to detail, that made her easily come alive for me. As a thriller, it sort of worked. By that I mean I kept turning page after page, wanting to find out more about what happened to Ellie, and who was behind this awful psychological cat and mouse game. Where it did loose points for me was in the motive for the crime. Why was the killer obsessed with Ellie? No explanation is revealed, which makes the ending rather thin. Still, I really liked the characters, and the setting, and I spent several pleasant hours reading, so I'm inclined to forgive the plot holes.

[Jenika · Rating 2 out of 5]

I downloaded this book from my library as a way to explore my new kindle - it was my first "ebook". I did not have any expectations about this book going in - it was not something I had heard about or wanted to read, it was simply a download that looked better than the others.

Initially, I did not like the book. The chapters alternated between present and past, and it took overlooking some details and patience with the storyline to continue reading, but I eventually settled in and started to enjoy it. The author does a great job of building the suspense in this book and while some of it is formulaic, it was easy to get caught up in figuring out "who done it" or at least the connections between all the antagonists. Plus, it was easy to have empathy for the main character Even if one has not suffered the same brutality that she did, most readers will understand what it is like to find out someone they loved is not who they think they are or to have felt manipulated and used by someone they care about.

However, the suspense the author spends the entire book crafting came to a crashing, thoughtless end and then the book was over in two pages. This left the story with so many loose endings - too many to list without giving away spoilers - that left me scratching my head more than anything else. It's almost as if the author had a page limit and abruptly ran out ...

I wanted to give the book one star because the ending was botched so horribly, but it did hold my attention and I did finish it, so that bumped it up to two.

[Cassidy Collazo · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had a strange premise to begin with that was just captivating enough for me to power through, only for the ending to be entirely random and rushed. I don't like it when I invest time in a book for the ending to be a bust, because then I feel like I wasted my time! I will give 2 stars because I was somehow able to power through it.

[Ruta Alb · Rating 2 out of 5]

A thriller that didn't thrill all that much. It's quite difficult to say what was „not okey“ with this thriller. The crime was there and it was horrific. The investigation kept the reader in the dark till the last moment. The killer's identity was unexpected. And still, it was a difficult listen for me. I kept phasing out while listening to this book and had to rewind to understand what happened.
The reader's voice was too robotic for me. It felt like I was listening to IVR instead of a real person reading an interesting book.
Three words about the book
Not thrilling thriller

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Remember, one reader's quick summary from a bookflap may be another reader's spoiler.

Not sure how the title applies to the content, but a good read.

Writer has chops. Main character is interesting: a sixty-something woman college professor on the run from what appears to be a murderous stalker.

Ending verging on unbelievable. (Does the rancher she married after a week of knowing him die or not?) Marriage not a spoiler - it happens at beginning of story.

[BooksSaveMe · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit conflicted about this one, I had to leave it mid way and kept thinking about it until I could start reading again, but I still feel a disconnect in some way, the end was strange but I love the darkness of this book and the fact that the main character was a messed up sixty year old woman , I wanted more for her and some of the secondary characters at the end though hence the low rating

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. The performance or reading of it was weird, the reader had a fairly monotone performance and gave a stilted feel, but ultimately it works fine for the novel. The book itself was engaging and the ending hopeful. I appreciate that. There was a bit of over explaining, as noted by other reviewers, but I didn't find it off putting in this case.

[Justine Reed · Rating 3 out of 5]

The characters drew me in and the plot kept me hooked until nearing the end .. when it became pretty clear that none of the mystery was going to be resolved and the book was more about relationships and healing. Which is also a great topic but maybe a little time writing a decent conclusion wouldn’t go astray?

[Isabella Swanepoel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the storyline with lots of suspense.
None of the characters were really developed not even the main character and the story jumped around a lot and not so easy to follow.
The narration was okay.

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried listening to this on audible. What could have been a good book ended up being a DNF because the narrator decided to channel Christopher Walken. She…talked…like…this. It…wasabsolutely…horrible.

[Stacy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Difficult to get through. I was confused most of the story. I couldn’t tell if there were flashbacks or just jumping around to different scenes. Also, there was no ending, it just stops. I don’t know if she stays with her husband or the detective.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story but the audio narrator made it hard to get engrossed in the story. She often sounded like a child learning to read aloud, stilted, halting, clipped, unnatural pauses.

[Tamia Burt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite good--unusual premise, interesting characters, page-turning suspense. Nice!

[Jenny Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not fond of the end lol.

[Michelle Wallace · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well thought out story that I kept trying to figure out but never did! I liked the way the story went back and forth between past and present.

[Krystal Hansen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was alright. Very intense in some spots, lots of sexual violence. It kept me interested but overall I didn't really like it.

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good. A solid mystery. Not fantastic but good.

[Jennifer France · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok. Story was good but ending was meh

[Jodi Boring · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the book, until the ending. What happened to the other guy ?

[Bratty]

Different. Interesting.

[David Slusser · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written and engaging. The ending climax seemed unusually rushed and a bit confounding. Good overall and I'll be reading more Jill Kelly books in the future.

[Stacey Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dark, intense. Enjoyable.

[Hadley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really really good until the end. It was rushed and left me wanting.

[Melinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kudos to Jill Kelly for a novel offering unlimited suspense. From the start the suspense kept building and building leaving the reader to work at deciphering the culprit and piece together the others involvement in the crimes. Major twist was unexpected and certainly added to the potboiler narrative.

Although I enjoyed Fog of Dead Souls there are a few areas I felt were an asset and other areas I felt a liability.

Refreshing to have the main protagonist to be of a 'mature' age. Ellie McKay is 60 with intellect and composure. She is a woman of independence and has lived life. Aware of her flaws, you gather she likes the woman she is. A fighter, she is determined to recapture what has been taken away from her, as well as a refusal to live a life of fear. She wears her scars well from her torture and you breathe a sigh of relief as we read of her accepting her body after her brutal attack. Ellie is tough and wants normalcy as much as her challenges and herself will permit.

Where I find myself completely confused is Ellie's behavior post attack. Her behavior contradicts what Kelly has established of Ellie's nature from the start, plus I find her conduct implausible. I am NOT an expert regarding trauma, torture or rape so maybe, just maybe Ellie's demeanor is normal, but as a woman and given what she's been through I don't buy it and it takes away from the entire story - at least for me.

I can't believe a woman such as Ellie after suffering a brutal rape, torture, not knowing the role her boyfriend played, given she was drugged and has zero recollection would partake in random one night stands or familiar and new intimate behavior. Given her age and smarts alone I would think sex and men would be avoided at all costs. Her trust is admittedly gone. Sexual activity albeit under the influence of alcohol would leave you even more vulnerable and prey to an unknown stranger. Ellie states she doesn't want to be alone, I understand but I can't grasp the need for male company after being raped, just doesn't compute. The only excuse I can offer to ease my mind is Ellie is so traumatized she is failing to make rational decisions, fingers crossed this is the core of her unexplainable behavior.

Also, Ellie is a self proclaimed bachelorette and yet she marries Al without knowing a stitch about him after meeting in a bar after days of 'knowing' each other, plus this happens post rape??? Huh???

I would have really loved this thriller if Ellie's behavior wasn't so unbelievable and was in alignment as to what Kelly already set the pattern for. Her choices killed the story for me.

No doubt Jill Kelly has an imagination and is very creative. She certainly knows how to write a novel with loads of tension. Despite my misgivings I am curious to read future writings from this very intriguing and renegade author. Debut effort definitely leaving the reader with much to consider.

A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

***Contains plot spoilers***

The premise sounded interesting, so I gave this a try. The back & forth of the narrative was a bit distracting, but it was a short book, so I kept reading. I liked Ellie enough as the main character, but none of the other characters felt like they were really developed. I was waiting for interesting twists & turns that never came. All of a sudden at the end, it turns out that Ellie's friend Sandy's husband Arlen's first wife's (almost there) son from her first marriage is the killer!!??!?! And...he met Joel...and they just happened to share the same desires? And they're gay? And Arlen used to be married to the killer's mom... Really? And poor Al the rancher, he had no place in the story other than to be a plot point/destination for Ellie. There were no clever twists or turns in this book. The story could have been so much better than it was.

[Iris Pereyra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is somehow a kind of dark story. At least more than I am use to. The main character is an mature college professor that has faced a very traumatic experience (won't give you too many details in case you want to give the book a shot!). In any case, Ellie McKay drinks too much, is lonely and feeling the aftermath of a very difficult experience involving her ex-boyfriend.
The story has some turns and kept me interested to the end. The ending of the book was a little weak but the author managed to wrap up the story in a satisfactory manner.
Overall, I enjoy the ride...

[Alma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Readers are introduced to Professor Ellie McKay when she walks into a New Mexico bar seeking a drink to help her forget. Through flashbacks, we learn of her cross-country dash across the country from Pennsylvania, seeking distance from a psychopath who sexually abused her then killed her boyfriend. Read the rest of the review on my blog: http://shouldireaditornot.wordpress.c...

[Addison Public Library]

Professor Ellie McKay has a dark and clouded past, one that has left her with a trail of death and shame. When she walks into the Maverick Bar one night, she plans to get drunk, not engaged. But within thirty minutes, she’s met and agreed to marry local rancher Al Robison.
JL



 Check out this book today!

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. I like the fact that it is a thriller without gratuitous violence. I also love the fact that the author is a dear friend. This was a fun and a read that I did not want to put down.

[Rebecca P · Rating 4 out of 5]

A taut, gritty thriller. I couldn't put this one down. I loved the main character, Ellie. So real and human. The chapters switch between characters' viewpoints--one of my favorite fiction techniques, as it allows the reader to watch the pieces weave together.