What do you think?
Rate this book
Detective Emily Tizzano #6
The Killing Graves: A Detective Emily Tizzano Vigilante Justice Thriller
Fifteen years ago, a horrific crime rocked the small town of Crumstown, three young men were found buried alive, and none survived. Former detective Emily Tizzano is tasked with investigating the cold cases, but soon discovers that the murders are far from over. With more people disappearing, her cold case is now as hot as they come.
Can Emily find the person behind the murders before someone else dies trapped in a grave? As she pursues the killer, armed with nothing other than a set of old case files and her gut, she discovers evidence that forces her to take action she never expected.
If you enjoy the nail-biting suspense of L.T. Ryan, Jack Slater and Mary Stone, you will love this thriller. Join the adventure now!
Can Emily find the person behind the murders before someone else dies trapped in a grave? As she pursues the killer, armed with nothing other than a set of old case files and her gut, she discovers evidence that forces her to take action she never expected.
If you enjoy the nail-biting suspense of L.T. Ryan, Jack Slater and Mary Stone, you will love this thriller. Join the adventure now!
314 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 24, 2023
82 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
November 29, 2023
Cold case murders in a college town deserve another look -- 4 stars
Zoe Byrne is asked what she wants to do after being raped in a college fraternity. Millie Newman, the new advisor for the Tau Pi sorority seems to be the only person concerned about Zoe's health and wellbeing.
At nearly the same time that Zoe is attacked, a newly minted FBI Agent, Ryan Stone is assigned to look into three cold-case murders which occurred 15-years previously. Ryan, asks his FBI mentor Cash Strickland for help. An ex-policewoman, Emily Tizzano, is identified as having success with difficult crimes and the story is off to the races.
Through back channels and considerably off the record hacking, the facts of the long-forgotten murders are reviewed. The only thing that seems unusual is that each of the three young men that were murdered were found in makeshift coffins within few months of each other. The origin of the term "dead ringer" becomes a relevant clue.
Sifting through jurisdictional conflicts and forgotten memories, there is no obvious help from improvements in the technologies but no breakthroughs. Stay with the story and you will get the surprise of your (reading) life as the current day characters deal with developing events as a TV newscaster might say.
The back history of the crimes is matched by the back history of the players. More blood is shed before all the pieces can be resolved. I was surprised when the back stories came together; I did not anticipate the conclusion.
Zoe Byrne is asked what she wants to do after being raped in a college fraternity. Millie Newman, the new advisor for the Tau Pi sorority seems to be the only person concerned about Zoe's health and wellbeing.
At nearly the same time that Zoe is attacked, a newly minted FBI Agent, Ryan Stone is assigned to look into three cold-case murders which occurred 15-years previously. Ryan, asks his FBI mentor Cash Strickland for help. An ex-policewoman, Emily Tizzano, is identified as having success with difficult crimes and the story is off to the races.
Through back channels and considerably off the record hacking, the facts of the long-forgotten murders are reviewed. The only thing that seems unusual is that each of the three young men that were murdered were found in makeshift coffins within few months of each other. The origin of the term "dead ringer" becomes a relevant clue.
Sifting through jurisdictional conflicts and forgotten memories, there is no obvious help from improvements in the technologies but no breakthroughs. Stay with the story and you will get the surprise of your (reading) life as the current day characters deal with developing events as a TV newscaster might say.
The back history of the crimes is matched by the back history of the players. More blood is shed before all the pieces can be resolved. I was surprised when the back stories came together; I did not anticipate the conclusion.
December 9, 2023
This is an ARC supplied by the Author. Emily Tizzano is an ex-Chicago Police officer who was set up and wrongfully prosecuted that ends her career in law enforcement. She fought the termination and won-big time. So now she works as an investigator in unsolved cases that no one else can find the missing clue.
A new FBI Agent, Ryan Stone, the newest agent in the South Bend office, gets a stack off old, unsolved cases, one of which catches his interest. But he can't make heads or tails of the who-what-where of a 25-year old rape case. Ryan calls his FBI mentor, Cash, who gives him Emily's contact info. Emily doesn't care for Ryan visiting, but there are different details that eventually get her on the case.
There seem to be dangling threads to tug on, but nothing that drops the answers Emily and Ryan seek. Through pure tenacity and dogged determination, Emily finds some threads that start to present a more complete picture. There are details (spoilers) that would make this review make more sense at this point. Suffice it to say, unless you are clairvoyant, you'll be shocked as the story unfolds and the case becomes clearer, not only for the original case file but the riveting twists that appear as Emily works her magic and eventually solves the original case and prevents subsequent bad deeds from becoming reality. Again, there are more spoilers here, but you'll not see them in my review. Grab this book and get comfy because you'll want to binge it start to finish.
A new FBI Agent, Ryan Stone, the newest agent in the South Bend office, gets a stack off old, unsolved cases, one of which catches his interest. But he can't make heads or tails of the who-what-where of a 25-year old rape case. Ryan calls his FBI mentor, Cash, who gives him Emily's contact info. Emily doesn't care for Ryan visiting, but there are different details that eventually get her on the case.
There seem to be dangling threads to tug on, but nothing that drops the answers Emily and Ryan seek. Through pure tenacity and dogged determination, Emily finds some threads that start to present a more complete picture. There are details (spoilers) that would make this review make more sense at this point. Suffice it to say, unless you are clairvoyant, you'll be shocked as the story unfolds and the case becomes clearer, not only for the original case file but the riveting twists that appear as Emily works her magic and eventually solves the original case and prevents subsequent bad deeds from becoming reality. Again, there are more spoilers here, but you'll not see them in my review. Grab this book and get comfy because you'll want to binge it start to finish.
December 19, 2023
I received an ARC through "Booksprout" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
The story begins with a new FBI agent being assigned cold case files. There is one in particular that he wants to solve. After contacting his mentor, the agent Ryan goes to see Emily. He drops the case files off and Emily tells him she will let him know later. At the same time that this was going on, there was an incident that involved a fraternity man taking advantage of a sorority girl. This incident will come into the picture later.
Emily decides to look into it to make a decision and winds up going to Indiana where the cases happened. She begins her search and after a while she believes she is missing something She goes to her rental and starts reviewing the case once more. She figures out that in the prior investigation, there was no motive given. She later discovers that the fraternity man has gone missing and she then determines this person and the earlier cases are connected. Soon another man disappears and then another person is stabbed.
As she gets closer to finding the person responsible, she winds up being captured by a former cop she dealt with in Chocago.
To discover what the motive for the cold case files was, what the connection between the old and new cases as well as who was responsible, then you need to read this book. You won't believe the ending.
The story begins with a new FBI agent being assigned cold case files. There is one in particular that he wants to solve. After contacting his mentor, the agent Ryan goes to see Emily. He drops the case files off and Emily tells him she will let him know later. At the same time that this was going on, there was an incident that involved a fraternity man taking advantage of a sorority girl. This incident will come into the picture later.
Emily decides to look into it to make a decision and winds up going to Indiana where the cases happened. She begins her search and after a while she believes she is missing something She goes to her rental and starts reviewing the case once more. She figures out that in the prior investigation, there was no motive given. She later discovers that the fraternity man has gone missing and she then determines this person and the earlier cases are connected. Soon another man disappears and then another person is stabbed.
As she gets closer to finding the person responsible, she winds up being captured by a former cop she dealt with in Chocago.
To discover what the motive for the cold case files was, what the connection between the old and new cases as well as who was responsible, then you need to read this book. You won't believe the ending.
December 23, 2023
A Perfect Storm of Suspense and Intrigue
Emily Tizzano, former detective turned vigilante, is back in action to do what law enforcement cannot. In this story, Emily is asked to lend her cold-case expertise to a newly minted FBI agent by looking into a fifteen-year-old triple homicide. Leads are scarce but as the investigation continues, Emily is drawn into an active case involving a missing college student followed closely by the murder of a real estate agent. It almost seems like there is a connection between all these events but Emily is having difficulty finding the common thread. If that isn’t enough to keep her busy, a ghost from Emily’s past resurfaces bearing a considerable grudge and the result is a confluence of events blending into a perfect storm of relentless suspense and captivating intrigue in a hold-all-calls, glued-to-your-seat adventure that put me into a page-flipping frenzy until the very last sentence. While there are five previous books in this series, each can be completely enjoyed as a standalone. Having said that, I think that if you read one of Emily’s adventures, you will definitely want to binge-read all the rest of them. Enjoy!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased review.
Emily Tizzano, former detective turned vigilante, is back in action to do what law enforcement cannot. In this story, Emily is asked to lend her cold-case expertise to a newly minted FBI agent by looking into a fifteen-year-old triple homicide. Leads are scarce but as the investigation continues, Emily is drawn into an active case involving a missing college student followed closely by the murder of a real estate agent. It almost seems like there is a connection between all these events but Emily is having difficulty finding the common thread. If that isn’t enough to keep her busy, a ghost from Emily’s past resurfaces bearing a considerable grudge and the result is a confluence of events blending into a perfect storm of relentless suspense and captivating intrigue in a hold-all-calls, glued-to-your-seat adventure that put me into a page-flipping frenzy until the very last sentence. While there are five previous books in this series, each can be completely enjoyed as a standalone. Having said that, I think that if you read one of Emily’s adventures, you will definitely want to binge-read all the rest of them. Enjoy!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased review.
December 29, 2023
I have loved every one of this author's books so far and this is one of the best to date. It didn't hurt that it was set in the South Bend, Indiana area, my old stomping grounds. Some of the details weren't exactly correct, as one might expect in fiction, but there was enough accuracy to allow me to see the setting in my mind's eye.
That said, I tried to figure out who the killer was and thought I'd gotten it. What I didn't see coming were the details that were revealed later in the book. This author is very clever at springing surprises.
There is a thinly disguised feminist flavor to the book. I have to be honest here. Men in general are not painted with a positive brush. Some deserve it, to be sure, but I had to wonder at the author's true feelings about us guys. As a father and grandfather, I would stop at nothing to seek justice if one of my daughters or granddaughters was the victim of a crime like Zoe in the book was.
I will continue to read this author's books because she is a helluva thriller writer. I highly recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
That said, I tried to figure out who the killer was and thought I'd gotten it. What I didn't see coming were the details that were revealed later in the book. This author is very clever at springing surprises.
There is a thinly disguised feminist flavor to the book. I have to be honest here. Men in general are not painted with a positive brush. Some deserve it, to be sure, but I had to wonder at the author's true feelings about us guys. As a father and grandfather, I would stop at nothing to seek justice if one of my daughters or granddaughters was the victim of a crime like Zoe in the book was.
I will continue to read this author's books because she is a helluva thriller writer. I highly recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 7, 2023
A new FBI agent that finished in the bottom of his class has been assigned a pile of cold cases. He feels that three of them are related, but can't put it together. His mentor Cash is friends with Emily Tizzano and he recommends that he take the cases to her and see if she will help him figure it out.
Emily starts by going to the scene of the 15 year old crime to determine if she wants to take the case. There were three bodies found of young male college students buried alive. Emily's assistant Mike who spends most of his time at her house taking care of her dog while she is out is an IT expert and hacks even the FBI to get the data she needs.
While she is there deciding on taking the case a new male college student goes missing. At this point she knows she has to take the case.
This is one of those books you start to read and you can't put down till you have finished it. The writing is great and you will love this book. I am sure if you haven't read the other books in the series you will get them and read them.
Emily starts by going to the scene of the 15 year old crime to determine if she wants to take the case. There were three bodies found of young male college students buried alive. Emily's assistant Mike who spends most of his time at her house taking care of her dog while she is out is an IT expert and hacks even the FBI to get the data she needs.
While she is there deciding on taking the case a new male college student goes missing. At this point she knows she has to take the case.
This is one of those books you start to read and you can't put down till you have finished it. The writing is great and you will love this book. I am sure if you haven't read the other books in the series you will get them and read them.
December 25, 2023
What a roller coaster ride from cold cases to hot ones and you are on your edge of your seat trying to figure out the clues like Emily Tizzano, a former Chicago detective who now works on her own to investigate cold cases and is quite successful. When a new FBI agent is assigned to solve some 15 or so cold cases, he is pointed to Emily by another agent to help him. When she is first approached, she says no. But after a few things happen, she says she'll take a look at the files to see if she will help. Needless to say, she does agree to help since some things happen that might have a direct connection to the cold cases making them now once again hot ones. This is a great edge of your seat page turner that has you totally engaged until the fantastic ending. I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
November 26, 2023
The Killing Graves by KJ Kalis
Detective Emily Tizzano Vigilante Justice Thriller Book Six
Emily Tizzano had been a detective at the Chicago PD. Falsely accused, she refused her job back and won a settlement. Now, she helps others. In that process, she always ends up in danger herself.
When an FBI agent comes to her for help on a cold case, she goes to South Bend, Indiana, to check it out and see if she wants to help. It’s fifteen years old and doesn’t seem to have any loose ends for her to grab until a new case appears connected to the three cold cases.
I enjoy this author’s books. They are written so that you get to know most leading players somewhat, whether they are the victims, the villains, or Emily.
https://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com...
Detective Emily Tizzano Vigilante Justice Thriller Book Six
Emily Tizzano had been a detective at the Chicago PD. Falsely accused, she refused her job back and won a settlement. Now, she helps others. In that process, she always ends up in danger herself.
When an FBI agent comes to her for help on a cold case, she goes to South Bend, Indiana, to check it out and see if she wants to help. It’s fifteen years old and doesn’t seem to have any loose ends for her to grab until a new case appears connected to the three cold cases.
I enjoy this author’s books. They are written so that you get to know most leading players somewhat, whether they are the victims, the villains, or Emily.
https://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com...
November 27, 2023
Not sure why this is still billed as a Detective series when Emily was removed from the force and got a large settlement for having been falsely accused of graft.
She is approached by a new rookie FBI agent Ryan (mentee of her friend Cash) to look into a cold case of three young men buried alive 15yrs ago. She takes quite some time deciding to take the case but once she does, is all in.
Of course, Emily is the only one who solves the case so many years later. The motive became obvious early in the book and once you figured that out, the murder was easy to pinpoint. There was a twist at the end that was surprising.
She is approached by a new rookie FBI agent Ryan (mentee of her friend Cash) to look into a cold case of three young men buried alive 15yrs ago. She takes quite some time deciding to take the case but once she does, is all in.
Of course, Emily is the only one who solves the case so many years later. The motive became obvious early in the book and once you figured that out, the murder was easy to pinpoint. There was a twist at the end that was surprising.
December 25, 2023
I went into this book thinking it was another person becoming an investigator because they were wronged and came out thinking how strong and positive this person is.
The number of turns and twists and the extremely important idea behind the action makes this one book you do not want to miss.
From all sides, the main character Emily is feeling pressure to decide if following this case is worth it or not. Once she makes the decision to continue, there is no going back.
Waiting to see where the next book goes!!!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The number of turns and twists and the extremely important idea behind the action makes this one book you do not want to miss.
From all sides, the main character Emily is feeling pressure to decide if following this case is worth it or not. Once she makes the decision to continue, there is no going back.
Waiting to see where the next book goes!!!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 13, 2023
No means no - right?
Oh my gosh! The author kept me guessing and then, just when I thought I knew who the perpetrator was, a plot twist was tossed in. This story certainly had me sitting on the edge of my seat at times, wondering if Emily had chosen the wrong case to help with.
This wonderful story was received through BookSprout and BDM Publishing. These impressions are my own and were in no way solicited.
Oh my gosh! The author kept me guessing and then, just when I thought I knew who the perpetrator was, a plot twist was tossed in. This story certainly had me sitting on the edge of my seat at times, wondering if Emily had chosen the wrong case to help with.
This wonderful story was received through BookSprout and BDM Publishing. These impressions are my own and were in no way solicited.
December 21, 2023
This latest book is a good continuation of Emily's story. This one has Emily investigating some cold cases but as her investigation continues the killer is back and more men disappear and others are killed or injured. It is an appropriate story which resonates with the current way that some men treat women in the 21st century. It is an easy read with enough plot twists and turns to keep the reader interested.
October 31, 2025
I wasn't sure I'd be able to read this one. The idea of people being buried alive is over the top for me. But, honestly, the book was so good I couldn't put it down I had a bit of difficulty keeping the characters straight due to several sheriff deputies and FBI agents were contributing characters in the story
Another page turner you won't want to put down.
Another page turner you won't want to put down.
November 28, 2023
Another first class story in this series. So many twists and turns and non stop action. As always, the characters are well written and described and the story just keeps you gripped so that it is impossible not to keep reading to the end. Emily is a great no nonsense character.
November 29, 2023
Great day of reading!
Be ready for some intense scenes. Great detective skills. But also understand the real underlying story that was relayed on these pages. I am sure most readers will get that message.
Be ready for some intense scenes. Great detective skills. But also understand the real underlying story that was relayed on these pages. I am sure most readers will get that message.
December 21, 2023
I loved this book great story it held my interest all the way to the end I highly recommend it can’t wait for the next by this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 21, 2023
A newbie FBI agent Ryan has been assigned cold cases. He comes to Emily, a former Chicago detective, for help. There are many twists and turns and lots of action as the story plays out.
I love reading this author's work as there is depth to the characters and an action-packed plot.
I love reading this author's work as there is depth to the characters and an action-packed plot.
December 21, 2023
This is an excellent crime story, I was engrossed from start to a finish I just didn’t see coming. I loved it, couldn’t put it down. Emily is one hell of a dogged badass that’s for sure. Cannot wait for the next one. Highly recommended.
December 23, 2023
A great read that keeps you involved from start to finish.
With an evolving back story and great character development KJ Kalis has done it again.
I look forward to reading much more from this author.
With an evolving back story and great character development KJ Kalis has done it again.
I look forward to reading much more from this author.
February 2, 2024
the Killing Graves
Another good one, catches you on the first page. Then doesn’t let go. My heart was racing most of this book. Read in two days but luckily my work was done. Keep them coming Ms. Kalis
Another good one, catches you on the first page. Then doesn’t let go. My heart was racing most of this book. Read in two days but luckily my work was done. Keep them coming Ms. Kalis
March 7, 2025
Another gripping mystery!
The author kept the suspense up thru the story! Emily was both an investigator and victim in this book. Anyone who enjoys a good mystery, will like this series!
The author kept the suspense up thru the story! Emily was both an investigator and victim in this book. Anyone who enjoys a good mystery, will like this series!
August 24, 2025
The just keep getting better!!!
There's nothing else to say. It's time to go potty and start the next in the series. MY BLOOD is pumping, and my legs are weak from the excitement, no sleep for me tonight, the next one awaites. Thank you again J. K. Kalis.
There's nothing else to say. It's time to go potty and start the next in the series. MY BLOOD is pumping, and my legs are weak from the excitement, no sleep for me tonight, the next one awaites. Thank you again J. K. Kalis.
December 1, 2023
An extremely well written book I couldn’t put down. Action from start to finish, going in different directions. An edge of the seat page turner.
July 30, 2024
Emily gets a big one
Emily gets knee deep in trouble several times in this intense action packed thriller. It takes Mike and her to solve the case.
Emily gets knee deep in trouble several times in this intense action packed thriller. It takes Mike and her to solve the case.
August 28, 2025
This series and character is one of my top five all time favorites . There so much depth to the characters and the storyline. The stories are so unique.
Im ready for the next book. Absolutely loved it. Sheri Peters
Im ready for the next book. Absolutely loved it. Sheri Peters
December 8, 2023
In this latest Emily Tizzano thriller, the protagonist must sort through various clues, escape from an obsessive madman, and tie together murders from 15 years ago with disappearances taking place now.
There are interesting developments as K.J. Kalis places plot twists just often enough to keep the reader off balance and the pace of the story moving.
If you like fast paced action and memorable characters, this book is for you. Another five star entry from Kalis.
There are interesting developments as K.J. Kalis places plot twists just often enough to keep the reader off balance and the pace of the story moving.
If you like fast paced action and memorable characters, this book is for you. Another five star entry from Kalis.
December 10, 2023
15 years ago, 3 men were abducted and buried alive. A rookie FBI agent looking to increase his reputation approaches Emily for help solving the cold case.
A sexual assault on a female student at the local college sparks a fresh wave of abductions and Emily needs to find the perpetrator before they find her.
An excellent plot that evokes mixed emotions about the crimes and the victims.
A very readable tale that maintains the interest throughout and delivers a few shocks along the way.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A sexual assault on a female student at the local college sparks a fresh wave of abductions and Emily needs to find the perpetrator before they find her.
An excellent plot that evokes mixed emotions about the crimes and the victims.
A very readable tale that maintains the interest throughout and delivers a few shocks along the way.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews