A Dark Kill

The Killing Seasons #6

by J.K. Ellem

What’s worse than a murderous killer who is utterly deranged, completely insane, and totally psychopathic?

One who isn’t.

At least with the other, they have an excuse for doing what they do.

But with Aamon Jessop, he just loves it.

Ex-FBI Agent Carolyn Ryder thought Sam Pritchard, The Highway Killer, was the most diabolical murderer she would ever face in her lifetime.

But she hasn’t met Aamon Jessop—yet.

The blond-haired, blue-eyed twenty-five-year-old could be mistaken for an Abercrombie & Fitch billboard model. Highly intelligent, supremely confident and endlessly charming, he’s a stickler for detail, discipline, and hard work. Especially when it comes to finding and killing his victims.

And he’s arrived in Erin’s Bay with Carolyn firmly in his sights.

She thinks her career in hunting killers is over. His career in hunting victims is just starting—and he wants to add her to his resume.

298 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 13, 2025

About the author

JK 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.

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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

Reviews

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Anne OK · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Allison Valentine · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a 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 tranquillity 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.

[Martha Brindley · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 characterisation 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.

[Paige Turner · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed the Killing Seasons series, but this book? Not so much. It was disjointed and too many characters to keep track of. The title here says this is book 6 in the Killing Season series, but it is actually book 1 in a new related series, Erin's Bay. There seems to be several related series in the Erin's Bay saga, but it is too confusing to me, so I won't be continuing with it.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Killers or Friends

This book doesn't disappoint. Kinda like how certain characters have joined forces, but a little leary too. Will one betray two? Look forward to the stories with the "Sigma" group. Will Morelli catch on? On to the next book.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series sooooo freaking much and I absolutely cannot wait for the next book!!!

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

lots if twists and turns...loved it!

[Quinlan Marcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as a member of the Ravenwood Reader’s Club drawing. Wow was this book great! For those who like mystery and suspense, it is a must read by J K Ellem!

[Ronald L. Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good addition

This book is a very good addition to this series. Always a lot going on. Love the complexity of the characters