A Forgotten Kill

The Killing Seasons #8

by J.K. Ellem

A woman follows a hidden trail into the woods, looking for a young mother who disappeared 20 years ago in the exact spot … and finds her.

Rule #1: Always retrace the victim’s last steps.
Rule #2: Be very careful where they lead you.
Rule #3: Don’t become the next victim.

Carolyn Ryder steps into the woods looking for a young mother who vanished 20 years ago.

72 hours later, five people are dead, and Carolyn is on the operating table fighting for her life.

“Be very careful when following in a victim’s last footsteps. You might end up like them.”


All books in the Erin’s Bay Thriller Series are self-contained stories and can be read in any order.

304 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 5, 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.

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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
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Follow me on Instagram: https://goo.gl/jLKruA
Visit my YouTube Channel : https://bit.ly/3pMqV5X

Reviews

[Vanessa]

J.K. Ellem once again delivers a gripping narrative that keeps readers on edge from start to finish. The tension is masterfully built through Carolyn’s relentless curiosity, which drives the story forward while raising the question of whether she has finally pushed her luck too far.

As the layers of Melody’s story are gradually revealed, the cost of uncovering the truth becomes increasingly apparent, adding emotional weight to the suspense. The pacing ensures that readers remain invested, compelled to turn each page in search of answers.

This is a taut, engaging read that balances intrigue with character depth, showcasing Ellem’s consistent ability to craft stories that both entertain and unsettle. A highly recommended addition for fans of psychological suspense and thrillers.

[Anne OK]

Another round of non-stop, heart-racing and adrenaline-pumping chills and thrills for Carolyn Ryder, one of my favorite female crime fighters, in the 8th episode of The Killing Seasons Series!

I can always depend on J.K. Ellem to keep me glued to my chair start to finish with another gobsmacking suspense-filled thriller. Poor Carolyn is on her own as she searches the deep dark woods for another female who's fallen victim to a horrendous and high voltage crime.

Never disappointed and am a major fan of Ellem's writing and the intense and emotional crimes he creates for Carolyn Ryder. Always ready for the next book!

[Martha Brindley]

I always enjoy books in this series by JK Ellem and this is book 8 in the popular series featuring Carolyn Ryder, which is a good steady read. This one finds Carolyn going off on her own searching for a missing woman from 20 years ago. She certainly has bitten off more than she bargained for in this latest episode as she follows a trail which leads her further into the woods! I liked the plotting, which takes place over a 3 day period and the characters certainly left me with goosebumps! Another good addition to the popular series.

[Donna Shaw]

Carolyn is searching for a young woman who disappeared 20 years ago. She uses her instincts and follows the clues leading her to the woods where the woman vanished and deeper into danger. She is captured and over the period of 3 days, she realizes that there have been many women before her and she could be the next victim of her captor's madness.

This is an intense and on the edge of your seat novel.

[Lisa Stewart]

This picks up where the last book ended as Carolyn heads into the forest to determine what the message scrawled on the billboard meant. This book was riveting as it moved back between Carolyn and Melodys experiences. I enjoyed the suspense and telling of the stories so much I read the book in a weekend.

[Carol Ueland]

Carolyn Ryder searches for a missing woman and runs into exactly what happened to her. Another interesting read by this author!

[Dottie Reese]

Love this series

Really enjoy the characters. Suspense. Thrill, keeps me guessing the whole time. Can't wait to read the next one. Really enjoyable

[Allison Valentine]

What an absolute blinder of a read.
Had my heart racing far too fast and adrenaline bumping through my veins.
One of my favourite Carolyn books to date.