Dear Finley

by K.D. Elledge, Maryssa Gordon (Editor)

A serial killer, a swoon worthy romance, small town vibes and one badass detective all meshed into one.

Finley Harlow's return to Casar, North Carolina, was meant to be a respite, a chance to heal among familiar faces. Instead, she finds herself ensnared in a chilling game of cat and mouse, where every shadow whispers of danger, and every letter hints at a past unwilling to let go.

As she works to restore her old rental house, the walls echo with memories, both comforting and foreboding. Her attempt to rekindle friendships is complicated by the enigmatic presence of Caine Lennox, whose unresolved past with Finley adds layers to her already tangled emotions. As the cryptic letters from a potential serial killer escalate,

Finley’s detective instincts are reignited, forcing her to confront the darkness threatening her peaceful town. Trust becomes a precious commodity as she grapples with betrayal and loyalty, ultimately questioning the true nature of the hunter and the hunted. In a place where secrets are as deep as the Carolina woods, Finley must decide who stands beside her in the end…when it’s all over.

The boundary between predator and prey begins to blur…

473 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 31, 2025

About the author

My name is Kelly Elledge. I'm an avid reader from way back when...and a new author. I self-published my first novel Finding Maisy in June of 2024 and haven't stopped since! I've always had a mixed taste in genres including, fantasy, suspense, thrillers, romance and more. The books I write reflect that palate, in that they're full of excitement, thrills, drama, suspense, and slow burn romances.

I'm also a full time CT and X-ray tech, a wife, and a mother to four wonderful daughters. I write anytime I have a spar second. It's a passion of mine that I managed to smother for far too long.

It's time to breathe...happy reading everyone.

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goodreads win

Great book! I called myself trying to figure it out and got so wrapped up I missed the obvious.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

KD did it again! I really enjoy the stories she winds thru the book. This is a great romance and mystery. I think one of my favorite things about the way KD writes is her descriptions of places. I feel like I am actually there in all of her books. But since I know the area she writes about this time it is also so accurate! Great read!! You can find her in Amazon.

[Janae’ Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I throughly enjoyed this book. Although I figured out who the killer was right away, it was interesting to see the origin of why the killer came to be. I loved the character development with Finley as well. I wish there was more background on Caine, but overall it was a good read.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dark but cozy read. Finley is a total badass too.

[Deanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good murder mystery novel with some spice thrown in for good measure. Quick easy read.

[Marilynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting

Good premise that is well written. The setting is interesting and the characters are believable and interesting. I’m interested in reading more from this author.

[Brenda Maximenko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow what a great read! There were some out loud gasps when the author caught me off guard. Definitely would recommend.

[Megan Shadburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear Finley is an amazing read! I couldn’t put the book down once I started. Everything from the local town that it was set in, to the nostalgic scenes that just brings you back to good times. It was all crafted beautifully. The mystery was wonderfully put together, and the book had a ton of suspense. By far my favorite read and I would recommend this author to anyone!