Skeleton Tides: Audri Ashe Private Investigator–A Psychological Thriller

by J.J. Ellen

Readers Call It "Unputdownable" and "A Gripping Thrill Ride!”
Dive into a psychological thriller where multiple mysteries collide, pulling you into a web of suspense, dark romance, and unrelenting danger. Skeleton Tides hooks you from the explosive start and refuses to let go.

Meet Audri Ashe: a fearless, sharp-witted private investigator whose addiction to adrenaline drives her through twisted cases of political corruption, military secrets, and forgotten victims. Operating from her vintage yacht in the fog-shrouded San Juan Islands, Audri cracks high-stakes investigations while battling her own demons, including a toxic ex—a former NHL star and current coach—who weaponizes her past, threatening her budding romance with attorney Henry Ellis.

Layered with pulse-pounding action, vivid Pacific Northwest atmospheres, and characters so real you'll root for them, this debut weaves intrigue, emotion, and clever twists that keep you guessing. As Audri blurs the line between hunter and hunted, the deceptive waters hide deadly currents—and someone's watching the watcher.

Perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn, Tana French, and James Patterson, this noir masterpiece delivers smart, character-driven suspense with just the right dash of humor and heart.
Book One: Audri Ashe Private Investigator Series. Join the adventure—grab your copy today and get lost in the fog!

584 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 14, 2025

About the author

JJ Ellen weaves years of real-world criminal and legal investigative expertise into the rich tapestry of her fiction. She creates stories that effortlessly combine suspense and creativity from the misty shores of Seattle and the hidden coves of the San Juan Islands that have become both sanctuary and muse. These emerald landscapes, where water meets wilderness, breathe life into the pages of her Pacific Northwest mysteries.


Her intimate knowledge of terrain extends across a lifetime of wandering: from Colorado’s high country where mountain peaks scrape the sky, to New Mexico’s red-earth expanses where ancient spirits whisper through desert winds, to California’s restless coastline where cliffs surrender to the eternal conversation between land and sea. Each landscape has carved itself into her writer’s soul, informing the authenticity that grounds her characters in settings that pulse with their own heartbeat.


The American West flows through her veins like a geographic bloodline, its varied moods and hidden corners becoming the emotional geography of her fiction. Whether navigating Boulder’s Front Range shadows, tracing the Rio Grande’s silver thread through high desert, or following the Pacific’s mercurial moods along rocky shores, she writes with the authority of someone who has walked these places under every sky.


Beyond her writing, JJ finds creative expression through the lens of her camera and in the artistry of her cooking. Her connection to nature serves as both compass and anchor, guiding her along forest trails and across shimmering waters, always returning her to the stories that demand to be told.


Reviews

[Mark McGinnis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Gripping Thriller with Unforgettable Twists. JJ Ellen delivers a knockout debut with "Skeleton Tides"—this is thriller writing at its finest. From the explosive opening with a cargo plane landing at a silent ranch to the chilling revelation in a murder room, Ellen knows exactly how to keep readers on the edge of their seats.
What impressed me most was the layered mystery. Just when you think you understand what's happening, Ellen pulls the rug out from under you. The connection between exotic car smuggling, gambling rings, and a congresswoman's daughter's murder creates a web of intrigue that's both complex and completely believable. The psychological report on Tito Finch—with his terrifying visions of "manikins"—added a disturbing dimension I never saw coming.
Ellen's prose is sharp and evocative without being overwrought. The action sequences are pulse-pounding (that car chase scene!), and the quieter investigative moments are equally compelling. I loved the authentic details—from surveillance techniques to legal procedures—that ground the story in reality.
The supporting cast is equally strong. Agent Kaplan's conflicted surveillance of Audri adds another layer of tension, and Congresswoman Marilyn Addison is a truly chilling antagonist. That scene where she defaces her dead daughter's photograph? Absolutely haunting.
The Pacific Northwest islands provide the perfect moody backdrop for this dark tale. Ellen captures the isolation and beauty of the San Juans while making them feel genuinely menacing.
If you love smart, twisty thrillers with morally complex characters and high stakes, grab this book immediately. "Skeleton Tides" announces JJ Ellen as a major new voice in crime fiction.

[Jack Edinburgh · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I loved most about Skeleton Tides is the dialogue and description of place. It feels so natural and vivid that I genuinely felt like I was in the Pacific Northwest, right there on the boat with the characters. That level of immersion is rare, and the author absolutely nails it.

Because this book is grounded in a true crime perspective, everything feels eerily real. So when the story starts to touch on science fiction and conspiracy theory elements, it doesn’t feel far-fetched, it made me question my own sense of reality and wonder, what if this could actually be true? To me, that’s perfection in writing.

Audri’s character is another standout. There’s something incredibly alluring about her; subtle, complex, and just a little hard to pin down. She completely drew me in, and I found myself hooked on every scene she was in, trying to understand her while also just being pulled along by her presence.

Wind-Up Dolls is my next read. The preview at the end of Skeleton Tides, hints at a more supernatural direction, and if it’s written with the same grounded, immersive style, I’m ready to question reality all over again.

[Liisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was handed this book in the Seattle airport by a man who insisted I had to read it—he’d just finished it on his long flight, and with my own eight-hour haul to Iceland ahead of me, he said he wanted to lighten his bag before the next leg of his journey. The book was worn at the edges, lived-in, like it had already kept someone company through a long night. I gladly took it.

I’m still not sure whether to call it a psychological thriller or more of a mystery, thriller, suspense with a touch of naughty noir, but whatever you call it, it hooked me fast. The atmosphere had that shadow-soaked pull that makes you read “just one more chapter,” and before I knew it, I couldn’t stop. I ended up finishing the entire book the moment I got home.

I’m already looking forward to the second book in the series. Audri Ashe, the private investigator at the center of it all, knows how to get to the truth; professionally, personally, and everywhere the lines blur in between. If the next installment keeps the same grit, heat, and pulse-pounding tension, I’m all in.

[HockeyPuckShane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skeleton Tides completely hooked me from the first chapter, and as someone who loves James Patterson, that’s saying a lot. This is the first book by a female author that I truly loved, largely because Audri Ashe is such a refreshing lead, smart, seasoned, semi-retired, and far more interesting than the typical 20-something investigator trope. I loved the mix of hockey and sports betting elements layered into a dark, psychological thriller that never slows down. Audri comes across as gorgeous, seductive, and extremely capable, with a depth that makes her feel real rather than stylized. The Pacific Northwest setting, the psychological warfare, and the relentless pacing make this book genuinely unputdownable. I’m absolutely in for the rest of the series, and just finished book 2, Wind-up Dolls. Couldn't put it down. The sneak-peek at the end of Wind-up Dolls say mid-year for the next one, Outlaw Hill.

[Amy Quiring · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up Skeleton Tides on Audible thinking it would just be a solid thriller, but honestly the narration is what made it.

The narrator is so good. Like, one of those where you stop noticing you’re listening to someone read and it just feels like you’re inside the story. The tone is perfect—kind of eerie and tense without being over the top—and the pacing keeps you hooked the whole time. I never felt like I needed to rewind or lost track of who was who, which happens to me a lot with audiobooks.

Also, the way they handle different characters is really natural. Not cheesy, not distracting—just enough to make everyone feel distinct. It actually made the suspense hit harder because everything felt more real.

I’ve listened to a lot of thrillers, and this is one of the few where the narration genuinely elevated the story. Like, it wouldn’t have hit the same if I’d just read it.

If you’re even considering this one, I’d definitely recommend doing it on audio. The narrator makes it.

[PhyPhy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely amazing! Multiple story lines, mystery, action, suspense and so SMART! This book is over 500 pages and I wanted more (thank goodness Book 2 is coming out soon!!). Audre is everything a strong female lead character should be, full of brains, sass and sex appeal. I could relate to her in many ways, I enjoyed going on adventures with her. The descriptions of locations, food, people and feelings were immersive and succinct, the perfect balance. I'm so excited to see what is next!!

[Katy McQuaid · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very first page, Skeleton Tides pulled me into its mysterious, dark world and refused to let go. I couldn’t put it down – every twist hit perfectly. JJ Ellen’s writing is precise—elegant yet raw—and her private investigator sparks curiosity: sharp, compelling, and utterly human. It’s not just a great detective novel—it’s an exquisitely crafted story that lingers long after the final page. An absolute must-read.

[Amy Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first experienced Skeleton Tides on Audible and felt compelled to read the physical book because the dialogue was so strong. This is the kind of novel you keep on your bookshelf. The author writes with a rare psychological depth that makes every relationship feel authentic. Long after finishing, I’m still thinking about these characters and their stories. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

[Matt Ladwig · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Skeleton Tides” pulled me in right from the start and kept me guessing the whole way through. JJ Ellen nailed it with this one. The writing is sharp, the pace moves fast, and the story feels real from start to finish.

Audri Ashe is a great lead—tough, smart, and still relatable. The mix of mystery, corruption, and just the right amount of romance keeps everything balanced and believable. And the Pacific Northwest setting ties it all together perfectly.

This one stands out from the usual thrillers. I’m already looking forward to the next in the series.

[Jackie Ladwig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great mix of the crime solving, relationships and avoidance techniques by the main character! Characters developed intensely and I'm ready for the next in the series!!

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was hard to put down as the suspense and intrigue kept me wanting to find out more. The romance that goes along with the adventures also kept me captive, along with the descriptions of the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. I wanted to experience it all!

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skeleton Tides pulled me in from the first page and didn’t let go. Audri Ashe is one of the most fascinating investigators I’ve read — sharp, damaged, and completely compelling. The San Juan Islands setting is so vivid and makes me want to plan my next trip.

As a longtime Michael Connelly fan, I loved how authentic the investigative work felt here. Audri doesn’t get one case at a time and she has to juggle overlapping investigations, just like Connelly’s best work.

If you like the psychological depth of Gillian Flynn and the procedural authenticity of Michael Connelly, Skeleton Tides is for you.

[Becca Applegate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting story by JJ Ellen as her first published book.