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Hindsight
Includes the bonus novella "Potter's Field"
SIGHT UNSEEN
Little Cindy Ann knew things no one else knew; saw things no one else saw. Ever since she'd nearly died of fever, the gift of second sight had been hers. Only it didn't seem like such a gift when the other children called her a witch and wouldn't play with her. Or when her visions resembled nothing so much as her worst nightmares.
DEATH UNDYING
Then her older brother disappeared in the vicinity of the old tobacco barn. And Cindy's visions began to burn with a bloodthirsty relentless hatred. What horrors lay buried in the cold earth of the barn? And how could one innocent little girl hope to fight the terrifying evil - an evil that had taken her brother, and that would now turn on the only witness to its monstrous, merciless crimes...Cindy herself.
SIGHT UNSEEN
Little Cindy Ann knew things no one else knew; saw things no one else saw. Ever since she'd nearly died of fever, the gift of second sight had been hers. Only it didn't seem like such a gift when the other children called her a witch and wouldn't play with her. Or when her visions resembled nothing so much as her worst nightmares.
DEATH UNDYING
Then her older brother disappeared in the vicinity of the old tobacco barn. And Cindy's visions began to burn with a bloodthirsty relentless hatred. What horrors lay buried in the cold earth of the barn? And how could one innocent little girl hope to fight the terrifying evil - an evil that had taken her brother, and that would now turn on the only witness to its monstrous, merciless crimes...Cindy herself.
284 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
7 people are currently reading
264 people want to read
About the author
Ronald Kelly
96 books405 followersRonald Kelly was born and raised in the hills and hollows of Middle Tennessee. He became interested in horror as a child, watching the local "Creature Feature" on Saturday nights and "The Big Show"---a Nashville-based TV show that presented every old monster movie ever made ---in the afternoons after school. In high school, his interest turned to horror literature and he read such writers as Poe, Lovecraft, Matheson, and King. He originally had dreams of becoming a comic book artist and created many of his own superheroes. But during his junior year, the writing bug bit him and he focused his attention on penning short stories and full-length novels. To date, he has had thirteen novels and twelve short fiction collections published. In 2021, his extreme horror collection, THE ESSENTIAL SICK STUFF, won a Splatterpunk Award for Best Collection.
He currently lives in Brush Creek, Tennessee with his wife, young'uns, and an ultra-hyper Jack Russel named Toby.
He currently lives in Brush Creek, Tennessee with his wife, young'uns, and an ultra-hyper Jack Russel named Toby.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 19, 2023
While Zebra billed Hindsight as a horror novel, it is more historical fiction with some supernatural aspects; in any case, Kelly demonstrates once again he can really tell a story. Hindsight takes place in a rural, tobacco farming town in Tennessee circa 1936 and the Great Depression made itself felt especially hard in rural areas. Our main protagonist is little Cindy Ann Biggs, nine years old, and one of five kids in the Biggs family. Clay, Cindy's father, was a tobacco farmer with some good land until Cindy fell ill with typhoid and had to spend 6 months in a Nashville hospital; the bills from that forced him to sell his land to the local greedy banker and now he does odd jobs and repairs cars.
After a rather upsetting experience detailed in the first chapter, Cindy's mom tells her she has 'the gift', something that runs in the family and seems to become 'active' if you will after a hard illness. She is called a witch by some of the townies and kids at school, but things settle down after a spell. Her oldest brother Johnny is all set to leave after he graduates from high school to join the CCC in Northern Tennessee but while he sets off ok, Cindy has a horrible vision, warning him to be careful; if only he had listened to her advice...
Perhaps it is cliché at this point to state Kelly is a master of southern story telling. He immerses you in the lives of the folks living in this small town and the novel oozes authenticity. He manages to capture the attitudes of the day (there is some rather unpleasant racism here) while making you feel the nature of poverty the Biggs clan lives under. I loved the dialogue and he gets the Central Tennessee phraseology to a tee! I have 'kin folk' who live pretty close to where this was set and it felt like I as visiting as I read this.
Overall, superb historical fiction, a decent plot and some memorable characters. I guess this was billed as horror as that is what sold when this was published; today it would probably be marketed as YA, given little Cindy as the main protagonist. Whatever-- nice little novel by Kelly, and if you have not read any of Kelly's work, you should rectify that directly. 4 southern stars!!
After a rather upsetting experience detailed in the first chapter, Cindy's mom tells her she has 'the gift', something that runs in the family and seems to become 'active' if you will after a hard illness. She is called a witch by some of the townies and kids at school, but things settle down after a spell. Her oldest brother Johnny is all set to leave after he graduates from high school to join the CCC in Northern Tennessee but while he sets off ok, Cindy has a horrible vision, warning him to be careful; if only he had listened to her advice...
Perhaps it is cliché at this point to state Kelly is a master of southern story telling. He immerses you in the lives of the folks living in this small town and the novel oozes authenticity. He manages to capture the attitudes of the day (there is some rather unpleasant racism here) while making you feel the nature of poverty the Biggs clan lives under. I loved the dialogue and he gets the Central Tennessee phraseology to a tee! I have 'kin folk' who live pretty close to where this was set and it felt like I as visiting as I read this.
Overall, superb historical fiction, a decent plot and some memorable characters. I guess this was billed as horror as that is what sold when this was published; today it would probably be marketed as YA, given little Cindy as the main protagonist. Whatever-- nice little novel by Kelly, and if you have not read any of Kelly's work, you should rectify that directly. 4 southern stars!!
November 25, 2019
Two big things to say: 1. Ronald Kelly is a fantastic storyteller. 2. This is one of the best Zebra Horror titles I have read.
To expound, Kelly's debut novel, a 1930s post-depression period piece about a young girl with some serious psychic ability and her misadventures with death/loss, just would not be my thing in any other circumstances (at least not known to me). Ronald Kelly writes so incredibly well, that this decidedly "not-for-Brandon" story had me turning the pages like crazy.
Frankly, I'm not sure why Zebra and not some other publisher, more renown for quality and taste, didn't put this out. I think it would have been pushed a bit harder in more competent hands. Thankfully, there are no skeleton kids, no scenes of monsters not in the book, and no bloody fruit adorning the cover. There is, however, a lurid-enough-for-Zebra cover that actually fits the book and it's story! Someone had a novel idea and actually stuck a cover on a book that had something to do with the book! It's vague and only mildly related, but still!
This is my first Kelly read, and I will be back for much more. I hear he writes a helluva monster story, which is far more my thing, and if the writing here is any indication, Kelly may become one of my favorite authors!
To expound, Kelly's debut novel, a 1930s post-depression period piece about a young girl with some serious psychic ability and her misadventures with death/loss, just would not be my thing in any other circumstances (at least not known to me). Ronald Kelly writes so incredibly well, that this decidedly "not-for-Brandon" story had me turning the pages like crazy.
Frankly, I'm not sure why Zebra and not some other publisher, more renown for quality and taste, didn't put this out. I think it would have been pushed a bit harder in more competent hands. Thankfully, there are no skeleton kids, no scenes of monsters not in the book, and no bloody fruit adorning the cover. There is, however, a lurid-enough-for-Zebra cover that actually fits the book and it's story! Someone had a novel idea and actually stuck a cover on a book that had something to do with the book! It's vague and only mildly related, but still!
This is my first Kelly read, and I will be back for much more. I hear he writes a helluva monster story, which is far more my thing, and if the writing here is any indication, Kelly may become one of my favorite authors!
June 9, 2022
This time the Zebra horror slips our child in the story as a girl with second sight. Mostly this is a thriller/revenge type story set in a rural town the 1930's depression era. The small town and its locals really gave this novel that extra push over the average Zebra kid in peril horror.
A little girl spends almost a year in hospital with a serious illness. The family has to sell some of its land to pay the bills. Money is tight so the oldest boy decides to go away to work out west in a government program to make some money to help the family. In route, the boy and two others are killed for their money. The little sister that has the second sight sees all this and tries to tell her Daddy. Her father and some of the towns folk start to believe. Can they prove that what she saw in her mind is the truth?
Even with a half dozen chapters of court procedure thrown in this towards the end, it still is a great story. The characters are easy to identify with as they go through all sorts of tragedies. One of the best Zebra books I have read.
A little girl spends almost a year in hospital with a serious illness. The family has to sell some of its land to pay the bills. Money is tight so the oldest boy decides to go away to work out west in a government program to make some money to help the family. In route, the boy and two others are killed for their money. The little sister that has the second sight sees all this and tries to tell her Daddy. Her father and some of the towns folk start to believe. Can they prove that what she saw in her mind is the truth?
Even with a half dozen chapters of court procedure thrown in this towards the end, it still is a great story. The characters are easy to identify with as they go through all sorts of tragedies. One of the best Zebra books I have read.
August 22, 2023
Well damn, if Ol' Ronald Kelly hasn't done it to me again. I'm quickly finding out that Ronald is one of the best at the slice of life, coming of age stories that I dearly love. His books are becoming near and dear to this horror lovers heart.
In Hindsight we find nine year old Cindy Ann coming to terms with the fact that she quite possibly has the second sight. After returning home from a long illness, she starts experiencing things she can't explain. When her brother Johnny is murdered she just might be the one to solve this horrible and brutal crime.
This is one that will stick with me for some time. I honestly can't recommend reading Mr. Kelly's southern fried horror enough. #booksfromthedoomsaloon #creepinitreal
In Hindsight we find nine year old Cindy Ann coming to terms with the fact that she quite possibly has the second sight. After returning home from a long illness, she starts experiencing things she can't explain. When her brother Johnny is murdered she just might be the one to solve this horrible and brutal crime.
This is one that will stick with me for some time. I honestly can't recommend reading Mr. Kelly's southern fried horror enough. #booksfromthedoomsaloon #creepinitreal
February 18, 2022
Hell of an opening scene.
Good story, fast reading. A little long if you ask me. I skimmed the epilogue because I didn’t really care anymore.
Overall the story kept me reading considering it’s about two mean hillbillies as the villain, and a little girl with second sight.
This is Ronald Kelly’s first book which is also surprising. Not bad for a debut novel.
Good story, fast reading. A little long if you ask me. I skimmed the epilogue because I didn’t really care anymore.
Overall the story kept me reading considering it’s about two mean hillbillies as the villain, and a little girl with second sight.
This is Ronald Kelly’s first book which is also surprising. Not bad for a debut novel.
May 25, 2016
This was a solid story, not remarkable, but not too bad either. A girl with the gift of second-sight has visions, also of the murder of her brother. Finally, with her powers, she can help uncovering the truth. With some predictable plot lines, but nevertheless suspenseful and entertaining. A smooth fast reading to get away from it all for a couple of hours.
August 1, 2021
3.5 stars
Personally I wouldn't class this as horror but instead historical fiction with a supernatural element. So while this ended up being somewhat different to what I expected I still found it to be an excellently written novel with a strong sense of time and place populated by well fleshed out characters. This was my first novel by Ronald Kelly and I would definitely like to read more.
Personally I wouldn't class this as horror but instead historical fiction with a supernatural element. So while this ended up being somewhat different to what I expected I still found it to be an excellently written novel with a strong sense of time and place populated by well fleshed out characters. This was my first novel by Ronald Kelly and I would definitely like to read more.
May 15, 2023
This was my first read by Ronald Kelly and let me tell you, I was hooked from the start! I will definitely be reading more of his work soon!!
This is the story of little Cindy Ann, who after a bought of typhoid fever, has the gift of second sight. The things this poor girl had see, both in her mind and with her own eyes, is nothing a nine year old girl should have to live with. At first her Pappy is unbelieving of her gifts, but what happens after her brother goes missing convinces him otherwise.
This tale of the tight knit Biggs family will have you thinking about it when you aren't reading it, because it holds such a grasp on you! I still have yet to read the bonus novella, but that will be read by tomorrow!
If you have not read Ronald Kelly, I suggest you get right on his website and get you some Southern Fried Horror today!
This is the story of little Cindy Ann, who after a bought of typhoid fever, has the gift of second sight. The things this poor girl had see, both in her mind and with her own eyes, is nothing a nine year old girl should have to live with. At first her Pappy is unbelieving of her gifts, but what happens after her brother goes missing convinces him otherwise.
This tale of the tight knit Biggs family will have you thinking about it when you aren't reading it, because it holds such a grasp on you! I still have yet to read the bonus novella, but that will be read by tomorrow!
If you have not read Ronald Kelly, I suggest you get right on his website and get you some Southern Fried Horror today!
November 12, 2023
His first novel. Well, it was alright I guess. Not a horror book at all as Zebra claims it is. Yes some horrible things do happen (murders) infant death, snakes attacking, redneck fights, but this was pretty much a crime drama.
Takes place in Tennessee during the depression years, so you will get descriptions of a poverty stricken family and what they went thru that terrible year the book takes place in. My main complaint is that we get too many court room scenes stretched over 3 or 4 chapters near the end of the book. So now it's a John Grisham novel? Totally unnecessary. The author could have used this for more scenes involving the main character and her "hindsight" skills. The character development was fine overall, but I've heard his other books are much better.
Takes place in Tennessee during the depression years, so you will get descriptions of a poverty stricken family and what they went thru that terrible year the book takes place in. My main complaint is that we get too many court room scenes stretched over 3 or 4 chapters near the end of the book. So now it's a John Grisham novel? Totally unnecessary. The author could have used this for more scenes involving the main character and her "hindsight" skills. The character development was fine overall, but I've heard his other books are much better.
April 18, 2019
Another solid, entertaining tale by Ronald Kelly. I know this is a somewhat cliched observation (seems like everyone says it) but valid, nonetheless: Kelly captures southern country life perfectly. The culture, the descriptions, all of it feels very real. Also - this is available in ebook for you Kindle readers, and I definitely recommend it.
September 5, 2025
Veldig bra bok med en nokså grei slutt. Dog det skal sies at jeg ikke helt hvordan denne gaven hennes ble implementert. Jeg synes den bare dukket opp ut av det blå som om det er helt normalt uten noen real forklaring på hvorfor hun har den eller hvor den kommer fra.
December 21, 2022
Wow! This is yet another amazing RK book!
Hindsight is about a girl with a special gift. The girl in question can see one’s future with a simple touch. Throughout this book you have a lot going on, and it’s totally worth the read.
I was not sure if I was going to like this one in the beginning, but it turns out that I ended up loving this one!
Ronald Kelly’s writing is great and his story telling is off the charts! He weaves a great tale and let’s the emotions fly off the page!
I give this book 5/5 stars!
P.S. I listened to the audiobook which included an extra story which was also great! Ronald Kelly rules!
Hindsight is about a girl with a special gift. The girl in question can see one’s future with a simple touch. Throughout this book you have a lot going on, and it’s totally worth the read.
I was not sure if I was going to like this one in the beginning, but it turns out that I ended up loving this one!
Ronald Kelly’s writing is great and his story telling is off the charts! He weaves a great tale and let’s the emotions fly off the page!
I give this book 5/5 stars!
P.S. I listened to the audiobook which included an extra story which was also great! Ronald Kelly rules!
September 7, 2012
My girlfriend picked this up for me where it was being sold for twenty-five cents in our local library. It was horror and involved psychic abilities, specifically second-sight, which I found interesting.
The setting was depression-era, farming country and revolved around Cindy Ann, a little girl with second-sight and the murder of her brother.
I won't give spoilers, but I will add that this was very well-written and had a good pace to it. It was a little predictable at times, but the writing was solid and kept me engaged.
The only reason I am giving this 4 stars instead of 5 is because farming country and similar settings don't usually keep my interest for long. I'm more of a fantasy buff, but despite that, this overcame my obstacles and turned out to be a decent read.
The setting was depression-era, farming country and revolved around Cindy Ann, a little girl with second-sight and the murder of her brother.
I won't give spoilers, but I will add that this was very well-written and had a good pace to it. It was a little predictable at times, but the writing was solid and kept me engaged.
The only reason I am giving this 4 stars instead of 5 is because farming country and similar settings don't usually keep my interest for long. I'm more of a fantasy buff, but despite that, this overcame my obstacles and turned out to be a decent read.
Want to read
July 1, 2015This is book #18 of 100 signed numbered copies.
June 1, 2025
When a writer has a long and storied career, and it just so happens you discovered them on the back 9, it's always an experience to go back to their first novel. Sometimes they're full of those first novel problems, a writer brimming with ideas trying to figure out how to organize them in a less-than-haphazard manner.
Other times, the seed of the storyteller is there. The writer's chops might have developed along the way, but their ability to say, "Sit down a spell, let me tell you a story", you can tell they were born with it. I'm happy to say that's the case with Hindsight, a novel that's a little more gentle than some of Kelly's other fare, but is unafraid to get gruesome when it needs to. For reasons he goes into in the Afterword, there's a tenderness and care to the way Cindy Ann is written, and Kelly uses that love to tell a riveting story, complete with an unexpected, but welcome and intriguing, courtroom scene.
The attached novella, "Potter's Field" takes place years later, following Cindy Ann, and sometimes stories like that contain a bit of entertainment value, but ultimately feel unnecessary. This is a story, sure, it pulls the reader in and keeps their attention, but more than that, it's a study of not just what a person with second sight might use it for, or react to its presence, but how this particular person would. Kelly does this thoughtfully and with the door open for further exploration.
A hell of a first novel. and proof positive that the storytelling gene in this guy was always there.
Other times, the seed of the storyteller is there. The writer's chops might have developed along the way, but their ability to say, "Sit down a spell, let me tell you a story", you can tell they were born with it. I'm happy to say that's the case with Hindsight, a novel that's a little more gentle than some of Kelly's other fare, but is unafraid to get gruesome when it needs to. For reasons he goes into in the Afterword, there's a tenderness and care to the way Cindy Ann is written, and Kelly uses that love to tell a riveting story, complete with an unexpected, but welcome and intriguing, courtroom scene.
The attached novella, "Potter's Field" takes place years later, following Cindy Ann, and sometimes stories like that contain a bit of entertainment value, but ultimately feel unnecessary. This is a story, sure, it pulls the reader in and keeps their attention, but more than that, it's a study of not just what a person with second sight might use it for, or react to its presence, but how this particular person would. Kelly does this thoughtfully and with the door open for further exploration.
A hell of a first novel. and proof positive that the storytelling gene in this guy was always there.
May 12, 2021
1936 was a bad year for the tobacco farmers in Bedloe County, Tennessee. Times were tough all over. Ten year old Cindy Ann Biggs, was the youngest child of a struggling farmer. Ever since her bout with typhoid fever, Cindy Ann had the gift of the second sight. Except to her, it's not a gift but more of a curse. She can sometimes see things about other people, and they're not good things. When her older brother disappears, her visions intensify and start to overwhelm her. How can justice be served when her second sight was the only witness to a horrifying crime?
I really enjoyed reading this book. The setting of rural Tennessee during the Great Depression felt very authentic- it's clear that the author knows this area and these people by heart, and that he's done his research on the Great Depression. I enjoyed the characters of the town and in the Biggs family, especially Cindy Ann. What a resilient little gal she was under the toughest of circumstances. She was terrified of the things she saw and ostracized by the other children and the townsfolk for being different. Coming-of-age is hard enough without bearing a burden like this and being picked on for it. I thought it was a lovely snapshot of rural southern life and a great example of skillful storytelling.
July 19, 2022
If you love crime with spin-chilling twists, heartfelt scenes, mystery, a bit of horror and supernatural.... you'll love this one. Some of the scenes were gruesome and heart wrenching, but so worth the read. The lead character and family were so addictive, I hated for the book to end. But then, I found out there is a spin off from this story called Restless Shadows. And it's just as spectacular as Hindsight! This is my favorite so far by Ronald Kelly, but all his novels are binge worthy. BRAVO 👏
July 28, 2019
I’ve built up a reasonably large collection of books by Ronald Kelly, based on a couple of short stories I really enjoyed. The author is a natural born storyteller, and I raced through this tale of second sight and murder in no time at all. I’m really glad I’ve stocked my shelves with his books.
June 1, 2021
I really enjoyed this story. My only two problems are that, I feel like this could have been much more creepy and suspenseful than it was, and I'm not a big fan of happy, somewhat sappy endings lol. :)
December 12, 2022
4.5 stars rounded up for the short story that followed. HINDSIGHT was 4 stars, but POTTERS FIELD, the sequel, was simply amazing, A full five stars for that.
I l0ve Ron Kelly and would love to hear more about his family.
I l0ve Ron Kelly and would love to hear more about his family.
May 7, 2020
Gripping from beginning to end
I loved the descriptive narrative. The characters and plot twists were wonderful. I stayed up all night reading these two stories. Highly reccomend.
I loved the descriptive narrative. The characters and plot twists were wonderful. I stayed up all night reading these two stories. Highly reccomend.
April 10, 2021
This was a great coming of age story about a young girl with the psychic ability of second sight. Ronald Kelly is a fantastic story teller. Looking forward to reading more of his work.
February 6, 2023
Excellent book.
March 6, 2016
Haunting
The book allows you to examine the boundaries of good and evil. While giving a glimpse of the dark side of powers, it allows you to determine the best way to use a special power.
The book allows you to examine the boundaries of good and evil. While giving a glimpse of the dark side of powers, it allows you to determine the best way to use a special power.
February 4, 2013
Thia book was OK. Got off to a really good start, but then just began to slow down. I thought it got rather predictable at the end.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews