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A Winter's Kill (The Killing Seasons FBI Crime Mystery Series Book 1) Kindle Edition

4.5 out of 5 stars 2,818 ratings

Serial killer and FBI Agent become neighbors...
Carolyn Ryder returns to her hometown in Iowa, unaware that the #1 Most Wanted Serial Killer in the country has moved there as well
.

The winters in Willow Falls, Iowa are cold, brutal and unforgiving. And so is the town’s newest visitor. Except he’s not passing through. He’s here on vacation, for some fun and he’s going to stay for a while.

They call him “Robin Hood”, a winter serial killer who has left a gruesome trail of horror and death across four Midwestern states. His grisly trademark is skewering his victims to tree trunks using a hunting crossbow.

Now he’s here…

For ex-FBI Special Agent Carolyn Ryder, winter is the season to reflect, to come home, to take stock and to grieve. Willow Falls for her is filled with sorrow and regret. She has returned to her hometown to bury her mother after a long battle with illness. Her sister blames Carolyn for not caring, for not being there for her and their mother, for being a cold, dispassionate person who was more interested in building her career than in the family.

In the close-knit community of Willow Falls, Ryder has no reputation, no authority and no say with the townsfolk. To them she’s a stranger, an outsider, someone who can’t be trusted.

Then the first body is discovered; a local, a teenage girl found almost crucified to a white pine deep in the forest.

The local police aren’t equipped to deal with something like this, yet they stubbornly refuse Ryder’s help. With no support, Ryder decides to go it alone, to follow the clues herself, to trust her instincts. Slowly she starts to formulate a theory as to who the killer is. But no one will believe her. It’s too incredible to conceive.

Lock the doors, check the windows, stoke the fire and keep the lights on. It’s winter, and a new kind of predator has just come out of hibernation.

A Winter’s Kill, is a dark, sinister, gritty novel from the Amazon Thriller Best Selling author, JK Ellem.

“Don’t try and take him on your own Carolyn. He’s different, a cut above all the others I have ever seen. This is a man who, all his life has deliberately chosen the most difficult path, the hardest option so he can test himself and be the best.”

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There are 7 books in this series.

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From the Publisher

Forest
A Winter's Kill
Walking through the woods

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jack Ellem is the Amazon #1 Bestselling thriller author in the US and in the UK.

His crime, mystery and suspense books have rocketed to Number 1 globally in the categories of Crime Fiction, Thriller Fiction, Financial Thrillers, Heist Crime, Kidnapping Crime Fiction and Noir.

His cutting-edge stories are unpredictable, multi-layered with sub-plots, twists and turns that readers cannot see coming and his books have garnered thousands of five-star reviews.
Jack splits his time between the US, the UK and Australia.

So whether you like crime thrillers, mystery and suspense thrillers, psychological thrillers, domestic thrillers, or just enjoy an addictive read, then pick up one of his books today in e-book or in paperback.

But BE WARNED! You might just find yourself up until 4:00 a.m., reading them.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07N7CNR47
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ 28th Street Multimedia Group
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 31, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.8 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 326 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 7 ‏ : ‎ The Killing Seasons FBI Crime Mystery Series
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 2,818 ratings

About the author

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JK Ellem
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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.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
2,818 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's plot engaging with its twists and turns that keep them hooked throughout. The writing is well-executed and easy to read, while the pacing is fast-moving. They appreciate the character development, with one customer noting the portrayal of the mountain hunter.

60 customers mention "Suspenseful plot"57 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the suspenseful plot of the book, with its twists and turns that keep them hooked, and one customer notes that the story is told from several points of view.

"...A few unexpected twists and turns. Remember - true human rage is one scary beast." Read more

"...The story line kept me captive and even smiled through the last couple chapters. Well done !!!" Read more

"...Great story but since I live in Iowa some of the land marks are far from reality." Read more

"...The suspense was palpable, all the way to the astonishing end." Read more

27 customers mention "Readability"27 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as a captivating and page-turner that draws readers in from the beginning and holds their attention throughout.

"This book draws you in from the beginning. It's kind of predictable, but you still crave more. I enjoyed the suspense and the action...." Read more

"...knew that I had to read this.. and it was so good it grabs you and pulls you in .. I practically read it in one sitting, the setting sounded so..." Read more

"This was a great book to read. It kept you going and didn't want to put it down. Excited to read the 2nd book in this series." Read more

"...a way anything but I happen upon this author and series and am loving every page turn...." Read more

24 customers mention "Writing quality"24 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well written and easy to read, describing it as a real page turner.

"...The details so vividly described that felt like I had just watched a movie. I will be starting Book 2 in this series tomorrow." Read more

"...Writer is a master with words!!" Read more

"...I liked Carolyn, but would have liked to know more about her. The writing wasn't bad, just didn't do it for me." Read more

"...The cadence of the writing is very enjoyable and makes reading so easy. Enjoy!" Read more

17 customers mention "Character development"17 positive0 negative

Customers like the characters in the book, with one review specifically mentioning the portrayal of the mountain hunter and another noting that Carolyn is relatable.

"...It has a villain of course and a heroine. Also a bear of a man who joins forces with the heroine to overcome a madman." Read more

"Be sure to read all 4 seasons. This is an awesome series. Great characters. J.K. Ellem is a great writer of thrillers." Read more

"...The character for this genre is excellent, reminds me of another favorite which I won't mention here...." Read more

"...Really enjoyed the book. It held my interest and really liked the main characters, the good ones that is. I even learned some things...." Read more

14 customers mention "Pacing"10 positive4 negative

Customers enjoy the book's pacing, finding it fast-moving and engaging, with one customer describing the protagonist as a strong and smart detective.

"Bought the 1st book and was instantly hooked! The author caught and held my attention throughout the entire book...." Read more

"A sociopathic hunter of women, an awesomely courageous and stubborn ex-FBI agent going after him. Woohoo what a ride this book was!" Read more

"...This book though did make me impatient for it to move along -- I'm thinking about the instance when Carolyn was in an abandoned building chasing..." Read more

"Loved this book. Fast paced and had me on a tight Got rope until the end. Great adventures, highly recommend." Read more

AN ABSOLUTE PAGE TURNER!
5 out of 5 stars
AN ABSOLUTE PAGE TURNER!
A great read from beginning to end! The stories tie together perfectly! I read all four books back-to-back! Every time I started a new book, the characters seemed like old friends, welcoming you back until their lives. What a marvelous imagination, JK!!! 👏♥️
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    You really see the dark side of a small town, Willow Falls. How even locals who are left can be subjected to scrutiny like an outside once they have been gone long enough. A surprise was how much darkness is floating around this town. You clearly start off with one murderer, but then find out that other residents harbor their own dark secrets. Are they all intertwined? Or is Willow Falls a hub of darkness? Once things begin rolling with this one, hold on to your hat! A few unexpected twists and turns. Remember - true human rage is one scary beast.
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This book will have your reading in the wee hours of the night until you are able to read it cover to cover. It has a villain of course and a heroine. Also a bear of a man who joins forces with the heroine to overcome a madman.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    It's weird that I read a book cover to cover. I did with this one.

    It won't give anything away. Just read the reviews and if you are into fast paced thrillers with clearly cut good guys and bad guys, with some twists and turns, this book comes highly recommended.
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Thank you JK Ellem for the great read. I fell in love with your characters (well some of them) and then hated a few. The story line kept me captive and even smiled through the last couple chapters. Well done !!!
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    A monster had come to a small town in Iowa and had brutally killed a young woman. Carolyn had just returned to her hometown for her moms' funeral. A shocking, brutal chase puts Carolyn and her friend in death's grip. Great story but since I live in Iowa some of the land marks are far from reality.
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2022
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    The killer in this mystery is creepy and psycho, but dangerous because when he wasn't serial-killing, he was quite charming. I did guess who it was fairly early but that didn't detract from the story. I like Carolyn and wouldn't mind reading another story about this former FBI agent. This book though did make me impatient for it to move along -- I'm thinking about the instance when Carolyn was in an abandoned building chasing after someone -- that, to me, went on too long. I did skip through some pages towards the end -- I hate when a good scene is coming up and the author decides to give a description of the refrigerator -- just get on with it. There is a minor sci-fi twist to the story that I wasn't anticipating -- a small twist -- but to me, it was somewhat plausible and it didn't take anything away from the story.
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2025
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Book is good so far, my complaint is the quality of the binding. Never cracked it open until a few days ago and every other page is falling out. Not ideal.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2025
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Great book. Have read the whole series

Top reviews from other countries

  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT
    Reviewed in Australia on April 26, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    After the death of her mother, Carolyn, returns home to Willow Falls. It's not a place she wanted to return to, she'd only been so glad to leave it 10 years before and become an FBI agent. After a troubled time she retired,even though still young.
    With the hunting season it brings with it a monster. Even now being a civilian, Carolyn gets caught up in one of the most terrible times with a monster who kills in the most terrifying ways.
    You get to find out who this monster is, but to catch a killer it means how first to survive, or be killed and with the help of Beau Hodges, the fight begins.
    The characters are well placed with a storyline that holds you like the monster, who sees through you and can hunt you down in a game of cruelty for the love of sport, determination to kill you who very well not only taught the tricks of his own trade to become the Ice Man Killer but, also had a killer in him, not known to mankind.
    A very highly recommend read.
  • anne
    5.0 out of 5 stars Tremendously enjoyable!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 18, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I read A Winters Kill in one sitting. Even though I had to be up early next morning! It was the classic “ can’t put it down yet” so it had to be finished. It is an easy read. By that I mean it doesn’t get overly complicated, confusing, or try to be too clever for its own good. It’s a good straightforward thriller with interesting characters going about life in a believable way. My favourite was Beau. A man with a viewpoint soo different from my own, but his genuine commitment to following his interests in the right and proper way certainly gave me pause for thought. This book could easily be the start of a series, so I wait to see if it is. Meantime I’m certainly going on to more of JKEllems books.
  • Eva-Maria Lang
    5.0 out of 5 stars The tension remains all the way to the end!
    Reviewed in Germany on June 20, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Captivating from the beginning and really hard to put aside. C Ryder gets pulled into a story she did not pick and proves once again, what's in her blood - hunt and get down a killer of the worst kind. And again she's done a great job and again she risked her life to finish it. Fantastic read! You wont be disappointed!
  • BP
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wow!
    Reviewed in Canada on February 9, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I'd downloaded this book a while ago and just got around to reading it. And stayed up most of the night to finish it! It's a terrific thriller. I need to read more of Carolyn the FBI agent. I followed a Twitter feed recently that debated whether men could effectively write women characters (and vice versa) in books. Yes, yes they can!
  • Brad
    3.0 out of 5 stars Logically inconsistent
    Reviewed in Canada on September 1, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    The story is fine and exciting until Ryder goes to Ritter’s cabin and the latter tells her he is the serial killer and she is next and then lets her go to hunt her. Prior to all this, Ritter is meticulous and carefully plans his kills one at a time. His next kill was to be Alesha, and Olivia, a first for him as he will kill two at once, and he considered this a challenge. But all of a sudden he switches his planning to kill not just those too, but Ryder and Hodges too, I.e. four close together. He also killed a policeman, Finch, a man and no reason was given. But he is a surgeon, not a scientist. Yet he is able to develop a strength/ performance enhancement drug. So strong that he is able to bend the barrel of Hodges rifle, yet when Hodges lifts him up, he cannot snap Hodges neck with his hands. A disappointment.

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