Books by J.M. Kelly
Whether he's writing horror and comedy for adults or mystery and suspense for teens, J.M. Kelly sets the scene with illustrative prose and populates his stories with three-dimensional, relatable characters and despicable creatures. Order your copies today!
Adult Fiction
Paperback: 979-8992470208
Hardcover: 979-8992470215
Pages: 258
Dimensions: 6 x 0.59 x 9 in
Produced by: Publish Pros
Crover Island
Amazon #1 Best Seller | Amazon #1 Hot New Release
Crover Island, a small land mass just past Inverness, is inhabited by toughened Scots who have lived and fished there for generations. As a trio of fishermen launch a business to capitalize on the legend of the Loch Ness Monster, the island is hit by a hurricane and a shockwave causes it to shiver. What’s written off as an insignificant tremor by those above sea level releases an army of horrific underwater creatures far more real than Nessie will ever be . . . and they’re hungry.
Praise
“Reminiscent of the action-packed ensemble thrillers of Crichton and King, J.M. Kelly’s Crover Island is an immersive reading experience with characters readers can believe in, cheer for, and—sometimes—cry for as well. As intense and unrelenting as the storm in the book, the propulsive plot will leave those same readers breathless until the very last page. And maybe even beyond that!” — Patrick Barb, author of Night of the Witch-Hunter
“J.M. Kelly’s latest novel, Crover Island, pits the legend of Loch Ness, a storm of the century, and creatures that have survived for millennia in underwater sea caves, against the local inhabitants of a lonely island off the coast of Scotland. This is a real page turner filled with characters you hope are able to fight off the existential threat they face from the horror that relentlessly stalks them.” — Eric J. Guignard, multiple award-winning author, including That Which Grows Wild and Doorways to the Deadeye
“They say the monsters in your dreams aren’t real—but J.M. Kelly begs to differ. The creatures of Crover Island lurk in the mist, ready to haunt your nights and keep you far from the water forever. A chilling horror story that will thrill and terrify, Crover Island ensures you’ll never sleep soundly again.” — Connie Froman Davis, author of Death Writes Itself
"J.M. Kelly’s Crover Island is a page-turning read, weaving together all the elements that produce shivers in lovers of this genre. Even the storm that starts the book is infused with an eerie intention. The fact that the characters in the book are trapped in their situation with no means of escaping the hordes of creatures seeking to feed on them creates a desperate urgency. This tension carries us to the surprising ending, leaves us wanting more, and causes us to stay up way too late finishing it!" — Margo Bowblis, Hoffer Award-winning author of Walking with Two Shadows-Real-Life Stories of Love, Loss, and Reunion from Beyond the Rainbow Bridge, and Walking with the Shadow of Love.
"Where [Crover Island] unquestionably triumphs is its dense, suspenseful atmosphere … Kelly’s novel, like all good horror stories, firmly establishes its setting … [and] maintains a sense of mystery surrounding the creatures’ origin, which makes the unknown beasts even scarier. The story’s frenzied final act leads to an ending most readers won’t see coming." — Kirkus Reviews
"Crover Island delivers a pulse-pounding blend of folklore, romance, and primal terror as an island battered by a hurricane unleashes nightmarish sea creatures far more deadly than legend ever warned—perfect for horror fans who love their thrills soaked in saltwater and suspense." — NewInBooks.com
Paperback: 978-1500101435
Pages: 210
Dimensions: 6 x 0.48 x 9 in
Tommy Ails, Good For What Ails You
Tommy Ails has little going for him. He received his law degree from a correspondence school and lives on the ground floor of his chain-smoking mother’s house with Donny, his mentally challenged cousin. After drawing the short straw on a court case, Tommy becomes entangled with the head of the Florida mafia, a Columbian drug lord turned movie mogul, and a bombshell socialite accused of killing her wealthy, philandering husband. Can Tommy win some respect and his case without losing his life?
Praise
“What could possibly be sleazier than a sleazy lawyer? Answer: one who got his law degree from a correspondence school! And J.M. Kelly has dug deeply into his fertile imagination to come up with an assortment of equally outrageous characters for his Tommy Ails to get involved with.” — Margo Bowblis, Author of Walking With the Shadow of Love
"I just finished this book and was thoroughly entertained. Tommy Ails is a lawyer who lives with his mother and gets himself in to some sticky situations. I laughed from the first page to the last. I highly recommend this book." — Jack Ross
Middle Grade Fiction
Paperback: 978-1733328364
Hardback: 978-1935722984
Pages: 280
Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.69 x 8.5 in
Monster On The Moors
Book 2 | A Bobby Holmes Thriller
Bobby Holmes, Brenda Watson, and friends, Stevie and Michael, are embroiled in a deadly mystery in the eerie landscape of the North York Moors of England. A vicious wolf-beast, controlled by the ancient, evil Witches of Westerdale of British lore, is hunting them for their blood. When one of them goes missing, Bobby and his mates receive help from a librarian, who is much more than he seems, a gypsy king with magical gifts, and a mysterious stranger at the center of it all.
Praise
“Rarely does a horror novel come along that can balance thrills, mystery, terror, and heart; Monster on the Moors by J. M. Kelly does just that, and with immense gusto. What you read within its pages will keep you up and wanting for more.” — Eric J. Guignard, award-winning author and editor, including That Which Grows Wild and Doorways to the Deadeye
“This is… a great book for those who are favs of middle grade fiction and an opening to horror and mysteries for young minds.” —Amanda Lily, NetGalley
“The young adult genre keeps pumping out mysteries and thrillers here lately and I am absolutely living for it! This was an all-consuming read and will be perfect for a reading binge, as you won't want to stop once you've started.” — Kensley Lewis, NetGalley
“Kelly establishes the story’s malice with a sensational opening . . . [his] savvy writing is filled with stirring descriptions . . . A spook fest that wisely centers on strong characters and lurid prose.” — Kirkus Reviews
Paperback: 978-1484084946
Hardback: 978-1733328371
Pages: 235
Dimensions: 6 x 0.53 x 9 in
The Lost Treasure
Book 1 | A Bobby Holmes Thriller
Bobby Holmes gets sent to the United States to visit his cousin, Brenda Watson, and her family in the quiet town of Mountain Lake for part of the summer. On the plane from London, he falls asleep and receives a warning from a terrifying, long-dead pirate to stay away. While at a carnival, the pirate’s ghost warns Bobby again through a fortune teller just as Brenda’s father is attacked and someone else in town is murdered. Can Bobby and Brenda, with the help of their friends, solve the mystery and finally put the deceased pirate to rest?
Praise
“Debut author Kelly displays a keen, nostalgic eye for childhoods well spent adventuring. His prose is lush with whimsy: ‘Their mouths began to water like broken faucets.' Though he captures natural beauty just as well: ‘Sunlight streaked through the entangled branches, painting splotches of bright light on the moss covered canvas below.’ Amid the genre trappings, there are also excellent messages for younger audiences. An irresistibly bright world, packed with winning characters and real danger.” — Kirkus Reviews