Today we’re chatting with Kelli A. Wilkins. She answers a few fun questions and shares a look at her latest mystery/thriller, The Route 9 Killer.
Tell us about your latest release, The Route 9 Killer. How
did that come about?
Years ago I had an idea for a serial killer/thriller story
that was sparked by something simple: I was driving somewhere and saw a woman’s
shoe lying in the road.
I started wondering about the shoe. What if a woman was
abducted and the only evidence left behind was her shoe in the road? I bounced
this idea off of a few people and they scoffed; but when I explained my story
idea, they were intrigued.
As the title implies, the book is a mystery/thriller
involving a serial killer. The hero, Detective Jim Rourke, thinks he’s
discovered a serial killer operating in Central New Jersey. The only problem
is, nobody believes him. The women are abducted from different towns in the
same county, and their bodies are dumped in different towns in another county.
This makes it hard for the police to connect the crimes or even see a pattern.
To them, the killings are random.
Detective Rourke is also investigating the disappearance of
a woman named Allison Kendrick. When the book opens, her boyfriend is at the
police station, reporting her missing. Are the two cases related? Rourke thinks
they might be.
Without giving away any plot details or spoilers, I can say
that the main characters come together in the end, and the story packs a great
twist ending. (If you’ve read the book, please don’t give away the ending!)
You’re the rare author who writes across genres. Are you
still writing romance and horror? What are you working on now?
Yes, I’m still writing full-length romance novels and short
horror fiction, but now I’ve added “mystery/thriller” to my genre list! I just
finished writing the first draft of a historical/fantasy romantic adventure.
It’s an epic tale in three parts. I hope it will be out sometime in 2024.
I have an outline for another mystery/thriller featuring
Detective Rourke from The Route 9 Killer, and I’m working on new horror
stories. Readers can visit my social media pages and blog for the latest
updates.
How do you come up with the titles for your books?
Titles are tricky! Sometimes I’ll know the title before I start writing the story. That happened with several romances: Four Days with Jack, Beauty & the Bigfoot, Trust with Hearts, and Confessions of a Vampire’s Lover. Usually I’ll have a few ideas for a title, based on the characters, the setting, or theme, then I take a survey of my writing friends and family to see which one they like best. My husband has come up with a few great titles.
How important are the character names in your books? Do you
choose the names based on liking the way it sounds or the meaning?
Character names are very important to me. Sometimes the
characters cooperate with me and tell me their names when I get the idea for
the story, but sometimes I have to hunt them down and try to figure out who
they are.
Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If so, what do you
do about it?
Fortunately, I don’t get writer’s block. I have folders
filled with ideas for short stories and novels, but I don’t have time to write
them all. Usually after I finish a book, I’ll take a break from writing for a
while and let my mind relax and catch up on my reading. Then, when I’m ready to
write something new, I’ll read through my ideas folder and see what inspires
me. But sometimes the next story in line jumps into my head and I’m off writing
something new the next day!
What authors have inspired you?
I’ve been inspired by many authors throughout the years and
probably every book I’ve read has influenced me in some way. I started out
reading Stephen King short stories and novels, so I got a feel for good
storytelling and world-building at a young age.
Lately I’ve been reading John Sandford and the Preston &
Child novels. When I’m reading for fun, I read anything and everything that
isn’t in the romance genre. I enjoy a good detective/mystery story, and these
authors have created some fantastic and memorable characters.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
I’d like to be able to teleport from one place to another in
the blink of an eye. Just think about where I’d like to be, snap my fingers,
and then I’d be there. It would make traveling a lot easier and faster!
Where is one place you want to visit that you haven’t been
before?
I want to visit Easter Island. I love the moai and collect
them, so I’d love to see the actual statues in person. I’d also like to go to
Romania and spend some time at Bran Castle.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Yes, I welcome questions and comments from readers, so feel
free to drop me a line. Let me know which of my books is your favorite, and
which characters you love best. I invite everyone to visit me on social media
for book updates and more.
Here’s the summary and links to The Route 9 Killer:
The Route 9 Killer
(A Mystery/Thriller)
Detective Jim Rourke suspects a serial killer is hunting
women in Central New Jersey. The victims are held captive, brutalized, then
murdered and dumped along deserted stretches of Route 9.
There’s no physical evidence, no witnesses, and the killer
is smart enough to leave no clues.
Rourke is alone on a manhunt, and time is running out. Eight
victims have already fallen prey to this madman.
Can Rourke catch the killer and rescue the next victim
before it’s too late?
Order your copy here:
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Route-Killer-Mystery-Thriller-ebook/dp/B0C63NHC51
All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/m2qd16
If you’ve read the book and loved it, please post a positive
review online (no spoilers, please!).
Happy Reading,
Kelli A. Wilkins
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has
published more than 100 short stories, 20+ romance novels, and 6 mystery/horror
ebooks. Her romances span many genres and settings, and she likes to scare
readers with her horror and mystery stories.
Her latest release, The Route 9 Killer, was published in May
2023. This mystery/thriller is set in Central NJ.
Kelli’s paranormal/mystery romance, In Another World, was
released in 2022. She released two horror shorts, More Than I Bargained For and
Silent Sentinel in 2021.
Follow Kelli on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins
and visit her website/blog
www.KelliWilkins.com for a full title list and social media links.
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