Just Released! The Route 9 Stalker - A Mystery/Thriller

 

Hi everyone!

I hope 2026 is off to a great start for you. If you’re looking for something new to read in the new year, you’ve come to the right blog.

I’m pleased to announce the release of my latest mystery/thriller, The Route 9 Stalker. It’s a follow-up (of sorts) to The Route 9 Killer and follows Detective Jim Rourke on a disturbing new case.

Here are the book summary and links:  

The Route 9 Stalker

(A Mystery/Thriller)

It started with a body in the woods — and turned into a hunt for a deranged stalker.

Late one evening, Megan Graystone enters a police station and reports that she witnessed a man dumping a woman’s body in the woods.

But with no concrete proof and no sign of foul play, Detective Jim Rourke dismisses her story — until a woman’s mutilated body is found close by. As Rourke investigates the victim’s past, he learns that she was being stalked by a mysterious stranger — and so were several other murdered women.

Rourke discovers that the elusive stalker is playing a twisted game; changing identities and vanishing after each murder. With no other option, Rourke enlists Megan Graystone’s help to trap the stalker — although it means putting her in grave danger.

Can Rourke stop the stalker before he kills and disappears again?

Order your copy here:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GGTTNPXG

Other Platforms: https://books2read.com/u/bxll2P

Want more? Meet Detective Jim Rourke for the first time in The Route 9 Killer. Read the book summary and reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/the-route-9-killer

I hope you will add both books to your 2026 reading list.

I’ll be blogging more about the new book soon. Until then…

Happy Reading!

Kelli A. Wilkins

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 24 romance novels, and 9 mystery/thriller/horror ebooks. Her romances span many genres and settings, and she likes to scare readers with her horror, mystery, and thriller fiction.

Her latest book, The Route 9 Stalker, was published in January 2026. This mystery/thriller is set in Central NJ and follows Detective Jim Rourke on a disturbing new case. Meet him for the first time in The Route 9 Killer.

Kelli's 24th romance, For Love’s Sake, an epic historical/fantasy romantic adventure, was published in January 2025.

In 2024, she released Surreal Escapes, a collection of 7 speculative/spooky stories. Anything can—and does—happen in this anthology.

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, social media links, and more.

 

 

 

Want to Learn How to Write? This Book Gets You Started!

 

Happy New Year!

If one of your goals is to write a novel or a short story this year, you’ve come to the right blog.

When people learn that I’m a writer, they often tell me: “I want to write a book, but…” and then they go into longwinded explanations about why they can’t write it. Usually they don’t know where (or how) to start, or they say they don’t have the time.

Well, I’ve got a solution for all that.

And as an author of more than 100 short stories and 24 romance novels, I’m often asked: Where do you get your ideas? How do you write a book? What advice do you have for writers who are just starting out? Do you have any writing tips? Can you help me?

Sure I can!

One day I started thinking about everything I’ve learned over the years, and inspiration hit me: Why not write a book on how to write? The result? You Can Write—Really! A Beginner’s Guide to Writing Fiction.

This fun and practical book walks you through the story-creating process step-by-step from getting a great idea to meeting your characters, developing a plot, and on to writing, revising, and submitting your work.

Each easy-to-read chapter is based on my years of experience as a writer, advice I’ve received over the years, and the technical “know-how” I’ve gained in writing classes and workshops. I also included helpful tips all writers can use, plus easy writing exercises to get you motivated.

I’m an eclectic writer, and that means I write everything—short horror fiction, full-length romance novels, science fiction, mysteries, and thrillers. People are always asking me, “How can you write in so many different genres and styles? What’s the secret?”

It’s really not that difficult. Why? Because the basic mechanics of good storytelling are universal, no matter what genre you write. Every fiction story contains the same ingredients: an interesting and engaging plot, characters the reader cares about and roots for, supporting details, and background that draw the reader into the story.

Want to learn more? Here’s the book summary:

You Can Write—Really! A Beginner’s Guide to Writing Fiction

Have you always wanted to write?

Do you have a great story idea, but don’t know how to develop it?

If you’ve always dreamed of writing, but have no idea where or how to start—this is the ebook for you!

You Can Write—Really! is designed for beginner writers who need a boost of motivation and simple instructions on how to get started. This fun and easy-to-follow ebook takes you step-by-step through the writing process, covering the basics of plotting, editing, revising, and submitting your story.

Each chapter explores ways to get your creativity flowing, explains where authors get ideas, and shows you how to create interesting characters. Helpful tips all writers can use, plus creative writing exercises throughout the book get you motivated. 

Once you have the basics down, you can write—really!

Order your copy and read reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/you-can-write-really

Want more? Visit my Amazon Author page for a full title list: www.amazon.com/author/kelliwilkins

I welcome questions and comments from readers. If you’ve read one of my books, let me know which one you loved best and why.

Happy Reading (and Writing!)

Kelli A. Wilkins

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 24 romance novels, and 8 mystery/horror ebooks. Her romances span many genres and settings, and she likes to scare readers with her horror and mystery stories.

Her twenty-fourth romance, For Love’s Sake, an epic historical/fantasy romantic adventure, was published in 2025.

In 2024, she released Surreal Escapes, a collection of 7 speculative/spooky stories. Anything can—and does—happen in this anthology.

She published The Route 9 Killer, a mystery/thriller set in Central NJ, in 2023. Look for a follow-up story coming in 2026!

Follow Kelli on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins and visit her website www.KelliWilkins.com for a full title list and social media links.