Review – The Route 9 Stalker by Kelli A. Wilkins
Synopsis
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?
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Review
This thriller may be shorter than others, but it delivers action and suspense from beginning to end.
I have not read The Route 9 Killer, which is referenced in this book, but that did not affect my enjoyment of this book. I enjoyed ferreting out clues to see if I could solve the mystery before the stalker was revealed. Sad to say, I did not figure it out. But to me, that is a good thing. The author hides the clues, but sometimes they are red herrings.
Because this book follows up on The Route 9 Killer, I appreciated how some investigators informed the police that they could not try to fit these killings into the same mold. They are human, and it is natural to want this crime to fit into a different mold.
I really liked how Megan and her friend had rules from watching horror movies. We all watch the movies and yell at the screen not to go into the basement or something else, but the rules they established helped Megan in the end. It made me think about what I should do in my own home.
This was a fun read, and we give it 5 paws up.
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.
