Kelly Mullen Books In Order

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Kelly Mullen

Kelly Mullen is a writer from the United States who works in the mystery genre. Her books are known for giving readers a puzzle to solve and a story to follow. She has a straightforward way of writing that makes her work easy to read. People who pick up one of her novels often find themselves turning pages until the very end.

Her skill as a writer is most visible in the characters she puts on the page. She creates people who feel real and who readers can understand, even when they are in strange or difficult situations. The main characters in her stories are often smart and capable, which makes them easy to root for. They are not perfect, but their flaws make them feel like real people.

Mullen has a gift for putting together a story that keeps a reader’s attention from start to finish. She builds her plots in a way that each chapter adds something new to the overall picture. The mysteries she writes about are clever and keep people guessing. Her books offer a fun and engaging way to spend some time.

She writes books that find readers in many different countries, showing that a good mystery can appeal to people everywhere. The core of her work is about entertaining that audience with a story that is engaging and fun to read. She focuses on telling a tale well, with a clear plot and interesting characters that pull people in. This approach has helped her work travel across borders and connect with a wide group of mystery fans.

Her writing stays true to her own style and interests rather than trying to follow trends. She writes the kind of stories she wants to tell, with characters and situations that feel genuine to her. This honesty in her work comes through on the page and readers can sense it. It makes her books feel authentic and not like they were written by a formula.

Being true to herself as a writer does not mean her stories are small or limited in their appeal. It actually gives them a strong foundation that readers everywhere can enjoy. Her mysteries are built on solid storytelling and characters that feel real, which are things people look for in any language. This combination of personal authenticity and universal storytelling is what makes her books entertaining for a worldwide audience.

Mullen is continuing to write and has more books planned for the future. Her readers can look forward to new stories and characters down the road. She keeps working on her craft and thinking up fresh mysteries. There will be more of her work to enjoy in the years ahead.

Early and Personal Life

Kelly Mullen grew up in Iowa, where she was born and raised. During those early years, she developed a natural interest in reading and storytelling. That childhood love for books and stories stayed with her as she got older.

Her professional life took her in different creative directions before she returned to writing. She worked as in Hollywood as a producer on films like the Academy Award-nominated Trumbo. She also spent time as a marketing executive in London and New York, earning over fifty awards for her creative work.

During the pandemic, she would take writing courses online through Curtis Brown Creative, along with The Novelry. These classes brought back her early passion for putting stories on the page. A two-week stay at her grandmother’s house in 2021 gave her the idea for her first novel, This Is Not A Game.

She now lives in London with her husband and their rescue cats. Her background in film and marketing has helped shape how she thinks about story structure and character. She continues to grow as a writer, learning and finding new ideas for her work.

Writing Career

Kelly Mullen’s writing career began with her debut novel, This Is Not a Game, which was published in 2025. The book came from an idea while staying at the house of her grandmother in 2021. It marked her official entry into the world of mystery writing.

Her second novel, A Murder in Eight Cocktails, was released in 2026. This second book continued her work in the mystery genre. She would fast build a body of work as an author with these intial two books.

She has more stories planned and keeps working on her writing. Her career as a novelist is still in its early stages. Readers can expect more books from her in the future.

This Is Not a Game

Kelly Mullen’s debut novel This Is Not a Game was published by Dutton. The book arrived in stores on April 8, 2025. Dutton released the title as Mullen’s first work of fiction.

A widow named Mimi lives on Mackinac Island, a place where cars are not allowed. Her granddaughter Addie is recovering from a broken engagement that also cost her a share in a successful video game she helped create. The two travel together to a charity auction at a mansion, hosted by a local socialite. When a snowstorm traps everyone inside and the host is found dead, Mimi and Addie must use their own unique skills to figure out what is really going on.

This book offers a fun mystery with two main characters who are easy to like. The setting on Mackinac Island adds a nice touch to the story. Readers get a clever puzzle to solve alongside the grandmother and granddaughter pair. It is an entertaining read for anyone who enjoys a good whodunit.

A Murder in Eight Cocktails

Kelly Mullen’s second novel A Murder in Eight Cocktails was released on March 26, 2026. Penguin published the book as her follow-up to This Is Not a Game. It continued her work in the mystery genre.

Willa Keane lives in Carmel-by-the-Sea and feels her marriage has become a bit dull. She hopes a night out at a new cocktail bar will bring back some spark with her husband Marty. When they arrive, she is surprised to find the event is hosted by her ex-husband Paul. Later that evening, the bar’s owner is found dead below the rocks, and Willa is not convinced it was a simple suicide.

A fresh and engaging mystery awaits readers in this book. The story brings together a wife, her husband, and her ex-husband as unlikely partners in solving a crime. The seaside town setting gives the plot a pleasant atmosphere. It is a fun read that holds your attention until the end.