Judith Kelman Books In Order

Publication Order of Sara Spooner Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Anthologies

Judith Kelman is a renowned American writer of the psychological thriller, suspense, and mystery novels. She has written numerous standalone novels, most of which are widely successful. Kelman has more than 2 million copies of her novels in print that are sold in multiple countries of the world. Author Kelman was born was Judith Ann on October 21, 1945, in New York City. She is married to Edward Michael Kelman and two children. Kelman completed her graduation from Cornell University and obtained a BS degree in 1967. She followed it up with an MA in 1968 and an MS degree in 1977 from New York University and Southern Connecticut State College respectively. Kelman has taken up a number of professions in her life before becoming a full-time writer, including working as a teacher, recreation supervisor, speech pathologist, educational consultant, freelance writer, and member and president of the board of directors of an institute for retarded.

Besides these, Kelman has served as a member of the MWA, Authors Guild, and the American Society for Authors and Journalists. In addition to writing full-length novels, Kelman has contributed to anthologies, including Missing Manhattan, Murder for Revenge, A Body is FOund, Murder on the Run, etc. Also, she is a regular contributor to literary magazines and periodicals like NY Times, Working Mother, Bride’s, Ladies’ Home Journal, Redbook, Publishers Weekly, Glamour, Seventeen, etc. Kelman’s novel, Someone’s Watching, has been adapted into a television movie by NBC. The career of Kelman started when she was on a leave from her previous job as an educational consultant & speech therapist. In order to kill time, she began writing a story and enjoyed the process so much that she ended up taking off a year for developing it into a book. To her own surprise, Kelman finished the book and sold it to a publisher before the planned time period.

A number of Kelman’s books are categorized as contemporary gothic & thrilling stories. Her stories typically feature the setting of New England, having dark or abandoned, run-down houses, victimized heroine, and strange characters. Some critics see Kelman as an author whose protagonists are mainly divorced or single women, who end up getting involved in mysterious situations. In her first novel, Prime Evil, Kelman has mentioned the lead character as Erica Phillips and has described her as a pregnant, single editor who works for a high-ranked author of horror novels at a run-down, secluded estate. Likewise, Where Shadows Fall, features a grieving mom. The other essential protagonists created by Kelman in her books include Emily Archer, Cinnie Merritt, Quinn Gallagher, Maggie Lyons, Theo Harper, Dana Sanders, Bethany, Charles Magill, Jess Magill, Anna, Claire Barrow, P.J. Lafferty, etc. All these characters are shown having great dedication, determination, and never-say-die attitude that help them to overcome all the difficult situations. Author Kelman has enjoyed her career as a writer very much. She is satisfied with her success and is grateful to the readers for allowing her to become successful. She hopes to maintain her status as a noteworthy writer for as long as her body permits and keep writing exciting novels year after year.

A very popular book written by author Judith Kelman is entitled ‘Fly Away Home’. It was released by the Bantam publishing in 1996. The main characters of this book include Eva Haskel, Pip Stafford, and Bethany Logan. The story is set in New Hampshire and near Connecticut coast. At the book’s beginning, Eva Haskel is introduced as a grief-stricken woman. The people of Rand’s Island think that she has gone crazy after the unsolved and well-publicized kidnapping of her child. The mourning of her child, who vanished mysteriously around 6 years ago, has turned Eva Haskel into a tragic figure on the small island. Soon after, a shocking turn of events brings the determined Bethany Logan in her dark world, who brings back her son in the end.

Bethany Logan works as a teacher at a private school for boys in New Hampshire. She is made in charge of looking after the children having learning disabilities. Every student in her calls adores her, except Pip Stafford. He seems to be a moody and troublemaker student. Bethany becomes determined to solve the behavior problems of Pip Stafford. She started by delving deep into his record files and ends up discovering a clue about the true identity of the boy. She realizes that a heinous crime has been committed and sets out to right the wrongs. Bethany takes Pip Stafford to Rand’s Island. However, her efforts to overcome the tragic past escalates into terror. As a result, Bethany is drawn into a world full of madness. She becomes aware of the dangers of unraveling the past and present. Bethany’s involvement in the case makes her encounter her own tragic memories and darkest fears.

Another excellent book penned by Kelman is known as ‘More Tha You Know’. It was also published by Bantam in 1996. It consists of the primary characters as Dana Sanders, Becky, Lennie Finn, and Kitty Dolan. The story opens by depicting that Dana Sanders holds a controversial debate called Back Talk in which she chooses the subject based on a child molester, who claims to have recovered. The show ends as per the expectation as Dana handles the events very well. But, she seems certain that the guest, whose real identity was kept hidden for security reasons, is a dangerous man. When her anonymity is breached by one of her staff members by mistake, Dana fears that the life of her daughter is in danger.

Dana’s daughter, Becky, is a talented violinist. Later, it is learned that a rapist is roaming freely in the area, who preys on young girls, not in their teenage years. Lennie Finn, who works as a firefighter by profession, gets involved when she comes to the rescue of a distraught victim named Kitty Dolan. She doesn’t realize how deep she has gotten in this case and starts helping Kitty in putting her life back together. While doing so, she confronts her own painful secret that she had kept to herself for so long. Both Bethany and Lennie are determined to track down the monster. The more they head towards danger, the higher the stakes rise. And as the number of attacks on innocent girls keeps rising, Linnie and Bethany realize that they must act fast and catch the culprit before people close to them fall into danger.

One Response to “Judith Kelman”

1. Judy: 2 years ago

   I always loved your books. Any way I can find any more of your old books?
   Thank you. Hope this fines you well.

   Reply