Dive into the pulse-pounding world of the Ellie Kline series, where a fearless detective battles serial killers and her own haunting past in the sultry streets of Charleston, South Carolina. This psychological thriller saga, penned by Mary Stone and Donna Berdel, follows Detective Ellie Kline, a kidnapping survivor turned cold case crusader, whose relentless pursuit of justice makes every page a gripping ride.
With 15 books and counting, the series blends heart-stopping suspense with a deeply personal narrative, drawing readers into Ellie’s world of courage, danger, and redemption. Whether you’re a thriller junkie or new to the genre, Ellie Kline’s story will keep you up past midnight, turning pages and checking your locks.
How Ellie Kline Began
Mary Stone, a master of crafting strong, unconventional heroines, teamed up with Donna Berdel to launch the Ellie Kline series in 2020 with Cold Truth. Inspired by their shared love for gritty crime stories and complex characters, the duo set out to create a heroine who’s both relatable and extraordinary. Stone’s knack for weaving real-life villainy into fiction, honed in her tranquil Blue Ridge Mountains home, shines through in Ellie’s dogged determination. The series was born from a desire to explore resilience and justice through a female detective who refuses to back down, no matter the odds.
The Heart of Ellie Kline
The series kicks off with Cold Truth, where Ellie, now a Charleston PD detective, tackles a chilling murder case involving a tortured college-aged woman. Her investigation uncovers links to other Jane Doe cases, pulling her closer to a serial killer who’s been watching her since her teenage abduction. In Cold Hunt, Ellie faces a human trafficking ring in Charleston’s backwoods, with new clues about her past surfacing at every turn. Cold Threat ramps up the stakes as a killer targets someone close to her, forcing Ellie to outsmart a foe from her nightmares. By Cold Crash, the 13th book, Ellie’s on a collision course with a murderer tied to high-society deaths, balancing her career with personal ties.
Charleston’s charm—its historic streets and shadowy underbelly—sets a vivid backdrop for themes of resilience, trauma, and justice. Ellie’s journey from victim to victor resonates through her fierce independence and moral compass, though her impulsive nature often lands her in hot water. The series’ fast-paced style, packed with twists and layered characters like FBI agent Clay Lockwood, keeps readers hooked. Stone and Berdel excel at blending psychological depth with edge-of-your-seat action, making each book a standalone thrill that builds a larger arc.
Why Ellie Kline Resonates
The Ellie Kline series has carved a niche in the psychological thriller genre, captivating fans with its raw emotion and relentless pacing. Readers on Goodreads praise its “nail-biting” plots and Ellie’s growth as a flawed yet inspiring hero. The series’ focus on human trafficking and cold cases sheds light on real-world issues, adding depth to its entertainment value. Its loyal following, eager for each new release, speaks to its ability to blend heart-pounding suspense with a heroine you can’t help but root for. Ellie’s story reminds us that even in the darkest corners, courage can light the way.
- Publication Start: 2020
- Number of Books: 15 (as of 2025)
- Authors: Mary Stone and Donna Berdel
- Setting: Charleston, South Carolina
Ready to chase killers with a detective who never quits? Grab Cold Truth and step into Ellie Kline’s thrilling world of suspense!