Praise for Not the Killing Kind:
Winner, 2025 International Latino Book Award Gold Medal in Mystery
Winner, Women Writing the West 2025 WILLA Literary Award in Mystery/Thriller
Winner, Eleanor Taylor Bland Award for Crime Fiction Writers of Color
Finalist, 2025 High Plains International Book Award in Fiction
“A stirring debut novel . . . Kelson loads the plot with satisfying twists, and the aching, memorably sketched relationship between Boots and Jaral heightens the drama.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Fast-paced and propulsive . . . [A] thriller filled with culturally relevant and timely themes.”
—Booklist
“A wild, lyrical, and very compelling read.”
—Story Circle Network
“Kelson exudes precision in crafting her debut thriller . . . While expertly describing a little known setting, Kelson opens up the story to have international ramifications, bridging local with the world.”
—Naomi Hirahara, USA Today bestselling author of the Mary Higgins Clark Award-winning mystery, Clark and Division
“Lyrically written and with finely etched characters, Maria Kelson’s smart, high-stakes debut novel, Not the Killing Kind, deftly explores the heartrending intersection between a diabolical crime and a mother’s fierce love for her son.”
—Barbara Nickless, Amazon Charts and Wallstreet Journal bestselling author
“Maria Kelson has created a compelling character in Boots Marez, the protagonist in Not The Killing Kind. Smart, tough, and determined, Boots will crash through any barrier to try to save her son. An exciting debut!”
—Matt Coyle, bestselling author of the Rick Cahill crime series
“Not the Killing Kind makes the reader understand the depth of an adoptive mother’s love and the risks and rewards of raising a child in a complex, dangerous world. Kelson’s debut adds a lyrical and important voice to crime fiction.”
—Lori Rader-Day, award-winning author of The Death of Us
“In Not the Killing Kind, Maria Kelson has given us a stellar debut with an impulsive, passionate sleuth who leads with her heart. Combined with intense plotting, a beautifully realized setting, and fascinating characters, we can’t help but follow her to the dramatic end. This is a writer to watch!”
—Linda Rodriguez, award-winning author of the Skeet Bannion novels
“A brilliant and thoughtful multi-layered crime novel. With a first-rate plot and pacing, it drives you to its propulsive ending, to determine the guilt or innocence of a young man whose secrets and silence keep him a mystery to the woman who adopted him. But on deeper examination and in vividly imaginative prose, it also portrays the struggles of marginalized Latinx communities with sensitivity and grace, while illuminating the complex connection between a mother and son whose bond is put to the test. Maria Kelson’s stunning debut is utterly riveting and represents a brave new voice in crime fiction.”
—Ausma Zehanat Khan, author of Blood Betrayal
“A masterful debut novel that reads like the work of a seasoned storyteller. You won’t soon forget Boots Marez or the lengths she will go to put her world back together while unmasking ugly exploitation in her own community. Beautifully written, with a keen eye for layers and nuance, look no further for a tantalizing ride.”
—Mark Stevens, author of The Fireballer
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