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Welcome to Shirley Kennett's
web site
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My favorite part of writing is connecting
with readers.
Writing is a lonely
business and getting letters is the high point of my day. My warmest thanks
to all who have taken the time to write. Here's a small sample. Note to
fans: Do you know about the fourth book in the PJ Gray series? It was
issued under a pen name, Morgan Avery, and the title is ACT OF BETRAYAL. In
spite of the pen name, all your favorite characters are there. Look
for it. I guarantee you won't be disappointed! You'll love what happens
between PJ and Schultz ... And then there's the fifth book, TIME OF DEATH!
All
mail is answered personally by me, whether or not quotes appear below.
Would you like to see your comments here?
Email Shirley
"I love mysteries, but I love well written
books better. You have combined the mystery and the well written together to
form a perfect book. My dad's favorite story is about the time I came home
from my first day of kindergarten crying because "they didn't teach me to
read." Well, since I have learned to read, I have read thousands of
books and FIRE CRACKER is among the top 100 if not higher. Can't wait to get
the other books in the series." - Nancy
"I wanted you to
know that I have read all your books and have loved them all ... your books
are so engrossing!" - Roseanne
"I picked up BURNING ROSE. What a
devilishly delicious mind you draw from! If those six characters live in
your neighborhood, keep Megabite inside. Wrongful Death! What a name.
That one is priceless. I can say with full certainty that it was a great
story because I believe I read it as fast as I've ever read anything. Well
done. Just finished it at 3:00 this morning and then I couldn't get to sleep
because I kept thinking about different parts of the story." - John
"Just a note to tell
you that the wait [for BURNING ROSE] was worth it. I had such difficulty
finding your newest book that you sent me an autographed copy. Reading it
was such a treat. Such an exciting plot and interesting characters. I have
one complaint - it ended too soon." - Patricia
"I found and read ACT OF BETRAYAL in one
sitting! All I can say is: Wow. You are great. I read Dennis Lehane
and Janet Evanovich and I think your series is just as great! PJ is
inspiring and I like her strength. Your writing is awesome and your
characters are real. I hope you continue to write for a very long time!" -
Keishon
"ACT OF BETRAYAL
is great. I started it Wednesday night and was too tired to read much, but
got halfway through the book last night. Even though my eyes were sore, I
just couldn't put it down." - Linda
"I read and enjoyed
ACT OF BETRAYAL and enjoyed earlier titles in the PJ Gray/Schultz
series. Your books combine the right blend of interesting characters,
edge-of-your-seat suspense, and romance. You've got the mix just right!"
- Mike
"Wonderful! I
wasn't able to put ACT OF BETRAYAL down. It's a good thing I started it on
my day off. I look forward to more PJ Gray." - Tam
"I just can't find enough good words to
tell you how much I enjoyed ACT OF BETRAYAL. Great acts are usually
tough to follow, but I know yours are going to get better and better.
Can't wait for my wife to read it." - George and Shirley
"I just finished
reading your book CHAMELEON. Absolutely loved it!!! It was so
well-written, and it captured me from the very start. I am going to look for
the rest of your books wherever I can find them. I enjoyed every page." -
Jen
"I love PJ Gray. You are a great writer of
mystery, suspense and humor and human relations. It is a perfect
series. Keep up the good work!" - Bobbi
"I
just completed your book GRAY MATTER. I was completely captivated by the
book from the first page. There was humor, on the edge of your seat
suspense, and most important a strong and intelligent female character. I am
a fan for life. Keep on writing wonderful books."
- Janie
"How totally
cool! You reply in person. I'm looking forward to reading your other books.
They're great since you throw in plenty of mystery and thrills, character
development, and high tech computer stuff. What more could someone like
myself want?"
- Hugh
"I
love your PJ Gray series. After reading the first one, I knew I had to have
all of them immediately! I'm more than ready for the next book. I've gotta
see where this is going. The plotlines and character development are top
notch. I love a good mystery/thriller and read a lot of them, and your books
rank right up there with the authors we are always being told are the
leaders in this genre. Thanks for the great reads, keep 'em coming. I love
your books and recommend them all the time."
- Deb
"Stayed up much of
the night reading your book. Got to say that you are a major talent! I've
always admired Sue Grafton's gift of pacing, but you are definitely her
equal. I really love your charactersall of them! Your style is crisp and
your descriptions have an almost poetic quality to them."
- Charlene
"I
am anxiously awaiting your new book BURNING ROSE. I see that it is not one
of the PJ Gray series. Are you going to be putting out another book
using her as the main character again soon?"
- Jane
"I just finished
reading GRAY MATTER and wanted to tell you how very much I enjoyed it. PJ
Gray was compared to Kay Scarpetta and Kinsey Millhonewhile I enjoy them
tremendously, PG Gray is even better! You've made her, Thomas, and Leo
Schultz real people. You show their weaknesses but, just as important, you
show the good qualities that make your readers want to know them even
better. Thank you for a very enjoyable book."
- Geraldine
"Read GRAY MATTER last week, and I have to tell you I was hooked after
reading the first chapter! It was the kind of chapter that makes the hair on
the back of the neck stand up. So of course I couldn't put the book down and
had to finish it that evening. Just wanted to let you know what a great read
it was for me."
- Diane
"I thank you for a
job very well done! CHAMELEON was a pleasure and I anxiously await more!"
- Deborah
"I
finished reading CHAMELEON last night. What an ending! I really appreciate
the way you begin with the killer and let us into his/her mind. When I find
an author I love, it is very hard to wait for the next volume. Keep
writing!"
- Shirley
"I discovered your third book in the PJ
GRAY series (CHAMELEON) first, and I didn't realize that it was in fact a
series until I finished it. I was so impressed with it that I went back and
read the ones that came before it. I have never been a mystery reader, but
somehow you managed to pull me right in, hook, line, and sinker. Thank you
for writing such exciting and nail-biting books that have kept me away from
the television. I feel that I know the characters personally, and it's been
a long time since a book has done that for me. Your #1 fan..." - Bill
"I enjoyed both GRAY MATTER and FIRE CRACKER very much. You
have developed all the characters so that they seem so real! I also like the
way you develop the killers' characters and tell the story of their lives so
that we may understand what drives them. I am looking forward to reading
your next book!"
- Lisa
"I just want to say that I thoroughly enjoyed FIRE CRACKER. It was
definitely a most interesting story and a marvelous reading experience."
- David
"I
don't know where to begin, but I guess I'll start by telling you that I
think you are a fabulous writer. I was given FIRE CRACKER by my boyfriend to
read and I was hooked. I went to the bookstore looking for anything and
everything you've written. I love every book. The series is wonderful. I
find myself at the bookstore asking if you've released anything new almost
weekly. How does one tell someone else they think they are gifted? I guess
this is my best attempt. Thank you for the many hours of reading."
- Angela
"You have me
hooked! I just finished CHAMELEON. What a page turner. Kept me up all night.
I couldn't put it down. I can really see your book being REAL! Thank you for
keeping me awake all night, and thinking ... and thinking." - Neil
"I've never written a fan letter before, but I just had to write and tell
you how much I enjoyed GRAY MATTER. I have been reading police procedural
novels for several years, but this book made me feel as if I had just
discovered the genre all over again. Please, keep on writing!" -
Stephany
"I wanted to express
my delight in reading GRAY MATTER. I am an avid book reader, especially
murder mysteries, and I agree that Ms. Kennett is comparable to Sue
Grafton."
- Joanne
"I
am quite a fan of Patricia Cornwell's character, Kay Scarpetta, and was sure
NO ONE could even come close. However, my daughter gave me a book written by
you, and well - I have fallen in love with PJ, and am now reading CHAMELEON,
having already read GRAY MATTER and FIRE CRACKER. Do I really have to wait
so long for the next one????"
- Marie
"Thank you for a
well-written mystery. Having finished GRAY MATTER at midnight last night,
this note is to encourage you to write about PJ, Leo, and Thomas again. The
characters catch and hold one's attention, and your writing is complex
enough to slow my reading and give me a book to read in more than 2-3 hours.
I do so like having a book last!" - Betty
"I
just finished reading your fantastic new book GRAY MATTER. It was incredibly
exciting and had characters in it that the reader could empathize with. I
think Thomas Harris (SILENCE OF THE LAMBS) is going to have to move over,
because your book is more horrifying than any of his. Have you started a new
book? If so, when is it coming out? Keep up the good work, and I anxiously
await your next book." - Erik
"Just a note to let
you know I read about your book GRAY MATTER in the Des Moines Register. I
just finished reading it this weekend. I hope you will continue with the
characters PJ Gray and Schultz in your next book. You made them come alive
for me and I was able to picture them in my mind. I thoroughly enjoyed your
book and look forward to many more." - Arlys
"Thanks for the
terrific reads! I have read FIRE CRACKER and CHAMELEON (one day apiece) and
am awaiting the arrival of the next. I really enjoy the series, and I
like the way PJ and Leo interact with each other. It seems real, not
staged. Even with my impossible schedule I managed to find time to read,
because I couldn't put your books down!" - Stephanie
"By
now we hope you're receiving lots of fan mail, and we wanted to join in and
send our praise. I passed your book on to my husband, who enjoyed it as
well. We both send our heartiest congratulations! We feel certain GRAY
MATTER will make an excellent movie, and we look forward to your next book,
which we promise we will buy." - Laura and Jim
"I enjoyed reading
CHAMELEON. It kept me in suspense. Some parts of the book were very chilling
but that made me want to read even more. Keep up the good work."
- Jasper
"I
have just read FIRE CRACKER and wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed it. It
is a terrific story and you are a very gifted writer. PJ Gray is a great
character and I eagerly look forward to her future adventures." -
Steve
"First of all I
would like to thank you for including an e-mail address for reader
responses. Secondly, I would like to thank you for providing a book
(CHAMELEON) that was captivating, enticing, and all around easy reading. I'm
glad to add you to my list of favorite authors, some of whom are Stephen
King, John Saul, Stuart Woods, and John Grisham. A book should be easy to
travel through, and you did a fantastic job. I'll be looking forward to
reading anything else that bears your name."
- Deborah
"As
a "road warrior" for my company, I travel across the U.S. almost weekly. I
can't count the number of paperbacks I have purchased at airport bookshops.
As I pondered the mini-selection this week, I saw CHAMELEON on the shelf and
picked it up. There was something vaguely familiar about the title, and I
recalled having read a review at some point. I bought the book and saved it
for when I was seated for the next leg of my journey. I was immediately
hooked! What a good read that was! I particularly enjoyed the interaction
and thoughts/doubts between PJ and Schultz. I also liked the Merlin
character with his lists, and Schultz's imaginary girlfriend ... Once I have
read a novel I like, I find myself looking for others from the same
author. Can't wait to find yours." - Dennis
"Well, I should be
cursing you rather than tossing you accolades. I stayed up until 2AM last
night finishing GRAY MATTER. I enjoyed it immensely. I like your writing
style, including your sense of humor, your way of introducing characters,
the interaction between PJ and Thomas, PJ and Schultz, and PJ and her
internet buddy Merlin. I liked your ability to weave in the human frailties
of Schultz and PJ, making them all the more believable and likeable. Thanks
for the entertainment. I wish you continued success!" - Frank
"Finished [CHAMELEON] at 3AM. And besides being a great read!!!! - I was
constantly worried about Thomas, even in the hotel room. I want to know more
about computer models, I loved the part where she cruised AOL, but will have
to look over my shoulder if I am on late at night now. I love Schultz (and
think you do a great job writing from the male point-of-view), I like that
PJ has twenty extra pounds to worry about. The book brought back a lot of
personal memories: our lives have intersected that of a psychopathic
killer." - Kathy
"I went to our local
Super Crown to pick up GRAY MATTER, and there were three copies on the
shelf. Two other people were there looking for a good Christmas present. I
picked up your book and said 'Oh, thank God I found it!' The other two
people turned and looked at me, and I proceeded to tell them how I had been
searching high and low for your book, that it was strongly recommended to
me, and if they have a mystery lover on their list, they should hurry up and
get this book, as there were only two left. The last I saw, they were
standing in line at the register, each with a copy of GRAY MATTER tucked
safely under their arms. I'll be starting it tonight. I read the dust
jacket, and I will have to read the book cover to cover, so I wanted to make
sure I didn't have to work the day after I started reading!" - Carrie
"I think your books
would make great movies. They have all the elements needed, strong,
believable characters, suspense that puts you on the edge of your seat, and
a fast moving plot. With the right people doing it and the right actors, it
could be as good as Silence of the Lambs. Your books are the type that I
cannot put down. I carry them with me and read them at stop lights, when
stuck in traffic, and while waiting for appointments. I also wanted to tell
you that you are among the few female authors that I really like. Your
characters both male and female are very realistic." - Paul
"I started reading FIRE CRACKER and
couldn't put it down. Keep up the good work!" - Shirley
"I don't normally
write to authors of books I read, but I just had to let you know how much I
like FIRE CRACKER. A book has to grab me from the start and be a
page-turner. Loved the characters of PJ and Lou Schultz. Was so glad to see
you have another coming out with the same characters." - Ruby
"I just wanted to let you know how much I
enjoyed GRAY MATTER. Great characters and great story line!! I love
psychological thrillers, and I must admit that yours is one of the best I've
read!" - Lisa
"I really like PJ
Gray and the other characters in the series. The relationship with her son
is very realistic, as is the way she is dealing with the divorce and a new
city. I also really like the use of virtual reality. It is very innovative
and should be used in real life. To be perfectly honest, I saw your picture
on the jacket, and I expected a tamer book. I was surprised by the fact that
you are not afraid to have the wackos act like wackos. My brother and I are
both turning people on to your books. If you keep writing, we'll keep
reading." - Jon
"Thanks again for your reply to my
e-mail. You had better believe that you have created a loyal fan." -
Carolyn
"THANK YOU very much
for the autographed bookmarks! I'm giving one to my friend that got me
reading your books in the first place - she'll be thrilled as well! I'll
keep visiting your website, awaiting news of your next book." - Cindi
"I'm anxiously awaiting the next book in
the series!" - Sharon
"I just finished ACT
OF BETRAYAL and of course I loved it. I wish there was a new PJ book coming
out right away." - Judy
"You are a very talented writer and I
thank you for the enjoyment." - Donna
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