As a longtime fan of thrillers and true crime books, I’ve always wanted to try writing in the genre, but it was only a few years ago that my busy writing schedule finally opened up and I was able to dive into Thornbird, teeth bared for a challenge.
I began writing as a teenager, sold my first book to a publisher in my mid-twenties, and with fifty plus books under my belt, I thought nothing could surprise me… until Thornbird. It was thrilling to try something new and stretch myself creatively. For the first time in a while, I was able to approach writing with a fresh pair of eyes, and I learned a lot in the process.
At the core, both thriller and romance are about tension. But they vary in that thrillers are all about keeping the reader guessing, pulling every thread apart and slowly unraveling the mystery without ever revealing too much. Whereas romance is more about drawing each thread together to show how two people inevitably fit perfectly.
Throughout my career, I’ve always loved both genres equally, which is why not only have I written a dozen romantic suspense titles, but I’ve also managed to sprinkle suspense elements into my rom-coms and contemporary romances. Truth be told, I can’t resist a good mystery!
“It was thrilling to try something new and stretch myself creatively.”
When I first came up with the concept for Thornbird, I had no idea where it would land among the myriad of genres that separate shelves. But with the themes of the story centering on identity and coming-of-age, I felt strongly this was for the YA reader.
Ryan has lived in my head for so long, and I’m excited to finally introduce her to you. As a character, she’s a bit of a paradox. She wants to be invisible, but at the same time, she is desperate to connect with people and not be judged for her father’s sins. I hope her struggles with identity, grief, and shame will be something that everyone can relate to. She really goes on a journey, and I hope you enjoy watching her grow into herself during her time in Starling.
Thornbird will soon be out in the world, and I can’t wait to hear what you think!
— E Kennedy
About the book
02 July 2026
The highly anticipated young adult thriller about a serial killer’s daughter and her race to solve the crimes of her family’s twisted past before it’s too late — from E. Kennedy, aka New York Times bestselling romance author Elle Kennedy!
Ryan Shipley is back in Starling, Tennessee. It’s been ten years since her father, the infamous serial killer Gabriel Thorn, was caught. No one can know who Ryan really is. No one can know the truth about her past.
But as fresh eyes dig deeper into the case, old secrets refuse to stay buried. Cryptic texts, eerie coincidences, and a chilling note leave everyone wondering – does Ryan know more than she’s letting on? As the truth unravels, one thing becomes clear: in a town full of secrets, Ryan might be the biggest mystery of them all.
Perfect for fans of Holly Jackson and Karen McManus – get ready for a thriller packed with twists you won’t see coming.