Where to start?

[Ronald Kelly]

Thanks for your comments, everyone. It's gratifying to know that folks enjoy (and know) my work well enough to make on-target suggestions to those who have yet spooned out a heaping helping of Southern-fried horror gumbo.

Theli, I'd suggest the following to get you aquainted with my fiction:

Novels: FEAR, HELL HOLLOW, UNDERTAKER'S MOON, BLOOD KIN
Short story collections: AFTER THE BURN, MIDNIGHT GRINDING (pre-1996), CUMBERLAND FURNACE (post-2006), THE SICK STUFF.

My personal favorites/ Novels: HINDSIGHT, FEAR, UNDERTAKER'S MOON
Favorite short stories: Flesh Welder, Midnight Grinding, Beneath Black Bayou, Tanglewood

[srboone]

"Forever Angels" is in #1 if you've got that issue! If you bought Turn down the Lights trade HC, Ron has "The Outhouse" in that anthology.

Here's a sample of Ron's work from his website:

http://www.ronaldkelly.com/sample-th...ytellers-work/

[Theli]

Cool, thanks for the opinions guys! Might go for After the Burn or Hell Hollow, if I can get my hands on them.

Actually I should scour my anthologies and back issues of CD to see if I have any of Ron Kelly short stories already in my collection.

[srboone]

Excellent recomendations, Tom! After the Burn is a great place to start. The first writing of Ron's I read was Midnight Grinding. It was the short story "Forever Angels" that made me a fan (that story is one of my favorite short stories as well)--everytime I reread it, it sends chills down my spine.

Hell Hollow is a lot of fun, very atmospheric. I've only read the first two essentials Undertaker's Moon and Fear. Both are very good as well.

Honestly, you could pick up any book by Ron and be amply rewarded. But After the Burn will show you the great heights Ron can achieve with his writing.

[bookworm 1]

I always try and start with short stories when I find a new author. If they can tell a good story in a few pages their longer work is usually pretty good. I would recommend if you have an e reader to start with After the Burn a great collection also Midnight Grinding is a super collection. Bad Moon books also put out a collection of Ron's stories called Cumberland Furnace and other fear-forged fables. I believe some of thoes stories are in Midnight Grinding. Bad Moon still has paperback copies available of Cumberland and After the Burn. If you want a longer story My personal favorite is Timber Gray. I have the Essentials but have not started them. With the last 4 due this year I just might start them in May and read one a month for the rest of the year. Hope that helps.

[cycloneed20]

I'd say the Ron Kelly Essentials collection from Thunderstorm books would be the place to start. I'm reading "Hindsight" right now. And, then I'll delve into the sequel "Restless Shadows soon after. Thunderstorm is pricey though.

[Martin]

I do not claim to be an expert on Mr. Kelly's work, Squire can probably give a more complete answer but I think Hell Hollow would be a great start!

[Theli]

So I have yet to pick up any books from our resident author, Mr. Kelly, and I was wondering where the best place to start is. Or if you feel like chiming in yourself Ron, which book are you most proud of?