Official Website of Suspense Novelist
COMING AUGUST 2025!!
Book 5, Olivia Callahan Suspense
The tremors began at dawn—violent, betraying shudders that stole her consciousness. This time, the seizure left blood on the garage floor, a bemused realization that alcohol was not her friend, and an ultimatum from fiancée Sergeant Hunter Faraday: Rehab or we call off the engagement. His voice, steady as a sniper’s breath, named the facility—Woodlawn Acres Wellness Center. Safe. Discreet. But deep down, private investigator Olivia Callahan suspected the slick brochure he’d given her masked the stench of corruption.
Then, one afternoon, the glint of a syringe. The orderlies with dead eyes called it “stabilization.” Now, she’s positive the forces arrayed against her are unwavering in their resolve to preserve their secrets. In a chilling moment of clarity, she realizes that this time, her indomitable will and the ever-valiant Hunter Faraday might not be enough to save her.
Pre-orders available soon.
My Story
Kerry’s publishing credits include a popular newspaper and e-zine humor column, “The Lighter Side,” (2009—2011); and her magazine articles have been published in Local Life Magazine, The Bluffton Breeze, Lady Lowcountry, and Island Events Magazine. She is the author of the Olivia Callahan Suspense series, Level Best Books; and book four in this series recently released. Book five releases in 2025. Her standalone suspense novel, Back Before Dawn, released in the summer of 2023, also by Level Best Books. She is past chapter president of the Maryland Writers’ Association and a current member and presenter of Hilton Head Island Writers’ Network, South Carolina Writers Association, Pat Conroy Literary Center, International Thriller Writers, and the Sisters in Crime organization.
After retiring from a career in advertising where she wore several hats, including copywriter, account manager, and creative director; she and her husband landed for good in Hilton Head Island, SC in 2015. Kerry is the mother of four adult children. She and husband, Jim, enjoy kayaking, beach time, bicycling, road trips, and the scenic vistas of the Lowcountry.
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ESCAPE INTO A STORY
AS FASCINATING AS YOU ARE
LATEST RELEASE
“Fans of Frieda McFadden and Lisa Jewell will stay up past their bedtimes devouring the latest thriller from Kerry Peresta. Haunted by her abusive ex-husband, P.I. Olivia Callahan had better keep her friends close and her enemies closer. Now if she could only tell them apart. When one of her best friends goes missing in a Florida swamp, the clock is ticking as the suspense winds tighter on every page” —Kelly Oliver, author of the Jessica James Mysteries
PRAISE FOR THE CRUSHING
"Peresta takes us on a roller coaster ride! Engaging from begining to end!" -Amazon reviewer
"Another wonderful thriller! Peresta has a knack for weaving a fabulous plot with love-em and hate-em characters. I didn't see the end coming! I was too engaged in the characters!" -Amazon reviewer
"SO SAD when it was over. Such excitement on every page. Let's hope the 'crushings' in our lives'make us better, not bitter!! Highly recommend." -Amazon reviewer
"I can't say enough about this series! Page-turner, gripping story, characters you'd want to be friends with. Just read these books!" -Amazon reviewer
Reviews
Back Before Dawn is a fabulous read with relatable, fascinating characters and a plot that zigzags between the struggles of a single mother with an online dating addiction and a diabolical murder that lands on her doorstep. This book will have you turning pages until its very satisfying conclusion! PERESTA’S BEST BOOK YET! –
Susan Crawford, NYT best-selling author, The Pocket Wife and The Other Widow.
Upcoming Author Events
2025 AUTHOR EVENTS
Thursday, February 27 | 6:30pm, Tio ‘s, Town Centre, Shelter Cove, Hilton Head, SC
Reading excerpts of new release and presentation.
Thursday, March 13 | 2025, 6pm, Open Mic at Pat Conroy Center
Wednesday, March 19, 2025 | 10am-12am, Palmetto Dunes, Hilton Head Island, SC
Fun discussion about book one, The Deadening, at a book club!
Saturday, March 23, 2025 | 1-4pm, Local Author Day, Lafayette Square, Savannah
Annual celebration of author Flannery O'Conner, complete with wacky hats and parade! Forty authors with books for signing and purchase, tours of O'Conners available. A fun event for readers and authors alike!
Thursday - Sunday, May 15-18, 2025 | Sleuthfest Writers Conference, St. Petersburg, FL
Annual Southeast Sisters in Crime conference for writers and readers. Kerry will be presenting a workshop on author events, and participate in author panels.
Saturday, June 8, 2025 | Author Signing Event, 1-4pm, B&N Pikesville, 1819 Reisterstown Rd., Pikesville, MD
Kerry Peresta will sign books for purchase at the Pikesville Barnes & Noble
Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025 | HHI Book Launch, 1-3:30, 20 Hatton Place, Hilton Head Island, SC
Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, 6pm | Art Walk & Wine Down Wednesday, Hilton Head Island
Tuesday, Feb. 17, 6pm | "Get Lit Hilton Head Book Club" presentation