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Lee Kelly

Goodreads Author


Born
in The United States
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Member Since
August 2012

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Lee Kelly is the author of CITY OF SAVAGES, a Publishers Weekly pick and a VOYA Magazine “Perfect Ten” selection, A CRIMINAL MAGIC, which was optioned and developed for a television series by Warner Bros., and WITH REGRETS. With Jennifer Thorne, Lee has also co-written THE ANTIQUITY AFFAIR, THE STARLETS, MY FAIR FRAUDS (forthcoming from Harper Muse, 2025) and THE MIDNIGHT SHOW (forthcoming from Crown, 2026).

Her short fiction and essays have appeared in CrimeReads, Electric Lit, and Tor.com, among other publications, and she holds a Masters in Fine Arts from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. An entertainment lawyer by trade, Lee has practiced law in Los Angeles and New York. She currently lives with her husband and two children in Pennsylvan
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Lee Kelly Thank you for this question Kelly! (and sorry for the delay in answering :) City of Savages was always conceived as a standalone -- that said, I guess…moreThank you for this question Kelly! (and sorry for the delay in answering :) City of Savages was always conceived as a standalone -- that said, I guess you never know :) Glad you enjoyed the book enough to want a sequel!!(less)
Lee Kelly Hi Kate! Sorry for the delay on this -- after I got my book deal, then went through the editing and copyediting process, I was given my release date. …moreHi Kate! Sorry for the delay on this -- after I got my book deal, then went through the editing and copyediting process, I was given my release date. Once I had that, I ordered some designed postcards and first chapter books to send to interested parties, reached out to local libraries and bookstores, and contacted bloggers that specialize in YA and genre fiction. I also worked with my in-house publicist for interviews and in-person events! Thanks for your question and hope this helps ;)!(less)
Average rating: 3.65 · 7,511 ratings · 1,650 reviews · 7 distinct worksSimilar authors
City of Savages

3.72 avg rating — 2,278 ratings — published 2015 — 12 editions
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The Antiquity Affair

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3.65 avg rating — 1,812 ratings — published 2023 — 4 editions
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A Criminal Magic

3.54 avg rating — 1,864 ratings — published 2016 — 5 editions
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The Starlets

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3.66 avg rating — 776 ratings — published 2024 — 6 editions
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With Regrets

3.51 avg rating — 598 ratings — published 2023 — 8 editions
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My Fair Frauds

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4.17 avg rating — 159 ratings5 editions
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The Midnight Show

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4.46 avg rating — 24 ratings — expected publication 2026 — 3 editions
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More books by Lee Kelly…

New Kelly & Thorne Book Announced – THE MIDNIGHT SHOW!

Been sitting on this for a while so I’m beyond thrilled to finally say, “It’s time for The Midnight Show!”

Our latest Lee Kelly and Jennifer Thorne collaboration hits sh...

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Published on July 01, 2025 10:04
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My Fair Frauds by Lee   Kelly
"My Fair Frauds is a dynamic historical fiction story about two women living in New York City during the time of the Gilded Age who happen to be attempting to pull off one of the biggest robberies of the time! What a unique scenario and storyline! I w" Read more of this review »
The Correspondent by Virginia      Evans
My Fair Frauds by Lee   Kelly
"There are heists, and then there’s My Fair Frauds, which feels like someone dared The Gilded Age to go full girlboss and then said, “Bet you won’t do it in opera gloves.” This book is an elaborate con wrapped in tulle and vengeance, and the audiobook" Read more of this review »
Lee Kelly and 1 other person liked kelly Fuller's review of My Fair Frauds:
My Fair Frauds by Lee   Kelly
"5 stars. Easiest five stars I've given in a long time. No hesitation. I knew a quarter of the way through it was a winner for me. In fact, could this be my favorite read of the year so far?
Ok, so sure, maybe I was heavily influenced by the fact that " Read more of this review »
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Quotes by Lee Kelly  (?)
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“Our turn,” Joan whispers.
She sparks to life a small sphere of light, maybe the size of a globe, right above the audience’s heads. And then she breathes life into it, slowly expanding it, like she’s blowing up the world’s most brilliant, glimmering balloon.
I whisper beside her, “Incredible.” Because despite how dangerous magic can be—how it’s been used to hide murders, cover up robberies, send people spiraling into the throes of addiction—there’s just no denying that it is.”
Lee Kelly, A Criminal Magic

“Uncle Jed stopped sorcering manipulations around the time he lost himself to shine, but I remember this same awed feeling creeping over me and settling in, as I watched him conjure a lemon tree or shady oak in our yard. Creating something real from nothing, or protecting something with magic, or linking and binding things that have no business being linked: pure magic might only last a day, but its hold on you lasts far longer.”
Lee Kelly, A Criminal Magic

“Back when the line between magic and reality was a lot more blurred, before this world started regarding sorcery with such fear and suspicion, magic was like a language among sorcerers. It was a thing to share, not a thing to hide. And for a long time, it was rumored that a worthy ring of seven sorcerers could unlock a magic within the magic. That seven was the key to strengthening gifts and surpassing weaknesses—and could even bend and flex the laws of magic itself.”
Lee Kelly, A Criminal Magic

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“If you end up with a boring miserable life because you listened to your mom, your dad, your teacher, your priest, or some guy on television telling you how to do your shit, then you deserve it.”
Frank Zappa

“Let's be reasonable and add an eighth day to the week that is devoted exclusively to reading.”
Lena Dunham

“Uncle Jed stopped sorcering manipulations around the time he lost himself to shine, but I remember this same awed feeling creeping over me and settling in, as I watched him conjure a lemon tree or shady oak in our yard. Creating something real from nothing, or protecting something with magic, or linking and binding things that have no business being linked: pure magic might only last a day, but its hold on you lasts far longer.”
Lee Kelly, A Criminal Magic

“Our turn,” Joan whispers.
She sparks to life a small sphere of light, maybe the size of a globe, right above the audience’s heads. And then she breathes life into it, slowly expanding it, like she’s blowing up the world’s most brilliant, glimmering balloon.
I whisper beside her, “Incredible.” Because despite how dangerous magic can be—how it’s been used to hide murders, cover up robberies, send people spiraling into the throes of addiction—there’s just no denying that it is.”
Lee Kelly, A Criminal Magic

“It is a condition of monsters that they do not perceive themselves as such. The dragon, you know, hunkered in the village devouring maidens, heard the townsfolk cry 'Monster!' and looked behind him.”
Laini Taylor, Daughter of Smoke & Bone

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Comments (showing 1-5)    post a comment »
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message 5: by Lee

Lee Kelly Stephanie wrote: "Hi Lee! Thanks for the friend request!! I look forward to hanging with you here on Goodreads!"


Thanks Stephanie me too! ;)


Stephanie Hi Lee! Thanks for the friend request!! I look forward to hanging with you here on Goodreads!


message 3: by Lee

Lee Kelly Beth wrote: "Hi Lee,
Thanks for sending a friend request to this mystery author on Goodreads! I hope you will put my books,A Real Basket Case, To Hell in a Handbasket, Deadly Currents, and Wicked Eddies, on you..."


Thanks Beth! I just added your books to my list :) Looking forward to reading!


message 2: by Beth

Beth Hi Lee,
Thanks for sending a friend request to this mystery author on Goodreads! I hope you will put my books,A Real Basket Case, To Hell in a Handbasket, Deadly Currents, and Wicked Eddies, on your to-read list. If you'd like to enter a contest for free mystery books, sign up for my email newsletter at: http://bethgroundwater.com/ . And, I'm giving away a copy of To Hell in a Handbasket today at: http://midnightwriters.blogspot.com/2...
- Beth


Carina Hi Lee!
I'll talk to you soon. I'm about to start Luxe too :-)


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