Welcome!
You are now entering a world of crime fiction.
I hope you pull up a chair and stay for a while.
You’ll find information about what I write, what I’m working on, and how to contact me or find me on social media. My goal with this website and my writing is the same—to give you an enriching, immersive, and unforgettable experience.
“Beautifully imagined and beautifully written …”
Lee Child
“Stanley … knows how to bring the past to life.”
Tom Nolan, San Francisco Chronicle
“Author Kelli Stanley has her eye on greatness.”
George Pelecanos
Kelli Stanley is the critically acclaimed and multiple-award winning bestselling author of the Miranda Corbie literary noir series set in 1940 San Francisco, including City of Dragons, City of Secrets, City of Ghosts, and City of Sharks.
Her other works include historical mysteries set in Roman Britain and numerous short stories and essays. One of her proudest achievements has been her inclusion as a literary heir of Dashiell Hammett by his granddaughter in Publisher’s Weekly and serving as Historical Mystery Guest of Honor at the 55th Bouchercon World Mystery Convention.
Her next novel, THE RECKONING, is set in 1985 in California’s “Emerald Triangle”, and will be published in the US and UK on January 6, 2026 by Severn House Publishers.
Roman Noir and Stand-Alone Fiction
- Nox Dormienda
- The Curse-Maker
- "Survivor"
- "The Escape"
- "Convivium"
- "Coolie"
- "Hysterical"
- "Folk Song"
- "Levees"
Miranda Corbie Series
- City of Dragons
- City of Secrets
- City of Ghosts
- City of Sharks
- "Children's Day"
- Memory Book (novelette)
- "A Night on the Town"
Craft and Non-Fiction
- Essay on "Murder on the Orient Express"
- Essay on Commitment
- Essay on Character Building
- Essay on Plotting