Before, a Novel

In the novel BEFORE, writer J. Kilburn brings readers a light-hearted and whimsical coming of age story that follows the adventures and misadventures of Just Regular Kids as they grow up in a pastoral and peaceful New England college town. Buckle your seatbelts - all may not be as it seems. Events in a far-away criminal underworld lurk in the background as these teenagers take their first steps into adulthood. Adventurous readers will discover that two Sweet Sixteens have a lot more in common with hardened criminals than you - or they - might realize.... Surprises are in store for everyone!

Midwest Book Review calls BEFORE by J. Kilburn "A deftly crafted blending of Crime Fiction and Coming-of-Age.... especially and unreservedly recommended for community library General Fiction collections...."

Readers Favorite gives BEFORE by J. Kilburn 5 stars!
"...the dialogue... is probably among the top 1% in its sarcasm and authenticity..."

InD'tale Magazine says:
"Mr. Kilburn is a master at writing character development!"

Independent Book Review calls it:
"A gripping coming-of-age tale entwined with small town complications.... With a slow but tantalizing pace, this coming-of-age story is going to be tough to put down for fans of character-driven fiction."

Kilburn takes your average teenagers, gives them a Noir edge, and then plausibly and seamlessly drops them into international crime fiction in this intriguing and entertaining novel. These teenagers go about their sweet and sordid adventures blissfully unaware of their role in larger and more complicated regional events. BEFORE, a Novel is a Coming-of-Age story, but it's also a story about international Organized Crime and the role that small-town folks, your neighbors, your Loved Ones, and even the Honors Students next door might play in that dark and dangerous world.