Helpful Score: 1
I was drawn to this book because the setting is my hometown, however, I was skeptical since the author is not familiar to me. This turned out to be a very clever mystery with rich characters. I really liked this pair of detectives, quite humorous in some dark moments. The story keeps you guessing and is very well woven. I did enjoy the references and settings of places I have known all my life, but I would have thoroughly enjoyed this book anyway-that was just a bonus for me.
Helpful Score: 1
A puzzle of twists and turns to keep you guessing.If this is his 1st,can only guess at what's to come. GREAT!!!
Helpful Score: 1
Excellent debut novel - very good read!
A good book. A good police intestigative book.
Nice introduction to a sharp series of psychological police procedurals set in Mobile, Alabama. Great killer, strong characterizations and a good twist at the end... everything I like in a thriller.
I found out about this book through a list on Amazon of Best First Mysteries, or something along those lines. It really is a good book, with lots of twists and turns. I hope he writes some more.
Thrilling and full of suspense, this book is wonderful. A full cast of interesting characters, and an easy read.
I was very surprised at this book. For a first novel this is amazingly well written. I would give this an enthusiastic thumbs up and highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good who-dunit...
THIS WAS A GREAT FIRST FOR THIS AUTHOR. HE MISSPELLS SEVERAL TIMES THROUGHOUT SHOWING HIS NEW TALENT, BUT KEEPS YOU ON THE EDGE W/ TWIST AND TURNS THAT COME UNEXPECTEDLY. CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT ELSE HE WILL DO! KERLEY WRITES OF A DETECTIVE OUT OF MOBILE ALABAMA THAT FACES 'DEMONS' FROM HIS PAST TO CATCH A SERIAL KILLER AT LARGE! TAKES A BIT LONG TO READ, BUT WELL WORTH IT IN THE END.
As a first book the author did a great job with character and plots. the writing and editing...so-so. 3/5
This is Jack Kerley's debut novel. A headless body is found with words inked on the skin. When another mutilated victim turns up, Carson Ryder determines that it is a serial killer and not a crime of passion. I found this book hard to get into and too many happenings going on at the same time. The dialogue also seemed a bit disjointed. Hopefully the plot will move along a little better in the second book.
I didn't know if I'd finish this or not but I stuck with it--good thing--this is the introduction of Det. Carson Ryder (formerly Ridgecliff which not many know), and gives you his background on how he became a cop, etc.
Although it seems to drag in the first half of the book it does take a turn then throws you off guard and then it becomes more interesting and hard to put down.
Although it seems to drag in the first half of the book it does take a turn then throws you off guard and then it becomes more interesting and hard to put down.
I must admit that I enjoyed _The Death Collectors_ more than this book. He didn't give away the killer's identity in the second book, but the element of any real danger was taken away since the major characters all appeared in _The Death Collectors_. It was still a good mystery, and a joy to read, even if it wasn't as tense as _The Death Collectors_.
The Baltimore Sun calls this author a cross between Thomas Harris & F. Scott Fitzgerals, and this book shows the rare combination of styles. A winner.
A thriller with a psychotic killer. Lots of forensic and psychological detail.
I probably liked the book more because I am familiar with the location of the book setting, Mobile.
A good read, bogged down in places but still worth it.
This is a first novel for author Jack Kerley. Very good read, lots of forensic and psychological detail. From the back cover, " Bizarre messages found carved into the flesh of two corpses in Mobile, Alabama, have launched a special unit devoted to solving psychotic crimes. They're also launching Detective Carson Ryder into a nightmare.".
It was slow getting into at first, but from the middle on it was great. QUite suspenseful.
I couldn't put this book down! And since I live only an hour away from the town this book is based in, I doubly enjoyed it.
A bit of a slow starter, but a very gripping conclusion and some nice character development and description.
A fast read! Very good book!
Bizarre mesages carved into the flesh of two corpses in Mobile, Alabama, have launched Dective Carson Ryder into a nightmare devoted to solving psychotic crimes
First book in the Carson Ryder/Harry Nautilus series. One of the better entries in the psychotic-serial-killer genre. Kerley actually spends more time on character development than the slice-and-dice which makes for an extremely well-written suspense novel.
Very good writing for a first time author. Strange but spell-binding story...a little on the supernatural side but appropriate to the story. Would recommend keeping the lights on if reading at night. ;o)
Very well done; surprisingly good for a first novel.
I really enjoyed the ride of this thriller! Keeps you on the edge of you seat!
set in Mobile, Alabama. A police partner book with a lot of morgue details also. It is creative and well written but not for the faint of heart.
BIZARRE MESSEGES FOUND CRAVED INTO THE FLESH OF TWO CORPSES IN MOBILE,ALABAMA,HAVE LAUNCHED A SPECIAL UNIT DEVOTED TO SOLVING PSYCHOTIC CRIMES,ALSO LAUNCHING DETECTIVE CARSON RYDER INTO A NIGHTMARE
Here's another one I can't remember!