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The Ridealong: A suspense thriller with a jaw-dropping twist
"I've left clues for you, and clues for the police. They'll be searching for you. The evidence at the scene of Officer Knight's death is enough to send you both to jail."
"Who am I searching for?"
The Voice laughs. That strange, dangerous laugh. "Me, of course."
***
It was supposed to be just one more ridealong, a night when high schooler Melissa Latham accompanies her father on his patrol. But when a psychotic killer targets them for a wicked game, the night turns into a high-speed chase where there is no prize for second place.
They have to find a killer before he murders the next one of their friends.
They have to find a killer before they are caught and charged for the murder of the men he's already killed.
They have to find a killer… before he finds them.
"Who am I searching for?"
The Voice laughs. That strange, dangerous laugh. "Me, of course."
***
It was supposed to be just one more ridealong, a night when high schooler Melissa Latham accompanies her father on his patrol. But when a psychotic killer targets them for a wicked game, the night turns into a high-speed chase where there is no prize for second place.
They have to find a killer before he murders the next one of their friends.
They have to find a killer before they are caught and charged for the murder of the men he's already killed.
They have to find a killer… before he finds them.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 27, 2015
151 people are currently reading
155 people want to read
About the author
Michaelbrent Collings
92 books660 followersOne of the most versatile writers around, Michaelbrent Collings is an internationally bestselling novelist, produced screenwriter, and multiple Bram Stoker Award finalist. While he is best known for horror (and is one of the most successful indie horror authors in the United States), he has also written bestselling thriller, fantasy, science fiction, mystery, humor, young adult, and middle grade works, and Western Romance.
In addition to being a bestselling novelist, Michaelbrent has also received critical acclaim: he is the only person who has ever been a finalist for a Bram Stoker Award, a Dragon Award, a RONE Award, and a Whitney award: and he and his work have been reviewed and/or featured on everything from Publishers Weekly to Scream Magazine to NPR. He is also a frequent guest at comic cons and on writing podcasts like Six Figure Authors, The Creative Penn, and Writing Excuses.
Find more about him at his website, WrittenInsomnia.com, or sign up for his mailing list (and get a free book!) at http://writteninsomnia.com/michaelbre....
In addition to being a bestselling novelist, Michaelbrent has also received critical acclaim: he is the only person who has ever been a finalist for a Bram Stoker Award, a Dragon Award, a RONE Award, and a Whitney award: and he and his work have been reviewed and/or featured on everything from Publishers Weekly to Scream Magazine to NPR. He is also a frequent guest at comic cons and on writing podcasts like Six Figure Authors, The Creative Penn, and Writing Excuses.
Find more about him at his website, WrittenInsomnia.com, or sign up for his mailing list (and get a free book!) at http://writteninsomnia.com/michaelbre....
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
May 25, 2015
“THE RIDEALONG, by Michaelbrent Collings, is the type of story that is so deep and emotionally charged that you'll find yourself thinking about it even when you're not actively reading it. This novel grabbed my attention immediately, and its relentless pacing left no time for second guessing anything as it plunged ahead from scene to scene.
Latham is a policeman, returning to work for the first time since a drug bust went wrong a month earlier, killing his partner and injuring him and another officer. His teenaged daughter, Mel, is especially close to him since her mother passed--leaving Latham to play both roles of mother and father. Mel insists on accompanying him on his first day back--what they refer to as a "ride along". Mel's fear of losing her father is so strong as to be almost tangible. She defines her own feelings: "Self-doubt: The primary expertise of teenagers everywhere. In between knowing we know everything, we're pretty sure we're complete asses about everything".
A mysterious voice, referred to as Jack, comes across Latham's radio--instructing them that they must get to the bottom of what REALLY happened on that day a month ago, or risk the both of them going to jail...or killed.
What follows makes for a chilling, mental, physical, and emotional race against the unknown. "...Sometimes movement--even blind, unthinking movement--is the only thing between you and despair. Sometimes motion is a kind of counterfeit hope."
At the heart of this mystery and carnage lies the overwhelming love between a daughter and her father--a bond so strong that it breathes life into these characters--forcing the reader to see them as real people, and cement that connection throughout the novel.
I was originally leaning towards a 4/4.5 star rating, but it wasn't until AFTER I'd finished the novel that all Collings' little, subtle touches came together completely for me. At that point, I decided this novel warranted a full five stars for the sheer genius in how all of these elements were crafted and brought into play. If I were to sum it up in one word, it was simply... "haunting"--haunting mentally and emotionally.
This is one story that will refuse to leave you after you've read that final page.”
Latham is a policeman, returning to work for the first time since a drug bust went wrong a month earlier, killing his partner and injuring him and another officer. His teenaged daughter, Mel, is especially close to him since her mother passed--leaving Latham to play both roles of mother and father. Mel insists on accompanying him on his first day back--what they refer to as a "ride along". Mel's fear of losing her father is so strong as to be almost tangible. She defines her own feelings: "Self-doubt: The primary expertise of teenagers everywhere. In between knowing we know everything, we're pretty sure we're complete asses about everything".
A mysterious voice, referred to as Jack, comes across Latham's radio--instructing them that they must get to the bottom of what REALLY happened on that day a month ago, or risk the both of them going to jail...or killed.
What follows makes for a chilling, mental, physical, and emotional race against the unknown. "...Sometimes movement--even blind, unthinking movement--is the only thing between you and despair. Sometimes motion is a kind of counterfeit hope."
At the heart of this mystery and carnage lies the overwhelming love between a daughter and her father--a bond so strong that it breathes life into these characters--forcing the reader to see them as real people, and cement that connection throughout the novel.
I was originally leaning towards a 4/4.5 star rating, but it wasn't until AFTER I'd finished the novel that all Collings' little, subtle touches came together completely for me. At that point, I decided this novel warranted a full five stars for the sheer genius in how all of these elements were crafted and brought into play. If I were to sum it up in one word, it was simply... "haunting"--haunting mentally and emotionally.
This is one story that will refuse to leave you after you've read that final page.”
February 2, 2020
Mel and her dad have gone on a regular boring Police drive through of the neighborhood. When they come upon a scene of a past murder and are framed for the murder of one of her dad's colleagues, Mel and her father must survive against the serial killer that is after them. Will they survive? Read on and find out for yourself.
This was a pretty good action packed horror suspense thriller. If you like stories like these, be sure to check this book out wherever ebooks are sold.
This was a pretty good action packed horror suspense thriller. If you like stories like these, be sure to check this book out wherever ebooks are sold.
December 27, 2020
Excellent! The ending was spectacular and what an adrenaline fueled breakneck ride leading up to this shocker! Michaelbrent Collings can be counted on to bring it every time!!
January 29, 2021
I am a huge Michaelbrent fan. So much so that I keep quotes from many of his books.
I just wasn’t so enamoured with this one, though.
The usual pace of MichaelBrent’s books is to start painstakingly slow and work up to a mad dash to the end. This was no exception. Although it had all the criteria of a good tale, I just couldn’t get into it. If I had to reach into my brain for a satisfactory analysis, I would have to say that I felt that the plot didn’t jive and I was not invested enough in the characters, especially the “villains” of the novel.
It was certainly not a terrible novel, but just somewhat lacking, in my humble opinion. Once the pace picked up, the tale raced on at breakneck speed and there were some movie worthy scenes (see the chapters searching for RR at the market and under the water).
The ending will blow some people away, but I just wasn’t one of them. It’s not like I figured it out or anything.... it was more like I didn’t care enough to figure out what could be going on.
I will continue to make my way through all MichaelBrent’s novels because I truly think he is a special author who can work in mystery, drama, suspense, and horror.
I just wasn’t so enamoured with this one, though.
The usual pace of MichaelBrent’s books is to start painstakingly slow and work up to a mad dash to the end. This was no exception. Although it had all the criteria of a good tale, I just couldn’t get into it. If I had to reach into my brain for a satisfactory analysis, I would have to say that I felt that the plot didn’t jive and I was not invested enough in the characters, especially the “villains” of the novel.
It was certainly not a terrible novel, but just somewhat lacking, in my humble opinion. Once the pace picked up, the tale raced on at breakneck speed and there were some movie worthy scenes (see the chapters searching for RR at the market and under the water).
The ending will blow some people away, but I just wasn’t one of them. It’s not like I figured it out or anything.... it was more like I didn’t care enough to figure out what could be going on.
I will continue to make my way through all MichaelBrent’s novels because I truly think he is a special author who can work in mystery, drama, suspense, and horror.
December 31, 2019
What an emotional rollercoaster, fast paced, action packed ride along. Loved this book and what a twist at the end.
Written really well and kept the imagination running full pelt right to the end 😊.
Written really well and kept the imagination running full pelt right to the end 😊.
Read
August 11, 2015THE RIDEALONG is told in first-person by Melissa, Officer Latham’s teenage daughter, who she convinces to take her on a ridealong on his first day returning to work after being on leave. Officer Latham was on leave after a horrific shootout and Melissa’s afraid to lose him now that he’s going back to work. However, there’s something sinister waiting for the Lathams as a killer decides to play a game…
THE RIDEALONG is a creepy and dramatic thriller which is an excellent example of psychological horror. The most character development is found in Officer Latham and Melissa, but this works for me as they are the focus of the story and the other characters are important only because of how they related to the Lathams. I loved the psychological terror the author is able to evoke through the smooth writing and tight pacing. THE RIDEALONG isn’t for everyone, but if it sounds like your cup of tea, definitely check this book out!
THE RIDEALONG is a creepy and dramatic thriller which is an excellent example of psychological horror. The most character development is found in Officer Latham and Melissa, but this works for me as they are the focus of the story and the other characters are important only because of how they related to the Lathams. I loved the psychological terror the author is able to evoke through the smooth writing and tight pacing. THE RIDEALONG isn’t for everyone, but if it sounds like your cup of tea, definitely check this book out!
January 7, 2019
Is the first book that I chose to read this year the rip-roaring read that I was hoping for?
Unfortunately not. However, it is still worth mentioning as you may enjoy it more than I did . (Based on the reviews, I am in the minority on this one.)
I found the story interesting, yet it never seemed to reach it's full potential. I will say that it is worth reading for the ending alone though.
Unfortunately not. However, it is still worth mentioning as you may enjoy it more than I did . (Based on the reviews, I am in the minority on this one.)
I found the story interesting, yet it never seemed to reach it's full potential. I will say that it is worth reading for the ending alone though.
May 27, 2019
Another great book by MBC.
What do you do when a crazed killer is on the loose and is after you and your daughter? How do you get away when he knows your every move? Ride Along is a suspense novel that addresses the nightmare of a father and daughter going through exactly that.
Definitely a good read with an amazing twist ending.
What do you do when a crazed killer is on the loose and is after you and your daughter? How do you get away when he knows your every move? Ride Along is a suspense novel that addresses the nightmare of a father and daughter going through exactly that.
Definitely a good read with an amazing twist ending.
December 12, 2019
Very rarely am I totally surprised or shocked at the conclusion of a book....like, practically never! Kudos to Mr. Collings and his mad, mad story-weaving skills; I'll be skimming backwards through the book to find when I swallowed that hook! Another top notch, suspense-filled, thriller, with a tricky twist ending! I couldn't put it down!
October 26, 2021
This book was awesome. Throughout the book I kept trying to track the key players, the timing, the storyline yet I never saw the end coming. I love books that are thought provoking the whole time you are reading them, you think you have the answer and then in the next chapter you are back to square one. I've read a number of books by Michaelbrent Collings now and they always do this to me - surprise me at the end. The really nice thing is he does a great job of pulling it all together in the last chapter(s) so you can almost see where you were thinking wrong throughout the book. It's nice to find an author you like while reading current books and then go back to older ones to see where his style has gone - and at least of what I've read so far - he is consistent. I'm getting worried that he isn't going to be able to release books fast enough. At the rate I'm going I need him to be writing for his own book of the month club. If you haven't read anything by him, his suspense/horror will draw you in. Start there, I guarantee you won’t rest until you’ve read the whole thing.
February 27, 2024
This is the first book that I have read from this author. I wanted to read it mainly for the title itself. Once I started reading it everything changed. I had to read as much as i could in one setting to figure out exactly what was going on. This storyline takes you on one wild nonstop page turning rollercoaster ride. It is gripping suspenseful and jaw dropping. So enjoyable for anyone that likes suspense and mystery.
It all starts off with a shot out in an alley where a police officer is hit. From there you go on a ride along with Mel and her father. Her father was there the night of the shot out. Hold on because once the ride along begins this storyline takes quite a turn and you are in for the ride of your life. There is a very shocking mind blowing moment towards the end that will completely explain the storyline but hold on because it will change your thinking on this storyline completely.
I will be reading more from this author since I am now hooked on his writing style.
It all starts off with a shot out in an alley where a police officer is hit. From there you go on a ride along with Mel and her father. Her father was there the night of the shot out. Hold on because once the ride along begins this storyline takes quite a turn and you are in for the ride of your life. There is a very shocking mind blowing moment towards the end that will completely explain the storyline but hold on because it will change your thinking on this storyline completely.
I will be reading more from this author since I am now hooked on his writing style.
February 25, 2020
I'm a sensitive soul and a self-proclaimed "hater" of horror but I am in denial no more. I love Dracula and Dan Wells' books and Edgar Allen Poe (Cask of Amontillado!) and Stranger Things . . . And now The Ridealong! I freaking LOVED this book! What an awesome ride! No pun intended haha. It was SO fun. I love psychology and I thoroughly enjoyed the mind games in this book - both those played on the characters and on myself.
The funny part is I totally had "it" figured out by the end of chapter 2 and then somewhere around chapter 8 I decided, "nah, I was totally wrong" and then proceeded to be completely shocked at the end when my original theory was dead-on lol. Technically speaking, this book did NOT have a happy ending and yet I finished it feeling like everything worked out and was a wonderful happy ending . . . So satisfying! I can't recommend this book enough!
The funny part is I totally had "it" figured out by the end of chapter 2 and then somewhere around chapter 8 I decided, "nah, I was totally wrong" and then proceeded to be completely shocked at the end when my original theory was dead-on lol. Technically speaking, this book did NOT have a happy ending and yet I finished it feeling like everything worked out and was a wonderful happy ending . . . So satisfying! I can't recommend this book enough!
July 19, 2020
Good story with a surprise ending. I did not see the end result coming! Several inconsistencies. Instead of dropping Mel off at school, he takes her to work with him for a ride along. But it’s night and dark when they discover Knight’s body. If school starts at 7:30, how long is Latham’s shift at the police department? When Mel discovers the package in the 4.5 foot cave she stuffs it in her waistband, then we are told it is the size of a shoebox! How do you put a shoebox down your waistband? She is fighting in this cave that is filling with water and dashes for the exit hole in the ceiling but can’t find it. How did the man she fought off get into the cave wearing scuba gear? How do you dash in a water filled cave that is only 4.5 feet high? Several editing errors. I received a free copy of this book from the author.
September 8, 2025
Latham was hoping for a quiet shift on the day he returned after a traumatic event. His daughter Melissa is riding along with him, their relationship is very strong, specially since her mother died. Unfortunately peace and quiet is completely off the book once he receives a call to a crime scene where all the evidences point to himself. The real killer is in close contact (a mysterious voice auto-called Jack behind the phone) and threatens to continue to kill Latham's close friends, police partners and even his daughter unless he complies with a series of tasks.
Not as good as "Scavenger Hunt", for me the best by this author, but still a very good summer read if you like fast paced thrillers.
Not as good as "Scavenger Hunt", for me the best by this author, but still a very good summer read if you like fast paced thrillers.
October 20, 2021
I wasn't sure at first if I was going to like this book, but I'm so glad I kept reading.
Mia rides along with her police officer father on his first day back after a takedown gone bad where he was injured and his partner killed. During the ridealong, Mia and her father are thrown into a sick game and are forced to follow clues left by a sadistic killer.
The ending is wow; a very understated wow!
A solid 4 stars. I didn't give it 5 only because some parts of the book were a little unbelievable, even though it all made perfect sense in the end.
I will definitely be looking up more books by Michaelbrent Collings.
Mia rides along with her police officer father on his first day back after a takedown gone bad where he was injured and his partner killed. During the ridealong, Mia and her father are thrown into a sick game and are forced to follow clues left by a sadistic killer.
The ending is wow; a very understated wow!
A solid 4 stars. I didn't give it 5 only because some parts of the book were a little unbelievable, even though it all made perfect sense in the end.
I will definitely be looking up more books by Michaelbrent Collings.
February 4, 2021
I am a big fan of MbC and his writing, and am working on his back catalog a bit after his generous offering of all his books for 99 cents for a period of time.
Another thrill ride and an involved tale, with the patented MbC twist at the end. The story revolves around a police officer returning to duty after being shot in the shoulder during a shoot-out, and his teenage daughter. While on a ride along, they are tormented and some of his fellow that were also part of the shoot-out are involved.
This one will keep you guessing.
Another thrill ride and an involved tale, with the patented MbC twist at the end. The story revolves around a police officer returning to duty after being shot in the shoulder during a shoot-out, and his teenage daughter. While on a ride along, they are tormented and some of his fellow that were also part of the shoot-out are involved.
This one will keep you guessing.
June 16, 2021
The Ridealong was a fast-paced thriller that had me regretting anytime I had to put it down. The premise of a daughter going on a ridealong with her father left me unsettled throughout the book especially since it was the first day back on the job after a horrific shooting. This story had tons of twists and turns and kept me guessing until the reveal which had me saying HOLY $T!
Aside from a few formatting issues and a redundancy here and there, The Ridealong grabbed me and didn't let go. Phenomenal read!!
Aside from a few formatting issues and a redundancy here and there, The Ridealong grabbed me and didn't let go. Phenomenal read!!
April 12, 2022
Mel is seventeen. Her father is a cop that has barely survived a shootout with some drug dealers. After almost a month from the incident, Mel's father is able to get back on the beat. Mel decides to go with him for his first day. However when a cop from her father's unit ends up dead in an alley things start to go from bad to worse. Instead of the voice of the normal dispatcher, the voice of Jack is all they hear. Jack enjoys games. And in Jack's games...anyone can die.
Loved this book. The action throughout as well as the twists you don't see coming are amazing!! Well played, Mr. Collins!!
Loved this book. The action throughout as well as the twists you don't see coming are amazing!! Well played, Mr. Collins!!
November 20, 2023
A very cool novel. I DL’d a sample and knew within a couple paragraphs that this was something unique. A couple things that I thought didn’t make sense (logically or chronologically) are understood with the corkscrew of a surprise ending.
I recommend giving the sample a shot. You’ll probably know quickly if it’s for you.
The Ridealong: A suspense thriller with a jaw-dropping twist
I recommend giving the sample a shot. You’ll probably know quickly if it’s for you.
The Ridealong: A suspense thriller with a jaw-dropping twist
February 26, 2020
It's not "Happy families" even though the start of the book kind-of sounds like that.
Officer Latham is returning to work after being injured on duty. His daughter Melanie goes with him as a "ridealong" [sounds like a dangerous thing to do].
The night gets complicated - a strange and threatening voice over the radio, other police chasing the pair, a friend suicides.
Most of the book is written as that one night told by Melanie.
"How long since I took a breath?"
Officer Latham is returning to work after being injured on duty. His daughter Melanie goes with him as a "ridealong" [sounds like a dangerous thing to do].
The night gets complicated - a strange and threatening voice over the radio, other police chasing the pair, a friend suicides.
Most of the book is written as that one night told by Melanie.
"How long since I took a breath?"
April 7, 2020
The Ridealong was a short but fun read. The ending left me hanging because I was unsure what was happening to whom. The tension was excellent and the pace perfect. I didn't like the two different fonts used in some of the chapters. It made me think my Kindle somehow changed the default font. Was also struck by the author's use of straight quotes marks rather than the more commonly used curly quotes. That said, I'd read another book by this author.
August 21, 2020
The ups and downs of a police officer father and his daughter's night together in dad's police cruiser keep you riveted to this book. Unfortunately, what is usually a rather uneventful drive on dad's night shift turns out to be anything but. Dad and daughter find themselves running from murderers, a suicide, and much more.
The ending blew me away. I definitely did not see that coming and I am usually able to guess the ending of a story a while before coming to the end of a book.
The ending blew me away. I definitely did not see that coming and I am usually able to guess the ending of a story a while before coming to the end of a book.
November 1, 2020
WOW!
This is the 2nd book I’ve read from this author that’s left me breathless! I raced through the pages as if I was actually in the story with the characters!
I don’t normally write reviews but had to with both novels that I’ve read from Mr. Collins so far. He is a great author who weaves a thriller like no other! Can’t wait to start one of his next novels! I say again, this book will leave you breathless!
This is the 2nd book I’ve read from this author that’s left me breathless! I raced through the pages as if I was actually in the story with the characters!
I don’t normally write reviews but had to with both novels that I’ve read from Mr. Collins so far. He is a great author who weaves a thriller like no other! Can’t wait to start one of his next novels! I say again, this book will leave you breathless!
February 14, 2022
First book I've read by this author and will look at his other writings. The story moved quickly and I found it hard to find a place to stop so I could get dinner or go to sleep. Today, I sat down to read just for a bit but then couldn't stop until I was finished - three hours had passed. I was only about 10% in when I sat down. It held my attention that much. So many things were happening that I did not have it figured out - the ending was a complete surprise to me. Very good!
March 14, 2024
Holy shit. I thought I had thought of all the options for twists and turns and even got a bit worried near the end that there would be no big reveal, but nope. I did not see the end coming! Very Memento. Blew me away. Besides the end, it kept me in suspense the whole time and I loved reading it.
Only reason it doesn't have 5 stars is a few editing errors that tripped me up for a second. But maybe I have an older edition bc it does have a different cover...
Only reason it doesn't have 5 stars is a few editing errors that tripped me up for a second. But maybe I have an older edition bc it does have a different cover...
May 3, 2020
Wow, wow, wow!
Oh man, what a story! As a retired police officer, I was thinking some of this is spot on and some things would never happen. But then it all made sense and I was just floored, I did not see that coming! What an awesome book, I wish I could read it again for the first time!
Oh man, what a story! As a retired police officer, I was thinking some of this is spot on and some things would never happen. But then it all made sense and I was just floored, I did not see that coming! What an awesome book, I wish I could read it again for the first time!
May 18, 2020
A Father's Love
I love police procedurals. I love mysteries with twists and turns. I love stories with fathers that love their children and who would do anything for them. I love this book because it is all of the above, in spades! Do not hesitate to buy this book. I am going directly to Michaelbrent Collings Amazon author's page and buy more of his work. Now.
I love police procedurals. I love mysteries with twists and turns. I love stories with fathers that love their children and who would do anything for them. I love this book because it is all of the above, in spades! Do not hesitate to buy this book. I am going directly to Michaelbrent Collings Amazon author's page and buy more of his work. Now.
March 10, 2021
After her single-father is wounded and his partner killed in a police raid his daughter goes for a ridealong in his police vehicle. She has had nightmares about the incident but this is the real thing. Her description of her father’s habits is the definition of distracted driving. The story is non-st op action.
December 10, 2021
This novel is a roller coaster ride for emotions and events. Then, Collings takes my brain for a whirl on the spinning cups for the finale! I'm not often surprised by outcomes bit this one blew my mind. I felt as of I was there for the intense action and loved every second of it.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this ebook at no charge and this is my honest and unsolicited opinion.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this ebook at no charge and this is my honest and unsolicited opinion.
October 17, 2018
Tore through this one in a couple of days (including a few hours in the park after a gas leak in the neighbor made me get out of the house). Not a horror-y as other of Colling's books, but it is a nice, easy to read suspense-thriller.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews