What do you think?
Rate this book
Carson Ryder #8
Her Last Scream
A serial-killer targets the country's most vulnerable women in this new psychological thriller featuring Detective Carson Ryder.
422 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
31 people are currently reading
486 people want to read
About the author
Jack Kerley
22 books238 followersAKA J.A. Kerley
John Albert Kerley is an American author. He spent 20 years in a successful advertising career before writing his first book, The Hundredth Man.
He currently lives in Newport, Kentucky, and is married with two children. He enjoys the outdoors, particularly fishing.
He is the author of the acclaimed Alabama-set series of Carson Ryder novels
John Albert Kerley is an American author. He spent 20 years in a successful advertising career before writing his first book, The Hundredth Man.
He currently lives in Newport, Kentucky, and is married with two children. He enjoys the outdoors, particularly fishing.
He is the author of the acclaimed Alabama-set series of Carson Ryder novels
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
May 2, 2020
The first thing that I should say about Her Last Scream is that it contains very graphic violence. I hadn't read a Carson Ryder book in a long time so my expectations were limited.
Ryder and his partner, Harry Nautilus, are Mobile, Alabama homicide detectives investigating a murder wherein the female victim had extensive damage to her breasts and her eyes had been removed. Additionally, her vagina was covered such that it could not be seem and she was left in a pool of raw sewage.
Their investigation quickly led them to Boulder, Colorado where a similar victim had surfaced. It became clear that the murders were linked to women's shelters which had links to an underground railway for abused women, similar to the one that Harriet Tubman created for slaves.
I enjoyed the book and found it to be very revealing about the abuse of women by misogynistic partners and strangers as well as the operation of women's centers that can provide alternatives to women who are in an abusive relationship or being stalked. The plot was very well laid out, quite clever and very, very compelling. The pacing was quite good with relatively few slow spots.
Most of the characters were three dimensional and very believable however there were a couple that were so extreme as to stretch credulity. It was also pretty easy to identify the ultimate bad guy because he was so innocuous and exactly the opposite of what might have been expected. Had he not been so extreme, he would have been less easy to spot and the book would have been better served.
But, all and all, a good book and with the caveat regarding the extreme violence, I can comfortably recommend it to those who enjoy a good thriller.
The End
Ryder and his partner, Harry Nautilus, are Mobile, Alabama homicide detectives investigating a murder wherein the female victim had extensive damage to her breasts and her eyes had been removed. Additionally, her vagina was covered such that it could not be seem and she was left in a pool of raw sewage.
Their investigation quickly led them to Boulder, Colorado where a similar victim had surfaced. It became clear that the murders were linked to women's shelters which had links to an underground railway for abused women, similar to the one that Harriet Tubman created for slaves.
I enjoyed the book and found it to be very revealing about the abuse of women by misogynistic partners and strangers as well as the operation of women's centers that can provide alternatives to women who are in an abusive relationship or being stalked. The plot was very well laid out, quite clever and very, very compelling. The pacing was quite good with relatively few slow spots.
Most of the characters were three dimensional and very believable however there were a couple that were so extreme as to stretch credulity. It was also pretty easy to identify the ultimate bad guy because he was so innocuous and exactly the opposite of what might have been expected. Had he not been so extreme, he would have been less easy to spot and the book would have been better served.
But, all and all, a good book and with the caveat regarding the extreme violence, I can comfortably recommend it to those who enjoy a good thriller.
The End
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2012
Been a fan of the Carson/Nautilus series for some time and always look forward to the next instalment but did find myself a wee bit disappointed with this one. Although the central premise of somebody targeting abused women using the modern day equivalent of the old slavery underground railroad was interesting, I'm afraid to say that I did find this book a little stilted in the unfolding of the story. I also thought the rather unbelievable inclusion of Nautilus' nearest and dearest being thrust into the path of a killer after so little time in the police force did grate on me and also subdued the natural and entertaining interplay between himself and Carson as Nautilus spends the whole book with his panties in a bunch. Whilst not the best of the series new readers could pick up and enjoy this and then have the joy of going back and starting Kerley's series from the beginning.
June 2, 2013
I picked up this book without realizing it was part of a series. It's written in a way where you can read it without knowing anything, although I imagine some things would hold a lot more weight if you did.
I don't read mysteries or thrillers very often so please keep that in mind in my review in case some things are normal for the genre but stood out to me as an outsider.
There were some interesting choices in the writing style of this book. One in particular is that much of the story is told through a variety of 3rd person POVs except Carson Ryder is 1st person. It does make me wonder why he wasn't also 3rd person but I'd like to check out some earlier books to see if this is an evolved style.
One thing that was an interesting byproduct of varying POVs is you saw the same person described different ways by different people, which was kind of cool. For instance, there's one lady who's described as looking like an owl because of her glasses by one person, while another likens her to Elton John. Little bits of information that together form a bigger picture. It also made me wonder if there were very specific psychological reasons behind this.
For instance, for some reason Carson is constantly describing in detail what people are wearing. At times, you get more information on their clothing than their ethnicity, hair color, eye color, or other physical descriptors. It seems a bit strange for a man to be constantly assessing everyone else's clothing styles to the detriment of other parts of them, but on the other hand it could be because he's a detective who once wanted to be a psychologist. He could be trained in perception and using that information to build an understanding of how that person ticks and what they think of themselves. It was just an interesting tidbit in the book and I want to see if it carries over to the first book as well.
One thing that threw me off a bit was that the 3rd person POV narration would comment on things almost like someone was standing there watching them from the side. For instance, if it was Harry-focused 3rd person POV it might still say, "Harry relented, as if worrying he might be overheard." It makes sense from Carson's perspective because he doesn't KNOW what Harry is really thinking when he relents, but for 3rd person it seemed a bit odd, because who is hypothesizing why he relented?
That wasn't a big deal, just a side note about the style. I didn't have a problem with it while reading it, but it did stand out to me.
One thing I really liked about this book was the way it dealt with domestic abuse as a serious issue, and likened it to essentially domestic slavery. Given the level of control an abuser has over the victim (regardless of gender), this isn't far from reality for many people. This book dealt with an underground railroad similar to the famous underground railroad of history, with Harriet Tubman, except in this case they were smuggling victims of domestic abuse in danger of death to other parts of the country, with a new identity, where they could try to live out their life in safety.
It's an interesting idea for dealing with this issue, and when you consider the number of people who are seriously harmed or killed from domestic violence, and for whom the current legal system can't provide adequate protection, and all the people who are collateral damage along the way, it's something I kind of wish existed. Although, I have no idea. Maybe it does in some form.
MAJOR SPOILERS FOR THE ENDING BELOW!! SPOILER ALERT SPOILER ALERT! Seriously, this tells the ending including the killer's identity.
At the end of this book, I can say that I liked the characters/setting enough to be curious about the others in the series. Now I want to read their stories, especially after a few side comments from Ryder.
I really debated what to rate this. I volleyed between 3, 4 and the gambit in between. I think I would rate this maybe around a 3.5. It was an enjoyable read and at times I didn't want to put it down so I kept awkwardly trying to read it while doing things like making tea. At the same time, as an emotionally driven reader I can't say I was obsessed with it or the characters-- but maybe this is because I accidentally came into a series on book 8-- and as an analytical reader there were a few things that didn't seem super realistic. On the other hand, there were little details that DID, in places where it mattered.
To keep this consistent with my other ratings, I have to keep it in the 3's because 4's and 5's for me are books that have at least one extra thing that makes it really stand out to me or causes me to be unable to stop thinking about it after I put it down.
I don't know what the first book is like compared to this, but if they're of similar style or quality I would say if you're into detective novels, you should give it a try.
I don't read mysteries or thrillers very often so please keep that in mind in my review in case some things are normal for the genre but stood out to me as an outsider.
There were some interesting choices in the writing style of this book. One in particular is that much of the story is told through a variety of 3rd person POVs except Carson Ryder is 1st person. It does make me wonder why he wasn't also 3rd person but I'd like to check out some earlier books to see if this is an evolved style.
One thing that was an interesting byproduct of varying POVs is you saw the same person described different ways by different people, which was kind of cool. For instance, there's one lady who's described as looking like an owl because of her glasses by one person, while another likens her to Elton John. Little bits of information that together form a bigger picture. It also made me wonder if there were very specific psychological reasons behind this.
For instance, for some reason Carson is constantly describing in detail what people are wearing. At times, you get more information on their clothing than their ethnicity, hair color, eye color, or other physical descriptors. It seems a bit strange for a man to be constantly assessing everyone else's clothing styles to the detriment of other parts of them, but on the other hand it could be because he's a detective who once wanted to be a psychologist. He could be trained in perception and using that information to build an understanding of how that person ticks and what they think of themselves. It was just an interesting tidbit in the book and I want to see if it carries over to the first book as well.
One thing that threw me off a bit was that the 3rd person POV narration would comment on things almost like someone was standing there watching them from the side. For instance, if it was Harry-focused 3rd person POV it might still say, "Harry relented, as if worrying he might be overheard." It makes sense from Carson's perspective because he doesn't KNOW what Harry is really thinking when he relents, but for 3rd person it seemed a bit odd, because who is hypothesizing why he relented?
That wasn't a big deal, just a side note about the style. I didn't have a problem with it while reading it, but it did stand out to me.
One thing I really liked about this book was the way it dealt with domestic abuse as a serious issue, and likened it to essentially domestic slavery. Given the level of control an abuser has over the victim (regardless of gender), this isn't far from reality for many people. This book dealt with an underground railroad similar to the famous underground railroad of history, with Harriet Tubman, except in this case they were smuggling victims of domestic abuse in danger of death to other parts of the country, with a new identity, where they could try to live out their life in safety.
It's an interesting idea for dealing with this issue, and when you consider the number of people who are seriously harmed or killed from domestic violence, and for whom the current legal system can't provide adequate protection, and all the people who are collateral damage along the way, it's something I kind of wish existed. Although, I have no idea. Maybe it does in some form.
MAJOR SPOILERS FOR THE ENDING BELOW!! SPOILER ALERT SPOILER ALERT! Seriously, this tells the ending including the killer's identity.
At the end of this book, I can say that I liked the characters/setting enough to be curious about the others in the series. Now I want to read their stories, especially after a few side comments from Ryder.
I really debated what to rate this. I volleyed between 3, 4 and the gambit in between. I think I would rate this maybe around a 3.5. It was an enjoyable read and at times I didn't want to put it down so I kept awkwardly trying to read it while doing things like making tea. At the same time, as an emotionally driven reader I can't say I was obsessed with it or the characters-- but maybe this is because I accidentally came into a series on book 8-- and as an analytical reader there were a few things that didn't seem super realistic. On the other hand, there were little details that DID, in places where it mattered.
To keep this consistent with my other ratings, I have to keep it in the 3's because 4's and 5's for me are books that have at least one extra thing that makes it really stand out to me or causes me to be unable to stop thinking about it after I put it down.
I don't know what the first book is like compared to this, but if they're of similar style or quality I would say if you're into detective novels, you should give it a try.
July 3, 2022
A killer has infiltrated an underground railroad network that helps women escape domestic violence. Women spirited into the system are showing up horribly murdered. Carson Ryder and Harry Nautilus are put on the case. It's decided to put a female officer undercover in the system to see where the women are possibly being grabbed. Unfortunately, the officer they pick is Reinetta Early, and she just happens to be Harry's niece.
Exciting and suspenseful serial killer thriller. It's biggest drawback is the mid-section, where the pacing slows to an absolute, interminable crawl as the plot becomes little more than Carson, Harry and other cops following Reinetta from location to location, trying to leave her a gun and a GP locator so they can track her. Holy moly, it got so dull it took me out of the story and I put the book down for days at at time. There clearly wasn't quite enough plot here for a proper full-length novel.
But, man, does this one stick the landing! After that terrible mid-section, it really kicks into gear and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. It delivers some nifty unexpected plot twists, gives us answers to all the plot strands, and was just nasty enough to really have me on the edge of my seat. This isn't for the faint of heart! The climax had my jaw hanging open in shock. Now, that's how you make me forget about that turgid, snore-inducing mid-section!
Great start, terribly boring middle part, amazing final stretch. This is a slick, twisted serial killer tale that will please fans of the genre. Although part of a series, this can easily be read as a standalone.
Exciting and suspenseful serial killer thriller. It's biggest drawback is the mid-section, where the pacing slows to an absolute, interminable crawl as the plot becomes little more than Carson, Harry and other cops following Reinetta from location to location, trying to leave her a gun and a GP locator so they can track her. Holy moly, it got so dull it took me out of the story and I put the book down for days at at time. There clearly wasn't quite enough plot here for a proper full-length novel.
But, man, does this one stick the landing! After that terrible mid-section, it really kicks into gear and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. It delivers some nifty unexpected plot twists, gives us answers to all the plot strands, and was just nasty enough to really have me on the edge of my seat. This isn't for the faint of heart! The climax had my jaw hanging open in shock. Now, that's how you make me forget about that turgid, snore-inducing mid-section!
Great start, terribly boring middle part, amazing final stretch. This is a slick, twisted serial killer tale that will please fans of the genre. Although part of a series, this can easily be read as a standalone.
July 9, 2024
Loved this from the beginning. Likeable characters and a good story, which plods along very nicely.
November 11, 2011
Abused women are being whisked away by women's centres as part of an unofficial protection system that gives them new lives and identities. But some of these women are turning up dead. Carson and Harry team up with Harry's niece Reinetta to find out more. Brilliant page turner.
October 1, 2011
An interesting and lacy crime storey. Up to his usual high standard. For once brother Jeremy doesn't appear in the storey which made it , for me, even better. A good read.
April 10, 2023
My 8th and one of the better of this always good series. I came close to giving it 5 stars, but the ending seemed jus a bit anticlimatic. There is always a lot of violence in the Carson Ryder series, but it's usually well done by the author. This one is artfully broken up a bit by text, which just adds to the suspense. Kerly is a master of suspense and the serial killer novel, I just miss brother Jeremy.
February 17, 2020
I have read others in the series, although not particularly in order. It wasn't bad, although so many coincidences that stretched the credulity a little bit, the killer was too obvious too early, and a detective's niece also enters the police force and no one knows of their relationship? That just seems unlikely. But an interesting story, and Carson and Harry are nice guys.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2021
It was a pretty good read. Felt like Harry's protectiveness was a bit over the top and some parts felt a bit dragged out. Also it was pretty obvious who the killer was especially reading them in their first appearance of the book. But other than that, would recommend just for the crime and thriller fans!
May 10, 2019
My first book by this author and it was a lot better than I had anticipated. Very interested. Very good subject and I wish all the bad guys could end up like that! Twist at the end. Definitely worth a read.
November 18, 2017
Excellent. Couldn't put it down.
June 7, 2018
I devoured this book! Might be the best in the Ryder series since 100th Man. Fantastic storyline, characters, and suspense.
June 26, 2018
Good I have liked the others in the series a little better
April 18, 2020
Thoroughly enjoyed this - will try to find more in the series
Ruth I think you’ll love it too!
Ruth I think you’ll love it too!
March 5, 2022
3.5 stars
October 23, 2025
Her Last Scream is another instalment in J.A. Kerley’s Detective Carson Ryder series, and it opens with an intriguing and chilling premise. Across the U.S., a secret network helps women escape domestic abuse by relocating them to safety — but someone has found a way to infiltrate that system. Before these women can reach their new lives, they’re being hunted down and murdered.
Detectives Carson Ryder and Harry Nautilus find themselves navigating this sensitive and dangerous investigation, but the case becomes deeply personal when Harry’s niece, Reinetta Early, volunteers to go undercover. What begins as a calculated plan to catch a killer quickly turns into a tense fight for survival.
The plot has plenty of promise, especially with the emotional stakes woven into Harry’s storyline. The idea of a serial killer targeting the most vulnerable adds a chilling realism, and Kerley does a good job of highlighting the courage of those trying to protect these women. The pacing is steady, with enough twists to keep the reader interested, even if it never quite reaches the level of intensity I’d hoped for.
Carson Ryder remains a compelling protagonist — smart, level-headed, and driven by a strong moral core — but I found myself wishing for a little more depth from some of the supporting characters. While the premise is dark and full of potential, the emotional connection didn’t land as strongly as it could have, which made certain scenes feel less impactful.
That said, Kerley’s writing is accessible and crisp, and the tension in the final act delivers a satisfying close to the story. It’s a solid thriller with flashes of brilliance, even if it doesn’t quite match the high bar set by earlier books in the series.
Her Last Scream was a three-star read for me — an engaging concept with moments of genuine suspense, but not quite the heart-stopping ride I expected. Still, if you’re a fan of the Carson Ryder series or enjoy crime thrillers centred on moral dilemmas and emotional stakes, this one is worth a read.
https://featzreviews.com/her-last-scr...
Detectives Carson Ryder and Harry Nautilus find themselves navigating this sensitive and dangerous investigation, but the case becomes deeply personal when Harry’s niece, Reinetta Early, volunteers to go undercover. What begins as a calculated plan to catch a killer quickly turns into a tense fight for survival.
The plot has plenty of promise, especially with the emotional stakes woven into Harry’s storyline. The idea of a serial killer targeting the most vulnerable adds a chilling realism, and Kerley does a good job of highlighting the courage of those trying to protect these women. The pacing is steady, with enough twists to keep the reader interested, even if it never quite reaches the level of intensity I’d hoped for.
Carson Ryder remains a compelling protagonist — smart, level-headed, and driven by a strong moral core — but I found myself wishing for a little more depth from some of the supporting characters. While the premise is dark and full of potential, the emotional connection didn’t land as strongly as it could have, which made certain scenes feel less impactful.
That said, Kerley’s writing is accessible and crisp, and the tension in the final act delivers a satisfying close to the story. It’s a solid thriller with flashes of brilliance, even if it doesn’t quite match the high bar set by earlier books in the series.
Her Last Scream was a three-star read for me — an engaging concept with moments of genuine suspense, but not quite the heart-stopping ride I expected. Still, if you’re a fan of the Carson Ryder series or enjoy crime thrillers centred on moral dilemmas and emotional stakes, this one is worth a read.
https://featzreviews.com/her-last-scr...
June 19, 2012
This book is the 8th release from jack Kerley in the Carson/Ryder Series. His last two books I really enjoyed but this one for me was better because I loved the story but not quite as good as others and I can't even say why?!?
Detectives Carson Ryder and Harry Nautilus are not only partners but friends. They have been through a lot and soon become aware that this case is going to be maybe worse than previous ones. When women start turning up dead, there appears to be no connection. Before long it becomes clear that women who are in hiding from abusive partners enter a supposed safe route out, only to wind up in even more danger than when they left their partners.
Early on in the book we see first hand one of the women who is on the end of an abusive relationship and you almost wonder how long it's going to be before the woman winds up dead. Although the subject matter was really unpleasant, Jack Kerley has written a corker of a story using this terrible crime as the basis for the book.
Harry and Carson are easy characters to like, even if you haven't read any others in the series. I prefer to get to know the characters and their history which is why I tend to be a fan of series of books, but you can still read this as a stand alone book. Harry's niece Reinetta Early has actually joined the force and to Harry's dismay she wants to get involved in the case by going undercover as a woman on the run.
I really liked Reinetta as she was feisty and young and seemingly up for doing anything needed to catch a killer. Of course it sets the scene for some extremely dangerous things happening. I think the pace was as usual kept quick the whole way through the book and as usual when reading Kerley's books, you are in for some twists and turns. The one thing I really liked about this book was that I was convinced I had it all planned out as to who the killer was, only to be proved completely wrong!
The only thing I thought was lacking was anything major happening with Carson/Nautilus. I found that there was no `extra' sparkle regarding wither of them. On reflection, maybe this is because Kerley wanted to make a platform for Reinetta to feature in follow up books, which I think would be a great move.
Overall highly recommended!
Detectives Carson Ryder and Harry Nautilus are not only partners but friends. They have been through a lot and soon become aware that this case is going to be maybe worse than previous ones. When women start turning up dead, there appears to be no connection. Before long it becomes clear that women who are in hiding from abusive partners enter a supposed safe route out, only to wind up in even more danger than when they left their partners.
Early on in the book we see first hand one of the women who is on the end of an abusive relationship and you almost wonder how long it's going to be before the woman winds up dead. Although the subject matter was really unpleasant, Jack Kerley has written a corker of a story using this terrible crime as the basis for the book.
Harry and Carson are easy characters to like, even if you haven't read any others in the series. I prefer to get to know the characters and their history which is why I tend to be a fan of series of books, but you can still read this as a stand alone book. Harry's niece Reinetta Early has actually joined the force and to Harry's dismay she wants to get involved in the case by going undercover as a woman on the run.
I really liked Reinetta as she was feisty and young and seemingly up for doing anything needed to catch a killer. Of course it sets the scene for some extremely dangerous things happening. I think the pace was as usual kept quick the whole way through the book and as usual when reading Kerley's books, you are in for some twists and turns. The one thing I really liked about this book was that I was convinced I had it all planned out as to who the killer was, only to be proved completely wrong!
The only thing I thought was lacking was anything major happening with Carson/Nautilus. I found that there was no `extra' sparkle regarding wither of them. On reflection, maybe this is because Kerley wanted to make a platform for Reinetta to feature in follow up books, which I think would be a great move.
Overall highly recommended!
December 21, 2011
Our favourite two detectives are back in action - Detective Harry Nautilus and Carson Ryder and this time they are being called to the morgue and crime scenes as someone is killing women and mutilating them , taking out their eyeballs. It seems too that their is no leads as every lead they chase comes to a dead end. Unlike the previous novels , Her Last Scream tends to start with numerous storylines and characters which eventually work well together as JA ties the loose ends. We discover that their is an online chat group of men who hate women and want them wiped out from this world and then on the other side is a group of women who have been abused by their husbands , partners and are looking -desperately seeking a way out . Enter "The Women Centres" , these women centres offer safe houses and an underground escape route for the women to move to a new town and start a new life. However, it seems that their is a rat in the organisation and somebody is targeting these women and instead of being able to enjoy a new fresh start in life, they are being murdered and tortured. It seems that the only way to capture and lure the killer out is to send someone undercover as bait - that someone happens to be Harry's niece - Rein Early , a new cop on the force. What happens though, when things for Rein get a little out of hand and she finds herself stuck in the killer's clutches with no escape . Will this be a mission gone wrong or will Uncle Harry get there in the nick of time ?
Find out whether this will be Rein's Last Scream Goodbye in Her Last Scream by JA Kerley. The only downside about this novel was that their was no sign of Jeremy - Carson's psychotic and insane brother whom no-one else realises they are related and Jeremy sometimes helps Carson out on cases along the way. To me Jeremy is a cross between Dexter and Patrick Jane from The Mentalist. I look forward to more JA Kerley novels especially one that will reveal Carson and Jeremy's relationship , now that would be exciting :)
Find out whether this will be Rein's Last Scream Goodbye in Her Last Scream by JA Kerley. The only downside about this novel was that their was no sign of Jeremy - Carson's psychotic and insane brother whom no-one else realises they are related and Jeremy sometimes helps Carson out on cases along the way. To me Jeremy is a cross between Dexter and Patrick Jane from The Mentalist. I look forward to more JA Kerley novels especially one that will reveal Carson and Jeremy's relationship , now that would be exciting :)
June 25, 2012
Entertaining thriller, though sometimes there are parts where I feel is a bit over the top that it was almost a bit pantomine. Also, different points of view of many different characters can get a bit confusing, had to go back a few times to remind myself who these characters were, because sometimes you don't see them again for a while. Plenty of good twists, some are predictable but still quite entertaining. It has a slow, confusing start but persevere and it'll become a page turner.
Subject matter would be tough on some people, so if you're looking for something light and easy to read, this may not be the book for you. Some people find this subject matter disturbing and wonder how the writer thinks this up, but I wonder if these people ever watch news or take notice of what happens in the real world. Far more deadlier stuff happens to women on a daily basis in the real world. It was interesting to at least glimpse (nothing in-depth here) into the men's mind that commit violent crimes against women. At least in this book, you feel there's a chance for justice.
It can be unintentionally silly and unbelievable at times, some character behaviour seem odd to their normal behaviour, and I'm talking about the good guys here. For an instant, there is a support female police officer goes in an extreme childish huff in front of a suspect which I felt that a trained officer would not allow themselves to do. It felt like such an odd behaviour for her character, and was only written because she happened to be a woman and the writer wanted something that the suspect would react to so we could see how villianous he was but it was done in an unbelievable way.
The main story itself, is a good thriller, good twists, some decent characters, good plot and a few suprises, so for the price it is now, despite some short-commings it's worth a read, not a "must" read, but still it's a good read.
Subject matter would be tough on some people, so if you're looking for something light and easy to read, this may not be the book for you. Some people find this subject matter disturbing and wonder how the writer thinks this up, but I wonder if these people ever watch news or take notice of what happens in the real world. Far more deadlier stuff happens to women on a daily basis in the real world. It was interesting to at least glimpse (nothing in-depth here) into the men's mind that commit violent crimes against women. At least in this book, you feel there's a chance for justice.
It can be unintentionally silly and unbelievable at times, some character behaviour seem odd to their normal behaviour, and I'm talking about the good guys here. For an instant, there is a support female police officer goes in an extreme childish huff in front of a suspect which I felt that a trained officer would not allow themselves to do. It felt like such an odd behaviour for her character, and was only written because she happened to be a woman and the writer wanted something that the suspect would react to so we could see how villianous he was but it was done in an unbelievable way.
The main story itself, is a good thriller, good twists, some decent characters, good plot and a few suprises, so for the price it is now, despite some short-commings it's worth a read, not a "must" read, but still it's a good read.
February 4, 2012
I have read all of Jack Kerleys previous books in this "Carson Ryder" series and it's been a while now since I read one of these U.S. serial killer crime mysteries. I have started to find them a little too fantastic and with more left to chance than good police work. However, this was still a good read. Harry, Carsons partner, has a niece who has just joined the police force and he is not too happy. He worries about her and the dangers involved in their line of work. Carson and Harry are called in to handle the case of several women who turn up brutally murdered in several locations throughout the U.S., all of whom have been women from abusive relationships who have been placed by Womens Refuge Centres into a special relocation programme, which helps them disappear from their spouses/partners, in the hope of finding a new life with a new identity. However, it seems someone has breached the system and is kidnapping these women somewhere along their escape route, and Harrys niece is placed in an undercover mission to see if the killer can be uncovered and take her as bait. As usual, things don't go quite according to plan and her life is placed in serious danger. It's a little unrealistic, as I expected, but still managed to keep me hooked. I had to suspend my disbelief and remind myself it is fiction and so should be given some licence to operate under this heading. I still find Jack Kerley's style of writing a little to high brow for this genre and sometimes, even a little Sam Spade in the dialogue. However, it's still a good read for fans of this genre and worth a look for sure.
January 10, 2012
This is the next in the Carson Ryder sage. No Jeremy this time though, I even missed him just a little. Unlike the Killing Place (that I also read this weekend) the story was at least original and I am not quite sick of Carson or Harry yet.
This follows the story of a killer who targets the underground network of a women’s shelter with Harry’s niece going under cover to catch the killer. There are some gruesome murders and suspense thrown in along the way. Carson does the legwork himself this time with no assistance from his brother.
If you are following this series of books the book is definitely worth a read. I enjoyed it. I did miss Jeremy though he gives the previous books a dimension that stands them apart from other crime fiction.
This follows the story of a killer who targets the underground network of a women’s shelter with Harry’s niece going under cover to catch the killer. There are some gruesome murders and suspense thrown in along the way. Carson does the legwork himself this time with no assistance from his brother.
If you are following this series of books the book is definitely worth a read. I enjoyed it. I did miss Jeremy though he gives the previous books a dimension that stands them apart from other crime fiction.
December 23, 2014
A cracking psychological crime thriller featuring Carson Ryder in his 8th outing - abused women are being channeled to safety by means of an 'underground railroad'-type of network similar to that previously used for runaway slaves. But someone has hacked into the network and is taking women from the system, torturing and murdering them. Carson and fellow detective Harry Nautilus see the only solution is to put a woman into the system to find out who the culprit is. Unfortunately, the officer chosen for the job is Harry's niece, Reinetta, so Harry becomes so protective he runs the risk of endangering the operation. A gripping tale, gruesome and disturbing in places particularly in relation to abuse in relationships - 9/10.
February 22, 2016
I like the story. it's quite easy to follow, the plot is not too fast pace, but enough speed for a cat and mouse chase. Love the ending when all this time the killer is only across the hall. One thing I like is the twisted plot that the professor character is actually doing a research. Well, I never really thought that's the case and it all revealed in the end.
The nice thing about this story is all puzzle got answered in the end. Which is sometimes quite rare with crime mystery. The story itself is gripping from the first chapter until the last page.
There are times I feel like gripping harder on my tablet because the chase has become so intense. I could feel the scare.
This is a book that you don't want to put down until the end.
The nice thing about this story is all puzzle got answered in the end. Which is sometimes quite rare with crime mystery. The story itself is gripping from the first chapter until the last page.
There are times I feel like gripping harder on my tablet because the chase has become so intense. I could feel the scare.
This is a book that you don't want to put down until the end.
January 9, 2012
i love this author, he is gritter than other in his genre, without being too gruesome, which i hate
a book can grab your attention with the storyline and actions of the killer without going into how exactly he kills his victims.
this story grabbed my attention and made me care about the characters, there was suspense, a great story and lots of guessing as to what would happen next
if you liked this book, id recommend the others in the series
a book can grab your attention with the storyline and actions of the killer without going into how exactly he kills his victims.
this story grabbed my attention and made me care about the characters, there was suspense, a great story and lots of guessing as to what would happen next
if you liked this book, id recommend the others in the series
July 10, 2013
J.A. Kerley is back with another Carson Ryder/Harry Nautilus thriller, and a fine one it is. You got twist, misdirections, humor, action, suspense, well defined characters and a satisfying ending. I read other people writing that this was their first Kerley read, and it's lucky, because most of his other thrillers feature Ryder's brother and readers would feel a little lost without his backstory being there. So to those readers, I say start with The Hundredth Man and go from there.
May 13, 2013
This was incredible--so action filled--well, maybe not every minute, but when it is--wow! The subject is raw--women being physically abused, but escaping by an underground system, which unfortunately gets hacked so that some are killed instead of reaching freedom. A new police officer volunteers to pose as one such battered wife, watched fairly closely by her uncle, and his partner. It is not a PRETTY tale, but one that should be read by everyone.
January 26, 2016
Firstly, I hadn't realised that the book is the eighth in a series, but it is written with enough separation that the story can be read as a stand alone.
Secondly, this story is written with an understanding of how abused women have no confidence, and are using women's shelters as a refuge.
The storyline had many twists, the supposed criminal, kept me on my toes and was shocked at the eventual perpetrator.
Definitely a good insight.
Secondly, this story is written with an understanding of how abused women have no confidence, and are using women's shelters as a refuge.
The storyline had many twists, the supposed criminal, kept me on my toes and was shocked at the eventual perpetrator.
Definitely a good insight.
July 16, 2012
This was the first Jack Kerley novel that I read and I was instantly involved in the plot and the longstanding characters of Carson Ryder and Harry Nautilus. I felt that it was both fast-paced and full of twists right up till the end, and I was genuinely a bit tense throughout! A really enjoyable Crime/mystery book.
February 25, 2013
I thought that the premise of the book was really interesting - using the old slavery railroad. I've not read any of the other books in the series so I can't compare it.
Although the book was good and kept its pace, some parts seemed a bit too contrived and I wasn't taken with the constantly changing viewpoints.
Although the book was good and kept its pace, some parts seemed a bit too contrived and I wasn't taken with the constantly changing viewpoints.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews