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Carson Ryder #2
The Death Collectors
product_description
400 pages, Hardcover
First published June 23, 2005
44 people are currently reading
738 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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
July 15, 2024
Although I did enjoy the writing of this one like the others in the series, I didn't gel with the plot at all. I felt myself losing interest about a 1/3 in, I felt like the plot left a lot to desire it was pretty boring. It was very slow, this book could have been half the size and had double the impact. I hate that I felt myself scan reading towards the end but I just didn't have any interest in the outcome.
I think the first book in the series was really good and I read the 4th book a while ago and it was the reason I went searching for the others, however I don't think I will be continuing now, if I saw the 3rd book in a charity shop I might be tempted but other than that I think I'm done. I am trying to be more picky about what I read because I am sick of average and below average reads, so I think I am cutting this one.
I think the first book in the series was really good and I read the 4th book a while ago and it was the reason I went searching for the others, however I don't think I will be continuing now, if I saw the 3rd book in a charity shop I might be tempted but other than that I think I'm done. I am trying to be more picky about what I read because I am sick of average and below average reads, so I think I am cutting this one.
August 24, 2007
THE DEATH COLLECTORS (Police Procedural-Mobile, AL-Cont) - Ex
Kerley, Jack – 2nd in series
Dutton, 2005 – Hardcover
Detective Carson Ryder and his partner Harry Nautilus are back as the only members of PSIT—the Psychopathological and Sociopathological Investigative Team. A woman's body has been found in a cheap motel room. She's nude, wearing only cheap rings, covered in flower petals, and surrounded by candles. But as the case progresses, they find it ties back to case in 1972, a serial killer and people who collect death art; objects involved in serial killings.
*** As much as I liked Kerley's first book, "The Hundredth Man," I thought this book was even better. Kerley has created great characters, an excellent sense of place, and wonderful dialogue. He knows how to perfectly balance humor and horror. The plot is tight and takes turns I never saw coming. There was only one small spot that could have used a sharper editor, but that's a very small criticism and certainly didn't diminish my enjoyment of the story. On Mr. Kerley's website he writes "All I can say is, if you’re going to plunk down twenty-five or so bucks for a book, I’ll do my best to make it worth your while." Trust me, he succeeded. I'm definitely ready for the next book.
Kerley, Jack – 2nd in series
Dutton, 2005 – Hardcover
Detective Carson Ryder and his partner Harry Nautilus are back as the only members of PSIT—the Psychopathological and Sociopathological Investigative Team. A woman's body has been found in a cheap motel room. She's nude, wearing only cheap rings, covered in flower petals, and surrounded by candles. But as the case progresses, they find it ties back to case in 1972, a serial killer and people who collect death art; objects involved in serial killings.
*** As much as I liked Kerley's first book, "The Hundredth Man," I thought this book was even better. Kerley has created great characters, an excellent sense of place, and wonderful dialogue. He knows how to perfectly balance humor and horror. The plot is tight and takes turns I never saw coming. There was only one small spot that could have used a sharper editor, but that's a very small criticism and certainly didn't diminish my enjoyment of the story. On Mr. Kerley's website he writes "All I can say is, if you’re going to plunk down twenty-five or so bucks for a book, I’ll do my best to make it worth your while." Trust me, he succeeded. I'm definitely ready for the next book.
September 2, 2019
Loved this right from the beginning. Plenty going on in this fast paced story that kept me interested and I was never bored. 2nd in the series and from what I remember, this was better than the first.
June 12, 2009
I thought this was a new book, but alas, it was only new cover art. I realized immediately that I had read this (unlike my sister who wouldn't figure that out til the last page. How will we ever know if you get Alzheimers?) It was about the black market selling and collecting of serial killer art & memorbillia and a current murder of an active serial killer. When I originally read this I had to check out murderbillia.com and it is frighteningly true. You can purchase Charles Manson's nail clipping or John Wayne Gacy's gruesome clown paintings. I'm still bummed I lost the bidding war on a 1984 Ted Bundy Christmas card.
This is a superb author. He also wrote the 100th Man and Nest of Vipers. He's somewhat local, lives in N. Kentucky, Covington maybe.
This is a superb author. He also wrote the 100th Man and Nest of Vipers. He's somewhat local, lives in N. Kentucky, Covington maybe.
March 6, 2020
Чудесно! :) С много емоция и неочакван финал. И страхотен превод на Весела Прошкова 😍 Жив, забавен и въздействащ! :)
April 25, 2013
I enjoyed this murder mystery quite a bit - particularly the new twist on the relationship of detective and Hannibal Lector-like guide to murders. I was disappointed that I read the second book first, but I am looking forward to reading the first book, and then the third in the series. I liked the characters, the setting, the writing - all in all, I really enjoyed it! It’s always a lot of fun to discover a new mystery series and this one is certainly an intriguing one!
February 25, 2020
"Колекционери на смърт" от Джак Кърли е втората книга за Карсън Райдър, продължение на "Един от сто". По-бързо и лесно се чете от първата и не беше толкова натоварваща. Пак ставаше дума за психопати, но се наблягаше на разследването повече, а гадните убийства не бяха много. Неочакван край, разбира се. Има си всичко за един трилър в малко и бързо читаеми страници.
July 12, 2025
Please don’t waste your time, this book was way too long winded for the lack of plot.
December 27, 2020
An intriguing story, with pace and a linked series of mysteries and hidden meanings. It is the genre of thrillers about art and crime, and is comparable to Joseph Geary's 2003 novel, Spiral.
May 1, 2010
The Death Collectors - Jack Kerley-2006
After Detective Duo Harry and Carson are given the Mayoral award for their unit which consists of just them too. A Series of unusual murders arise , for these two there is nothing usual about the cases they solve and the majority of the time they are dealing with the real pyschopaths in an interesting sorta way. This novel starts with a courtroom case back in the 1970's where a Serial Killer Artist Marsden Hexcamp is awaiting sentencing , he then is shot on the day of his sentencing by who is known as "The Crying women" dubbed by the press. Marsden whispers three words into the detective on the scene Jacob Williows ear as he passes -his last words "Follow the Art" and thats what he has been doing for the last 30years. After a crime scene is discovered ,similarities start showing up between the present and Marsden's crime scenes -not only that ,the deaths are connected to what happened 30 years ago. Eager to solve the crime and put the copy-cat killer away, Carson goes to the source who can help him in a pyschotic way-his locked up brother Jeremy . Can Carson and Harry once again solve the crime of the Death Collectors with a little unknown help from Jeremy and his pyschotic friends. Read on to find out more. Once again Jack Kerley has provided us with a fun and exciting mystery - I love reading mysteries that have some connections to the past or turns out to be a series of connect-the-dots.
After Detective Duo Harry and Carson are given the Mayoral award for their unit which consists of just them too. A Series of unusual murders arise , for these two there is nothing usual about the cases they solve and the majority of the time they are dealing with the real pyschopaths in an interesting sorta way. This novel starts with a courtroom case back in the 1970's where a Serial Killer Artist Marsden Hexcamp is awaiting sentencing , he then is shot on the day of his sentencing by who is known as "The Crying women" dubbed by the press. Marsden whispers three words into the detective on the scene Jacob Williows ear as he passes -his last words "Follow the Art" and thats what he has been doing for the last 30years. After a crime scene is discovered ,similarities start showing up between the present and Marsden's crime scenes -not only that ,the deaths are connected to what happened 30 years ago. Eager to solve the crime and put the copy-cat killer away, Carson goes to the source who can help him in a pyschotic way-his locked up brother Jeremy . Can Carson and Harry once again solve the crime of the Death Collectors with a little unknown help from Jeremy and his pyschotic friends. Read on to find out more. Once again Jack Kerley has provided us with a fun and exciting mystery - I love reading mysteries that have some connections to the past or turns out to be a series of connect-the-dots.
July 31, 2016
This is one of the best suspense novels I've read in years. Jack Kerley has, in my opinion, created a plot that is so unique that I wasn't left with the feeling I've read the book before - which has happened to me more than once when novels by different authors all seemed focused on the same crimes with very similar results by the end of the story. I also enjoyed the way he chose to use characters from many different backgrounds and mental states to help solve the crime.
May 6, 2015
Having read & enjoyed a couple of other Jack Kerley novels (featuring Carson Ryder) I gave this one a try. Unfortunately it failed to keep my attention & I felt a hundred pages could have easily been edited from the story.
June 6, 2019
This is the 2nd book in the Carson Ryder series however the first of the series that I've read. We meet Ryder and Harry Nautilus two detectives who are responsible for managing this strange case.
Small scraps of art are turning up with bodies and it looks like the work of killer Marsden Hexcamp. However Hexcamp was killed 30 years ago. In addition to this, collectors of serial-killer memorabilia are willing to pay large sums of money for this art.
I really enjoyed Carson's and Nautilus' relationship. They seem to work really well as a team and I'm excited to read more about them in future series. I really was kept guessing, I never knew how they were gonna solve this case at any point until they did!
4/5
Small scraps of art are turning up with bodies and it looks like the work of killer Marsden Hexcamp. However Hexcamp was killed 30 years ago. In addition to this, collectors of serial-killer memorabilia are willing to pay large sums of money for this art.
I really enjoyed Carson's and Nautilus' relationship. They seem to work really well as a team and I'm excited to read more about them in future series. I really was kept guessing, I never knew how they were gonna solve this case at any point until they did!
4/5
July 2, 2017
Kerley has matured with his writing style since The Hundredth Man, with less jarring dialogue and more engaging narrative. The industry is pumping these novels out at an incredible pace and this story is typical of the genre, a suspenseful journey to uncover the murderer, with additional bodies along the way. The Death Collectors does not offer any insightful and new content, it relies on the banter of its central characters to hold interest beyond it's mediorce plot. It has some decent moments and readers will surely return for further helpings in the future.
November 2, 2018
Wow! One of the best thrillers I have read in a long time. I usually guess correctly when it comes to the 'bad guy, or girl'. Not this time, not only that, but other characters in the book all were interwoven in the main plot in surprising ways.
I found it difficult to put the book down. Reading about the perverse nature of some, while others lurk on that grey line between going too far, and staying 'good'.
Highly recommend this book
I found it difficult to put the book down. Reading about the perverse nature of some, while others lurk on that grey line between going too far, and staying 'good'.
Highly recommend this book
November 1, 2022
This book requires patience. It requires memory, and tolerance. It is long winded, roughly transitioning from one character to the next and switching scenes in a confusing manner. The overall plot and story is wonderful. The twists and turns I never saw coming. The main character has tons of potential to develop but fails to do so and information is only revealed in a way that makes solving the muster more convenient.
September 28, 2017
i really enjoyed this much more than the first in the series. Carson wasn't as irritating and Harry wasn't constantly rhyming like an idiot. I also liked deedee SO much more than ava. and less Jeremy was just fine also although the coincidence of the artifact that he found was a bit much. i didn't guess the killer nor the extent of the past mystery. looking forward to the next one. 3.75
March 21, 2018
WOW!!! Never guessed the killer
J A Kerley becoming one of my favorite writers. Like the storyline, not guessing who killer is . love the description of the beach (i am a beach lover), & surroundings I can picture it all in my mind and yes,the smells too. Buy it and enjoy it I did!
J A Kerley becoming one of my favorite writers. Like the storyline, not guessing who killer is . love the description of the beach (i am a beach lover), & surroundings I can picture it all in my mind and yes,the smells too. Buy it and enjoy it I did!
February 4, 2020
Excellent!🌟
The quality of the writing is excellent, the storyline intriguing and intense, and the characters are diverse and well developed. Carson and Harry are interesting and likeable, with DeeDee added to the mix in this volume. I read for entertainment, and Mr. Kerley delivers. I highly recommend his books!👐
The quality of the writing is excellent, the storyline intriguing and intense, and the characters are diverse and well developed. Carson and Harry are interesting and likeable, with DeeDee added to the mix in this volume. I read for entertainment, and Mr. Kerley delivers. I highly recommend his books!👐
November 13, 2017
I read this book awhile ago, the title caught my eye. It was a brilliant book, suspenseful and shocking in a good way, lots of twists and turns n surprises, kept me guessing till the end, and when I thought I knew who it was, I was wrong, brilliant book, definitely a must read
September 30, 2018
Lately I have complained about the excesses in some novels about serial killers. I feared this one might follow that trail but a much more clever plot ... and a really positive and surprising end for me.
November 25, 2018
Quite a clever book delving deep into the art world which I enjoy. The writer keeps the reader guessing on who is the final villain of the piece. I also like novels that dip into history. A good read of taking me to some places I never expected to go.
November 25, 2019
I found the beginning hard to get through but was encouraged by the unique premise of the book. I found that as it picked up steam it became rather interesting and had a lovely ending. I was pleasantly surprised.
October 18, 2020
I read this after owning it for years because I fancied an easy and exciting read and it didn’t disappoint. A very interesting story told in simple language and without confusing complications. Would recommend for an easy holiday read.
March 30, 2022
A great descriptive read that I couldn't put down. Jack Kerley's descriptions really open up the world and allow you to dive deep into it. The main characters are funny and believable. The story makes you want to know more from the get go. Highly recommend.
June 30, 2023
Good easy read. Author has created some great interesting characters who work well together. Only took me less than a week to read and only cause I was busy. Will try to find more of his books
May 11, 2025
Fabulous book. Writing style great, plot good and execution pretty exceptional. Tried to read a couple of years ago and gave up and shelves. Picked up a couple days ago and binge read. Highly recommend and look forward to reading kore from this author.
October 22, 2017
Good ending
January 28, 2018
Good book
June 4, 2018
3.5, OK but not nearly as good as the first in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews