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Second Death: A modern Western crime thriller with small-town secrets

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One bad deed begets another.

Award-winning author Jeff Kerr follows up Blunt Force Trauma with Second Death, the gripping continuation of the Adam Cash series that deftly weaves the classic Western novel with the rawest, most provocative themes pulled from today’s headlines.

Reverend Dennis Webb has built a YouTube ministry to die for. A devoted congregation flocks to his digital pulpit, hanging on his sermons. But behind the righteous veil are questions.

Is Webb—an ex-con—a messenger of the divine, or a ruthless conman bilking his congregation? Is his sudden and mysterious appearance in Noble County, Texas a harbinger of a darker past? And what’s with that alligator he keeps on his property?

Still recovering from the crucible of his deadly human trafficking investigation depicted in Blunt Force Trauma, Afghan war veteran Adam Cash is the newest deputy in the Noble County sheriff’s office. While investigating a fatal truck explosion everyone else writes off as an accident, Cash discovers a gold coin in the dead man’s pocket. Always the unyielding seeker of truth, always infused with the Lone Star state’s signature sense of duty and self-reliance, Cash’s tenacity plunges him into a web of hypocrisy and corruption.

When all roads lead to Reverend Webb, Cash is pushed to the unpopular realization that the internet evangelist is in fact wrapping his heinous crimes in the false mantle of divine guidance. Alone in his investigation and up against a profane foe with all the markings of a cult leader who will stop at nothing, the only question left can Cash stay alive long enough to prove it?

A false prophet. A relentless deputy. A deadly collision course that threatens to end not only Cash’s career but his life.

If you like Craig Johnson and C.J. Box, you’ll love Second Death. Jeff Kerr’s masterful blend of richly drawn characters, jaw-dropping plot twists, authentic portrayal of Texas culture, and nail-biting tension never fails to entertain. Second Death pulls the great Western mystery genre straight into today’s zeitgeist—the gripping tale of a man blinded by self-righteous delusions, hiding in the shadows of faith, and the courageous deputy who must bring him to justice—or die trying.

304 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 8, 2024

201 people are currently reading
75 people want to read

About the author

Jeff Kerr

15 books9 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
Profile Image for Jeff Dawson.
Author 23 books107 followers
June 4, 2024
The cover is perfect!
The story opens up with a bang in the sleepy town of Pinyon, TX. Ralph Spencer is fueling up his truck, actually, he’s stealing fuel with a very ingenious device/ Pleased he’s pulled off the act, he gets into his truck, lights up and the truck turns into a fireball. How’s that for a start.
Welcome in Sheriff Santos and Deputy Adam Cash. They are tasked with trying to figure out why the truck exploded and who would have been behind it.
Santos became Sheriff when Sheriff Turner was killed. He’s not keen on the job, but accepts the challenge. The only problem is, the local chick magnet and all-around likable, bigger than life, rich, (?)Mitch Eaton has also thrown his hat and money into the ring. This will become a thorn in Santos’ side and it will affect his decisions as the investigation moves forward.
At the crime scene, Cash finds a Britannia gold coin that he will find out is worth in the neighborhood of $2500.00. However, it is common knowledge that Ralph has no reportable income or current job prospects. That coin is going to launch one of the most fast-paced engaging stories I’ve read in a few months!
And the plot just gets better when the following characters are introduced: Emmitt Fuller, Alissa, Fuller’s live-in, girlfriend, Bernadette, the mother of Cash’s one-night stand son, Edie, Cash’s tentative girlfriend, Mrs. Fenster, Bernadette’s, crusty old Mom who has a real surprise towards the end,, Keisha Hodge, the new, black deputy in town and former Longhorn Basketball star, Steve Moreno, local tavern owner, Bonnie Hart, the local who had lost the coin to Spencer in a high stakes poker game, and Dennis Webb, the man that kept a low profile in town, but for Cash it was too low. And I can’t forget Jeremiah, Webb’s alligator. Yes, he plays a pivotal role when it comes to evidence.
Now, the real question is, are Hart, Webb, Spencer and Fuller who they say they are? That question will take Cash to Slidell, LA, against the wishes of his boss, Santos.
The plot is very well-planned and conceived. Mr. Kerr does an excellent job keeping the reader's interest as he weaves all the characters together in a very believable story.
The only real issue I found was the word, mammalian. I just couldn’t see Sheriff Santos picking that particular word. And on page 170 the phrase, “and said” could be dropped. We know he’s talking to Cash, Perhaps I should read, wiped the peach cobbler from his chin then looked at Cash,” These do not detract from the story at all.
This is one great murder, who-dun-it, and will keep you turning the pages.
A resounding five stars!
77 reviews2 followers
April 16, 2024
Review: Second Death by Jeff Kerr

After serving his country in Afghanistan, Adam Cash wanted to join the police force in his hometown. Instead, he got blamed for the sheriff's murder. While clearing his name and finding the killer, Cash brought down a human trafficking ring. Will life get less dangerous for the new deputy in Pinyon, Texas? Let’s leap into Second Death by author Jeff Kerr and find out!

When an explosion rocks a gas station, Deputy Cash discovers a hidden tank in an incinerated truck. The driver, Ralph Spencer, was smoking while stealing diesel fuel. Cash finds a gold coin in his pocket. Learning that Ralph had a regular income but no job, Cash smells a mystery. Fellow deputy Keisha Hodge, another recent addition to the Pinyon Police force, is keen to help Cash investigate. But even after Ralph’s girlfriend Alissa goes missing, Sheriff Gabe Santos insists Ralph's death was due to Ralph's greed and carelessness, nothing more.

But then, Gabe Santos has a lot on his mind. After inheriting the job from his predecessor, a local rancher forced the county commissioners to hold a special election. Santos hates all the paperwork his new job brings. Still, he never wants to work for a corrupt sheriff again. So he asks Cash’s girlfriend, Edie James, to help run his campaign. But the rival candidate’s offer to purchase Edie’s services endangers Santos’ poorly funded campaign.

In his sequel to Blunt Force Trauma, Jeff Kerr throws many obstacles into Adam Cash’s path. He’ll battle a doubting boss, threats to his love life and family, and attempts on his life as he follows a trail of financial breadcrumbs across state lines to find Alissa and discover Ralph Spencer’s killer. Plus, there's also an alligator named Jeremiah. He's always hungry for his next meal!

Warning: Second Death contains racism, sex scenes, and religious themes.
Profile Image for Jethro Wegener.
Author 9 books30 followers
July 4, 2025
Brilliant, Engaging Hero in the Longmire Vein

I love me a good modern western. The Longmire books have been my go-to for years now, but I've just found another - Adam Cash.

In Second Death, Jeff Kerr combines all the things I love about westerns (a good, decent human being of a hero, despicable villains, a great setting, themes of justice and fighting oppression) into a solidly entertaining murder mystery that will keep you engaged from page 1!

Adam Cash is our hero. A man who does what's right, with a moral code, and a heart of gold. He sees things other people don't, and as his boss is fighting political battles, Cash notices that there's something sinister afoot in his beloved town.

The characters are the first thing you'll notice here. They're well-drawn, rounded, and real. Everyone has a great sense of depth, from the too-friendly politicians to the put-upon partner of a dead blackmailer. And they all inhabit a well-realised world, much like the one Johnson created in his Longmire books.

Second Death also tackles themes very relevant to our world today with its Reverend Webb - a man we have seen a lot in real life, who uses his con man skills to hide his crimes. Cash is the only one who can stop him, and we follow him on his journey to get to the truth, and get justice.

Well-written, fast-paced, and oh-so-enjoyable, Second Death is a treat from the first page to the last.

If you're craving a modern western in the vein of Longmire, look no further than Jeff Kerr's Adam Cash.
539 reviews10 followers
March 4, 2024
Sheriff Deputy in small Texas town validates his suspicions - 5 stars

Adam Cash observes a shiny 2014 gold coin in a dead man’s pocket. The unusual coin seemed to tie several crimes together but the standards for justice are much higher than "doesn't feel right".

For a few weeks, Adam works with a new deputy and a bar-owning friend in the town of Pinyon, TX to investigate without the support of the newly appointed acting Sheriff. Eventually, the Texas Rangers are called in; proving rather than merely suspecting foul play is difficult. A few townspeople complained about the change from traditional white male authoritarian figures.


Many people distrust the government and like the Sheriff even less. In rural Texas, freedom to many means "leave me alone". Suspicious behavior is in the eye of the beholder. A couple of car bombs are detonated but are nearly impossible to track. Even when a woman's disappearance and a pet alligator are noted, the law protects citizens from search and seizure without a warrant.

You will have to read to the end to see how the pieces fit together - a worthwhile task.
1,467 reviews29 followers
March 20, 2024
Adam Cash Series:
Second Death - Another interesting story from Mr. Kerr, which picks up from where Blunt Force Trama ends. It's easy to dive off into this story but I cannot deprive a reader for discovering this book the way I did, without any spoilers, or a clue actually. It's not necessary, but best thing is to read BFT since these stories build on a foundation. Good characters, even the baddies are well done, good storylines, and plenty of intrigue throughout set at a good pace. Source: The author. 5*

Ambush, prequel - A short but dramatic introduction to Blunt Force Trama. Set in Afghanistan. Having read BFT, it is not necessary to read this short. The only thing left out from this short is an event that proves how quick life can change in an instant. Source: The author. 4*

Blunt Force Trama - Another interesting and intriguing story complete with good characters, a mess of bad characters and interesting story lines. Some of the fight scenes aren't realistic but that doesn't stop the pace from flowing. After all, the story needs to continue to get to the good parts. Source: ARC. 5*
Adam Cash Series end.
Profile Image for Jerry Walch.
670 reviews17 followers
March 22, 2024
Second Death, like its predecessor, Blunt Force Trauma, is an adrenaline fueled thrill ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat burning through the pages until the very end. Reading Second Death was like starting out on a new adventure with a group of old friends because I met and got to know most of the main characters when I read Blunt Force Trauma, book one in the Deputy Adam Cash Series. If you haven’t read Blunt Force Trauma yet, I strongly urge you to go back and read it before reading Second Death. Second Death can be read as a standalone mystery because Jeff Kerr includes enough of the main characters backstories for you to understand what’s going on. What reading Blunt Force Trauma first does is give you a deeper, more meaningful understanding of the developing personal relationships between the main characters.

Jeff Kerr keeps it real. His plots could have been taken from yesterday’s headlines, so the temporary suspension of disbelief is never a problem for the reader. The cast of characters that he created for these stories reminded me of real people that I knew when I was living in South-East Texas forty years ago. I can hardly wait for the next book in The Adam Cash series. Jeff doesn’t mention a book 3, but there has to be more books to come.
Profile Image for Allan Boroughs.
Author 12 books22 followers
May 5, 2024
Another excellent instalment in the Adam Cash series from native Texan, Jeff Kerr in what is shaping up to be one of the best new law enforcement series around. Veteran and Texas deputy, Adam Cash is back, struggling to make ends meet, working on his relationship with Edie and dealing with a super-smooth candidate for the position of Sheriff who just might be after his girl. In this superbly well-observed picture of modern rural Texas, Cash's day to day as a hard working deputy exposes casual racism, local corruption, bikers, crooked preachers, money laundering and, of course, murder.

Kerr's genius is in blending the everyday with the extraordinary to build a fast moving thriller that comes out of the gates at a full gallop and doesn't let up until the last page - it is as gritty and as real as it gets. As a born and bred Londoner, I can't get enough of these slices of Texas life so roll on the next adventure. Perfect for fans of CJ Box and Craig Johnson.
42 reviews
December 19, 2025
A good story, deserving of a good rating, but it was incredibly annoying to read. There is no delineation between changes of scene and chapters and not used to that effect. For example, the following clipping covers two scenes:

"Webb removed the Kimber from his belt and put it in Bonnie’s hand. “Here’s your chance to prove yourself.”
“How do I get a picture of him?” Hodge asked. Cash laughed. “Just grab one of his campaign posters. They’re plastered all over town.”"

Using something to indicate a change of scenes, would make the book far easier to read:

"Webb removed the Kimber from his belt and put it in Bonnie’s hand. “Here’s your chance to prove yourself.”
***
“How do I get a picture of him?” Hodge asked. Cash laughed. “Just grab one of his campaign posters. They’re plastered all over town.”"
423 reviews4 followers
December 15, 2025
Cash Stays in Trouble.

Cash stays in trouble at one time or the other with everyone in the book. Bad guys upset because he keeps digging for information they don’t want known. The officers he works with because they don’t see anything in the direction he wants to lead the case. His what if girlfriend coming at him from the direction of confusion of not wanting him to get hurt, wanting to see him more and giving off vibes they broke up once so no long term for them. Mix all this together and you have a good story line to laugh with and action to push it a long. The characters are all well developed and some colorful. All the Cash books are well worth reading.

The only drawback is the editing and spelling.
921 reviews28 followers
February 16, 2024
Second Death is grittier & dirtier than Blunt Force Trauma. There’s blood & gore, it’s not for the faint-hearted. It’s a thriller…evil intent. Innocent suffer. Lies & deception. Betrayal & back-stabbing. Adam Cash is the light at the end of the tunnel, piecing it all together, as he fights those who would do away with him too.
I received a beta copy from the author & I am writing a voluntary honest review.
Profile Image for Cat B..
792 reviews7 followers
May 6, 2024
If you are looking for a thrilling, exciting read you cannot go wrong with a Jeff Kerr novel. Second Death follows Blunt Force Trauma with Adam Cash embroiled in another gripping mystery. Just so well written that the characters jump off the pages and live in your head well after you close the final chapter. What an exhilarating ride.
I received a free reader's copy of this book and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Linda.
1,370 reviews13 followers
May 11, 2024
Another action packed story featuring Adam Cash. As a new deputy sheriff, Cash is called to a gas station explosion where he finds a gold coin in the victim's pocket. This starts a dangerous thrill ride for Cash and his partner, with so many twists and turns. I would definitely recommend it. I received an advance copy of this book and this is my honest review.
496 reviews1 follower
July 4, 2024
Really a great story. You won't be disappointed. This is a who-killed-whom tale with plenty of twists and turns. Surprising characters. Great characters - even the bad ones! I highly recommend this book. So far this series is off to a good start. No need to hesitate to pick this one up. I am looking forward to next in the Adam Cole series.
Profile Image for Roger.
5,660 reviews28 followers
November 1, 2024
Second Death (The Adam Cash series Book 2), my third read from authorJeff Kerr. An enjoyable well-written, murder mystery, the secondd in the series. “I received a Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. Next up Refuge. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
Profile Image for BJ.
465 reviews5 followers
May 9, 2025
Only in Texas

Have I said that I love small towns? Second Death surely hits a few oddities that could take place in the rural Texas areas... Like a very special stock pond. Cash follows his gut in this one, disobeying a direct order from Santos. Yeah, that didn't sit well with Santos!
1 review
December 23, 2025
You need to read this thriller!!!

The author kept the main character in his element. Other writers tell me the psychological problems of their character, their phobias, or their psyche about a long lost relative who was killed 20 years ago and still is an open case that they can't escape from.
307 reviews
May 24, 2024
Great Read

Believable plot with interesting characters.
Fast pace and difficult to stop reading-- the reader wants to
know what and how Cash has figured out the events that have
transpired
Looking forward to the next book
5 reviews
October 21, 2024
Thought it was a Western...

Really enjoyed the first 2 of Jeff Kerr's 'Adam Cash Series' and looking forward to the 3rd. Tightly written with easily relatable characters, thank you Mr. Kerr
1,016 reviews10 followers
June 29, 2025
Exciting mystery!

This high quality classic mystery is loaded with lots of twists and turns as the story unfolds. The characters are interesting, the dialogue flows naturally, and I'll definitely read more books in this series!
484 reviews
December 2, 2025
Language

Here is another person who is willing to profane that which many worship by using their names as vulgar exclamations. In addition, this person throws around profanity as it were candy. There are better authors available elsewhere.
213 reviews3 followers
December 15, 2025
Needs serious editing

I admit only reading half way through this book. I stopped reading out of frustration. The story jumps from one scene to the next without proper clarification. Just putting in a new paragraph doesn't cut it.
53 reviews2 followers
April 30, 2024
Hard to put down right from the first chapter. A likable protagonist, some local law enforcement and some double dealing crooks, what’s not to like?
197 reviews2 followers
May 11, 2024
An action packed novel with an explosive start! The book is fast paced with nice twists to make you pay attention as Deputy Adam Cash once again finds himself following his own nose in spite of objections to track down murders, IAD's, kidnapping, fraud and robbery not to mention to mention alligator snacks against a background of a jaundiced view of local 'democracy'. For those of you who haven't read his first adventure (Blunt Force Trauma) there is a brief resume of it in Chapter 3 to give you some background to both his personal and professional challenges.

I liked the totally irrelevant but interesting info for movie buffs on Noble Courthouse as well as the personality of the 'by the book' judicial official trying to reign in Cash's enthusiasm. If all this seems a bit vague rather than outlining the plot then blame me. I firmly believe that as the author has spent a considerable amount of time writing the novel he/she should at at least be afforded the respect of the reader actually reading the book.

I received this novel as an ARC but the views are definitely my own.
Profile Image for Robert.
82 reviews1 follower
July 15, 2024
I found this book to be a riveting read, keeping my attention throughout finding it difficult to put down.
12 reviews1 follower
August 8, 2024
A great read!

Really enjoyed the series. Adam Cash is a very realistic and believable character. I look forward to more from this author.
8 reviews
December 10, 2025
Fast and fun!

The characters were Interesting, I also live in Austin so it was fun to read a story That takes place nearby.
5 reviews
December 28, 2025
Fun read.

Imaginative plot and good character development. Some of the detail or dressing was a bit forced or unnatural. Enjoyed the read.
4 reviews
November 5, 2024
Excellent characterizations

In addition to an engaging plot, the author has brought to life the essence of his characters. These characterizations help explain behaviors such as the sometimes impulsive and reckless actions of the protagonist and the questionable choices made by the villains. The book also showcases the often real stereotypes such as the unyielding reactions to change by West Texas cowboys and the pompous delusions of Texas Longhorn fans. A good and enjoyable read!
Profile Image for Coco.
633 reviews5 followers
December 9, 2025
4* An explosive start.

For fans of western thrillers, this contains grizzly murders and a pond of horrors to induce nightmares well after finishing the book.

A small town law enforcement series with murderous villains, bent politicians, questionable pets and deputy sheriff Adam Cash's developing romance, combine together for a riveting read.

My one complaint, and the reason for my 4* rating. The lack of paragraph breaks to identify the plot moving from one location to another, this annoyed/confused me throughout the book. An extra line space would be enough.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews

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