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The Night Crawler
He believes his blood is turning to ash. And he believes the only thing that can keep him alive is yours.
Baltimore calls him the Night Crawler. A shadow that slips through unlocked doors and open windows—because in his mind, an unlocked door is an invitation. A window left ajar is a plea to be saved.
Kelly Sandling is alone in the field, profiling a killer whose logic doesn't connect to any sane framework. No pattern she can map. No motive she can name. Just a delusional architecture built on ancient mythology and a body count that's accelerating.
Meanwhile, Carver is fighting a war of his own. The woman whose heart saved his life was murdered. Every detective who worked her case is dead. And he's the last name on the list.
Two investigations. One city. And a slaughterhouse being prepared in the darkest place of all—an abandoned death row prison.
"Father Zimmer is my new favorite Dr. Lecter—he doesn't take livers, he takes souls." ★★★★★
"A master of the psychological narrative." ★★★★★
Dark, atmospheric crime fiction with more delusion and less redemption.
This novel features chapters written from inside the mind of a paranoid schizophrenic.
"A chilling sequel in the Carver & Sandling series. A must-read for fans of Thomas Harris, James Patterson, and Karin Slaughter. If you loved 'Criminal Minds' and 'Silence of the Lambs,' prepare for a night of relentless suspense. Dive into the darkness—if you dare."
Baltimore calls him the Night Crawler. A shadow that slips through unlocked doors and open windows—because in his mind, an unlocked door is an invitation. A window left ajar is a plea to be saved.
Kelly Sandling is alone in the field, profiling a killer whose logic doesn't connect to any sane framework. No pattern she can map. No motive she can name. Just a delusional architecture built on ancient mythology and a body count that's accelerating.
Meanwhile, Carver is fighting a war of his own. The woman whose heart saved his life was murdered. Every detective who worked her case is dead. And he's the last name on the list.
Two investigations. One city. And a slaughterhouse being prepared in the darkest place of all—an abandoned death row prison.
"Father Zimmer is my new favorite Dr. Lecter—he doesn't take livers, he takes souls." ★★★★★
"A master of the psychological narrative." ★★★★★
Dark, atmospheric crime fiction with more delusion and less redemption.
This novel features chapters written from inside the mind of a paranoid schizophrenic.
"A chilling sequel in the Carver & Sandling series. A must-read for fans of Thomas Harris, James Patterson, and Karin Slaughter. If you loved 'Criminal Minds' and 'Silence of the Lambs,' prepare for a night of relentless suspense. Dive into the darkness—if you dare."
368 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 27, 2025
About the author
Stewart Clyde
17 books40 followersStewart Clyde is the Kindle #1 bestselling author of the Carver & Sandling FBI Mystery Thriller series.
Dive in to what fans are calling 'Criminal Minds' meets 'Silence of the Lambs' now.
Dive in to what fans are calling 'Criminal Minds' meets 'Silence of the Lambs' now.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 31, 2026
This is the second book in the Augustine Carver series and it shifts more focus onto Agent Sandling. The story was just as easy and engaging to read as book one and I liked learning more about the wider cast — the members of the so-called “Sofa Squad” (the FBI rejects made me laugh).
The storyline links closely to The Taxidermy Killer, so I think you’d be a bit lost if you read it on its own. That said, I was a little disappointed by the ending. It felt slightly rushed — almost like the investigation suddenly clicked and then bam, it was over. I would have liked more details around a deeper insight into his motivations before they caught the Night Crawler. (Spoiler!!!)
Despite that, I’m still invested in the series and will definitely be picking up book three when it’s released in late February 2026.
The storyline links closely to The Taxidermy Killer, so I think you’d be a bit lost if you read it on its own. That said, I was a little disappointed by the ending. It felt slightly rushed — almost like the investigation suddenly clicked and then bam, it was over. I would have liked more details around a deeper insight into his motivations before they caught the Night Crawler. (Spoiler!!!)
Despite that, I’m still invested in the series and will definitely be picking up book three when it’s released in late February 2026.
April 21, 2026
I enjoy this series. This one wasn’t as engaging as the first one but it was still good. I’m looking forward to the third book. Excellent serial killer series.
February 25, 2025
Thank you, Stewart Clyde, for choosing me to be a BETA reader for the second book in the Carver and Sandling series. I was ecstatic to receive The Taxidermy Killer and The Night Crawler as BETA reads.
Sandling, Carver, and the rest of the Grant Avenue (Sofa Squad) return in the second book of Carver and Sandling series (first book: The Taxidermy Killer).
FBI agent Caitlin Sandling is investigating a new case. Upon arrival at the crime scene, she is greeted with a gory case, organs and jars of blood left everywhere, and the body of a sex worker found in a bathtub soaked in bleach. Sandling is in over her head when she realizes something isn't right with this case. Is it another serial killer? Is he escalating? Time is running out to catch the killer.
FBI agent Augustine Carver is investigating the apparent suicides of police officers and is on the hunt to find out what truly happened? All of the police officers appeared to commit suicide after failing to catch or convict a killer. But are they connected? Are they truly suicides.
Sandling goes to Carver for help on her current case, and the sofa squad goes to work on both cases. As the book unfolds, you realize nothing is truly as it seems. The profile is for a paranoid schizophrenic, but some of the crime scenes show planning. Is there more than one serial killer?
Yet again, Sandling goes to the maximum security prison to visit Herrman Zimmer for help with the case. Zimmer the Ripper always seems to know what is going on with these murders but how is he connected? How does he fit in when he has been in prison?
This book was a wild ride, and I absolutely loved it from start to finish. I loved all of the psychology that went into this book, and it was another five-star book by Steward Clyde. This book was left hinting at a third book, and I truly hope there will be a third because this series is truly incredible.
Sandling, Carver, and the rest of the Grant Avenue (Sofa Squad) return in the second book of Carver and Sandling series (first book: The Taxidermy Killer).
FBI agent Caitlin Sandling is investigating a new case. Upon arrival at the crime scene, she is greeted with a gory case, organs and jars of blood left everywhere, and the body of a sex worker found in a bathtub soaked in bleach. Sandling is in over her head when she realizes something isn't right with this case. Is it another serial killer? Is he escalating? Time is running out to catch the killer.
FBI agent Augustine Carver is investigating the apparent suicides of police officers and is on the hunt to find out what truly happened? All of the police officers appeared to commit suicide after failing to catch or convict a killer. But are they connected? Are they truly suicides.
Sandling goes to Carver for help on her current case, and the sofa squad goes to work on both cases. As the book unfolds, you realize nothing is truly as it seems. The profile is for a paranoid schizophrenic, but some of the crime scenes show planning. Is there more than one serial killer?
Yet again, Sandling goes to the maximum security prison to visit Herrman Zimmer for help with the case. Zimmer the Ripper always seems to know what is going on with these murders but how is he connected? How does he fit in when he has been in prison?
This book was a wild ride, and I absolutely loved it from start to finish. I loved all of the psychology that went into this book, and it was another five-star book by Steward Clyde. This book was left hinting at a third book, and I truly hope there will be a third because this series is truly incredible.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2025
Book 2 of the Augustine Carver series. This is very much a sequel to book 1, The Taxidermy Killer. I would highly recommend reading book 1 first if you've not already done so.
Carver, Sandling, and the sofa squad, all return for the next installment of the series. Carver is looking into the death of his organ donor, Elizabeth Webb, while Sandling is working her own case, hoping to be promoted out of the sofa squad. It soon becomes apparent that they must all work together, as a killer targets one of their own.
This is very much a fast-paced read, which I love. There is constant action throughout, which draws you in right from the start. The book is assuming you already know the back story of book 1, which I really loved. I hate spending the first part of a book recapping on what has already happened in the series. (Due to this though you really need to read book 1 first)
The fantastic thing about this series is the characters, and I was so thrilled to see all of the sofa squad returning. These characters are all flawed individuals, and it's these flaws that have put them in the sofa squad. This makes them very relatable, and I loved finding out a bit more of some of their back stories. We also got to see the return of Zimmer, who is very much a hated but intriguing character.
I got this book as part of Stewart Clyde's beta reading group, so there's not an exact publication date yet, but it should be coming very soon. Now would be a great time to read book 1 in preparation for it if you've not already done so!
Carver, Sandling, and the sofa squad, all return for the next installment of the series. Carver is looking into the death of his organ donor, Elizabeth Webb, while Sandling is working her own case, hoping to be promoted out of the sofa squad. It soon becomes apparent that they must all work together, as a killer targets one of their own.
This is very much a fast-paced read, which I love. There is constant action throughout, which draws you in right from the start. The book is assuming you already know the back story of book 1, which I really loved. I hate spending the first part of a book recapping on what has already happened in the series. (Due to this though you really need to read book 1 first)
The fantastic thing about this series is the characters, and I was so thrilled to see all of the sofa squad returning. These characters are all flawed individuals, and it's these flaws that have put them in the sofa squad. This makes them very relatable, and I loved finding out a bit more of some of their back stories. We also got to see the return of Zimmer, who is very much a hated but intriguing character.
I got this book as part of Stewart Clyde's beta reading group, so there's not an exact publication date yet, but it should be coming very soon. Now would be a great time to read book 1 in preparation for it if you've not already done so!
February 27, 2025
If you like psychological thrillers with unexpected twists, this book is for you. This is the second book in the Carver and Sandling series by Stewart Clyde, so if you haven’t read “The Taxidermy Killer,” you may want to start there.
This book follows the “sofa squad,” a behavioral analysis unit of the FBI made up of misfit special agents who have been placed in this unit after their failures elsewhere in the FBI. They are all hoping to redeem themselves through their work here.
They are investigating a series (or two) of murders that they feel may be connected to the same serial killer. The connections turn out to be more personal to the team than any of them imagined. When their own team becomes a target, the situation quickly escalates. Will the team find the killer in time? You will have to read it to find out!
This book follows the “sofa squad,” a behavioral analysis unit of the FBI made up of misfit special agents who have been placed in this unit after their failures elsewhere in the FBI. They are all hoping to redeem themselves through their work here.
They are investigating a series (or two) of murders that they feel may be connected to the same serial killer. The connections turn out to be more personal to the team than any of them imagined. When their own team becomes a target, the situation quickly escalates. Will the team find the killer in time? You will have to read it to find out!
October 18, 2025
Trust,lies and team work .
Normally the 2nd book can be a let down .But this one lived up the 1st book with all the twists, turns,lies,and loss.The book has a lot of sub plots and the author was able to keep them just under the surface so the main plot didn't suffer ,the sub plot enhanced the main plot by allowing the sub plots play out ending with a twist i didn't expect.The team still haven't gelled into there new rolls yet at the start but by the end the team work kicked in .They lost a friend and colleague and said good bye after finding the murderer who used people's illness against them to suit hiw own agenda Underneath it all is a total mastermind playing each character as a chess piece that he moves the way he wants them.But they are just seeing his games and the outcomes Again this is my personal opinion.
Normally the 2nd book can be a let down .But this one lived up the 1st book with all the twists, turns,lies,and loss.The book has a lot of sub plots and the author was able to keep them just under the surface so the main plot didn't suffer ,the sub plot enhanced the main plot by allowing the sub plots play out ending with a twist i didn't expect.The team still haven't gelled into there new rolls yet at the start but by the end the team work kicked in .They lost a friend and colleague and said good bye after finding the murderer who used people's illness against them to suit hiw own agenda Underneath it all is a total mastermind playing each character as a chess piece that he moves the way he wants them.But they are just seeing his games and the outcomes Again this is my personal opinion.
April 16, 2025
5 Stars – Gripping, Twisty, and Unputdownable!
The Night Crawler is a chilling, fast-paced thriller that had me hooked from the first chapter. Stewart Clyde delivers a masterful blend of suspense, psychological intrigue, and jaw-dropping twists that kept me on edge until the very end. Carver and Sandling are a compelling duo—smart, gritty, and surprisingly human. Just when I thought I had the killer figured out, the story flipped in a completely unexpected direction. This is everything I want in a serial killer mystery—dark, intense, and impossible to stop reading. Can’t wait for Book 3!
The Night Crawler is a chilling, fast-paced thriller that had me hooked from the first chapter. Stewart Clyde delivers a masterful blend of suspense, psychological intrigue, and jaw-dropping twists that kept me on edge until the very end. Carver and Sandling are a compelling duo—smart, gritty, and surprisingly human. Just when I thought I had the killer figured out, the story flipped in a completely unexpected direction. This is everything I want in a serial killer mystery—dark, intense, and impossible to stop reading. Can’t wait for Book 3!
February 28, 2025
The Carver and Sandling duo continues, and I couldn’t be happier! This was a great 2nd book in this series and I loved diving more into the characters on their new case.
This Detective Mystery had me hooked on knowing the who-dunnit and the reason behind the murders. This book had a great set pace and leaves the reader satisfied yet wanting more — which is always the best! Highly recommend!
Thank you to the author and publisher for an early copy to read for my honest review.
This Detective Mystery had me hooked on knowing the who-dunnit and the reason behind the murders. This book had a great set pace and leaves the reader satisfied yet wanting more — which is always the best! Highly recommend!
Thank you to the author and publisher for an early copy to read for my honest review.
March 11, 2025
I LOVED LOVED LOVED this book. This being the second book in the Carver and Sandling saga was a brilliant addition to the series that I fell in love with. The writing is absolutely amazing, the twists and turns and character development are ideal in this genre and Stewart Clyde has no trouble in that arena. I loved the addition of a few more perspectives and I can relate and love all of the characters and appreciate the roles each play. I cannot wait for the next one!
December 23, 2025
The Night Crawler: An absolutely addictive serial killer thriller that'll leave you breathless ( Car
Amazing thrillers. I love this series. I was getting tired of the books I was reading and glad I came upon this series. Sorry it will finish before I am ready. Great reading and I get into them immediately. They do not disappoint. Each killer is unique and such interesting stories that are well told.
Amazing thrillers. I love this series. I was getting tired of the books I was reading and glad I came upon this series. Sorry it will finish before I am ready. Great reading and I get into them immediately. They do not disappoint. Each killer is unique and such interesting stories that are well told.
March 5, 2025
Another amazing read by Stewart Clyde! Sandling and Carver have another great match up to make a great thriller! Even at odds they make things happen and the sofa squad continues to solve cases!
Clyde has an amazing way of writing and keeping you on edge while making sure to keep you wanting more! Can't wait for his next book with Carver and Sandling!
Clyde has an amazing way of writing and keeping you on edge while making sure to keep you wanting more! Can't wait for his next book with Carver and Sandling!
January 5, 2026
I just don’t get what people love about these stories, I read the first and second books back to back, and the characters are so annoying with the exception of Fox. How these people got into the FBI is anybody’s guess. And the proofreading sure could have used a tweak too. I’ll be skipping book three.
February 10, 2026
Good read
I like the troubled Sofa Squad...Sandling..meh,something. much. To me she comes across as arrogant, NOT a Team player. I know I'm not the writer, but she should leave work for the fbi. She can't or won't work with Carver...that in itself is enough for me to dislike her character. Interesting and sad story. Good read.
I like the troubled Sofa Squad...Sandling..meh,something. much. To me she comes across as arrogant, NOT a Team player. I know I'm not the writer, but she should leave work for the fbi. She can't or won't work with Carver...that in itself is enough for me to dislike her character. Interesting and sad story. Good read.
April 1, 2025
Book 2 in the Carvery and Sandling FBI series.
I loved the second book in the series as it had a much more original plot. We got to know the characters a bit better and I flew through it in 2 sittings.
I look forward to reading the next installment.
I loved the second book in the series as it had a much more original plot. We got to know the characters a bit better and I flew through it in 2 sittings.
I look forward to reading the next installment.
May 19, 2025
It started strong enough, the ending was strong enough. It was the rest that became drudgery for me to get through. I considered not finishing it but already had pushed through with only the last third to finish. Mo more of this series for me. Need a change of pace.
December 5, 2025
Poor stakes
For bunch of "special" agents they sure do act like bumbling fools... And some how they don't hold each other accountable. Major breaches are swept under the rug and all is forgiven like it's a non issue just poor writing.
For bunch of "special" agents they sure do act like bumbling fools... And some how they don't hold each other accountable. Major breaches are swept under the rug and all is forgiven like it's a non issue just poor writing.
October 5, 2025
Great story progressing here. Off for book 3
January 20, 2026
brilliant
Absolutely brilliant! My new favourite author. Read this like watching a movie, fast paced, gripping and feel like you’re actually part of the sofa squad investigation.
Absolutely brilliant! My new favourite author. Read this like watching a movie, fast paced, gripping and feel like you’re actually part of the sofa squad investigation.
January 31, 2026
4.5 stars. This 2nd book in the series was a great read, brilliant characters and there was a chapter close to the ending that I just couldn’t read quick enough.
Roll on book 3, in a few weeks.
Roll on book 3, in a few weeks.
February 22, 2026
Waiting for no 3 now...
Really enjoyed book two of this series.
The madness isn't over yet!!
The silly grammatical errors really annoy me though....
Really enjoyed book two of this series.
The madness isn't over yet!!
The silly grammatical errors really annoy me though....
February 23, 2026
Not as good as the first one but still a fair read
March 12, 2026
Great second book in this thriller series
Very similar to th Silence of the Lambs. Detective series that keep you on the edge of your seat. Great read and highly recommend.
Very similar to th Silence of the Lambs. Detective series that keep you on the edge of your seat. Great read and highly recommend.
March 13, 2026
Simply awesome! A must read!
You will not want to put this book down. Belieable heroes and horrifying villians. And just when you think it is all over....well see for yourself.
You will not want to put this book down. Belieable heroes and horrifying villians. And just when you think it is all over....well see for yourself.
March 27, 2026
This series has me in a choke hold, enjoying these a lot!!
February 27, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ rounded up. This is the second book in the series and honestly, I loved it! It picks up right after book 1 and is written in a way that it expects you to know what’s going on. Read book 1 if you haven’t done so. Otherwise you will be lost. I really enjoyed the wild ride that was Carver and Sandling #2! Cannot wait for more! Thank you a million times over to Stewart Clyde and allowing me the privilege of being an ARC reader for you ❤️
September 17, 2025
Great Read
Great storyline
Loved all the characters
Great storyline
Loved all the characters
July 10, 2025
The Night Crawler sees Carver, Sandling and the rest of the Sofa Squad battle a series of murders that gave more twists and turns than its predecessor. I throughly enjoy the writing style of Clyde, the way he develops each characters quirks and vices (even background characters) truly makes for an immersive read.
Excited for the next chapter in the series
Excited for the next chapter in the series
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews