The Ride Along: An Adrian Sawyer Mystery

by J.D. Nichols

Wealth. Privilege. And a last name that opened doors.
Carri Templeton had it all.

But when she’s found brutally murdered after a house party, her death sends shockwaves through mid-Missouri’s most powerful circles.

College senior Adrian Sawyer never planned on getting involved. But after the local police chief invites him to tag along, he soon finds himself stuck in the middle of it... because when police start asking the wrong questions, what began as an open-and-shut case quickly unveils a shadowy web of power and corruption that fills the halls of the victim’s elite high school.

The St. Augustine Preparatory School has a long history of cover-ups—and someone doesn’t want Carri’s murder solved. As whispers of blackmail and hidden affairs reach a deafening pitch, Adrian is forced to grapple with tough like who benefits from Carri’s death? And why is everyone so desperate to conceal the truth?

Dive into a pulse-pounding crime fiction novel that’s perfect for fans of Michael Connelly, Tana French, and Laura Lippman. The Ride Along is a gripping police procedural meets coming-of-age thriller where solving a murder isn’t just about catching a killer—it’s about surviving the consequences of knowing too much. Scroll up and grab your copy now...

357 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 16, 2025

About the author

Louisiana-born and raised, J.D. Nichols was born into a family of readers and has never known a time that he wasn’t reading or making up stories with his cousins. He now lives and works in Columbia, Missouri. When he’s not working, J.D. can usually be found enjoying the outdoors or planning his next adventure.

"Travel inspires me to write. Writing inspires me to travel."

J.D. is happy to visit bookclubs via Zoom! You can reach him via the contact page of his website www.authorjdnichols.com

Reviews

[Hamidat Sheriff · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ride Along is a gripping, thought-provoking mystery that does more than just solve a crime, it exposes the quiet rot beneath polished reputations. J.D. Nichols pulls you into a world where power protects secrets and truth comes with a price. Adrian Sawyer’s reluctant journey from bystander to truth-seeker is both suspenseful and emotionally resonant. I was struck not only by the twists and revelations, but by the deeper questions the book asks about complicity, justice, and what it means to speak out when silence is safer. A powerful and unforgettable debut.

[David Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ride Along isn’t just a murder mystery, it’s a chilling dive into the dark underbelly of privilege and power. Adrian Sawyer is a refreshingly human protagonist, caught in a web of corruption he never asked to unravel. J.D. Nichols masterfully blends suspense with social insight, delivering a story that’s as emotionally resonant as it is gripping. The deeper you go, the more it demands you question what justice really looks like. A haunting, unforgettable read.

[Lauren Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book surprised me in all the right ways. What begins as a simple ride-along evolves into a tense, emotionally complex journey into privilege, silence, and systemic cover-ups. Adrian Sawyer’s voice is refreshingly honest, he’s not a hero, just someone trying to do the right thing in a world that punishes truth-seekers. Nichols delivers a compelling mystery that challenges as much as it entertains. It left me thinking long after I turned the last page.

[Lauren Jennings · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me guessing up until the very end and the twist was not expected at all. Great character build and looking forward to the next Adrian Sawyer book!