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The Crash Detective: A Jackson Garrett Thriller
Some crashes are accidents. This one wasn’t.
Jackson Garrett has built a career reading the evidence other investigators miss — tire marks, debris fields, the physics of impact most people never think to question. It’s made him the best in the business. But when a routine reconstruction turns up inconsistencies that don’t add up, Garrett realizes he isn’t looking at an accident. He’s looking at a cover-up. And the people responsible already know his name.
Written by a real forensic engineer and accident reconstructionist, The Crash Detective brings an authenticity to the genre most thriller writers can only research.
Jackson Garrett has built a career reading the evidence other investigators miss — tire marks, debris fields, the physics of impact most people never think to question. It’s made him the best in the business. But when a routine reconstruction turns up inconsistencies that don’t add up, Garrett realizes he isn’t looking at an accident. He’s looking at a cover-up. And the people responsible already know his name.
Written by a real forensic engineer and accident reconstructionist, The Crash Detective brings an authenticity to the genre most thriller writers can only research.
315 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 5, 2026
About the author
John Dylan Thomas
1 book1 followerJohn Dylan Thomas writes crime and thriller fiction about the stories hidden beneath official explanations—and the people who are brave enough, or stubborn enough, to dig them up.
His work centers on investigators who live in the gray areas: professionals who know the rules well enough to bend them, and who understand that the truth is rarely clean, simple, or convenient. In Thomas’s novels, accidents aren’t always accidents, and the most dangerous threats often operate quietly, just out of sight.
Drawing on real-world investigative experience and a fascination with how systems fail—or are manipulated—Thomas brings a grounded, technical realism to his stories while keeping the focus on character, tension, and moral consequence. His debut series follows crash investigator Jackson Garrett as he uncovers conspiracies that stretch far beyond a single case, revealing how easily truth can be buried when powerful interests are at stake.
When he’s not writing, John Dylan Thomas is usually researching unusual cases, refining story puzzles, or exploring the Pacific Northwest settings that frequently inspire his work. He lives in Washington with his wife, three kids, three dogs, four cats, three frogs, a snake, some fish, and a partridge in a pear tree.
His work centers on investigators who live in the gray areas: professionals who know the rules well enough to bend them, and who understand that the truth is rarely clean, simple, or convenient. In Thomas’s novels, accidents aren’t always accidents, and the most dangerous threats often operate quietly, just out of sight.
Drawing on real-world investigative experience and a fascination with how systems fail—or are manipulated—Thomas brings a grounded, technical realism to his stories while keeping the focus on character, tension, and moral consequence. His debut series follows crash investigator Jackson Garrett as he uncovers conspiracies that stretch far beyond a single case, revealing how easily truth can be buried when powerful interests are at stake.
When he’s not writing, John Dylan Thomas is usually researching unusual cases, refining story puzzles, or exploring the Pacific Northwest settings that frequently inspire his work. He lives in Washington with his wife, three kids, three dogs, four cats, three frogs, a snake, some fish, and a partridge in a pear tree.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 14, 2026
I’m not usually one for reading thrillers, but this absolute page turner had me reading every spare minute I had!
Fun, fast-paced and meticulously executed, I was completely enthralled by this debut piece by John Dylan Thomas!!
Highly recommend!
Fun, fast-paced and meticulously executed, I was completely enthralled by this debut piece by John Dylan Thomas!!
Highly recommend!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Imagine being called in to investigate a fatal Jeep accident only to discover that the wreck has been tampered with, the original investigator has disappeared, and someone REALLY doesn’t want you asking questions.
That’s exactly what happens to Jackson Garrett in The Crash Detective by John Dylan Thomas.
Jack is brought in to figure out what happened to veteran crash investigator Jerry Rochester.
But with Joy Carrington, by his side, Jack starts uncovering one disturbing clue after another, mismatched VINs, missing evidence, suspicious people, and mysterious crates.
And suddenly, this isn’t about one accident anymore. It’s about a dangerous smuggling operation that reaches WAY deeper than they expected.
And then the story goes from “let’s solve this case” to “WHO CAN WE ACTUALLY TRUST?!”
Shootouts. Corrupt cops. Kidnapping. Helicopter rescues. A decades-old revenge plot. And a betrayal that I absolutely did NOT see coming.
Every time Jack gets closer to the truth, the danger level goes up another notch.
I loved the combination of forensic investigation + crime thriller + full-blown action movie energy.
The crash-reconstruction details give the story something different, while the twists and escalating danger keep you turning pages.
Jack and Joy make a great team too, and their investigation gets more chaotic and more dangerous with every discovery.
If you like thrillers where one tiny clue opens up an entire criminal conspiracy, this one is worth checking out.
Fast-paced, twisty, action-packed, and definitely giving “just one more chapter” at 2 AM energy. And that ending? Yeah, the story is clearly NOT over.
That’s exactly what happens to Jackson Garrett in The Crash Detective by John Dylan Thomas.
Jack is brought in to figure out what happened to veteran crash investigator Jerry Rochester.
But with Joy Carrington, by his side, Jack starts uncovering one disturbing clue after another, mismatched VINs, missing evidence, suspicious people, and mysterious crates.
And suddenly, this isn’t about one accident anymore. It’s about a dangerous smuggling operation that reaches WAY deeper than they expected.
And then the story goes from “let’s solve this case” to “WHO CAN WE ACTUALLY TRUST?!”
Shootouts. Corrupt cops. Kidnapping. Helicopter rescues. A decades-old revenge plot. And a betrayal that I absolutely did NOT see coming.
Every time Jack gets closer to the truth, the danger level goes up another notch.
I loved the combination of forensic investigation + crime thriller + full-blown action movie energy.
The crash-reconstruction details give the story something different, while the twists and escalating danger keep you turning pages.
Jack and Joy make a great team too, and their investigation gets more chaotic and more dangerous with every discovery.
If you like thrillers where one tiny clue opens up an entire criminal conspiracy, this one is worth checking out.
Fast-paced, twisty, action-packed, and definitely giving “just one more chapter” at 2 AM energy. And that ending? Yeah, the story is clearly NOT over.
September 1, 2026
This was a fascinating crime thriller! Right away, you’re involved in the mystery and needing answers. Detective thrillers always fascinate me. I love getting the perspective from a professional and I feel like I learn a lot while enjoying a thriller. The characters are likable and I feel like this can easily lead into a series.
September 13, 2026
The Crash Detective hooked me from page one. Jackson Garrett isn’t your typical “detective.” He’s a private accident reconstructionist - think putting together the puzzle pieces of a crash for insurance and legal cases - and he’s made a career out of noticing what everyone else overlooks. When his former mentor disappears after a wreck, Jackson starts digging and quickly realizes this wasn’t an accident at all but a carefully layered cover‑up.
I loved following his process. The scene work feels tactile - skid marks, timelines, tiny inconsistencies - and every new clue shifts what you think you know. I kept side‑eyeing nearly every character because the trust lines are constantly moving. Just when I settled on a theory, the story nudged me in a new direction. By the time the truth snapped into place, I was genuinely shocked in the best way.
If you like smart, propulsive mysteries where the “why” is as satisfying as the “who,” this one delivers. It’s fast without feeling cheap, detailed without dragging, and honestly hard to put down. Highly recommend.
Big thank you to the author for letting me get an ACR copy!
I loved following his process. The scene work feels tactile - skid marks, timelines, tiny inconsistencies - and every new clue shifts what you think you know. I kept side‑eyeing nearly every character because the trust lines are constantly moving. Just when I settled on a theory, the story nudged me in a new direction. By the time the truth snapped into place, I was genuinely shocked in the best way.
If you like smart, propulsive mysteries where the “why” is as satisfying as the “who,” this one delivers. It’s fast without feeling cheap, detailed without dragging, and honestly hard to put down. Highly recommend.
Big thank you to the author for letting me get an ACR copy!
September 6, 2026
This is a unique story – kicking off a criminal investigation based on the observations from a car accident.
Jerry Rochester has 35 years of crash reconstruction experience. As he studies a Jeep Wrangler which has run into a tree, he observes some things which tell him this was not a straightforward accident. The young woman inside was dead when found. Very soon, some people are after him and he is later found dead. Jackson Garrett is an accident reconstructionist who regards Jerry as his mentor. He is called in to take this further after Jerry’s death. While he is initially reluctant, he accepts on behalf of Jerry. He faces a largely disinterested and hostile environment from local law enforcement and garage owners holding the vehicle. Joy Carrington worked with Jerry since the last 2 years and is keen to get to the truth of the case as well. Other than that, Adam, a young cop sticks his neck out to help despite advice to the contrary from his superior Sergeant Robert Billings. As Garrett digs further, it is clear that the death of the young woman was related to criminal dealings.
The author has clearly built the main protagonist with solid first hard knowledge of the subject. The aspects of accident reconstruction are top notch and a delight to read. Garrett and Joy are well developed and very likeable characters – brave and dogged in their determination to get to the truth. I would have liked to see better character development for the bad guys and the motive is covered very briefly. In the case of one character, the suspicion springs almost immediately with his extra-energetic behaviour. The tension holds well through the book and I found myself hooked.
The ending holds the possibility of a next book and that is a great idea. I will eagerly await it.
This is a solid crime thriller with a very differentiated plot which I strongly recommend.
My rating: 4.25.
Thanks to the author for a free electronic review copy.
Jerry Rochester has 35 years of crash reconstruction experience. As he studies a Jeep Wrangler which has run into a tree, he observes some things which tell him this was not a straightforward accident. The young woman inside was dead when found. Very soon, some people are after him and he is later found dead. Jackson Garrett is an accident reconstructionist who regards Jerry as his mentor. He is called in to take this further after Jerry’s death. While he is initially reluctant, he accepts on behalf of Jerry. He faces a largely disinterested and hostile environment from local law enforcement and garage owners holding the vehicle. Joy Carrington worked with Jerry since the last 2 years and is keen to get to the truth of the case as well. Other than that, Adam, a young cop sticks his neck out to help despite advice to the contrary from his superior Sergeant Robert Billings. As Garrett digs further, it is clear that the death of the young woman was related to criminal dealings.
The author has clearly built the main protagonist with solid first hard knowledge of the subject. The aspects of accident reconstruction are top notch and a delight to read. Garrett and Joy are well developed and very likeable characters – brave and dogged in their determination to get to the truth. I would have liked to see better character development for the bad guys and the motive is covered very briefly. In the case of one character, the suspicion springs almost immediately with his extra-energetic behaviour. The tension holds well through the book and I found myself hooked.
The ending holds the possibility of a next book and that is a great idea. I will eagerly await it.
This is a solid crime thriller with a very differentiated plot which I strongly recommend.
My rating: 4.25.
Thanks to the author for a free electronic review copy.
September 14, 2026
I really enjoyed The Crash Detective. It was a solid, well-paced mystery/thriller that kept me interested in where the investigation was going and what the next piece of evidence would reveal.
One of my favourite parts was the crash reconstruction itself. The author has real-life experience as a crash reconstructionist, and that knowledge really comes through. The investigative process felt detailed and authentic without ever becoming overly technical or slowing the story down.
I also appreciated that the mystery remained unpredictable without relying on twists simply for shock value. Everything felt like it developed naturally as more information came to light.
The ending worked especially well for me. It provides a satisfying conclusion and allows the book to stand completely on its own, while still leaving the door open naturally for more stories.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable mystery/thriller with an investigation that actually feels like an investigation. I’d absolutely read another book in the series.
One of my favourite parts was the crash reconstruction itself. The author has real-life experience as a crash reconstructionist, and that knowledge really comes through. The investigative process felt detailed and authentic without ever becoming overly technical or slowing the story down.
I also appreciated that the mystery remained unpredictable without relying on twists simply for shock value. Everything felt like it developed naturally as more information came to light.
The ending worked especially well for me. It provides a satisfying conclusion and allows the book to stand completely on its own, while still leaving the door open naturally for more stories.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable mystery/thriller with an investigation that actually feels like an investigation. I’d absolutely read another book in the series.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thanks to the author for this ARC
We’ll, what a ride this is. Just keeps getting better and better.
I loved the relationship between Jackson and Joy, 2 of the main characters, and by the end of the book I felt as though I knew them well. They make a great team.
The forensic analysis of the accident scenes is really well written in that you can understand the investigation without wondering what is occurring and how they came to certain conclusions.
There is some anxiety causing scenes in the book that made me want to reader quicker than possible, to find out the outcome.
This is definitely going to be a series, I think, as it ends on a suggestion of things to come.
The only downside that I would have is that the story is about trafficking dogs and the conditions that they are in, however this did not change my mind on how good the story is.
Will be looking out for the authors next book. 📖
We’ll, what a ride this is. Just keeps getting better and better.
I loved the relationship between Jackson and Joy, 2 of the main characters, and by the end of the book I felt as though I knew them well. They make a great team.
The forensic analysis of the accident scenes is really well written in that you can understand the investigation without wondering what is occurring and how they came to certain conclusions.
There is some anxiety causing scenes in the book that made me want to reader quicker than possible, to find out the outcome.
This is definitely going to be a series, I think, as it ends on a suggestion of things to come.
The only downside that I would have is that the story is about trafficking dogs and the conditions that they are in, however this did not change my mind on how good the story is.
Will be looking out for the authors next book. 📖
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the author John Dylan Thomas for sending me an ARC!
This was such a unique read. I really appreciated all the detail around the accidents and crash scenes, and you can definitely tell the author is an expert in this field. The dialogue felt believable, the technical parts were easy to follow, and I actually felt like I was learning something while reading. I thought I had a pretty good idea of what was going on and then the reveals at the end completely caught me off guard. There were way more layers to what was really happening than I expected.
Recommend if you like investigative thrillers, forensic details, and stories where you think you have it figured out… until you absolutely don’t.
This was such a unique read. I really appreciated all the detail around the accidents and crash scenes, and you can definitely tell the author is an expert in this field. The dialogue felt believable, the technical parts were easy to follow, and I actually felt like I was learning something while reading. I thought I had a pretty good idea of what was going on and then the reveals at the end completely caught me off guard. There were way more layers to what was really happening than I expected.
Recommend if you like investigative thrillers, forensic details, and stories where you think you have it figured out… until you absolutely don’t.
Review of advance copy
If you’re looking for a fast-paced thriller that’s incredibly well-crafted and keeps you hooked from the very first chapter, you have to grab this one.
I could not put this book down. It had me hooked from the very first chapter. So well written, with the kind of storytelling that reminded me a lot of John Hart, one of my all-time favorite authors.
I could not put this book down. It had me hooked from the very first chapter. So well written, with the kind of storytelling that reminded me a lot of John Hart, one of my all-time favorite authors.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Such a fast paced thriller and I loved it! The story was interesting right from the start and was engaging right until the end. As a real forensic engineer and accident reconstructionist, the author did a good job of getting the technical forensic details across and not having them go over your head. Will this be a series? I hope so!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews