What do you think?
Rate this book
Rider #1
Rider
Love. Betrayal. Revenge. When Kane Rider's partner is murdered, he has no time to grieve. He is quickly thrust into a world of secrets and lies, pursued by criminals for something he knows nothing about. He thought he had the perfect life, but all that changes the night Ryan Cassidy is stabbed to death. As Ryan's secrets slowly come to light, Kane must challenge what he thought to be the truth with what he knows could kill him. With nowhere to hide, and no one to turn to, he has only one choice - survive or die. From the author of 'The Camel Trail' comes a taut thriller that will keep you page-turning far into the night. OUT NOW: The exciting new sequel to Rider. LYNCH hit shelves December 2013.
280 pages, Paperback
First published November 10, 2011
10 people are currently reading
233 people want to read
About the author
Peter J. Merrigan
6 books11 followersPeter J Merrigan was born in Northern Ireland and became interested in writing from an early age. He was first published at the age of 17.
He went on to study a Bachelor of Arts in Writing at university in London. He has worked in advertising and marketing for almost 20 years and now freelances as a copy writer.
Peter returned to Ireland in 2016 where he now lives with his partner.
His latest novel, STONE FORGED, is his second venture into historical fiction, following on from STONE HEART, set in ancient Ireland in a time of Celtic warriors.
He is now working on the AILIGH WARS SAGA.
He went on to study a Bachelor of Arts in Writing at university in London. He has worked in advertising and marketing for almost 20 years and now freelances as a copy writer.
Peter returned to Ireland in 2016 where he now lives with his partner.
His latest novel, STONE FORGED, is his second venture into historical fiction, following on from STONE HEART, set in ancient Ireland in a time of Celtic warriors.
He is now working on the AILIGH WARS SAGA.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 4, 2011
OMG, so sad! One MC is murdered on the first page, and so we get to learn about him through the memories of his partner, as he tries to find the reason for the killing. If you are approaching this as an m/m romance I would advise considering carefully if you are prepared for a tearjerker with no hint of redemption. As a thriller it's a letdown as there is no mystery as such, we learn very quickly who did it and why, and then just watch the fallout. To add insult to injury, the motive for the murder is
It's compentently written, and I love both the MCs: I just wish they could have had their life together. I need some fluff to get over this one.
EDIT: If you like the premise, but want something that has an HEA, then I recommend Broken by Dawn Kimberly Johnson. This also has an MC recovering from the murder of his partner, but who eventually finds redemption from his pit of emotional despair.
It's compentently written, and I love both the MCs: I just wish they could have had their life together. I need some fluff to get over this one.
EDIT: If you like the premise, but want something that has an HEA, then I recommend Broken by Dawn Kimberly Johnson. This also has an MC recovering from the murder of his partner, but who eventually finds redemption from his pit of emotional despair.
December 7, 2021
This is an exceptionally well-written and emotionally heartbreaking novel.
When Kane's boyfriend, Ryan, dies in his arms outside a club as a result of what appears to be a random attack, his grief is immense and his world is destroyed.
Then things begin to happen - silent phone calls, threats and his flat turned over.
The police are involved but they have nothing to go on and Kane realises that there is more to Ryan's death than just a random act of violence.
He begins to look into the life of the man he loved with all his heart and thought he knew so well and unearths a criminal conspiracy that is too close to home for comfort.
Not only did this novel break my heart but it lured me into a captivating thriller that I just couldn't put down.
It's a shame I can only give it five stars, it deserves a whole lot more.
When Kane's boyfriend, Ryan, dies in his arms outside a club as a result of what appears to be a random attack, his grief is immense and his world is destroyed.
Then things begin to happen - silent phone calls, threats and his flat turned over.
The police are involved but they have nothing to go on and Kane realises that there is more to Ryan's death than just a random act of violence.
He begins to look into the life of the man he loved with all his heart and thought he knew so well and unearths a criminal conspiracy that is too close to home for comfort.
Not only did this novel break my heart but it lured me into a captivating thriller that I just couldn't put down.
It's a shame I can only give it five stars, it deserves a whole lot more.
August 10, 2013
Buddy read for part of the scavenger hunt starting on 8th August 2013
Okay, let’s start with the caveat… this isn’t a romance and there is no happy ending.
Kane and Ryan have been together since they were sixteen and 12 years later are still happily in love, but Kane’s world falls apart when Ryan is murdered as they leave a night club one night. Forced to question not only why it happened but whether Ryan was the person he thought he was Kane starts to investigate. There are run ins with armed thugs, a fair bit of violence and death, an Interpol investigation and corrupt police officers before Kane discovers the reason and person behind Ryan’s murder.
This could have been a dark and depressing book, but with the regular flashbacks into points in Ryan and Kane’s relationship (both from Kane’s pov and that of Ryan’s mother, Margaret) I found it over all to be hopeful. The ending itself gave promise of both Kane and Margaret being able to move on from what had happened and although they wouldn’t forget Ryan it did give them a chance of a future.
Okay, let’s start with the caveat… this isn’t a romance and there is no happy ending.
Kane and Ryan have been together since they were sixteen and 12 years later are still happily in love, but Kane’s world falls apart when Ryan is murdered as they leave a night club one night. Forced to question not only why it happened but whether Ryan was the person he thought he was Kane starts to investigate. There are run ins with armed thugs, a fair bit of violence and death, an Interpol investigation and corrupt police officers before Kane discovers the reason and person behind Ryan’s murder.
This could have been a dark and depressing book, but with the regular flashbacks into points in Ryan and Kane’s relationship (both from Kane’s pov and that of Ryan’s mother, Margaret) I found it over all to be hopeful. The ending itself gave promise of both Kane and Margaret being able to move on from what had happened and although they wouldn’t forget Ryan it did give them a chance of a future.
September 11, 2016
Actual rating 3.5 stars. The following review was originally posted on my book blog The Book Challengers.
If I were a crier, I would have cried at least three quarters of the time I spent reading this book as it was sooooo sad and bittersweet and did I already mention that it's sad? I think it's not a spoiler when I say that our hero's partner of eight years gets killed as it's both stated in the blurb and it's also the first thing that happens in this story, but man, their love story ... those flashbacks... they were killing me as they were so sad and bittersweet and even I was close to thinking that this is something I could cry at.
They mystery/suspense part of the story was pretty good as well. At least I thought so. While I managed to guess a few things ahead of them happening there were also things that surprised me and kept me on the edge of my seat nibbling on my snacks really nervously even though the perpetrator of the crime is found actually pretty early in the story. It just takes a while for the good guys to nab the bad guys.
This isn't your typical story of a loved one getting killed and the one who survives starts investigating, it's something different as Kane gets dragged into this against his will when his grief for Ryan is way too fresh still. Yes, Kane's thinking about who might have killed Ryan, but I don't think he was actually anywhere near the state of mind necessary for a good investigation.
But the grief Kane feels gave me all the feels and I feel pretty safe in saying that this was the strongest part of the entire story. Yes even when I liked the mystery part as well. But really, if you're a crier make sure that you have your tissues real close to you when you decide to give this story a chance.
If I were a crier, I would have cried at least three quarters of the time I spent reading this book as it was sooooo sad and bittersweet and did I already mention that it's sad? I think it's not a spoiler when I say that our hero's partner of eight years gets killed as it's both stated in the blurb and it's also the first thing that happens in this story, but man, their love story ... those flashbacks... they were killing me as they were so sad and bittersweet and even I was close to thinking that this is something I could cry at.
They mystery/suspense part of the story was pretty good as well. At least I thought so. While I managed to guess a few things ahead of them happening there were also things that surprised me and kept me on the edge of my seat nibbling on my snacks really nervously even though the perpetrator of the crime is found actually pretty early in the story. It just takes a while for the good guys to nab the bad guys.
This isn't your typical story of a loved one getting killed and the one who survives starts investigating, it's something different as Kane gets dragged into this against his will when his grief for Ryan is way too fresh still. Yes, Kane's thinking about who might have killed Ryan, but I don't think he was actually anywhere near the state of mind necessary for a good investigation.
But the grief Kane feels gave me all the feels and I feel pretty safe in saying that this was the strongest part of the entire story. Yes even when I liked the mystery part as well. But really, if you're a crier make sure that you have your tissues real close to you when you decide to give this story a chance.
May 30, 2015
I've been meaning to read this novel for ages, it sat on my kindle hidden until I discovered it and started to read. I was hooked immediately and taken with the storyline. A real page turner, slick, sad, emotional, highly charged, a wonderful read and a totally unexpected ending.
Kane Rider is joyously in love and settled with his partner Ryan, they live in Belfast and are very happy until...Ryan is murdered in front of Kane, tragic events afterwards start to unwind and it begins to become apparent that Ryan was involved in things Kane had no idea about. A dangerous cartel, Europe-wide and connections to Ryan's stepfather. Events move quickly from Belfast to London and Kane's own life and that of Ryan's mother, Margaret are endangered....nothing will ever be the same again.
Kane Rider is joyously in love and settled with his partner Ryan, they live in Belfast and are very happy until...Ryan is murdered in front of Kane, tragic events afterwards start to unwind and it begins to become apparent that Ryan was involved in things Kane had no idea about. A dangerous cartel, Europe-wide and connections to Ryan's stepfather. Events move quickly from Belfast to London and Kane's own life and that of Ryan's mother, Margaret are endangered....nothing will ever be the same again.
May 19, 2014
Simples e apaixonante!
Peter consegue escrever com maestria um romance policial que envolve a vida de um homossexual e os percalços que é envolvido na vida. Sem exageros, sem apelar para pornografia, mostrando a normalidade que deve ser encarado tal fato em nossa sociedade.
A dosagem das cenas é perfeita, alternando entre os pensamentos de Kane, seu amor, seu ódio e relacionamentos, e as cenas policiais que chegam a tirar o fôlego.
Peter consegue escrever com maestria um romance policial que envolve a vida de um homossexual e os percalços que é envolvido na vida. Sem exageros, sem apelar para pornografia, mostrando a normalidade que deve ser encarado tal fato em nossa sociedade.
A dosagem das cenas é perfeita, alternando entre os pensamentos de Kane, seu amor, seu ódio e relacionamentos, e as cenas policiais que chegam a tirar o fôlego.
April 28, 2013
The MC doesn't get a Happy anything because his lover is killed at the beginning of the book. The story that follows in the investigation into the lover's death and flashbacks to their happier times. I really loved this story even without any happy ever after.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 27, 2015
Great thriller, you get to feel Kane's love through flashbacks, and it is so sad, but Kane is an ordinary guy whose life is turned apart and who survives.
January 17, 2021
Falling somewhere between "interesting" and "curious", this is a short but pacey thriller courtesy of Peter J Merrigan. My previous encounter with his writing, The Camel Trail, was several years ago - an enjoyable domestic/contemporary thriller - which was one of the first things I read on my Kindle e-reader. The edition that I read way back when had several typos and editing issues which, thankfully, were issues far less obvious in Rider. It had a few but, frankly, too few to mention.
Starting with the murder of the central character's partner, this novel continues in a similar light with not many pages passing throughout its narrative before someone else is dispatched in a gory manner. With elements of bluff and double-bluff, it ticks many of the genre's relevant boxes without dawdling as the story unfolds.
Listed by Amazon and the likes as 'gay fiction' it obligingly fulfils the label through its lead character and memories of his partner: while their relationship is romantically solid, those expecting explicit adult material will be disappointed - instead, you have a study in love and grief. That is when the grieving Kane is not bound, beaten or generally bloodied by various protagonists. Apart from a couple of fleeting cameo appearances by a few other LGBT tropes, everyone else appears solidly heterosexual with them displaying a range of credible reactions to the central character, some pro, some ambivalent, some hostile - something that grounds the story pretty well.
At times I was rather frustrated with the ease at which some characters met their (sticky) ends while some seemed capable of bouncing back despite various seriously life-threatening incidents; still, such are thrillers, which this book should also be categorised under.
I was disappointed with the demise of the central villain: it is signposted a little too much as the story reaches its climax and, as such, was something of an anti-climax once delivered but, such is the bluff and double-bluff nature of events, the denouement is really setting up the second book in the series, Lynch, and - potentially - one of the oddest crime-busting duos I've ever come across: to say who they are (and whether it does unfold in the second volume) I'm not saying here - you'll have to read it to find out.
Starting with the murder of the central character's partner, this novel continues in a similar light with not many pages passing throughout its narrative before someone else is dispatched in a gory manner. With elements of bluff and double-bluff, it ticks many of the genre's relevant boxes without dawdling as the story unfolds.
Listed by Amazon and the likes as 'gay fiction' it obligingly fulfils the label through its lead character and memories of his partner: while their relationship is romantically solid, those expecting explicit adult material will be disappointed - instead, you have a study in love and grief. That is when the grieving Kane is not bound, beaten or generally bloodied by various protagonists. Apart from a couple of fleeting cameo appearances by a few other LGBT tropes, everyone else appears solidly heterosexual with them displaying a range of credible reactions to the central character, some pro, some ambivalent, some hostile - something that grounds the story pretty well.
At times I was rather frustrated with the ease at which some characters met their (sticky) ends while some seemed capable of bouncing back despite various seriously life-threatening incidents; still, such are thrillers, which this book should also be categorised under.
I was disappointed with the demise of the central villain: it is signposted a little too much as the story reaches its climax and, as such, was something of an anti-climax once delivered but, such is the bluff and double-bluff nature of events, the denouement is really setting up the second book in the series, Lynch, and - potentially - one of the oddest crime-busting duos I've ever come across: to say who they are (and whether it does unfold in the second volume) I'm not saying here - you'll have to read it to find out.
November 21, 2021
Thoroughly enjoyed this crime thriller. It had believable and likeable characters. The way Kane and Ryan’s relationship was described was touching and made me really care about what happened. The story is suspenseful and really well built, culminating in a scintillating climax. Edge of your seat stuff! Looking forward to reading more by this author.
October 14, 2020
The beginning seems to be the end but it's the start of an unwanted adventure for an unwitting and unwilling main character.
So refreshing that it isn't all happy ever afters.
New to this genre and Merrigan has hooked me into it.
Well paced gripping and moving storyline.
So refreshing that it isn't all happy ever afters.
New to this genre and Merrigan has hooked me into it.
Well paced gripping and moving storyline.
December 28, 2013
A crime drama with a m/m touch
It had some inconsistencies, but it was well written and the story was gripping.
I liked the flash-backs, and that really means something, because normally I hate inconsistent time-lines.
Kane was an unlikely "hero". He is an interesting character and he carried the story.
It didn't have a very original crime story and as said above, it doesn't really feel like a logical story flow, so I deduct a star for that.
It had some inconsistencies, but it was well written and the story was gripping.
I liked the flash-backs, and that really means something, because normally I hate inconsistent time-lines.
Kane was an unlikely "hero". He is an interesting character and he carried the story.
It didn't have a very original crime story and as said above, it doesn't really feel like a logical story flow, so I deduct a star for that.
October 4, 2015
A gay thriller mystery. The story opens with Ryan's dying in Kane's arms, murdered. Kane and Ryan's love story is told in memories and flash backs, as Kane is thrown into grief and a whirl wind of nightmares trying to find out why and who killed is soul mate and true love. This was such an intense thriller, and heart sobbing romance. A great read...and a tear jerker. I'm still sobbing for his broken heart.
August 28, 2016
Clever!
As an avid reader I often find plots becoming very similar in suspense novels. This one stands out for it's originality. It was one of those books where the "voice" of each character emerged easily. A very good read. I look forward to reading more of this author's books.
As an avid reader I often find plots becoming very similar in suspense novels. This one stands out for it's originality. It was one of those books where the "voice" of each character emerged easily. A very good read. I look forward to reading more of this author's books.
January 17, 2022
Absolutely loved this book. The story gets going from page one, tense gripping and a real page-turner. Adored the relationship between Kane and Ryan that is told in flashback, oh for love like theirs. Merrigan has the knack of hitting every one of your poor battered emotions. Five stars, highly recommended.
January 31, 2012
I quite enjoyed this one. A mildly suspenseful book with a romantic storyline woven in. It was a quick read, and held my interest up until the very end. The ending is a bit anti-climactic; I understand why the author chose to wrap it up the way he did, though.
January 2, 2015
The love the foundation couple have was done quite well, plus I'm an emotional romantic cuz I was a wreck. I cried a lot for what is lost and the road forward for the protagonist. The story also has a good twisty plot. It's primarily a mystery/suspence novel
February 5, 2012
Neat story with some fun twists and turns.
just-because
April 15, 2012no hea or hfn...own this book
June 11, 2013
3.5 stars.
March 17, 2015
I loved this story, it was sad true, but a good story. More suspense, but it told of a true romance between the main characters Kane, and Ryan.
July 20, 2018
Very readable, but not exactly believable, thriller about a young man from Belfast whose partner is murdered in front of his eyes.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews