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Carson Ryder #5
In The Blood
The author of BLOOD BROTHER returns with a new psychological thriller featuring Carson Ryder, the detective with a unique perspective on serial killers – his brother’s one. TV evangelist Reverend Scaler made his fortune from firebrand rhetoric on the sins of modern America. But Scaler has preached his last sermon after being bound and beaten to death in an apparent S&M session. Detective Carson Ryder has his own problems. He's edgy and unpredictable, the crime scene barely seeming to affect him any more than finding an infant abandoned in a boat – nearby, a burnt-out shack, a body and signs of a struggle. Scaler's tangled personal life reveals bizarre connections between the cases. And it seems the baby fighting for its life in hospital has powerful enemies. Ryder can't seem to save himself – but can he save the life of an innocent child?
421 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
21 people are currently reading
359 people want to read
About the author
Jack Kerley
22 books238 followersAKA J.A. Kerley
John Albert Kerley is an American author. He spent 20 years in a successful advertising career before writing his first book, The Hundredth Man.
He currently lives in Newport, Kentucky, and is married with two children. He enjoys the outdoors, particularly fishing.
He is the author of the acclaimed Alabama-set series of Carson Ryder novels
John Albert Kerley is an American author. He spent 20 years in a successful advertising career before writing his first book, The Hundredth Man.
He currently lives in Newport, Kentucky, and is married with two children. He enjoys the outdoors, particularly fishing.
He is the author of the acclaimed Alabama-set series of Carson Ryder novels
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
August 1, 2020
Another in the Carson Ryder series and again a great read. Plenty of action and a decent story, that kept me interested all the way through.
August 18, 2017
I've never treated a book as badly as I've treated this. The spine is cracked more than my knuckles, and I've written in ink throughout the book, all of them criticisms. And I kept a note on my phone that I shall relate to you now.
- Actual quote from the main character of this book about how his nose got broken: "Once in the line of duty and once in defense of a lady." If he went to a rally for gender equality, he'd be the one with the sign saying 'Not all men'.
Kerley is trying to hard to make his character be PROGRESSIVE and A GOOD GUY. He makes a point on saying his character is open to ALL SEXUAL AND GENDER IDENTITIES and RACIAL IDENTITIES. He probably says 'my best friend is black'.
- The descriptive metaphors don't actually make sense, or aren't actually possible (like rivulets of blood that somehow continue the one foot gap between the dead guy's head and the floor). Also sometimes certain repetitions of descriptions or metaphors make it seem like the author couldn't decide which line he preferred. The solution, obviously, is to use them both (e.g. "invest heavily in Vaseline" and "stop at the commissary and get that Vaseline. They sell it in fifty-gallon drums").
- There are several suggestive lines that aren't actually suggestive enough to work, which I forgot to make a specific note of but trust me, there are many.
- The sentence structure is jumpy, excluding basic words like 'and' but not separating the sentences instead. Similarly, strange contractions like 'they've' where it sounds better to be 'they have' and just making it weird.
- 'Cars' is a stupid nickname to give the main character of your novel. It confused me several times where I thought they were talking about actual cars. Don't use nicknames that are actual common words.
- Kerley doesn't seem to know basic interrogation techniques. Don't intentionally scare the shit out someone who you've just told their kid is dead. That's not even basic interrogation. That's basic talking to another human.
- There was no 'aha!' moment. The two detectives barely solved any of it themselves. It was almost 100% luck. Any sort of moments that might have added to that final conclusion were ruined because they seemed like pointless scraps, of which there were many anyway. And the two cops could barely do their jobs well enough to have their own specialised unit for catching psychopaths or whatever it was for that was mentioned once at the beginning and literally never again. Both detectives are moved way too easily and are painted as (questionably) 'supersensitive but still badass lads just trying to do their job'. Give it up. They're so SHOCKED that a guy has a harpoon in his gut. That's not that scarring to a mind that supposedly specialises in psychopaths.
- Cliche relationship described as a relationship that "contemporary culture hadn't found a term for". Actual quote.
- Many colloquialisms or cop jargon that don't make sense to the average Joe, or make the characters sound like they are trying too hard to be 'cool' or 'hip'. Sometimes, it goes the other way, and Carson sounds like a Very Proper Gentleman with Proper Speech.
- Anyone else remember that the main bloke's brother was a psychopathic murderer in the last book? No? Well you probably won't be reminded in this book other than in one big chunk of description that adds nothing to the story. Except that the tag line for this book is "When it comes to murder, some things run in the family..." Very dramatic and all, but actually has nothing to do with the plot. Literally zero apart from the one aforementioned moment that changes nothing.
- I don't like first person narration.
- I wrote 'you're being a dick' multiple times throughout the book.
- Actual quote from the main character of this book about how his nose got broken: "Once in the line of duty and once in defense of a lady." If he went to a rally for gender equality, he'd be the one with the sign saying 'Not all men'.
Kerley is trying to hard to make his character be PROGRESSIVE and A GOOD GUY. He makes a point on saying his character is open to ALL SEXUAL AND GENDER IDENTITIES and RACIAL IDENTITIES. He probably says 'my best friend is black'.
- The descriptive metaphors don't actually make sense, or aren't actually possible (like rivulets of blood that somehow continue the one foot gap between the dead guy's head and the floor). Also sometimes certain repetitions of descriptions or metaphors make it seem like the author couldn't decide which line he preferred. The solution, obviously, is to use them both (e.g. "invest heavily in Vaseline" and "stop at the commissary and get that Vaseline. They sell it in fifty-gallon drums").
- There are several suggestive lines that aren't actually suggestive enough to work, which I forgot to make a specific note of but trust me, there are many.
- The sentence structure is jumpy, excluding basic words like 'and' but not separating the sentences instead. Similarly, strange contractions like 'they've' where it sounds better to be 'they have' and just making it weird.
- 'Cars' is a stupid nickname to give the main character of your novel. It confused me several times where I thought they were talking about actual cars. Don't use nicknames that are actual common words.
- Kerley doesn't seem to know basic interrogation techniques. Don't intentionally scare the shit out someone who you've just told their kid is dead. That's not even basic interrogation. That's basic talking to another human.
- There was no 'aha!' moment. The two detectives barely solved any of it themselves. It was almost 100% luck. Any sort of moments that might have added to that final conclusion were ruined because they seemed like pointless scraps, of which there were many anyway. And the two cops could barely do their jobs well enough to have their own specialised unit for catching psychopaths or whatever it was for that was mentioned once at the beginning and literally never again. Both detectives are moved way too easily and are painted as (questionably) 'supersensitive but still badass lads just trying to do their job'. Give it up. They're so SHOCKED that a guy has a harpoon in his gut. That's not that scarring to a mind that supposedly specialises in psychopaths.
- Cliche relationship described as a relationship that "contemporary culture hadn't found a term for". Actual quote.
- Many colloquialisms or cop jargon that don't make sense to the average Joe, or make the characters sound like they are trying too hard to be 'cool' or 'hip'. Sometimes, it goes the other way, and Carson sounds like a Very Proper Gentleman with Proper Speech.
- Anyone else remember that the main bloke's brother was a psychopathic murderer in the last book? No? Well you probably won't be reminded in this book other than in one big chunk of description that adds nothing to the story. Except that the tag line for this book is "When it comes to murder, some things run in the family..." Very dramatic and all, but actually has nothing to do with the plot. Literally zero apart from the one aforementioned moment that changes nothing.
- I don't like first person narration.
- I wrote 'you're being a dick' multiple times throughout the book.
May 5, 2014
Whilst out fishing with his work partner one morning Carson Ryder rescues an abandoned baby from an unmoored boat.
Next thing a successful tv evangelist is found dead in hs house, an apparent s and m session that somehow went incredibly wrong.
What follows is an investigation that uncovers neo nazism, white power and possible genetic modification! A lot of people are going to be wondering just what these widely different subjects have to do with one another, and how could they possibly be linked into the same case?! I'll let Mr Jack Kerley tell you how. :)
Next thing a successful tv evangelist is found dead in hs house, an apparent s and m session that somehow went incredibly wrong.
What follows is an investigation that uncovers neo nazism, white power and possible genetic modification! A lot of people are going to be wondering just what these widely different subjects have to do with one another, and how could they possibly be linked into the same case?! I'll let Mr Jack Kerley tell you how. :)
Read
January 24, 2021I don't know what the deal is with this entry in the series, but I don't remember the author/MC virtue-signaling so hard in the previous books. This one got to the point where I had to just quit listening about halfway through. The scene that was the straw that broke the camel's back for me was when the MC (Carson) picked a fight with someone who parks nearby. The reason he picks a fight is because the dude has a confederate flag symbol on his truck, yet his plates were from Ohio. Carson proceeds to give a lecture to the guy about being ignorant about history and not understanding symbols and blah, blah, blah. I don't even know what happened at the end of the scene - when I finally turned it off in disgust with the morally superior smug attitude demonstrated by Carson (basically the author channeling his own sentiments), Carson was already in a physical fight with the dude. At that point I was rooting against Carson, so I knew it was over for me. There were other things that were building up before that point (the author's sentiments about religion/religious folks in general), but that was the final straw for me. Also, the proofing job on the audiobook book wasn't so great. The narrator would sometimes get the voices wrong (he'd make Carson sound like Harry and Harry like Carson) and would mumble over/mispronounce some of his words. As an audiobook proofer myself, that sort of thing can get to be way too distracting. At this point I'm not sure whether I'll finish the series, but I'm guessing I probably won't.
April 15, 2020
Book was great. 421 pages and an awesome twist on page 407...
But then I started to get worried because the author had SO much to tidy up. So many unanswered questions. At this point I’m sure there’s gonna be a cliffhanger and I’m gonna have to get out there and find the next book in the series. At this point I’m sure it is a series.
Instead the author cleaned up ALL of these unanswered questions in 10 pages. The ending RUINED the book. I have to say it was SO good all the way until page 408. Wtf man. How could you take this great story and rush through the complex ending like that. Really? Fuck.
I will read this guy again though. Because it really was that good until the end.
But then I started to get worried because the author had SO much to tidy up. So many unanswered questions. At this point I’m sure there’s gonna be a cliffhanger and I’m gonna have to get out there and find the next book in the series. At this point I’m sure it is a series.
Instead the author cleaned up ALL of these unanswered questions in 10 pages. The ending RUINED the book. I have to say it was SO good all the way until page 408. Wtf man. How could you take this great story and rush through the complex ending like that. Really? Fuck.
I will read this guy again though. Because it really was that good until the end.
August 5, 2020
a bit to far fetched for me but still had to read it to find out who was the murder, some pages i missed out as boring.
September 2, 2020
Another great Jack Kerley read.
December 18, 2015
This is very much a book of two parts. If I am to be honest, I would have given the first two thirds, two stars at most. However, the ending was gripping and explained some of the things I didn't like about the book to begin with, which would give the ending a solid 4 stars.
What I didn't like at the start was the over complicated plot lines, which appeared then vanished without explanation. It started with a child being found. then this whole story line was near abandoned half way through, with everything centering on the white power movement, and the Reverend. I also have to say, I didn't like Carson Ryder, he was just not nice, and his actions were not that believable. He swung from health food nut, to snarly depressive, to super human bullet charging hero, at the flick of a switch. OK, those are the things that nearly made me stop reading before I got to the good stuff.
The ending was very good, fast paced, riddled with twists, and the characters really bounced off the page by the end. I can see why so many of the evils, listed above, were necessary, given the ending you had in store for us all, but I worry that a good proportion of readers give up before they reach the gold at the end of the mine.
I know how many hours of hard work has gone into this work, and any negative comments are made with the intention of being helpful. I would encourage anyone taking up this book to overlook the few hurdles at the start, knowing that the ending will be worth it. If the author was going to do a review of this in a future date, I would simplify the plot slightly, to try and take some of the jumping out of it. We could easily loose Dr Fossie, and his mood altering prescriptions. without impacting on the end, leaving our main character a much more likable, and stable, feature.
In conclusion. I give it 3 stars, and will try another of Mr Kerley's books at some stage in the future.
What I didn't like at the start was the over complicated plot lines, which appeared then vanished without explanation. It started with a child being found. then this whole story line was near abandoned half way through, with everything centering on the white power movement, and the Reverend. I also have to say, I didn't like Carson Ryder, he was just not nice, and his actions were not that believable. He swung from health food nut, to snarly depressive, to super human bullet charging hero, at the flick of a switch. OK, those are the things that nearly made me stop reading before I got to the good stuff.
The ending was very good, fast paced, riddled with twists, and the characters really bounced off the page by the end. I can see why so many of the evils, listed above, were necessary, given the ending you had in store for us all, but I worry that a good proportion of readers give up before they reach the gold at the end of the mine.
I know how many hours of hard work has gone into this work, and any negative comments are made with the intention of being helpful. I would encourage anyone taking up this book to overlook the few hurdles at the start, knowing that the ending will be worth it. If the author was going to do a review of this in a future date, I would simplify the plot slightly, to try and take some of the jumping out of it. We could easily loose Dr Fossie, and his mood altering prescriptions. without impacting on the end, leaving our main character a much more likable, and stable, feature.
In conclusion. I give it 3 stars, and will try another of Mr Kerley's books at some stage in the future.
July 23, 2025
By the time we reach In the Blood, the Carson Ryder series has firmly cemented its place in the gritty, intelligent, and deeply psychological corner of the crime fiction world. This instalment feels darker, more personal, and more emotionally tangled than some of its predecessors, and it left a strong impression on me.
The book kicks off with a bang: the murder of controversial TV evangelist Reverend Scaler, found bound and beaten in what initially appears to be a seedy, sadomasochistic encounter gone wrong. But as always with Kerley, nothing is ever as simple—or as sordid—as it seems.
What makes In the Blood stand out is how layered the plot is. While Scaler’s high-profile murder sends shockwaves, Ryder is pulled in another direction entirely when a baby is found abandoned in a boat, dangerously close to death. A nearby shack reveals more carnage, and it soon becomes clear that these two seemingly separate threads are linked in ways no one could have anticipated.
Kerley plays with themes of corruption, religious hypocrisy, and the unsettling reality of power structures hiding evil behind polished façades. As the case spirals into something much bigger and murkier, Ryder finds himself not only trying to make sense of the crimes but also battling his own fraying emotional stability.
Carson Ryder remains one of the most compelling leads in crime fiction. He's sharp but increasingly frayed around the edges—his personal experiences with his murderous brother and the constant exposure to human darkness have taken a toll, and it shows. His detachment at the crime scenes feels authentic, even chilling, and it raises real questions about how long a good man can stare into the abyss before it begins to change him.
https://featzreviews.com/in-the-blood...
The book kicks off with a bang: the murder of controversial TV evangelist Reverend Scaler, found bound and beaten in what initially appears to be a seedy, sadomasochistic encounter gone wrong. But as always with Kerley, nothing is ever as simple—or as sordid—as it seems.
What makes In the Blood stand out is how layered the plot is. While Scaler’s high-profile murder sends shockwaves, Ryder is pulled in another direction entirely when a baby is found abandoned in a boat, dangerously close to death. A nearby shack reveals more carnage, and it soon becomes clear that these two seemingly separate threads are linked in ways no one could have anticipated.
Kerley plays with themes of corruption, religious hypocrisy, and the unsettling reality of power structures hiding evil behind polished façades. As the case spirals into something much bigger and murkier, Ryder finds himself not only trying to make sense of the crimes but also battling his own fraying emotional stability.
Carson Ryder remains one of the most compelling leads in crime fiction. He's sharp but increasingly frayed around the edges—his personal experiences with his murderous brother and the constant exposure to human darkness have taken a toll, and it shows. His detachment at the crime scenes feels authentic, even chilling, and it raises real questions about how long a good man can stare into the abyss before it begins to change him.
https://featzreviews.com/in-the-blood...
March 21, 2021
I gave the last two Carson Ryder novels five stars, and through most of this book I was expecting to give this one the same rating, however the last 50 pages or so seemed like a let down. The majority of the book was a thrill ride and kept me thinking about getting home to read this book, while I was at work. It was that thrilling. I had the reason for Carson's erratic behavior figured out, so that didn't bother me like it did other reviewers. It reminded me of the Brad Pitt - Morgan Freeman, where the main characters, who are detectives, are just there so we can see the crimes. The detectives make little or no contribution to solve the mystery. I didn't like it in that movie and in this book. Carson Ryder deserved a better vehicle. I'm a fan of J.A. Kerley and this series, he's a fine writer, but the end? Oh Jack. I don't buy that, "it lets you judge of who deserved what," drivel. So 5 stars for the first 390 pages and 2 stars for the last 31. Does that average out to 4 stars?
December 30, 2015
This will probably be my last Jack Kerley book.
Let's face it, this series is going nowhere. I'm not a writer and can't possibly presume to know what the author has in store, but as a reader, I can see this story going down a different path.
Carson Ryder is boring. He's a boring guy. His partner Harry would've made a better lead detective. Carson should've been the sidekick. Personally, I would've switched them.
But the biggest change I would've made would be to switch the whole series on it's head and make the story about Jeremy. In the previous book, he really made himself known and now I'm addicted to him. I was hoping for more 'involvement' on his behalf in this book, but sadly not.
I'm sure it sounds crazy to basically rewrite a book in your head as your reading but I can't help it, my imagination runs wild.
Let's face it, this series is going nowhere. I'm not a writer and can't possibly presume to know what the author has in store, but as a reader, I can see this story going down a different path.
Carson Ryder is boring. He's a boring guy. His partner Harry would've made a better lead detective. Carson should've been the sidekick. Personally, I would've switched them.
But the biggest change I would've made would be to switch the whole series on it's head and make the story about Jeremy. In the previous book, he really made himself known and now I'm addicted to him. I was hoping for more 'involvement' on his behalf in this book, but sadly not.
I'm sure it sounds crazy to basically rewrite a book in your head as your reading but I can't help it, my imagination runs wild.
June 15, 2011
Great read, as is now usual from Jack Kerley. However, not his best todate. This thriller centers around a baby who turns up in a boat, alone, near Ryders house, a T.V. Evangelist, White Supremacy, which all while appearing unrelated initially, all become linked to make another pacy thriller. Still, I have to say that I felt he complicated the plot too much, especially tying up and summarizing at the end. Like he ran out of a good idea and threw in one white rabbit too many.
March 17, 2016
I'm pretty fond of the Carson Ryder series but this was naff. The televangelist, the 'genetic rainbow' baby, the Aryan Brotherhood, a dominatrix and a nutritionist kind of sounds like the making of a very weird joke but is infact the overly complicated cast of supporting characters in a semi dull novel. Also there's a bit that might be the most transphobic thing I've ever read but I don't know if I've got the wrong end of the stick there.
September 13, 2011
Carson and Harry investigate the case of a minister who died during a supposed kinky sex game and a baby found in a boat. There seemed to be too many threads in this novel which were confusing at times and that stopped me from giving this 5 stars. Brilliant otherwise though and I cannot wait to read the rest of this series.
May 30, 2011
Amazing!! I'm not a big reader but even I couldn't put this book down. After finishing it I just couldn't wait to know what happens next. The best thing about this story is that there are so many unexpected twists and turns that it's impossible to predict. I would suggest this book to anyone with strong guts :D
July 16, 2012
There was quite a lot going on in this book in regard to the plot and a bit of character development for long-standing characters, but at the same time this wasn't one of the best Kerley books, definitely not one of the worst, but for some reason I just couldn't get into this novel as easily as some such as 'Her Last Scream' or 'Blood Brother'.
August 16, 2010
Despite the fact there is merely a mention of Jeremy in this book, I really enjoyed it. Carson and Harry are solving the murder of a televangelist and trying to find who kidnapped a baby from the hospital- and do they tie together? Completely unexpected ending- really enjoyed it!
October 24, 2011
Fifth Carson Ryder book from Jack Kerley. Entertaining enough without being one of his best. A heady brew of evangelical preachers, white supremacists, rogue genetic scientists and bizarre sexual practices.
August 20, 2012
Probably one of my favourite books in the series, this novel featuring carson ryder and harry nautilus has themes of white supremacy and preacher type religion running throughout it. With a great twist and a happy ending, I'm looking forward to reading the next installment.
August 18, 2012
I thought there were too many characters in this book and it was hard to keep track of all their relationships, especially as Ryder was being an incredibly unpleasant character throughout the whole book.
September 5, 2012
Complicated plot which is all explained in the end, a few twists and a couple of heroes who are as complicated as their cases. Only have one more book to read then it's back to hanging around the library waiting for the next one to appear.
August 3, 2013
I love jack kerley and his creation Carson Ryder. this is an intricate plot where a number of stands are pulled together. the story has a good set of twists and turns along the way and keeps you wanting to find out what will happen next!
August 17, 2009
Another good story in the Carson Ryder series, good plot with interesting subject matter. Recommended.
April 26, 2010
This wasn't my favorite of his. I liked the idea of whether certain people deserve redemption, but it seemed to simply be an everyday novel rather than a Jack Kerley-style novel.
June 28, 2010
Another good one in the Ryder series.
February 2, 2011
Not the best in the series, heres hoping the next one is better.
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April 2, 2012this was very good. I really like the twist, which was a lot more than a story twist. Sort of. Very clever. And quite believable.
February 10, 2013
Not a bad read. First book I had read by J Kerley. A quick read and quite humorous in parts. Will look out for others.
July 11, 2013
Another enjoyable edition of the Carson and Nautilus show
May 22, 2010
Didn't think that this one was as good as the others in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews