Title: BURIED ALIVE – Carson Ryder #07
Author: Jack Kerley
ISBN: 9780007350018
Publisher: Harper Collins
Pages: 400
Source: Library Books
Soon after witnessing the escape of violent psychopath Bobby Crayline from prison, Alabama detective Carson Ryder takes a rare break in the mountains. But his vacation is interrupted when an anonymous phone call summons him to the scene of a grisly murder. With more savage killings, and the heavy-handed FBI only inflaming the situation, Ryder and local detective Donna Cherry sift through the increasingly bizarre clues. Is there more than one killer on the loose? And how does Carson’s clinically insane brother, Jeremy, now on the run, fit into the picture? It is down to Ryder to unearth horrors from the past that others believe should remain buried…
Official Summary
17 September 2025
Buried Alive is a dark, fast-paced, and chilling thriller that kept me hooked from the very first chapter. Jack Kerley once again proves why the Carson Ryder series is so addictive—he knows how to weave together psychological suspense, gruesome murders, and complex family dynamics into a story that’s as disturbing as it is compelling.
This time, Carson Ryder is hoping for a rare moment of peace in the mountains when news of a violent psychopath’s prison escape sets things in motion. But just as he’s trying to relax, he’s pulled into a grisly murder investigation that spirals quickly into chaos. Alongside local detective Donna Cherry, Carson dives deep into a case full of bizarre clues, escalating killings, and constant twists. Adding to the tension is the FBI’s heavy-handed interference and Carson’s own complicated past—especially the shadow of his clinically insane brother, Jeremy, whose role in the unfolding events keeps you questioning everyone’s motives.
I loved how Kerley balanced the gruesome, dark atmosphere with intricate detective work. The pacing is relentless, with just enough moments of calm to let you breathe before throwing you right back into danger. Carson continues to be an intriguing protagonist—sharp, flawed, and deeply human—and his relationship with Jeremy adds an unpredictable edge that makes the story even more unsettling.
That being said, some of the plot developments were a little wild, and there were moments where I had to suspend disbelief, but honestly, it didn’t detract from the experience. The tension builds beautifully, the twists are clever, and the ending ties everything together in a way that’s both shocking and satisfying.
If you enjoy gritty crime thrillers with dark family secrets, unpredictable killers, and investigations that keep you guessing until the very last page, Buried Alive is an excellent addition to the Carson Ryder series. It’s unsettling, addictive, and definitely not for the faint of heart.
Also by Jack Kerley
LITTLE GIRLS LOST – Carson Ryder #06
Children are disappearing in Mobile, Alabama, the latest snatched from her own bedroom. There are no clues – and, as yet, no bodies. Homicide Detective Carson Ryder is called in to investigate the abduction of little LaShelle Shearing, only to find the case getting tangled up in murky departmental and civic politics. And with his partner Harry Nautilus fighting for his life after being viciously attacked, Carson is feeling increasingly isolated. Public rage is now reaching dangerous levels, and Ryder’s bosses turn for help to ex-Detective Conner Sandhill, whose uncanny ability to spot connections and details missed by others is legendary – but who left the department under a cloud. Ryder and Sandhill form an uneasy alliance in the hunt for the missing children, a hunt which becomes all the more urgent for tragic personal reasons. But at the root of these disappearances is something truly evil! And its source is closer to home than either could have imagined.
About the Author
Author bio from the author’s site
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.
I have been working through the Carson Ryder books; unfortunately, they have not been easy to get hold of, so it’s been a slow process. But I am more than halfway, with only six more books to go. A review of Her Last Scream will follow soon. Until next time…. Happy Reading!
