Title: IN THE BLOOD – Carson Ryder #05
Author: Jack Kerley
ISBN: 9780007269099
Publisher: Harper Collins
Pages: 421
Source: Library Books
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?
Official Summary
23 July 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.
What I loved:
- The dual narrative threads keep the story taut and unpredictable.
- Kerley’s commentary on faith, morality, and public image is razor-sharp.
- The emotional stakes are incredibly high, especially with the baby’s fate hanging in the balance.
- The atmosphere is thick with tension and moral ambiguity.
In the Blood is a slow-burning, cerebral thriller that builds its intensity with every chapter. It’s not just about catching a killer—it’s about navigating a morally broken world while trying to protect what little innocence is left in it. Kerley strikes a near-perfect balance between suspense and introspection, and the result is one of the most thought-provoking books in the series.
Also by Jack Kerley
BLOOD BROTHERS – Carson Ryder #4
Detective Carson Ryder’s sworn duty is to track killers down. He’s never revealed the fact that his brother, Jeremy, is one of America’s most notorious killers – albeit imprisoned. Now though, his brother’s escaped and is at large in New York. With Jeremy the chief suspect in a series of horrifying mutilation-murders, a mysterious video demands Ryder be brought into help. What should be a straightforward manhunt couldn’t be more different – or more terrifying. A dangerous cat-and-mouse game develops between Jeremy and the NYPD with Ryder in the middle, trying to keep his brother alive and the cops in the dark. But it’s a game of life, death and deceit, a game with an unknown number of players and no clear way of winning …
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.
This one was another five-star read from Jack Kerley. I really cannot believe that it has taken me this long to work through this series. I have been forced to dig out my old reading journal to see which of the books I have read and which ones I must add to my TBR. As always, thank you for visiting the blog. Your support means the world to me. Until next time…. Happy Reading!
