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paulabrandon's review
4.0
A killer has infiltrated an underground railroad network that helps women escape domestic violence. Women spirited into the system are showing up horribly murdered. Carson Ryder and Harry Nautilus are put on the case. It's decided to put a female officer undercover in the system to see where the women are possibly being grabbed. Unfortunately, the officer they pick is Reinetta Early, and she just happens to be Harry's niece.
Exciting and suspenseful serial killer thriller. It's biggest drawback is the mid-section, where the pacing slows to an absolute, interminable crawl as the plot becomes little more than Carson, Harry and other cops following Reinetta from location to location, trying to leave her a gun and a GP locator so they can track her. Holy moly, it got so dull it took me out of the story and I put the book down for days at at time. There clearly wasn't quite enough plot here for a proper full-length novel.
But, man, does this one stick the landing! After that terrible mid-section, it really kicks into gear and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. It delivers some nifty unexpected plot twists, gives us answers to all the plot strands, and was just nasty enough to really have me on the edge of my seat. This isn't for the faint of heart! The climax had my jaw hanging open in shock. Now, that's how you make me forget about that turgid, snore-inducing mid-section!
Great start, terribly boring middle part, amazing final stretch. This is a slick, twisted serial killer tale that will please fans of the genre. Although part of a series, this can easily be read as a standalone.
Exciting and suspenseful serial killer thriller. It's biggest drawback is the mid-section, where the pacing slows to an absolute, interminable crawl as the plot becomes little more than Carson, Harry and other cops following Reinetta from location to location, trying to leave her a gun and a GP locator so they can track her. Holy moly, it got so dull it took me out of the story and I put the book down for days at at time. There clearly wasn't quite enough plot here for a proper full-length novel.
But, man, does this one stick the landing! After that terrible mid-section, it really kicks into gear and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. It delivers some nifty unexpected plot twists, gives us answers to all the plot strands, and was just nasty enough to really have me on the edge of my seat. This isn't for the faint of heart! The climax had my jaw hanging open in shock. Now, that's how you make me forget about that turgid, snore-inducing mid-section!
Great start, terribly boring middle part, amazing final stretch. This is a slick, twisted serial killer tale that will please fans of the genre. Although part of a series, this can easily be read as a standalone.
justinbuffalo's review
5.0
I devoured this book! Might be the best in the Ryder series since 100th Man. Fantastic storyline, characters, and suspense.
mrsbooknerd's review
5.0
This was the first Jack Kerley novel that I read and I was instantly involved in the plot and the longstanding characters of Carson Ryder and Harry Nautilus. I felt that it was both fast-paced and full of twists right up till the end, and I was genuinely a bit tense throughout! A really enjoyable Crime/mystery book.
raven88's review
3.0
Been a fan of the Carson/Nautilus series for some time and always look forward to the next instalment but did find myself a wee bit disappointed with this one. Although the central premise of somebody targeting abused women using the modern day equivalent of the old slavery underground railroad was interesting, I'm afraid to say that I did find this book a little stilted in the unfolding of the story. I also thought the rather unbelievable inclusion of Nautilus' nearest and dearest being thrust into the path of a killer after so little time in the police force did grate on me and also subdued the natural and entertaining interplay between himself and Carson as Nautilus spends the whole book with his panties in a bunch. Whilst not the best of the series new readers could pick up and enjoy this and then have the joy of going back and starting Kerley's series from the beginning.
lifeonmybookcase's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. The idea's were original, it was fast paced and engaging, and at times humerous. I did figure the mystery out before the big reveal, but it didn't lessen my enjoyment of this book.
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