Jack Kerley

If you missed Jack Kerley’s The Hundredth Man (Signet, 396 pages, $7.99) when it first appeared last year, snatch it up now in paperback. This serial killer mystery, a first novel by Kerley, is a gem of the genre.

Carson Ryder is a detective whose star has risen very fast in the Mobile, Alabama, police department. Because of his amazing success on a prior serial killer case, he and his partner Harry have been assigned to a new unit, the Psychopathological and Sociopathological show more Investigation Team – derisively nicknamed “Piss-It” for short. The new unit is supposed to have jurisdiction whenever a particularly ugly and insane-seeming murder comes along. Not too many cases meet those criteria, and the brass isn’t too crazy about the idea in any event, especially with Carson – something of a loose cannon – at the helm. Even when a case clearly falling within the scope of PSIT’s mission comes along, Carson and Harry find themselves dealing more with the chain of command, the paperwork, and the useless details than with the murders themselves.

Carson has a secret ingredient to add to the mix, his own special consultant. Add to that his attempts to help a new pathologist with talent to burn who seems intent on burning out, and it’s a compelling recipe.

One of the greatest strengths of this book is the attention Kerley pays to how an inept bureaucracy can screw things up so badly that people get hurt. Whether it’s because a macho boss has to maintain some sense of control over a detective who is brighter than he is, or because a boss thinks she can get excellent work out of her employees only by constant, debilitating criticism, or because politics always trumps performance, Kerley knows how the working world works. This lesson feels especially relevant in light of the news about FEMA, New Orleans and Louisiana officials and their reaction to Hurricane Katrina. Maybe if we paid more attention to those who know what they’re doing, and less to those who know only how to spit shine their shoes, fewer lives would be lost.

There’s no question that Kerley’s newest book, The Death Collectors, is high on my list of books to read next (an odd category of books in my house, encompassing approximately four shelves, similar to the infamous Rolling Shelves Rick gives us a glimpse of daily). With a bookstore gift certificate burning a hole in my wallet, I’m guessing that this new mystery will soon adorn my study like a new jewel. show less

There is no doubt given the title that Kerley will lead readers in to dark territory in the sixth Carson Ryder novel. Kerley virgins can start with this book, since it can easily be read standalone, however there are be a few nods that make reading the series in sequence worthwhile. That noted, this is the strongest of the series so far. There is a remarkably different feel to Little Girls Lost compared to the previous ones, Kerley maturing in his style, building on what works, leaving show more behind some of the baggage. The initial hook of this series was that Ryder, a police detective had a psychopath sibling (originally in jail) and he would bounce ideas off of him to solve crimes. The relationship was a necessary plot device, usually clunky and the narrative somewhat distracting. The wins in the series came from the banter within the department and between Carson and his partner Nautilus.

Here though it receives a decent shake up. Initially this seems to be a Carson solo adventure, however quickly a new character takes centre stage. A quirky and fascinating ex-detective Conner Sandhill. The style of narrative used for Sandhill is very similar to those mysterious Koontz characters. Sandhill talks in almost-riddles, has unusually keen senses and offers curve-balls to the story, which are entertaining and engaging. His character is a joy to read, relegating a rather plain Ryder to wallpaper.

Typical of Kerley, there are a set of contrivances and coincidences that are somewhat unlikely, however the sheer fun presented makes up for them, in a Patterson like fashion. Definitely worth reading. show less

For a first novel that sails in heavily charted waters (James Ellroy's L.A. Confidential and Nelson DeMille's alternating first-and-third person viewpoints come to mind), The Hundredth Man is surprisingly fresh and effective. That's because it does all the little things so well: humorous dialogue, insomnia-inducing suspense, multifaceted characters, and a tightly structured plot that navigates twists and turns a-plenty without veering off the rails.
The only part that didn't work for me is a show more critical physical resemblance that's necessary to understanding the killer's motive but unknowable to the reader until revealed. All in all, though, this was a great read, and I'm looking forward to Carson Ryder's (and his evil alter ego Jeremy's) next adventures.

-Kevin Joseph, author of "The Champion Maker" show less

If you like gritty, sometimes gruesome murder novels this entire series will satisfy the "blood lust". This one explored more the love/hate relationship between Carson the detective... and Jeremy...his killer, formally imprisoned, brother. The entire Carson family has secrets that they are more than happy to have stay hidden but were bound to come to light. In many ways it was a lot like [Silence of the Lambs]. It's twisted tale...for lack of a better word...but you must read on to discover show more all the surprising revelations which this reader hopes will be built on in the next book. show less