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Carson Ryder Books in Order

13 Books
2004 – 2017 Published
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Reading order

Recommended Carson Ryder Reading Order

To fully experience Detective Carson Ryder's character growth, his complex partnership with Harry Nautilus, and his ongoing psychological struggle with his serial-killer brother, Jeremy, you should read the series in publication order. The narrative builds sequentially, so starting at the beginning prevents major spoilers regarding Carson's family background.

Carson Ryder Books in Publication Order

Here is the chronological order of the Carson Ryder series by Jack Kerley (published under both Jack Kerley and J.A. Kerley):

  • The Hundredth Man (2004) – The debut novel introducing Carson, his partner Harry, and the dark secret of his imprisoned brother.
  • The Death Collectors (2005) – A dive into the macabre world of serial killer memorabilia.
  • A Garden Of Vipers (2006) – Published in some regions under the alternative title The Broken Souls.
  • Blood Brother (2008) – A high-stakes case that takes Carson to New York on the trail of an escaped killer.
  • In The Blood (2008) – Carson deals with a series of bizarre and theatrical murders.
  • Little Girls Lost (2008) – Carson is drawn into a cold case that turns hot and dangerous.
  • Buried Alive (2010) – A chilling race against time to rescue victims buried underground.
  • Her Last Scream (2011) – The detectives investigate a killer staging elaborate, theatrical crime scenes.
  • The Killing Game (2013) – A deadly contest that threatens everyone Carson holds dear.
  • The Death Box (2013) – A mysterious cargo and a string of bodies keep the detectives guessing.
  • The Memory Killer (2014) – A predator in Miami who leaves his victims with no memory of the crime.
  • The Apostle (2014) – The investigation of a highly influential and dangerous cult.
  • The Death File (2017) – The final entry in the series, dealing with a dangerous blacklist of targets.

Key Reading Caveats and Alternate Titles

Keep these details in mind as you collect or read the books:

  • Author Pseudonyms: Depending on the publisher and edition, you might see the author listed as either Jack Kerley or J.A. Kerley. Both names refer to John Albert Kerley.
  • Alternate Title: The third installment, A Garden of Vipers, is also widely known as The Broken Souls. They are the same book, so there is no need to purchase both.
  • No Spin-offs or Co-authored Works: Unlike some massive thriller franchises, Jack Kerley wrote every Carson Ryder novel solo, and there are no spin-offs featuring secondary characters. Harry Nautilus remains Carson's loyal partner throughout the core books.

Frequently Asked

QWhere should I start reading the Carson Ryder series?

You should start with the first book, The Hundredth Man (2004). This sets up Carson's background, his partner Harry Nautilus, and his relationship with his serial-killer brother, Jeremy.

QWho is the author of the Carson Ryder series?

The books are written by John Albert Kerley, published under the names Jack Kerley and J.A. Kerley.

QAre A Garden of Vipers and The Broken Souls different books?

No, they are the same novel. A Garden of Vipers was published under the title The Broken Souls in some regions.

QIs there a spin-off series focusing on Harry Nautilus?

No, Harry Nautilus does not have his own spin-off series. He remains a main character and Carson's partner throughout the original 13 books.

QIs the chronological order different from the publication order?

No, the chronological storyline matches the publication order of the books. It is best to read them in the order they were released.

QHow many books are in the Carson Ryder series?

There are 13 books in the series, starting with The Hundredth Man in 2004 and concluding with The Death File in 2017.