Fortunately, Kerley has proven up to the task and then some with his new book, The Death Collectors, a tremendously well-done ride, once again featuring Detective Carson Ryder.

      The book centers around a serial killer named Marsden Hexcamp, who was killed thirty years earlier in the courtroom where he was about to be sentenced for the grisly murders he committed. When victims begin to show up in present day in ways that seem similar to Hexcamp's killings, Ryder and his partner Harry Nautilus investigate. Their investigation takes them into a bizarre world of "death collectors" - fans of serial killers who collect memorabilia related to serial killers. Ryder, as he did in The Hundredth Man, must again seek help from his brother Jeremy - the twist being that Jeremy makes his home in an insane asylum, as he, too, is a serial killer.

      Ryder is a character that really stands out in today's crime fiction world. He marches to the beat of his own drummer, isn't afraid to make the wrong decision, while he continues to try to do the right thing and seek the answers he needs. Kerley has given him an amount of depth not generally seen in protagonists in the thriller arena and Ryder is a character that readers will have no trouble liking. And Jeremy may be one of the most terrifying characters to come along since Hannibal Lecter.

      Kerley treats the reader to creative, sharp prose and a story that is at times scary and creepy, yet somehow believable. The sense of atmosphere that he creates puts you right on Mobile Bay, the soft breezes coming off the water and tickling your face as you turn the pages. He puts it all together skillfully in a more than satisfying conclusion that answers every question he posed for the reader.

      Simply put, this is one of the best books of the year - in any genre. Don't miss it.