Hit the road Jack

Jack Ryder Mystery, book 1

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Pub Date Mar 25 2015 | Archive Date Apr 22 2024
Buoy Media | Mystery Series

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Description

The first heart-stopping, enthralling serial killer thriller in the million-copy bestselling Jack Ryder Mystery Series.

Ben is supposed to be in school.It's Monday morning, but his parents are still asleep after a night of heavy drinking.

Ben waits patiently, even though he knows he is missing out on today's field trip to the zoo.

But, when his black Labrador suddenly runs upstairs and comes down with a finger in his mouth, Ben knows he's not making it to school today at all.

Detective Jack Ryder is chaperoning his kids' field trip when he gets the call from the head of the Cocoa Beach Police Department.

A body has been found, and they need his help. Soon, Jack finds himself up against a killer, a predator who ruthlessly chases women and kills them so they can never leave him.

The case soon causes serious consequences for him and his family once the truth is revealed.


With her new hero, Jack Ryder, as a loving father and committed detective, a new location in tropical Florida, and a story that moves at an incredible pace, Hit the Road Jack is Willow Rose at the top of her game.

The first heart-stopping, enthralling serial killer thriller in the million-copy bestselling Jack Ryder Mystery Series.

Ben is supposed to be in school.It's Monday morning, but his parents are still...


Advance Praise

3000 five-star reviews on Goodreads and Amazon.

3000 five-star reviews on Goodreads and Amazon.


Available Editions

EDITION Paperback
ISBN 9781511529495
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Average rating from 48 members


Featured Reviews

I went through this rather quickly since the book had a steady pace. It did go between times in history to help build the story and link it all together, but that is well noted if you pay attention. There are many smaller moving parts and characters that help drive the story along. As well as some sub plots and love interests. We always need someone to save for the hero.

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I enjoyed this thriller. I thought it had a steady pace with plenty of plot twists. I have always enjoyed this authors books and this didn’t disappoint!

Thank you to publisher for chance to read this book!

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Jack Ryder is a cop in Cocoa Beach, FL. He has young twins (boy and girl) and a teenaged daughter that he adopted when her single mother who was Jack's partner died in a police action. They live in a condo on the beach near the small tourist motel his parents are running in their retirement. Jack gets involved in some interesting cases.

I'll just stop right here and say that I chose 4 of Willow Rose's books to review, never having heard of this author before, but always a fan of a good law enforcement story. Wow! I was hooked immediately. I then discovered that Ms. Rose is a prolific writer and proceeded to order all her books from 3 of her series so I could read the WHOLE story. I had a reading marathon. I am hooked and can't wait to read more. Highly recommend anything by this author!

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

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Hit the Road Jack is another hit by Willow Rose! I especially love all the details that she weaves into her storytelling.
Ben should be in school, but his parents are still sleeping after a long night of partying. He tries waiting, even though it means that he'll miss the field trip to the zoo. But his dog, Bobby, unexpectedly runs up to his parent's room and that leads Ben to a gruesome discovery.
Detective Jack Ryder is driving the bus for his twins' field trip and receives a call from the head of the Cocoa Beach Police Department. Since a body's been found, they need him on location. Soon, he finds himself dealing with a killer, someone who ruthlessly hunts women. Soon the case causes serious repercussions for Jack and his family as more facts come to light.

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Good mystery and what could be further from anyone's mind than a brutal murder and the son downstairs with the husband in the bed next to the victim. Jack Ryder moved to Cocoa Beach to get away from this type of detective work but here he is again. He can get away from it by surfing and being with his twins. His mom & dad are right next door and such a help. Oops! There is another murder and a disappearance. Is this the beginning or has it been going on but just not in their community. You must read for yourself.

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I truly enjoyed this fast paced story, didn't want to out it down. Thrilling and exciting! I love how the past met the present in a seamless fashion. I can't wait to read the next in the series.

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I discovered Willow Rose on NetGalley and cannot wait to read each and every one of her novels now. "Hit the Road Jack" is a light, easy read but full of suspense. I loved this novel so much, and highly recommend you find her novels and sit down for a long read!

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Willow Rose's books are not for everyone. They are not the normal, follow the guidebook to the desired destination type of books. She writes a little bit of every genre ther is and will definitely mix them up to give a story a good twist. That being said....I "buy" Rose's books without reading the synopsis. Yes, many of her books are free, but I'd still buy them. You are guaranteed a different kind of story that will cause you to say....HMMMM. I recommend them to my reading family simply because they are different.

This is the 1st book in the Jack Ryder series. Ryder is a police detective who solves unusual crimes using unusual methods. I found the book both enjoyable and a quick read. Willow Rose is a prolific writer with an impressive back library. Enjoy her work.

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Like untangling a ball of string, there are many strands in this story that may seem confusing (many POVs and jumping different time lines) but this author knows how to sort it all out so that everything makes sense in the end. There are many twists and turns that will keep you riveted to the story. . I find this author’s books best to read in one sitting. Because of the many different POVs so I find I get into a groove and can more easily identify the voice when I read it in one go.

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I did not mamage to finish this book as it is hard to read off my phone. But the portion I did read was very well written. I will likely buy this to read on my Kindle

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A good start to what is hopefully a good series. Moved a bit slowly but ultimately was a good read
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this arc

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Willow Rose is an author who I have noticed but had never gotten around to reading. The titles of the books are interesting. Well, when I saw this on netgalley, it was the push I needed to finally try out one of her books.
Hit the road Jack is the first in the Jack Ryder series based in Cocoa Beach, Florida
Jack is a single dad with twins and an adopted teenager. He is a homicide detective who moved from the big city to a smaller town. He's hoping for much more relaxation and fewer murders to solve. It doesn't look like he will get what he's hoping for.

There are several stories in different timelines happening in this crime drama. They will of course all connect at some point. My only complaint was each chapter started with a date but was sometimes difficult at first to realize who was speaking.

This was a great start to a new series. I liked the characters and am interested to see how they develop over the next books in the series.

This book published in 2015

Thanks to netgalley and Buoy Media for the complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.

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I discovered Willow Rose on KU a while back and cannot wait to read each and every one of her novels now. "Hit the Road Jack" is a light, easy read but full of suspense. I loved this book so much and think it is a great start to a new series

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Hit the Road Jack, by Willow Rose. Oh wow! I am so glad that I have finally gotten the chance to read one of the most anticipated books from the popular author, Willow Rose. This book so did not disappoint me. I was hanging to every suspenseful corner that the writer took me in this thriller.
I loved that there were a couple of scenes that had me shocked. I say I may have whiplashed my neck a couple of times, but those were the best parts to the book. I still do not know how Jack closed four cases at the same time. I mean dang, that’s a lot of paper work. The writer did a wonderful job with providing detailed information that explained actions or scenarios in the book.
This definitely helped me understand things more clearly in the book. I though having Jack as a single dad with three kids is a good action hero to have. I was happy to read that Jack spent a lot of time with his kids. His character is very close to them. I would have like seen him have a closer relationship with Emily, and share conversations with her just as he does with the twins.
I am still on the fence with introducing Shannon in as a love interest when Jack hasn’t connected that father daughter bond with Emily. Plus Emily’s character seems to except Jacks family, and it’s been ten years. I still believe that the book was a hit. I was excited to read the book and I was very much entertained by how all the stories tied together giving me a Big Bang in the end. I give this book two snaps and a, I will never look at toilets the same way again.
Until next time my fellow readers… read on!

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First time reading Willow Rose but definitely won’t be my last. Awesome characters that kept me invested in the story. Great storyline and it was expertly delivered. Very well done. Lots of dark twists and turns.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book

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With as many Willow Rose books as I've read, including the Jack Ryder series, it's hard to believe that I had NEVER read this one! What a pleasant surprise! And I loved learning how Jack and Shannon met. It's so hard to put down a WR book once you're started!

The only negative I can come up with is the fact that so many people were having affairs/cheating on their spouses. Yes, I know that was necessary for the plot line but was rather discouraging to think that these things really do happen. Also, some of the sexual encounters were described. Ick!

Now I need to go looking to see if there are any other Willow Rose books I have missed. Thank you, NetGalley, for giving me this opportunity!

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Hit The Road Jack by Willow Rose is first book in a series. This is an intense serial killer mystery. Detective Jack Ryder is investigating the serial murderer known as “Snake Charmer”. He uses snakes to gain access to his victims. Told from multiple POV’s this is a fast-paced thriller. Lots of twists and turns keep you glued to your seat and turning pages. I have loved everything I have read by Willow Rose. She tells captivating stories that are always gripping thrillers. I will continue this series. Thanks to NetGalley and Buoy Media for this free eARC.

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The story "Hit the Road Jack" by Willow Rose was very surprising to me, as I had no idea that she would be able to create such a complex and unsettling world. The way the story was written was also very well thought-out. I was also surprised that the main character was able to survive the attack. Lots of heat and suspense.

I knew that Jack would be a great lead character, and the name of the series was Jack Ryder. He was a strong and handsome detective, with a great support system, and his kids are very precious. Also, I had no idea that Shannon would be such an interesting character, but I can't help but say that she is a caring person. I'm excited to read more of the Jack Ryder series.

The story is very good and mysterious, as it features a murder and the son being found in the bed next to his victim. Jack Ryder had moved to Cocoa Beach in order to get away from his job as a detective, but he is back in this type of work now. He can spend time with his family by surfing and playing with his twins. However, when he learns that there is another murder and a missing person in the community, he is not able to help but suspect that something is happening.

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Hit the Road Hack has a great premise. Sadly the plot drags a bit and isn’t as coherent as other books by the author. Still a decent read and I did enjoy it.

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Another great read by this author. Full of suspense, thrilling twists and turns and an ending that was unpredictable.

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Author Willow Rose has spun a complex yarn about bitterness, betrayal and murder. This story skips around with different characters and time frames don't seem to tie together until much later in the story. It begins with a prologue of a murder in 2012 from the victim's point of view. Then the story hops to 2015 when a young boy's dog brings him his mother's finger. Detective Jack Ryder has been called to the scene where the victim lays strangled on her bed, her fingers and toes removed. and her husband asleep by her side. As Ryder investigates, more bodies start to fall. But then we are presented with a story that begins in 1984, a tale of an unfortunate young woman and a promising future stolen by circumstances. I usually dislike nonlinear stories, finding them unnecessarily confusing. But in this masterfully written story, the reader can eventually see where the subplot is headed. The way the story develops is masterfully handled. Although the reader can predict how the stories all tie together, the clues were subtle enough to keep the actual killer from being obvious. The characters are interesting and well developed. Jack’s interaction with the children all ring true. And although the parents are not as well fleshed out, they are interesting. This author was new to me, but I can certainly see why she has a reputation as a master of thriller genre.

I recommend this book to anyone who reads thrillers.

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for this free ebook in exchange for an unbiased review.

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I love this series - each book surprises me, and it is never easy to guess the villain. The book alternates between two different timelines, since events that occurred in the 1990's shaped what happened in 2015. Cocoa Beach (aside from the mayhem) also makes me nostalgic for our family vacations in the 1990's. We stayed in small towns much like Cocoa beach, with family owned restaurants and motels.

This is the first book that Jack Ryder appears in. He is a detective in Cocoa Beach, who is separated from his wife and is caring for their children - twins and an older adopted child. When Jack gets the call that a body has been found, he is driving the school bus.

Once again, I could not guess the villain. One thing that stands out in these books is how much events of the past have shaped the present. I highly recommend this series to lovers mystery set in small town old Florida.

I received an e-ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. It was my pleasure to read and review it.

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"Hit the road Jack" by Willow Rose is a gripping and suspenseful thriller that immediately draws readers into a chilling and suspenseful world of crime and intrigue. The story begins with a harrowing scene where young Ben, the protagonist, finds himself in a disturbing and dangerous situation while his parents are incapacitated by their own vices.

The introduction of Detective Jack Ryder adds another layer of intrigue to the narrative. Jack is a relatable character, balancing the responsibilities of parenthood with the demands of his job. His involvement in a murder investigation that disrupts his family life adds depth to his character and raises the stakes for the reader.

Willow Rose's storytelling is both atmospheric and emotionally charged, creating a sense of unease and tension that lingers throughout the novel. The plot unfolds methodically, offering readers a complex puzzle to unravel. As the story progresses, the suspense intensifies, and the identity of the killer remains shrouded in mystery.

The novel explores themes of obsession, manipulation, and the devastating consequences of one person's actions on the lives of others. It delves into the psychology of a predator and the determination of those who seek justice.

One of the strengths of Hit the road Jack is the well-developed cast of characters. Each character, whether a victim, a detective, or a suspect, is intricately woven into the narrative, making their experiences and motivations feel authentic.

The book also paints a vivid picture of the coastal town of Cocoa Beach, setting the stage for a series of chilling events that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Overall, Hit the road Jack is a gripping thriller that combines a compelling plot with well-drawn characters and a palpable sense of suspense. Willow Rose keeps readers guessing until the final, shocking revelation, making this a must-read for fans of crime fiction and psychological thrillers.

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A new series from an author i love. This is going to be a good one. Love the character of Jack and a great storyline
Definitely recommend

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Florida, detective, procedural, psychological-thriller, suspense, fiction, noir, serial-killer, serial-murder, first-in-series, local-law-enforcement, family-by-choice, family-drama, family-dynamics, famous-author****

Jack Ryder is a Homicide Detective and single father of rambunctious six-year-old twins and a friend's daughter. The first murder was of the mother of one of the kids in their class. But it wasn't simple, there was conflicting evidence and then there was the dismemberment and bathing in bleach. And that was just the beginning. Fascinating story!
I requested and received a free temporary EARC from Buoy Media via NetGalley. Thank you!
#JackRyderBk1

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Willow Rose always leave me wanting and need more of her work and this is no different. From the characters to the plot it’s amazing

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I have read other books by this author and I really enjoyed them, as I did this one as well. It moved along pretty quickly, the characters were well developed and fun to learn about. I thought the storyline was also written well. It was fun and well paced. It included a serial killer,, which is one reason I wanted to read it! I was very happy with this book. I do recommend it!

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Willow Rose’s Hit the Road Jack is a gripping and fast-paced thriller that expertly weaves suspense with emotional depth. The story follows the harrowing journey of a woman on the run, grappling with a dark past and the dangerous secrets that threaten her future.

Rose's writing is taut and engaging, pulling readers into a world filled with tension and intrigue. The protagonist is complex and relatable, navigating her fears and desires as she seeks to reclaim her life. The supporting characters add richness to the narrative, each bringing their own motives and challenges to the plot.

The pacing is relentless, with unexpected twists that keep readers on the edge of their seats. Themes of resilience, betrayal, and the quest for freedom are skillfully interwoven, making the story not only thrilling but also thought-provoking.

Overall, Hit the Road Jack is a compelling read that will appeal to fans of psychological thrillers. It’s a gripping tale of survival and self-discovery that lingers long after the final page.

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