Jack (J.A.) Kerley is an accomplished American author, well-known for his mystery novels. He is the writer of the Carson Ryder series, which has gained popularity for its thrilling and mysterious storylines. Before finding success as an author, Kerley spent two decades working in advertising. However, he found that writing novels was a more appealing career path, as it required dealing with only one deadline instead of multiple ones.
Kerley's novels have been translated into ten different languages and have been published in various countries around the world. He currently resides in Newport, Kentucky, with his wife and two children. Kerley's writing career began with the release of his first book, The Hundredth Man, which introduced the world to the Carson Ryder series. The series features Carson Ryder as the main protagonist, a young detective based in Mobile, Alabama. Ryder works to solve various mysteries that arise in the city, often partnering with a veteran detective named Harry Nautilius to track down serial killers. Kerley has written twelve books in the series and is currently working on the next installment.
In his youth, Kerley had a fascination with the Manson Family and their criminal activities. This interest in dysfunctional minds and serial killers has carried over into his writing career, providing inspiration for his novels. Kerley's former career in advertising required him to research various topics, including eyewear and meat products. However, he now prefers to focus his research efforts on understanding the criminal mind and creating thrilling and suspenseful stories for his readers.