Girl Next Door (Jack Ryder #5) (2024)

For me, author Willow Rose signals a guaranteed entertaining thriller novel, and this is true with Girl Next Door. She seems to specialize in serial killer tales. Even though I know this in advance, each of her novels catches me unawares with a surprise ending. Again, that is true with this novel but with a twist that I did not like. It had nothing to do with the mystery. That was good. Rose jumped back and forth in time to show the development of a splintered mind that would result in a serial killer. To find out who the killer was and discover motivation was like peeling an onion. Each layer had surprises; the novel was good and typical Willow Rose.

This is Book Five in the Jack Ryder series. It has 424 pages and was published on 10 October 2018. Its sequel, Book Six with the title of Her Final Word was published on 30 November 2018 and I will read it because I like the author’s writing. But I am not looking forward to it because the depiction of the character Jack Ryder in Girl Next Door was so unrealistic and disappointing. I will read the sequel with a type of morbid fascination to see if Rose Willow reconstructs a more realistic Jack Ryder. I don’t mind the cost because both novels are available on Kindle Unlimited as a free read to subscribers.

In Girl Next Door the entire relationship story of Jack Ryder with wife Shannon could be ripped out of this novel and repackaged as a romance novel complete with cover of a half-clad, sweating in the summer sun Jack. He would be waxing a surfboard. Shannon would be on a stage somewhere covered with as little clothing as possible while belting out a viral hit tune. At least there would be no bodices ripping. This side story of their relationship made it difficult for me to pay attention to the dismemberments and decapitations occurring elsewhere in the story.

We know from previous novels that Jack Ryder was a cop in the big city. He returned to his home of Cocoa Beach, Florida where he serves as a sometimes cop, whenever he has the time for it. His mother and father run a motel where Jack helps when he is not solving mysteries the small-town force cannot fathom. Part-time cop, a part-time handyman, full-time father in this novel to six children, Jack is lucky to have nearby parents to help him take care of the kids occasionally. Like when he is solving heinous crimes. Where is Shannon? She is on the road promoting her music career.

This means Jack must be a full-time daddy or househusband almost to the point of being a single parent. Readers going through the experience of raising children will be amused by the stories of recovered slime (a favorite toy of one child) and the impossibility of ever achieving a moment in the day when there is nothing to do but sit back and view with satisfaction a job well done. There will always be one more demand on the part of a child, especially when there are six to contend with. Some of Jack’s kids are insufferable but Jack treats them with some sort of new-age uber-liberal permissiveness that I found unrealistic for a character that must fish a least dirty garment out of a laundry basket for his daughter then proceed to a horrific crime scene.

Despite my unhappiness with Jack, I will read the next book in the hope that Willow Rose rescues Jack from Parent Purgatory. I usually give novels by this author five stars but for this one, I only give four. Good on crime and mystery. A bit thin on the psychological part. Totally unrealistic on the home front and parenting.

Where to begin... First I will say they I like the characters. Jack Ryder is a well developed imperfect character who is easily likable.
What I disliked was the lack of police procedures. There were so many avenues of investigation that weren't followed through with. Seems everything just lands in his lap without effort. If the focus was more on the actual investigation I would have rated it higher but I did not care about all his personal issues all that much. The poor daughter who had eating issues was basically ignored throughout the story until the end. She could've been dead in her room for all we knew. This story went in too many directions with no satisfaction. Keep it simple, focus on the case at hand, and leave the fluff behind.

This is book #5 in the Jack Ryder series. The Queen of Scream has written a wonderful series and each book gets better and better. In this book, Jack has transferred to the Cocoa Beach, FL. police office. The commute is only a few minutes away. Another plus, he is able to take care of his 6 children and get them off to school, while his wife, the famous country singer, Shannon King, is touring all over the country. He has another plus, his parents live there and can take care of his children, when needed.
His specialty is unsolved cases and serial killers. All of a sudden there is a spate of serial killings. One of the older police officers reminds him about an old serial killer. He did some pretty nasty killings, including beheading a person. He then put a plastic bag over the other people and strangled them. These killings are the done the same way, except for the beheading. Jack is trying to figure out if the killings are done by the same person or is it a copy cat killer. If it is the same person why did the person wait so long to repeat the murders.
Ms. Rose has written a baffling and mysterious murder case. Also, not only has Jack a dangerous case to solve he also has own problems at home to deal with. Ms. Rose has written a novel with twists and turns. I guarantee you will not figure out "whodunit" until the very end.

Wonderfully written! I love Willow Rose, and she didn't disappoint with this book!

The characters really drew me in and I didn't see the ending coming! The twists and turns were perfectly timed!

Another Jack Ryder Mystery, Folks! This one may be the best so far.The Monday Morning Killer is inspired by the true crime BTK Killer.

In the 1970's, a killer terrorized Cocoa Beach Florida. He would stalk a family and attack them on a Monday morning as they were getting ready for work and school. In the mid 1980's, he went underground. Now it is 2018, and the killings have started again.

Why did he disappear and what triggered him to kill again? Is it even the same guy or a copycat? Most of all, who is he? The end was a bit of a surprise, even with the flashbacks to help direct you and help you understand the mind of the killer.
The mystery part of the story kept me interested. It was the family drama in Jack's life that irritates me.

Jack works all the time. His wife Shannon, a big country star, is on the road. They are always leaving their 6 kids (2 adopted, 2 Jack's, 1 Shannon's, and 1 belongs to both) with his elderly parents, who are trying to run a business. Emily,Jack's 19 yr. old adopted daughter has an eating disorder and has been screaming for attention. But work is more important than family.

This book would have gotten 5 stars from me if not for the disfunctional family aspect, and the neglect shown to the children. Jack even states many times how he can't wait to get the kids to school and daycare, so he can surf or be alone.

Another great read by willow rose

If you haven't already been introduced to Willow Rose one of the number one mystery on the edge of your seat, twist and turn authors with surprise endings, you are totally missing a great treat! You won't be able to get enough of her stories and will become impatient for her next book to come out, however she has so many series going at one time you can switch from one to another. You get wrapped up in her characters and their families and lives. I love and you will also how she takes real occurrences that have happened in the past years and written a storyline around it.
This story touches on a story about a serial killer, an abusive family member case, and an anorexic case. There are always more than one story line going on per book and carries on into the following book. Willow Rose will always keep you guessing and wanting more! Her books are quick reads. I began reading her books and haven't taken a break from them yet. Please try her you won't regret it.

Intriguing ! Thriller of a story about a serial killer that kept me on the edge of my seat !! Jack Ryder & his team are trying to solve the Murders in Cocoa Beach and surrounding areas. Jack's also raising his children while his wife is on tour. The storyline was well written filled with plenty of suspense, intrigue, twists and turns that will keep you turning those pages. The characters are well described and very likeable and some are very scary. The plot was very well developed and surprising. I highly recommend this book and all of Willow Rose's books. I read an advanced copy of this book.❤🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Apparently this is the 5th Jack Ryder novel. It was, however, the first one that I read and I immediately felt like I had met Jack before... there's just something about him. He's very likeable.

Anyways... the story is about a serial killer and entertaining from start to end. I bought two other books by this author at the same time so I look forward to reading them too.

It was a good thriller, that I could recommend with a couple of twists that I did not see coming, so normally a 3,5 stars for me, but I rounded it up. It wasn't amazing or the most memorable book, but I did find myself looking forward to reading it.

Willow Rose Surprises Me Again

This was a little different than most of Willow Rose's books. Yes, it was scary but reading about how a killer becomes a killer was heartbreaking. I was confused about what was going on for the first part of the book and just when I thought I had figured it out the story took an unexpected turn. And then it happened again. As always, I had a great time trying to out guess the author. I think most readers will agree that Willow Rose has once again proved that she continues to reign as the Queen of Scream.

I'm not like all of the other people that read books by Willow Rose. I'm not a big fan of hers, and almost didn't get this book. I have only liked one other book that she has written.
So here goes. This book grabbed me from the first page.
Here it is Monday morning and a family gets killed in Cocoa Beach, Fl.
Jack Ryder is on the case. After other families get killed and all the evidence comes in, he finally figures out who killed who.
Lots of twists and turns and lots of surprises are in this book.
I will have to say, that this was a good book.

Two families killed on a Monday morning 40 years apart. Was it the same killer? A copycat killer? A relative? A friend? A neighbor? Jack doesn't need this right now when he is home alone taking car of his 6 children while his wife is out on tour. But you know Jack will handle it somehow. Get a copy of this book and come along on this roller coaster ride. So far this is Willow Rose's best Jack Ryder.

Out of order and still great

I read this out of order...and while it was a tiny bit strange doing that, it was still great. Willow is an amazing author and can keep you busy for an enjoyably long time.

Series

Love the Jack Ryder series. Haven't been able to stop reading. What housework? Got real upset with Shannon getting high tho.

Jack Be Quick: Strike Force: An Iniquus Romantic Suspense Mystery Thriller Book 2 is by Fiona Quinn. This second book takes Jack and Suz to bad places as they fight criminals and yet try to keep their marriage together.
Suz is a naive, cute, and impractical young teacher who is in love with an agent who spends his life on dangerous missions which can easily lead to his death. Although she knew this when she accepted his proposal, the idea of spending most of her life wondering if he was still alive was more than she thinks she can handle. Now she just has to break up with him.
Jack has been an agent for some time and his missions mean the world to him. He cannot see doing anything else. He thought Suz could understand this and would be able to handle his being gone. His being in the hospital this time was for his knee, not for a gunshot or anything like that. It wasn’t life threatening; but Suz was pulling away. Why?
Suz was upset that she was breaking up with Jack and it was Valentine’s Day. She doesn’t feel like celebrating; but her kids do and are excited, so she puts on her teacher mask and begins her day. She is just getting her sixteen six-year-olds settled when she hears a commotion in the hallways. Immediately, she locks her door and puts the special bars on the bottom to stop someone from coming in. Jack had come in and helped her create an evacuation plan in case something like this happened. He had helped her train the children and they followed exactly like Captain Jack told them. Out the window and down a ladder went the sixteen youngsters. Holding tight to a walking rope designed to keep the kids together, they set out for the nearby woods. It was a slow-moving bunch; but they made it to the woods. As she passed out caps that Jack had packed for them for warmth, Suz told them what they were going to do. Off into the woods they went to find the hide Captain Jack had built for them. She got the kids to the hide, into the hot sacks, fixed them lunch and settled them to watching a video Jack had provided for them. She had no idea how long she would have the kids in the woods; but Jack had prepared them well. When Lynx finally found them and took them back to the school, the event was over. Suz came under investigation for preparing so well for her kids; but she had asked the principal to let jack help the others prepare for an emergency too; but he refused. However, since the media picked this up and named her, she had to be careful.
She is kidnapped and taken to Brazil and then to Paraguay to take care of the twins who had been kidnapped that morning. They were grandsons of a major political figure and had been kidnapped to pressure him to do what the gang wanted him to do. Suz had the backpack Jack had given her and she had survival equipment that enabled her to care for the boys a little better. However, they were in the middle of a jungle in a foreign country. Help may or may not be coming. Suz set out to get herself and the boys out of the compound and into safe hands and eventually home. Can she do it? She knows she is on her own because Jack is in the hospital with a knee braced after surgery and he can’t walk, much less some and find her.

I enjoyed this story. This is book five In the series and by now I have got use to the story jumping around in time and with the different perspectives of the characters. I think even though it is a stand alone book I would recommend you start at the beginning because otherwise you miss out on a lot of history and connections, which could make it confusing. These book always explain why the killer becomes who they do and why they do what they do and even though the killing are always horrible you do end up feeling sorry for them and the book also contains lot of twists so that you never know how it is going to end. It also contains a lot of family life and with the detective having six children this is right, although home family isn't all roses. So if you like thrillers with a back story then these books are for you. Off to start the he next book.
With Shannon away on tour it is up to Jack to step up to the plate and look after th children and keep the streets of Cocoa beach safe. But with a serial killer back that proves difficult. 40 Years ago a man dubbed the Monday morning killer broke into single women's homes and killed them before turning his attention on her children. Now he is back and at it again. An old girl of Jack's has left her husband fearing for her and her unborn baby's life and moved into the house where the first killing started. Could his house finally being sold be the reason he has started killing again? And who is his next target? The little boys that survived the attacks? Or Jacks old friend? Will Jack be able to work out who the killer is before Monday morning rolls around again and another family is destroyed?
The author changed the narrator with book four and I think he does a much better job with the narration. He speaks clearly and builds up the tension well

This book was an exciting read that kept me interested. Willow Rose is a master writer that knows how to keep you interested.
FBI agent Emma Griffin is caught up in mysterious happenings that she seems to be the only one to experience. A woman, Ruby, introduces herself too Emma as her new neighbor. When Emma sees her being attacked late one night by the time help arrives all traces of the attack or Ruby herself disappear. No one else seem to have ever seen her. Griffin tries to convince everyone she isn't crazy even if she's on leave from a very difficult previous case.
Her renewed relationship with the Sheriff Sam is just getting back on track and he tries to give her the benefit of the doubt.
The characters are great. Emma is a strong and excellent agent and capable woman who is on mandatory leave after a very difficult case. The sheriff, Sam is glad Emma is on leave of absence and maybe they can pick up the relationship she left behind to become an agent.
The story has plenty of action and draws you in with a good paced read. There is romance, mystery and danger.I liked it because it really kept my interest and I like when you cannot guess what is coming next. I like a book with danger and mystery that also involves romantic relationships.
I you like those types of books you'll like this one. It is well written and flows well. I did not like how Sam wasn't behind her 100 percent he knows how good of an agent she is. Other than that it is a book you'll like. You may not agree with my assessment of Sam read and see.

Jack Ryder #5

Inspired By A True Story.

He came in the morning when they were still making lunches and getting ready for school and work. He killed them all. Mother, father, children. Brutally slaughtered them in the comfort of their own home. They called him the Monday Morning Killer. That was forty years ago, but now it's happening again. A mother and her daughter are brutally murdered in their home, on a peaceful Monday morning in Cocoa Beach, Florida.

Home alone with six children while his wife - country superstar Shannon King - is on tour. Detective Jack Ryder gets the most terrifying case of his career, chasing a deranged serial killer unlike anyone he has ever seen.

I like Jack Ryder. He's not perfect, he has flaws, but there is something likeable about him. His parents live close by at their small beachside hotel. But Jack has got problems at home. His teenage daughter Emily is still not eating. He also has a horrific case to solve.

There are plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader invested. The story flips between the 1970s and 80s. There were so many questions I kept asking myself - is this a copycat killer? Why had the killer disappeared? Who was he/she? I was jaw-droppingly shocked when the killer was eventually revealed. My only criticism is that I would like a little bit more police procedural and less family drama.

#KindleBook.

I can't think of words good enough to tell you all how great this book was other than i have read other books by Willow Rose? And i am not quite sure when my infatuation with her writing began, but if i could read nothing else the rest of my life... well, i would choose the BIBLE... but other than that... if the only fiction i could read was one author it would be Willow Rose... Queen of scream is not an exaggeration, i started this book last night and in two hours last night i got halfway through the book while i was reading in bed and woke up hardly being able to wait to finish it! And then i realized its not the book, its the author! This woman has an amazing mind and she can do almost any genre and do it so well, that it leaves you breathless and begging for more! Definitely a Chris and Ca two-wildly swinging thumbs up!

Jack Ryder's high school girlfriend is back, seeking shelter, his wife is on the road, doing a series of concerts, one of the daughters is starving herself to death, the rest of the kids miss their mother and family life - and his mother is angry that Jack doesn't have enough family time. Oh yeah, a serial killer seems to be back and killing again.

I love this series and this book is no exception. Poor Jack doesn't know which way to turn. He's trying to solve the murders while his family seems to be falling apart.

This is a well written story and you don't know who the bad guy is until the very end. There are too many suspects!

I listened to the audio version and the narrator is excellent. I recommend this book to mature readers.

Detective Jack Ryder is up against his worst killer so far. A man comes in on a Monday morning and kills the entire family.
Now forty years later he strikes again in Cocoa Beach Florida. Could it be the same killer or is this a copycat. Why start now? Does it have something to do with the purchase of the house where the first killing has been purchased? Jack's wife is out on tour and he is left alone with the six children, and now this? This is an exciting story as only Willow Rose can tell it! You wouldn't believe me if I told you, so I won't. You will have to read this strange story for yourself.

"When A Serial Killer Closes His Circle"

This nail-biting thriller was inspired by a true story. A killer early one school morning enters a home and murders the mother, father, and all the children. It was brutal. The killer was tagged as the Monday Morning Killer." This happened 40 years ago, and now murders are continuing with the same murdering techniques. In Cocoa Beach, Florida, Detective Jack Ryan takes on the most terrifying case of his career, while his star singer wife is on tour and he's home alone ... well, with six kids. This story is mesmerizing as only the Queen of Scream can develop to excite you. Highly recommend.

Entertaining mystery listening 🎶🔰

Another will written murder mystery family relationships romantic adventure thriller novel by Willow Rose 🌹 (Jack Ryder book 5). A serial killer has been in Cocoa Beach 🌴, Florida for the last twenty plus years. Jack is working hard taking care of six children plus his police job. An old girl 👧 friend shows up ☝ and the serial killer is back. Everything falls into place about a murder leading to the unexpected conclusion of the serial killer. Willow Rose 🌹 is one of my favourite authors, I would highly recommend this series and her too readers of mysteries. Enjoy the adventure of reading or listening to Alexa. 2022 😄👒⌚😯

Very disappointed

If this was supposed to be based on the BTK killer it's a very pale comparison. I know the author based her premise on a what if scenario where the killer supposedly comes back but it is highly unrealistic as it poses the killer as a family annihilator. BTK was a sexual sad*st primarily intrested in adult women and young women. Not children. Not men. If you're going to "base" your book on a factual killer, shouldn't you at least have your facts somewhat straight? Or was this just one huge artistic liberty and a twist of facts to fit the authors own purpose?

read this on Kindle thanks to amazon and I must say I really enjoyed it !! It is a mix of family/ marital drama and serial killer murder mystery it definitely kept my interest and made it hard to put it down! I really enjoyed the killers journal and killer insights it was a very interesting point it view. Until now I had never heard of the Jack Ryder series till now but after this I am certain it is a series I would really enjoy! It seems similar to alex cross but not as graphic and gruesome. Willow Rose has definitely made it in my list of TBR / authors

She never disappoints

If you like mysteries, psychological torture, horror, and a well written book...this is something you will absolutely love. All of her books are imaginative and riveting, with plot twists you will never see coming. This is the 5th book im the Jack Ryder series. And it picks up with Shannon on tour and Jack trying to balance his life with the kids and his detective work. As always, he manages to pull it all together and solve the impossible case. Highly recommend!

I can't even express how much I love reading Willow Rose. I keep her books as sort of a reward after I've read several weeks of review books. Don't get me wrong, I do appreciate the arcs I get to read, but sometimes it feels like they are stories that someone else picked out for me, rather than something I chose to read. I definitely do choose to read Willow Rose and, especially enjoy this Jack Ryder series. Each story is so different from the others but, also, so captivating!

OK, got to get back to the review books so that I can move on to "Her Final Word".

A very good mystery, but I guess it has been a long time since I read the preceding Jack Ryder book because I didn't remember that Jack had so many personal problems and was so slow to put clues together to solve a crime. This story is full of so much drama away from solving the mystery that it was sometimes difficult to remember where the main story was going. Also there were many chapters covered in "flashback" to previous times, and that made it difficult to keep track of everything, too. In the end, everything ends well. It's worth persevering to the end.

Wow a killer on the loose!

Good storyline,with a surprise ending.Juat when you thought you knew who the killer is,wrong answer!.A cop deleting with personal issues at home.Six kids,wife on tour,one daughter starving herself.And still trying to find a killer of families.Is this an older killercome back or a copycat? An old girlfriend back in town who moves into the first murder house adds to the drama.Another good book from this author.

The best Jack Ryder so far!

I love the Jack Ryder series, but this has been my favorite so far. Hands down. Willow Rose has a way of twisting realism throughout her stories. They are are so creepy and scary because you know it could actually happen. Or perhaps already had. Her characters are also so humanly flawed, it's impossible not to relate to them. If you haven't read any of her work, I highly recommend you do so!

Another hit from the Queen of Scream. It’s been a couple of years since I read a Jack Ryder book. Once Willow Rose hooks you, she doesn’t let go. Wow!

“Most people walk around life wearing blindfolds. I dare you to take yours off and see the world for what it really is.” When he started killing, he went for the mother’s. Father’s tended to fight harder and more ferociously for their family. He didn’t mind killing children. He just didn’t set out to do it.