Greg Carver and his partner Ruth Lake have been chasing the Thorn Killer for months. One night everything changes when Greg is shot in his apartment. The last person to see him was Ruth, who takes the gun along with all of his case files and leaves his apartment.

Why would Ruth take all of this? This really would screw up the crime scene, but Ruth didn't seem to care. As Greg is rushed to the hospital, Ruth starts checking all of the files trying to come up with some clues as to who this killer really is.

There have been four girls that were murdered by the Thorn Killer. He leaves his own tattoo work on his victims as his mark. There has to be some meaning behind these tattoos. Ruth has been talking to all the people that should be able to give her some clues. Most of the people don't tell her the whole truth, leaving important information out.

While this is going on Greg is recovering in the hospital and is having a hard time remember what really happened that night. Greg is having some flashbacks but just can't put everything together. Also, a woman that he was having a fling with is murdered. Most of the clues lead back to Greg, but he swears that she was alive when he left. Could all these murders have something in common?

Ashley Dyer writes a good mystery. However, I found that SPLINTER IN THE BLOOD did drag a little in the middle. I did keep reading, but I feel it could have been a little shorter. Other than that, I really never saw the ending of the book playing out the way it did. Dyer keeps you on your toes, forcing you to try to keep everything straight in your mind. This made things hard to follow, especially with so many different characters. But, don't let this stop you from reading this book. It all comes together in the end. For a great summer mystery, pick up this book!