A detective and FBI agent join forces on what seems like an open-and-shut case–but a new rash of killings sends them on a pulse-pounding race against time in this intense thriller. Michael and Megan Fitzgerald are siblings who share a terrifying past. Both adopted, and now grown–Michael is a long-haul truck driver, Megan a college student majoring in psychology–they trust each other before … psychology–they trust each other before anyone else. They’ve had to. Their parents are public intellectuals, an Ivy League clinical psychologist and a renowned psychiatrist, and they brought up their adopted children in a rarefied, experimental environment. It sheltered them from the world’s harsh realities, but it also forced secrets upon them, secrets they keep at all costs.
t then there’s another killing just like the one they’ve been investigating. And another. And not just in Los Angeles–the spree spreads across the country. The Fitzgerald family comes to the investigators’ attention, but Dobbs and Gimble are at a loss–if one of the four is involved, which Fitzgerald might it be?
t then there’s another killing just like the one they’ve been investigating. And another. And not just in Los Angeles–the spree spreads across the country. The Fitzgerald family comes to the investigators’ attention, but Dobbs and Gimble are at a loss–if one of the four is involved, which Fitzgerald might it be?
t then there’s another killing just like the one they’ve been investigating. And another. And not just in Los Angeles–the spree spreads across the country. The Fitzgerald family comes to the investigators’ attention, but Dobbs and Gimble are at a loss–if one of the four is involved, which Fitzgerald might it be?
fornia to upstate New York, Dobbs and Gimble race against time and across state lines to stop an ingenious and deeply deranged killer–one whose dark and twisted appetites put them outside the range of logic or experience.more
This is probably one of my favorite books by James Patterson that is not in a series. I kept thinking that I knew who the killer was but I kept hitting twists and turns. I loved how I was able to like and hate some of the characters at the same time. This will surprise you through the whole book. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
A Dark Psychological Thriller
Michael Kepler receives a phone call from his downstairs neighbor about water leaking into her apartment from his apartment. He arrives home and finds a dead woman in his tub that he does not recognize. What would anyone in this situation do; call the police. Detective Dobbs and others soon arrive. The victim’s purse and ID are found. Soon Detective Dobbs takes Michael to the victim’s apartment. While Michael denies knowing the victim, he is shown pictures of the two together, his clothes, shaving gear, and other personal items of his are in her apartment and bedroom. Then he is taken into headquarters for further questioning. The questioning is stopped when his lawyer arrives and wants to confer with his client. This lawyer attacks an officer who enters the interview room, and walks a confused Michael out of the police station. The chase begins. Soon Detective Dobbs is notified by the FBI that his prisoner is a suspected serial killer and to hold him for U.S. Marshall to take into custody. At this point, I was hooked. Some evenings, I read entirely too late into the AM.
The main storyline unfolds short chapters told in the voice of six of the main characters. There really are just two threads, the Police/FBI chasing and Michael and his sister in the other so it is not disjoined but flows quite well and was an easy read. The twists and turn in the plot kept my interest throughout the novel. As this appears to be a stand-alone novel, there is not much B-storyline of Detective Dobbs and the FBI Agent. As part of the main storyline, much background is provided on Michael, his sister and parents.
This novel is definitely rated as adult content involving a four year old Michael observing his mother’s death and dismemberment by her boyfriend who halfway through decides to eat his gun. Michael then is adopted by a Barton Fitzgerald, a renowned psychiatrist and author, and his wife Rose, a practicing psychologist. He was not adopted to provide him loving environment to grow up but to provide the Fitzgeralds what could be called a case study at best. Some vulgar language is used, but in my opinion the use was not excessive and was context appropriate. There were not love scenes. This biggest issue is the violence and psychological torture that occurs in the novel. Much of it was described as it happens or is recalled and described as if it was happening. Some of the events may be disturbing to some readers. While not over-the-top, readers be forewarned.
As the novel approached the end, plot twists become more often and more dramatic. I had many unanswered questions when bombshells go off near the end. What I will say is that all the loose ends are tied up but then end went south. Usually, this lowers my rating of the novel because it leaves things unanswered or you need to read the next novel to find the answers. That was not the case with this novel as I wrote above that there were not any loose ends. I just didn’t like the ending. It left me with bad note at the end vice a good note. Since this is more personal reaction to the ending vice the more numerous plusses I experienced while reading this novel, I rate it with five stars (4.5 rounded up). If the description of this novel intrigues you, do give it a try.
I have received a free e-book version of this novel through NetGalley from Little, Brown and Company with an expectation for an honest, unbiased review. I wish to thank Little, Brown and Company for the opportunity to read and review this novel early.
Holy, crap on a cracker, when James Patterson and J.D. Barker team up together, you have a book you can’t put down and an incredible thrill ride. Don’t start reading this, if you have stuff to do, bc you will regret having to put it down. Talk about a surprising thriller!
Michael is a man with things stacked up against him, so it seems. He can’t remember things, and dead bodies are piling up all around. Is someone trying to frame him, or could he really be the one?
Hold onto your seat because you want believe this book. You think you got it figured out and something new happens and you are back to square one. The ending is what will get you.
Thanks to Netgalley, James Patterson, J.D. Barker and the publisher for the Kindle Book.
#netgalley #thecoasttocoastmurders
Fantastic book! So many twists!
I read all Patterson books. Very entertaining!
The action begins immediately as readers are thrust into a shocking turn of events. Michael is introduced and is immediately thrust into a position of a suspect as a dead woman is found in his home, only he doesn’t know her. However, evidence begins piling up that he had some sort of life with this mystery woman, and soon he finds himself hunted by the law. The twists and turns that take the reader into the heart of this mystery are truly entertaining, as are the multiple POVs that the authors introduce. Michael’s sister Megan is one of the most peculiar and fascinating characters, as her narrative to the police via a written document portrays the damaging and harsh environment these two siblings were raised in.
The suspense as readers are constantly torn between who the killer truly makes this book stand out. The shift from a complex homicide investigation into a manhunt for a notorious serial killer as the mystery of Michael’s identity and memories comes into play keeps readers invested, and while this is a lengthy read, the twists and turns make this story feel fresh and unique throughout the entirety of the novel.
A must-read novel, authors J.D. Barker and James Patterson have created a masterpiece thriller with “The Coast-to-Coast Murders”. The characters are memorable and the action intense, and by the book’s end readers will be both pleased and shocked at the final reveal of it all. If you haven’t yet, grab your copy of this book today!
Not my usual cup of tea as reading goes, but I found it entertaining if not a bit predictable. Predictability aside, it was well written, entertaining and kept me turning the pages in anticipation.
A lot of twist and turns. Good reading
Wow…what a read‼ I did not put this book down until finished! My favorite author NEVER disappoints!
A must read!
I’m fairly new to reading James Patterson. The Coast-to-Coast Murders (co-authored by J. D. Barker) was a very quick read even though it’s a little over 550 pages. The chapters are short and there’s usually a twist at the end of every one. It moved along at a fast pace and kept me guessing. Megan and her brother, Michael, were adopted by psychiatrists and raised in a very different way — don’t want to give too much away. One day Michael comes home from work to find a young woman, dead, in his bathtub and it takes off from there. I have to read something comedic or romantic now to settle down! Hope you enjoy this as much as I did.
Fast-paced with lots of twists!
Excellent
Started out really slow, not up to Patterson books usual can’t put it down reads.
Loved the book. Very interesting ending.
Just when you think you understand what’s going on, the plot twists again. Filled with suspense, the pages practically turn themselves. Highly recommended
I chose to read this book after receiving a free e-copy from J.D. Barker through NetGalley. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.
J.D. Barker is one of my favorite authors. I’ve read most of his books, and when I have the chance to read another one, I get so excited! I haven’t read any James Patterson books in a few years, but I was happy to see them team up. I’m hoping J.D. Barker gets more exposure, which he richly deserves.
The Coast-to-Coast Murders is like being on a roller coaster, and at the end, I was dumbfounded. There are so many twists and so much going on, it is one of those books I kept telling myself, “One more chapter… One more chapter.” There are times I can just ignore everything in my life and read a book from beginning to end; unfortunately, I have too many deadlines at the moment. I couldn’t wait to get back to my book!
The characters all appear to be normal people until you look behind the façade. There’s all kinds of crazy there. Detective Garrett Hobbs and FBI Agent Jessica Gimble have their hands full figuring out who is committing these murders and if they’re random killings or if they’re connected somehow. How many more murders will there be before they figure it out?
If you liked The Fourth Monkey or just like page turners with suspense and twists, I definitely recommend The Coast-to-Coast Murders.
I am not sure what happened!!! Literally, I really am not sure what the end of this book is supposed to mean!
Michael Kepler was adopted by two psychologists at the age of four after he witnessed a horrific event. But, at the beginning of this novel, as an adult, he is called back to his apartment because his tub is overflowing into his neighbor’s apartment below. When he arrives home, he sees it as a crime scene, and immediately calls his sister, Megan, to tell her, and then he calls the police.
What happens next is a wild chase across the country, with a trail of bodies and destruction. It is also a frightening look at psychotherapy and what can happen with amoral therapists and risky methods.
Chilling.
#TheCoastToCoastMurders #JamesPatterson #JDBarker
Very intricate and original plot. I enjoyed listening to the audiobook. I kept guessing the ending, but I was surprised by it.
James Patterson is a master writer of the thriller genre and this one is no exception We go on a massive ride with the four main characters adopted siblings Michael and Megan Fitzgerald and Los Angeles, Detective Garrett Dobbs and FBI Agent Jessica Gimble who are trying to find a serial killer. An arrest was made but the murders continue and Michael Fitzgerald is their main suspect as a truck driver he has the means and there is the fact that a murdered woman was found in his bath tub . But is it all that it seems or is their more going on than anyone realises It will all come to stunning conclusion on the final chapter as it usually does with James work
I was in the mood for a spellbinding, rapid-paced, terrifying thriller that would keep me up all night, when I came across “The Coast-to-Coast Murders” by JD Barker and James Patterson. Perfect timing.
If you want a master class in thriller writing, buy this book.
Barker is a brilliant storyteller, and teaming up with the incredibly prolific and inventive Patterson was a great idea. “Coast-to-Coast” expertly braids multiple narratives together, linked by decades-old secrets—really ugly, nasty secrets. The result is a high-wire act that kept me thumbing pages, from the Hitchcockian opening right up to the stomach-dropping, U-turn ending.
Michael and Megan Fitzgerald are siblings with a fascinating bond. The adopted children of two psychiatrists, they don’t trust anyone but each other. When the police accuse Michael of murdering his “girlfriend” (a woman he claims he’s never met), and all evidence points to his guilt, Michael turns to his sister Megan for help, insisting he’s innocent and that someone is framing him. She helps him escape police custody, and now they’re on the run from the law.
But the murders don’t stop there. As the siblings go on the lam, running from coast to coast, from Los Angeles to upstate New York, more people will die at the hands of a diabolical killer who appears to be several steps ahead of everyone else.
Chasing the case with a white-hot urgency are Detective Garrett Dobbs and FBI Agent Jessica Gimble, who attribute the murder spree to Michael, since all signs keep pointing to him. But once they dig deeper into the dysfunctional, damaged Fitzgerald family, they realize it could be any one of them. Or perhaps none of them?
This is an absolutely terrifying story of abuse, cruelty, manipulation and lost identity—do we really know anyone, and can we trust those we love, or who claim to love us? It’s a dark and twisty ride right up to the intense, creepy ending. Highly recommended!