Se7en meets The Silence of the Lambs in this dark and twisting novel from the author Jeffery Deaver called “a talented writer with a delightfully devious mind.” Two days to save her . . . For over five years, the Four Monkey Killer has terrorized the residents of Chicago. When his body is found, the police quickly realize he was on his way to deliver one final message, one which proves he … one final message, one which proves he has taken another victim who may still be alive.
One day . . .
As the lead investigator on the 4MK task force, Detective Sam Porter knows that even in death, the killer is far from finished. When he discovers a personal diary in the jacket pocket of the body, Porter finds himself caught up in the mind of a psychopath, unraveling a twisted history in hopes of finding one last girl, all while struggling with personal demons of his own.
Zero.
With only a handful of clues, the elusive killer’s identity remains a mystery. Time is running out as the Four Monkey Killer taunts from beyond the grave in this masterfully written fast-paced thriller.
“Creepy, scary . . . and impossible to put down! The Fourth Monkey is everything a thriller should be–a must-read!”–Heather Graham, New York Times best-selling author of Law and Disorder
“A twisted, movie-worthy serial killer thriller.”–Crime by the Book
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The Fourth Monkey begins with a great twist and J.D. Barker keeps the twists and turns coming. You won’t be disappointed.
Great mystery that keeps you guessing. The big twist comes out of the blue. The best mystery I’ve read in years. Not for the faint of heart where gruesome scenes are involve (but easy to speed-read through).
Oh… what did I read? I can’t believe I waited so long to pick this one up. Everyone kept telling me I needed to read it. Now, I am telling everyone else that you need to read it.
The four monkeys… Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil, and do no evil. This book surrounds a revenge serial killer who is diabolical and depraved. I loved every second of this book.
On the hunt… but who is on the hunt? I was on the edge of my seat throughout this book, and I couldn’t stop reading.
The detectives in this story are a great band of characters. Their chemistry and wit was an added benefit to this story. Between their relentless hunt and their close relationships, this book never seemed to lag at any given point.
I am a sucker for dark and twisted. This one has all of those characteristics that make my dark heart tingle. I was bouncing in my seat, excited to finally get a deliciously messed up book. I haven’t read one like this in a while.
Before I let you go, let’s talk about Barker’s writing itself. Oh my! So vivid without being overly descriptive, but just enough that I could see the whole book play out in my head in detail. He definitely knows how to tell a great twisted, haunting, dark, and devious story!
I love this novel. J.D. Barker has created a labyrinth of madness and a macabre, charnel-house of mirrors. THE FOURTH MONEKY is a 1st-rate, devilish thriller.
JD Barker’s novel, “The Fourth Monkey,” creeps up on you like the scariest dream you’ve ever had. His genuinely funny dialogue between a team of homicide detectives handling the 4MK case and Barker’s wonderfully minimalist prose draws you into this addictive story as easily as slipping into a cool pool in the middle of a summer heatwave. The story moves along at breakneck speed, the cat-and-mouse between Detectives Porter and Nash and the killer rivet you to the page, and the whip-smart captive who finds herself in a damp scary place without any doors, isn’t your ordinary helpless victim. This has to be the creepiest, most delusional serial killer ever invented. It’s as if Jo Nesbo’s “Snowman” and “Silence of the Lambs” had a baby. The prose is smooth and hypnotic, bringing fully to life the world we are in, and the book unfolds like a movie running inside your head. Bottom line: immersive storytelling that lulls you down twisty, verdant paths before shocking you senseless. Can’t wait to read “The Fifth to Die.”
Fantastic!!!
I’ve read some amazing thrillers in 2019, and this book was no exception. Fast-pace, gripping mystery, a plot that twists and turns, The Fourth Monkey has it all. My only nitpick is that I found myself more intrigued by the diary entries than the missing girl. I hope the author writes a prequel about 4MK’s childhood, because I adored the interactions between the family members. *hint hint* That said, I’m off to buy Book 2. Highly recommend!
Hard to put down. Great read.
Loved it
Great read, hard to put down. Along the likes of Stephen King, JD Barker is a very good storyteller. He puts in the time to make sure you understand these very well written characters. Really enjoyed this one, and working on the second!
Scary than Silence of the Lambs
Had to read Fifth to Die. Now I have to read the next one.
Well written, page turner really held my interest
A great mystery. Will keep you guessing. Interesting characters.
1ste deel van een trilogie. Spannend verhaal met natuurlijk vreemde ontwikkelingen. Heb nog wat moeite om alles een plek te geven, maar misschien wordt dat duidelijker in het 2de deel.
Detective Porter is called back to work after being off for 2 weeks. He’s been working for 5 years on solving the case of a serial killer dubbed 4MK and apparently, 4MK has just been hit by a bus. Porter’s colleagues welcome him back and ask how he’s doing but the reason for his time off isn’t revealed until about halfway through the book. Just one more little side mystery. I had my suspicions, of course, but it was well written and kept me wondering if I was right until the answer was confirmed.
4MK’s story is told through a diary that is found on the body. As Porter and his team work toward finding the last girl before she dies of dehydration or worse, the story of 4MK’s childhood unfolds.
This isn’t just your typical psychological thriller. It is complex with several twists that you won’t see coming. It kept me on the edge of my seat and I didn’t want to put it down. There was too much going on and I had to find out what was going to happen! Whether in the present or in the past (via the diary), I had to know!
I often don’t like when books go back and forth from the present to the past. It can be confusing but it was done so well, and both stories were so engrossing, that in this case, it was perfect.
I don’t want to reveal the plot of this book but it is amazing. It is dark and twisted and a must read.
There’s no puzzling this one out!
Someone call an exorcist, I think I’m possessed; my head is spinning and I’m vomiting pea soup. I seriously feel like I need cleansed after this read. This novel is so deliciously twisted, you have to wonder if J.D. Barker is in cahoots with the devil and has captured a part of your soul. Okay, so maybe that’s going a bit too far, but seriously, this book is so captivating that you seriously cannot put it down. I was compelled to “puzzle it out!” There are so many twists and turns you simply don’t know what’s coming no matter how hard you try.
I can see why this novel is being talked about as being the most anticipated thriller of the year. I must admit, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t worried going into this. I tend to be overly critical of anything that falls into “the hype”. Nothing ever seems to live up to the expectations for me. With that said, I was careful not to read too many reviews for this novel as not to spoil it for myself, and I’m glad I chose that path.
I’m not going to focus too much on the storyline with this review, but I’ll tell you what I did love about this novel. Let’s start with how brilliantly it was written. The story is told from multiple points of view, the main being from Detective Porter, and the other from the 4MK himself, but what’s so brilliant about this, is that it’s told through his past, through his diary. Shear genius! This diary is a story within itself that leads to a whole other level of suspense. I wasn’t sure if I anticipated what was going to happen in the past or the present more.
The characters were brilliant! Each one perfectly developed. The complexity that is given to the 4MK is by far what sets this novel apart. There’s so much we learn from exploring his diary, but at the same time, there’s so much that’s not said, which leaves so much to the imagination. It’s a perfect balance. “Everything is a game…we’re all players on the board.”
Conceptually this novel came together very well and that’s what really sells this novel. If it wasn’t for that, then I’m afraid it might not have worked. I can’t speak to this too much without giving a lot of the story way, so you’ll just have to read it for yourselves to see what I mean. It’s truly brilliant, a masterpiece!
I’d like to thank Maxine (Booklover Catlady) and J.D. Barker for an ARC of this novel. I truly loved every single word of it. It’s something very special. J.D., you’re going places my friend!
I feel like I owe Mr. Barker an apology. I struggled with this book while reading it. In some ways, being compared to seminal works in the genre is unfair to an author, even if it sells more books. But this novel is its own thing and owes less to Silence of the Lambs and Seven than it does to the imagination of its author.
I posted my initial reaction, but, since then, have been thinking and rethinking about The Fourth Monkey in the weeks since I finished it. I even used it as an example in an online panel about Grimdark. What I would actually recommend is that you don’t go into it with any other expectation than entertainment: let The Fourth Monkey BE The Fourth Monkey. Allow it to work its magic without preconception.
Lastly, to those who say it is too gory, I ask: what were you expecting? It’s a novel about a serial killer! Don’t blame the author; perhaps this isn’t your genre?
J.D.Barker show what a superstar talent he is. Not only do we get a classic crime thriller but also a haunting psychological tale that is waved through the book in the form of a madman’s journal (a window into a soulless individual). Bravo!!
Absolutely loved the diaries of the antagonist – very deep character POV, well thought-out plot, and unpredictable ending. Couldn’t put it down! Look forward to reading the next in the 4MK series.
This story is told from two points of view – the cops trying to solve the case of the 4MK while trying to rescue his latest victim, and the killers diary which gives us a glimpse into his life growing up. There are many twists and turns along the way that will keep you guessing as to what is going to happen next.