Review ~ The Fourth Monkey by J D Barker

HQ
June 2017

What's it all about..

For over five years, the Four Monkey Killer has terrorised the residents of Chicago. When his body is found, the police quickly realise he was on his way to deliver one final message, one which proves he has taken another victim who may still be alive.

As the lead investigator Detective Sam Porter knows 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, unravelling a twisted history in hopes of finding one last girl, all while struggling with personal demons of his own.

With only a handful of clues, the elusive killer’s identity remains a mystery. Time is running out and the Four Monkey Killer taunts from beyond the grave in this masterfully written fast-paced thriller.

My thoughts about it...

The story gets off to a dramatic start and although it appears that the perpetrator is found almost before the story starts,there is so much more exciting action to come which grabs your attention and doesn't let up the pace, or the drama, until it is all concluded.

The author writes really well and conjures time and place quite vividly. There's some quite dark and twisted stuff going on in the story, particularly in the diary entries, which make for uncomfortable reading. However, having said that, I think, that for me, the diary entries were quite the most compelling and addictive part of the story, and in some perverse way I looked forward to gaining more insight into the mind of this serial killer.

The author has done a really excellent job of cranking up the tension in what is a taut and tight psychological thriller. The drama is heightened throughout and leaves no room for guesswork as lead detective, Sam Porter tries to keep one step ahead of this very complex and deadly investigation and as time ticks down so the excitement hitches up a notch or two.

There's such an abundance of action in The Fourth Monkey that to say too much about the plot would be to give too many spoilers away and, believe me,  it's not one of those books that is easy to review without revealing far too much. So, my advise is to read it for yourself.

About the Author

J. D. BARKER is the international best-selling author of Forsaken, a finalist for the Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in a Debut Novel. In addition, he has been asked to co-author a prequel to Dracula by the Stoker family. Barker splits his time between Englewood, Florida, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Follow on Twitter #4MK

My thanks to Sahina at Harper Collins for my review copy of The Fourth Monkey

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