Hey there, fellow crime thriller aficionado! Let’s talk about that sweet escape from the land of dark romance into the heart-pounding world of crime. If you are anything like me, you’ve binged on NCIS, Criminal Minds, and Bull, and now you’re itching for a literary fix that hits all those same notes. Well, look no further, because JD Barker’s “The Fourth Monkey” is about to take you on a wild ride that’ll make your head spin like a caffeinated squirrel on a treadmill.
JD Barker’s a fresh face to me, but if “The Fourth Monkey” is any indication of his prowess, then I’ve stumbled upon a whole arsenal of new things to read. This book had me glued to the pages like a moth to a particularly intriguing flame. From the get-go, Barker flips the script on the typical crime thriller setup. Instead of chasing down the killer, we start with the killers demise.
You’ve all heard the story of the three wise monkeys, hear no evil, see no evil and speak no evil. But have you ever heard of the fourth monkey? Do no evil?
In 4MK we are plunged into a wicked game of cat and mouse with a serial killer known as the Four Monkey Killer (hence the 4MK). He’s been taunting the cops in Chicago for years and punishing those who do evil. He leaves behind no evidence, no leads, just his eerie calling cards. Ears, eyes, and tongues, wrapped up neatly in little white boxes tied with little black strings, and mailed every two days to the family of the victim. It’s like a twisted game of Clue, but with way higher stakes and this killer is a lot more deadly than Colonel Mustard ever dreamt of being.
Enter the monkey wrangler in blue
Detective Sam Porter, is your typical hard-boiled cop, but with a dash of wit and a whole lot of baggage. Up until the latest development in the 4MK case, Sam had been on leave, grieving the murder of his wife.
When The Fourth Monkey kicks the bucket (or, more accurately, gets pushed), Sam’s handed a diary that’s equal parts roadmap and riddle, detailing 4MK’s descent into madness. It’s like Sherlock Holmes meets Sudoku, with a sprinkle of Hannibal Lecter for good measure. Talk about a riveting peek into the mind of a psychopath. It’s like getting a front-row seat to the freak show, minus the cotton candy.
This is seriously the kind of book that begs for a big-screen adaptation. The vivid scene-setting, the author’s masterful wordplay, and a plot that grabs you by the collar and doesn’t let go—it all adds up to an utterly gripping read. From the opening sentence to the final period, this book had me hooked.
The prose is utterly engaging and positively chilling
This is a story that you won’t soon forget and will sickly want more of. With each page that you turn, you’re plunged deeper into a web of deception and dark secrets. Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, Barker pulls the rug out from under you, leaving you gasping for air and questioning everything you thought you knew.
And let’s not forget about the pacing. The author’s got it down to a science. Just when you think you can finally relax and lower your heart rate, he cranks up the tension to eleven, dragging you kicking and screaming through the darkest corners of your imagination.
Now, I won’t spoil the ending for you (because I’m not that cruel), but I thought it was a good one. Barker doesn’t hold back, he delivers a finale that’ll leave you reeling and rushing to your kindle to download the next installment ASAP. I know I sure did.
So, if you’re ready to have your mind twisted into a pretzel and your nerves fried to a crisp, grab yourself a copy of “The Fourth Monkey.” Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.
If you still need to grab your copy you can get it here on Amazon. Or get one for free when you sign up for a free trial from Audible. If you are a member of KU you can get it on there for free for a limited time.
Until next time, keep it brash, keep it bookish, keep it true to you and if you’re reading this book, you better buckle up, buttercup, cause you’re in for one hell of a ride!
