The Fourth Monkey (A 4MK Thriller)

While the writing of the book was quite good, keeping a reader wanting to turn one page after the other, the book quickly became too gruesome in description for my individual tastes [no pun here at all]. Someone might say, "What do you expect from a book about a seriel killer?!" Good point I'd respond.

The 'idea' of the story was what drew me in; however, as much as I love details in a novel, those within this story were way too repugnant for me.

This is like one of those episodes of Criminal Minds where the script spends a long time reveling in the pain and degradation inflicted on the current victim while the 'detectives' stand around saying dumb things to one another and not doing much detecting. The book is more like torture porn than a thriller.

This is like one of those episodes of Criminal Minds where the script spends a long time reveling in the pain and degradation inflicted on the current victim while the 'detectives' stand around saying dumb things to one another and not doing much detecting. The book is more like torture porn than a thriller.

I read this book because of the hype surrounding it. Did I like it? Well, I ended up with mixed feelings.

The plot revolves around the concept of three monkeys plus one. These convey 'see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil' and the fourth lesser known 'do no evil'. There is a serial killer who not only follows this but executes the same as well. This story is whodunit search for the serial killer by a cop.

Barker is a storyteller. The change in scenes ensures a continuity in the narration. However, I felt something amiss. There were scenes that were described in graphic details. Yet imageries kept popping in a random manner while reading those descriptions. To be honest, I neither felt I was a part of the story nor was I a mute spectator. Hence, in the end I ended up being a reader. This is my personal view. The language is understandable but yes, the book does have mature content. Notwithstanding this, the storyline per se does have the ability to become a blockbuster. There is a cliffhanger in the end and so I am hoping for an improved version of the story in part two.

There are two major characters, an antagonist and a protagonist. However, with many characters being introduced every now and then, the duo didnt have the impact they ought to have had on me. I mean, I didn't end up thinking about a character after finishing the book.

To sum up, by the time I finished reading, the ending did disappoint me a bit. Maybe, if it had been reworded a bit, the effect would have been different. The story in toto is really good and very likeable. The plot is a predictable one 'cop versus serial killer'. What makes a difference in such stories is the treatment meted out and the way narration of storyline flows. Keeping in mind a sequel coming up next, this story is good enough to set the tone and tenor. Read it if you love crime stories.

P.S - Thank you Maxine and Booklover Catlady Publicity for a wonderful story in exchange of an honest review. The opinions expressed are mine alone without influence of any kind.

Full disclosure: I did not purchase this book - I borrowed from the library. I read a fair amount, about 2/3, and then I had to quit. I felt depressed whenever I picked it up and started to wonder about the author's sanity - it is really a depraved account of various torture techniques and depressing life events. I finally had to just put it down. It was tolerable for a while and then it just got sickening.

Caught my attention from the first pages! Detective John Porter and Sam Nash are partners in the Chicago Metro Police Department. Porter has been investigating a serial killer for 6 years, who has a unique method if killing his victims. He first cuts off their ear and sends it to Porter in a little white box with a black string tied on it. Also enclosed with the ear is a handwritten address. He would wait a few days, then cuts out their eyes and send them in the little white box, and waits a few more days and finally cut out the tongue, and sends that in the little white box. Then he kills them. So far he has killed 7 victims. There seems to be no rhyme or reasoning to killing his victims. Possibly Porter caught a break, because he has been called to an accident where an individual jumped in front of a transit bus on purpose and was killed. The individual had no ID on him just a diary, a few coins, aa dry cleaning receipt, pocket watch, and a small white box with a black string wrapped around it. The address is of an investment banker, Talbot. This serial killer has named himself The Fourth Monkey Killer or 4MK. This stands for "Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Speak No Evil, and Do No Evil." 4MK instructs Porter to read his diary for clues to save a young girl, whom he has abducted. The book reverts back and forth from the investigation back to the diary, and gives the reader a sense of the type of person this serial killer evolved from. As the clues continue to build, Porters team think they will eventually capture him. There are lots of twists and turns in this book. The intrigue will keep you page turning until the end. What is the reason for 4MK picking specific victims? What is Talbot's secret? Will Porter be able to save the young girl, who was abducted? The characters and the plot are very realistic. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading many more from this author. I received this book for an honest review!!

Detective Sam Porter has been chasing the Four Monkey Killer for years when one morning he gets a phone call to come to the scene of an accident. Porter arrives to find that a man has been hit by a bus that was carrying one of the boxes that 4MK is known for delivering after taking one of his victims.

Now the clock has started ticking for Porter and the other detectives since it seems that 4MK has another victim that he will not be returning to after his accident that may still be alive. Along with the box the killer also had a diary in his pocket which Porter finds himself reading and getting caught up in the mind of a psychopath.

The Fourth Monkey by J.D. Barker is definitely one of those that I would call a page turning thrill ride ride from the start. Not only did you have the excerpts from the diary of a serial killer but you have a likable set of detectives working the case trying to find out just what had happened after years of chasing this killer.

While I would describe some of this read as deeply disturbing and even quite disgusting in parts isn't that what one would expect when reading about a serial killer? It's one of those reads that is very hard to put down as the twists and turns had me hooked from very early on when there was a life on the line that could possibly still be saved from the disturbing mind that had taken her. Definitely would recommend checking this one out!

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

My Review: 5/5
This book is so terrifying, suspenseful, and demented….and I absolutely LOVED it!!
The blurb gives you all you need to know about the book, so I’m not going to go into the plot.  Just trust me on this one. If you like Silence of the Lambs, or the movie Se7en, then you will also enjoy this book. 
It is one of the best books about a serial killer that I have read in a long time. The writing is top notch! The lead detective, Parker has been investigating the 4MK killer from the beginning. I felt like I was right there with him, revealing the clues, while feeling the anguish of his personal struggles as well.  The other characters are also well developed. They are minor at best, but with enough insight to make me like them.  
The story is told in different perspectives. One of the perspectives takes you back in time to the childhood of the 4MK killer. To relive what he lived is so terrifying and squeamish at times, the hair on my arms was standing tall, my heart was beating at a rapid pace, and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough!
This book is not for the faint of hearts. There are some scenes that are difficult to read. But if you have any interest at all to read a great detective novel, involving a terrific tale of a killer, I highly recommend this book. I cannot give it enough praise.  This one will definitely be one of my favorite reads of 2017.

For several chapters the book seemed ok. Then things deteriorated rapidly. The characters and the action became increasingly unbelievable. The descriptions were nauseating. What kind of a sick mind puts this stuff on paper? What a complete waste of my time!
I forgot to mention I quit reading when a certain character was tortured to death, about 1/4 way into the book.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of The Fourth Monkey.
I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion was freely given.

The Fourth Monkey delivers on the promise made that it is a "dark and twisting novel". The main character, Detective Sam Porter, has suffered personally but is called in on a death of a suspicious nature. Having been chasing the Four Monkey Killer for over five years, it seems as though his terrorizing of the Chicago area may be at its end. As the clues left behind point to an immediate issue, Sam and the other detectives are in a race against time to conclude their investigation.

The author has done a great job crafting a fully developed main character in Sam Porter. Although I did not feel it was strictly necessary to spend so much time alluding to the circumstances surrounding Sam's personal life, the plot kept up a thrilling and twisting pace throughout. The story took on a life of its own and I found the investigation into the Four Monkey Killer to be very credible and realistic. Detective Sam Porter is a good main character, one who has more story to tell. I would definitely recommend The Fourth Monkey to readers who enjoy a good thriller and I look forward to reading more by author J.D. Barker in the future.

Chicago's finest Detective's Nash and Porter have been on the hunt for years for the Four Monkey Killer, (4MK) and finally have a lead. When a man is killed and holds in his possessions an ear and a diary, the two detectives think this is finally the end to his terror...until they read the diary. Can they put this case to rest before more die?

This thrilling new series begins in the windy city of Chicago. For those of you whom never been to Minnesota, we are giving them a run for their money on "wind", lol. The case of the 4MK killer has had detectives Nash and Porter baffled as to his identity for years, until now. While they believe the case may be closed, they discover in the dead mans possession a box with a human ear, and a diary. The 4MK's MO is to cut his victims ear off, amongst other things. Well poop sticks, this means his last victim is still alive and out there somewhere and now they have to find them before it's too late. They believe the victim is a 15-year old girl named Emory. She is the illegitimate daughter of filthy rich business man by the name of Talbot, who's gone missing. Just when the detectives think they have the killer where they want him, he has managed to turn the table in a plot twist that will shock the heck out of you!

The 4MK killer's character was fascinating to say the least. During the story, we are discovering his past along with Detective Porter while he reads his diary. The story gives us the play by play of the killers parents, and their story. While in between the investigation, the story switches to 4MK's tale. I have to say that the diary entries were more intriguing to me than the present time with the detectives. I was so enamored by his tale I fought with myself about skipping to the diary parts! In the end, despite his parents shenanigans I was rooting for his father. The loyalty, love and betrayal he faced was heart wrenching at times.Go figure, I root for the bad guys, haha.

In the present, the investigation was familiar like a CSI episode that I connected with for obvious reasons...however I never really bonded with the detectives until the end of the story, and more so with Porter than Nash. During some point in the book I almost gave up on the police force until pieces of the puzzle started clicking into place. And why is there always a Espinosa? I mean damn, the television shows already have that character covered, lol. Moving on, the setting and world building was very detailed and brought the story to life in my imagination, and I really love when a writer can pull that off. And although I felt that the story came to a satisfying end for me, the author pulls a hat trick in the prologue! Holy cow! Yes I want to read more please!

So for those mystery thriller fans, I highly recommend you pick this book up and follow the author, cause book two I'm sure will kick some serious booty!

**Advanced Readers Copy provided by the author for an honest review**

The book begins with no preamble. We're introduced to detective Sam Porter, who gets a 911 text from one of his colleagues who tells him there's been an accident and that he should head to the site ASAP. The story unfolds and we quickly find out why Porter specifically was called to the scene. The dead man appears to be the Four Monkey Killer, a Chicago serial killer that Detective Porter has been tussling with for years. The man is holding a box with a piece of his most recent victim in it; it appears he was on the way to the mailbox when the bus came. He also has a journal in his pocket, which gives the reader a glimpse into the mind of the killer via a vignette from his childhood. The book cycles back and forth between the journal and present day. Sometimes, I find myself getting bored when the story skips around, but both stories were completely captivating so I was hooked. 4MK is truly twisted- we find out that he learned the tricks of the trade from his mother and father. We also get to find out where the nickname Four Monkey Killer comes from, which I loved. Despite the bus, 4MK has left clues to direct the police to his latest victim and they're frantically trying to 'puzzle it out' so they can reach the girl in time. There were some cliches peppered into the beginning- the corrupt Chicago politicians, the hard boiled - crap at technology police officers- but not enough to take away from the story. The story also has alternating POVs- Porter, 4MK via the journal, another detective, and the victim. As you might imagine, the book is about a kidnapping and a serial killer, so it does get graphic and violent. Reading through the victim's story was chilling, but her story is only a small piece of the puzzle. I kept thinking it was going to go one way and then it would go another. There were a few big surprises peppered throughout- none of which i saw coming. (But, to be fair, I'm pretty bad at predicting that sort of thing). It started a bit slower for me, but once I was about 60% of the way through I couldn't put it down. The fact that the story opens with a bus having run over a major player in the story kept things from becoming too predictable. Some of the pieces of the story were far fetched, but if you let yourself suspend reality and go with the narration, I think you'll enjoy it too.

Favorite Quote: "Women were perfectly capable of handling pain but not emotion. Men handled emotion but not pain. The differences were sometimes subtle, but they were there nonetheless." More reviews at TBREtc.com.

My Experience: I started reading The Fourth Monkey on 8/27/17 and finished it on 9/3/17. This book is a fantastic thriller! Unbelievable! What a ride! I love a good puzzle with little bread crumbs and this book has it. I try to read this book slowly and carefully to savour the intensity of the thrill in each page because it’s so good! The writing in the Diary is enchanting and it bewitched me to forgive them when they do bad things. The police force is a delightful bunch. I love their constant banter and humor. I am truly hypnotize when I read this book.

This book is told in the third person point of view following Detective Sam Porter, a lead investigator and the only officer to chase down the serial killer for the past half a decade. He and his partner Nash and the task force team are truly a blast to follow. There is no dull moments following Porter and Nash to work. Readers will also follow the last victim, as she struggles with surviving and knowing full well who her killer is. Another task force member is Claire, a youngest detective on the 4MK task force. I like her straight forward attitude and how she deals with men. Readers will also get to read the killer’s diary in the first person point of view starting from his childhood. This book is organized where the police are called out to investigate a death believed to be of the fourth monkey killer. The man walked into an oncoming traffic and was hit by a bus. He has with him the signature box the 4MK uses on his victims. Police believes he was trying to deliver a box to a prominent business man in Chicago. The content in the box inform the police the victim may still be alive. There are multiple stories running parallel in this book with each person actively taking one step closer to solving the case. The chase and plot twists will leave you at the edge of your seats!

This book is very well written and organized. It’s definitely a fast paced mystery/thriller full of actions. I had a hard time putting this book down. I love reading the diary. It’s so beautifully written and captivating. I love the humor of the task force. Everyone is likeable. Every chapter ends with suspense and my patience squeeze a little having to wait every other chapter to find out. I love the multiple point of views. I love how the story is based on the 3 wise monkeys: See No Evil, Speak No Evil, and Hear No Evil, originated from Japan. This thriller is definitely my best read this year and I highly recommend everyone to read it!

Pro: mystery, thriller, constant banter, fast paced, page turner, adrenaline rush, couldn’t put down, captivating, thrilling read, suspenseful, multiple views, plot twists,

Con: none

I rate it 5 stars!

***Disclaimer: Many thanks to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.

xoxo,
Jasmine at howusefulitis dot wordpress dot com for a more detailed review

Wow. What a book. Seriously, what a book.

The Fourth Monkey is the nickname for a serial killer that has been terrorising Chicago for over five years. With victims found many months apart, the killer sends body parts to the family in white boxes with black ribbons, the ear, the eyes and the tongue, before the body finally turns up - hear no even, see no evil, speak no evil(the same as the famous monkeys). The Fourth Monkey Killer follows these mantras and the lesser known Fourth Monkey - Do No Evil.

Detective Sam Porter is on leave after a recent personal tragedy when he is contacted by one of his team regarding the Fourth Monkey killer. Sam has been on the team from the beginning, trying to track him down for half a decade.
A mans body has turned up. Killed in a road traffic accident, hit by a bus when crossing the street, he was carrying one of the white boxes with him to post. An ear is in the box. They also find a personal diary of sorts on the body. They are now sure that they have found The Fourth Monkey Killer. But they are aware that there is another victim out there somewhere, still alive for sure as this is just the first part of the killers ritual, but can they piece together the clues and find the latest victim in time and is all as it seems? With no clues or evidence over the last five years how come this all lands in their lap now? Is this another game being played by the killer, even if he is as it appears, dead?

The story is mostly told from two perspectives. From Sams as he works his way through the clues left at the accident, and also from the found diary as Sam reads it. The diary goes into great detail about the serial killers childhood and family life and what moulted him into the killer he is.

I said wow at the start of the book and this one really is a wow. It has a real cinematic feel to it. Would love to see it adapted for the big screen. The story is fantastic. The writing is fantastic. The characterisation is fantastic. The pacing is fantastic. The book is just bloody fantastic.

It's like you get two stories for the price of one but of course they are essential to each other. The diary is a brilliant device to get into the mindset of the killer as we relive his childhood and family life. It's bonkers. Absolutely bonkers but utterly gripping. Both narratives in the story are equally strong so there was no isssue when jumping back and fourth between them, both were utterly compelling throughout.

I just can't say enough good things about this book. It's my favourite read of the year so far. It's just brilliant from start to finish. A five star review all day long.

I received an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I do love an intelligent killer with a vigilante feel, and this has it in spades.
A fascinating plot with the beginning that hooks you in straight away.
It is fresh, clever and the back story to the killer makes you aware of how twisted he is, or does it?
The whole premise of the book got to me with the hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil the fourth monkey being do no evil. Which there is plenty of packed within these pages. It had an intelligent criminal that gave us an equally intelligent plot to follow with some amusement as well, on the whole a fantastic read and will be recommending it for others.
One criticism if any is the diary entries, the font size was so tiny, that even making them larger on Kindle was difficult as it made the rest of the book larger, and yes I could have flipped to making the story font smaller, but I was so in to the book I really did not want to. I do not know how this would be portrayed in paperback, but it is worthy of a read so I would find a magnifying glass as these diary entries are a very important part of the back story.
This has set 2018 off to a brilliant start with a clever criminal read. Which I actually took my time to read and savour rather than speed through it, hoping for more to come from this author.

For five years, Detective Sam Porter has been trying to catch the Four Monkey Killer (4MK), a serial killer who kidnaps, mutilates and murders young girls. Sadly, though, there has been little progress in the investigation. Then a bus driver hits a man, and things start to roll fast. The package the man was carrrying contains the latest victim’s ear, and an interesting diary is discovered in his pocket. All the clues point to him being the 4MK, but soon Porter will realize he’s wrong, and he and his team have just two days to find and save the 4MK’s latest victim.

The book starts off as a mystery and then veers into thriller territory with plenty of suspense. Author J.D. Barker does not focus just on the work of Porter and his team, and their piecing together the clues. He also takes readers on a voyage into the mind of a serial killer, who kills not just for the sake of pleasure, but for the purpose of punishing those who at first look like noble citizens, but are rotten to the core.

In the aforementioned diary, the 4MK recounts the events of one summer when he was a teen --- the summer that changed his life forever. Barker provides insight into a family that looks like an average middle-class family, but is full of sick and twisted individuals. I really cannot tell who the most deviant person is: the 4MK himself, his mother or his father.

The investigation spans three days, and focuses on gathering the clues and catching the killer. The POV shifts among three characters: Porter, Detective Clair Norton, and the 4MK’s latest victim, 15-year-old Emory Connors. While reading, I felt like I was in the middle of the action and inside the killer’s head at the same time. Some scenes are brutal, and detailed descriptions of torture may not be for everybody, though these are found mostly in the diary portion of the story.

THE FOURTH MONKEY is a great start to a series that probably will feature a game of cat and mouse between Porter and the 4MK. Although there is a cliffhanger at the end, the story is complete in and of itself, so readers will not be left in the dark regarding the life (or death) of the kidnapped girl. The novel is dark and scary, and quite twisted in some parts, but is done so well that I could not stop reading it. The second book in the series is expected to be released next summer, and I already am looking forward to its publication.

Reviewed by Dunja Bonacci Skenderovic.

(I received an ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.)

WOW, what a fantastic mystery thriller! I could not put it down!

For years Detective Sam Porter has been investigating the Four Monkey Killer, a serial killer who gruesomely delivers body parts to the victim's family as he slowly kills the victim little by little. When the killer is hit by a bus, seemingly on his way to delivering his next gruesome package, Porter becomes desperate to find the victim who may still be alive.

The killer's personal diary is found on his body, and by reading it Porter looks for insight into the killer's mind, in hopes of figuring out where his last victim might be hidden.

The book alternates chapters between the plot and excerpts from the killer's diary. Although all plot chapters are told in the third person, each chapter focuses on a different member of the police force. This really ratchet's up the tension, as each member of the force knows slightly different information -- but is also missing slightly different information -- and the reader knows all of it. I was biting my fingernails, wishing I could tell each police officer what I knew!

Each chapter that reveals parts of the killer's diary is told in the first person, from the killer's point of view. This technique is very effective. Through the killer's diary I was drawn into his highly dysfunctional life. The diary is written by the killer as an adult but in a memoir format, as he reflects on things that happened during his childhood. The calm and unattached way in which he writes about very twisted things that happened in his childhood is absolutely chilling.

The book doesn't end with a cliffhanger, but it does end with a clear need for a sequel. Yay! I cannot WAIT!! I hope this becomes a series.

My thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.

There were a lot of twists and turns concerning this novel, most of them coming from my own mind as I wrestled how I was going to feel about it once the last page was read. I vacillated from five stars to three to four to two-and-a-half and back up again. There are parts of the book that are very good, others that bothered me. It’s difficult to explain all the facets of “The Fourth Monkey” without spoilers, but I’ll give it a shot:

Author J. D. Barker can certainly immerse readers into a story. Despite the issues I had with the book, it was nearly impossible to set it down and I read it in less than 24 hours. The book has not one, but two major plot lines going on and the author moves smoothly from one to the other, slowly at first and later with breakneck speed. The pacing and excitement generated are five-star elements of this book.

This is a catch-me-if-you-can story, with the killer leaving a few physical clues for the detectives. One of these clues is a diary of the killer’s childhood, which provides the second plot line. As a device, this is wonderful. Instead of wishing the story would return to the diary or the current time, I found that wherever the author wished to lead me was fine. The unfolding of both stories was captivating, and no matter what I read, I was being led toward the answers I sought.

Certain elements of the diary were bothersome, however. While it is known that psychopathic tendencies can be passed on from generation to generation, the description of the killer’s family life seemed to stretch my imagination and became reminiscent of a bad slasher movie. While the author performed a credible job at the end when tying the diary and current events together, it could be argued that the strings held some fantastic and almost unbelievable elements. However, true life can sometimes possess crazy twists and turns, and as the story was moving so quickly at the climax I gave the author a pass.

At first, I questioned whether or not the author knew anything about Chicago and was guessing that a rudimentary knowledge of the city was all he possessed. An offhand comment about McHenry County being downstate from Chicago (the county actually borders the Wisconsin border) caused more headshaking, although I believe now that this is nothing more than a “typo,” as I found out after reading the book that the author spent his childhood in McHenry county. The description of Chicago was cursory at best and except for streets named here and there, the story could have taken place anywhere. A bit more world building would have added a bit of spice to the book.

Overall, Mr. Barker has talent. Even though I felt some of the story was a strain on my belief system, he constantly injected curiosity and excitement into the book. The police procedural pieces seemed realistic and conversations between characters seemed natural and matched the traits each displayed. The mental or physical problem that many authors assign to their detectives are missing from this story. Although Sam does have an issue he is dealing with, it is a natural part of life and does not consume pages or prevent him from doing his job. The items I listed in previous paragraphs may be bothersome, but do not prevent this story from being a page-turner. Four stars.

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!

What can I say other than “believe the hype”. This is a strong, and I mean strong, psychological thriller. Normally, I would tend to shy away from detective driven plot lines and characters. It doesn’t appeal to me and I always feel that authors make our protagonist the same character over and over. A rebel cop who can’t seem to follow the rules, always in trouble with their superior, heavy drinker, troubled / haunted past, marital problems, blah, blah, blah. Just like me, you’ve read it all before.

BUT, and this is a big but, 4MK is nothing like your typical detective centric thriller. Yes, Sam Porter, a detective with Chicago homicide is our main character, but he is not a cliché. In fact, while the author does allude to and expand upon a bit of Sam’s personal life, this is 4MK’s story.

The story is told from multiple POV and flips back and forth between past and present. The past being told my 4MK in a diary entry fashion. Typically when I read books with parallel story lines / past present there is one more dominant story line that I am more interested in. Not in this case. Both stories are full of suspense, twists and turns and storytelling that keeps you wanting to read “one more chapter”.

I highly recommend this book and fully expect this to be a highly talked about book of 2017. It’s sick, twisted, dark, thrilling and excellent. Do not read any spoilers and don’t bother with the plot synopsis. Just pick up this book and buckle your seatbelt. Seven meets Hannibal Lector is the most accurate description I have seen for this read. And, I promise I am not giving anything away, dare I say that this just might lead to a series?

Well, this book hit the ground running, grabbed me from the first page, kept my attention nicely, and didn't let me go until the last. Actually, tell a lie, it kept me beyond the last page as I was still thinking about it for a fair while after I had finished. Good job I read it on my day off, although that is supposed to be my chores day, needless to say, I just did the important ones that day!
There's an RTA and a man has died. On investigation, it appears he was carrying something that could identify him as the Four Monkey Killer (4MK), a serial killer of over five years. The thing he was carrying also suggests that there is a new victim. One who may not be dead.
Sam Porter is currently signed off from work for personal reasons, but, as the lead detective on the 4MK task force he is called back in, and when he goes to the scene of the accident, he finds a diary on the man's body. Can this diary help him understand the killer's motive, can it give him clues to the newest victim's location? Can he save the girl and put this monster to bed once and for all?
Nothing is ever that simple...
Oh my, this book was so very well, and tightly plotted. It drew me in right from the start and had me, mostly, guessing throughout. I did get a couple of things early but I was only ever mostly right and had my reasons wrong a few times too. I loved the inclusion of the diary entries. Just at the right times to add context to the present day story. A bit gory at times, this book is definitely not for the faint-hearted!
As with all good psychological thrillers, we had secrets, lies and a fair bit of duplicitous behaviour. It also has a bit of a moral. If serial killers can be classed as moralistic that is. Is it so bad if you just kill bad people?
I have to say that I really loved Sam as a character. He is wounded and still getting over a pretty big personal tragedy but despite this, his determination to get to the bottom of 4MK just has to be admired. His relationship to 4MK could be considered in the same vein as Holmes to Moriarty. The word Nemesis springs to mind and you just know that there is definitely a game afoot.
Pacing was perfect. Balance between description and narrative likewise. There was sufficient to set the scene, usually creepy, but not too much to be intrusive. For me it was a very visual book and I am not usually a visual reader. I think maybe sometimes I wish it hadn't been, given some of the scenes but then, hey I cut my teeth on reading horror books so it wasn't too bad. I would probably go as far as to say that it would translate to the screen very well - as long as it's not ruined of course!
All in all, a cracking read that kept my attention throughout and left me completely satisfied at the end. It has raced into my top 10 so far this year, and I think it will be still there come end of December.

My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

On the first page, Detective Sam Porter is awaken by a text from his partner Detective Nash to call him. Nash wants Porter to meet him at the scene of an accident. A man was killed by a bus right across from a mailbox. The man did not have any ID or identification and his face destroyed beyond any recognition. In his pocket a small white box tied with a black string is discovered. In it was a human ear. This is a signature of the Four Monkey Killer, or 4MK. Porter’s team is the 4MK task force. Now, with 4MK dead and a victim out there somewhere, the storyline takes off trying to identify 4MK, the identity and location of his victim.

The flow is fast paced. As every lead is followed and as the facts are identified, I was captured by the twists and turns that the author incorporated into this novel that did not stop until the end of the novel. I could not put it down. There is some salty talk. On average, they occurred once every four pages. This was not excessive for me.

The author included a second storyline of 4MK’s childhood in the form of a diary found on the 4MK. Porter reads from it throughout the novel. This diary provides a good look into the development of 4MK’s childhood. This storyline also captured my imagination and enriched the novel overall for me. These diary chapters were separate by one or two main storyline chapters. At the end of each chapter, I always wanted the current storyline to continue, but wanted to see the progress in the other storyline. I really enjoyed these alternating storylines.

Most of the B-story centers on Porter’s recent tragedy. Obviously, it is affecting him, but the only real effect was some missed time from working on the 4MK case. It would seem to me that the enormity of this tragedy would have affected his job to some extent. As the novel is fast-paced, I did not realize this until after reading this novel completely.

The only error that struck me immediately was the moving a body at a crime scene before the scene could be processed and documented and before the examination by the coroner. This was done probably to maintain the flow of the storyline, so again this was minor for me.

My primary criterion for a high rating is that the novel captures my imagination that I am disappointed that I have to but it down even to get some sleep. The Fourth Monkey exceeded that criterion. Even with the above noted negatives, I still rate this novel with five stars. I really enjoyed it and strongly recommend reading it.

I have received a free kindle version of this novel through NetGalley from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt with a request for an honest, unbiased review. I wish to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for the opportunity to read this novel.

THE FOUTH MONKEY (4MK) by talented author J.D. Barker is a dark and twisting novel; a combination of Se7en meets The Silence of the Lambs. Psychological thrillers are my favourite genre so was very much looking forward to reading it. As I started to read it, I was transported to a time when I watched my favourite movie, Se7en. I was drawn and hooked to this book, and had work not got in the way, I would have finished it earlier.

I would describe The Fourth Monkey as very graphic in parts and not for the faint-hearted. The Four Monkey Killer (4MK) was a serial killer, who tortured his victims before killing them, mailing body parts back to their families.

I enjoy reading books about serial killers in order to understand what makes them tick, getting inside the mind of a deranged and twisted character. Who is he? Why does he do this?

The Four Monkeys comes from a shrine in Japan, where there is a carving above the entrance.
“HEAR NO EVIL, SEE NO EVIL, SPEAK NO EVIL. THE FOURTH MONKEY REPRESENTS, DO NO EVIL.” The serial killer follows this pattern.

The Four Monkey Killer (4MK) has terrorized the residents of Chicago, for over five years. There had been a massive manhunt for this serial killer. When his body is found, the police soon realize he was on his way to deliver one final message, one which proves he has taken another victim who may still be alive.

Detective Sam Porter had been there from the beginning. As the lead investigator on the 4MK task force, Detective Sam Porter discovers a personal diary in the jacket pocket of the body, and Porter finds himself caught up in the mind of a psychopath. He must now try to save the life of a young girl…caught in the middle by this sadistic killer.

“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.”

The novel is told from multiple pints of view with the main two being Detective Sam Porter and from 4MK’s diary. This diary tells the story of his life from childhood to the evil monster he became. This diary is creepy and gave me the chills…but I had to know why!

This is a very well written novel with engaging and flawed characters to add depth and tension to the story. An easy five stars for me. Preorder this novel. It will be worth your time!

I predict that this novel is going to be one of the most talked about books of the year!

I received an ARC copy of this novel. All opinions are my own and my review it unbiased.

Expected publication: June 27th 2017 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Gruesome evidence found on the body of a man who stepped in front of a bus leads the police to suspect he is a serial killer. the killer, dubbed 4MK, applies his twisted logic to incur maximum pain on his target. He kidnaps, maims and eventually murders the target's loved one, usually a child or a lover. He sends severed body parts, each correlating with the principles suggested by four monkey sculptures: see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil, and do no evil. For five years he has held the police at bay and the city of Chicago in his thrall. But whether the deceased is in fact the killer or an associate, the race is on to identify and locate the victim.

This is a standard if uneven serial killer novel. It is narrated in alternating chapters by two police officers, the victim and the serial killer via a diary. The diary outlines the making of a sociopath and veers to a side story about his twisted parents and a rather silly gangster plot.There is another subplot about the lead detective's missing wife. The police are no match for the killer. The cops are even dumber than usual and their incorrect assumptions and oversights are both unbelievable and unforgivable. It is hard to believe that this dubious team was kept on the case after five fruitless years. The killer is fairly entertaining though and violence level is fairly high. I did enjoy the epilogue. I generally like serial killer novels and was hoping this one would be bloody good. It is bloody but average. A clever killer needs a clever nemesis and unfortunately, in this case, the killer has to lead the police to solve the crime. too bad. But if you have a taste for murder, mayhem and monkeyshines, it is still worth a read. 3.2 stars

J.D. Barker, author of “The Fourth Monkey,” combines a demented mind with unmatched writing skills making him a marvelous writer of suspenseful mysteries. “Monkey” tops my list so far for most enjoyable read of the year.

I think we have to explore Barker’s mind before they cart him away. First, he creates wonderful dialogue that vacillates between obscene and lyrical. He can conjure up the mouths of hard-boiled cops, demented crooks, and psychotic maniacs at the turn of a page—they don’t all talk alike, you know. His storytelling is compelling and mesmerizing, and his pacing is off the charts. He compares favorably with any of today’s best mystery writers.

In the “Monkey” it appears that a serial killer, on the loose for some five years, has ended his life by slow dancing with a truck, pressing his face closely against the truck’s grill. The problem is that a young girl is still hidden away somewhere in Chicago by this fiend who has already cut off her ear and is in the process of delivering it to her family when he has the last dance.

Lead detective of the task force chasing the killer, Sam Porter, reads a diary found in the pocket of the late dancer and is immediately enters the mind of a psychopath. He must untangle the history found in this shocking chronicle and apply it to the current frantic search. The clues are meager, identities still remain hidden, and the killer still teases from his grave. The members of Porter’s task force, all talented and quirky, delve into the mysteries with specific tasks of their own. The author expertly weaves the efforts together as the search for truth is frantically conducted.

This is a good book with eye-popping sequences and an ending that will keep the reader wanting more. There will certainly be continuing tales about Porter and his squad for Barker to tell. Can’t wait.

Schuyler T Wallace
Author of TIN LIZARD TALES

I’ve mentioned before that I have a sick fascination with serial killers and I’m especially interested in the way they think and what made them this way. Were they born to literally kill? Were they taught that killing is a way of life? Were they abused and mistreated then something inside them just snapped one day? The Fourth Monkey is an insanely creepy look inside the mind of a serial killer with a twist. The FMK actually dies at the very beginning of the book, but he left one last victim for the police to find. She’s hidden away somewhere in Chicago and she doesn’t have long before she dies. Porter has been chasing FMK for years now and he won’t let another young woman die on his watch. He’s forced to follow the breadcrumbs left behind by a sadistic killer, but can he figure out the puzzle before it’s too late?

This is told from Sam Porter’s point of view in the present as he tries desperately to outwit a cunningly smart killer and also has chapters from 4MK’s diary. These entries made my skin crawl as much as they transfixed me, it outlines his childhood and shows how he became the monster he is today. Getting a deep look inside the darkest of minds was so scary, 4MK is so emotionless as he describes his horrifying childhood it gave me chills.

This was a daring, fearless, in your face read. Barker holds nothing back in terms of his graphic and oftentimes gory descriptions, this is definitely not for the squeamish. I, however loved this approach and even though sometimes the detailed manner in which crime scenes were described was a bit hard to stomach, it really added something dark and sinister to the story.

Barker’s writing is fluid and sharp at the same time, it held me tight in it’s menacing grip throughout and weaved some stunning twists and turns along the way. This was a down and dirty, nitty gritty read that was an easy five stars for me, no hesitation.

Absolute cracker of a thriller, unputdownable, fast paced, addictive page-turner.....I don't have enough superlative words to describe this book. The gist of the story goes like this - Detective Sam Porter has been trying, for 5 years, to bring down a killer known as The Fourth Monkey or 4MK, who keeps taunting Sam, by sending him little gifts of stuff belonging to his victims. It starts with a bus accident and soon becomes a race against time, to find the latest victim of 4MK. Who wins?? Who is 4MK?? Will Sam succeed in exposing his identity ?? What's Sam's story?? Is 4MK, a one dimensional psychotic killer who kills for fun or is there something more??? All these questions run through the mind, while reading...
At prima facie, this appears to be a simple, straightforward story of a cop trying to find a serial killer, a cat-and-mouse story. But it turns out to be so much more. The first page hooked me immediately, I knew this book would be an adrenaline-filled journey, keeping me on the edge of my seat.. And the following pages certainly delivered that. I had to read faster to know the end, and getting to the end, I was sad as I didn't know when the author would write his next book. Barker's pace of writing caused my heart rate to increase with each chapter till it was pounding at the end.This book has everything ; emotions, friendship, chase, surprise, personal grief, the complete package. Inspite of this being a serious crime story, there is camaderie between Sam Porter and his entire team, Nash, Claire, Kloz and newcomer Watson, including bits of comedy and laughter in their dialogues. That makes the book more real and interesting..
J. D. Barker's style of writing is simple but oh so effective. He sucks you into the story from the first line and you are in 4MK / Sam's world, running along with them, wanting to know what makes 4MK tick, urging Sam faster...Each word makes you long to get to the truth. The book gets over in a few hours but it's hangover lasts for a few days..
Barker is a magician he has taken a simple formula : cop + killer = story... and made it a living, breathing world of suspense, intrigue, layers within the layers, where you are hit by his words from all sides. You are left exhausted, but it's a good exhaustion...
This author has done one thing that I thought, wasn't possible.. He has made me a fangirl of crime stories and his style of writing... Woo-hoo

I am really excited about this book being optioned for big and little screens. I think it would translate really well. It's bloody, intense, and nerve-racking. This book was actually physically stressing me out! I was on edge waiting to see what would happen to the characters and what motivated this demented killer to invent this sick and twisted game. Best parts of the book were the glimpses into the childhood of the killer. It was... er, a little abnormal. Definitely fascinating to read about. Final rating: 4.5 stars.

It's been five years of torture and murder in Chicago... done by the same hand. He doesn't strike often, but when he does, terror reigns. There's never any doubt over who is responsible... because this particular monster likes to cut off body parts and mail them to the loved ones of the victims. First goes the ear... then the eyes (pop, pop) and finally the tongue. Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil. It's the calling card of the Fourth Monkey Killer.

Detective Sam Porter has been leading the taskforce on 4MK for years. He's still determined to find the killer, but they've had very little in the way of clues. That all changes one day when a man jumps in front of a bus, killing himself. He was bearing a little white box, just like the ones that were sent to family members of victims. In the box is an ear... addressed to a prominent businessman. The killer has clearly kidnapped someone close to him, and they're still alive... but even without the killer around to finish her off, she will soon perish alone and frightened if she's not found fast.

I received an ARC of this book and voluntarily read and reviewed. This in no way affects my opinion.

This story was thrilling, fast-paced, and mesmerizing! I loved the writing style, the gory, descriptive details, and most surprisingly, was completely enamored by the villain!

Yes, rest in peace to my morals...

The "bad guy" in this story stole the show! He outshined the rest of the characters in such a way that I couldn't help but sympathize with him. While there were multiple POVs utilized in this story, the 4MK flashback scenes were the most captivating!

Minor issues?

This book put me in a fantastic mood because of the humorous and light, witty banter spinkled throughout the text. It helped to counterbalance with the darker content so the story didn't seem overtly horror-ish. But some of the comical dialogues between Clair and Brian quickly became a bit too cutesy and bordered on cheesy. At times, it almost seemed like Clair was a filler character, but it'll be interesting to see how and if her role progresses in The Fifth to Die. Brian's character fell along the lines of the dumbed-down silly guy who everyone tolerated just because he was there to provide the comic relief and snacks. He seemed a bit flat considering his role and title, but he provided some funnies.

▣ Overall, this was a great story and the ending was perfection! Yes, some areas were predictable, but this was still an enjoyable book.

▣ First time reading this author's work and I look forward to reading more!

*Complimentary copy provided.

This book was troubling,terrifying, and just horrific. And I highly recommend it! As I was looking over the Library Journal some time ago I saw this and immediately thought of the movie Seven. I knew I had to get my hands on it! I was trying so hard not to read it though as I had several others that were due before this one. But then I read a review by fellow blogger Shalini and I had to bump it up!

Sam Porter receives a text from another detective on his team telling him he needs to get to a crime scene now. When he arrives, he finds a man who apparently jumped in front of a bus, killing him instantly. When they check his pockets they find a diary and a few seemingly random things, change, receipts and a box. A white box tied in black string, and the team believes they have finally found the 4MK killer. Now they must find a missing girl before she becomes his final victim.

Sam feels that the answers they need are in the diary somewhere, if he can believe what the killer has written. This killer is all about games. Leaving clues that come together in the end. Or is it the end? Is this guy really the 4MK?

It really is hard not to give anything away with this review. There really were a couple of stories inside the main one and there wasn’t a moment that didn’t have me saying What?? Because just when you think you have it figured out…you do not.

Fans of the movie Seven will love this book. It really is horribly good! It has already been optioned for film/television.

Well done, Mr. Barker, well done! Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (June 27, 2017) through Netgalley.

Dark, gritty, twisted, disturbing, intense... Just keep similar adjectives going, and they will apply to this first encounter with the 4MK killer. What a read! I like my thrillers dark and twisted, and J.D. Barker has definitely created a very disturbing serial killer to follow in this story. We get a glimpse of his childhood through a diary, and hints at his previous 'work' as the plot develops. And you will encounter a few plot twist bombs along the way, surprises that will catch you unaware as you are too stunned by just how twisted things were back at the killer's home or how the case develops in the present. Oh yes, The Fourth Monkey isn't for those with a weak stomach and if you can't handle graphic scenes and violence, I advice staying clear. Otherwise, if you have a twisted mind like me, you will have a great time meeting the 4MK Killer and his work.  And I'm looking forward to discover what happens next.