• Blog
  • Quick Reviews
    • Introduction
    • Background
    • Book Recommendations
    • By Country
    • Interviews
    • Reviews
    • Features
  • #ReadWithCBTB
  • Features
  • Reading Lists
  • Events
  • Go-to Book Recs
  • As Seen In
  • About
  • Connect
Menu

Crime by the Book

A girl investigates crime fiction from around the world, by the book.
  • Blog
  • Quick Reviews
  • Nordic Noir
    • Introduction
    • Background
    • Book Recommendations
    • By Country
    • Interviews
    • Reviews
    • Features
  • #ReadWithCBTB
  • Features
  • Reading Lists
  • Events
  • Go-to Book Recs
  • As Seen In
  • About
  • Connect

the cbtb blog

One girl's ongoing investigation of the crime fiction genre.

Book Review: THE FOURTH MONKEY by J.D. Barker

April 20, 2017

THE FOURTH MONKEY by J.D. Barker
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; On sale 6/27/17
CBTB Rating: 4.5/5
The Verdict: a twisted, movie-worthy serial killer thriller

Sometimes you just need a seriously twisted and totally engaging serial killer thriller—and THE FOURTH MONKEY is that book. Gripping, violent, and inventive, this book pits a dutiful police officer against a truly sick killer who has crafted a game just for the police—a game that ends in the chance to save the life of the killer’s next victim. Author J.D. Barker serves up a twisty and original take on the classic cop vs. serial killer thriller in THE FOURTH MONKEY. Fans of Se7en and The Silence of the Lambs: listen up, this one’s for you. 

Plot Synopsis: 
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 has taken another victim who may still be alive. 
 
As the lead investigator on the 4MK task force, 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, unraveling 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.

I don’t know what it is about serial killer thrillers, but I just love them. From the classics (hello, THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS) to newer additions like M.J. Arlidge’s EENY MEENY and Daniel Cole’s RAGDOLL, there’s just something so addictive about this kind of read. I love the mind games, the tension, and the twisted plotting, and THE FOURTH MONKEY has it all. Above and beyond the many qualities that make this such a fun read, I was most impressed with its originality: this book actually starts with the death of the serial killer at its core, the Four Monkey Killer. Author J.D. Barker puts a truly unique spin on the typical cop vs. killer chase, and his originality pays off. 

Before you get concerned: the fact that the killer dies at the beginning of this book doesn’t at all take away from the tension or urgency of this story. When the police show up at the scene of the killer’s death, they find a diary on his body - a diary that details every step in his evolution from young child to twisted killer. Our main police officer delves into the diary as part of his investigation, and the result is a totally gripping and enjoyably over-the-top dive into what exactly makes someone evil.

I will warn you: the Four Monkey Killer’s backstory really is twisted. It’s graphically violent and quite dramatic, but I enjoyed every cinematic detail that the author provides. I didn't necessarily buy the killer's backstory—it's far from realistic, but I actually don't believe that the author intended for it to be grounded in reality. If you read the book, you'll see exactly what I mean—I think this overly dramatic backstory for the killer might actually be another one of the killer's mind games, and I loved every minute of it. Whether or not you take these diary entries to be true, I can guarantee that they'll keep you equal parts hooked and horrified. These diary entries also serve to keep the killer “alive” throughout the story, even if only on paper, adding an element of tension and darkness that I loved. 

No serial killer thriller would be complete without a case to solve (obviously!), and Barker ensures that readers still have a puzzle to unravel, even with the killer deceased. Before his death, the Four Monkey Killer left behind a series of clues for the police which seem to indicate that he has already kidnapped his next victim, and is holding her in an undisclosed location where she might still be alive—for now. This leads the police down a chilling rabbit hole, following in the footsteps of a vicious killer... but the clock is ticking, and a young woman's life is on the line.

J.D. Barker’s writing really is just pure fun. (Fun in a really dark, twisted, horrific way.) This book isn’t pretentious or serious—it's just a gory, dark, thrilling, wholly entertaining ride. It's worth noting that I did guess the book's final plot twist, but it didn't bother me much to discover that I had seen this reveal coming. I was too swept up in all the twisted fun to give it a second thought. Please be warned, this book is graphically violent—it won’t suit all readers for that reason. But if you love thrillers that center around high-stakes police investigations, and want to be drawn into the mind and backstory of a truly disturbed killer, you will love THE FOURTH MONKEY. 


Book Details: THE FOURTH MONKEY by J.D. Barker

Hardcover: 416 pages
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (June 27, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-0544968844

Find THE FOURTH MONKEY on Amazon.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. 

In Book Review, Book Recommendation Tags Book Review, Book Recommendation
← Book Review: WHAT MY BODY REMEMBERS by Agnete FriisBook Review: INTO THE WATER by Paula Hawkins →

Subscribe

The CBTB Newsletter

Thank you for subscribing to CBTB Reviews. Happy reading!

CBTb's Current Read:

The Family Game: A Novel
By Steadman, Catherine
Buy on Amazon

Latest & Greatest

Featured
The September House Carissa Orlando.jpg
Sep 6, 2023
Book Review: THE SEPTEMBER HOUSE by Carissa Orlando
Sep 6, 2023
Sep 6, 2023
Announcing Crime by the Box!
Aug 12, 2023
Announcing Crime by the Box!
Aug 12, 2023
Aug 12, 2023
Vanessa Lillie Blood Sisters cover reveal.png
Apr 3, 2023
Cover Reveal + Sneak Peek: BLOOD SISTERS by Vanessa Lillie
Apr 3, 2023
Apr 3, 2023
Follow

instagram

View fullsize My personal crime fiction collection 🕵🏻‍♀️🖤 aka my favorite corner of my apartment. 📚🙌🏻 If anyone feels so inclined, I’d love to see what YOUR bookshelves look like! Snap a pic, share in your stories, & tag me - I’d love to
View fullsize I can never say no to a creepy read with a gorgeous black & white cover. 🕵🏻‍♀️🤍🖤 next on my TBR: THE SHADOWS by Alex North, available on my birthday, 7/7!!😉🔎 (huge thank you to @celadonbooks for this review copy!🤓) •
Thank you guy
View fullsize Being stuck at home isn’t so bad when you’ve got a massive stack of books to read. 🕵🏻‍♀️🖤 What’s on your social-distancing TBR?! 📖
•
I went WAY overboard with books I brought home to CT for my self-isolation TBR list. ?
View fullsize Early afternoon light & a large latte ☕️ & a gripping crime read 🕵🏻‍♀️🖤 aka the perfect combination 🙌🏻
•
This right here is my usual Sunday tradition 👆🏻 BUT I’ll be spending this Sunday (and this coming week, and probabl
View fullsize My last day in the city for a while calls for a lunch break coffee stop ☕️🖤 with my totally gripping current read 🕵🏻‍♀️
•
Today is my last day in Manhattan for a while 😔 we’re all transitioning to working from home to try and preve
View fullsize In the midst of a crazy week, my brain needs a quick, binge-worthy read, and I think this beauty right here is just the ticket. 👌🏻🖤 NO BAD DEED by Heather Chavez is on sale now, and I can’t wait to dive in! 🕵🏻‍♀️
•
Friends, I can&
View fullsize Happy Monday, friends! 🖤 Back in NYC and back to work after an amazing (if much too short) visit to Oslo 🇳🇴 annnd currently drinking a cold brew ☕️ at my desk & hoping it keeps me awake this afternoon 😂 jet lag + not enough sleep last night =
View fullsize Last looks at beautiful Oslo 🇳🇴 for this trip. ❤️ So very sad to leave, but I’m bringing wonderful memories & a suitcase stuffed with books 📚 back to NYC with me. 😉 See you soon, Oslo... you know I can’t stay away for long. 🥰❤️
&
View fullsize Spent today doing all my favorite things in Oslo, so obviously a coffee stop was included. ☕️🖤 How are you spending your Saturday?! •
Okay I used to always think the phrase “living your best life” was SO cheesy but if I’m bein
View fullsize *Years* of admiring this Norwegian edition of my favorite book (THE SNOWMAN by Jo Nesbø) have finally resulted in this. 🕵🏻‍♀️🖤 Best. Purchase. Ever. 🙌🏻
•
Does anyone else collect books by a favorite author?! 📚 I don’t have

Twitter

  • Crime by the Book
    Loved speaking with @danspapers about the first panel I’ll be moderating at @HamptonsWhodun this year, featuring… https://t.co/hwrdV45fSz
    Apr 4, 2023, 11:48 AM
  • Crime by the Book
    RT @vanessalillie: I’ve had box of Blood Sister arcs unopened for two weeks waiting on tomorrow - cover reveal by @crimebythebook & IG… https://t.co/fnQ35GO1Nd
    Apr 2, 2023, 10:03 AM
  • Crime by the Book
    RT @TheMysterious: We’re making plans to head out to @HamptonsWhodun next month, Long Island’s exciting new crime fiction festival. Se… https://t.co/ra7RPgf7Fv
    Mar 30, 2023, 6:13 PM
  • Crime by the Book
    RT @TheMysterious: Love mystery fiction? We’re hiring a part-time bookseller, beginning immediately. Email info@mysteriousbookshop.com… https://t.co/AJrBLH0Q1t
    Mar 29, 2023, 7:44 PM
  • Crime by the Book
    RT @TheMysterious: BREAKING: We’re thrilled that our friend Michael Connelly is (finally) being recognized as a mystery fiction Grand… https://t.co/3QgWojXVVw
    Mar 28, 2023, 3:05 PM

Powered by Squarespace