I totally get it, your nightstand pile is a disaster, and picking the next truly addictive thriller is overwhelming. If you’re a fan of J. D. Barker’s writing, you already know the kind of relentless pacing and truly sinister plots he delivers. Barker has become one of my go-to authors for pulse-pounding reads, especially when we dive into his 4MK series. Here’s what I think you need to know about the hype surrounding The Fourth Monkey, so let me save you a bookstore trip and help you decide if this killer is your next great obsession.
The Fourth Monkey (A 4MK Thriller) by J. D. Barker
What’s This Book About? (Quick Summary)
This story hits the ground running when the notorious Four Monkey Killer (4MK), who has been terrorizing Chicago by replicating the “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” sequence with his victims, is finally dead. However, his final victim is still missing. Detective Sam Porter finds the killer’s journal, which chronicles the murderer’s twisted childhood and offers clues to the location of the still-missing girl, forcing Porter into a horrifying race against time.
My Honest Take on The Fourth Monkey by J. D. Barker
I picked up the hardcover edition of The Fourth Monkey mostly because a friend shoved it into my hands and said, “You have to read this.” Honestly, I stayed up way too late reading this one. What J. D. Barker does brilliantly here is structure the narrative around the killer’s journal. You get this horrifying, intimate look into the mind of a psychopath, alternating with the frantic present-day investigation. This dual timeline kept the tension excruciatingly high.
I found myself totally drawn into Detective Porter’s headspace. He’s damaged but relentless, the kind of hero you root for despite his flaws. Barker has a way of crafting beautiful sentences even when describing truly gruesome situations; he doesn’t shy away from the dark side of humanity, but the quality of the writing elevates it far beyond standard crime fiction. I actually dog-eared several pages just because the prose was so sharp. This book truly sets the stage for what I consider one of the best thriller books I’ve read in years.
I recommend this to anyone who loves deeply psychological serial killer procedurals. If you need clean, quick answers, be warned: Barker will make you work for every single revelation.
What I Loved:
The structure involving the journal felt incredibly fresh and added layers of depth to the villain. I loved how J. D. Barker tied the killer’s motives back to such a creepy, dark backstory. That plot twist near the middle left me gasping and immediately texting my friend who recommended it.
What Didn’t Work For Me:
Honestly, I’m nitpicking here, but because the investigation involves so many moving parts and clues, sometimes keeping track of all the secondary characters felt like a small chore. The relentless pace can also be exhausting, so don’t plan on reading this right before bed if you want to sleep well.
Bottom Line: Absolutely read this first. If you want a masterclass in modern serial killer thrillers, this needs to be on your bookshelf immediately.
📚 What Readers Are Saying on Goodreads:
I’ve found it particularly difficult to write a review for this one. Whenever I tried to transfer my thoughts to paper ( ok ipad ) I found that ( in my excitement) I seemed to be giving away some small detail that would possibly spoil it for other readers.
★★★★★
After finishing this book, I rated it three stars. I had just browsed the glowing reviews of fellow GR members and fell pray to the idea that I should like the book more than I did. But the more I thought about it, the less comfortable I felt with my rating.
★★☆☆☆
The Fifth to Die (A 4MK Thriller)
What’s This Book About? (Quick Summary)
In The Fifth to Die, the 4MK case might be closed, but Detective Porter’s life is still a mess. When a new case emerges involving a chillingly familiar pattern of abductions, Porter must confront whether 4MK truly worked alone, or if a terrifying copycat, or perhaps an accomplice, has taken his place. This installment delves much deeper into the repercussions of the first book’s events, both for Porter and for the entire city.
My Honest Take on The Fifth to Die by J. D. Barker
Going into the second book, I was worried about the dreaded “sophomore slump,” but Barker truly delivered. The Fifth to Die takes the mythology established in the first book and expands upon it, focusing more heavily on Detective Porter’s fractured psyche and his past trauma. I picked up the paperback of this one because I knew I’d be reading it everywhere, and I tore through it.
While The Fourth Monkey was driven by the immediacy of the investigation, this book is slower, more methodical, and much more psychological. J. D. Barker does an amazing job pulling back the curtain on the institutions and families impacted by the first killer. There were a couple of spots where the pacing felt like it was dragging a tiny bit compared to the non-stop action of the original, but the payoff in the final quarter was huge. You know that feeling when you realize all the threads you thought were separate are actually intricately woven together? That’s what Barker does best here.
What I Loved:
I appreciated the increased
What Didn’t Work For Me:
The middle section required some patience, as it felt like the detective was spinning his wheels a bit. If you’re only here for the massive body count, you might find this one less outwardly action-packed than the first.
Bottom Line: A fantastic continuation that provides necessary psychological complexity to the series; a must-read if you loved the character dynamics established in the first book.
📚 What Readers Are Saying on Goodreads:
I’m not going to lie, The Fifth to Die pissed me off. At the same time, it was a riveting and intriguing read.*I am keeping this review vague to avoid spoilers. This also won’t make much sense if you haven’t read 4MK.*Let me begin by saying thatThe Fifth To Dieis a whole lot of book to process.
★★★★☆
🐵 WOW! This book left me in a tailspin, wanting more! Book 3 ASAP please J.D. Barker! 🐒🐵Where do I begin? There was A LOT going on here but it’s important to note that you can NOT dive in if you haven’t read Book 1 – The Fourth Monkey.
★★★★☆
The Sixth Wicked Child by J.D. Barker
What’s This Book About? (Quick Summary)
The finale of the original trilogy, The Sixth Wicked Child, brings Detective Porter to the edge. The lines between the past and the present blur completely as Porter races to stop a new, incredibly sinister cycle of violence. All the mysteries surrounding 4MK, his origins, and his connections finally converge in a devastating, high-stakes confrontation.
My Honest Take on The Sixth Wicked Child by J.D. Barker
Let me tell you, finishing The Sixth Wicked Child was a roller coaster. I read this one immediately after the second book because I couldn’t stand the suspense. I got the standard hardcover because I knew this trilogy needed a place of honor on my bookshelf, and I’m glad I did. J. D. Barker had a monumental task in tying up such a sprawling, complex mythology, and honestly, he pulled it off with grace and brutal efficiency.
What Barker does amazingly well in this final installment is manage the payoff. You’ve invested two full books into the mystery, and he doesn’t betray that investment with a weak ending. He earned the climax. I remember the feeling of relief mixed with utter shock when the final villain was truly unmasked. This book requires intense focus, as Barker layers in subtle clues from the previous two novels, rewarding the dedicated reader who remembers the details. If you love clever plot twists and beautifully structured mystery reveals, this book is for you.
What I Loved:
The satisfying resolution of the key mysteries. Barker utilized every element he had introduced, which shows incredible craft and planning. The character arcs felt genuinely complete and earned by the end.
What Didn’t Work For Me:
While the resolution was smart, I felt that the final chapter, after the main climax, was a little too brief. I wished there had been a bit more time spent settling the fates of the secondary characters after such intense turmoil.
Bottom Line: A truly stellar series conclusion that brings everything to a disturbing, yet satisfying, close. Don’t start here, but definitely finish here.
📚 What Readers Are Saying on Goodreads:
Question EverythingThe Sixth Wicked Child is the final book of the 4MK trilogy.My reading Experience:The first word that comes to mind when thinking about this book islong-winded.It is way too long and could have been cut down significantly.
★★★★☆
4.5 stars”…everything is normal when you don’t know any better.” Isn’t that the truth!First and foremost, if you have not read the previous books in this series, do not attempt this one. I mean this in the best possible way. You seriously do not want to miss a thing.
★★★★★
Why The Fourth Monkey Is Worth Reading
Look, if you’re asking me which book you absolutely must start with, it’s undeniably The Fourth Monkey. It’s the origin story, the fastest-paced, and the most structurally inventive of the three, thanks to that journal device. J. D. Barker uses that book to perfectly blend a chilling character study with a high-stakes thriller, making it easily accessible even if you haven’t read any of his other works.
If you like relentless psychological tension mixed with standard investigative procedure, go with the first book. If you prefer deep character exploration and seeing the detective wrestle with profound personal demons, then the following books, The Fifth to Die and The Sixth Wicked Child, will really grab you. Barker consistently delivers beautiful sentences and shocking moments across all three, ensuring that this entire series stands out as one of the best thriller books available right now.
The Fourth Monkey Review Final Verdict
If you need a new obsession, you cannot go wrong with the 4MK series. J. D. Barker is a master plotter, weaving seemingly disparate threads into a tapestry of pure, dark suspense. The entire trilogy is absolutely worth the read, but The Fourth Monkey is the book that solidified Barker’s place as one of the genre’s great writers for me. Seriously, clear a space on your nightstand; these belong together. I’d love to hear which one you pick!
Frequently Asked Questions About The Fourth Monkey
Do I need to read these in order?
Yes, absolutely, you need to read these in order: The Fourth Monkey, followed by The Fifth to Die, and concluding with The Sixth Wicked Child. J. D. Barker weaves a single, continuing narrative and the suspense relies heavily on knowing what happened in the previous books.
How long did it take you to read The Fourth Monkey?
Honestly, I devoured The Fourth Monkey in about two days, maybe three if you count the reading I did during work breaks. They are such fast-paced thrillers that you usually end up sacrificing sleep just to see what happens on the next page.
Are there any content warnings I should know about before reading The Fourth Monkey?
Yes, definitely. Since this is a serial killer thriller, expect detailed descriptions of gruesome crimes and violence, including descriptions involving children and themes of abuse and trauma. If you are sensitive to graphic crime scene details or intense psychological darkness, you should approach the series with caution.
Is the hardcover worth it or should I get paperback for The Fourth Monkey?
I love the paperback versions because they’re easy to carry everywhere, but the hardcover of The Fourth Monkey looks fantastic on the shelf and often holds up better to the frantic page-turning you’ll be doing. Since I consider this one of the best thriller books I own, I recommend getting the hardcover if you plan to keep the full series.
What other books by J. D. Barker should I try?
If you love his unique plotting style in The Fourth Monkey, I highly recommend checking out The Caller or his stand-alone novel Dracul, which he co-authored. They both showcase Barker’s skill with blending psychological tension and dark lore.
Is The Fourth Monkey good for beginners to the thriller genre?
It’s definitely a compelling entry point, but be aware that it’s on the darker, more intense side of the thriller genre. If you can handle high-stakes serial killer plots and appreciate sophisticated writing, then The Fourth Monkey is a fantastic starting place because of its sheer readability and clever structure.
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