The Fourth Monkey

By: J. D. Barker

Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini, Graham Winton

Length: 12 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

Two days to save her....

They've found the killer. The killer that Detective Sam Porter has been hunting for five years. But it's too late to put him behind bars. He's already dead.

One day to save her....

But even death can't stop this murderer. His last victim is still alive, struggling to escape and the police have no idea who or where she is.

Zero....

Now Sam Porter must race against time, as her chances of survival slip away, to stop this serial killer from claiming his final victim...

This stunning thriller is perfect for fans of Val McDermid, Jo Nesbo and Helen Fields.

©2017 J. D. Barker (P)2017 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

"A talented writer with a delightfully devious mind." (Jeffery Deaver)

Great Thriller

The book is a thrilling and gripping listen that will keep you on edge until the very end. The author using an unusual style writes about a serial killer who kidnaps a 15-year-old girl and keeps her hostage in a total abyss. The captor is known to the police as the “4MK” killer because his technique subscribes to the pictorial maxim exhibited by the “Three Wise Monkeys,” plus one. The writing is unusual because the author dedicates the chapters to the police hunt followed by a chapter consisting of the killer's diary throughout the book with few exceptions. The diary is designed by the killer to offer clues to the police. In essence, the “4MK” killer is out to punish certain people he believes committed egregious crimes. His method of operation is to kidnap someone close to the perpetrator and then sends body parts to that person in the form of tongues, eyeballs, and ears. In the past, he then kills the victim. The book presents the classic rush to save the victim before she is killed or injured (too much). The author weaves in familiar Chicago landscapes and buildings throughout—at times, this novel reads like true crime. The twists and turns will keep you listening fast. I highly recommend this book.

Edoardo Ballerini and Graham Winton were great with the delivery of the story

A good start to a new series

A good start to a new series. J D Baker has written a fast paced book that kept me interested until the end. Narration was also OK and I'll listen to the next one in the series. Top of the second tier or bottom of the top tier.

The birth of a potentially great new villain

Loved the villain-both in concept and in execution. Loved the device of two time-separated storylines, implemented far better than the seen-it-before norm. And loved the use of two narrators to distinguish these two timelines. I look forward to the next installment with no small amount of relish; we may have a truly significant character here. Here's hoping.

Timeless Thriller

What a great read. Thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. Loved the suspense and concurrent storylines.

Great book!

Gripping narrative. Dark and twisting. I was hooked from the start and with each turn of the page became more and more obsessed. I could NOT put this down!

A scary tale....

Fasten your seat belt as this book is a very bumpy ride. Goes back and forth between eras and characters as the plot develops on two parallel paths : on one (the present) the focus is on the police collecting clues and hunting a serial killer and on the other (the past) you've the killer's diary that gives the insight on how he turned into a monster.
If you're a fan of the serial killer genre you're going to love this book.. Barker's writing style is a bit particular and dark, but suits the general atmosphere of the story.