Book Author: J.D. Barker
I’ve read it!
Your message has been sent
Suggested reads:
Sometimes it’s good to remember the bad. It makes other things seem not so terrible.
Table of Contents
J.D. Barker did it again!
The most-awaited sequel of The Fourth Monkey is here and just like the first time, by the end of the book, you will be breathless and begging for more.
Who will love it?
If you’re a mystery thriller and true crime fan who also read the first 4MK book and loved it, then you need to continue with this series and check this book out! If you haven’t started this series yet, then what are you waiting for?! This is something you need on your TBR list. ASAP!
If you are still not convinced, read the full reading notes below.
Where to grab a copy?
This pundit highly recommends finding a copy you can borrow (i.e., from a friend or library), instead of immediately buying a new book. Trees are generally used to make the paper in the books we read so let’s be mindful.
If not possible, that’s only when one should consider buying a new book, and make sure to support your local bookshops. And online shopping (i.e., Amazon or whatever online bookstore serves closest to you) must only be your last resort.
Happy reading!
Full Reading Notes
My copy of the book is an ARC from the publisher I received for an honest review. Some spoilers ahead if you dare to highlight what’s been hidden. *wink*
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Like the first book, The Fifth to Die did not fail to draw me in but some of the story’s elements from reading the first book have started to lose their effect on me.
Some of the parts have become predictable (i.e. the “twist” to Sam’s past and Anson’s mother) and others have become downright preposterous – some in a good way but others will make you make a bored, “Hah?” face.
Also, I was just a bit distracted with the flood of characters and names, both old and new since I needed to remember them for some parts to make sense. It was challenging because most of them weren’t that remarkable, except how gruesome their deaths were.
But what I appreciated in this book is that Barker brought more life to Detective Sam Porter’s character, which bothered me in the first book (see past review here). Usually, I internally cheer for the detectives in mystery thriller novels. But I didn’t feel this for Sam’s character in the first book.
Don’t get me wrong. I wanted 4MK to get caught. However, I did not care if Sam did it or someone else.
But now, in this book, I am starting to empathize with Sam’s character. I remembered how he tragically lost his wife and it made me understand why he was so intent on catching 4MK, why he felt like HE HAD to catch him.
The unputdownable ‘4MK diary’ from the first book will again be unearthed in this book, and it is as compelling as the first in that twisted, charming way that made me want to breeze through the pages so I can focus reading that specific part of the book. This just cemented further 4MK’s position as one of my favorite mystery thriller villains.
The new revelations and twists are also something you must prepare for because you might throw your phone, Kindle, iPad, tablet, or book because of the frustrating cliffhanger. (Yep! There’s a third book! Click here.)
-The ArKivist
Leave a Reply