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4MK Thriller #4
The First Scarlet Door
Before he was known as the Four Monkey Killer, he was just a boy trying to survive.
Charleston, 1999. Fifteen-year-old Anson Bishop didn't mean to kill—not the first time, anyway. Raised by parents who taught him that murder was simply survival, Anson thought he'd escaped his dark past when his home burned and his mother vanished with stolen mob money.
He was wrong.
Someone is hunting Charleston's forgotten children—the runaways, the addicts, the ones no one will miss. When the few people Anson has come to care about vanish into the night, he discovers a truth more horrifying than anything his parents taught there are monsters in the world far worse than the one he sees in the mirror.
Behind a door the color of spilled blood waits a killer who has perfected his craft over two decades. To save his friends, Anson must walk through that scarlet door and face a monster. But in doing so, he may become something more dangerous than what awaits him on the other side.
Some doors, once opened, can never be closed.
Discover where it all began in the first of three prequels to New York Times bestselling author J.D. Barker's wildly popular 4MK series.
Charleston, 1999. Fifteen-year-old Anson Bishop didn't mean to kill—not the first time, anyway. Raised by parents who taught him that murder was simply survival, Anson thought he'd escaped his dark past when his home burned and his mother vanished with stolen mob money.
He was wrong.
Someone is hunting Charleston's forgotten children—the runaways, the addicts, the ones no one will miss. When the few people Anson has come to care about vanish into the night, he discovers a truth more horrifying than anything his parents taught there are monsters in the world far worse than the one he sees in the mirror.
Behind a door the color of spilled blood waits a killer who has perfected his craft over two decades. To save his friends, Anson must walk through that scarlet door and face a monster. But in doing so, he may become something more dangerous than what awaits him on the other side.
Some doors, once opened, can never be closed.
Discover where it all began in the first of three prequels to New York Times bestselling author J.D. Barker's wildly popular 4MK series.
392 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 22, 2026
About the author
J.D. Barker
49 books7,589 followersJ.D. Barker is the New York Times and international best-selling author of numerous novels, including DRACUL and the wildly popular 4MK series. He is currently collaborating with James Patterson. His books have been translated into two dozen languages, sold in more than 150 countries, and optioned for both film and television. Barker resides in coastal New Hampshire with his wife, Dayna, and their daughter, Ember.
A note from J.D.
As a child I was always told the dark could not hurt me, that the shadows creeping in the corners of my room were nothing more than just that, shadows. The sounds nothing more than the settling of our old home, creaking as it found comfort in the earth only to move again when it became restless, if ever so slightly. I would never sleep without closing the closet door, oh no; the door had to be shut tight. The darkness lurking inside needed to be held at bay, the whispers silenced. Rest would only come after I checked under the bed at least twice and quickly wrapped myself in the safety of the sheets (which no monster could penetrate), pulling them tight over my head.
I would never go down to the basement.
Never.
I had seen enough movies to know better, I had read enough stories to know what happens to little boys who wandered off into dark, dismal places alone. And there were stories, so many stories.
Reading was my sanctuary, a place where I could disappear for hours at a time, lost in the pages of a good book. It didn’t take long before I felt the urge to create my own.
I first began to write as a child, spinning tales of ghosts and gremlins, mystical places and people. For most of us, that’s where it begins—as children we have such wonderful imaginations, some of us have simply found it hard to grow up. I’ve spent countless hours trying to explain to friends and family why I enjoy it, why I would rather lock myself in a quiet little room and put pen to paper for hours at a time than throw around a baseball or simply watch television. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes I want to do just that, sometimes I wish for it, but even then the need to write is always there in the back of my mind, the characters are impatiently tapping their feet, waiting their turn, wanting to be heard. I wake in the middle of the night and reach for the pad beside my bed, sometimes scrawling page after page of their words, their lives. Then they’re quiet, if only for a little while. To stop would mean madness, or even worse—the calm, numbing sanity I see in others as they slip through the day without purpose. They don’t know what it’s like, they don’t understand. Something as simple as a pencil can open the door to a new world, can create life or experience death. Writing can take you to places you’ve never been, introduce you to people you’ve never met, take you back to when you first saw those shadows in your room, when you first heard the sounds mumbling ever so softly from your closet, and it can show you what uttered them. It can scare the hell out of you, and that’s when you know it’s good.
jd
A note from J.D.
As a child I was always told the dark could not hurt me, that the shadows creeping in the corners of my room were nothing more than just that, shadows. The sounds nothing more than the settling of our old home, creaking as it found comfort in the earth only to move again when it became restless, if ever so slightly. I would never sleep without closing the closet door, oh no; the door had to be shut tight. The darkness lurking inside needed to be held at bay, the whispers silenced. Rest would only come after I checked under the bed at least twice and quickly wrapped myself in the safety of the sheets (which no monster could penetrate), pulling them tight over my head.
I would never go down to the basement.
Never.
I had seen enough movies to know better, I had read enough stories to know what happens to little boys who wandered off into dark, dismal places alone. And there were stories, so many stories.
Reading was my sanctuary, a place where I could disappear for hours at a time, lost in the pages of a good book. It didn’t take long before I felt the urge to create my own.
I first began to write as a child, spinning tales of ghosts and gremlins, mystical places and people. For most of us, that’s where it begins—as children we have such wonderful imaginations, some of us have simply found it hard to grow up. I’ve spent countless hours trying to explain to friends and family why I enjoy it, why I would rather lock myself in a quiet little room and put pen to paper for hours at a time than throw around a baseball or simply watch television. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes I want to do just that, sometimes I wish for it, but even then the need to write is always there in the back of my mind, the characters are impatiently tapping their feet, waiting their turn, wanting to be heard. I wake in the middle of the night and reach for the pad beside my bed, sometimes scrawling page after page of their words, their lives. Then they’re quiet, if only for a little while. To stop would mean madness, or even worse—the calm, numbing sanity I see in others as they slip through the day without purpose. They don’t know what it’s like, they don’t understand. Something as simple as a pencil can open the door to a new world, can create life or experience death. Writing can take you to places you’ve never been, introduce you to people you’ve never met, take you back to when you first saw those shadows in your room, when you first heard the sounds mumbling ever so softly from your closet, and it can show you what uttered them. It can scare the hell out of you, and that’s when you know it’s good.
jd
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 196 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4MK Thriller #4
The First Scarlet Door by J.D. Barker
Narrated by Michael Crouch, Piper Goodeve
Having binged the first three books in the 4MK Thriller series back in 2021, I was more than ready to dive into the first book of the three part prequel that is being released now and in the future. I think it would be best to read the books in the order that they hare published. Once all three of the prequels are out and I have read them, I do think I'll reread the first three books. This series is an experience and for all the action in the books, overall, I see this series as a Psychological Thriller. The insanity of the characters, including those who might be expected to provide a moral compass to young people and those recovering from addictions, is so over the top horrific. But we often find out why some of these characters are so damaged and react to situations in such extreme ways. No one could stay sane when thrown into the cruel and terrible situations that the kids in this story are experiencing.
Fifteen-year-old Anson Bishop never had a chance since he was raised to believe that killing is just a part of living. His parents raised him to be the ruthless killer he will later become and he even hears his long gone father's voice in his head almost all the time. Here we see how Anson evolves into the serial killer he later becomes. He doesn't just have his parents as examples, he has so many other adults leading the way and many of them trying to kill him in the most painful ways possible.
This story revolves around terrible things happening to kids, things that should never happen to kids or anyone of any age so beware, but if you've read the first three books in this series, you know what you are getting into. The story ends on a cliffhanger but I think of the three prequel books as one book. There is no good place to stop in this early life of Anson Bishop. I just have to wait for part 2 and 3, impatiently wait. I've now listened to Michael Crouch narrate more than a dozen books and he does his usual great job here. It's a good call to have Piper Goodeve narrate parts of the story because we get to see much of the story from the perspective of young girls. I can't emphasize enough how stressful it is to see the story from the POV of those undergoing life threatening situations. There is never a happy time in this story but you would know that if you've read the first three books in the series.
Publication September 22, 2026
Thank you to RBmedia | Recorded Books and NetGalley for this ARC
The First Scarlet Door by J.D. Barker
Narrated by Michael Crouch, Piper Goodeve
Having binged the first three books in the 4MK Thriller series back in 2021, I was more than ready to dive into the first book of the three part prequel that is being released now and in the future. I think it would be best to read the books in the order that they hare published. Once all three of the prequels are out and I have read them, I do think I'll reread the first three books. This series is an experience and for all the action in the books, overall, I see this series as a Psychological Thriller. The insanity of the characters, including those who might be expected to provide a moral compass to young people and those recovering from addictions, is so over the top horrific. But we often find out why some of these characters are so damaged and react to situations in such extreme ways. No one could stay sane when thrown into the cruel and terrible situations that the kids in this story are experiencing.
Fifteen-year-old Anson Bishop never had a chance since he was raised to believe that killing is just a part of living. His parents raised him to be the ruthless killer he will later become and he even hears his long gone father's voice in his head almost all the time. Here we see how Anson evolves into the serial killer he later becomes. He doesn't just have his parents as examples, he has so many other adults leading the way and many of them trying to kill him in the most painful ways possible.
This story revolves around terrible things happening to kids, things that should never happen to kids or anyone of any age so beware, but if you've read the first three books in this series, you know what you are getting into. The story ends on a cliffhanger but I think of the three prequel books as one book. There is no good place to stop in this early life of Anson Bishop. I just have to wait for part 2 and 3, impatiently wait. I've now listened to Michael Crouch narrate more than a dozen books and he does his usual great job here. It's a good call to have Piper Goodeve narrate parts of the story because we get to see much of the story from the perspective of young girls. I can't emphasize enough how stressful it is to see the story from the POV of those undergoing life threatening situations. There is never a happy time in this story but you would know that if you've read the first three books in the series.
Publication September 22, 2026
Thank you to RBmedia | Recorded Books and NetGalley for this ARC
September 23, 2026
Solid 4 ⭐️s
The 4MK trilogy was my introduction to J.D. Barker, and I loved it! So imagine my excitement when I read my friend Marilyn's review of this one and discovered he’d written a prequel. I even broke my self-imposed ban on ARC requests and couldn’t click that request button fast enough.
This time, we get to go back to Anson Bishop’s troubled youth and see the events that shaped his life. Raised by parents who taught him that murder was a means of survival, Anson’s life is turned upside down when his house is burned down and his mother vanishes with stolen mob money.
The blurb says it best, 1999 Charleston, SC: Someone is hunting Charleston's forgotten children—the runaways, the addicts, the ones no one will miss. When the few people Anson has come to care about vanish into the night, he discovers a truth more horrifying than anything his parents taught there are monsters in the world far worse than the one he sees in the mirror.
I had no idea who I could or couldn’t trust, and the story kept me on my toes. This book is dark, disturbing, and unsettling, and I absolutely gobbled it up! It tackles some pretty heavy themes, including human trafficking, so definitely check your trigger warnings.
And THAT ending! Since this is the first of three prequels, I’ll be over here impatiently waiting for the next installment. In the meantime, I think I’ll go back and reread the original trilogy to refresh my memory.
Since this is 4MK #4, I definitely recommend reading the trilogy first if you haven’t already done so.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Michael Crouch and Piper Goodeve, who both did an excellent job bringing the various characters to life and capturing the tone and emotion of the story.
Now available! My thanks to the author and RBmedia / Recorded Books via NetGalley for my ALC.
The 4MK trilogy was my introduction to J.D. Barker, and I loved it! So imagine my excitement when I read my friend Marilyn's review of this one and discovered he’d written a prequel. I even broke my self-imposed ban on ARC requests and couldn’t click that request button fast enough.
This time, we get to go back to Anson Bishop’s troubled youth and see the events that shaped his life. Raised by parents who taught him that murder was a means of survival, Anson’s life is turned upside down when his house is burned down and his mother vanishes with stolen mob money.
The blurb says it best, 1999 Charleston, SC: Someone is hunting Charleston's forgotten children—the runaways, the addicts, the ones no one will miss. When the few people Anson has come to care about vanish into the night, he discovers a truth more horrifying than anything his parents taught there are monsters in the world far worse than the one he sees in the mirror.
I had no idea who I could or couldn’t trust, and the story kept me on my toes. This book is dark, disturbing, and unsettling, and I absolutely gobbled it up! It tackles some pretty heavy themes, including human trafficking, so definitely check your trigger warnings.
And THAT ending! Since this is the first of three prequels, I’ll be over here impatiently waiting for the next installment. In the meantime, I think I’ll go back and reread the original trilogy to refresh my memory.
Since this is 4MK #4, I definitely recommend reading the trilogy first if you haven’t already done so.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Michael Crouch and Piper Goodeve, who both did an excellent job bringing the various characters to life and capturing the tone and emotion of the story.
Now available! My thanks to the author and RBmedia / Recorded Books via NetGalley for my ALC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What can I say? If J.D. Barker writes it, I am going to read it! The First Scarlet Door is the prequel to his widely popular, riveting, and dark 4 MK Thriller series! I was over the moon when I got the audiobook and have to say that the narration was fantastic! What was also fantastic was the plot of this book. As with the other books in this series, it is dark, chilling, horrific, and hard to put down! I do advise reading the other books in this series as well because they are absolutely fantastic! I could not read them fast enough. J. D. Barker excels at writing complex, flawed, and intriguing characters. He also does not shy away from showing the horrible things that people do to each other.
In The First Scarlet Door, readers meet fifteen-year-old Anson Bishop who was raised to believe that killing is part of survival. When some of Anson's friends begin to go missing, he goes on a mission to find out why. His missing friends who appear to be hunted are those who have run away, addicts, and those forgotten by society. They have become his found family, and he wants to find them. But along the way, he will find out what true horror really is. A vile and vicious serial killer has been hunting and now Anson is on his radar.
This book will not be an easy book for some people to read. Horrific things happen to children and young teens. But if you loved the other books in the series, The Fourth Monkey, The Fifth to Die, and The Sixth Wicked Child, you will love this book as well. It is wonderfully written, well thought out, and leaves readers hanging and wanting more. I loved the tension, the eerie vibe, the twists, and the POV's of those who have been taken. This is chilling and gives readers a glimpse into their terror. Whew!
Thank you to RBmedia | Recorded Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
In The First Scarlet Door, readers meet fifteen-year-old Anson Bishop who was raised to believe that killing is part of survival. When some of Anson's friends begin to go missing, he goes on a mission to find out why. His missing friends who appear to be hunted are those who have run away, addicts, and those forgotten by society. They have become his found family, and he wants to find them. But along the way, he will find out what true horror really is. A vile and vicious serial killer has been hunting and now Anson is on his radar.
This book will not be an easy book for some people to read. Horrific things happen to children and young teens. But if you loved the other books in the series, The Fourth Monkey, The Fifth to Die, and The Sixth Wicked Child, you will love this book as well. It is wonderfully written, well thought out, and leaves readers hanging and wanting more. I loved the tension, the eerie vibe, the twists, and the POV's of those who have been taken. This is chilling and gives readers a glimpse into their terror. Whew!
Thank you to RBmedia | Recorded Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
What’s that you say… You like your thrillers dark and disturbing?
Well, friends, be careful what you wish for!
This is definitely not for the squeamish or faint of heart.
I can’t tell you how many times I gasped, cringed, with eyeball-popping moments!
JD Barker is one of my go-to authors. He either co-writes with other authors or gives us his own stand-alones. And in this case, treating us to more of his most famous character from the 4MK series in Anton Bishop.
There’s a reason this series is so popular. Did you ever wonder what makes someone morph into a merciless serial killer? Well, now is your chance to find out.
Our MMC, Anton Bishop is as dangerous as they come. And we’re now treated to a glimpse into his early years in this prequel.
The book is primarily told from Anton’s perspective. But you simply cannot ignore the OTHER chapters.🫣😱
Short chapters make this read absolutely bingeable!
This was a buddy read with Nikki, and we flew through it in just a few sittings. Both of us were horrified yet powerless to step away!
If you’re a fan of the series, this is a MUST-read for you! (Probably my favorite of the series) So far… (yes, you know what that means!)💃
If you haven’t had a chance to read this series, you can definitely start here with no issues. But once you finish, you’ll definitely want to go back and start from the beginning!
✍️ JD Barker
📄 400 pages
🗓️ Anticipated release date: September 22, 2026
📈 5/5🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
👉 Thriller, suspense, prequel
Thank you to Hampton Creek Publishing and JD Barker
Well, friends, be careful what you wish for!
This is definitely not for the squeamish or faint of heart.
I can’t tell you how many times I gasped, cringed, with eyeball-popping moments!
JD Barker is one of my go-to authors. He either co-writes with other authors or gives us his own stand-alones. And in this case, treating us to more of his most famous character from the 4MK series in Anton Bishop.
There’s a reason this series is so popular. Did you ever wonder what makes someone morph into a merciless serial killer? Well, now is your chance to find out.
Our MMC, Anton Bishop is as dangerous as they come. And we’re now treated to a glimpse into his early years in this prequel.
The book is primarily told from Anton’s perspective. But you simply cannot ignore the OTHER chapters.🫣😱
Short chapters make this read absolutely bingeable!
This was a buddy read with Nikki, and we flew through it in just a few sittings. Both of us were horrified yet powerless to step away!
If you’re a fan of the series, this is a MUST-read for you! (Probably my favorite of the series) So far… (yes, you know what that means!)💃
If you haven’t had a chance to read this series, you can definitely start here with no issues. But once you finish, you’ll definitely want to go back and start from the beginning!
✍️ JD Barker
📄 400 pages
🗓️ Anticipated release date: September 22, 2026
📈 5/5🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
👉 Thriller, suspense, prequel
Thank you to Hampton Creek Publishing and JD Barker
October 16, 2026
It's AUGUST 25, 1999 Anson Bishop is fifteen years old. Anson and the other children had been residing at a farmhouse known as "Ms. Finicky's House for Wayward Children," which was ostensibly a temporary foster facility for those unable to secure permanent placement elsewhere. However, it had operated as a trafficking operation targeting young children for years.
Anson had met the other kids there: Vincent, Paul, Libby, Kristina, Tegan, Weasel, and the kid. Weasel died defending them against corrupt cops. Libby and Anson grew close. He thinks he loves her. Anson, Vincent, and Paul escaped. They don't know what happened to the girls and the kid—were they captured?
This story unfolds through the voices of Anson and other kids. Years later, Anson emerges as the notorious 4MK killer. This story unfolded well before the #3 4MK thriller. I would have preferred to have read it before the third book! The names are still familiar to me because I recently read that book.
You need to begin at the start—these books must be read in sequence! After reading the ending I assume there will be an other book.
This audiobook presents challenging subject matter. The depiction of the children is deeply disturbing, and while certain characters display evilness, I wouldn't classify it strictly as horror.
There are many characters in the story, and you'll likely find it easier to read than to listen to the story. I borrowed the book from Hoopla.
Anson had met the other kids there: Vincent, Paul, Libby, Kristina, Tegan, Weasel, and the kid. Weasel died defending them against corrupt cops. Libby and Anson grew close. He thinks he loves her. Anson, Vincent, and Paul escaped. They don't know what happened to the girls and the kid—were they captured?
This story unfolds through the voices of Anson and other kids. Years later, Anson emerges as the notorious 4MK killer. This story unfolded well before the #3 4MK thriller. I would have preferred to have read it before the third book! The names are still familiar to me because I recently read that book.
You need to begin at the start—these books must be read in sequence! After reading the ending I assume there will be an other book.
This audiobook presents challenging subject matter. The depiction of the children is deeply disturbing, and while certain characters display evilness, I wouldn't classify it strictly as horror.
There are many characters in the story, and you'll likely find it easier to read than to listen to the story. I borrowed the book from Hoopla.
September 5, 2026
🔥Pub Week Review🔥
Thank you to @jdbarker_author @simonandschuster and #hamptoncreekpress for the gifted copies.
NY Times bestselling author J.D. Barker is back and better than ever with the prequel to my favorite serial killer series, 4MK series.
Bishop became a monster, but was once just a teenage boy trying to survive. Life has been brutal and unkind. Escaping seems to be the only answer, until he and his friends become the hunted.
MIND-BLOWING! SHOCKING! As soon as I started this, I couldn’t let go. This story is extremely dark. It’s ugly and incredibly terrifying.
J.D. Barker is back on his game and it’s a BANGER with the first book in three prequels to be released. I will be waiting …….
Huge thanks to @kaceey_readsalot for this amazing buddy read! We had so much to talk about.
If you love your thrillers dark with deeply flawed humans and extreme suspense…. The First Scarlet Door is available tomorrow!
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to @jdbarker_author @simonandschuster and #hamptoncreekpress for the gifted copies.
NY Times bestselling author J.D. Barker is back and better than ever with the prequel to my favorite serial killer series, 4MK series.
Bishop became a monster, but was once just a teenage boy trying to survive. Life has been brutal and unkind. Escaping seems to be the only answer, until he and his friends become the hunted.
MIND-BLOWING! SHOCKING! As soon as I started this, I couldn’t let go. This story is extremely dark. It’s ugly and incredibly terrifying.
J.D. Barker is back on his game and it’s a BANGER with the first book in three prequels to be released. I will be waiting …….
Huge thanks to @kaceey_readsalot for this amazing buddy read! We had so much to talk about.
If you love your thrillers dark with deeply flawed humans and extreme suspense…. The First Scarlet Door is available tomorrow!
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 9, 2026
This is the first book in a prequel trilogy to the 4MK Thriller series, which I loved. You should read the first three in publication order first if you don't want them spoiled, because this is basically an origin story for the villain. The first three are definitely worth reading any way.
Here are my ratings for the first three books:
The Fourth Monkey - 5★ my review
The Fifth to Die - 5★ my review
The Sixth Wicked Child - 4★ my review
This book definitely has a lot of potential triggers and many of them involve children. Barker took on an incredibly dark theme in this book and he did not shy away from it at all. With that said, if you have a tolerance for a dark story and various abuses this one is a real thriller. Throughout the story you are concerned for the kids safety and trying to figure out who, if anyone, they can trust.
The writing is engaging and you have to keep reading to find out what happens. The only problem with this is that the book ends on a cliffhanger! Yes, this is a book that is to be continued in the next couple of books. I can't believe I have to wait to find out what happens! I'll definitely be keeping my eye out for the next in the series.
I was fortunate to have both a physical book to read at home (Reading late at night turned out to NOT be a good idea!) and an audio copy for when I was on the move. This helped me to be able to continue reading throughout the day. The audio was narrated by Michael Crouch and Piper Goodeve and it was very well done.
Thank you so much to J.D. Barker and Kyle Stotts with Hampton Creek Press for providing me with a complimentary physical copy of this book along with copies of the first three books in the series. Thank you also to NetGalley and RBmedia | Recorded Books for providing me with a complimentary electronic audio copy of the book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Here are my ratings for the first three books:
The Fourth Monkey - 5★ my review
The Fifth to Die - 5★ my review
The Sixth Wicked Child - 4★ my review
This book definitely has a lot of potential triggers and many of them involve children. Barker took on an incredibly dark theme in this book and he did not shy away from it at all. With that said, if you have a tolerance for a dark story and various abuses this one is a real thriller. Throughout the story you are concerned for the kids safety and trying to figure out who, if anyone, they can trust.
The writing is engaging and you have to keep reading to find out what happens. The only problem with this is that the book ends on a cliffhanger! Yes, this is a book that is to be continued in the next couple of books. I can't believe I have to wait to find out what happens! I'll definitely be keeping my eye out for the next in the series.
I was fortunate to have both a physical book to read at home (Reading late at night turned out to NOT be a good idea!) and an audio copy for when I was on the move. This helped me to be able to continue reading throughout the day. The audio was narrated by Michael Crouch and Piper Goodeve and it was very well done.
Thank you so much to J.D. Barker and Kyle Stotts with Hampton Creek Press for providing me with a complimentary physical copy of this book along with copies of the first three books in the series. Thank you also to NetGalley and RBmedia | Recorded Books for providing me with a complimentary electronic audio copy of the book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
October 11, 2026
Mr Barker, I'm sorry to say that I think it's time we parted ways.
I loved the 4MK series and was looking forward to The First Scarlet Door, to getting Anson's back story. But I finished with more questions than answers (which may or may not be answered in the two coming 'prequels' to the 4MK series). There was too much going on and frankly, most of it was unbelievable, a lot of it confusing.
I have not had great reading experiences with your recent books, excluding those cowritten with James Patterson, and I think this may be the final nail in the proverbial coffin.
I had no problems with the narration of the audiobook, I thought it well done. It was purely the content.
⭐⭐
#TheFirstScarletDoor #NetGalley
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to RB Media for providing an Audio Review Copy of The First Scarlet Door by J.D. Barker for review. This review reflects my reading experience and all opinions expressed are my personal opinions.
I loved the 4MK series and was looking forward to The First Scarlet Door, to getting Anson's back story. But I finished with more questions than answers (which may or may not be answered in the two coming 'prequels' to the 4MK series). There was too much going on and frankly, most of it was unbelievable, a lot of it confusing.
I have not had great reading experiences with your recent books, excluding those cowritten with James Patterson, and I think this may be the final nail in the proverbial coffin.
I had no problems with the narration of the audiobook, I thought it well done. It was purely the content.
⭐⭐
#TheFirstScarletDoor #NetGalley
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to RB Media for providing an Audio Review Copy of The First Scarlet Door by J.D. Barker for review. This review reflects my reading experience and all opinions expressed are my personal opinions.
September 23, 2026
Thank you J. D. Barker and NetGalley for the advanced audiobook of this novel.
When I heard there was going to be a trilogy prequel to the 4MK series I was so excited then I got approved for a copy and I literally clapped in excitement.
I was not let down either, it was sooo good. The characters are complex and their situation is intense. I was engaged the entire time and was sad it was over because Barker does a great job of setting up the next book.
Awesome read.
When I heard there was going to be a trilogy prequel to the 4MK series I was so excited then I got approved for a copy and I literally clapped in excitement.
I was not let down either, it was sooo good. The characters are complex and their situation is intense. I was engaged the entire time and was sad it was over because Barker does a great job of setting up the next book.
Awesome read.
Want to Read
February 12, 2026I am anxiously awaiting the prequels for 4MK series, I actually gasped when I received the email on the press release!
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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September 27, 2026
My Rating 5⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Super excited about this and I was not disappointed!!
In the first of three prequels to New York Times bestselling author J.D. Barker's wildly popular 4MK series...
Before he was known as the Four Monkey Killer, he was just a boy trying to survive.
Charleston, 1999. Fifteen-year-old Anson Bishop didn't mean to kill—not the first time, anyway. Raised by parents who taught him that murder was simply survival, Anson thought he'd escaped his dark past when his home burned and his mother vanished with stolen mob money.
He was wrong.
Someone is hunting Charleston's forgotten children—the runaways, the addicts, the ones no one will miss. When the few people Anson has come to care about vanish into the night, he discovers a truth more horrifying than anything his parents taught there are monsters in the world far worse than the one he sees in the mirror.
Behind a door the colour of spilled blood waits a killer who has perfected his craft over two decades. To save his friends, Anson must walk through that scarlet door and face a monster. But in doing so, he may become something more dangerous than what awaits him on the other side.
Some doors, once opened, can never be closed.
Ok, I got an alert for this on Amazon and immediately preordered, I just knew It would be good and I knew I needed to read it. What I didn’t realise is this is the first of three prequels!!! FFFFF Yeah!!! Thank You J.D Barker!!!
I think that going back to where it all began for those of us that love this trilogy is really awesome, we want to know about Anson and we want to know why he is the way he is. Thriller fans love the POV of the baddie (well a lot of us do) and getting a front row seat to what turned a kid into a killer is exactly the kind of thing I am here for.
The writing as always is on point, love the style and pacing and it was good to meet some of the other characters, some we have met in the first trilogy but only briefly and often times only through Anson’s diary (which I love also).
Multi-POV, Multi-timelines and a killers diary… “Chef’s Kiss” what more could we want… well we get that and more. I really enjoyed this and read it faster than expected… and now I have gone back to read 4MK again, which I haven’t read since 2022, but on realising there are more prequels I will be impatiently waiting for those as well.
If you have read this series and you loved it then just get this book, you wont be disappointed, if you haven’t read the series then you are in luck… you get to start at the very start… what a treat. There is no reason for you not to read this first given its a prequel. But I do highly recommend the 4MK Trilogy.
Bring on the 2nd and 3rd in this prequel trilogy!!!
In the first of three prequels to New York Times bestselling author J.D. Barker's wildly popular 4MK series...
Before he was known as the Four Monkey Killer, he was just a boy trying to survive.
Charleston, 1999. Fifteen-year-old Anson Bishop didn't mean to kill—not the first time, anyway. Raised by parents who taught him that murder was simply survival, Anson thought he'd escaped his dark past when his home burned and his mother vanished with stolen mob money.
He was wrong.
Someone is hunting Charleston's forgotten children—the runaways, the addicts, the ones no one will miss. When the few people Anson has come to care about vanish into the night, he discovers a truth more horrifying than anything his parents taught there are monsters in the world far worse than the one he sees in the mirror.
Behind a door the colour of spilled blood waits a killer who has perfected his craft over two decades. To save his friends, Anson must walk through that scarlet door and face a monster. But in doing so, he may become something more dangerous than what awaits him on the other side.
Some doors, once opened, can never be closed.
Ok, I got an alert for this on Amazon and immediately preordered, I just knew It would be good and I knew I needed to read it. What I didn’t realise is this is the first of three prequels!!! FFFFF Yeah!!! Thank You J.D Barker!!!
I think that going back to where it all began for those of us that love this trilogy is really awesome, we want to know about Anson and we want to know why he is the way he is. Thriller fans love the POV of the baddie (well a lot of us do) and getting a front row seat to what turned a kid into a killer is exactly the kind of thing I am here for.
The writing as always is on point, love the style and pacing and it was good to meet some of the other characters, some we have met in the first trilogy but only briefly and often times only through Anson’s diary (which I love also).
Multi-POV, Multi-timelines and a killers diary… “Chef’s Kiss” what more could we want… well we get that and more. I really enjoyed this and read it faster than expected… and now I have gone back to read 4MK again, which I haven’t read since 2022, but on realising there are more prequels I will be impatiently waiting for those as well.
If you have read this series and you loved it then just get this book, you wont be disappointed, if you haven’t read the series then you are in luck… you get to start at the very start… what a treat. There is no reason for you not to read this first given its a prequel. But I do highly recommend the 4MK Trilogy.
Bring on the 2nd and 3rd in this prequel trilogy!!!
October 2, 2026
A Very Disappointing Thriller That Never Quite Comes Together!
Being a big fan of J. D. Barker’s 4MK trilogy, I really wanted to like The First Scarlett Door, the first of a three-part prequel to that series.
Having just finished The First Scarlett Door, despite its premise having plenty of potential, its execution left me very disappointed; and did so to the extent that I’m unlikely to read the remaining two books in the prequel.
Here are some of the reasons for my feeling this way.
Throughout the first almost 60% of the book the plot became increasingly convoluted due to its competing storylines and attempted twists, without any of them up to that point creating very much suspense.
And, at least as big problem for me is that the book contained way too many characters; with none of them being developed well enough in terms of physical and personality characteristics to easily differentiate between them and to become emotionally invested in what happens to them.The combination of these two issues made it difficult for me to stay invested.
My biggest problem, however was that the suspense that came about in the last 40 % of the book - especially in the last 100 pages - never paid off in a satisfying way. Several of the developments felt much more contrived than surprising. Rather than building naturally toward a compelling conclusion, the story seemed increasingly focused on piling on twists and revelations.
To be fair, there are certainly some effective moments, and Barker’s writing is polished. But for me these strengths weren’t enough to overcome the uneven pacing, weak character development, overly complicated plot, and lack of a satisfying payoff.
Being a big fan of J. D. Barker’s 4MK trilogy, I really wanted to like The First Scarlett Door, the first of a three-part prequel to that series.
Having just finished The First Scarlett Door, despite its premise having plenty of potential, its execution left me very disappointed; and did so to the extent that I’m unlikely to read the remaining two books in the prequel.
Here are some of the reasons for my feeling this way.
Throughout the first almost 60% of the book the plot became increasingly convoluted due to its competing storylines and attempted twists, without any of them up to that point creating very much suspense.
And, at least as big problem for me is that the book contained way too many characters; with none of them being developed well enough in terms of physical and personality characteristics to easily differentiate between them and to become emotionally invested in what happens to them.The combination of these two issues made it difficult for me to stay invested.
My biggest problem, however was that the suspense that came about in the last 40 % of the book - especially in the last 100 pages - never paid off in a satisfying way. Several of the developments felt much more contrived than surprising. Rather than building naturally toward a compelling conclusion, the story seemed increasingly focused on piling on twists and revelations.
To be fair, there are certainly some effective moments, and Barker’s writing is polished. But for me these strengths weren’t enough to overcome the uneven pacing, weak character development, overly complicated plot, and lack of a satisfying payoff.
October 17, 2026
I mean the fact you started the book off with quoting SoCo, you're cool af in my book.. as far as the actual book, this is such a good series. Loved the continuation of the 4MK!
October 1, 2026
Having binged the 4MK books, I was excited to hear about the 3 prequels for the series.
This was dark and gruesome. We see Anson Bishop's teenage years and it certainly explains a lot.
Mr. Barker can't write the next 2 books fast enough for me.
This was dark and gruesome. We see Anson Bishop's teenage years and it certainly explains a lot.
Mr. Barker can't write the next 2 books fast enough for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The 4MK series long-suffering fan base can finally stop refreshing their browser like caffeinated squirrels. The book has arrived, and spoiler alert: it absolutely doesn't disappoint!
I was surprised to learn this book takes place before the previously published entries, letting us delve into the backstory of the infamous Four Monkey Killer. We follow young Anson Bishop through the streets of Charleston as he navigates life with his friends while someone sinister is hunting them.
Anson is incredibly clever, often guided by his father, and has exceptional training and instincts that keep him alive in dangerous situations. However, ignoring his gut feelings can land him in hot water. We often see only a small piece of the puzzle when we’re looking too closely; stepping back reveals the larger picture of young people going missing. The alarming truth? Nobody seems to be searching for them, and the medical records don’t capture the full extent of the horror.
In this series, we accompany Anson and his friends as they engage in light sleuthing to uncover what’s happening and why. We also get a chilling glimpse into the mind of the killer lurking behind the scarlet door, witnessing his twisted experiments and how his victims inevitably meet their fate. Experiencing their harrowing perspectives makes the nightmare all the more real. As bodies stack up and no one raises an eyebrow, you can’t help but wonder if the police are somehow involved. What’s really going on, and where do these young people end up? Most of your questions will be answered, but one remains unsolved, leading to the open ending of this prequel!
I won’t sugarcoat it: you’re in for a wild ride that you won’t want to interrupt until you’ve reached the last page! I was lucky enough to receive both a physical copy and the audiobook, which blew my mind. JD Barker continues to use the same narrators throughout the series, and Michael Crouch and Piper Goodeve do an incredible job! They breathe life into the story, and if you’ve listened to the earlier books, the familiarity will be a pleasure for your ears. I found myself completely immersed in both the book and the audio experience, staying up well past my bedtime. This is one of those books that you won’t mind losing sleep over!
If you’re already a fan of the 4MK series, this is a must-read. If you're new to the series, you can choose to start with this book before diving into the others. It's entirely up to you. This suspenseful, sinister, and fast-paced read features short chapters that often end on cliffhangers, compelling you to keep turning the pages. I can’t wait for more to come out, especially since we just reached the scarlet door, and now it’s over! Are you already deeply invested in the series, or are you about to take the leap? Honestly, each book can stand on its own, and they’re incredibly addictive. Grab the first one, and before you know it, it’ll be 3 a.m., and you’ll be wondering how you devoured the whole thing like you were crushing a bag of chips! Ha!
Thank you, Hampton Creek Press and Recorded Books, for the DRC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I was surprised to learn this book takes place before the previously published entries, letting us delve into the backstory of the infamous Four Monkey Killer. We follow young Anson Bishop through the streets of Charleston as he navigates life with his friends while someone sinister is hunting them.
Anson is incredibly clever, often guided by his father, and has exceptional training and instincts that keep him alive in dangerous situations. However, ignoring his gut feelings can land him in hot water. We often see only a small piece of the puzzle when we’re looking too closely; stepping back reveals the larger picture of young people going missing. The alarming truth? Nobody seems to be searching for them, and the medical records don’t capture the full extent of the horror.
In this series, we accompany Anson and his friends as they engage in light sleuthing to uncover what’s happening and why. We also get a chilling glimpse into the mind of the killer lurking behind the scarlet door, witnessing his twisted experiments and how his victims inevitably meet their fate. Experiencing their harrowing perspectives makes the nightmare all the more real. As bodies stack up and no one raises an eyebrow, you can’t help but wonder if the police are somehow involved. What’s really going on, and where do these young people end up? Most of your questions will be answered, but one remains unsolved, leading to the open ending of this prequel!
I won’t sugarcoat it: you’re in for a wild ride that you won’t want to interrupt until you’ve reached the last page! I was lucky enough to receive both a physical copy and the audiobook, which blew my mind. JD Barker continues to use the same narrators throughout the series, and Michael Crouch and Piper Goodeve do an incredible job! They breathe life into the story, and if you’ve listened to the earlier books, the familiarity will be a pleasure for your ears. I found myself completely immersed in both the book and the audio experience, staying up well past my bedtime. This is one of those books that you won’t mind losing sleep over!
If you’re already a fan of the 4MK series, this is a must-read. If you're new to the series, you can choose to start with this book before diving into the others. It's entirely up to you. This suspenseful, sinister, and fast-paced read features short chapters that often end on cliffhangers, compelling you to keep turning the pages. I can’t wait for more to come out, especially since we just reached the scarlet door, and now it’s over! Are you already deeply invested in the series, or are you about to take the leap? Honestly, each book can stand on its own, and they’re incredibly addictive. Grab the first one, and before you know it, it’ll be 3 a.m., and you’ll be wondering how you devoured the whole thing like you were crushing a bag of chips! Ha!
Thank you, Hampton Creek Press and Recorded Books, for the DRC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
One of my all-time favorite book series has a PREQUEL TRILOGY??!! 😱🔪 Cancel my plans. I cannot take your call right now. Tell my boss I need a personal day!! 😂📚
I really didn't know what to expect going into The First Scarlet Door because I felt like we already got a pretty solid backstory in the original trilogy. But this dives SO much deeper into the details of the "in-between" that we missed from Anson Bishop's childhood to when he reappears as 4MK. And those unreliable-narrator lies we thought we knew? 👀 Ohhh, they're starting to come to light.
Dare I call this Anson Bishop's origin story? Because that's exactly what this felt like, and now I'm sitting here like... HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO WAIT FOR BOOK 2?! 😭😂
I listened to the audiobook and was completely captivated. Michael Crouch and Piper Goodeve did a phenomenal job bringing these characters to life through their narration. Great pacing, clear enunciation, and just the right inflection. Easy to follow, easy to listen to, and absolutely sucked me right back into the 4MK world.
If you're a 4MK fan, you already know you need this one. 🔪🐒
Huge thanks to NetGalley, J.D. Barker, and RBmedia for the ALC and the opportunity to give my honest opinion! ❤️
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I really didn't know what to expect going into The First Scarlet Door because I felt like we already got a pretty solid backstory in the original trilogy. But this dives SO much deeper into the details of the "in-between" that we missed from Anson Bishop's childhood to when he reappears as 4MK. And those unreliable-narrator lies we thought we knew? 👀 Ohhh, they're starting to come to light.
Dare I call this Anson Bishop's origin story? Because that's exactly what this felt like, and now I'm sitting here like... HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO WAIT FOR BOOK 2?! 😭😂
I listened to the audiobook and was completely captivated. Michael Crouch and Piper Goodeve did a phenomenal job bringing these characters to life through their narration. Great pacing, clear enunciation, and just the right inflection. Easy to follow, easy to listen to, and absolutely sucked me right back into the 4MK world.
If you're a 4MK fan, you already know you need this one. 🔪🐒
Huge thanks to NetGalley, J.D. Barker, and RBmedia for the ALC and the opportunity to give my honest opinion! ❤️
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
September 29, 2026
Wow! This was intense. Mr. Barker hits another one out of the park! I listened to the audiobook and I couldn't stop. The voice of Anson was sinister, serious and no-nonsense which was perfect. I was torn between wanting to know what happened next and wanting to savor the experience. It's going to be tough waiting for the next. Until then I think I'll go back and reread the 4MK series. So well done!
October 2, 2026
Dark, atmospheric prequel that functions as a gripping origin story for a very unsettling serial killer.
In 1999, Anson Bishop, 15 years old, has escaped to Charleston after his childhood home burns down and his mother vanishes with stolen mob money. In a foster home sort of situation that reeks of child exploitation, he makes some friends who attempt to break free only to find that powerful forces are much more organized and stronger than anyone realized. The violence that surrounded his ruthless upbringing resurfaces and Anson, guided by his father's voice inside his head, is pushed to his limits and must rely on his highly analytical instincts to stay alive. All of his steps toward rescuing himself and the other kids are dangerous choices that push him down the dark path that will ultimately mold him into the notorious Four Monkey Killer.
I had completely forgotten what a great writer this guy is and he's returned to top form with this first in what is meant to be three stories detailing Anson Bishop's growing up years. The main character is very interesting and you can see how his detachment style gives a unique perspective on the dangerous and scary situations he and the other kids are in. There's definitely a buildup of psychological momentum without losing the gritty and disturbing elements that make this a really great thriller. It's fast paced with short chapters of alternating viewpoints and some tight suspense with sharp plot twists. Who can be trusted in a world where unhoused children are for sale to the highest bidders. Reading this made me want to go back and reread the first trilogy but I'll probably wait until I've read all three of these origin stories.
I thank NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC audio book which I listened to after also obtaining a copy of the e-book from the local library. The narrators, Michael Crouch and Piper Goodeve, were excellent in immersing me in this very dark world and I could not put this down so read it all in one sitting. Their voices created the tension and dramatic flair I appreciate for a story such as this and thoroughly enhanced my enjoyment of the book.
This will surely captivate fans of the original 4MK series and likely secure more.
In 1999, Anson Bishop, 15 years old, has escaped to Charleston after his childhood home burns down and his mother vanishes with stolen mob money. In a foster home sort of situation that reeks of child exploitation, he makes some friends who attempt to break free only to find that powerful forces are much more organized and stronger than anyone realized. The violence that surrounded his ruthless upbringing resurfaces and Anson, guided by his father's voice inside his head, is pushed to his limits and must rely on his highly analytical instincts to stay alive. All of his steps toward rescuing himself and the other kids are dangerous choices that push him down the dark path that will ultimately mold him into the notorious Four Monkey Killer.
I had completely forgotten what a great writer this guy is and he's returned to top form with this first in what is meant to be three stories detailing Anson Bishop's growing up years. The main character is very interesting and you can see how his detachment style gives a unique perspective on the dangerous and scary situations he and the other kids are in. There's definitely a buildup of psychological momentum without losing the gritty and disturbing elements that make this a really great thriller. It's fast paced with short chapters of alternating viewpoints and some tight suspense with sharp plot twists. Who can be trusted in a world where unhoused children are for sale to the highest bidders. Reading this made me want to go back and reread the first trilogy but I'll probably wait until I've read all three of these origin stories.
I thank NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC audio book which I listened to after also obtaining a copy of the e-book from the local library. The narrators, Michael Crouch and Piper Goodeve, were excellent in immersing me in this very dark world and I could not put this down so read it all in one sitting. Their voices created the tension and dramatic flair I appreciate for a story such as this and thoroughly enhanced my enjoyment of the book.
This will surely captivate fans of the original 4MK series and likely secure more.
September 27, 2026
J.D. Barker’s trio of novels featuring the Four Monkey Killer were legendary stories about a ruthlessly diabolical killer who always seemed to stay one step ahead of those pursuing him. Now, Barker revisits Anson Bishop, aka the 4MK, in THE FIRST SCARLET DOOR, the opening installment of a new prequel trilogy.
Whenever we read about the most notorious killers, there is always the question of whether they got there as the product of their own environment or if they were born that way. Imagine we had the opportunity to find out the answer. Just think about how differently we might look at Hannibal Lecter if we understood the backstory that created a man who killed and ate many of his own patients.
This is the tactic that Barker has taken with Anson Bishop, who is 15 years old in 1999. Even though he already has learned to kill, his reasons and methods might surprise you and even cause you to sympathize with him just a bit.
At the start of the book, Anson and his friends, Vincent and Paul, all of whom came from the same corrupt and abusive foster home, had killed a man guilty of many awful deeds. They were done to the young people of Charleston, and what made his transgressions even worse was that he was a police officer. In fact, dozens of lost children were being preyed upon by corrupt adults who should have been their beacons of protection. Anson has seen many of his buddies simply disappear, never knowing the dark fate they might have met.
The boys meet up with a girl they know who leads them to an ominous-looking door that may hold some answers to the mystery surrounding their missing friends. Doors are a heavy metaphor used throughout the story, with the scarlet door of the title reserved for Anson himself at the end of the novel. The Genovese crime family is behind much of the criminal activity in the area, including running international trafficking rings that have preyed specifically on girls in the vicinity.
The book also presents two sidebar stories about other lost youths who end up in the wrong place and pay the ultimate price. One of them is Amanda, who is beaten by a truck driver and robbed of her last dime. That is not even the worst horror as she ends up in the clutches of a black-market organ trader who removes every vital organ from her body, ending with her heart. Her corpse is left in an abandoned car as an empty shell of the young woman who dreamed of going to Hollywood and becoming Judy Garland.
THE FIRST SCARLET DOOR is J.D. Barker at his most real and brutal. His depictions of the darker side of humanity who preyed on young people like Anson lends much to understanding why he turned out the way he did. While it might not make readers forget about the horrifying murders he committed as the 4MK, it makes a really good case for accepting that he was a product of his nightmarish environment. I am eager to see what comes next after Anson walks through that scarlet door.
Reviewed by Ray Palen
Whenever we read about the most notorious killers, there is always the question of whether they got there as the product of their own environment or if they were born that way. Imagine we had the opportunity to find out the answer. Just think about how differently we might look at Hannibal Lecter if we understood the backstory that created a man who killed and ate many of his own patients.
This is the tactic that Barker has taken with Anson Bishop, who is 15 years old in 1999. Even though he already has learned to kill, his reasons and methods might surprise you and even cause you to sympathize with him just a bit.
At the start of the book, Anson and his friends, Vincent and Paul, all of whom came from the same corrupt and abusive foster home, had killed a man guilty of many awful deeds. They were done to the young people of Charleston, and what made his transgressions even worse was that he was a police officer. In fact, dozens of lost children were being preyed upon by corrupt adults who should have been their beacons of protection. Anson has seen many of his buddies simply disappear, never knowing the dark fate they might have met.
The boys meet up with a girl they know who leads them to an ominous-looking door that may hold some answers to the mystery surrounding their missing friends. Doors are a heavy metaphor used throughout the story, with the scarlet door of the title reserved for Anson himself at the end of the novel. The Genovese crime family is behind much of the criminal activity in the area, including running international trafficking rings that have preyed specifically on girls in the vicinity.
The book also presents two sidebar stories about other lost youths who end up in the wrong place and pay the ultimate price. One of them is Amanda, who is beaten by a truck driver and robbed of her last dime. That is not even the worst horror as she ends up in the clutches of a black-market organ trader who removes every vital organ from her body, ending with her heart. Her corpse is left in an abandoned car as an empty shell of the young woman who dreamed of going to Hollywood and becoming Judy Garland.
THE FIRST SCARLET DOOR is J.D. Barker at his most real and brutal. His depictions of the darker side of humanity who preyed on young people like Anson lends much to understanding why he turned out the way he did. While it might not make readers forget about the horrifying murders he committed as the 4MK, it makes a really good case for accepting that he was a product of his nightmarish environment. I am eager to see what comes next after Anson walks through that scarlet door.
Reviewed by Ray Palen
October 4, 2026
The 4MK trilogy sits firmly in my top two trilogies of all time — right alongside Don Winslow’s Power of the Dog series — and remains one of the most unforgettable audio experiences I’ve ever had. Eduardo Ballerino and Graham Winton delivered a masterclass performance that elevated the entire series. With the trilogy approaching nearly a decade old, I was absolutely ecstatic when the author announced a prequel trilogy. That instantly made this one of my most anticipated releases of the year.
As the release date approached, I learned the author would be doing a book launch just a couple hours away from me in downstate Illinois. The event, organized by Silk and Spine, was outstanding — well run, welcoming, and genuinely memorable. Hearing the author talk about his writing, his process, and the world he’s building added even more excitement. And yes… I may know a few things about what might be coming, but I’ll let the author reveal those in his own time.
Going into The First Scarlet Door, I stayed true to my usual approach: no synopsis, no hints, just the thrill of going in blind. I wasn’t expecting the direction the author took here, and that made the experience even better. The super‑short chapters kept me turning pages, and his signature tension — that creeping sense that something is just out of reach — is alive and well.
His writing and characters remain top‑tier. The author has always excelled at crafting people who feel real even when the world around them tilts into darkness, and this prequel is no exception. By the end, I found myself in the exact same place I was with the original trilogy: the next book cannot come soon enough.
I do have one main plot question after finishing this, and I’m hoping to get an answer either through a message or at a future event when prequel #2 arrives. That’s part of the fun with his books — you never quite know what’s coming next.
I also received the audio ARC and will be finishing that soon. Given how exceptional the author’s audio productions have been in the past, I’ll be posting a separate, dedicated review for the audiobook because it deserves its own spotlight.
As for reading order:
You can start with this prequel, but my recommendation is to read the original three books first. With the other two prequels not yet released, this is the perfect time to get caught up — and reading this one fourth feels like the strongest approach.
With three months still left in the year, The First Scarlet Door now sits comfortably among my top reads of 2026, right alongside Michael Robotham’s Tell Me Something True and Brian Freeman’s Where the Road Ends. Three shining stars already — and the author’s entry is a standout.
Highly recommended.
As the release date approached, I learned the author would be doing a book launch just a couple hours away from me in downstate Illinois. The event, organized by Silk and Spine, was outstanding — well run, welcoming, and genuinely memorable. Hearing the author talk about his writing, his process, and the world he’s building added even more excitement. And yes… I may know a few things about what might be coming, but I’ll let the author reveal those in his own time.
Going into The First Scarlet Door, I stayed true to my usual approach: no synopsis, no hints, just the thrill of going in blind. I wasn’t expecting the direction the author took here, and that made the experience even better. The super‑short chapters kept me turning pages, and his signature tension — that creeping sense that something is just out of reach — is alive and well.
His writing and characters remain top‑tier. The author has always excelled at crafting people who feel real even when the world around them tilts into darkness, and this prequel is no exception. By the end, I found myself in the exact same place I was with the original trilogy: the next book cannot come soon enough.
I do have one main plot question after finishing this, and I’m hoping to get an answer either through a message or at a future event when prequel #2 arrives. That’s part of the fun with his books — you never quite know what’s coming next.
I also received the audio ARC and will be finishing that soon. Given how exceptional the author’s audio productions have been in the past, I’ll be posting a separate, dedicated review for the audiobook because it deserves its own spotlight.
As for reading order:
You can start with this prequel, but my recommendation is to read the original three books first. With the other two prequels not yet released, this is the perfect time to get caught up — and reading this one fourth feels like the strongest approach.
With three months still left in the year, The First Scarlet Door now sits comfortably among my top reads of 2026, right alongside Michael Robotham’s Tell Me Something True and Brian Freeman’s Where the Road Ends. Three shining stars already — and the author’s entry is a standout.
Highly recommended.
October 18, 2026
5⭐ Audiobook Thoughts — The First Scarlet Door
Since the 4MK trilogy is one of my all‑time favorite audio experiences, I had to give the audiobook its own quick spotlight. I was initially disappointed to learn the original narrators wouldn’t be returning, but once I understood the prequel’s earlier timeline — and heard the author explain the change — it made complete sense.
Michael Crouch and Piper Goodeve aren’t on the same level as Eduardo Ballerino and Graham Winton, but they deliver solid, fitting performances and now feel like the right voices for this stage of the story. What makes the audio especially exciting is the unknown: we don’t yet know the titles of the next two prequels or whether the narration will shift again as the timeline moves closer to the original trilogy.
A strong start to the audio side of the prequel arc, and something I’m genuinely looking forward to following as 4MK continues to evolve.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher with the opportunity in exchange for an honest review.
Since the 4MK trilogy is one of my all‑time favorite audio experiences, I had to give the audiobook its own quick spotlight. I was initially disappointed to learn the original narrators wouldn’t be returning, but once I understood the prequel’s earlier timeline — and heard the author explain the change — it made complete sense.
Michael Crouch and Piper Goodeve aren’t on the same level as Eduardo Ballerino and Graham Winton, but they deliver solid, fitting performances and now feel like the right voices for this stage of the story. What makes the audio especially exciting is the unknown: we don’t yet know the titles of the next two prequels or whether the narration will shift again as the timeline moves closer to the original trilogy.
A strong start to the audio side of the prequel arc, and something I’m genuinely looking forward to following as 4MK continues to evolve.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher with the opportunity in exchange for an honest review.
August 15, 2026
I was so excited to win this Goodreads giveaway and read the prequel to the Fourth Monkey series. As always, well done and full of twists and deception. Loved it. Made me want to reread the series too!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Ugh!! Why did you do that to me, J. D. Barker? Hurry up and write the next one!
The First Scarlet Door is a the first book in the Prequel to the 4MK Trilogy. I was lucky enough to receive it, with the 4MK books from the publisher. They suggested to reread the 4MK Trilogy first, which I did. Barker grabbed me right off! I flew through it, when I got a chance to read.
The First Scarlet Door takes us back to how Bishop became who he was. Really, who all of them were. How they all started doing what they later did. I was surprised about a couple of characters that were red herrings. I applaud you, J. D. Barker for that. The last 1/2 off the book, I was on the edge of my seat. I don't want to spoil anything so I'm not going to write anything else about it, but that ending!🤯
If you haven't read the 4MK Trilogy, you need to before September 22nd. If you have read them, I will say, you definitely need to reread the 4MK books before you read this one. That way you will understand what happens at the beginning and how he thought he knew what he did about Porter. This book was great! The only draw back is now I have to wait until the next one comes out.
Tentative Publication Date
September 22, 2026
YOU NEED TO READ THIS!! MIND BLOWING! UNBELIEVABLE!
Thanks to Hampton Creek Press and J. D. Barker for all the books! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The First Scarlet Door is a the first book in the Prequel to the 4MK Trilogy. I was lucky enough to receive it, with the 4MK books from the publisher. They suggested to reread the 4MK Trilogy first, which I did. Barker grabbed me right off! I flew through it, when I got a chance to read.
The First Scarlet Door takes us back to how Bishop became who he was. Really, who all of them were. How they all started doing what they later did. I was surprised about a couple of characters that were red herrings. I applaud you, J. D. Barker for that. The last 1/2 off the book, I was on the edge of my seat. I don't want to spoil anything so I'm not going to write anything else about it, but that ending!🤯
If you haven't read the 4MK Trilogy, you need to before September 22nd. If you have read them, I will say, you definitely need to reread the 4MK books before you read this one. That way you will understand what happens at the beginning and how he thought he knew what he did about Porter. This book was great! The only draw back is now I have to wait until the next one comes out.
Tentative Publication Date
September 22, 2026
YOU NEED TO READ THIS!! MIND BLOWING! UNBELIEVABLE!
Thanks to Hampton Creek Press and J. D. Barker for all the books! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 Stars ⭐️
This is a unique new series. It is actually the prequel to the 4MK series. I think, if I understand it, there are going to be 3 books in total that make up this prequel series. I remember reading and loving this series, but when I thought back on it, I was having a hard time remembering the specifics. I looked up my Goodreads review and realized that I read the series in 2019, so we’re talking 7 years ago. No wonder….
Anyway, I jumped right in because it sounded interesting and I figured that I could probably figure things out.
The story begins in 1999 and we drop right in and meet MMC Anson Bishop. He is running with a gang of boys and while it does take a while to understand everything that is going on, the storyline unfolds in a way that still makes sense. Anson is basically an orphan who was in a kind of foster home (one with lots of kids). Most of these kids were runaways, or kids from the streets, basically ones that have no one else. Apparently, something has happened to 3 of his friends from the home. 3 girls have gone missing, or have they been taken….or maybe killed? When the story begins, the boys are on a quest to find out what happened to the girls, because they saw who had taken them and that changes everything.
We then begin to learn about the circumstances that these boys - and some other secondary characters - find themselves in. There are a whole lot of things going on and we begin to follow a couple of different storylines. One dealing with a psychotic serial killer with missing and murdered people and another dealing with child trafficking.
The writing is fast and compelling and it becomes difficult to put the book down. We also get snippets of Anson’s childhood and he tends to hear his father’s voice in his head reinforcing the things they worked on together when he was younger. These are NOT normal things. It is things like knife instruction, anatomy of the human body and where to cause the most damage, surveillance, and how to walk and act so that he is not noticed. Definitely not normal things.
I really liked this first book and am eager to keep going with this series. It did make me wonder about the details of how the 4MK series ended up and I think I might either reread it or at least skim through the ending to refresh myself on certain things. I do already remember a couple of characters that we see all those years later, but I want to know more.
I listened to this on audio and found that the narrating duo - Michael Crouch and Piper Goodeve - did a good job with their performance. I enjoyed listening to their portrayals of the characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia | Recorded Books for the opportunity to listen to and review this ALC. This book will be out for publication on September 22, 2026.
This is a unique new series. It is actually the prequel to the 4MK series. I think, if I understand it, there are going to be 3 books in total that make up this prequel series. I remember reading and loving this series, but when I thought back on it, I was having a hard time remembering the specifics. I looked up my Goodreads review and realized that I read the series in 2019, so we’re talking 7 years ago. No wonder….
Anyway, I jumped right in because it sounded interesting and I figured that I could probably figure things out.
The story begins in 1999 and we drop right in and meet MMC Anson Bishop. He is running with a gang of boys and while it does take a while to understand everything that is going on, the storyline unfolds in a way that still makes sense. Anson is basically an orphan who was in a kind of foster home (one with lots of kids). Most of these kids were runaways, or kids from the streets, basically ones that have no one else. Apparently, something has happened to 3 of his friends from the home. 3 girls have gone missing, or have they been taken….or maybe killed? When the story begins, the boys are on a quest to find out what happened to the girls, because they saw who had taken them and that changes everything.
We then begin to learn about the circumstances that these boys - and some other secondary characters - find themselves in. There are a whole lot of things going on and we begin to follow a couple of different storylines. One dealing with a psychotic serial killer with missing and murdered people and another dealing with child trafficking.
The writing is fast and compelling and it becomes difficult to put the book down. We also get snippets of Anson’s childhood and he tends to hear his father’s voice in his head reinforcing the things they worked on together when he was younger. These are NOT normal things. It is things like knife instruction, anatomy of the human body and where to cause the most damage, surveillance, and how to walk and act so that he is not noticed. Definitely not normal things.
I really liked this first book and am eager to keep going with this series. It did make me wonder about the details of how the 4MK series ended up and I think I might either reread it or at least skim through the ending to refresh myself on certain things. I do already remember a couple of characters that we see all those years later, but I want to know more.
I listened to this on audio and found that the narrating duo - Michael Crouch and Piper Goodeve - did a good job with their performance. I enjoyed listening to their portrayals of the characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia | Recorded Books for the opportunity to listen to and review this ALC. This book will be out for publication on September 22, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for the ALC of this book. I loved the books in The Fourth Monkey series and was so excited when I found out there were going to be 3 prequels to these books. I knew that I wanted to read all of them as soon as they come out. When I got a chance to listen to this story on audio, I was so excited.
The story follows Anson Bishop, who we met in the other series as an adult and got a little insight into his background in those books. Now we get to learn more about what happened to him in between his childhood with his parents and who he became in the 4MK series. When people that he comes to care about start to disappear and go missing, Anson has to do what he can to save his friends as he faces a new monster. The first book in the series of prequels did not disappoint and Barker’s writing style and amazing character development keeps me glued to the story and always wanting more at the end. I can’t wait until the next one!
The story follows Anson Bishop, who we met in the other series as an adult and got a little insight into his background in those books. Now we get to learn more about what happened to him in between his childhood with his parents and who he became in the 4MK series. When people that he comes to care about start to disappear and go missing, Anson has to do what he can to save his friends as he faces a new monster. The first book in the series of prequels did not disappoint and Barker’s writing style and amazing character development keeps me glued to the story and always wanting more at the end. I can’t wait until the next one!
September 23, 2026
The First Scarlet Door (audio) 3.5⭐️
Book FOUR in the 4MK series (with two more on the way). My advice: Absolutely read the series in order (don’t start with this one). The 4MK series was on my reread list this year. I haven’t gotten around to it yet, but jumped on the chance to read the next book! JD Barker is one of my top favorite authors. The First Scarlet Door further explores young Anson’s story where it left off in The Sixth Wicked Child.
I found myself not super interested in Anson and more invested in the other characters (especially The Kid). The content is not for the faint of heart, which is on par with the rest of the series. These poor kids have been through the worst of the worst. The narrators did a fabulous job. I’m looking forward to the next books in the series, but as a book on its own, this didn’t hold my attention the same way the other books have.
Thank you NetGalley and RBmedia for this ALC. This review will be shared on NetGalley and Goodreads.
Book FOUR in the 4MK series (with two more on the way). My advice: Absolutely read the series in order (don’t start with this one). The 4MK series was on my reread list this year. I haven’t gotten around to it yet, but jumped on the chance to read the next book! JD Barker is one of my top favorite authors. The First Scarlet Door further explores young Anson’s story where it left off in The Sixth Wicked Child.
I found myself not super interested in Anson and more invested in the other characters (especially The Kid). The content is not for the faint of heart, which is on par with the rest of the series. These poor kids have been through the worst of the worst. The narrators did a fabulous job. I’m looking forward to the next books in the series, but as a book on its own, this didn’t hold my attention the same way the other books have.
Thank you NetGalley and RBmedia for this ALC. This review will be shared on NetGalley and Goodreads.
September 25, 2026
Incredible!
As soon as the release date was announced for this book, I waited very impatiently for it to arrive. I blew through this book in two sittings! I’m wondering because of the ending, if there will be another???? Mr. Barker wouldn’t leave us forever in suspense, would he?!?!?
As soon as the release date was announced for this book, I waited very impatiently for it to arrive. I blew through this book in two sittings! I’m wondering because of the ending, if there will be another???? Mr. Barker wouldn’t leave us forever in suspense, would he?!?!?
September 27, 2026
Thank you NetGalley, RBmedia and Recorded Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I gobbled up this book! Both male and female narrators did an amazing job. The alternating perspectives definitely added to the story. I was instantly hooked and the way the story developed I couldn’t help but binge read it. I loved getting more from Anson’s perspective. The way it ended makes me extra excited for the next book!
I gobbled up this book! Both male and female narrators did an amazing job. The alternating perspectives definitely added to the story. I was instantly hooked and the way the story developed I couldn’t help but binge read it. I loved getting more from Anson’s perspective. The way it ended makes me extra excited for the next book!
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