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The Country Road Murders
After a shocking accident, Silas Tucker’s legendary football career is suddenly over in this action-packed sports thriller powered by loyalty, competition, and family.
Humbled, but never defeated, he returns to his backwoods hometown, Cross Rivers, North Carolina, where his father was murdered.
He goes back to what’s left of his family and their small, struggling farm. He reunites with his best friend in the world—Taylor McCarter Webb, who is now married.
Then Silas is pulled into a deadly battle with the Southern Mafia who control drugs, trafficking and murder.
As the suspense crescendos, Silas follows one rule for you don’t ride these country roads alone, or in the dead of night.
Humbled, but never defeated, he returns to his backwoods hometown, Cross Rivers, North Carolina, where his father was murdered.
He goes back to what’s left of his family and their small, struggling farm. He reunites with his best friend in the world—Taylor McCarter Webb, who is now married.
Then Silas is pulled into a deadly battle with the Southern Mafia who control drugs, trafficking and murder.
As the suspense crescendos, Silas follows one rule for you don’t ride these country roads alone, or in the dead of night.
Hardcover
First published February 9, 2026
About the author
James Patterson
961 books359k followersOfficial US Site
Official UK Site
James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, Michael Crichton, and Viola Davis, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
Official UK Site
James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, Michael Crichton, and Viola Davis, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 287 reviews
July 18, 2026
In some ways, this book almost felt like a remake of “Walking Tall,” as local football legend Silas Tucker takes on the dangerous Southern Mafia in his rural North Carolina hometown . Amidst a background of murder, mayhem, sex trafficking, crooked cops, and drug dealers, Silas continually deals with the situation by knocking a few heads together, as well as getting in the face of some pretty spooky backwoods characters. In any event, you won’t need a crystal ball to predict how this fight will eventually turn out.
Along with a pretty predictable storyline, the novel felt like the authors were determined to write an undated version of “Walking Tall.” Added to this mix was a truly bizarre love triangle, which involved Silas being deeply in love with a local girl who is married to his best friend….and, weirder still, the woman openly expresses her love to both men, as if this is a common occurrence in most marriages. All in all, despite some 400-pages, this was a fairly quick read with few surprises from beginning to end.
Along with a pretty predictable storyline, the novel felt like the authors were determined to write an undated version of “Walking Tall.” Added to this mix was a truly bizarre love triangle, which involved Silas being deeply in love with a local girl who is married to his best friend….and, weirder still, the woman openly expresses her love to both men, as if this is a common occurrence in most marriages. All in all, despite some 400-pages, this was a fairly quick read with few surprises from beginning to end.
July 29, 2026
Hey – we have another James Patterson and Mike Lupica co-authored novel. The two writers who have been working on the “Jane Smith Thriller” series, and are three books into that one, have come together again for separate one-off thriller.
The good news is that this is an engaging and entertaining summer escape read. The kind of one that helped make Patterson one of the world’s most popular storytellers.
“The Country Road Murders” starts off with a surprising and shocking prologue, which I will let you read for yourself. All I will say it grabs by your attention immediately within four pages in a big way.
Once that is over and we get going, it becomes the story of Silas Tucker, who grew up on a farm in the backwoods country farm of Cross Rivers, North Carolina, a place known for its violence and proud of it. A place where his father was sheriff until he was murdered. A place where the Southern Mafia resides, under the powerful control of Briar Crockett and his sons, overseeing the local drugs and trafficking throughout the county and beyond. A place where no one rides the country roads alone at night…
Silas is a major football star. An all-American quarterback, that just led North Carolina to its first ever collegiate national championship and found himself being the number one pick in the NFL draft by the Pittsburg Steelers.
However, Silas lets his friend and fellow college teammate, Mitchell Garland, drive his Porsche home from a celebration part, and a horrible accident leaves Silas with serious life-threatening injuries a long road back to recovery. His throwing arm shoulder is a torn-up mess and he returns home to his grandmother, EmmaJean (EJ), to help run their small family run farm while he seeks physical and emotional recovery.
There he is reunited with his best friend, Taylor Webb, who is his secret long-time love since childhood. She is married to his next best friend, Ben, who serves as the local law enforcement. They have all been friends since they were kids, and are the tightest threesome there is.
However, Silas unwittingly finds himself in trouble on multiple fronts. First, teenage girls and young women are going missing in the county, which piques his interest and concern. Second, he finds himself unwittingly pulled into the middle of the Southern Mafia business matters, creating a fight that cannot be avoided if he is to help save his hometown from the criminals. Before he knows it, Silas isn’t only hunting a killer, he’s fighting to just keep himself alive…
Let me start off with a personal comment. After struggling through Patterson’s previous novel – “Rocket’s Red Glare” – earlier this Summer and finding myself frustrated with the ending, this novel was a breath of fresh air and provided a nice recovery from the bad taste still lingering with me.
Let’s go with the good stuff, which starts with the characters, focus on family and small-town values, and the power of friendship that drives the conflicts in this novel. Patterson seems to be able to pick from movies, TV shows, and other popular novels or successful writers and then create his own version of a story that usually provides interesting characters and storylines to maintain our interest. For me, I found this book to be very reminiscent of recent novels by one of my favorite authors, S.A. Cosby. It has his distinctive southern setting and themes, style and rhythmic atmosphere, in which characters are put in a pressure cooker and forced to face incredible adversity and challenges. Never has small towns been so dangerous and filled with low life expectancies. To me, Silas is very much like a lead protagonist from a Cosby novel – in over his head, but stubborn enough to not give in or give up on what he believes is right.
I found this to be a good summer read. Briskly paced tempo. Interesting and well-developed mysteries to solve. Likeable characters with depth and layered family relationships. Villains that are easy to hat and root against. Patterson did a pretty good job of developing the two major plotlines and bringing them together in the end in a pretty decent, but predictable, climactic showdown. Still, Patterson and Lupica deliver an escapist novel that’s worthy of being read as long as you are willing to suspend some of your basis in reality on several occasions.
Overall, I found this to be one of Patterson’s better novels published this year. Not necessarily one of his best, but better than average, and if you treat it as an escapist Summer read, you should enjoy it. I know that I did. A guilty pleasure that hits the spot.
I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars (and yes, Goodreads doesn't round off, so I rounded down).
The good news is that this is an engaging and entertaining summer escape read. The kind of one that helped make Patterson one of the world’s most popular storytellers.
“The Country Road Murders” starts off with a surprising and shocking prologue, which I will let you read for yourself. All I will say it grabs by your attention immediately within four pages in a big way.
Once that is over and we get going, it becomes the story of Silas Tucker, who grew up on a farm in the backwoods country farm of Cross Rivers, North Carolina, a place known for its violence and proud of it. A place where his father was sheriff until he was murdered. A place where the Southern Mafia resides, under the powerful control of Briar Crockett and his sons, overseeing the local drugs and trafficking throughout the county and beyond. A place where no one rides the country roads alone at night…
Silas is a major football star. An all-American quarterback, that just led North Carolina to its first ever collegiate national championship and found himself being the number one pick in the NFL draft by the Pittsburg Steelers.
However, Silas lets his friend and fellow college teammate, Mitchell Garland, drive his Porsche home from a celebration part, and a horrible accident leaves Silas with serious life-threatening injuries a long road back to recovery. His throwing arm shoulder is a torn-up mess and he returns home to his grandmother, EmmaJean (EJ), to help run their small family run farm while he seeks physical and emotional recovery.
There he is reunited with his best friend, Taylor Webb, who is his secret long-time love since childhood. She is married to his next best friend, Ben, who serves as the local law enforcement. They have all been friends since they were kids, and are the tightest threesome there is.
However, Silas unwittingly finds himself in trouble on multiple fronts. First, teenage girls and young women are going missing in the county, which piques his interest and concern. Second, he finds himself unwittingly pulled into the middle of the Southern Mafia business matters, creating a fight that cannot be avoided if he is to help save his hometown from the criminals. Before he knows it, Silas isn’t only hunting a killer, he’s fighting to just keep himself alive…
Let me start off with a personal comment. After struggling through Patterson’s previous novel – “Rocket’s Red Glare” – earlier this Summer and finding myself frustrated with the ending, this novel was a breath of fresh air and provided a nice recovery from the bad taste still lingering with me.
Let’s go with the good stuff, which starts with the characters, focus on family and small-town values, and the power of friendship that drives the conflicts in this novel. Patterson seems to be able to pick from movies, TV shows, and other popular novels or successful writers and then create his own version of a story that usually provides interesting characters and storylines to maintain our interest. For me, I found this book to be very reminiscent of recent novels by one of my favorite authors, S.A. Cosby. It has his distinctive southern setting and themes, style and rhythmic atmosphere, in which characters are put in a pressure cooker and forced to face incredible adversity and challenges. Never has small towns been so dangerous and filled with low life expectancies. To me, Silas is very much like a lead protagonist from a Cosby novel – in over his head, but stubborn enough to not give in or give up on what he believes is right.
I found this to be a good summer read. Briskly paced tempo. Interesting and well-developed mysteries to solve. Likeable characters with depth and layered family relationships. Villains that are easy to hat and root against. Patterson did a pretty good job of developing the two major plotlines and bringing them together in the end in a pretty decent, but predictable, climactic showdown. Still, Patterson and Lupica deliver an escapist novel that’s worthy of being read as long as you are willing to suspend some of your basis in reality on several occasions.
Overall, I found this to be one of Patterson’s better novels published this year. Not necessarily one of his best, but better than average, and if you treat it as an escapist Summer read, you should enjoy it. I know that I did. A guilty pleasure that hits the spot.
I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars (and yes, Goodreads doesn't round off, so I rounded down).
July 24, 2026
“If you only had one more game to play in life, how much would a game like that be worth to you?”
Baseball
Football
Country music
Small town Western North Carolina
“Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong….” - John Denver
Drugs, drug overdoses
Human trafficking
Southern Mafia
More country music
“In my mind, I'm gone to Carolina / Can't you see the sunshine? Can't you just feel the moonshine?"
- James Taylor
More football
“You know what’s just about the best kind of big game in this world? Page one and chapter one of a book you really want to read.”
Baseball
Football
Country music
Small town Western North Carolina
“Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong….” - John Denver
Drugs, drug overdoses
Human trafficking
Southern Mafia
More country music
“In my mind, I'm gone to Carolina / Can't you see the sunshine? Can't you just feel the moonshine?"
- James Taylor
More football
“You know what’s just about the best kind of big game in this world? Page one and chapter one of a book you really want to read.”
August 6, 2026
High school principal, Silas Tucker, stops at what appears to be a motorcycle accident, the rider lying beside it wearing his school’s jacket. As he leans over to check him, the boy looks up, smiles, and shoots him in the face.
Ten years later, the murder is still unsolved. Silas’s son, also Silas, has been picked to play for the Steelers but a car accident ends his career before it has started. He returns to his hometown of Cross Rivers, N. Carolina, known mainly for its high crime rate, mostly drugs but, recently, several young girls have gone missing. When Silas sees what is clearly a drug buy going down at the local school, he steps in. However, when local law enforcement makes it clear they aren’t going to do anything about the problem, he starts looking into it himself. Soon he receives threats as do his friends and family but, with their support, he refuses to back down.
The Country Road Mysteries by James Patterson and Mike Lupica is one compelling thriller that grabbed my attention from the first page and never let go. Thanks to Patterson’s signature short paragraphs, crisp dialogue, and plenty of action, it moves at a fast but steady pace, keeping the reader immersed in the story. The mystery is interesting with plenty of twists and the characters are well-developed giving the reader plenty to root for or despise. Definitely a high recommendation from me both for fans of Patterson or anyone who likes gripping thrillers and, if you are a sports fan, well, even better.
I received an eARC of this book from Netgalley and Little, Brown & Company in exchange for an honest review
Ten years later, the murder is still unsolved. Silas’s son, also Silas, has been picked to play for the Steelers but a car accident ends his career before it has started. He returns to his hometown of Cross Rivers, N. Carolina, known mainly for its high crime rate, mostly drugs but, recently, several young girls have gone missing. When Silas sees what is clearly a drug buy going down at the local school, he steps in. However, when local law enforcement makes it clear they aren’t going to do anything about the problem, he starts looking into it himself. Soon he receives threats as do his friends and family but, with their support, he refuses to back down.
The Country Road Mysteries by James Patterson and Mike Lupica is one compelling thriller that grabbed my attention from the first page and never let go. Thanks to Patterson’s signature short paragraphs, crisp dialogue, and plenty of action, it moves at a fast but steady pace, keeping the reader immersed in the story. The mystery is interesting with plenty of twists and the characters are well-developed giving the reader plenty to root for or despise. Definitely a high recommendation from me both for fans of Patterson or anyone who likes gripping thrillers and, if you are a sports fan, well, even better.
I received an eARC of this book from Netgalley and Little, Brown & Company in exchange for an honest review
August 5, 2026
Straight forward and predictable but still entertaining.
July 23, 2026
This story could have been 200 pages shorter. It was predictable and trite. It spent too much time on painting a stereotypical picture of Southern small time life and egos. Just because James Patterson's name is attached to a book does not automatically mean it is 4*. Waste of my time.
August 19, 2026
⭐⭐⭐💫 3.5/5 ## A Strong Read That Became Too Predictable
I received an Advanced Digital Copy of The Country Road Murders by Mike Lupica and James Patterson, and was immediately intrigued by Lupica’s involvement. I remembered his work as a sportswriter, and seeing his name paired with James Patterson made the novel particularly appealing. The book ultimately proved to be a brisk and accessible thriller, one that combines sports, family history, small-town power structures, and a developing murder investigation with considerable ease. Its short chapters create a quick reading rhythm, even though the central mystery unfolds more gradually, and that contrast between fast pacing and slow revelation worked well for much of the novel.
Cross Rivers is one of the book’s strongest elements. The town feels shaped by recognizable pressures: economic decline, old family influence, agricultural communities, addiction, and the uneasy intimacy of a place where people know one another’s histories. Silas is equally effective at first as a protagonist because his identity extends beyond the investigation. His athletic background, physical injuries, family connections, and attachment to the region give him a degree of complexity that helps balance the crime narrative. My principal reservation, however, is that the novel repeatedly allows him to overcome adversity with relatively little lasting consequence. His recovery, his investigative progress, and his ability to navigate dangerous situations begin to feel increasingly assured, which weakens the sense that he is ever truly vulnerable.
The mystery remains sufficiently murky for a significant portion of the book, yet its broader trajectory becomes easier to anticipate as the story develops. Several of the central ingredients, including missing young women, drugs, influential local figures, and buried small-town secrets, are familiar conventions within contemporary crime fiction. They are handled competently, but not always in ways that generate sustained surprise. Initially, I found the limited involvement of state and federal authorities difficult to accept. Given the number of disappearances and the seriousness of the criminal activity surrounding them, the absence of a more substantial outside investigation occasionally stretches credibility.
Its limitations ultimately kept the novel from reaching a higher rating, though they did not prevent it from being an enjoyable and satisfying read. The Country Road Murders succeeds through atmosphere, readability, and the effective integration of sports with a rural crime story. I would recommend it to readers who enjoy accessible thrillers built around Southern small-town intrigue, even if the narrative becomes somewhat predictable and Silas occasionally seems protected by the momentum of the plot. Reading The Country Road Murders felt like a fast drive through a troubled Southern town, full of mystery and atmosphere, even if the man behind the wheel seemed destined to make it through every obstacle.
Thank you to NetGalley, authors Mike Lupica and James Patterson, and Hachette Audio | Little, Brown & Company for an Advanced Digital Copy in each for an honest review.
#TheCountryRoadMurders #NetGalley
I received an Advanced Digital Copy of The Country Road Murders by Mike Lupica and James Patterson, and was immediately intrigued by Lupica’s involvement. I remembered his work as a sportswriter, and seeing his name paired with James Patterson made the novel particularly appealing. The book ultimately proved to be a brisk and accessible thriller, one that combines sports, family history, small-town power structures, and a developing murder investigation with considerable ease. Its short chapters create a quick reading rhythm, even though the central mystery unfolds more gradually, and that contrast between fast pacing and slow revelation worked well for much of the novel.
Cross Rivers is one of the book’s strongest elements. The town feels shaped by recognizable pressures: economic decline, old family influence, agricultural communities, addiction, and the uneasy intimacy of a place where people know one another’s histories. Silas is equally effective at first as a protagonist because his identity extends beyond the investigation. His athletic background, physical injuries, family connections, and attachment to the region give him a degree of complexity that helps balance the crime narrative. My principal reservation, however, is that the novel repeatedly allows him to overcome adversity with relatively little lasting consequence. His recovery, his investigative progress, and his ability to navigate dangerous situations begin to feel increasingly assured, which weakens the sense that he is ever truly vulnerable.
The mystery remains sufficiently murky for a significant portion of the book, yet its broader trajectory becomes easier to anticipate as the story develops. Several of the central ingredients, including missing young women, drugs, influential local figures, and buried small-town secrets, are familiar conventions within contemporary crime fiction. They are handled competently, but not always in ways that generate sustained surprise. Initially, I found the limited involvement of state and federal authorities difficult to accept. Given the number of disappearances and the seriousness of the criminal activity surrounding them, the absence of a more substantial outside investigation occasionally stretches credibility.
Its limitations ultimately kept the novel from reaching a higher rating, though they did not prevent it from being an enjoyable and satisfying read. The Country Road Murders succeeds through atmosphere, readability, and the effective integration of sports with a rural crime story. I would recommend it to readers who enjoy accessible thrillers built around Southern small-town intrigue, even if the narrative becomes somewhat predictable and Silas occasionally seems protected by the momentum of the plot. Reading The Country Road Murders felt like a fast drive through a troubled Southern town, full of mystery and atmosphere, even if the man behind the wheel seemed destined to make it through every obstacle.
Thank you to NetGalley, authors Mike Lupica and James Patterson, and Hachette Audio | Little, Brown & Company for an Advanced Digital Copy in each for an honest review.
#TheCountryRoadMurders #NetGalley
July 13, 2026
Silas Tucker was once a collegiate sports hero with dreams of playing professional baseball or football. Those dreams came to a devastating end after he is seriously injured in a car accident. Looking for a fresh start, Silas returns to his hometown of Cross Rivers, North Carolina, hoping to his life, find a new purpose, and finally discover some peace.
Instead, he finds a town in turmoil. Young women have begun disappearing, and Cross Rivers has fallen under the grip of a powerful Southern mafia organization. As the investigation unfolds, it becomes clear that the criminal organization is involved in far more than anyone imagined, and the missing women may be connected to something much bigger.
While the police work tirelessly to stop the violence, Silas finds himself pulled into the center of the investigation. Determined to protect his community, he also hopes to uncover the truth behind his father’s murder years earlier, a crime that has haunted him for much of his life.
The Country Road Murders is a fast-paced, action-packed thriller filled with suspense, danger, and a relentless search for justice. The tension steadily builds with each chapter, leading to an exciting and satisfying conclusion. Listening to the excellent audiobook narration definitely pulled me deeper into the story. James Patterson once again delivers a story that kept me turning the pages. It was nearly impossible to put down, and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.
Many thanks to Little, Brown and Company and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Instead, he finds a town in turmoil. Young women have begun disappearing, and Cross Rivers has fallen under the grip of a powerful Southern mafia organization. As the investigation unfolds, it becomes clear that the criminal organization is involved in far more than anyone imagined, and the missing women may be connected to something much bigger.
While the police work tirelessly to stop the violence, Silas finds himself pulled into the center of the investigation. Determined to protect his community, he also hopes to uncover the truth behind his father’s murder years earlier, a crime that has haunted him for much of his life.
The Country Road Murders is a fast-paced, action-packed thriller filled with suspense, danger, and a relentless search for justice. The tension steadily builds with each chapter, leading to an exciting and satisfying conclusion. Listening to the excellent audiobook narration definitely pulled me deeper into the story. James Patterson once again delivers a story that kept me turning the pages. It was nearly impossible to put down, and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.
Many thanks to Little, Brown and Company and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
July 11, 2026
Silas Turner, hometown football hero of Cross Rivers, North Carolina, has returned after his professional career was crushed even before it began after a tragic accident. Trying to physically heal and figure out his future, he’s living again with his grandmother EJ (EmmaJean) and her struggling soybean farm. Silas’ father was the school principal, murdered by persons unknown ten years ago. Cross Rivers is overrun by the evil* Crockett family, known as the Southern Mafia, and at least five young girls from around the county have recently gone missing. Silas is young, but very tired of being bullied by the Crocketts who are openly dealing drugs at the high school and have the county sheriff in their pocket.
*evil enough to try to run over Silas’ fairly immortal dog, Bumper.
Joining Silas is his longtime childhood friend Taylor McCarter Webb, married to her high school sweetheart Burt Webb, the very young interim police chief of Cross Rivers (also at odds with the county sheriff). Eventually the kidnappings and corruption come to the attention of the governor and he sends fierce and formidable special agent Helene Mayes to form a task force to take down the baddies.
The action is non-stop and we get treated to scenes from a championship game, probably thanks to co-author sports columnist Mike Lupica.
The audiobook, voiced by Tom Pelphry with a sharp southern accent, is a performance unto itself. Bravo!
Silas is one of Patterson’s nearly perfect heroes — handsome, caring, strong, ethical, determined, law-abiding and worth a sequel or two, possibly with Helene as well. 5 stars!
Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Taylor has blue-green eyes.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO We are in soybean country in eastern North Carolina.
Thank you to Little, Brown and Company, Hachette Audio and NetGalley for advanced copies!
*evil enough to try to run over Silas’ fairly immortal dog, Bumper.
Joining Silas is his longtime childhood friend Taylor McCarter Webb, married to her high school sweetheart Burt Webb, the very young interim police chief of Cross Rivers (also at odds with the county sheriff). Eventually the kidnappings and corruption come to the attention of the governor and he sends fierce and formidable special agent Helene Mayes to form a task force to take down the baddies.
The action is non-stop and we get treated to scenes from a championship game, probably thanks to co-author sports columnist Mike Lupica.
The audiobook, voiced by Tom Pelphry with a sharp southern accent, is a performance unto itself. Bravo!
Silas is one of Patterson’s nearly perfect heroes — handsome, caring, strong, ethical, determined, law-abiding and worth a sequel or two, possibly with Helene as well. 5 stars!
Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Taylor has blue-green eyes.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO We are in soybean country in eastern North Carolina.
Thank you to Little, Brown and Company, Hachette Audio and NetGalley for advanced copies!
July 14, 2026
The Southern Mafia has instilled fear in the hearts of the people of the small town of Cross River, North Carolina, for many years, along with corruption in the law enforcement community and poisoning the young people of this town with their drugs.
Their reign is about to be tested. Hometown hero Silas Tucke, along with some outside law enforcement, are ready for war with this crime family with Helene Maye leading the charge. This woman was tough as nails; a wonder woman who led with no fear, but with her own brand of intimidation. She had no fear, only a sense of justice.
This is another new style of book for James Patterson and Mike Lupica. This one is a sports drama/mystery jam packed with plenty of personal loss and tragedy, emotional land mines and a sense of evil simmering just below the surface. It’s another winner for 2026.
Thank you to Little Brown and Company and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Their reign is about to be tested. Hometown hero Silas Tucke, along with some outside law enforcement, are ready for war with this crime family with Helene Maye leading the charge. This woman was tough as nails; a wonder woman who led with no fear, but with her own brand of intimidation. She had no fear, only a sense of justice.
This is another new style of book for James Patterson and Mike Lupica. This one is a sports drama/mystery jam packed with plenty of personal loss and tragedy, emotional land mines and a sense of evil simmering just below the surface. It’s another winner for 2026.
Thank you to Little Brown and Company and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 8, 2026
Silas Tucker is a college football hero who loses his chance at a professional career due to an accident. He returns to his hometown that seems to be ruled by a drug dealing, bullying family. Personally, I would have left that town. Judging by crime novels, the small towns in the South seem to be a singularly bad place to live. However, Silas remains, continues with his football conditioning and becomes embroiled in the case of missing girls.
This was ok. I don’t think that there was a particularly good fit between the parts of the book dealing with football and the crime story. Despite the blurb, this wasn’t a thriller, nor was it action packed. 3.5 stars
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
This was ok. I don’t think that there was a particularly good fit between the parts of the book dealing with football and the crime story. Despite the blurb, this wasn’t a thriller, nor was it action packed. 3.5 stars
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
August 18, 2026
As a fan of both of these authors, I was excited to start this one. Per usual, they did not disappoint. The story was very well written and gripped me from the absolute beginning, keeping my interest the entire time. I was fully invested in the outcome of Silas, as well as the other characters of the story. I felt as though I was helping Silas investigate the disappearances of all the young women that were disappearing in their small town. The secrets, lies and deception ran deep! They picked the perfect narrator for this audiobook as he had the perfect tone and diction for this setting. Overall an excellent read that I would recommend. Thank you NetGalley & Hachette Audio for an advanced listening copy.
August 14, 2026
Too much sports -- football, to suit me. The book was much longer than it needed to be and only moderately succeeded as a thriller in my opinion. If this was a true story those Southern Mafia creeps would have been rounded up or killed by chapter 3.
August 3, 2026
3.5 stars, rounded up. This was an entertaining summer read that I could easily see being made into a movie.
July 11, 2026
A fast and fun read with some things that reminded me of the Alex Cross books! I hope there are more books with these characters!
July 31, 2026
The Country Road Murders, a propulsive sports thriller by bestselling author James Patterson and renowned sports journalist Mike Lupica, delivers a gripping tale of shattered dreams, small-town corruption, and relentless vigilante justice. Blending the high-stakes tension of a crime novel with the emotional resonance of a sports drama, the book explores what happens when a community’s brightest star is forced to return to his roots in the aftermath of a devastating tragedy. Set against the atmospheric, backwoods backdrop of Cross Rivers, North Carolina, the story paints a vivid picture of a struggling town gripped by fear, demanding a different kind of hero to confront the sinister elements lurking just beneath the surface. Patterson and Lupica masterfully weave a narrative powered by loyalty, family, and survival, ensuring readers are kept on the edge of their seats from the opening whistle to the final confrontation.
At the center of this narrative is Silas Tucker, a legendary hometown football hero whose life was seemingly destined for greatness. Once a celebrated collegiate sports star with legitimate aspirations of playing professional baseball or football, Silas experiences a cruel twist of fate when a shocking car accident abruptly ends his athletic career before it can truly begin. Humbled and physically bruised, but never entirely defeated by his circumstances, Silas makes the difficult decision to return to Cross Rivers, looking for a fresh start, a new sense of purpose, and the peace that has long eluded him. He moves back in with his grandmother, affectionately known as EJ (EmmaJean), to help her manage what is left of their struggling family soybean farm, trading the roar of the stadium crowds for the quiet desperation of rural life.
However, Silas quickly discovers that the quiet hometown of his youth is far from peaceful. Cross Rivers has fallen under the suffocating grip of a powerful criminal organization known locally as the Southern Mafia. Controlled by the menacing Crockett family, this criminal enterprise has poisoned the community by trafficking drugs, instilling deep-seated fear among the residents, and corrupting the local law enforcement apparatus. The stakes are raised to terrifying new heights when a chilling pattern emerges: young, teenage girls from around the county have recently begun vanishing without a trace, with at least five missing by the time Silas arrives. The local police force, either severely outmatched or actively compromised by the Crockett family’s influence, is seemingly powerless to stop the violence, leaving the town utterly terrified and desperate for intervention.
For Silas, the encroaching darkness in Cross Rivers is deeply personal, reopening old wounds that never truly healed. A decade ago, his father—a respected local school principal—was brutally gunned down on a deserted country road when Silas was just a boy. The killers were never brought to justice, and the unsolved murder has haunted Silas for most of his life. As the modern-day investigation unfolds and the Southern Mafia tightens its stranglehold on the town, it becomes increasingly clear that the criminal organization is involved in far more than simple drug peddling, and the missing women may be connected to the same dark underbelly that claimed his father’s life. Realizing that the law alone is not enough to protect his community, Silas is pulled into the deadly battle, embracing a role reminiscent of a classic vigilante as he begins to take justice into his own hands by physically confronting the local criminals.
In his dangerous crusade against the Crocketts, Silas is not entirely alone, though his alliances are fraught with personal and professional complications. He reunites with his childhood best friend, Taylor McCarter Webb, a local woman he still deeply loves, who is now uncomfortably married to her high school sweetheart, Burt Webb. Adding to the complex dynamic, the young Burt serves as the interim police chief of Cross Rivers and finds himself frequently at odds with the corrupt county sheriff. The story introduces a compelling love triangle that adds emotional landmines to the ongoing physical danger. Eventually, the sheer scale of the corruption and kidnappings catches the attention of the state's governor, who dispatches Helene Mayes, a fierce and formidable special agent, to form a specialized task force aimed at dismantling the Southern Mafia once and for all.
The climax of The Country Road Murders is an intense, non-stop crescendo of action where Silas must navigate a treacherous path to save the missing girls, uncover the final truths behind his father's tragic death, and dismantle the Crockett family's empire. With the constant reminder that one should never ride these country roads alone in the dead of night, the novel races toward an exciting and immensely satisfying conclusion. Silas Tucker emerges as an iconic Patterson protagonist—handsome, highly ethical, unyieldingly strong, and determined to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. By blending Lupica's sports-writing flair with Patterson's mastery of the thriller genre, the authors deliver a story that is as much about the resilience of the human spirit as it is about taking down the bad guys, ensuring that readers will eagerly anticipate Silas Tucker's next chapter.
At the center of this narrative is Silas Tucker, a legendary hometown football hero whose life was seemingly destined for greatness. Once a celebrated collegiate sports star with legitimate aspirations of playing professional baseball or football, Silas experiences a cruel twist of fate when a shocking car accident abruptly ends his athletic career before it can truly begin. Humbled and physically bruised, but never entirely defeated by his circumstances, Silas makes the difficult decision to return to Cross Rivers, looking for a fresh start, a new sense of purpose, and the peace that has long eluded him. He moves back in with his grandmother, affectionately known as EJ (EmmaJean), to help her manage what is left of their struggling family soybean farm, trading the roar of the stadium crowds for the quiet desperation of rural life.
However, Silas quickly discovers that the quiet hometown of his youth is far from peaceful. Cross Rivers has fallen under the suffocating grip of a powerful criminal organization known locally as the Southern Mafia. Controlled by the menacing Crockett family, this criminal enterprise has poisoned the community by trafficking drugs, instilling deep-seated fear among the residents, and corrupting the local law enforcement apparatus. The stakes are raised to terrifying new heights when a chilling pattern emerges: young, teenage girls from around the county have recently begun vanishing without a trace, with at least five missing by the time Silas arrives. The local police force, either severely outmatched or actively compromised by the Crockett family’s influence, is seemingly powerless to stop the violence, leaving the town utterly terrified and desperate for intervention.
For Silas, the encroaching darkness in Cross Rivers is deeply personal, reopening old wounds that never truly healed. A decade ago, his father—a respected local school principal—was brutally gunned down on a deserted country road when Silas was just a boy. The killers were never brought to justice, and the unsolved murder has haunted Silas for most of his life. As the modern-day investigation unfolds and the Southern Mafia tightens its stranglehold on the town, it becomes increasingly clear that the criminal organization is involved in far more than simple drug peddling, and the missing women may be connected to the same dark underbelly that claimed his father’s life. Realizing that the law alone is not enough to protect his community, Silas is pulled into the deadly battle, embracing a role reminiscent of a classic vigilante as he begins to take justice into his own hands by physically confronting the local criminals.
In his dangerous crusade against the Crocketts, Silas is not entirely alone, though his alliances are fraught with personal and professional complications. He reunites with his childhood best friend, Taylor McCarter Webb, a local woman he still deeply loves, who is now uncomfortably married to her high school sweetheart, Burt Webb. Adding to the complex dynamic, the young Burt serves as the interim police chief of Cross Rivers and finds himself frequently at odds with the corrupt county sheriff. The story introduces a compelling love triangle that adds emotional landmines to the ongoing physical danger. Eventually, the sheer scale of the corruption and kidnappings catches the attention of the state's governor, who dispatches Helene Mayes, a fierce and formidable special agent, to form a specialized task force aimed at dismantling the Southern Mafia once and for all.
The climax of The Country Road Murders is an intense, non-stop crescendo of action where Silas must navigate a treacherous path to save the missing girls, uncover the final truths behind his father's tragic death, and dismantle the Crockett family's empire. With the constant reminder that one should never ride these country roads alone in the dead of night, the novel races toward an exciting and immensely satisfying conclusion. Silas Tucker emerges as an iconic Patterson protagonist—handsome, highly ethical, unyieldingly strong, and determined to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. By blending Lupica's sports-writing flair with Patterson's mastery of the thriller genre, the authors deliver a story that is as much about the resilience of the human spirit as it is about taking down the bad guys, ensuring that readers will eagerly anticipate Silas Tucker's next chapter.
July 14, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced listener's copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
James Patterson has likely released over 200 books since I was last following his work in high school. I don't have very high expectations from his work as a result, because I'm sure the co-authors are doing a bunch of the heavy lifting on this and in this book, it's very clear. The football parts of the book are miles better than the crime ones, if only because they feel engaged and true to the character we follow. The premise of a local hero returning to his roots could be fantastic, and the set up of the crimes in his remote town should've been a slam dunk for an exciting, fresh look into how crime affects a community. It was just not tense enough, not well paced, and lacked cohesion in a way that's just disappointing.
Besides the football arc, the remainder of the book is a loose mess of a town that could resemble Stars Hollow if only it weren't for the one evil family in town. The racial makeup of any town being unknown for a book set in the American South is plain weird, and I assumed Silas was Black for a large part of the book until several "unfriendly" members of the local police force seemed to like him enough to only stop and frisk and not use lethal force on him. He seems to also have had a plumb easy time charming his way into football opportunities that I doubt anyone else gets in his compromised condition. I like his relationship with his grandmother and his friends, except it was amply clear from the very start that the writers needed to clear the way for him and his high school bff to reunite so that immediately compromises a couple of the characters the protagonist is meant to care for and the writers just don't bother to develop.
I don't mind a lot of the villains in James Patterson's writing, even if they're as paper thin as in some of his Michael Bennett books, but it was fun in that context and completely unsurprising in this one. We don't get a crumb of generational stress if they want us to believe we're talking about the Southern mafia, and there was ample scope for it. I'm just asking for crumbs at this point because the patriarch was easily a more interesting character on paper than most others.
Any discerning reader knows that James Patterson loves the police, and clearly has a vested interest in pushing militarizing technologies that would barely work in new york, let alone a tiny sheriff-run outfit. We barely get into the policing aspects of a crime story, except to state that heightened surveillance and an app and vigilantes with guns are all valid in response to crimes that take place with burner phones and a dirty cop and a mole at best. The conceit of a book that purportedly wants to keep women safe from murder is that they trust the same police force that let the bad guys go free to exact revenge on the same bad guys with no hesitation. Also, it must be said that there is no string of murders! The title of this book is clearly misleading!
At best, they try to talk about drug problems in Appalachia with some nuance, but any concerned citizen beating up low level drug dealers is the solution for the issue it would seem. The narrative talked about a "War on Drugs" in the region as a potential solution but since nobody cares that it didn't work out super well for anyone the last time, we aren't supposed to either. Yet again, the effects of the economy and modern policing and the correct interventions on a population level simply do not matter. Because we have our trusty old quarterback telling kids to stay off drugs in an assembly.
Even if I were reading this book 15 years ago with no understanding of criminal justice as a broken, corrupt system by design, I don't think this book is very enjoyable. There are a lot of loose threads that yearn for connection within the book, and I didn't enjoy either parts of the book enough to seek out either author's writing for a little while. What I do like is how easily this book rolls off the ear, and the narrator and snappy chapter breaks are in no small part to thank for that.
James Patterson has likely released over 200 books since I was last following his work in high school. I don't have very high expectations from his work as a result, because I'm sure the co-authors are doing a bunch of the heavy lifting on this and in this book, it's very clear. The football parts of the book are miles better than the crime ones, if only because they feel engaged and true to the character we follow. The premise of a local hero returning to his roots could be fantastic, and the set up of the crimes in his remote town should've been a slam dunk for an exciting, fresh look into how crime affects a community. It was just not tense enough, not well paced, and lacked cohesion in a way that's just disappointing.
Besides the football arc, the remainder of the book is a loose mess of a town that could resemble Stars Hollow if only it weren't for the one evil family in town. The racial makeup of any town being unknown for a book set in the American South is plain weird, and I assumed Silas was Black for a large part of the book until several "unfriendly" members of the local police force seemed to like him enough to only stop and frisk and not use lethal force on him. He seems to also have had a plumb easy time charming his way into football opportunities that I doubt anyone else gets in his compromised condition. I like his relationship with his grandmother and his friends, except it was amply clear from the very start that the writers needed to clear the way for him and his high school bff to reunite so that immediately compromises a couple of the characters the protagonist is meant to care for and the writers just don't bother to develop.
I don't mind a lot of the villains in James Patterson's writing, even if they're as paper thin as in some of his Michael Bennett books, but it was fun in that context and completely unsurprising in this one. We don't get a crumb of generational stress if they want us to believe we're talking about the Southern mafia, and there was ample scope for it. I'm just asking for crumbs at this point because the patriarch was easily a more interesting character on paper than most others.
Any discerning reader knows that James Patterson loves the police, and clearly has a vested interest in pushing militarizing technologies that would barely work in new york, let alone a tiny sheriff-run outfit. We barely get into the policing aspects of a crime story, except to state that heightened surveillance and an app and vigilantes with guns are all valid in response to crimes that take place with burner phones and a dirty cop and a mole at best. The conceit of a book that purportedly wants to keep women safe from murder is that they trust the same police force that let the bad guys go free to exact revenge on the same bad guys with no hesitation. Also, it must be said that there is no string of murders! The title of this book is clearly misleading!
At best, they try to talk about drug problems in Appalachia with some nuance, but any concerned citizen beating up low level drug dealers is the solution for the issue it would seem. The narrative talked about a "War on Drugs" in the region as a potential solution but since nobody cares that it didn't work out super well for anyone the last time, we aren't supposed to either. Yet again, the effects of the economy and modern policing and the correct interventions on a population level simply do not matter. Because we have our trusty old quarterback telling kids to stay off drugs in an assembly.
Even if I were reading this book 15 years ago with no understanding of criminal justice as a broken, corrupt system by design, I don't think this book is very enjoyable. There are a lot of loose threads that yearn for connection within the book, and I didn't enjoy either parts of the book enough to seek out either author's writing for a little while. What I do like is how easily this book rolls off the ear, and the narrator and snappy chapter breaks are in no small part to thank for that.
July 23, 2026
Another story set in a southern small town. Under staffed police force, questionable support from the sheriff and one overbearing family running roughshod over the whole community while running their own little drug cartel. Stop me if you've read this before.
Enter the hometown quarterback hero fixing to pack his bags as he heads to the pros as a first round draft pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers. But wait, there's bright red Porsche sitting outside of the goodbye party venue just itching to show our hero and his bestie just what it can do. I don't have to tell you what happens on those twisty country roads....you already have the picture.
This whole book is so predictable, yet in James Patterson and Mike Lupica's hands at least it's an easy read and a good page turner. There's the back story of the missing girls all around the same age that aren't even really addressed in the story until almost the end of the book, they are all just taken away. It's bizarre, chapter after chapter you think we'll find out who's holding the girls and what consequences they are facing. You have a pretty good idea who's responsible but that storyline doesn't get barely a mention.
Now if you're interested in our hero's rehab after the accident well you’re all set, we probably have three hundred visits to the gym with him as he strengthens every part of his body, muscle by muscle, tendon by tendon. All the while living back at the farm with grandma, EJ eating southern fried everything. (I wanted to have dinner with grandma)
Luckily, just as things are getting totally out of hand the governor sends in a ringer, a previous women's basketball star now part of a new alphabet team, no not the FBI or the CIA, lots more letters than that. She's going to kick A-- and take names. Oh and did I mention our hero learns to shoot a gun. That comes in handy too.
And there's the love triangle...not wanting to take anything away from that storyline but you'll figure that one out for yourself.
This one as so many of the Patterson books lately missed the boat for me. The ending is sooooo predictable the only thing I found enjoyable and entertaining was the football references. Thanks to Mike Lupica for making that almost believable. Again, not wanting to give you a spoiler. I read a couple reviews ranking this one five stars, I'd give it 2.5....rounded op to three. Try a little harder James.
Enter the hometown quarterback hero fixing to pack his bags as he heads to the pros as a first round draft pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers. But wait, there's bright red Porsche sitting outside of the goodbye party venue just itching to show our hero and his bestie just what it can do. I don't have to tell you what happens on those twisty country roads....you already have the picture.
This whole book is so predictable, yet in James Patterson and Mike Lupica's hands at least it's an easy read and a good page turner. There's the back story of the missing girls all around the same age that aren't even really addressed in the story until almost the end of the book, they are all just taken away. It's bizarre, chapter after chapter you think we'll find out who's holding the girls and what consequences they are facing. You have a pretty good idea who's responsible but that storyline doesn't get barely a mention.
Now if you're interested in our hero's rehab after the accident well you’re all set, we probably have three hundred visits to the gym with him as he strengthens every part of his body, muscle by muscle, tendon by tendon. All the while living back at the farm with grandma, EJ eating southern fried everything. (I wanted to have dinner with grandma)
Luckily, just as things are getting totally out of hand the governor sends in a ringer, a previous women's basketball star now part of a new alphabet team, no not the FBI or the CIA, lots more letters than that. She's going to kick A-- and take names. Oh and did I mention our hero learns to shoot a gun. That comes in handy too.
And there's the love triangle...not wanting to take anything away from that storyline but you'll figure that one out for yourself.
This one as so many of the Patterson books lately missed the boat for me. The ending is sooooo predictable the only thing I found enjoyable and entertaining was the football references. Thanks to Mike Lupica for making that almost believable. Again, not wanting to give you a spoiler. I read a couple reviews ranking this one five stars, I'd give it 2.5....rounded op to three. Try a little harder James.
July 28, 2026
Mixing sports, drama, a southern crime syndicate and a hometown hero, this book was different in all of the right ways. Silas Tucker is forced unexpectedly to leave behind his promising career in sports and to return to his small town of Cross River, North Carolina. That’s where his father, Sheriff Silas Tucker was murdered, so there are a lot of bad memories for young Silas there but there are also a lot of people who loved his dad and are ready to stand behind him in whatever he tries to do for a second career. What Silas and his supporters decide to do boggled my mind because he wants to tackle the crime problem in Cross River by shutting down the family running the Southern Mafia in town. The action is fast-paced, the story is mesmerizing and the good guys are easy to cheer for and totally realistic. This is an intense thriller, with pulse pounding action and edgy suspense that kept me guessing. With head-spinning twists and relentless tension, this book is a fast read that affirms good over evil, but the victory doesn’t come easily.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.
July 17, 2026
"The Country Road Murders" by James Patterson and Mike Lupica is an action-packed 5-star read! Silas Tucker is a small-town football hero who was living the American dream as a successful quarterback destined for greatness in the NFL. That dream is shattered one tragic night. Silas may not be the quarterback he once was, but he is still a man who deeply cares about the people in his hometown.
The quick, short chapters that James Patterson is known for make this a fast and engaging read. From the very beginning, the story is packed with action. Whether it's on the football field or in the dark woods at night, the pace never lets up. While this appears to be a standalone novel, I would love to see it become a series. I really enjoyed Silas and his grandmother, and I'd happily read another sports mystery or action thriller from this writing duo!
Thanks to Little, Brown and Company, James Patterson & Mike Lupica, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.
The quick, short chapters that James Patterson is known for make this a fast and engaging read. From the very beginning, the story is packed with action. Whether it's on the football field or in the dark woods at night, the pace never lets up. While this appears to be a standalone novel, I would love to see it become a series. I really enjoyed Silas and his grandmother, and I'd happily read another sports mystery or action thriller from this writing duo!
Thanks to Little, Brown and Company, James Patterson & Mike Lupica, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.
July 26, 2026
Silas Tucker is a star athlete, having just been chosen to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers football team as quarterback. A horrifying car accident takes that dream away from him as his shoulder has been severely damaged. He spends months in rehab and returns to his hometown of Cross Rivers, North Carolina. He moves back in with his grandmother, EJ, who raised him after his father was murdered. He helps out on her farm but is very troubled to see what is happening in the town. There have been a number of girls that have gone missing, drugs seem to be killing off some young high school kids, the so-called “Southern Mafia” seems to have a firm hold on the town and surrounding towns, and the county sheriff. Silas is determined to help get the town back into good shape and help stop the downward spiral the town has fallen into. Silas has some good people around him, including the local police chief, Burt, who has always been his friend and is married to his best friend Taylor. Burt has managed to start a special task force headed by Helene, a tough lady no one wants to mess with. She is ready to go after the Crockett family, who seem to be the head of the Southern Mafia. The pace doesn’t let up in this one. Even though I could see some of what was ahead, it kept me reading to find out how everything would end up. I give this book 4 stars out of 5.
Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for this digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for this digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 30, 2026
On the whole, this is a good book, if you can overlook the country music references and the over abundance of clichés.
However, even the plot is pretty trite. Not saying that small southern towns can’t be corrupt with all the “grift and graft,” but the “Southern Mafia?…”
This line sums up football for me: “Hit and get hit.”
I do find that a border collie makes any book better.
However, even the plot is pretty trite. Not saying that small southern towns can’t be corrupt with all the “grift and graft,” but the “Southern Mafia?…”
This line sums up football for me: “Hit and get hit.”
I do find that a border collie makes any book better.
August 19, 2026
This is not an interesting read. I imagine Lupica did his best writing in the last chapter, and that was cliche. It is elementary, unrealistic, and uninspired. This book was just too lightweight for my taste, and I think Patterson is over-commercialized. I recommend a hard pass.
August 10, 2026
Started slow but picked up and had a great resolution. I see a book series coming from this!
August 1, 2026
This story is a good murder mystery by James Patterson but contains a bit too much football detail for my liking. I am sure many readers will enjoy the book but I prefer a great thriller instead.
August 10, 2026
Love this one, Patterson keeps writing some of the best books.
July 28, 2026
worse book you two ever wrote
I am soo disappointed in this book!! All your others are amazing!!! Could not wait for this book, and I can barely get through it. Put it down not even halfway. What is this? So many wordy pages. Not even close to your other books. Please don’t do this format again.. my favorite author and sports columnist, please go back to style of other books you gist are doing..
I am soo disappointed in this book!! All your others are amazing!!! Could not wait for this book, and I can barely get through it. Put it down not even halfway. What is this? So many wordy pages. Not even close to your other books. Please don’t do this format again.. my favorite author and sports columnist, please go back to style of other books you gist are doing..
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A shattered dream. A missing local girl. A backwoods criminal syndicate that rules the night.
In The Country Road Murders, New York Times bestselling powerhouse James Patterson and sports media hall-of-famer Mike Lupica deliver a high-octane, action-packed North Carolina small-town crime thriller suspense novel. The story hinges on a sidelined, former collegiate football hero facing immense physical and systemic hurdles to avenge his father's unsolved murder and stop a predatory criminal syndicate.
Grit-infused sports survival vs. backwoods mafia corruption.
A devastating, career-ending injury turns into a high-stakes, paranoid investigation when a desperate hometown return forces an ex-athlete to wage a vigilante war against a local mafia family.
Elevator Pitch
A propulsive, fast-paced sports-centric thriller where a shattered former quarterback returns to his rural, crime-ridden North Carolina hometown and lands directly in the crosshairs of a ruthless criminal syndicate responsible for a wave of missing young women.
The Hook
GLITZY SPORTS GLORY VS. BACKWOODS MAFIA CORRUPTION.
"A shattered football hero returns to his rural North Carolina hometown only to wage a ruthless vigilante war against a predatory criminal syndicate."
Review Breakdown
Intro
Silas Tucker was destined for gridiron glory until a shocking, career-ending accident completely shattered his dreams. Humbled but fiercely determined, he returns to the struggling North Carolina family farm of his grandmother to put himself through intense physical labor to heal. But the quiet sanctuary of Cross Rivers is a complete illusion.
The town is firmly controlled by the Crocketts—a local family dubbed the "Southern Mafia" who oversee a booming drug and human trafficking ring. When a local father begs him to find his missing daughter, Silas realizes the disappearances track straight back to the same syndicate he suspects gunned down his own father years ago, forcing him to take justice into his own hands.
Setting
The atmospheric, deceptive underbelly of Cross Rivers, North Carolina, moving from rustic, hard-scrabble family farms to the unpaved, unmonitored country roads where the law doesn't reach.
Vibe
High-test, gritty, and relentlessly cinematic. It pairs the explosive, fast-moving pacing of an unputdownable Patterson thriller with the deeply authentic athletic grit and small-town male camaraderie of a Lupica sports novel.
Genre
Action Thriller / Sports Suspense / Small-Town Crime.
Themes
~The Re-Invention of Identity After Failure
~Blind Small-Town Loyalty and Brotherhood
~The Poisonous Grip of Generational Organized Crime
~Vigilante Justice Versus Fractured Law Enforcement
Standout Characters
~Silas Tucker: A fiercely resilient, former quarterback whose raw physical stamina and lack of fear make him an incredibly explosive force as he avenges his family.
~Taylor McCarter Webb: Silas's fiercely loyal childhood best friend, whose marriage to a local junior police officer inserts her directly into the line of fire.
~The Crockett Family: A ruthless, deeply entrenched "Southern Mafia" clan who weaponize violence and control to completely terrorize the rural community.
Author Writing Standout
James Patterson and Mike Lupica blend their individual strengths flawlessly. Lupica’s signature, detailed handling of athlete psychology and rehabilitation balances perfectly with Patterson's legendary, lightning-fast short chapters and high-stakes tension.
THE MANICURED STADIUMS ARE GONE, AND THE RECKONING IS LOCAL.
"A hard-hitting, fiercely entertaining action thriller packed with crisp set pieces and an explosive, jaw-dropping showdown."
Takeaway
When a small-town legal system fails, it takes a broken hero with nothing left to lose to permanently tear down a corrupt empire.
Title Significance
The Country Road Murders represents the primary warning and central rule for survival in Cross Rivers: you don't ride these unmonitored country roads alone or in the dead of night.
Metaphor
The local country roads function as an artery for the town's hidden decay—seemingly quiet and serene by day, but carrying a lethal stream of corruption and missing lives under the cover of darkness.
Why You Should Read
It is a fiercely entertaining, hyper-masculine, and deeply satisfying popcorn thriller that perfectly blends a classic revenge plot with elite, high-stakes sports drama.
My Thoughts
DON'T RIDE THESE COUNTRY ROADS ALONE OR IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT.
"James Patterson and Mike Lupica deliver an absolute adrenaline rush of a thriller exploring the terrifying cost of small-town secrets and revenge."
The pacing is an absolute adrenaline rush! Having read Patterson and Lupica's previous collaborative work, the synergy here is incredibly sharp. Watching Silas re-channel his intense quarterback work ethic into an entirely different kind of high-stakes battle is exceptionally well-done. The action set pieces are crisp, and the final showdown against the Southern Mafia delivers pure, explosive satisfaction.
Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
"A phenomenal, hard-hitting summer blockbuster thriller that keeps its foot entirely on the gas pedal from the very first page."
Recs (Read-a-likes)
Still hooked on that perfect blend of small-town Southern grit and fast-paced sports mystery? Here is exactly what you should read next to get that same gripping vibe.
For the Small-Town Southern Setting & Corruption:
~Texas Outlaw by James Patterson – Features a Texas Ranger sent to a corrupt, isolated town to unravel a web of local secrets.
~Dark of the Moon (Virgil Flowers Series) by John Sandford – A gripping mystery focused on an investigator hunting killers hidden within a tight-knit, rural community.
For the Sports Backstory & High Stakes:
Deal Breaker (Myron Bolitar Series) by Harlan Coben – Centers on a former star athlete who dives into dangerous criminal investigations.
For the Exact Same Writing Team & Pacing:
~12 Months to Live (Jane Smith Series) by James Patterson and Mike Lupica – The flagship series from this duo, delivering their signature lightning-fast chapters and intense legal/crime action.
For the "Lone Hero vs. Local Crime Family" Vibe:
~Worth Dying For (Jack Reacher Series) by Lee Child – Follows a lone protagonist who stumbles into a rural town ruled by a deeply entrenched, ruthless family ring.
Special thanks to Little Brown & Company and NetGalley for sharing an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date July 13, 2026
My Rating: 5 Stars
July Newsletter
July 2026 Must-Read Books
In The Country Road Murders, New York Times bestselling powerhouse James Patterson and sports media hall-of-famer Mike Lupica deliver a high-octane, action-packed North Carolina small-town crime thriller suspense novel. The story hinges on a sidelined, former collegiate football hero facing immense physical and systemic hurdles to avenge his father's unsolved murder and stop a predatory criminal syndicate.
Grit-infused sports survival vs. backwoods mafia corruption.
A devastating, career-ending injury turns into a high-stakes, paranoid investigation when a desperate hometown return forces an ex-athlete to wage a vigilante war against a local mafia family.
Elevator Pitch
A propulsive, fast-paced sports-centric thriller where a shattered former quarterback returns to his rural, crime-ridden North Carolina hometown and lands directly in the crosshairs of a ruthless criminal syndicate responsible for a wave of missing young women.
The Hook
GLITZY SPORTS GLORY VS. BACKWOODS MAFIA CORRUPTION.
"A shattered football hero returns to his rural North Carolina hometown only to wage a ruthless vigilante war against a predatory criminal syndicate."
Review Breakdown
Intro
Silas Tucker was destined for gridiron glory until a shocking, career-ending accident completely shattered his dreams. Humbled but fiercely determined, he returns to the struggling North Carolina family farm of his grandmother to put himself through intense physical labor to heal. But the quiet sanctuary of Cross Rivers is a complete illusion.
The town is firmly controlled by the Crocketts—a local family dubbed the "Southern Mafia" who oversee a booming drug and human trafficking ring. When a local father begs him to find his missing daughter, Silas realizes the disappearances track straight back to the same syndicate he suspects gunned down his own father years ago, forcing him to take justice into his own hands.
Setting
The atmospheric, deceptive underbelly of Cross Rivers, North Carolina, moving from rustic, hard-scrabble family farms to the unpaved, unmonitored country roads where the law doesn't reach.
Vibe
High-test, gritty, and relentlessly cinematic. It pairs the explosive, fast-moving pacing of an unputdownable Patterson thriller with the deeply authentic athletic grit and small-town male camaraderie of a Lupica sports novel.
Genre
Action Thriller / Sports Suspense / Small-Town Crime.
Themes
~The Re-Invention of Identity After Failure
~Blind Small-Town Loyalty and Brotherhood
~The Poisonous Grip of Generational Organized Crime
~Vigilante Justice Versus Fractured Law Enforcement
Standout Characters
~Silas Tucker: A fiercely resilient, former quarterback whose raw physical stamina and lack of fear make him an incredibly explosive force as he avenges his family.
~Taylor McCarter Webb: Silas's fiercely loyal childhood best friend, whose marriage to a local junior police officer inserts her directly into the line of fire.
~The Crockett Family: A ruthless, deeply entrenched "Southern Mafia" clan who weaponize violence and control to completely terrorize the rural community.
Author Writing Standout
James Patterson and Mike Lupica blend their individual strengths flawlessly. Lupica’s signature, detailed handling of athlete psychology and rehabilitation balances perfectly with Patterson's legendary, lightning-fast short chapters and high-stakes tension.
THE MANICURED STADIUMS ARE GONE, AND THE RECKONING IS LOCAL.
"A hard-hitting, fiercely entertaining action thriller packed with crisp set pieces and an explosive, jaw-dropping showdown."
Takeaway
When a small-town legal system fails, it takes a broken hero with nothing left to lose to permanently tear down a corrupt empire.
Title Significance
The Country Road Murders represents the primary warning and central rule for survival in Cross Rivers: you don't ride these unmonitored country roads alone or in the dead of night.
Metaphor
The local country roads function as an artery for the town's hidden decay—seemingly quiet and serene by day, but carrying a lethal stream of corruption and missing lives under the cover of darkness.
Why You Should Read
It is a fiercely entertaining, hyper-masculine, and deeply satisfying popcorn thriller that perfectly blends a classic revenge plot with elite, high-stakes sports drama.
My Thoughts
DON'T RIDE THESE COUNTRY ROADS ALONE OR IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT.
"James Patterson and Mike Lupica deliver an absolute adrenaline rush of a thriller exploring the terrifying cost of small-town secrets and revenge."
The pacing is an absolute adrenaline rush! Having read Patterson and Lupica's previous collaborative work, the synergy here is incredibly sharp. Watching Silas re-channel his intense quarterback work ethic into an entirely different kind of high-stakes battle is exceptionally well-done. The action set pieces are crisp, and the final showdown against the Southern Mafia delivers pure, explosive satisfaction.
Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
"A phenomenal, hard-hitting summer blockbuster thriller that keeps its foot entirely on the gas pedal from the very first page."
Recs (Read-a-likes)
Still hooked on that perfect blend of small-town Southern grit and fast-paced sports mystery? Here is exactly what you should read next to get that same gripping vibe.
For the Small-Town Southern Setting & Corruption:
~Texas Outlaw by James Patterson – Features a Texas Ranger sent to a corrupt, isolated town to unravel a web of local secrets.
~Dark of the Moon (Virgil Flowers Series) by John Sandford – A gripping mystery focused on an investigator hunting killers hidden within a tight-knit, rural community.
For the Sports Backstory & High Stakes:
Deal Breaker (Myron Bolitar Series) by Harlan Coben – Centers on a former star athlete who dives into dangerous criminal investigations.
For the Exact Same Writing Team & Pacing:
~12 Months to Live (Jane Smith Series) by James Patterson and Mike Lupica – The flagship series from this duo, delivering their signature lightning-fast chapters and intense legal/crime action.
For the "Lone Hero vs. Local Crime Family" Vibe:
~Worth Dying For (Jack Reacher Series) by Lee Child – Follows a lone protagonist who stumbles into a rural town ruled by a deeply entrenched, ruthless family ring.
Special thanks to Little Brown & Company and NetGalley for sharing an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date July 13, 2026
My Rating: 5 Stars
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July 2026 Must-Read Books
July 26, 2026
4 1/2 Stars
The best-selling author in the world, James Patterson, has co-written before with award-winning sportswriter Mike Lupica, but in their latest collaboration THE COUNTRY ROAD MURDERS, he has never leaned into Lupica’s sports knowledge like he does in this novel. The result is a small-town crime thriller with a great underlying professional sports sub-plot that makes for a truly unique read.
This also happens to be one of the most brutal Patterson novels in recent memory and it all kicks off with the Prologue which knocked me for a loop. High School Principal in Cross Rivers, North Carolina, Silas Tucker is a large man and former football hero. One night driving home after enjoying a good meal and music from Levon Helm and The Band, he comes across a motorcycle turned over on State Road 31 ahead of him. He gets out to investigate, but it is a completely unexpected set-up as a young man shoots him dead point blank in the face. It was that young man’s first kill.
The story jumps ten years in time, and it here where we meet the protagonist of our novel and soon to be yet another tragic figure --- Silas Tucker Jr. He is just as big as his father and even more talented athletically. Nicknamed ‘109’, Silas is an All-American College Quarterback with rumors of the NFL becoming stronger each day. He ended up taking his team to the National Championship and ended up being the first-round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Silas seemed to have it all, until everything ended one night when he was the passenger in the car driven by teammate and fellow NFL draftee Gideon Garland. Gideon would not survive the crash that occurred and Silas was brought back to life two different times and put back together in such a way that he would live but never be able to throw a football again.
Silas had to rebound once before when his father was murdered and would have to dig down deep for the fortitude to do it once more. He is working now as a farmhand for a dear friend of his father’s and trying to come to terms that his life was never going to be what he dreamed it would. He also is finding out the hard way that he lives in Cross Rivers, voted the third most violent small town in America. A town run by the Southern Mafia in the form of the Briar Crockett family, who may very well have been responsible for his father’s murder and were definitely responsible for the epidemic drug dealing and premature-related deaths in the county. More recently, a string of missing young women has pointed to the Briar’s being involved in the human trafficking trade and Silas cannot just sit back and not do whatever he can about it.
It’s an uphill battle when the local sheriff is in Briar’s pocket. Silas only has one ally, the Police Officer husband of his best friend Taylor, whom he has always carried a torch for, a former football teammate named Burt Webb. Silas will continue to butt heads with the sons of the Briar, Roof and Lynyrd, whom he also played high school ball with. They have several skirmishes which do not end well for the Briar boys but always results in some tragic form of retribution, showing Silas just who is really running things in Cross Rivers.
Every time it seems like Silas and the good residents of Cross Rivers have a small win, they are immediately brought back to reality with extreme violence often resulting in another person on his side being killed. Believe me when I say no character is safe in this novel. Silas will continue to lose nearly everything before finally figuring things out in time to help turn the tide in his town and his life. We even get to ride through a subplot where the Steelers reach out to him with the wild idea about having him switch to Defensive End, but he surprisingly does not make the team even after a great tryout because the coach could not convince the team owner, general manager or defensive coordinator that a former start QB could switch to defense. It is immensely satisfying when we get to see Silas also get his pro football dreams return in a very unexpected way at the end of the novel.
THE COUNTRY ROAD MURDERS is by far the best Patterson-Lupica collaboration yet and one of the most satisfying James Patterson novels I have read in a long time, which is really saying something as he is the master of the thriller.
Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter
The best-selling author in the world, James Patterson, has co-written before with award-winning sportswriter Mike Lupica, but in their latest collaboration THE COUNTRY ROAD MURDERS, he has never leaned into Lupica’s sports knowledge like he does in this novel. The result is a small-town crime thriller with a great underlying professional sports sub-plot that makes for a truly unique read.
This also happens to be one of the most brutal Patterson novels in recent memory and it all kicks off with the Prologue which knocked me for a loop. High School Principal in Cross Rivers, North Carolina, Silas Tucker is a large man and former football hero. One night driving home after enjoying a good meal and music from Levon Helm and The Band, he comes across a motorcycle turned over on State Road 31 ahead of him. He gets out to investigate, but it is a completely unexpected set-up as a young man shoots him dead point blank in the face. It was that young man’s first kill.
The story jumps ten years in time, and it here where we meet the protagonist of our novel and soon to be yet another tragic figure --- Silas Tucker Jr. He is just as big as his father and even more talented athletically. Nicknamed ‘109’, Silas is an All-American College Quarterback with rumors of the NFL becoming stronger each day. He ended up taking his team to the National Championship and ended up being the first-round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Silas seemed to have it all, until everything ended one night when he was the passenger in the car driven by teammate and fellow NFL draftee Gideon Garland. Gideon would not survive the crash that occurred and Silas was brought back to life two different times and put back together in such a way that he would live but never be able to throw a football again.
Silas had to rebound once before when his father was murdered and would have to dig down deep for the fortitude to do it once more. He is working now as a farmhand for a dear friend of his father’s and trying to come to terms that his life was never going to be what he dreamed it would. He also is finding out the hard way that he lives in Cross Rivers, voted the third most violent small town in America. A town run by the Southern Mafia in the form of the Briar Crockett family, who may very well have been responsible for his father’s murder and were definitely responsible for the epidemic drug dealing and premature-related deaths in the county. More recently, a string of missing young women has pointed to the Briar’s being involved in the human trafficking trade and Silas cannot just sit back and not do whatever he can about it.
It’s an uphill battle when the local sheriff is in Briar’s pocket. Silas only has one ally, the Police Officer husband of his best friend Taylor, whom he has always carried a torch for, a former football teammate named Burt Webb. Silas will continue to butt heads with the sons of the Briar, Roof and Lynyrd, whom he also played high school ball with. They have several skirmishes which do not end well for the Briar boys but always results in some tragic form of retribution, showing Silas just who is really running things in Cross Rivers.
Every time it seems like Silas and the good residents of Cross Rivers have a small win, they are immediately brought back to reality with extreme violence often resulting in another person on his side being killed. Believe me when I say no character is safe in this novel. Silas will continue to lose nearly everything before finally figuring things out in time to help turn the tide in his town and his life. We even get to ride through a subplot where the Steelers reach out to him with the wild idea about having him switch to Defensive End, but he surprisingly does not make the team even after a great tryout because the coach could not convince the team owner, general manager or defensive coordinator that a former start QB could switch to defense. It is immensely satisfying when we get to see Silas also get his pro football dreams return in a very unexpected way at the end of the novel.
THE COUNTRY ROAD MURDERS is by far the best Patterson-Lupica collaboration yet and one of the most satisfying James Patterson novels I have read in a long time, which is really saying something as he is the master of the thriller.
Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter
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