Home Sweet Murder

Discovery's Murder is Forever #2

by James Patterson

Two true-crime thrillers as seen on Discovery's Murder is Forever TV series

HOME SWEET MURDER: Lawyer Leo Fisher and his wife Sue are a sixty-one-year-old couple enjoying a quiet Sunday dinner at home. Until a man in a suit rings their front door claiming to be an SEC agent. By the end of the evening, two people will be shot, stabbed, and tortured. And two others will fare worse . . .

MURDER ON THE RUN: The middle-aged housekeeper found dead with a knife in her throat was bad. But the little boy was worse. After a bloody double homicide that puts Omaha, Nebraska, on the map, Detective Derek Mois promises the boy's parents he will catch the killer, no matter how long or far he runs . . .

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Mystery, Audiobook, Crime, Thriller, Contemporary

304 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 2, 2018

About the author

Official US Site
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
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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, and Michael Crichton, 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.

Reviews

[jv poore · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this accidentally because I had decided that I preferred Mr. Patterson's fiction to his true-crime accounts. But, since I had it, of course I was going to read it.

Turns out, maybe I DO like Mr. Patterson's non-fiction after all.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

While James Patterson has made a name for himself with his BookShots collection—a series of short stories the reader can complete in a few hours—he is again expanding his horizons. Now that he has secured television rights to a murder-based true-crime show, Patterson has also spun some of the tales into shorter stories, much like his BookShots. While I have been on an intense BookShot binge, I thought that I would include at least the first two volume in my binge read, as they are short enough to be defined as BookShots, though they are best called ‘fictionalised pieces of true crime’. These stories will capture the reader’s attention, more so because they actually happened, with anonymity peppered into the narrative to protect the victims. Sit back and enjoy, as Patterson and his two collaborators in these stories show just how far some people will go to harm those closest to them.

Home Sweet Murder (with Andrew Bourelle)
Leo Fisher and his wife, Sue, are enjoying a quiet Sunday evening when someone rings the doorbell. Unsure who it might be, Leo makes his way to the door and discovers a man who claims to be an SEC agent, seeking urgent information about Leo’s law firm. Baffled, Leo tries to deflect the man’s inquiries, but is soon assaulted. The as-yet unknown man holds Leo and Sue hostage, seeking information about the firm and any improprieties that might be associated with their business. Leo remains baffled, but this only fuels the intruder, who soon learns that he will have to take significant action to remedy the perceived lack of information sharing. In minor flashbacks, the reader learns that Leo may know something he’s not yet shared, even with Sue, but could this be enough to justify the attack? Events take a significant turn for the worse, leaving Leo and Sue to wonder if they will make it through the night. Patterson and Bourelle create this wonderful story that is paced so effectively as to lure the reader into the middle of this dastardly crime.

Murder on the Run (with Scott Slaven )
When a housekeeper and young boy are found slain, the owner of the house, a respectable Omaha doctor, is beside himself. Who could have wanted to break into his home and commit these two murders, particularly of his eleven year-old son? Homicide Detective Derek Mois agrees to do everything in his power to find the killer, no matter what it takes. There is no apparent motive and limited leads. Fast forward five years and the killer seems to have struck again, targeting a doctor and his wife. Now, Mois is armed with some parallels and acts on them. Could the medical angle be something that draws these two cases together? Following his gut and evidence surrounding the two families, Mois finds himself heading to Indiana to pull the pieces together. What he discovers is an interesting story that fuels a deep-seeded need for revenge. Patterson and Slaven are wonderful at pulling together this high-octane thriller that will keep the reader guessing until the final pages.

Both of these stories fit perfectly into this second volume, providing as much suspense and action as the initial collection. Murder is a varied crime, but glaring errors by perpetrators can sometimes unite them, as well entertain those who are away from events and reading, as in this collection. The central characters from both stories provide wonderful backstories and development throughout their appearances on the printed page. The reader can connect with them, which aids in better understanding the cases and fallout from the criminal acts. While these are true events with a fictional flavour, the stories read extremely well and all characters serve a great purpose, accentuating the numerous perspectives of the crime. These brief pieces could easily be called BookShots, with their short chapters and the story arc taking only one hundred pages or so. I am happy to have devoured the first two volumes in this series (and will read more when they come out), though I will not hunt down the television program, as I like Patterson in small doses.

Kudos, Messrs. Patterson, Bourelle, and Slaven. Your stories kept me hooked on this new series and have me wanting more. Perfectly crafted for a short spell of reading, much like many of the short stories collaborations Patterson has undertaken.

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is no denying that JP is an excellent writer when he decides to write and not utilize his training factory for authors in waiting. His writing is tight and stories are interesting. Solid. 8 of 10 stars

[Darinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two true-crime stories in one book.

Home Sweet Murder
Leo and his wife are home one evening when a man claiming to be an SEC agent enters their home. The couple quickly realize the man is not who he claims to be, and the night continues to get worse as the unknown man tortures the couple.

Murder on the Run
A housekeeper and a little boy are killed. The murders are gruesome and perplexing. As the detective on the case works to catch who is behind the deaths, the killer has a plan of his own.

Of the two stories, Home Sweet Murder is a little more interesting and engaging to read. The second story, Murder on the Run is more from the detectives point of view than the victims. I've read a few true crime stories written by James Patterson, and, so far, I prefer his fiction over his nonfiction writing.

[Suzzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Home Sweet Murder

These true crime thrillers are so interesting to read. You don’t get a huge story to read but you get a quick and entertaining read. I found I liked this one better than the second crime in the book (each book has two true crime thrillers). This one was about a husband and wife going through a horrific night at home because of revenge. It was a grasping thing to read about.

Murder on the Run

This one had more on the police investigation and procedure than the first since in Home Sweet Murder entailed the perps getting caught quickly. The individuals in this one are extremely dedicated to solving this case and you really can’t wait for the guy to get caught because of the disturbing aspects to the killer.

My quick and simple overall: yeah I’m reading the other two books out for these true crime thrillers this week.

[Misty Marie Harms · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book contains two true crime thrillers.

Home Sweet Murder Lawyer Leo Fisher and his wife Sue are enjoying a peaceful night at home when their doorbell rings. A man take them hostage wanting secrets about the firm Fisher works at. Patterson captured their terror perfectly. I was scared for them and was relieved at the ending.

Murder on the Run A housekeeper and a young boy are stabbed to death. Although having numerous leads nothing ever pans out. Five years later two more people are murdered in the exact same way. Are the two crime scenes related? This one was a smaller read, but still packed full of suspense. It was a good crime read.

🐱🐱🐱

[Naomi · Rating 1 out of 5]

So, I like this show on ID, but I am an Investigation Discovery addict so....

I really didn't like the writing style in this book. I am a lover of true crime novels, but the writing that came across in this book was almost sophomoric and superficial. I understand that JP tried to fit 2 stories into one book, BUT as accomplished of a writer as he is or puts his name to I would expect something of higher quality.

Then we can't ignore the BUY ME book promotion that was as long as the two stories that were part of the reason I grabbed the book. I stopped reading JP a long time ago. Reading this book, I was reminded why.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

The two stories were easy to read but lacked a log of detail. The first one Home Sweet Murder was about two lawyers who failed to murder the man who fired one of them thanks to his wife.

Murder on the Run was told from the police perspective. Patterson fictionalized the last thoughts of the murder victims. This I found distasteful. The man who did the murders had a similar motive of revenge as the previous case. Both murderers were broke, unemployed, mentally unbalanced and with drug or alcohol problems.

I enjoy Pattersons early work in fiction but the non fiction dramatization does not work for me. I also loathe the new books where he supposedly jointly writes with another author. I dread to think what the Murder is Forever tv series will be like.

[Celeste Velocci (bookrecs_by_celeste) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

This is my second James Patterson true crime read and I did enjoy it!

Home Sweet Murder was a double true crime book told from a fictional book point of view. Unfortunately the gruesome crimes in these book did take place in real life.

Two chilling stories of murder at home and detectives search for justice. I really enjoyed the audio and will be listening to more James Patterson true crime. Fun fact these cases have been aired on the ID channel as true crime shows as well.

[Hapzydeco · Rating 3 out of 5]

Save your money and Patterson frustration get a copy from your local library. This is basically a promo for the new television series Investigation Discovery, Murder Is Forever.

[Barbara Nutting · Rating 4 out of 5]

James Patterson and pals have over dramatized a couple of true crimes in this quickie read.

[Diane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure why I keep reading Patterson’s true crime books. I read a lot of true crime and usually they are very detailed, with background on both the victims and the perpetrators, written without interjection from the author and with follow-thru to the very end. Patterson writes true crime like he does his novels, as if they are fun stories to be told quickly and without much detail. The dialogue is hard to believe, making me think that he has fictionalized it and that it didn’t truly occur as he states. He also assigns thoughts to a murder victim that he couldn’t possibly know. Lastly, the grammar errors were hard to overlook. He really should get a better editor and stick to fiction.

[Laura Wonderchick · Rating 4 out of 5]

2 outlandish murder stories that are very quick reads. Almost like 2 Bookshots in one. Enjoying these true crime stories and may even try to catch one of the tv episodes that are on Discovery ID.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Both of these true crime stories were both well written and interesting. I had previously seen television shows about both of these murders but it was enjoyable reading about them.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

audio I was entertained as if it were a novel. Any improvement would only come by making it fiction.

[Clued-in With A Book (Elvina Ulrich) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"And if you wrong us shall we not revenge?" - The Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare

Revenge. This is the theme in this book two of Patterson's Murder Is Forever true crime thriller series which covers two cases:

Home Sweet Murder - A home invasion case that left lawyer Leo Fisher and his wife, Susan Duncan clinging on to their lives.

Murder On The Run - Two murders committed in 2008 and another two murders committed in 2013. Although these murders were five years apart, they have the same MO. The police still wasn't able to catch the elusive killer until they found a common thread and a possible motive.

As always, I enjoyed the engaging writing! It reads like a thriller and was really intense! I've never heard of these cases before so I am glad that I learned about them. I find this book has a bit more gore details compared to the first book due to the nature of the cases. However, this is still a good book to read if you want to try true crime genre!

[Jammin Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this fictionalized account of two true crime stories. One set in the suburban area in Virginia where a lawyer and his wife are terrorized for possible inside information at his law firm. Another set in the west where a doctor's youngest son and their housekeeper are brutally murdered and the killer leaves a knife from the house in each of their throats. Life is sometimes stranger than fiction, and the real life killers in these stories left chills with this reader.

[Lafourche Parish Library · Rating 2 out of 5]

James Patterson has started a true crime series to coincide with the January release of his new television show on ID channel, with both being called Murder is Forever. James Patterson can’t possibly need more recognition or fame, but according to him, by creating a groundbreaking TV show along with the book series he hopes to reach the widest audience possible.

The first two books in the series are Home Sweet Murder and Murder, Interrupted. Each book contains two true crime stories that are 150 pages or less, somewhat reminiscent in style of Patterson’s fictional Bookshots. Patterson touts the stories as shocking and twisted, but I found them to be rather tame. Each of the four stories in the two books has already been featured in a true crime show, albeit perhaps not on the ID channel, so I was already familiar with them. The writing in the books is simple, making for an easy read. (I read each book in one day.) However, with the shortened format, you don’t get the details and comprehensive investigation that you might find in a really good and gratifying full-length true crime book.

According to ID, each episode of Murder Is Forever is "a unique murder mystery that keeps viewers guessing until the very end – but perhaps the most shocking thing of all, is that these stunning crimes are 100% real. Each self-contained story will live both on-screen and within the pages of Patterson’s true crime paperback titles, which correspond to each episode ..." As a reader of true crime for many decades, starting with the masterful In cold blood by Truman Capote, I wasn’t impressed or surprised by Patterson’s stories. But, once again, he has found a way to reach the main stream by providing short bursts of stories that won’t tax the brain or take too much of your time. And if you don’t want to read the book, you can always watch the TV show…

ARE YOU AND THESE BOOKS A GOOD MATCH?
DISCOVER MORE WITH NOVELIST APPEALS!

GENRE: True Crime; TV Tie-Ins
SUBJECT: Assassins; Criminal Investigation; Detectives; Mothers and Daughters; Murder Investigation; Murder Suspects; Household Employees; Seniors

- Helen, Technical Services Librarian

[Michael crage · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a slightly fictionalized version of the true story of a serial killer. A man comes to the door of Leo, a partner in a law office and his wife Sue claiming to be from the SEC. He ends up shooting the wife and stabbing the husband a numbe of times, but in the end neither die. The story spends it time finding out why and who did the acts.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book in the Murder Is Forever True Crime Thrillers. The 1st crime is about a lawyer and his wife. One night an SEC officer knocks on their door. Their lives will never be the same again. The 2nd is about a Dectetive that promises a family he will find a killer no matter how long it takes. Happy Reading!

[Michelle ~catching up slowly~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as good as the first one, in my opinion. Looking forward to this series.

[Christine (Tina) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast-paced, both stories, and intriguing investigative circumstances; however, the retellings are sophomoric. Language is too easy & not forensically-detailed enough to get a 5-star rating.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed both short stories.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

First I want to say that I'm not a particular fan of shorter stories due to the lack of character development so I don't ever give too high a rating.

Home Sweet Home consists of two stories which are each approximately 125 pages each. The first story is told from the viewpoints of Leo and Sue Fisher who are attacked in their home and left for dead. The second story, Murder on the Run, begins with a horrific attack on a housekeeper and a young boy by a killer with a knife. This story tells the tale of the investigation by Detective Derek Mois.

I read lots of books by James Patterson but had no idea he wrote true crime until this book came into the library. It's been many years since I've read a true crime novel and I think I stopped because I found the stories to be slow. Patterson says these stories are 100% true but some of the details are a bit fictionalized. As is his style, the chapters are short and action is quick. I was able to read these 2 stories super fast. I was entertained enough to read more like these if he publishes others.

[Ben Boulden · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first story in this double true crime book, Home Sweet Murder, by Andrew Bourelle, is worth the price of admission alone. It chronicles, with lightning speed and vigorous prose, the home invasion of a lawyer and his wife in the suburbs of Washington, D. C. on a peaceful Sunday evening. The event's climactic solution is withheld until the last pages and Bourelle builds the suspense with a sure hand.

The second story, Murder on the Run, by Scott Slavin, lacks the narrative focus of its companion piece and reads more like a classic true crime procedural. The tale is interesting, but the detective work could have been detailed better. One example is, a murdered housekeeper has $800 in her purse, but Slavin fails to follow-up on why and even if the police investigators made inquiries about the cash. But overall, the case is interesting and presented with a crisp and readable style.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick easy to read stories. The first one was good, the second was even better. I lived in Omaha when the first murders happened so it was cool being able to remember it in real life while learning more details of the crimes and how they went about being solved.

[gwen_is_ reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this was a good book, and the premise was interesting, I found the characters to lack some of the substance that Patterson usually gives his. They were shorter to the point of almost being clipped. I am hopeful that subsequent books from this group will have more of the author's flair.

[Tgordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

So one of these mysteries is a shocker from first to finish! Maybe I just didn’t see it coming!

[Elin Torres · Rating 4 out of 5]

Home Sweet Murder is a good read for true crime fans. the chapters are short, and the action hits hard. Reading this felt like watching an episode of a crime drama.and I enjoyed every second.

[Jennifer Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first story in this set really sucked me in. The couple went through a lot. I might try to find the real story for this one and read about it! The second story was eh. I didn't feel as invested in what was going on. Thank goodness it was short!