Free Sample - The Fourth Monkey

by J.D. Barker

‘The Fourth Monkey has one of the most ingenious openings that I’ve read in years. This thriller never disappoints.’
James Patterson ‘Superbly constructed and immaculately paced’
The Daily Mail Two days to save her… They’ve found the killer. The killer that Detective Sam Porter has been hunting for five years. But it’s too late to put him behind bars. He’s already dead. One day to save her… But even death can’t stop this murderer. His last victim is still alive, struggling to escape and the police have no idea who or where she is. Zero. Now Sam Porter must race against time, as her chances of survival slip away, to stop this serial killer from claiming his final victim… This stunning thriller is perfect for fans of Val McDermid, Jo Nesbo and Helen Fields.

Genres: Thriller, Horror

480 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 14, 2017

About the author

J.D. Barker is the New York Times and international best-selling author of numerous novels, including DRACUL and the wildly popular 4MK series. He is currently collaborating with James Patterson. His books have been translated into two dozen languages, sold in more than 150 countries, and optioned for both film and television. Barker resides in coastal New Hampshire with his wife, Dayna, and their daughter, Ember.

A note from J.D.
As a child I was always told the dark could not hurt me, that the shadows creeping in the corners of my room were nothing more than just that, shadows. The sounds nothing more than the settling of our old home, creaking as it found comfort in the earth only to move again when it became restless, if ever so slightly. I would never sleep without closing the closet door, oh no; the door had to be shut tight. The darkness lurking inside needed to be held at bay, the whispers silenced. Rest would only come after I checked under the bed at least twice and quickly wrapped myself in the safety of the sheets (which no monster could penetrate), pulling them tight over my head.

I would never go down to the basement.

Never.

I had seen enough movies to know better, I had read enough stories to know what happens to little boys who wandered off into dark, dismal places alone. And there were stories, so many stories.

Reading was my sanctuary, a place where I could disappear for hours at a time, lost in the pages of a good book. It didn’t take long before I felt the urge to create my own.

I first began to write as a child, spinning tales of ghosts and gremlins, mystical places and people. For most of us, that’s where it begins—as children we have such wonderful imaginations, some of us have simply found it hard to grow up. I’ve spent countless hours trying to explain to friends and family why I enjoy it, why I would rather lock myself in a quiet little room and put pen to paper for hours at a time than throw around a baseball or simply watch television. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes I want to do just that, sometimes I wish for it, but even then the need to write is always there in the back of my mind, the characters are impatiently tapping their feet, waiting their turn, wanting to be heard. I wake in the middle of the night and reach for the pad beside my bed, sometimes scrawling page after page of their words, their lives. Then they’re quiet, if only for a little while. To stop would mean madness, or even worse—the calm, numbing sanity I see in others as they slip through the day without purpose. They don’t know what it’s like, they don’t understand. Something as simple as a pencil can open the door to a new world, can create life or experience death. Writing can take you to places you’ve never been, introduce you to people you’ve never met, take you back to when you first saw those shadows in your room, when you first heard the sounds mumbling ever so softly from your closet, and it can show you what uttered them. It can scare the hell out of you, and that’s when you know it’s good.

jd

Reviews

[Kaite · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one! It has everything I want from an investigative crime novel. It was twisty it was suspenseful it was un-put-downable. I devoured this book and immediately launched into the second.

I felt so bad for Sam. I even felt bad for 4MK and his upbringing- but that’s probably the mom in me.

Can’t wait to see where this series goes!!!

[Rebecca Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disturbing and gory. Almost DNF. Redeemed itself at the end of the book with a satisfying ending.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book read by J.D Barker and it was amazing! Initially while reading this book I had a hard time adjusting to the story being told in third person, especially since I was so used to stories being told in the first-person point of view. The book follows detective Sam Porter and the serial killer known as the Fourth Monkey Killer due to his patterns of following the proverbs -- hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil - do no evil. Porter had been pursuing the 4MK for a long time, so when he is called to a crime scene that contains a journal of the very man he had been pursuing for so long, he is determined to find the final girl he took prior to his demise. There was a healthy amount of twists while the story progressed further which I really enjoyed.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is so good. It reminds me of some of Chris Carters books which are thrillers about serial killers. You have to keep up with everything that happens. There are multiple people all into killing or doing some type of crime. They think they figure out who is the serial killer. They don’t realize it but they are wrong. So many twists and turns I can’t believe it. This novel is very good and easy to read. It has extremely short chapters. The. Main killer always takes one ear, the eyes and then the tongue. In between he gives the family time to respond to his requests. If they don’t he then takes the next item off. All along giving them time to respond with the correct answer. Read this. You will enjoy it.

[Kasey Nail · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this book. I don’t recommend books very often, because there are just so many that I love and I would be recommending for the next month. HOWEVER, this book is worth the time to mention. It is FANTASTIC. If you like CSI or Criminal Minds or movies like Seven and Silence of the Lambs, then this serial killer dark thriller is a must read for you. So many twists and turns and plot twists, fast paced, short chapters, and so suspenseful you can’t wait to turn to the next page. I could not put it down. (And that’s saying A LOT with my adhd, trust me). It is the first in a trilogy series. I am about to start the second one, The Fifth to Die, now. #JDBarker #thefifthmonkey

[Lucía Moya · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s simply amazing. Although it’s got some gruesome scenes and it is definitely not suited for younger ages, the descriptions are top notch with a well thought out plot that kept me on my toes all the time. It’s wonderful, and it has been a long time since I last read a book this fast.

100% recommended

[Karla In Wonderland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simplemente lo ame. El autor te lleva a través de los acontecimientos agilmente sin ser tedioso ni aburrido.
No cae en ser un thriller predecible, es simplemente una historia que te atrapa y no puedes parar hasta llegar al final. Ya quiero leer el segundo!!

[Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over all a great read, it felt slow to start but ended up being entertaining. No big plot twists or anything that really shocked you but definitely kept you reading! Looking forward to the second one!

[Nolan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Trying a new author. Not at all impressed with this story.

[John Wenitong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clever and empathetic, twisting Detective tale with great characters

[Pat Marker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book.
Can’t wait to read his next in the series.
The Fifth Monkey.

[Amber Wray · Rating 4 out of 5]

THIS BOOK IS SO AMAZINGLY WRITTEN. JUST READ FOR YOURSELF. I CANT WAIT TO READ THE REST! I just don’t do well with sequels so I read other books in between (ADHD)

[Cain · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its suspenseful and full of twists, but I figured out who the killer was right off.

[La Titi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Espectacular y tremendamente adictivo,como todos sus libros! por favor, necesitamos más libros tuyos traducidos al Español!

[Meagan Napolitano · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the way this was written.

[Roxanne Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid and simple characters. It kept me wanting more. After I read it, I realized it was book 1 of series. Couldn't get ahold of the next one fast enough.

[Julie Dudzik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book and the two that followed it which brought all the characters together..

[Kimberly Koch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the sick twisted book I’ve been looking for! Great book!

[Amanda Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the creepiest books I’ve read in a long time!

[Mellody]

April-May 2025

I did not like it. Too scary for me, especially before bed. I also could not get into it.

[sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked this book. I’ve read all 3 and from start to finish it kept me on the edge of my seat. The last in the series was my favorite.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

good read. kinda dark and disturbing but looking forward to next one

[Luis Alonso · Rating 4 out of 5]

Es un libro entretenido pero falla en la extensión de la trama, que recae en lo redundante, sin embargo, durante el cierre es muy bueno. Pero podría ser una película de bajo presupuesto en todo caso.

[Zamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

very good and can't wait to get to the next one

[Dipti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it.... Definate work of art. Must read for serial killer fans.