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The Murder House
No. 7 Ocean Drive is a gorgeous, multi-million-dollar beachfront estate in the Hamptons, where money and privilege know no bounds. But its beautiful gothic exterior hides a horrific past: it was the scene of a series of depraved killings that have never been solved. Neglected, empty, and rumored to be cursed, it's known as the Murder House, and locals keep their distance.
Detective Jenna Murphy used to consider herself a local, but she hasn't been back since she was a girl. Trying to escape her troubled past and rehabilitate a career on the rocks, the former New York City cop hardly expects her lush and wealthy surroundings to be a hotbed of grisly depravity. But when a Hollywood power broker and his mistress are found dead in the abandoned Murder House, the gruesome crime scene rivals anything Jenna experienced in Manhattan. And what at first seems like an open and shut case turns out to have as many shocking secrets as the Murder House itself, as Jenna quickly realizes that the mansion's history is much darker than even the town's most salacious gossips could have imagined. As more bodies surface, and the secret that Jenna has tried desperately to escape closes in on her, she must risk her own life to expose the truth--before the Murder House claims another victim.
Full of the twists and turns that have made James Patterson the world's #1 bestselling writer, The Murder House is a chilling, page-turning story of murder, money, and revenge.
Detective Jenna Murphy used to consider herself a local, but she hasn't been back since she was a girl. Trying to escape her troubled past and rehabilitate a career on the rocks, the former New York City cop hardly expects her lush and wealthy surroundings to be a hotbed of grisly depravity. But when a Hollywood power broker and his mistress are found dead in the abandoned Murder House, the gruesome crime scene rivals anything Jenna experienced in Manhattan. And what at first seems like an open and shut case turns out to have as many shocking secrets as the Murder House itself, as Jenna quickly realizes that the mansion's history is much darker than even the town's most salacious gossips could have imagined. As more bodies surface, and the secret that Jenna has tried desperately to escape closes in on her, she must risk her own life to expose the truth--before the Murder House claims another victim.
Full of the twists and turns that have made James Patterson the world's #1 bestselling writer, The Murder House is a chilling, page-turning story of murder, money, and revenge.
451 pages, Hardcover
First published September 24, 2015
About the author
James Patterson
1,167 books349k followersOfficial US Site
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead
James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time. He is the creator of unforgettable characters and series, including Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride, and of breathtaking true stories about the Kennedys, John Lennon, and Tiger Woods, as well as our military heroes, police officers, and ER nurses. Patterson has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton and Dolly Parton, and collaborated most recently with Michael Crichton on the blockbuster Eruption. He has told the story of his own life in James Patterson by James Patterson and received an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
This author also writes under the following name: Džejms Paterson
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead
James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time. He is the creator of unforgettable characters and series, including Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride, and of breathtaking true stories about the Kennedys, John Lennon, and Tiger Woods, as well as our military heroes, police officers, and ER nurses. Patterson has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton and Dolly Parton, and collaborated most recently with Michael Crichton on the blockbuster Eruption. He has told the story of his own life in James Patterson by James Patterson and received an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
This author also writes under the following name: Džejms Paterson
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,810 reviews
March 2, 2017
A James Patterson stand alone. In fact, one of his better stand-alone novels I've read in a long time.
Noah Walker lives in the Hampton area .He works both as carpenter and general handy man for the elite who call this area their summer home. Noah is arrested for a double-murder, and the evidence seems clear. Maybe too much so.
Detective Jenna Murphy questions the suspiciously convenient case against Noah. Now, as more homicides both old and new come to light, Jenna is determined to find the killer, even if that means clearing the town's bad boy Noah. To do this Jenna will risk her career, maybe even her life.
Were there twists? Oh yah! Did I guess the ending? Nope! I actually kept changing my mind about every 5 pages...or in James Patterson's language...every chapter!
This is a sure thing for all James Patterson fans.
Noah Walker lives in the Hampton area .He works both as carpenter and general handy man for the elite who call this area their summer home. Noah is arrested for a double-murder, and the evidence seems clear. Maybe too much so.
Detective Jenna Murphy questions the suspiciously convenient case against Noah. Now, as more homicides both old and new come to light, Jenna is determined to find the killer, even if that means clearing the town's bad boy Noah. To do this Jenna will risk her career, maybe even her life.
Were there twists? Oh yah! Did I guess the ending? Nope! I actually kept changing my mind about every 5 pages...or in James Patterson's language...every chapter!
This is a sure thing for all James Patterson fans.
February 16, 2016
5 magnificent fan "freaking" tastic stars! James Patterson knows his audience. I was hooked from the first page.
Everything about this thriller intrigued me. The title, the cover, the summary... Every single thing. I was stumped until the very end.. I thought for a tiny second I had it figured out but then double guessed myself and blew it off, turns out my prediction was right.
Read this book, it's a page turner. I couldn't put it down. Every chapter had something new that added to the mystery of this book. Twists and turns and all types of exciting things make it so enjoyable for the reader.
I will be recommending this to everyone as it is probably one of my favorites! I have so many favorite books and this one just wormed its way in!
Everything about this thriller intrigued me. The title, the cover, the summary... Every single thing. I was stumped until the very end.. I thought for a tiny second I had it figured out but then double guessed myself and blew it off, turns out my prediction was right.
Read this book, it's a page turner. I couldn't put it down. Every chapter had something new that added to the mystery of this book. Twists and turns and all types of exciting things make it so enjoyable for the reader.
I will be recommending this to everyone as it is probably one of my favorites! I have so many favorite books and this one just wormed its way in!
June 20, 2015
What a Remarkable Thriller
The story held my attention from the beginning page until the final one. Throughout the story, I was constantly trying to guess who was the killer. The authors were skilled writers and I could not guess—until the final pages of the book. The story was well-crafted and I recommended it.
The story held my attention from the beginning page until the final one. Throughout the story, I was constantly trying to guess who was the killer. The authors were skilled writers and I could not guess—until the final pages of the book. The story was well-crafted and I recommended it.
November 26, 2015
James Patterson and David Ellis team up to bring readers another great thriller worthy of investment for all those curious enough to tackle this mystery. Jenna Murphy seeks the quiet life. Hampered with a grey cloud during her time with the NYPD, she flees to rural New York and joins the Southhampton Town Police Department, where her uncle, Langdon James, is Chief. When a couple is found slain inside a notorious house, all eyes turn to a potential jilted ex-boyfriend, Noah Walker. Choosing ease over proof, Chief James sullies the evidence to ensure Walker is taken into custody and Officer Murphy turns the other way. When the Chief is murdered, everything points to Walker being involved, but the evidence cannot substantiate it. After a quick trial places Noah Walker in jail, the town breathes a sigh of relief. It is only when Officer Murphy begins digging deeper into the lore surrounding the Murder House, at 7 Ocean Drive, that she discovers a haunting truth and one that sets Walker free. Working to unearth what has truly been going on after a string of murders in the area over the past few years, Murphy is placed on leave and eventually suspended by the new Chief of Police. That will not quell her curiosity, which pushes her to dig deeper and learn more about the family that inhabited the Murder House for centuries. Could there be a killer on the loose using local folklore to their advantage? Murphy's on the trail, but as a private citizen, her resources might keep her from the truth. Another wonderful novel by this writing duo sure to keep the reader rushing to piece together each clue.
In this most recent collaborative effort, Ellis again adds lustre to one of Patterson's novels. Attentive readers will see that while Patterson's ability to write drivel does not hamper his appearance or climb on the New York Times bestseller list, it does punish those looking for decent reading material. Ellis makes the stories more captivating, the narrative crisper and the characters multi-dimensional. While moving away from the über-short chapters, slightly, the novel still flows nicely and uses a great means by which to captivate the reader. While some will critique the story for being too clichéd or boilerplate in its composition (police officer stumbles upon a cold case, is suspended, must fight for it on the outside), this tale does not get too muddied in those regularities and is worth its reading time. It is surely not a turning point for Patterson fans hoping for a new and improved writing style, but when Ellis has his name alongside Patterson's, readers are thankfully in for a decent piece of writing.
Kudos, Messrs. Patterson and Ellis for this wonderful story. Your collaborations have always made for superior writing, though I know there is some contractual agreement there that limits your working together or actually helping Patterson to improve on a regular basis.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
In this most recent collaborative effort, Ellis again adds lustre to one of Patterson's novels. Attentive readers will see that while Patterson's ability to write drivel does not hamper his appearance or climb on the New York Times bestseller list, it does punish those looking for decent reading material. Ellis makes the stories more captivating, the narrative crisper and the characters multi-dimensional. While moving away from the über-short chapters, slightly, the novel still flows nicely and uses a great means by which to captivate the reader. While some will critique the story for being too clichéd or boilerplate in its composition (police officer stumbles upon a cold case, is suspended, must fight for it on the outside), this tale does not get too muddied in those regularities and is worth its reading time. It is surely not a turning point for Patterson fans hoping for a new and improved writing style, but when Ellis has his name alongside Patterson's, readers are thankfully in for a decent piece of writing.
Kudos, Messrs. Patterson and Ellis for this wonderful story. Your collaborations have always made for superior writing, though I know there is some contractual agreement there that limits your working together or actually helping Patterson to improve on a regular basis.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
July 17, 2016
Mindless entertainment. Like reading a made-for-TV-drama. Just so predictable and bland.
September 8, 2016
Actual rating: 1.5
This review will be short, because I don't care to remember much about this reading experience.
My main complaints:
Predictable
•I read a few reviews where readers stated they were stumped about who the killer(s) was until the very end. I solved it less than halfway through. That ruined it for me. It removed any sort of surprise or excitement. To elaborate And the fact that Jenna was too oblivious to see this is what leads me to my second major complaint about this book...
Jenna
•I had such a problem with her character. She was stupid and banal, and constantly pointed the finger at every goddamn person she came across. We're TOLD she's a great detective through accounts of her history, but what we're shown in this case is a bumbling, paranoid, aggressively naive drunk. She annoyed me to no bounds.
The entire police force
•But more specifically, Isaacs. How he made it that far is beyond me. He's rude, belligerent, vindictive, childish, and just plain horrible. No way in hell would anyone let this person be a police officer in the real world, let alone . They do background checks and psychological screenings, and IA would've been all over the guy for having such a vendetta against Jenna and Noah.
This review will be short, because I don't care to remember much about this reading experience.
My main complaints:
Predictable
•I read a few reviews where readers stated they were stumped about who the killer(s) was until the very end. I solved it less than halfway through. That ruined it for me. It removed any sort of surprise or excitement. To elaborate And the fact that Jenna was too oblivious to see this is what leads me to my second major complaint about this book...
Jenna
•I had such a problem with her character. She was stupid and banal, and constantly pointed the finger at every goddamn person she came across. We're TOLD she's a great detective through accounts of her history, but what we're shown in this case is a bumbling, paranoid, aggressively naive drunk. She annoyed me to no bounds.
The entire police force
•But more specifically, Isaacs. How he made it that far is beyond me. He's rude, belligerent, vindictive, childish, and just plain horrible. No way in hell would anyone let this person be a police officer in the real world, let alone . They do background checks and psychological screenings, and IA would've been all over the guy for having such a vendetta against Jenna and Noah.
April 1, 2018
Not too bad but was predictable for the most part. I found my attention wandering during the read though. Most the time I read most Patterson books in a singular sitting or a day, but this one not so much because it just didn’t grasp my attention too much. Good twists and turns but was a bit predictable in the twists and turns.
My quick and simple overall: a good plot but predictable.
My quick and simple overall: a good plot but predictable.
February 25, 2019
"Murder House" is a standalone thriller by James Patterson written with David Ellis which I really, really enjoyed from start to finish.
I love James Patterson's books and find his standalone stories the most entertaining. From the very first page this rollercoaster of a thriller, enthralled, entertained and had me at times on the edge of my seat, sending me up blind alleys not knowing who to trust and encountering twists and turns aplenty.
This was for me, one of the most compelling and addictive stories I've read in a long, long time and if I could give it more than five stars I would.
A highly recommended read!
Many, many thanks to my friend Rachel Hall for my copy of the book.
5 plus stars!!!
I love James Patterson's books and find his standalone stories the most entertaining. From the very first page this rollercoaster of a thriller, enthralled, entertained and had me at times on the edge of my seat, sending me up blind alleys not knowing who to trust and encountering twists and turns aplenty.
This was for me, one of the most compelling and addictive stories I've read in a long, long time and if I could give it more than five stars I would.
A highly recommended read!
Many, many thanks to my friend Rachel Hall for my copy of the book.
5 plus stars!!!
June 23, 2021
Why I was expecting something phenomenal? The >4 star rating on Goodreads suggested The Murder House was a better than average effort from a novelist who churns out an astonishing number of novels a year. I give it three stars because it was solidly constructed, but it was also regrettably simplistic. The repetition and exhaustive description left absolutely nothing to the imagination.
We all love a novel with a character we can relate to, or at least cheer for. The main character, Jenna Murphy, was a hot mess and hardly relatable. She has a serious impulse control problem and seems almost hysterical at times, not exactly “instinctive cop” material. I wanted to like, or at least understand, her but it never happened. Instead I spent a lot of time shaking my head or rolling my eyes.
I stuck it out just to get to the big “whodunit” revelation, but it's doubtful I’ll pick up another James Patterson book any time soon. There are too many authors out there, reinventing genres and inspiring us with mind-blowingly unique ideas. Why waste time on the latest Patterson, Roberts or Coben, and encourage such formulaic and utterly predictable mediocrity?
We all love a novel with a character we can relate to, or at least cheer for. The main character, Jenna Murphy, was a hot mess and hardly relatable. She has a serious impulse control problem and seems almost hysterical at times, not exactly “instinctive cop” material. I wanted to like, or at least understand, her but it never happened. Instead I spent a lot of time shaking my head or rolling my eyes.
I stuck it out just to get to the big “whodunit” revelation, but it's doubtful I’ll pick up another James Patterson book any time soon. There are too many authors out there, reinventing genres and inspiring us with mind-blowingly unique ideas. Why waste time on the latest Patterson, Roberts or Coben, and encourage such formulaic and utterly predictable mediocrity?
March 5, 2018
Detective Jenna Murphy hadn't been back to the Hamptons since she was a small child - she had no idea why her family hadn't returned when they used to come for the summer every year. But since the problems she'd encountered in the NYPD, her Uncle Lang, who was Chief of Police in the Hamptons, offered her a position with his force.
When a young couple was brutally murdered in the old abandoned Murder House, so named because of its reputation, Jenna found herself becoming deeply involved in the investigation. She wasn't convinced the suspect they were holding was the culprit, but the deeper she dug, the more she was ostracized.
The horrors of the Murder House and the secrets it held kept Jenna awake at night - but could she discover the truth before it was too late? The bodies were mounting; the danger was intense - would Jenna be next?
Murder House by James Patterson is a fast paced, gritty thriller with lots of gruesome murders, loads of twists, plenty of evil and the good guys were hard to find! The usual short, choppy chapters makes this stand alone thriller an easy read and one I thoroughly enjoyed. Highly recommended.
When a young couple was brutally murdered in the old abandoned Murder House, so named because of its reputation, Jenna found herself becoming deeply involved in the investigation. She wasn't convinced the suspect they were holding was the culprit, but the deeper she dug, the more she was ostracized.
The horrors of the Murder House and the secrets it held kept Jenna awake at night - but could she discover the truth before it was too late? The bodies were mounting; the danger was intense - would Jenna be next?
Murder House by James Patterson is a fast paced, gritty thriller with lots of gruesome murders, loads of twists, plenty of evil and the good guys were hard to find! The usual short, choppy chapters makes this stand alone thriller an easy read and one I thoroughly enjoyed. Highly recommended.
November 5, 2015
7 Ocean Drive also known as The Murder House, gives Detective Jenna Murphy the creeps. She used to play on the beaches right outside this house when she was little. Since she has been away from Southhampton Township for so long, she can't recall why. When two dead bodies are found in the house, Detective Murphy is on the case to find the killer. The number one suspect, Noah Walker has strong ties to the house and is known for his past crimes. The story behind the house is a good setting for any haunted house, but this house isn't exactly haunted as it is just strange for all the death in encapsulates.
The Murder House is a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat. You get to a point where you think you know what is going to happen next, and chances are you will be wrong. You don't know who to route for to be the bad guy or the good guy. I found myself yelling at the book and gasping on a few occasions because I couldn't believe what was happening. I thought I had it all figured out from the beginning. It's been a while since I've read a James Patterson book where I was wrong about who the killer was going to be. I was really stumped on this one. I was truly immersed in the story. I have always been a big James Patterson fan and this book I will have to say will be one of my favorites. It has everything you want from a good thriller. I always will recommend a book by James Patterson, they are usually quick to read and entertaining, but this one is highly recommended.
The Murder House is a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat. You get to a point where you think you know what is going to happen next, and chances are you will be wrong. You don't know who to route for to be the bad guy or the good guy. I found myself yelling at the book and gasping on a few occasions because I couldn't believe what was happening. I thought I had it all figured out from the beginning. It's been a while since I've read a James Patterson book where I was wrong about who the killer was going to be. I was really stumped on this one. I was truly immersed in the story. I have always been a big James Patterson fan and this book I will have to say will be one of my favorites. It has everything you want from a good thriller. I always will recommend a book by James Patterson, they are usually quick to read and entertaining, but this one is highly recommended.
November 6, 2015
I normally love James Patterson books, and can accept a healthy amount of suspension of disbelief. But this book is terrible. My primary issue is with the main character - a police detective who keeps talking about how good she is at her job but apparently has no instinct, no control over her emotions, and has a habit of breaking into places and physically attacking the people she suspects rather than actually asking them any questions.
The most preposterous aspect involves a spoiler so don't continue if you plan to read this book... The "love interest" is a guy that she attacks in his home, sends to jail after lying on the stand (where he is tortured brutally), gets him out of jail after reversing her own testimony with no repercussions, and then she harasses him because she still thinks he's guilty. No apology or anything because she obviously didn't do anything wrong (she's the heroine after all). And yet he THEN falls for her anyway?
Oh and another thing - it's called "Murder House" and everyone calls it that except - minor detail - nobody knows any of the earlier murders were actually done at the house! So why is it called that?
On the plus side, it is a quick read.
The most preposterous aspect involves a spoiler so don't continue if you plan to read this book... The "love interest" is a guy that she attacks in his home, sends to jail after lying on the stand (where he is tortured brutally), gets him out of jail after reversing her own testimony with no repercussions, and then she harasses him because she still thinks he's guilty. No apology or anything because she obviously didn't do anything wrong (she's the heroine after all). And yet he THEN falls for her anyway?
Oh and another thing - it's called "Murder House" and everyone calls it that except - minor detail - nobody knows any of the earlier murders were actually done at the house! So why is it called that?
On the plus side, it is a quick read.
September 23, 2019
James Patterson and his unlimited number of co-authors are a hit or miss for me, but I continue to read them hoping for a hit. The Murder House with co-author David Ellis fits the bill and is a hit. I got a great mystery, creepy old mansion with a few creepy characters to go with it, and a female detective that when told no pushes on and delivered the goods.
July 11, 2016
James Patterson can do no wrong, and this book is even better than usual. I could not put it down!
October 11, 2015
First, let me get the "stuff" I wasn't crazy about out of the way. I'm not fond of first-person narratives, and I especially dislike present-tense writing. And while the ending wraps everything up in a neat and tidy fashion, it goes against the grain of human emotion; nobody I know is able forgive and forget that fast.
Other than that, this one's a killer - starting with a first chapter that made me say "Wow! out loud - really! It's so good, in fact, that I was almost happy when we weren't able to get the Ohio State-Maryland football game on TV - allowing me to keep my ears on he radio and both eyes on the book (the Buckeyes won, BTW).
At first, the short chapters (for which Patterson is known) zig and zag from person to person and time to time, and for a short time that was a little confusing. But that changed in short order as each one became a building block for the sometimes downright creepy plot and particularly gruesome murders that crop up along the way. The story begins as Detective Jenna Murphy has taken a job on her uncle's police force in the Hamptons, where as a child she was a regular visitor. She's accepted the job after leaving the Manhattan police under a cloud of suspicion, and this job, she believes, will be her only chance to salvage her much-loved career as a cop.
Aye, but there's something nasty lurking in the Hamptons; notably, a once-fabulous but now deteriorating house on the beach at No. 7 Ocean Drive. Rumor has it that it's cursed by way of long-ago murders that occurred there, resulting in its nickname of "Murder House." The locals have the good sense not to go there anymore, but then a couple of bodies are found inside and Jenna is on the case. That doesn't last long, though, as a suspect is arrested and the investigation becomes open-and-shut.
Ah, but if that were true, this book wouldn't exist, would it? Suffice it to say that Jenna - who's got some past demons of her own involving that house - isn't buying into the notion that the case is solved. To her dismay, though, she quickly learns that her continued poking around isn't appreciated by her police colleagues (especially not by her uncle). But as more bodies turn up, more clues are revealed that open new doors to Jenna's past as well as the culprit's real identity. Jenna isn't about to give up, no matter where the chase leads - which quite possibly could be to becoming a victim herself.
Other than that, this one's a killer - starting with a first chapter that made me say "Wow! out loud - really! It's so good, in fact, that I was almost happy when we weren't able to get the Ohio State-Maryland football game on TV - allowing me to keep my ears on he radio and both eyes on the book (the Buckeyes won, BTW).
At first, the short chapters (for which Patterson is known) zig and zag from person to person and time to time, and for a short time that was a little confusing. But that changed in short order as each one became a building block for the sometimes downright creepy plot and particularly gruesome murders that crop up along the way. The story begins as Detective Jenna Murphy has taken a job on her uncle's police force in the Hamptons, where as a child she was a regular visitor. She's accepted the job after leaving the Manhattan police under a cloud of suspicion, and this job, she believes, will be her only chance to salvage her much-loved career as a cop.
Aye, but there's something nasty lurking in the Hamptons; notably, a once-fabulous but now deteriorating house on the beach at No. 7 Ocean Drive. Rumor has it that it's cursed by way of long-ago murders that occurred there, resulting in its nickname of "Murder House." The locals have the good sense not to go there anymore, but then a couple of bodies are found inside and Jenna is on the case. That doesn't last long, though, as a suspect is arrested and the investigation becomes open-and-shut.
Ah, but if that were true, this book wouldn't exist, would it? Suffice it to say that Jenna - who's got some past demons of her own involving that house - isn't buying into the notion that the case is solved. To her dismay, though, she quickly learns that her continued poking around isn't appreciated by her police colleagues (especially not by her uncle). But as more bodies turn up, more clues are revealed that open new doors to Jenna's past as well as the culprit's real identity. Jenna isn't about to give up, no matter where the chase leads - which quite possibly could be to becoming a victim herself.
November 5, 2018
One of Patterson’s better novels, great premise. I was instantly hooked!
A multimillion-dollar beachfront house in the Hamptons believed to be cursed after a series of murders.
Having moved to the area Detective Jenna Murphy soon becomes involved with a case after two bodies have been found in the old abandoned house.
Patterson novels are always a quick fast paced read, but they can be so hit or miss.
This one was great, with plenty of twists the kept me wanting to know more.
It’s a shame that more of he’s books can’t be like this.
A multimillion-dollar beachfront house in the Hamptons believed to be cursed after a series of murders.
Having moved to the area Detective Jenna Murphy soon becomes involved with a case after two bodies have been found in the old abandoned house.
Patterson novels are always a quick fast paced read, but they can be so hit or miss.
This one was great, with plenty of twists the kept me wanting to know more.
It’s a shame that more of he’s books can’t be like this.
October 15, 2015
Its been years since I've read a Patterson book. For one, I couldn't keep up with an author who came out with 10 books a year! He's actually not the best writer considering that he's sold millions upon millions of books. But with that said, I did like this one. It grabbed me right away, kept wavering on who the killer was (although, I did actually figure out one piece of the puzzle rather quickly), and it was a fast read that I could devour on my day off.
July 18, 2017
For those who enjoy a house of blood soaked horror.
This is a most enjoyable read, maybe on a stretch of beach with some old rambling cottages behind you.
This is a most enjoyable read, maybe on a stretch of beach with some old rambling cottages behind you.
August 3, 2019
We were getting ready to take a long road trip and needed a few audiobooks to pass the time. It has been a long time since I’ve read a James Patterson book, but this one happened to be one me and my husband agreed on 😝.
I DO NOT like big books and I cannot lie! I doubt I would have ever read the 451 page book, but the narration of the audiobook was great and it passed a big chunk of time.
This thriller had several elements that grab my attention, and it did not disappoint...a creepy, abandoned house that is rumored to be cursed; a series of depraved killings that have never been solved; and lots of twists and turns.
My Rating: 4 ⭐️’s
Published: September 28th 2015 by Little, Brown & Company
I DO NOT like big books and I cannot lie! I doubt I would have ever read the 451 page book, but the narration of the audiobook was great and it passed a big chunk of time.
This thriller had several elements that grab my attention, and it did not disappoint...a creepy, abandoned house that is rumored to be cursed; a series of depraved killings that have never been solved; and lots of twists and turns.
My Rating: 4 ⭐️’s
Published: September 28th 2015 by Little, Brown & Company
October 16, 2015
The Murder House
This was the best book I've read by James Patterson in a very very long time. I was pleasantly surprised and I hope his novels continue to be this good from now on. I was ready to give up reading his books but I'm happy I decided to try this one. Great writing and a wonderful mystery.
This was the best book I've read by James Patterson in a very very long time. I was pleasantly surprised and I hope his novels continue to be this good from now on. I was ready to give up reading his books but I'm happy I decided to try this one. Great writing and a wonderful mystery.
August 1, 2024
There is a very good reason that James Patterson is known as the world’s best thriller writer - and this book is the evidence. A stand alone novel, it just made me keep wanting more and I’m a little disappointed that it’s not a series. The short, action packed chapters and characters that evoke strong feelings either way really drew me in and kept me in the web. I was totally blown away with the ending, and know this book will stay with me for a long time as an example of a perfectly written thriller. An absolute 5 star belter, without question!
July 14, 2020
Chris is an experienced reviewer. He knows the score. But he's never reviewed a book by James Patterson before.
James has written more #1 NYT Bestsellers than anyone else in the world. Everything he writes is a success.
"Be careful," Matt says. "James has a lot of influence on GoodReads."
Matt is a GR librarian. He has a lot of access on the site. He and Chris have been friends ever since Chris joined GR. What Matt says rings true. A good review of Patterson's books can make a reviewer's reputation overnight and a bad review can get your account banned from the site.
But what Matt doesn't know is that Chris doesn't play by the rules. Never has, never will.
"I can't wait to read your review of Patterson's book," Ann messages him.
Ann is a lurker. She reads a lot of books but she's never written a review on GR herself.
Chris tells her he's going to give his honest opinion, no matter what.
"Don't do anything silly," Matt says. "Remember what happened to Mark."
Mark was a successful book reviewer. He had it all. Fame, fortune, the ladies. Then he wrote a bad review of a Patterson book and he lost it all. He hasn't posted on GR since.
That night, Ann and Chris talk about how crazy it is for an author to have one NYT Bestseller after another while also being such a prolific writer. Chris tells her he isn't convinced that everything is on the up-and-up.
"What do you mean?" Ann says.
Chris tells her she'll understand when she reads his review.
But that night, Chris gets a message he never expected. Not in a million years. A new message appears in his GR inbox and it's from Mark!
"I didn't leave GR because I was banned after a poor review of Patterson's books," Mark writes. "I left because it became nothing more than a glorified marketing platform for Amazon."
Chris reads the message in disbelief. Wow! He's had it wrong this entire time. There's nothing nefarious going on. Mark left because of other reasons.
But when he wakes up the next morning, something seems fishy. Mark hasn't been on GR in ages and he reappeared right as Chris was getting ready to post a review? It's all too perfect. But only one person knew Chris was going to write the review and also had access to other users' accounts...
"How's the review going?" Ann writes but Chris doesn't reply. He can't. Anything he says is unsecured... and a GR librarian could read it...
In the end, the Patterson book was exactly like Chris expected it would be.
*last edited by GoodReads Librarian at 7:40:00, 7/7/20*
James has written more #1 NYT Bestsellers than anyone else in the world. Everything he writes is a success.
"Be careful," Matt says. "James has a lot of influence on GoodReads."
Matt is a GR librarian. He has a lot of access on the site. He and Chris have been friends ever since Chris joined GR. What Matt says rings true. A good review of Patterson's books can make a reviewer's reputation overnight and a bad review can get your account banned from the site.
But what Matt doesn't know is that Chris doesn't play by the rules. Never has, never will.
"I can't wait to read your review of Patterson's book," Ann messages him.
Ann is a lurker. She reads a lot of books but she's never written a review on GR herself.
Chris tells her he's going to give his honest opinion, no matter what.
"Don't do anything silly," Matt says. "Remember what happened to Mark."
Mark was a successful book reviewer. He had it all. Fame, fortune, the ladies. Then he wrote a bad review of a Patterson book and he lost it all. He hasn't posted on GR since.
That night, Ann and Chris talk about how crazy it is for an author to have one NYT Bestseller after another while also being such a prolific writer. Chris tells her he isn't convinced that everything is on the up-and-up.
"What do you mean?" Ann says.
Chris tells her she'll understand when she reads his review.
But that night, Chris gets a message he never expected. Not in a million years. A new message appears in his GR inbox and it's from Mark!
"I didn't leave GR because I was banned after a poor review of Patterson's books," Mark writes. "I left because it became nothing more than a glorified marketing platform for Amazon."
Chris reads the message in disbelief. Wow! He's had it wrong this entire time. There's nothing nefarious going on. Mark left because of other reasons.
But when he wakes up the next morning, something seems fishy. Mark hasn't been on GR in ages and he reappeared right as Chris was getting ready to post a review? It's all too perfect. But only one person knew Chris was going to write the review and also had access to other users' accounts...
"How's the review going?" Ann writes but Chris doesn't reply. He can't. Anything he says is unsecured... and a GR librarian could read it...
In the end, the Patterson book was exactly like Chris expected it would be.
*last edited by GoodReads Librarian at 7:40:00, 7/7/20*
October 10, 2015
Wow.. I really expected so much more from this book. Where do I start? I don't want to give anything away, but I'm just really surprised at some of the unrealistic parts of this book. I mean really.. You have a home that has had many disturbing murders and things happen in it that it is actually dubbed The Murder House and yet am I really to believe the police never go down to check the basement?!? First thing that struck me as crazy.. Then Jenna's past is so vague, i kept believing somehow there was something to it.. None of the characters were that likes me including the main character Jenna who it alludes to the fact she over drinks. Plus, the police in here are like the police in a lifetime movie.. Stupid stupid stupid.. I'm so disappointed I paid that much for this book.. Not to mention it was grisly. Overall, I finished it quickly just to see if I was right which I ended up being so no big surprise on who the murderer was.
December 28, 2015
James Patterson did it again! He kept me guessing until the end. If you like reading/listening to JP's books, then I highly recommend this one too. Enjoy the ride!
July 19, 2016
4,5*
A parceria com David Ellis veio trazer um outro tipo de leitura aos já milhões de leitores de James Patterson. Mais mistério, mais sangue, não esquecendo a investigação policial, característica dos romances do autor norte-americano. Se já tinha ficado fã do livro Invisível, da dupla, este consolidou o que sentia pela escrita a duas mãos.
Com capítulos curtos, habituais em Patterson, de leitura rápida, excelente para levar nas férias (como fiz), A Casa da Morte é um thriller que nos prende depressa, tal a força da história.
Alternando entre o passado e o presente, característica que gosto nos livros, vamos acompanhando a vida da detective Jenna Murphy, uma workaholic, que regressa à sua terra natal depois de vários anos em Nova Iorque. Jenna trabalha como subalterna do seu tio, Langdon James, que é chefe do departamento, e começa a trabalhar com um caso macabro. Os corpos de um homem e a sua amante são encontrados no n.º 7 da Ocean Drive, mais conhecida com A Casa da Morte.
(...)
opinião completa em: http://marcadordelivros.blogspot.pt/2...
A parceria com David Ellis veio trazer um outro tipo de leitura aos já milhões de leitores de James Patterson. Mais mistério, mais sangue, não esquecendo a investigação policial, característica dos romances do autor norte-americano. Se já tinha ficado fã do livro Invisível, da dupla, este consolidou o que sentia pela escrita a duas mãos.
Com capítulos curtos, habituais em Patterson, de leitura rápida, excelente para levar nas férias (como fiz), A Casa da Morte é um thriller que nos prende depressa, tal a força da história.
Alternando entre o passado e o presente, característica que gosto nos livros, vamos acompanhando a vida da detective Jenna Murphy, uma workaholic, que regressa à sua terra natal depois de vários anos em Nova Iorque. Jenna trabalha como subalterna do seu tio, Langdon James, que é chefe do departamento, e começa a trabalhar com um caso macabro. Os corpos de um homem e a sua amante são encontrados no n.º 7 da Ocean Drive, mais conhecida com A Casa da Morte.
(...)
opinião completa em: http://marcadordelivros.blogspot.pt/2...
October 25, 2015
Despite several attempts, I did not like, nor could I finish this story. 0 of 10 stars
November 12, 2015
This stand alone novel keeps the reader in suspense from start to the finish! Very enjoyable and entertaining.
October 31, 2015
I read this book in two sittings, which would have been one if sleep hadn't intervened! Grisly murders by a psychopath(s), an unsolved mystery, a detective willing to lose everything to find the truth, a love story thrown in - all parts of this new book by James Patterson. It was fun to work the clues and find the answers along with the characters. Even though I had figured it out, the ending was full of extras. If you love James Patterson or murder mysteries, you will love this!
January 21, 2022
I tend to find that I either read a James Patterson book that I can't put down or one that I really dislike. Sadly, this falls into the latter category.
For me, the characters lacked depth and the only person that I was interested in, died early on in the book! 🤦♀️
I always like the structure of a Patterson novel though. Short chapters and fast paced.
For me, the characters lacked depth and the only person that I was interested in, died early on in the book! 🤦♀️
I always like the structure of a Patterson novel though. Short chapters and fast paced.
March 30, 2016
So boring. The main character was a basket case and incredibly annoying. This felt way too over the top, and in a way, the 'Murder House' was a behind the scenes plot instead of the main synopsis. So disappointing.
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