Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Review: Murder House: Part Three by James Patterson & David Ellis

James Patterson & David Ellis's MURDER HOUSE is released in hardback 24 September however you can read it before then by buying it in 5 individual parts, released weekly.

Here's the official blurb:

Released as a unique weekly five-part serialisation in audio and eBook from 1st September 2015 in the run-up to publication in hardback on 24 September 2015 (RRP £18.99). Each five part serialisation is released with exciting extra content relating to the Murder House story. Radio news bulletins, newspaper articles, coroner’s reports and letters all help to create a truly immersive experience, helping you uncover vital clues and delve deeper into the mystery.

I have read a couple of James Patterson's books before which I've enjoyed: JACK & JILL and 7TH HEAVEN (with Maxine Paetro) and also his collaboration with Liza Marklund: POSTCARD KILLERS which I enjoyed a bit less.

I was therefore very pleased to accept an invitation to receive and review each week's serialisation as it comes out. Part One is reviewed here and Part Two is reviewed here.

Murder House: Part Three by James Patterson & David Ellis, September 2015, Cornerstone Digital

Part Three of MURDER HOUSE covers chapters 49 to 74 plus some supplementary articles. Please note this review may contains spoilers for Parts One and Two though I'm trying to keep it vague.

To recap, we're in the Hamptons and handy-man Noah Walker is arrested and tried for the murder of two people who were renting the gothic-looking house at 7 Ocean Drive, known locally as the Murder House. Det. Jenna Murphy, a former NYPD cop who has moved to the Hamptons, initially believes Noah to be guilty and even when it is revealed that he was framed, and is subsequently released, she is still not sure of his innocence.

In Part Three, much of the time is spent with Jenna. She is not popular with her fellow cops with the exception of a female officer who looks up to Jenna and who is willing to help Jenna with her investigation.

Another murder, from a few years ago, is described and we get to see the planning that our murderer, who calls himself Holden, goes to, to get his victim.

Meanwhile it seems Jenna's investigation is beginning to home in on a suspect, plus we find out why the murderer is using the sobriquet Holden. Several scenes take place at Tasty's, the restaurant where one of the latest murder victims worked and in one scene Holden is there. Is he someone already known to Jenna? In addition another possible suspect (at least I think he is) is introduced as well.

I enjoyed Part Three as the history behind 7 Ocean Drive is beginning to hang together and Jenna is starting to make some progress on the case and she also has a breakthrough about the nightmares she's been experiencing since her return to the Hamptons. I'm anxious to read Part Four to see if some of my suspicions are correct or not.

Karen Meek, September 2015

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