Friday, September 11, 2015

Review: Murder House: Part Two 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 was released 1 September and is reviewed here.

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

Part Two of MURDER HOUSE covers chapters 28 to 48 plus some supplementary articles. Please note this review may contains spoilers for Part One though I'm trying to keep it vague.

To recap, we're in the Hamptons and handy-man Noah Walker is accused of murdering 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, believes Noah is guilty.

In Part Two, we get to find out the result of the trial against Noah, plus what happens to him in the few months after that. In addition we are privy to some earlier murders which took place five or so years before at 7 Ocean Drive, that of two students, and the subsequent murder of a prostitute.

Meanwhile, Jenna has been burying herself in reports about the incident mentioned in the prologue in Part One – where a twelve-year-old shot some of his fellow pupils with a BB gun (a type of airgun). When she looks into her uncle's computer files however, she finds a document that changes the case against Noah dramatically.

With Jenna less convinced about Noah's guilt she takes the first steps in her own off-the-record investigation.

Part Two is slightly shorter than Part One and I have to say I didn't enjoy the several chapters about the killings – these seemed to drag a bit - perhaps because they were uncomfortable reading, however I was back on track as soon as Jenna reappeared about half-way through. She's ditched her slimy boyfriend and she has some sort of connection with Noah, but it's not clear how innocent or guilty he actually is at the moment. I hope the investigation gets moving in Part Three which is released 14 September.

Karen Meek, September 2015

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