Well here we go again entering into the warped and twisted mind of JD Barker but this time in collaboration with James Patterson and oh boy what a combination and what a stunning thriller they have written !!
So we have murders, lots of murders and nothing adds up, we have a brother and sister Michael and Megan adopted at an early age by a psychiatrist and psychologist but these parents are cold and calculating people who use Megan and Michael to mentally experiment on. What follows is impossible to describe so I am not going to try but what I can say is I found myself constantly say “what the hell is going on here !!”
Told in short punchy chapters this is a big book but it doesn’t feel that way at all it just moves at such a thrilling pace with a plot like no other and I defy anyone to guess the ending it was mind blowing, out of this world clever and gobsmackingly brilliant.
The characters are so well crafted I loved them all, I wish with all my heart we could maybe one day hear from them again. This really is an amazing read, my favourite of the year and my mind was twisted into knots as I just couldn’t figure out what was going on and that made it a 100% winner and one not to be missed.
JD Barker is one hell of a writer I have read all his books and top of my list of favourite authors and with James Patterson I think they have both excelled themselves so do yourself a favour and grab a copy it is AMAZING !!!
My thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Coast-to-Coast Murders is a fast-paced psychological thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat trying to second-guess Detective Dobbs and FBI Agent Gimble, to see if I could name the murderer before they did. My best-guess resolution was way off the mark.

This novel is a real rollercoaster ride of non-stop action, twists and turns, red herrings and more. Told from different perspectives by various narrators, some of whom are highly unreliable narrators, this is a mystery of psychology, violence, and murder. It caught my attention from the get-go and kept it throughout, keeping me up into the early morning hours determined to find out what’s really going on.

I feel a little dense (or maybe I'm just sleep deprived) because somewhere around chapter 142, I started getting very confused. Just when I thought I was finally on track again, Chapter 147 and the Epilogue threw me for a loop. And even after going back and rereading and rereading and searching for clues I must have missed, I’m still totally befuddled. Somehow or other, the ending didn’t quite wrap things up for me, providing a conclusion that I could live with. What did I miss? Where did I go off the mark? I guess I'm just going to have to go back once again to figure out what I overlooked.

Phew…That ending!!!!
This was an action packed story by J.D. Barker and James Patterson. This was a big (560 pgs.) of a book but with James Patterson’s signature short chapters, it was a fast read. We begin with Michael receiving a call from the tenant that resides in the apartment below stating that there is a water leak coming from his apartment. Michael goes home and discovers a dead body of a girl in his bathtub. He wonders who this girl in and how did she get into his apartment. Evidence show that Michael might have had a relationship with the girl, even though Michael says he’s never met the girl. Soon there are other deaths pointing Michael as the killer. Who is trying to set him up? This begins a whole whirlwind of twist and turns trying to figure out what is going on.
Told from multiple POVs through short, fast-paced chapters, The Coast-to-Coast Murders takes us on a thrilling ride from California to New York with an unexpected ending.

Thanks to the publisher, Authors and NetGalley for the eARC.

Having read the Fourth Monkey series it was only natural to question could the author hit anther home run. I think he did. The 4MK used journals as an effective device to tell the story. In this book, it is a police witness statement. I found it very suspenseful and the twists surprising. A very enjoyable read.

I think I want this to be a series. I wasn't so sure about the collaboration of authors, but I am pleasantly surprised at how well these two wrote together. If you follow my reviews, you know I'm a big Barker fan. I guess teaming up with Patterson could really only be a win.

This book snags you from the first page. While it does go a little slow in the beginning, there is enough mystery to keep the reader compelled to see what will happen when things start to heat up. And they do heat up.

Let me point out that this book is told in multiple point of views. For those of you who aren't fans of multiple point of views, don't count this book out. This story can only be told that way. And it flows very well. The point of views will mess with your head and will keep you guessing. I couldn't get enough of each chapter.

I will say, I teetered back and forth on what I thought the ending would be. The actual ending did cross my mind from the beginning. I did change it multiple times, but I kept going back to the who every now and then.

Overall, I highly recommend this book. Especially if you're already a Patterson fan. You will enjoy his collaboration with Barker. I hope Barker finds some new readers with this book.

Wow this was quite the wild ride. I thought I had the twist figured out and then it seemed to be confirmed... Only to be disproved. So I came up with another angle and that one also seemed to be true... Until it wasn't. I honestly didn't see the ending coming. That's the best kind of serial killer thriller-one that keeps you on the edge of your seat (or hammock in my case) through the very last page.

JD Barker is going to be one of the greats. I've honestly loved everything he's written and this one continues the trend. The multiple POVs, the intriguing mystery, and the impeccable writing, pacing, and plotting make for a but that is immensely difficult to put down.

Highly recommend this one, even if you're not a fan of Patterson. This one definitely has a Barker feel to it and I hope it gets the Patterson name recognition boost.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for an ARC.

I’ve never read a James Patterson book before this, but I’m a huge fan of J.D. Barker. The author and synopsis intrigued me enough to be excited for the chance to read this early. Unfortunately, this book didn’t work for me.

We follow adopted siblings, Michael and Megan, after Michael is accused of murder. We also follow a police officer and FBI agent who are trying to solve the case. Typically I enjoy multiple POV books and short chapters. This book did both of those things well, but it also had my most hated trope as the major plot point. I don’t want to give spoilers, so I’ll leave it at that.

I really struggled to finish this book. This is an action packed thriller with a large cast of characters that includes car chases and foot chases and shoot outs and tech talk and police lingo and I was left in a permanent state of confusion. There was so much stuff going on. Dare I say too much stuff going on. I could not get a grasp on anything which means that I never really cared about what the final outcome would be. I really just wanted it to be over. Can you suspend disbelief? If you can't then I urge you to stay far away from this one. The twists, especially at the end, only made my eyes roll.

As you can see by all the rave reviews pouring in that I am in the minority. If you are a fan of these authors already or you're a lover of action packed over-the-top thrillers with a side of wise-cracking then by all means please give this a try. 2 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is truly an edge of your seat rollercoaster of a ride type book.

I love J.D. Barker and enjoyed this book very much. A lot of twists and turns and short chapters which I like.

My complaint is that there are a lot of characters and a lot of moving parts and names to try to remember.

It does all come together in the end but I think I will reread this come the winter time when I can just sit on a snowy day and concentrate.

Thank you to NetGalley; James Patterson; J.D Barker for the opportunity to review this book.

Oh My Oh My - JD Barker has teamed up with the prolific king of the genre James Patterson. Could a girl be any more excited?
In this book we meet Michael and Megan, adopted siblings of a couple of well renown and well respected intellectuals; a psychologist and psychiatrist. Sounds like a recipe for disaster without the added "experimentation" thrown in on the two "guinea-pig" children. When the book begins they are adults, trying to shake off their pasts to become their own people.
We also meet a cop and an FBI agent who come together to try and solve a bunch of rather heinous crimes all different but all with a signature "message" left. All across the coast, all in a pattern that points to an obvious suspect. But, it would be a very short, rather boring book if it was that cut and dried. And so beings a thrilling ride, of cat and mouse, peppered with twists, turns and jaw dropping reveals that had me on my toes throughout, chewing me up along the way and spitting me out at the end, exhausted but wholly satisfied.
A psychological thriller that is action packed in its entirety, this book took me all round the houses as the authors built up the intrigue layer by layer and then, when all the pieces were in play, started to peel them back off again until the whole and shocking truth was finally laid bare.
The characters in this book were some of the best crafted ones I have met in a while. It's hard to say too much more about them here without the possibility of injecting spoilers into the mix and that's not happening! Needless to say we do touch on quite a few, often controversial, topics; nature vs nurture being one that springs to mind immediately and which won't spoil anything for anybody.
With short punchy chapters that keep the action going at a pace, if you are anything like me you'll find it very hard to put this book down, so I would recommend you clear the decks before you dive in. I am not sure that this partnership isn't just a one off but on the strength of this book I'm hoping for more of the same. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Thank you Netgalley, the publisher and authors.
I have read a lot of James Patterson books and love this author.
I have also read a few of J.D.Barker books and also love this author.
These two authors together are explosive and created a jaw dropping psychological thriller.
Fast paced, roller coaster ride.
Highly recommend
5 stars 🌟

Stop what you’re reading and pick up a copy of The Coast-to-Coast Murders by James Patterson and JD Barker. This is one of the best and craziest plots I’ve ever read! I haven’t read a James Patterson novel in years, but I’m a huge JD Barker fan so I couldn’t pass this one up. There are so many red herrings, smoke and mirrors, and twists that my head was spinning. I won’t go into the plot because it’s complicated. The characters are amazing and very interesting. Make sure not to pass this one by! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley; James Patterson; J.D Barker; and Little Brown and Company for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

This first-time collaborative effort shows that some authors have amazing chemistry with James Patterson, adding depth and intrigue to a novel that keeps the reader enthralled until the very end. With great psychological build-up and stunning development throughout, James Patterson and J.D. Barker take the reader on the most intense journey as a serial killer is revealed. When Michael Kepler (Fitzgerald) is called back to his apartment by a nosy neighbour, he suspects it’s a burst water pipe that has flooded his place. When he discovers the body of a woman in his tub, he is not only disturbed, but highly agitated. After calling the authorities, it is soon discovered that this cross-country truck driver may not be telling the truth, as the victim seems to know him quite well. Her apartment is full of photos of Michael and they seem to have shared quite the intense relationship. However, Michael is sure he has never met her, even if a great deal of evidence says otherwise. When he is taken into custody and questioned, the attorney provided for him violently helps Michael flee LAPD custody and off they go. Michael’s sister, Megan, receives many calls from her brother and is trying to piece this all together. Both are unsure what’s going on, but they fear telling their mother, a renowned psychologist, who is sure to judge them both harshly. When FBI Special Agent Jessica Gimble is alerted to the crimes, she reaches out to let the LAPD know that Michael Fitzgerald is a wanted serial killer for many murders across the country, the manhunt is on to find him. As the story progresses, Michael tries to assert his innocence, though there is something about his past that leads him to second guess himself. Adopted at four by a wily psychiatrist, Michael becomes a test subject in a number of highly intense studies based on his horrible early childhood. As the chase continues, Megan tries her best to help a brother she thought she knew well, but has come to believe that he might be the monster everyone seems certain he has become. It will take a great deal of effort to keep Michael out of the hands of authorities, though the bodies are piling up and there does not seem to be any way to explain it all away.... or is there? A chilling story that will take the reader on one of the most far-flung rides of their reading career, as the pieces slowly fall into place. Stunning in its delivery, this is sure to show that James Patterson does still have some magic left in him, depending on who is collaborating with him. Recommended to those who love the work of J.D. Barker, as well the reader whose enjoyment of intense psychological thrillers is second to none.

I always enjoy a great psychological thriller, particularly when it is penned by one of the greats in the genre. This unique collaboration has proven to be one of the great surprises of my reading adventure this year and it works so very well, as the story flows smoothly without being too quick to end. Michael Kepler/Fitzgerald is quite a complex character, though all becomes a little more understandable as the story progresses. Taken from a horrific situation, Michael was placed in an institution and then adopted by a family who saw him more as a lab rat than anything else. He is intensely scarred by the experience, which is revealed throughout the piece, especially as he remembers bits of his past. There is some obvious development to his character throughout, though it remains somewhat questionable as more is revealed about his life and the murders he is said to have committed. The banter between Michael and Megan is also key to this story, as she takes on a secondary protagonist role in this piece, helping to fill in many of the gaps the reader might not understand otherwise. This pair help lead the story in many curious directions, though the full cast of characters do a wonderful job of keeping the reader entertained throughout this long and meandering piece. There are so many angles and such flavouring of the narrative that the characters all play an integral role in the story’s overall success. This is definitely one of the most thrilling rides I have taken in a novel in a long time, as the story gains momentum, so did my interest. While the size of the book may seem daunting, the action and constant story development help to propel things forward. Using the usual Patterson quick chapter recipe, the reader can tackle large chunks without feeling the onerous task of wading through this piece, finding a rhythm and working with it until all is revealed. There are also numerous perspectives told in the story, offering the reader an even more intense look at the overall development of the piece as it progresses. Patterson and Barker have so many interesting ideas and some strong subplots in this piece, there is no doubt that this is sure to be one of those novels people talk about for months to come, while many hope to see another piece by these two heavyweights before too long. I am still trying to wrap my head around what I read and hope others feel as strongly as I do about this novel.

Kudos, Messrs. Patterson and Barker, for this sensational piece. While there is always a gamble when collaborating, you two have hit the nail on the head and I cannot wait to see what’s next!

The best psychological thriller you will read this year. Action packed with complex characters and an intriguing plot that will keep you guessing until the very end. Every time I thought I had it figured out the story would twist and leave me with my mouth hanging open. This collaboration by two master storytellers will take you on an intense ride through the mind of a killer. Dobbs and Gimble should have their own series. This is definitely one you don't want to miss!

3.5 stars

This book had my head spinning!

A serial killer is on the loose. A seemingly innocent man is arrested for the murders, but there’s a WHOLE LOT MORE to him than meets the eye! When it comes to the killer, NOTHING adds up, and I mean NOTHING, until the final pages.

The narrative unfolds through alternating POVs told in various formats. The chapters are short, end with cliff-hangers, and then switch to another POV. This element was fun at first but grew increasingly annoying as the story progressed.

Megan’s story, the suspected killer's sister, is told through a detailed written statement. She shares details including dialogue (word for word), and other moving pieces that normally wouldn’t be included in a written statement. I was questioning the level of detail in Megan’s statement for the entirety of the book, and while I am still skeptical about this format, it made more sense in the end. However, I am still not completely buying it!

Overall, this was a fast-paced and intriguing read. Elements of the book have the JD Barker feel (not too sure about James Patterson, since it has been many years since I have read one of his books).

There are a lot of moving pieces and a lot of characters and names to remember. There is also non-stop action, plot twists, and drama. At times, the plot becomes a little confusing and quite often muddled due to the number of characters and constant twists. While all threads come together, the plot unraveled towards the end and left me with some unanswered questions. However, even though this book made my brain hurt at times, it was wholly an entertaining and enjoyable read.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

James Patterson and J.D.Barker's new thriller ticks all the boxes: suspenseful, short punchy chapters, action packed, addictive and as twisty as a mountain road with the reader struggling to hold onto their brain to make sense of it all.

Michael and Megan Fitzgerald are the adopted children of an eminent psychologist and his psychiatrist wife. Due to the way their adoptive parents treated them they had a difficult upbringing but are consequently very close to each other. Michael now has nothing to do with his parents, has dropped out of college and drives a long distance truck while Megan is still a college student.

When Michael returns to his flat to find a dead girl in his bathtub, he does what any innocent citizen would do and calls the police. However, he becomes the number one suspect for murder of the girl he claims to have never seen before with the FBI also suspecting he may have committed a string of murders across the country. Soon, aided by Megan, Michael is running for his life, trying to prove his innocence, but as more bodies pile up the reader has to wonder who is innocent and who is guilty and exactly what happened to Michael and Megan while they were growing up?

Told from three points of view, Michael's, Megan's and FBI Agent Jessica Gimble's there is never a dull moment in this fun, high tension thriller.

I've never read a Patterson book I didn't love and when I saw his name with JD Parker's I knew I couldn't miss it and it did not disappoint.
From page 1 I was hooked. Michael Fitzgerald comes home after his neighbor calls him about a water leak only to find a dead female he's never met in his bathtub. When he calls police it leads he and his adopted sister, Megan on the ride of their lives. With a terrifying past, they've both struggled to overcome, they have both been struggling to keep the past where it belongs. As more and more murders are linked to Michael's long-haul trucker route and he is the main suspect, he and Megan both fight to prove his innocence. BUT, if he's is innocent, WHO is the killer?

What did I just read? That was freaking fantastic. It’s hard, with a collaboration, to work out who wrote what but I thought this book had J.D. Barker’s fingerprints all over it. When Michael Kepler finds a dead woman in his bathtub his first call is to his sister, Megan. Only after that does he call the police. Michael claims that he doesn’t know the woman, Alyssa Tepper, has never seen her before. But the Police find plenty of evidence to the contrary so he is taken in for questioning.

A lawyer turns up for Michael and ends up breaking him out of LAPD custody but the getaway is very messy. While Michael tries to gather information with his sister to work out what is going on, the FBI swoops in and takes over the case. Special Agent Jessica Gimble has been tracking the Birdman killer across the country. He has killed 18 people over the last two years and she is convinced that Michael Kepler is that killer. The Birdman leaves a specific type of feather at each murder scene - and such a feather was found at Alyssa Tepper’s home.

And now you’re on a runaway train of drama, suspense, action and clever twists. It is clear that Michael and Megan’s adoptive parents - Dr Bart (a renowned psychiatrist) and Dr Rose (a renowned psychologist), among others, have a lot to answer for. Both Michael and Megan were unreliable narrators because their childhood minds had been so warped by the good (bad) doctors that it was impossible to know who and what to believe. The complexity and twists in this story will leave you reeling. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and was sorry when it ended. In a very interesting way! Huge thanks to Netgalley, Little, Brown and Company, James Patterson and J.D. Barker For providing a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

A twisted, psychological thriller that kept me racing through the pages only to be surprised over and over again. An intricate plot that involves murders across the country.

Michael comes home and finds a dead woman in his bathtub. He calls his sister, Megan first, then calls 911 and LAPD detective Garrett Dobbs arrives to investigate; but Jessica Gimble from the FBI arrives soon after and claims jurisdiction. Michael is soon under arrest for the murder as well as other murders. After a series of events, Michael is on the run and Gimble and her team, as well as Dobbs, are in hot pursuit. The tension builds rapidly and my heart was in my throat as events became more and more frightening and disturbing.

This book was written by James Patterson and J.D. Barker together, and I'm not sure how much each contributed. I've read several books by both authors and can see the mark of both of them in the story. This is a great thriller and I would recommend to anyone who enjoys that genre and likes it when things are not as they seem.

Thanks to Little, Brown & Company through Netgalley for an advance copy.

Coast to Coast Murders is a fun and murderous ride! It's almost 150 chapters in about 576 pages and the short chapters really irritated me until about the 60% mark and then I just got over it. But, I do think there is a reason some of the chapters had to be so short, now that I finished the book, and from the reviews I have read, most people loved the short chapters, so I'm the minority with that viewpoint.

Michael and Megan Fitzgerald are the adopted siblings of an Ivy League clinical psychologist and a renowned psychiatrist, both famous and high powered in their field (and maybe elsewhere). Despite being adopted into a well-to-do family, Michael and Megan had horrible childhoods because they were constantly under observation by their parents and treated to cruel experimentation, on a regular basis. The constant barrage of mind altering abuse and twisting of memories makes it hard for Michael and Megan to always be sure of what they really remember. Both of them have things in the past that they would like to never remember, but their psychiatrist father makes them remember, in very evil ways.

Michael left home years ago and works as a truck driver although he has always stayed in touch with his younger sister Megan. Now Michael needs Megan's help because he finds a dead woman in his bathtub. He has gaps in his recent memory but he's being accused of being a serial killer by law enforcement.

Detective Garrett Dobbs and FBI Agent Jessica Gimble are the lead investigators on this case and they are baffled as more murders are committed across the country. Michael seems to be able to accomplish impossible feats...just how many people are involved in these killings and what is motivating them to keep on killing? This story is all action, violence, and mystery and things are not what they seem!

Thank you to Little, Brown and Company, J.D. Barker, and NetGalley for this ARC.