3.0 (1 rating)
Idaho Four
Instant #1 New York Times bestseller!
"A vivid portrait...a sensitive tribute...a paean to youth, community, and the tenacity of local law enforcement." --New York Times
"A mesmerizing read and a great detective story, yet sadly all true...With their book The Idaho Four, James Patterson and Vicky Ward have written perhaps the definitive account of the murders--a disturbing, necessary portrait of a killer and his victims." --Guardian
"New revelations...James Patterson and Vicky Ward reveal new details and attempt to lift the veil of secrecy that has shrouded the Idaho college murders case for more than two years." --Good Morning America
"This is much more than a true crime book. It's a vivid exploration of the range of human response when faceless terror strikes. It's a portrait of America in this polarized moment." --Town & Country
"A lot of brand-new reporting. Clears up a number of mysteries." --Morning Joe
The murders of four innocent college students attending the University of Idaho left us all with so many questions. Now, after more than 300 interviews, James Patterson and prize-winning journalist Vicky Ward finally have the answers.
We know what it was like to live in Moscow, Idaho, on November 13, 2022, the day of the cold-blooded killings. We know what the local police and FBI did right. And what they did wrong. We've learned so much about the four heartbroken families--the Mogens, Goncalveses, Kernodles, and Chapins. And we have the backstory for Bryan Kohberger, brilliant grad student, loner, apparent incel.
Now you are the jury. The evidence is in.
You've watched the Prime documentary, One Night in Idaho, now read the "clearest profile yet of the twisted quadruple killer and his motives" (New York Post).
"A vivid portrait...a sensitive tribute...a paean to youth, community, and the tenacity of local law enforcement." --New York Times
"A mesmerizing read and a great detective story, yet sadly all true...With their book The Idaho Four, James Patterson and Vicky Ward have written perhaps the definitive account of the murders--a disturbing, necessary portrait of a killer and his victims." --Guardian
"New revelations...James Patterson and Vicky Ward reveal new details and attempt to lift the veil of secrecy that has shrouded the Idaho college murders case for more than two years." --Good Morning America
"This is much more than a true crime book. It's a vivid exploration of the range of human response when faceless terror strikes. It's a portrait of America in this polarized moment." --Town & Country
"A lot of brand-new reporting. Clears up a number of mysteries." --Morning Joe
The murders of four innocent college students attending the University of Idaho left us all with so many questions. Now, after more than 300 interviews, James Patterson and prize-winning journalist Vicky Ward finally have the answers.
We know what it was like to live in Moscow, Idaho, on November 13, 2022, the day of the cold-blooded killings. We know what the local police and FBI did right. And what they did wrong. We've learned so much about the four heartbroken families--the Mogens, Goncalveses, Kernodles, and Chapins. And we have the backstory for Bryan Kohberger, brilliant grad student, loner, apparent incel.
Now you are the jury. The evidence is in.
You've watched the Prime documentary, One Night in Idaho, now read the "clearest profile yet of the twisted quadruple killer and his motives" (New York Post).
Pages: 400
ISBN: 9780316572859
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Available in: Hardcover, Paperback
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3.0
1 rating
Beth .
Mar 15, 2026
3 stars- an interesting and in-depth true crime novel but rushed, and it feels extremely speculative.
This book makes claims that all information in it is true, but some things directly contradict the FBI. This book claims that Maddie declined to go out with Brian when he asked her out at the Mad Greek, which was the reason for the killings, (a likely theory, IMO,) but the FBI claims there were no ties between the killer and the victims. Until things have been proven I think they had no business being published.
Thus book was published way too early, especially since the case never ended up going to trial- I think everything was mostly handled with the sensitivity it deserved, but also James Patterson was looking for another quick buck and wanted to beat a potential rush of other true crime novelists/podcasters/tiktokers etc. Comes across as kind of ambulance-chaser vibes.
Mixed feelings.
This book makes claims that all information in it is true, but some things directly contradict the FBI. This book claims that Maddie declined to go out with Brian when he asked her out at the Mad Greek, which was the reason for the killings, (a likely theory, IMO,) but the FBI claims there were no ties between the killer and the victims. Until things have been proven I think they had no business being published.
Thus book was published way too early, especially since the case never ended up going to trial- I think everything was mostly handled with the sensitivity it deserved, but also James Patterson was looking for another quick buck and wanted to beat a potential rush of other true crime novelists/podcasters/tiktokers etc. Comes across as kind of ambulance-chaser vibes.
Mixed feelings.