Book Review: The Murder House
By James Patterson and David Ellis
Synopsis
Detective Jenna Murphy comes to the Hamptons to solve a murder, but what she finds is more deadly than she could ever imagine.
Trying to escape her troubled past and save a career on the rocks, former New York City cop Jenna Murphy doesn’t expect 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.
At first, it seems like an open-and-shut case, but it turns out to have as many shocking secrets as the mansion itself. Jenna soon realizes that the estate’s history is much darker than even the town’s most salacious gossips could have imagined. As more bodies surface and the secrets Jenna has tried desperately to escape close in on her, she must risk her own life to expose the truth before the Murder House claims another victim. (Barnes & Noble, 2026)
Review
The story opens with a chilling prologue set in Bridgehampton in 1995, where a 12-year-old boy opens fire at his school with a BB gun just for thrills. Fast forward to 2011: Noah Walker is busy repairing a roof when his mistress, Paige, arrives. Moments later, the police surround the house and arrest him for the murders of Melanie Phillips and Zachary Stern.
While Noah maintains his innocence, it seems the entire town is eager to see him take the fall. A serial killer has been on the loose for decades, leaving behind a trail of bodies but zero evidence, until now.
The Protagonist’s Journey – Enter former NYPD cop Jenna Murphy. Attempting to rebuild her life after she is forced out, she returns to her hometown blinded by loyalty to her uncle, the late Chief of Police. Desperate for a win, she even lies at Noah’s trial to ensure a conviction. Though he is eventually released, Jenna’s personal demons and the haunting atmosphere of the Hamptons keep her on edge.
Atmosphere & Pace – Set against the eerie backdrop of a decaying mansion, this is a fast-paced thriller that blends psychological tension with classic detective storytelling. The authors treat the “Murder House” as a character in its own right, creating an atmosphere thick with dread.
Final Verdict
- The Characters: Jenna is a compelling protagonist: flawed, determined, and relatable.
- The Style: The plot moves at a steady pace with short chapters and sharp dialogue, told through shifting perspectives (with Jenna’s chapters in the first person).
- The Experience: While some twists feel questionable, they’re entertaining. The book leans more on suspense than deep character development, but the final plot twist is well worth the ride.
Overall: The Murder House delivers exactly what fans of the genre expect: tension, surprises, and a chilling sense that danger lurks behind every door. A must-read for fans of mystery and crime thrillers.
“I lose my breath, brace myself, consider my options. If I go for my sidearm, it’s a long shot. If I dive, I’m unlikely to miss the wide blast from his gun….I’m calculating how well Aiden can see me now, standing as I am on solid ground in the darkness. Hoping he can’t see very well.”
About the Authors
James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
David Ellis is a judge and an Edgar Award-winning author of ten novels of crime fiction, as well as eight bestselling books co-authored with James Patterson. His novels have been translated into more than ten languages worldwide.
SA Examiner 