James Patterson and David Ellis’s, The Murder House left us sitting at the end of our seats wanting more and more. The authors provide an intriguing story with many twists and turns, leaving us in the dark. Remember, “No one ever leaves alive, The house at Ocean 7 Drive”.
Plot
Patterson introduces us to Jenna Murphy, a former New York City cop trying to rehabilitate her career in the Hamptons. She is put on an investigation after a couple is murdered at the house on Ocean 7 Drive.
During the investigation, Noah Walker is considered a suspect in the crimes. Jenna must dig deeper to determine who is responsible for the multiple killings. Jenna quickly realizes that the mansion’s history is much darker than she thought. Not only does she have to open the key to her past as a child, but she has to deal with grief and loss.
As a detective, Jenna doubts that the police have arrested the right person. Jenna doubts Noah Walker’s guilt, and she then expands her investigation to Aiden (cemetery caregiver) and one of her colleagues Issac Marks.
Patterson and Ellis bring us to the courtroom to figure out this hard cold-blooded case. These authors write great chapter cliffhangers, including a short conversation with one of the characters after being tortured and shot five times. Is Noah Walker responsible for it all?
This novel will keep you guessing until the end.
Character development
Patterson and Ellis create characters who are pertinent to the story. Even with her drinking faults, Jenna Murphy is perceived as an intelligent, determined, empowered woman, and she is the type of character who is not perfect.
Noah Walker is perceived as laid back but is also considered the primary suspect in the crimes. He is written as good-looking in the novel and projects certain innocence.
Isacc Marks is perceived as hostile towards Jenna once he becomes active chief of the Hamptons police department.
The character development is strong, and the reader quickly gets attached to the protagonist.
One character which could have been developed more was the man Sulzman who was blackmailing one of the characters. The reader never hears more about the man, even though he resents Noah Walker. This character could have created another excellent plot twist within this story.
Themes/symbolism
One of the themes mentioned within this novel is corruption. Corruption is seen when Jenna Murphy is put on the witness stand during the Noah Walker trial. During the cross-examination, the reader discovers why the protagonist was kicked out of the NYPD. In this part of the novel, we find out how Jenna resigned from her position and was being investigated for skimming money and drugs during an arrest of a drug dealer.
Another moment within the novel that mentions corruption is when one of the political powerhouses starts to blackmail the police chief.
Another theme explored in this novel is trust and honesty. Trust must be earned, and actions between the characters allow the protagonist to discover who she can trust.
Entertainment
While reading this story, I found it captivating how the author wrote from different characters’ points of view. At one point, the reader gets a glimpse at the murderer’s perspective, leaving the reader with many questions and goosebumps.
It is also intriguing how the plot allows for assumptions questioning whether the need to kill is genetic. The authors create many plot twists, and this one is the most entertaining, and it leaves the reader questioning whether generation after generation of men kill because it is in their bloodline.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it was a pleasure to read this novel. It kept us on the edge of our seats. It was packed with cliffhangers, plot twists and mysteries on mysteries. Not only did the reader get a glimpse of the protagonist’s point of view, but also the reader got a glimpse of the murderer’s. The themes of corruption and trust are found within this whole novel. Also, the reader can question whether murder is genetic. This book is mysteriously suspenseful and is a definite page-turner.
Therefore, with all these points examined from plot to entertainment, we grant The Murder House an impressive 5/5 stars.
Written by: Elisabeth McGovern
Edited by: Alexandre McGovern
Beginning to End Table Books 