Frank H. (perryfran) reviewed on 6/3/2016 + 1176 more book reviews

This is the third Patterson book I've read that was co-authored by David Ellis. The first, Invisible was a really good thriller that I enjoyed a lot; however, the second, Mistress was in my opinion one of the worst of Patterson's novels. So I wasn't sure whether The Murder House would be a hit or a miss...well fortunately it was a hit! A real page-turner of a mystery that held my attention from start to finish.

The focus of this thriller is a two-centuries-old, mostly abandoned, creepy house located at No. 7 Ocean Drive in the Hamptons where over the years the owners have committed a string of horrendous murders. Former NYPD detective, Jenna Murphy, is recently hired by her uncle, Landon James, the police chief of Bridgehampton, after Jenna resigned from her position with the NYPD because of being charged with "skimming" evidence (cash and drugs). When Jenna arrives in Bridgehampton, she starts having nightmares about something that happened when she was a little girl. She comes to associate these nightmares with "The Murder House" and something dreadful that occurred there. Then she becomes involved in an investigation into the brutal murders of a Hollywood mogul and his girlfriend whose butchered bodies were discovered in the mansion. Soon other similar murders occur leading Jenna to believe that a serial killer is on the loose. However, one of the townspeople is arrested for the first murders in a seemingly open and shut case. But did he really commit the crimes?

This one kept me guessing as to who the murderer was right up until the end. Patterson/Ellis developed their characters well and kept me turning the pages. One of the best of Patterson's stand alone novels that I would recommend.

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