The Idaho FourThe Idaho Four
What it's about
The murders of four students at the University of Idaho in 2022 left the country with questions. After more than 300 interviews, James Patterson and journalist Vicky Ward tell the story of the victims, the investigation and the accused.
Why it's worth reading
It spent 2 weeks at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and was a Goodreads Choice Awards finalist.
You'll love it if you liked
I'll Be Gone in the Dark
In Cold Blood
Ghettoside: Investigating a Homicide EpidemicGood to know
It's true crime about recent events, so it can be painful for those close to the case.
By the numbers
- Readers53 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller38 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
Why it made the list
Reads as
True story, Gripping, Dark
If you like this, read next
The Correspondent
The Housemaid
Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty
Remarkably Bright Creatures
The Tainted Cup
The Frozen RiverExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is The Idaho Four worth reading?
Yes. It spent 2 weeks at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and was a Goodreads Choice Awards finalist. It ranks #1,744 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 66.1 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Idaho Four about?
The murders of four students at the University of Idaho in 2022 left the country with questions. After more than 300 interviews, James Patterson and journalist Vicky Ward tell the story of the victims, the investigation and the accused.
How long does it take to read The Idaho Four?
About 10 hours (400 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Idaho Four?
If you liked it, try I'll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara, In Cold Blood by Truman Capote or Ghettoside: Investigating a Homicide Epidemic by Jill Leovy.