Review: 'The Country Road Murders' by James Patterson and Mike Lupica

I used to be an avid reader of James Patterson thrillers. But let’s face it: we all know he doesn’t actually write most of those co-authored books. He creates an outline, hands it off to a chosen author, and voilà, a new title pops up on the shelf. Last year, I finally decided to break the cycle of mindless buying; after all, those hefty tomes were gathering dust on a forgotten closet shelf. Over the years, Patterson’s plots have descended into a tangle of clichés and predictability, and my interest has evaporated. I was buying his books out of sheer habit—a bad one at that.

So, this year, I took the plunge and purged nearly my entire Patterson collection, keeping only a select few titles that I actually enjoyed or planned to read someday. But here I am, reviewing The Country Road Murders. Why, you ask? Well, I received an audiobook from NetGalley, courtesy of Little, Brown & Company, so I wasn’t forking over my cash this time. Honestly, I can’t quite pinpoint why I chose to listen to this particular audiobook. The co-author, Mike Lupica, doesn’t exactly inspire my confidence; in my opinion, he is a horrible writer. Perhaps all I wanted was background noise to fill the void. Whatever my reasoning, it took me forever to wade through this nearly 11-hour slog.

Let’s get into the plot, or rather, the rambling overview that masquerades as one. The story revolves around Silas Tucker, a quintessential North Carolina good ol’ boy, raised by his grandmother after his father met a tragic and still-unsolved end. Silas was the pride of Cross Rivers High School, a football star who continued his ascension as a quarterback in college, even landing a spot on an NFL team. Life seemed perfect until a fateful mistake that cost a friend his life and left Silas with a shattered future. After a series of surgeries and grueling self-reflection, Silas returns to Cross Rivers, a town teetering on the edge of its murky past.

Cross Rivers isn’t the idyllic hometown it once seemed. This little Southern town has its share of questionable deaths, missing girls, and the looming shadow of a mafia crime ring. The past is a persistent ghost, and Silas must confront its horrors head-on, all while piecing together the mystery of his father’s death.

Now, the premise might glimmer with intrigue in my brief synopsis, but it was a straight-up bore. What could’ve been a gripping murder thriller feels more like a drawn-out character study of a not-so-bright young athlete, a prodigal son trapped in a cycle of mediocrity. Gaps of endless dialogue and hardly any real action stretch the story thin. It's an 11-hour meander that feels more like punishment than entertainment.

Tom Pelphrey (Banshee, Ozark, and Outer Range) is the voice of this audiobook, and I must say, he is its lifeline. With a rich, slow Southern drawl, he breathes life into Silas Tucker and the cast of characters. The audio production quality is good, so no complaints there. But the dialogue? Oh, that’s where the wheels come off the cart. Yes, I get it; we’re in North Carolina, immersed in country-speak. But some of the conversations seemed so woefully simplistic that I found myself hitting the pause button repeatedly, groaning at the inanity of it all. It pushed me to the brink of quitting, yet somehow, I powered through to the bitter end.

I know there are die-hard Patterson fans out there who will shower The Country Road Murders with high praise despite its glaring shortcomings. And honestly, that’s fine if you enjoy it; to each their own. But I certainly didn’t find much joy here. I will say this: Tom Pelphrey's narration was a saving grace, and I'd gladly listen to another audiobook guided by his voice. However, as for James Patterson, I think I’ve finally reached the end of my road with him... at least for now. ╌★★½✰✰

Please consider supporting future reviews on this blog by purchasing The Country Road Murders as an audiobook ^[*], the hardcover ^[*], or a Kindle eBook ^[*].

〜B.J. Burgess

Disclosure: I received a free review copy from NetGalley. This post contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. [*]