The Idaho Four: An American Tragedy

"A vivid portrait ... a sensitive tribute ... a paean to youth, community, and the tenacity of local law enforcement." --New York Times

"This is much more than a true crime book. It's a vivid exploration of the range of human response when faceless terror strikes. It's a portrait of America in this polarized moment." --Town & Country

The Idaho Four, an instant #1 New York Times bestseller, chronicles the story that began on November 13, 2022, in Moscow, Idaho. In the dark early hours, the lives of four friends and college students were cut short by unspeakable violence. The book--now featuring a newly reported conclusion--is an exploration of a complex criminal investigation and its devastating aftermath. It is a timeless portrait of the worst and best in us.

"Clearest profile yet of the twisted quadruple killer and his motives." --New York Post

"Perhaps the definitive account of the murders--a disturbing, necessary portrait of a killer and his victims." --Guardian

Author: James Patterson,Vicky Ward
Publisher: Little Brown and Company
Published: 05/26/2026
Pages: 480
Binding Type: Paperback
Size: 8.00h x 5.25w x 1.12d
ISBN13: 9781538766521
ISBN10: 1538766523
BISAC Categories:
- True Crime | Murder | Mass Murder
- Social Science | Violence in Society
- Social Science | Criminology

About the Author
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 has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, Michael Crichton, and Viola Davis, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
Vicky Ward is a New York Times bestselling author, a magazine columnist, and an investigative reporter. She is the author of the bestselling books The Liar's Ball, The Devil's Casino, and Kushner, Inc. The Idaho Four is her first book with James Patterson. Read her Substack newsletter, "Vicky Ward Investigates," at vickywardinvestigates.com.