James Patterson Shines Spotlight on Victims in “The Idaho Four”
Hey, have you heard about James Patterson’s latest book? It’s called The Idaho Four: An American Tragedy , co-written with investigative journalist Vicky Ward, and it’s already making waves. What’s really striking about this one is how the victims—the four University of Idaho students tragically killed in November 2022—are brought to the forefront, rather than the killer.
The book was published on July 14, just a couple of weeks after Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of the murders, shocked everyone by pleading guilty. Initially, Patterson and Ward had written the preface assuming Kohberger would stand trial in August 2025, and the first editions even say, “Of course, he is innocent until proven guilty.” Well, that’s no longer the case. Now, readers encounter a story of guilt confirmed—but Patterson’s work didn’t miss a beat. If there’s an author capable of shrugging off such a sudden change in real-life events, it’s him. After all, he’s written more than 200 novels, including 114 bestsellers.
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What makes this book really compelling is how the victims—Kaylee Goncalves, Maddie Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin—are portrayed. Ward conducted 320 interviews to piece together their lives, personalities, and connections, even though she and Patterson never knew them personally. Xana Kernodle, for instance, is described as bright, cheerful, and determined to live generously, which makes her bond with the ever-smiling Ethan Chapin feel authentic. The book spends the first 66 pages building these portraits so that when Kohberger enters their lives in the predawn hours with a knife, the tragedy hits with full emotional weight.
There are also haunting personal touches, like a recurring nightmare experienced by the victims’ friend Emily Alandt, which suggests that Maddie Mogen might have been the intended target. It’s one of the few attempts to make sense of a senseless crime, and Ward explains it’s a theory that resonates with those who knew the students.
Beyond the crime itself, the book explores Kohberger’s troubled past, from his brief heroin addiction to battles with “visual snow” and anger issues. But the heart of the story remains the victims, highlighted even more powerfully by Alivea Goncalves, Kaylee’s eldest sister. In court, she delivered a devastating statement to Kohberger, emphasizing the kindness and mercy her sister and friends would have shown him—an insight that underscores the loss and humanity at the core of this tragedy.
This version keeps it conversational, uses some passive voice naturally, and emphasizes the victims while explaining the timeline and context.
If you want, I can also make a slightly punchier, TV-style script version that’s perfect for speaking aloud in under 4 minutes. Do you want me to do that next?
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