ARC Review: The First Scarlet Door by J.D. Barker
The First Scarlet Door
Series: 4MK Thrillers #4
Author: J.D. Barker
Narrators:
Michael Crouch
Piper Goodeve
To Be Published: TOMORROW, September 22, 2026
Paperback: 400 pages
Audiobook: 10 hours 41 minutes
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Read/ Listened To: September 6- 16, 2026
Jessica’s Rating: 4 stars
Book Description:
In the first of three prequels to New York Times bestselling author J.D. Barker’s wildly popular 4MK series…
Before he was known as the Four Monkey Killer, he was just a boy trying to survive.
Charleston, 1999. Fifteen-year-old Anson Bishop didn’t mean to kill—not the first time, anyway. Raised by parents who taught him that murder was simply survival, Anson thought he’d escaped his dark past when his home burned and his mother vanished with stolen mob money.
He was wrong.
Someone is hunting Charleston’s forgotten children—the runaways, the addicts, the ones no one will miss. When the few people Anson has come to care about vanish into the night, he discovers a truth more horrifying than anything his parents taught him: there are monsters in the world far worse than the one he sees in the mirror.
Behind a door the color of spilled blood waits a killer who has perfected his craft over two decades. To save his friends, Anson must walk through that scarlet door and face a monster. But in doing so, he may become something more dangerous than what awaits him on the other side.
Some doors, once opened, can never be closed.
Discover where it all began in the first of three prequels to New York Times bestselling author J.D. Barker’s wildly popular 4MK series.
Jessica’s Review:
J.D. Barker, where do you come up with the ideas for your books?!?!? I am a fan and I always look to see what your books are about when they are announced. I was excited to hear earlier this year that the first in a prequel series was coming out in 2026, and that it looks like we are getting closer to a 4MK television series! Being I complete audiobooks much quicker that physical or e-books I bought all of the original trilogy on audio and planned to listen to them before the prequel was released. And then I was fortunate to receive both an arc and alc of The First Scarlet Door!
If you ever wanted to see the evolution of a child to eventual serial killer, you must read these books! First, read the original trilogy, and then move on to The First Scarlet Door! In the original trilogy we do get some of Anson’s childhood through diary entries, but The First Scarlet Door is Anson’s story as a fifteen-year-old boy in 1999. With everything that Anson has gone through, its no surprise that he eventually becomes 4MK! He never stood a chance to be ‘normal’.
This is a dark, chilling, and horrific novel with what happens to these young children and teenagers. No one should go through everything that they endure, let alone these kids at their age! What is going to ultimately happen with these kids? This series is not for everyone with the graphic nature content involved. If you have even read one of the previous books then you know what you are getting yourself in for.
We are left with a cliffhanger ending and I just wonder how long we will have to wait on the next two novels in the series. And then of course, just what will happen next!?!?
I was excited to receive a package from J.D. Barker and his publisher Hampton Creek Press which consisted of the original trilogy in paperback, and an arc of The First Scarlet Door, some additional information and swag! Then as I started to read Scarlet Door, I saw the audiobook was narrated by Michael Crouch and Piper Goodeve. I was excited when I saw Crouch’s name attached and was overjoyed to be granted an advanced listening copy of the audiobook from RD Media/Recorded Books. Because of this I was able to go between reading and listening to the book! Both Crouch and Goodeve did a fabulous job.
As with the original trilogy, Scarlet Door is composed of short chapters that make putting this continuing story hard to put down! Again, how long do we have to wait for the next two novels?
J.D. Barker, what terrifying world will you take this reader/ listener of yours down next?!?!?!
Thank you again to J.D. Barker and his publishers for all the 4MK goodies I have received!
Pre-Order Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
If you have read just one of the books in this series, then you know what may be in this box! Be afraid, be very afraid…