Something has gone awry in Hollows Bend, New Hampshire… Deputy Matt Maro is enjoying a Sunday morning in town at the Stairway Diner on Main Street when it all starts. First, a stranger appears, completely naked and not saying a word. Then the chaos starts, as multiple crime scenes and the inexplicable behaviors of otherwise decent citizens have Matt and Sheriff Ellie Pritchett busier than they’ve ever been. After all, Hollows Bend has a crime rate of zero… until now. CONFESSIONS OF THE DEAD starts off almost like an apocalyptic horror movie. I had to put it aside a few times as some of the crimes being committed were just too overwhelming. Malcolm Mitchell, in particular, comes to mind as his crimes should come with trigger warnings about rape and torture. James Patterson and J.D. Barker do perhaps too good of a job at delving into the horrors lurking within Malcolm. Fortunately, we have intermittent transcripts from recordings between Special Agent Beatrice Sordello and Matt, where it’s clear that Sordello is representing some type of governmental-style agency. The transcripts are fascinating and thankfully broke up the horrors happening in Hollows Bend. In fact, the transcripts, as well as the analysis provided by a different but unnamed governmental official, start to provide some semblance of structure and sense as to exactly what the heck is going on. As to what is going on… oh boy, do James Patterson and J.D. Barker have a twisted tale up their collective sleeves! I thoroughly enjoyed their previous collaboration, THE NOISE, and CONFESSIONS OF THE DEAD, once you get past the nastiness and gore, is an incredibly clever story. It’s the kind of story that haunts you once you finish reading as even now I have questions and wonder… but that’s part of the cleverness of the story as a whole. CONFESSIONS OF THE DEAD is not your typical offering from James Patterson, perhaps because of the collaboration with J.D. Barker. Readers who like Patterson’s quick action style will find some familiarity within the pages, but be forewarned that the gore and sheer nastiness of what happens after the stranger arrives in town is both unsettling and downright disturbing. CONFESSIONS OF THE DEAD will appeal more to readers who like horror or apocalyptic tales as it’s very well-executed.