The Summer House by James Patterson and Brendon DuBois

 

It's a horrific crime.  Seven people are found dead in a house in a small rural county.  Four men, two women and a two year old toddler girl.  Everyone's first thought was that it's drug related as several of the men are small time dealers.  But that theory is put to rest when four men are arrested and charged with the murder.  But not just any men; these are four of the Army's top Rangers.

With that, a crack Army investigative team is sent in to find out the truth.  The head of the group has returned from service in Afghanistan with an injured leg, his background in the NYC Police Department a plus.  His second in command is a woman plucked from the Virginia State Troopers.  There is another investigator from San Diego with a similar background.  The group is rounded out by a psychiatrist and a lawyer.  

As the team investigates, they notice a couple of things.  First up is the lack of cooperation they are encountering from everyone around, including the local police.  The second is that every witness they talk to is telling a lie but why are lies necessary if this is an open and shut case?  Finally, the four Rangers are not cooperating either; they start by refusing to talk to anyone and then in a surprise move, they admit to the crime.  What is going on?

This is a thriller that moves at a rapid pace.  The crime is intriguing but the victims are quickly lost as characters as the action moves on to the investigation.  The team that is put together would be interesting to hear more about but the reader does get a good view of the internal procedures of a military investigation.  This book is recommended for thriller readers.