I Got You, Babe🥀
The brutal murders of four University of Idaho students in November 2022 shocked the nation and transformed the quiet college town of Moscow, Idaho, into the epicenter of a high-profile criminal case. Two major true-crime authors have now examined this tragedy, offering different perspectives on one of the most closely watched cases in recent memory.
The Case That Gripped America
Bryan Kohberger admitted to the killings of four University of Idaho students at his change of plea hearing on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, pleading guilty to all five counts, bringing an end to the lengthy legal proceedings that had captivated true-crime enthusiasts nationwide. The victims—Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, and Kaylee Goncalves—were stabbed to death in their off-campus home, leaving investigators with a complex puzzle that would take over a year to solve.
Timeline of Events
November 13, 2022: Four University of Idaho students are found dead in their home near campus
December 30, 2022: Bryan Kohberger arrested at his parents' home in Pennsylvania
January 2023: Kohberger charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary
May 2023: Kohberger waives his right to a speedy trial
July 2025: The agreement states Kohberger would plead guilty to felony burglary and four-counts of first-degree murder, avoiding the death penalty in exchange for life sentences
Two Literary Perspectives
J. Reuben Appleman's While Idaho Slept provides one of the first comprehensive examinations of the case, exploring the impact on the community and the investigative process. However, it's James Patterson's brand new book about Pennsylvania native Bryan Kohberger and the Idaho college murders that's generating fresh interest in the case.
James Patterson and Vicky Ward's new book released on Monday, July 14, 2025, The Idaho Four: An American Tragedy, reveals new details in the Idaho murders. Patterson, known for his prolific output and accessible writing style, brings his trademark approach to true crime, potentially reaching audiences who might not typically engage with this genre.
The Aftermath and Community Impact
The case has fundamentally altered Moscow, Idaho's place in the national consciousness. What was once known primarily as a college town is now permanently associated with this tragedy. The community has grappled with intense media scrutiny, online speculation, and the challenge of healing while remaining in the public eye.
After Bryan Kohberger accepted a plea deal for the murders of Ethan Chapin, his girlfriend Xana Kernodle as well as Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, parents shared their thoughts, highlighting how the case has affected multiple families beyond just the victims.
The Broader True Crime Phenomenon
The Idaho case exemplifies modern true crime's complex relationship with justice and entertainment. While books like Patterson's Idaho Four serve to document and analyze these events, they also reflect our society's ongoing fascination with criminal cases. The involvement of a high-profile author like Patterson ensures the story will reach an even wider audience, potentially keeping the victims' memories alive while also satisfying public curiosity on social media.
Looking Forward
The deal stipulates a life sentence for each murder, and up to 10 years for a related burglary charge, providing legal closure to a case that had been mired in delays and procedural issues. For the families of the victims and the Moscow community, the plea deal represents the end of a painful chapter, though the impact of these events will undoubtedly continue to resonate.
Both Appleman's and Patterson's works contribute to the historical record of this tragedy, ensuring that the story of the Idaho Four will be remembered not just as a criminal case, but as a human story about loss, justice, and the communities forever changed by violence.
