The Idaho Four: An American Tragedy

How does the authors’ choice to write much of The Idaho Four in the present tense shape readers’ experience of time, suspense, and empathy?

In what ways does Patterson and Ward’s structural choice of short, fast-paced chapters mimic or appeal to contemporary audiences’ engagement with media?

Consider the thematic tension between grief and spectacle. How do the authors portray the victims and their families in contrast to the media frenzy and online fascination with the case? Does the book counteract or contribute to the commodification of this tragedy?