Cross

Customer Reviews

• Saying goodbye to Alex Cross  Apr 23, 2007 (38 of 39 found this helpful)

  When I first heard that James Patterson had written a book about the biggest murder mystery of Alex Cross's life I couldn't wait to read it. I expected no less of Cross than any of his other books I couldn't help but enjoy.
  
  This book gave some much-needed background on Alex Cross and his wife Maria before she died. Many of the other books glaze over the subject. It was nice to be able to fill in the background of this story.
  
  Patterson also gave more of a spotlight to Cross's Grandmother and showed her as a real person with love and a lot more fear for Cross and his job than she ever showed in any of the other books. If you ask me she is the real hero of this series.
  
  When it became time for Cross to finally find the man that killed his wife the story line falls flat. I didn't find it a clever twist. I found the end so unbelievable. It didn't fit with anything that had happened.
  
  I have always admired Patterson for his ability to create suspense and this novel is no exception. The suspense isn't lacking, it's the conclusion I found out of sync with his usual level.
  

• Absolutely stupendous...  Nov 14, 2006 (76 of 91 found this helpful)

  I know why James Patterson is such a success and so will you when you read Cross, the latest Alex Cross novel. I came late to the series and have struggled to get caught up and I will eventually read the entire backlist. However, whether you're a old Patterson fan or Cross is you're first Patterson book, you're in for a treat.
  
  Suspensful, fast paced, and well crafted with little or no fat between the pages, Cross grabs your attention and holds it for the entire story. While Cross may be a little graphic for some readers, certainly the violence isn't gratuitous but an integral and necessary part of the story. And if you're used to Patterson's stories theres nothing here that will surprise you.
  
  Alex Cross has decided to put down his career and retire to just being a Dad. This decision doesn't last long however when he's asked to help nab Michael Sullivan, one of the worst serial rapists and professional killers to come a long in a while. Playing a game of "red light green light" Sullivan manages to lull his victims into a false sense of security. After he's finished with them all he has to do is show them pictures of some of his victims, a scalpel and that's that; end of discussion.
  
  Cross quickly links his wife's murder 13 years ago to Sullivan.
  
  At 393 pages you should be able to handle this book in a weekend if you haven't any interuptions.
  
  A terrific and memorable read.

• I'm a Little Cross Myself  May 14, 2007 (11 of 11 found this helpful)

  Having been a long-time fan of the Alex Cross series, I was eager to open up my copy of CROSS. A lot of what I love about the series and Patterson's writing were inside the pages of this book: short chapters, straight-to-the-point dialogue, a fast-moving plot. The only problem is that the plot, in general, left me wanting to yell at someone.
  
  I can overlook the fact that Alex Cross's wife apparently didn't die the way he had originally stated. I can even overlook the fact that after fourteen years and several other relationships (one that even ended in producing a son), Alex now seems obsessed with "getting over" his long-dead wife.
  
  What I couldn't overlook was the fact that with this book, besides being a detailed description of his wife's murder and Alex's new committment to finding her killer, there's not a whole lot else there. The Alex in this book is moody, melancholy, and totally anti-Alex Cross to the point that I wasn't even sure, halfway through the book, that I was reading about the same character.
  
  He's not the only one, though. His children, his friends, and even dear old Nana Mama are all acting out of character--and not in good ways.
  
  Sure, the "mystery and suspense" part of the story is a pretty good one. Patteron's writing style is always a welcome change to me.
  
  CROSS, though, is one Alex Cross story I could have done without.
  

• 3.5  Jan 11, 2007 (8 of 8 found this helpful)

  I might be in the minority, but I feel James Patterson has lost his edge. Maybe it is his goal to set a record for the most book co-authored; I don't know? This latest effort put forth a cool premise: to find the killer of Maria, Cross' wife. If you have read any of the Cross books, you will know that this has always been under the surface, referenced, but never specifically addressed.
  When Alex Cross is asked by his friend John Sampson, a Washington police detective, to help him look into several serial rapes in the D.C. area, he complies. As they begin to investigate, Cross becomes convinced that these incidents are related to Maria's death so many years ago. As his investigation brings him closer to the killer, he wonders if the killer's capture will bring him the long sought closure he desires.
  In the meanwhile, we get to see the inside of the killer's mind every other chapter and see him ply his warped trade.
  Ho Hum...is it just me are these books getting more predictable?
  Go back and read Jack & Jill and Cat & Mouse and see if you don't agree.

• Does He have a slicing complex?  May 16, 2007 (10 of 11 found this helpful)

  I didn't want to listen to this audio book, but my husband did. I think we could have stopped short by at least two or three, mutilations of the women he raped. We get it, we get it! The butcher is evil incarnate, with a scalpel in his hand. One of the latest Lindsey Boxer books had this theme of slicing faces, too. What's up Mr. Patterson? No other stories to tell??? I love how in all his books, whether it is Cross or Boxer, they always are meeting the most evil, vile human life form they have ever seen before, in each novel. I hate gratuitous violence. Tell a story, for crying out loud. Subtle is good. Bludgeoning the reader is Bad.