Triple Cross by James Patterson (Alex Cross #30)

 Synopsis

Detective Alex Cross hunts down a serial killer who’s murdering entire families—and who will next be coming for Cross.

A methodical killer is targeting multigenerational families in and around Washington, DC—striking under cover of darkness, triggering no alarms, leaving no physical evidence of any kind.  

Alex isn’t the only one investigating. Also on the case is a charismatic true-crime author who sees patterns the detectives miss. 

The writer calls “The Family Man” a perfect crime story. Alex knows there is no perfect crime—the investigation should never become the story. Unless the ending falls somewhere between fact and fiction.

PHEW! If you read my review of the previous book in this series, 'Fear No Evil', you saw that I was disappointed in not fully enjoying an Alex Cross novel. 

In comes Triple Cross! And it more than made up for the poor experience I had with #29. 

Around DC, Alex Cross and his long-time partner John Sampson are trying to solve "The Family Man" murders. A ruthless killer is slipping into family homes at night, murdering them all, and slipping out while leaving zero evidence or trace of his existence (outside of the crime scene) behind. 

Bree is spending time in New York City on contract to figure out the secrets behind a large fashion company and trying to dig up the skeletons they've left behind. 

While all of this is going on, a big-name true-crime writer contacts Alex and John trying to get the scoop on the Family Man for his next novel. They have to deal with this distraction and figure out if this energetic author is responsible in some way. He HAS gotten super close to many criminal investigations and always seems to find new clues. 

'Triple Cross' was a wild ride from start to finish and had notes of the wonderful family dynamic that we have all come to love about the Cross Family. This book was fast-paced and remained interesting until the last page. 

5/5 Stars

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Fear No Evil (Alex Cross #29) by James Patterson

Synopsis

Alex Cross enters the final showdown with the relentless killer who has stalked him and his family for years.​

Dr. Alex Cross and Detective John Sampson venture into the rugged Montana wilderness—where they will be the prey. They’re not on the job, but on a personal mission. 

Until they’re attacked by two rival teams of assassins, controlled by the same mastermind who has stalked Alex and his family for years. 

Darkness falls. The river churns into rapids. Shots ring out through the forest. 

No backup. No way out. Fear no evil. 

Another installment in the Alex Cross series! Unfortunately, this one didn't really do it for me like most of the others have. 

The parts that were most interesting to me were when it flashed to Bree on her new job assignment in Paris. I love to see her character going down a different path from where she had been with DC Metro. 

Other than that, Alex and John were being hunted down by rival groups. But it didn't make much sense to me that they would be coming after them as hard as they were. And a lot of that storyline seemed to . . . out there and unrealistic to me. Even for a fiction novel. 

I was also angry that John's dream vacation got ruined. 

This was a book I just powered through because I care about the characters. It definitely wasn't a gem in the Alex Cross series. 

3/5 stars

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Deadly Cross (Alex Cross #28) by James Patterson

Synopsis

A scandalous double homicide in the nation's capital opens the psychological case files on . . . Detective Alex Cross.

Until Kay Willingham's shocking murder inside a luxury limousine, the Georgetown socialite, philanthropist, and ex-wife of the sitting vice-president led a public life. Yet few -- including her onetime psychologist -- had any inkling of Kay's troubled past in the Deep South.

Murdered alongside her is Randall Christopher, a respected educator whose political ambitions may have endangered both their lives. While John Sampson of DC Metro Police tracks Randall's final movements, Alex Cross and FBI Special Agent Ned Mahoney travel to Alabama to investigate Kay's early years.

They discover that although Kay had many enemies, all of them needed her alive. Alex is left without a viable suspect, and facing a desperate choice between breaking a trust and losing his way -- as a detective, and as the protector of his family.

A crime that reaches across so many different states with connections to many high-profile characters - including Alex Cross himself. 

Deadly Cross was one of those series installments that pulls you in right from the beginning and doesn't let go until you race through the pages. It featured a truly baffling crime that had so many potential suspects. And it kept me guessing until the very end. What a ride!

And we get a new level of character development for Bree Cross, which is always fun. If you enjoy the Alex Cross series, I can almost guarantee you'll enjoy this book. 

5/5 Stars

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Criss Cross by James Patterson (Alex Cross #27)

Synopsis:

In a Virginia penitentiary, Alex Cross and his partner, John Sampson, witness the execution of a killer they helped convict. Hours later, they are called to the scene of a copycat crime. A note signed "M" rests on the corpse. "You messed up big time, Dr. Cross."

Was an innocent man just put to death? Alex soon realizes he may have much to answer for, as "M" lures the detective out of the capital to the sites of multiple homicides, all marked with distressingly familiar details -- details that conjure up decades-old cases. Details that conjure up Cross family secrets. Details that make clear that M is after a prize so dear that -- were the killer to attain it -- Alex's heart would no longer have reason to beat.

This was a fun read! Not only is it always great to jump back into the Alex Cross universe and spend time with that family, but the story was intriguing and terrifying and kept the pages turning.

We also get to see Alex go almost a bit rogue now that he’s mostly an advisor and working just in this psychologist business. You can never take the action away from the Cross family though.

I feel like Criss Cross was unique in that almost every single character in the book had a major role. Of course the standouts were Alex, John, and Bree. But, the kids had a bigger role. And, Nana Mama was sassy as ever.

SPOILERS AHEAD:

M is a huge project for Alex to solve, and I guess we will have to wait for the next book to see if he does!

5/5 Stars

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The People vs. Alex Cross by James Patterson

Synopsis:

This time it's Alex Cross on trial.

Alex Cross is on the wrong side of the law. Serving a suspension from the force while he awaits trial for murder, Cross has been branded as a trigger-happy cop, another bad apple walking the streets with a gun, an accusation that Cross will do anything to refute. To make himself feel useful again, Cross opens a counseling office in the basement of his home. When his former partner Sampson shows up needing his help, Cross jumps at the chance, even if it may end up costing him what's left of his career. When a string of young, blonde women go missing, the investigation leads Cross and Sampson to the most depraved, darkest corners of the internet. Struggling to prove his own innocence and uncover the truth lurking online, Cross must risk everything to save his most at-risk patient of all...himself.

There was a whole lot going on in this book. Alex Cross was on trial for murder while there was a massive case going on involving the dark web and some demented person wanting to kill blonde women.

As most Cross books go, there were a lot of unbelievable twists and turns, but they’re written for entertainment purposes, not to be hyper-realistic. Once you get over that bit, it was a good read – although very disturbing. The Dark Web is very real, and things like this happen, which just makes your stomach turn.

Once I became hyper-aware that this was the 25^th book in the series, I started thinking about the formula they all follow. All of the cases are different, and Alex’s personal story certainly progresses throughout the series, but most of the books are pretty much the same. There’s still something that keeps me coming back. I’m invested in the characters and the family.

The older Ali gets, the better his character gets. He has such a personality that it has almost rejuvenated the series in a way, even though it never really died. He is just very youthful and his character is full of promise. I honestly wouldn’t be surprised to see a spin-off series at some point following his life story.

The People vs. Alex Cross was an engaging book, and there were some interesting technological aspects to it. If you are this far into the Alex Cross series, you have to keep going. If you haven’t started it, I would highly recommend it for any crime novel lovers.

It was also nice to see Alex get back into the therapy game. I will be more interested in this going forward too.

4/5 Stars

Memorable Quote: “I smiled and gazed beyond the breaking waves to the sea and the far horizon, feeling that these kinds of moments, these small triumphs, were more than enough to keep me working for the good in the world despite all the dark webs I’d been thrust into over the course of my life.”

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Cross Kill by James Patterson

Synopsis:

Alex Cross, I'm coming for you--even from the grave if I have to.

Along Came a Spider killer Gary Soneji has been dead for over ten years. Alex Cross watched him die. But today, Cross saw him gun down his partner. Is Soneji alive? A ghost? Or something even more sinister?

Nothing will prepare you for the wicked truth.

So, with 2 bookshots read, I have liked a total of 0 of them. Yeah, it was nice to read about the Cross family again, but that’s about it.

Just like with Zoo 2, this book felt so POINTLESS. Warning, spoilers coming right now –

Soneji isn’t even alive. All this book did was make you think he was, but then just unearthed his fan group.

The only reason Sampson got shot is so that this book would sell copies. Any fan of the Cross series will like John and they will want to know what happens.

This book felt purely like a money grab. It added nothing to the series. It didn’t progress it at all, and I was bored and disappointed. Again.

SIGH.

1/5 stars

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Alex Cross, Run by James Patterson

Synopsis:

DON'T LOOK, ALEX CROSS Top plastic surgeon Elijah Creem is renowned for his skills in the operating room, and for his wild, no-expense-spared "industry parties," bringing in underage exotic dancers and models for nights of drugs, champagne, and uninhibited sex. That is, until Detective Alex Cross busts one of Creem's lavish soirees and ruins his fun. Now Creem is willing to do anything to avoid going to jail. DON'T THINK, ALEX CROSS But Alex doesn't have time to dwell on that case. A beautiful woman has been found murdered in her car, a lock of her hair viciously ripped off. Then a second woman is found hanging from a sixth-floor window with a brutal scar slashed across her stomach. When a third mutilated body is discovered, rumors of three serial killers on the loose send Washington D.C. into an all-out frenzy. JUST RUN Alex is under so much pressure to solve these three grim cases that he hasn't noticed that someone else investigating him-someone so obsessed and so twisted that they'll do anything-ANYTHING- to get the vengeance they require.

This book was full of action. There were cases to solve left and right, but most of them were connected. Alex has three men to take down in this one before things spiral way too out of control.

I think this book was a lot better than the previous entry in the series. The bad guys were more interesting and it moved at a faster pace. There were also no terrorism sub-plots, which has left me disinterested for a bit in the last couple books.

The crime scenes were unique and reminded me of earlier cross books all at the same time. They were gruesome but psychologically interesting.

This one definitely kept me turning the page and wanting more. I can’t believe I am nearly caught up on this series!

4/5 stars

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