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203rd out of 863 books
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757 voters
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Pop Goes the Weasel (Alex Cross, #5) (Alex Cross #5)
by
James Patterson (Goodreads Author)
Alex Cross's pursuit of a killer has quickly produced a suspect--a British diplomat named Geoffrey Shaffer. However proving that Shaffer is the murderer is a difficult challenge. The diplomat engages in a brilliant series of surprising countermoves, in court and out, and Cross and his fiance soon become the targets of a deadly cabal of killers.
Mass Market Paperback, 461 pages
Published
October 1st 2000
by Warner Vision
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This dark & gritty unabridged audiobook was the perfect choice for a dreary, misty morning ride to work. This was my first glimpse into the world of Alex Cross and once I finished this book I realized I've been missing out on some potentially excellent reads. Most hardboiled mysteries are too dry for my tastes and my mind starts drifting away but this one hooked me from the beginning with its attention to characterization and the emotional affects of crime on the victims left behind.
T...more
T...more
James Patterson- Pop Goes the Weasel (Warner Books 2000) 3.75 Stars
Alex Cross is finally engaged, and yes it is to Christine! Cross is after British diplomat Geoffrey Shafer, a serial killer having fun while playing a deadly game of dice. For the first time we see Cross in court trying to prove Shafer’s guilt, which may not be as easy as it seems. The two go back and forth moving and counter-moving, all in the effort to gain control of the situation.
Once again I enjoyed A...more
Alex Cross is finally engaged, and yes it is to Christine! Cross is after British diplomat Geoffrey Shafer, a serial killer having fun while playing a deadly game of dice. For the first time we see Cross in court trying to prove Shafer’s guilt, which may not be as easy as it seems. The two go back and forth moving and counter-moving, all in the effort to gain control of the situation.
Once again I enjoyed A...more
Years ago, I gave up on Patterson after reading 1/5 of this book. I suppose seeing the author's name on the new release shelf 365 days a year makes it difficult to ignore him, and I decided to give this book another try. The first time was in audio form, which seems to highlight the worst traits of James Patterson - this being the inane dialog and the totally unbelievable villains. Seriously, I've read graphic novels and other comic books with more lifelike villains than Geoffrey Shaffer (AKA...more
I'll skip the synopsis. Honestly, James Patterson DOES what he's supposed to, and that's to craft a gripping, thrilling read and this story SOMEWHAT delivers. It's less than superior to other Alex Cross novels. I feel that (after reading a few Cross mysteries) most of these villains (The Wolf, The Mastermind, The Weasel, etc.) feel the same way. They're cardboard. Colonel Geoffrey Shafer (aka The Weasel) is somewhat developed, although he still (for some reason, in my opinion) moves stiffly. I f...more
I could not get past page 12 before I wanted to hurl this piece of drivel down a well then toss a rock after it to prevent it's accidental discovery.
I didn't know it was possible to create such horrible sterotypes and to write with this level of immaturity.
Maybe I should have read further, but after hearing the young black kid actually say, "Yo, yo, yo" I had to find better things to do with my time.
I didn't know it was possible to create such horrible sterotypes and to write with this level of immaturity.
Maybe I should have read further, but after hearing the young black kid actually say, "Yo, yo, yo" I had to find better things to do with my time.
This book was everything I expected it to be: fast-moving, gripping plot, etc. But that was about it, which is exactly why I picked this book up in the first place. I don't read Patterson to be wowed by literary structure or character depth; I read Patterson because I want fluff that I can read in 3 days or less.
I do wish he'd leave out some of the details. They aren't well written, and I found myself skipping entire pages - sometimes chapters - because I didn't feel like they...more
I do wish he'd leave out some of the details. They aren't well written, and I found myself skipping entire pages - sometimes chapters - because I didn't feel like they...more
Book 5 of the Alex Cross series! This time Alex Cross is dealing with a serial killer named Geoffrey Shafer who breaks the law but claims diplomatic immunity. Cross knows Shafer is guilty of greater crimes than speeding, like the murder of one of his colleagues, Patsy Hampton, but when they take it to a court of law, the slimeball gets off. The suspense of the novel is hightened when Cross's fiancee is kidnapped when they are on a vacation with Cross's family in Bermuda. Once Cross uncovers ...more
Kristyanna
rated it
·
review of another edition
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
mystery/thriller/suspense readers
Detective Alex Cross investigates the murders of "Jane Does" which seem random to most investigators. Geoffry Shafer is a serial killer who picks his victims by playing a role playing game called The Four Horsemen. A simple role of the dice will determine if that person will live or die. Anyone can be a player in the game without realizing it including his own family.
As much as I do love the Alex Cross series so far, I am getting frustrated with how each serial killer tha...more
As much as I do love the Alex Cross series so far, I am getting frustrated with how each serial killer tha...more
Pop Goes The Weasel was okay. Well, it's actually pretty good, but Patterson's plots all start to blur into each other after a while, and there was nothing very exceptional about this book.
I know Patterson's written some novels under the romance genre, but the romance in the Alex Cross series wasn't really handled very well. Plus the fact that the plot spanned about a year, but it didn't feel like there was time between events: (view spoiler)...more
I know Patterson's written some novels under the romance genre, but the romance in the Alex Cross series wasn't really handled very well. Plus the fact that the plot spanned about a year, but it didn't feel like there was time between events: (view spoiler)...more
What isn't there to like about the characters in James Patterson's books? A lot. Everytime I read the stories and get to know the characters, I'm so glad there are detectives like Alex Cross and his friend and co-worker Sampson around to to protect us. Diplomatic immunity - that's what the main character, Geoffry Schafer hides behind, or so we think. The Four Horseman - a stupid game - or is it? When does fantasy cross over into reality? A few unexpected twists and turns made the reading i...more
I actually liked this book better than the other ones I have read by James Patterson.
The fifth installment of the amazing series doesn't disappoint, if anything it makes me want to get back into the complex lives of these strong characters the moment that last page is turned. These books have a tendency of sucking me in hard and fast and making my mind wander around the story line even when I'm not reading it. I think there are sixteen or so books now in this series and I am always trying my best not to peak at what they are about, spoilers galore can happen, so I try my best to...more
This was a good book. For the most part it is fast paced and uses a number of characters going through a lot of different situations. There are characters from all over the world and there is a bit of globe trotting by the characters. A few aspects seemed to drag out longer than they should have. It was interesting to see Alex Cross rattled like never before. Once again Patterson flirts with the unbelievable but manages to keep the story interesting. These flings keep the books from gettin...more
OMG, this was truly painful to read. The dialogue was horrible. The characters had no depth and, quite frankly, were not at all believable. The author inserted a lot of details that added nothing to the story. I found that I could skip several pages at a time and not miss any of the plot. If this was the author's first book with this character or his first book period, I might give him a second chance. Since it's the fifth Alex Cross book, I can't see them improving.
I thought this book was amazing. I would recommend it to anyone who likes detective stories. But this book isn't like those sherlock holmes detective stories. This book is a lot better. It can be gruesome at times, but it's still great. It made me think about how there are things in life that are like it says in the book. I think James Patterson did a great job with this book and making it as close to the real thing. Though i don't think i would want something like this to happen here. Some thin...more
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In the past I had cherry picked the books in the Alex Cross series to read and then recently I decided to start with the first one and work my way through the series. I am so glad that I did (even if it means re-reading some of the books). Not only are the main characters constant throughout the series, but many of the "bad" guys return with cameos or are referred to in later books. Don't get me wrong, you can definitely pick up any book in the series and have an enjoyable read, but...more
Patterson's books are fast-paced and page-turners. I really like the characters of Alex Cross and his partner, John Sampson.
Back Cover Blurb:
Georffrey Shafer: a man who never loses, he is prepared to play the game of games for the highest stakes of all.
Alex Cross: senior homicide detective, he is determined, whatever the consequences, to unmask the man he has nicknamed the weasel, the prime suspect for a spate of killings Cross has been forbidden to investigate.
Back Cover Blurb:
Georffrey Shafer: a man who never loses, he is prepared to play the game of games for the highest stakes of all.
Alex Cross: senior homicide detective, he is determined, whatever the consequences, to unmask the man he has nicknamed the weasel, the prime suspect for a spate of killings Cross has been forbidden to investigate.
Another Alex Cross book. Quick read and candy for my brain. I like the book but hated Geoffry Shaeffer for using diplomatic immunity for all of the laws he broke (speeding, parking tickets, murders). How horrible! What a horrible fantasy game too that became real life. I must say that Alex is pretty unlucky in love too - this woman that he falls in love with is kidnapped and missing for over a year. I wonder how psychological damaged she is going to be in future books. Eek!
Liz
rated it
Recommends it for:
james patterson fans
Recommended to Liz by:
self
Shelves:
nook-book,
mystery-suspense
Another quick paced novel from Patterson in the alex cross series. Brutal murders are occurring all over the DC area, mainly it is young prostitutes. It is a role playing game played by the four horsemen, Death however has taken it beyond a game, and is living out his fantasy murders. While alex is trying to catch the weasel, his fiance christine goes missing and disappears for over a year while they were on vacation. all alex wants to do is get christine back and come face to face with the ...more
his one really kept on the edge of my seat. Alex Cross is trying to solve murders of Jane Doe's that on one else cares about. The problem the murderer is not just sticking to poor girls from the neighborhood, but branching out. Now the pressure is on for Alex Cross to find the murderer before it goes global. Each book, the bad guys just get more evil, and smarter. It is really a great series.
This book series is like cotton candy for me. You just love it and when you see it around you've got to have some of it. But the analogy holds true on the down side: not much substance, too much of it'll make you sick, and if you've tasted one you've tasted all. If you've read many of the other Alex Cross books then you know what to expect as the formula pretty much sticks.
Of course James Patterson has done it again. I missed reading this book in sequence - so I was always wondering what happend to Christine that she had changed her mind about marrying Alex - well this book told the story. I didn't realize how much diplomatic immunity could protect you. How someone could make murder part of a game was portrayed so well in this book.
Would recommend this book to anyone who is a James Patterson fan.
Would recommend this book to anyone who is a James Patterson fan.
A series of murders have occured in the DC area. The Jane Does since the women are left without identification. Detective Alex Cross is determined to find out who are behind these murders and connect them.
He is warned to stay away. While refusing, his fiance' is taken without a trace.
Will he find the murderer? With all the time that passes will he find Christine.
Good book
He is warned to stay away. While refusing, his fiance' is taken without a trace.
Will he find the murderer? With all the time that passes will he find Christine.
Good book
Mike
added it
James Patterson just doesn't let you breathe, again, in this thriller. Facing a mass murderer that is flying below the radar and finally allowing himself to fall in love make this an excellent mystery. This escapade follows his intense dealings with "Mr. Smith" - and throws him 'back into the fire' with the forces of evil. Role playing games (RPG) are involved in this book.
Political operatives from the intelligence world who play what if games suddenly go off rail and play their own games. The governments of the world set this lunatics up and now Alex Cross has to clean up their mess. Another potboiler from Patterson. While writing about Cross brings out the good author in Patterson, his other books leave me cold, but these always please.
I picked this book up at my sister-in-laws while visiting in Colorado and finished it in two days. Its one of those page turners that you can't put down. Its always fun to read something that moves really fast and is exciting if not a little gory and graphic. I guess I'll have to stuff a couple of books in my suitcase. It doesn't look like I can stop reading.
Though I admire Patterson's gift to create such likable characters as the Cross family and Sampson, on re-reading this I wasn't terribly impressed. The story felt long, and even at its ending is wide open for a sequel (which exists, I believe). And sometimes Patterson gets terribly bogged down in details--I don't need to know the exact maker of a suit to picture it. The alternating narratives (3rd with Schafer, the villian, 1st with Cross) help move the story, but it erases the bonding that c...more
After picking this off the shelf at the cottage (the only book that wasn't a Harlequin romance novel) and giving it a quick read, my gut instinct has been proven right.
James Patterson books (at least this one) just don't do it for me. Shallow characters, predictable plot, "surpise" ending, blah, blah, blah.
James Patterson books (at least this one) just don't do it for me. Shallow characters, predictable plot, "surpise" ending, blah, blah, blah.
Back to my favorite genre and enjoying it! Nothing earth-shattering to learn or glean from this book, quite the contrary (the villian is a monster!) but just a great thriller with lots of twists and turns to keep you going. A little too gory at points, but all in all a fun(if you can call it that) read.
Again wish I could give half star, 3.5 would be about right. Detective Alex Cross investigates the murders of seemingly random people. It turns out the murderer is playing a game called "the four horsemen" and a roll of the dice decides who will live or die. This is not deep writing but a quick read.
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The subject of a Time magazine feature called, "The Man Who Can't Miss," James Patterson is the bestselling author of the past year, bar none, with more than 16 million books sold in North America alone. In 2007, one of every fifteen hardcover fiction books sold was a Patterson title. In the past three years, James has sold more books than ...more
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Offical UK Site
The subject of a Time magazine feature called, "The Man Who Can't Miss," James Patterson is the bestselling author of the past year, bar none, with more than 16 million books sold in North America alone. In 2007, one of every fifteen hardcover fiction books sold was a Patterson title. In the past three years, James has sold more books than ...more
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