Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Cross (Alex Cross #12)

by James Patterson (Goodreads Author), Peter J. Fernandez, Jay O. Sanders

3.95 of 5 stars 3.95 · rating details · 25,663 ratings · 1,116 reviews

The #1 bestselling novel that inspired the major new motion picture Alex Cross starring Tyler Perry.
Alex Cross was a rising star in the Washington, DC, Police Department when an unknown shooter gunned down his wife, Maria, in front of him. The killer was never found, and the case turned cold, filed among the unsolved drive-bys in D.C.'s rough neighborhoods.

Years later, sti...more

ebook, 332 pages

Published November 13th 2006 by Little, Brown and Company (first published 2006)

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Add this book to your favorite list »

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 3,000)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Apr 03, 2013 Gavin rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: pulp-detective-spy

James Patterson owes Hollywood a debt of gratitude. If it wasn't for the movie version of this book, I would not be writing this review. In fact, if it wasn't for this movie, I would not have read the past three Cross novels, ever. I am not a fan of James Patterson. His writing is beyond abominable. (This will come as no surprise to those of you that have read my previous reviews of Patterson's Cross series.) But Patterson does have one redeeming quality: he has a storyteller's heart. The action...more James Patterson owes Hollywood a debt of gratitude. If it wasn't for the movie version of this book, I would not be writing this review. In fact, if it wasn't for this movie, I would not have read the past three Cross novels, ever. I am not a fan of James Patterson. His writing is beyond abominable. (This will come as no surprise to those of you that have read my previous reviews of Patterson's Cross series.) But Patterson does have one redeeming quality: he has a storyteller's heart. The action was frenetic and fierce; the set pieces continuously changed; and the characters were only slightly annoying when it came to dialogue. If I'm being really honest, I would prefer no dialogue in Patterson's novels at all. Okay. I'm done ragging on Patterson. I should probably take it easy, the man does have 76 bestsellers to his name.

The plot of ALEX CROSS is twisted, to say the least. Cross is determined to hunt down a man known as The Butcher. (view spoiler) This villainous monstrosity was such in my head that when I watched the movie I was worried Matthew Fox was not up to the part. No worries, Fox nailed the part and then some. The game of cat and mouse ensues for nearly 400 pages. Filled with unbelievable action, underdeveloped characters, and hyperviolence, this novel exceeded all of my expectations; it's not like I read a Patterson novel for depth. (Okay, no more ragging, I promise.) (view spoiler).

But the best part of this novel was the unintentional (I think) metafictional element. You see, one day when Alex comes home, tired, frustrated, on edge from chasing The Butcher, he sits down to watch some television. After flipping through the channels, finding nothing of real interest, Cross decides to watch a Tyler Perry Madea movie. This is only funny because Tyler Perry has now taken the role of Alex Cross, previously played by Morgan Freeman. So there I was, reading this novel, and thinking how trippy it must have been for Alex Cross to be watching a movie that had a gigantic old woman that looked like himself in a starring role. The book was published in 2009, so I guess there could have been a time when Patterson went back and placed this little Easter egg...regardless, besides the action, which there is plenty, this little scene bumped the book one full star for me. I can appreciate an author that can have some fun with themselves.

Go and read the book; it only takes a few hours.

And then go and watch the movie. There are worse things you could do with a free night.

RECOMMENDED

(less)

10 likes · like · see review

Feb 13, 2008 Judy rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: detective-series, mystery, thriller

I like James Patterson's style and his method of story telling. The action moves along quickly and the characters, while not all that memorable, are suitably likable or villainous. It's a real page turner, as forensic psychologist Alex Cross tracks down the sadistic mafia killer known as The Butcher, the man who killed Cross's wife ten years earlier.

However,there's one thing about this book that drove me batty. Patterson has a series of Alex Cross books (most notably "Along Came A Spider", made...more

6 likes · like · see review

Dec 10, 2007 Christopher Jones rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Being a big Patterson fan and following the character of Alex Cross through all of the his books I am sad to say that I am really beginning to get tired of him. It really pains me to say that because I have come to really like all of the characters that have been created within the Cross series but it just feels like there is very little life left in Alex Cross. The stories are beginning to sound the same and the endings are becoming very predictable. To be honest I only finished this book out o...more

10 likes · like · see review

Jan 07, 2008 Amanda Fashbaugh rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Hard Core Patterson Fans ~ not fairweather ones.

I used to love James Patterson books. (I loved Alex Cross' badass persona complemented by his squishy in the center role as a family man.) But lately I've chosen to stay away from Patterson's books. The bloom is off the rose, so to speak. I honestly believe that the sheer volume of his work has caused the stories to be diluted somewhat. I read Big Bad Wolf in September, and was incredibly disappointed. However, because I have been with this character of Alex Cross for over a decade now, and I wa...more

9 likes · like · see review

Jul 30, 2012 Michelle (meshe) rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: library-book

I don't know why I keep doing this to myself. The Cross books are certainly better than some of the others Patterson keeps churning out with his co-authors. That being said, they aren't as good as they used to be. I think I've come to the conclusion that all good series must come to an end and this one is another that is ready.
After many years, Alex and his friend Sampson are on the trail of the person Alex thinks killed his wife Maria, 'The Butcher of Sligo'. Alex quits the FBI and goes off on...more

4 likes · like · see review

Nov 11, 2010 Jonathan Nkangabwa rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

James Patterson's novel, "Cross" was a great book overall. The fact that James was able to incorporate important information on all of the characters in a quick manor. You didn't seem to remember every character's story, but you were given just enough information to understand what ideas each character stands for. The fact that this book was an action packed thriller kept me even more interested into the book. I cannot stand it when authors ramble on about pointless details that do not serve a p...more James Patterson's novel, "Cross" was a great book overall. The fact that James was able to incorporate important information on all of the characters in a quick manor. You didn't seem to remember every character's story, but you were given just enough information to understand what ideas each character stands for. The fact that this book was an action packed thriller kept me even more interested into the book. I cannot stand it when authors ramble on about pointless details that do not serve a purpose to the main idea of the plot. In this book, there are many things that will maintain to keep your attention. For example, Michael Sean Sullivan (also goes by the name "The Butcher" because of his extremely gruesome attacks/killings with the use of a blade/knife/scalpel) is a serial killer that lures his victims to a concealed area, rapes her, and then brutally murders her (Sullivan is also a mercenary paid to carry out hits on certain targets). Another example is the fact that there are so many other action scenes, like Michael facing off with mercenaries trying to kill him; kind of an IRONIC TWIST that he has become the hunted rather than the hunter. These things are the reasons why readers are constantly engaged with the book. I think the first time I put down the book was when I hit the 30th chapter.
The plus side to James Patterson's "Cross" is that the chapters are quick and diminutive. The way the authors speaks throughout the novel is the opposite of maundering. If you need to know something about a character, James Patterson explains it. He never tells you information that will in turn prove to be irrelevant information. I am the type of reader that is entertained by sheer suspense and pure astonishment. Even though this book was a good one too read, it also provided a few things that I didn't find too fond.
One major turnoff is the fact that the characters in the story all seem to find disappointment or sadness throughout the amazing journey. Characters like Alex, Michael, and the henchmen for the mafia's all lose a life or get injured. Alex Cross has been going through rough times ever since he was a little boy. His mother had died and he became an orphan. As he grew older, his wife, Maria Cross, had been gunned down by "The Butcher" and died in Alex's hands (which is a devastating event). At near end of the book when Alex is facing off with the butcher, he is shot twice and falls to the ground. These are some terrible events that just bring Alex Cross's overall morale down. These tragic events also occur to the villainous characters of the story. Michael Sullivan was a killer and deserved to go to jail, but what he went through is extreme. He has been cornered by mafia henchmen and barely escaping with his life, he has had his children and himself being shot at (while playing in the park), and he is killed at the end of the story. Michael may have been a bad guy, but that is a life too harsh for any person to live. I feel like James Patterson's story writing is starting to lose it's exciting action packed feeling and turning into a cold stoned killer's novel. It is starting to just turn into a depressing murder story, rather than an action packed novel that always has the good guy (Alex Cross) win. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. I would strongly recommend this book to any readers that enjoy a good mystery/ murder story.(less)

3 likes · like · see review

Nov 05, 2008 Andreana rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

1. A 5-7 sentence summary (beginning, middle & end) of the book, including an explanation of the motive of the main character and the conflicts encountered.
2. Your favorite line from the book and a 2-3 sentence explanation of what the line infers about the story, message OR main character.
3. Review of book: 3-4 sentences about your opinion of the book, backed up with details, AND a justification of why you gave the number of stars you gave.

1. The main character in the book is Alex Cross and...more

2 likes · like · see review

Apr 21, 2008 Parker M. rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

2nd Review (due 4/22/08)- Mrs. Turnbow
Alex Cross, a detective, is looking into murder/rape cases that coincide, when his wife (Maria) is shot and killed. He does everything that he can to find her killer but comes up short when the cases drop out of the area. 10 years later, after a career change, Cross is called up by a former partner. The murder/rape cases were back in the area. After long examination into the case and many days later, they find out who murdered Maria. In a twisted and unexpec...more

1 like · like · see review

Sep 09, 2007 Lisa Fischbach rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2007, read-and-kept-in-personal-collectio

This latest installment in the Cross series may have you thinking it's the last as Alex turns in his resignation to the FBI and settles into private practice as a psychologist. However, instead of spending more time with his kids and Nana Mama, he's being recruited by the DC police and his long time friend John Sampson.
Sampson for his part, doesn't really want to involve Alex because the murderer might just be the man who killed Crosses own wife Maria, more than 10 years earlier. This rapist an...more

2 likes · like · see review

Jan 28, 2008 Donna rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: James Patterson fans

Shelves: mystery-suspense

Before Cross, I read two or three of the Alex Cross novels, so others are more qualified than I to comment on the series as a whole.

Alex Cross and his family are likable characters. Their creator, James Patterson, seems to know just where the line is drawn in terms of placing the good folks in danger and also depicting the despicable crimes of the antagonists. Just a few more details of torture by the evil Butcher of Sligo would have put me over the edge.

My rating of the book is based on its suc...more

1 like · like · see review

Nov 23, 2012 Erica rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: crime-thriller-mystery, james-patterson, mom-save, books-to-movies

Out of all the awesome James Patterson novels, THIS is the one that they choose to make into a movie?

To me, this book dragged from beginning to end. It got marginally better at about the 66% mark, but it was more of a "this is your life and how are you going to change it, Dr. Cross?" than a thriller. Usually when I read JP, I'm like, "omg, what's going to happen next?" and with this one, not so much.

I did find it VERY funny however that the book had a reference to Morgan Freeman in it (who play...more

1 like · like · see review

Sep 02, 2010 Rachel rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

*sigh* James Patterson has been one of my favorite writers for a long long time. But this book just makes me sad. Sure I read the whole thing. I mean, it was an easy read. But that's really the best thing I can say about it. The Alex Cross series has also been my favorite of his to read on a regular basis, but it has just gotten to the point that he doesn't put any effort into his books anymore. Sometimes he has some good ones (You've Been Warned that came out a few months ago was good, definate...more

2 likes · like · see review

Apr 11, 2007 Dani Meier rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Maybe I've just outgrown the excitment of the Alex Cross series, but ive been noticing how these books are just not very well written. Such short sentences, which is being used to evoke a mood, yet I cant help but question if theyre also being used for lack of knowing how to do otherwise! I had very high expectations for this book in the series for it addressed the wife's murderer and retirement from the FBI, and yet ultimately felt unfulfilled... Hopefully the next in the series will do more ju...more

1 like · like · see review

Feb 02, 2009 Toni Osborne rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Alex Cross was working for the FBI when an unknown man gunned down his wife Maria, in front of him. The killer was never found and the case turned cold. Years later, after Alex left the FBI he became full-time psychologist some times working as a free agent for the FBI. At one point, his former partner John Sampson calls in a favour....

John is tracking Michael Sullivan one of the worst serial rapist and professional killers ever. Sullivan known as "The Butcher" finds his preys among young colleg...more

like · see review

May 04, 2013 Gareth Otton rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

After finishing the last book I thought (and repeated that thought in my review of Mary Mary) that James Patterson was in need of shaking up the formula for Alex Cross. There had been a few too many similarities sneaking into his novels and it was starting to get in the way of the story.

I am happy to report that the author must have thought the same thing after writing Mary Mary as this one begins to mix it up a bit. Obviously there is still a murderer to be caught but for the first time Alex C...more

like · see review

Mar 05, 2013 Raynard added it · review of another edition

I think that the movie is a must see even though it’s not the same as the book to the letter. I was very pleased with the action, suspense and drama. You run through the whole range of emotions as he is chasing and bringing justice to a serial killer/ assassin. It had a couple of twists and turns, I was not expecting in a couple of parts that happened in the movie and the ending was totally not expected.The book "Cross" novel and the movie was great overall. You didn't seem to remember every cha...more I think that the movie is a must see even though it’s not the same as the book to the letter. I was very pleased with the action, suspense and drama. You run through the whole range of emotions as he is chasing and bringing justice to a serial killer/ assassin. It had a couple of twists and turns, I was not expecting in a couple of parts that happened in the movie and the ending was totally not expected.The book "Cross" novel and the movie was great overall. You didn't seem to remember every character's story, but you were given just enough information to understand what ideas each character stands for. The fact that this book was an action packed thriller kept me even more interested into the book and the movie. In the book he never tells you information that will in turn prove to be irrelevant information almost everything the he says in book important information that you need to know. I think that when the assassin killed Dr. Cross' wife I believe that was the turning point in the story, because was a target at all until Dr. Cross and the killer saw each, so when he killed Maria it became more than a job the capture him it was personal and he wanted revenge for his wife and his unborn child. Dr. Cross whole personality changed after his wife died, he was blackmailing people, he broke into the evidence locker the police station, and he stole gun. I like how Alex Cross is a family man and his life revolves around his children and his grandmother, Nana Mama, the woman who raised him after he was orphaned so I really caught up in his life. Every character had their downfall or there disappointments or there sad in the story example: Cross' wife had died, when Monica was kidnapped and tortured but the killer and Tommy was hurt because him and Monica was secretly dating so he feels her pain. The thing that I loved most about this movie was that it was an action packed thriller I love the entire fights scene all of them was very dramatically and suspenseful. At the beginning it was a little slow and boring to me until I kept reading I was a little confused and I didn’t know where he was going with it, but as I kept reading i start to understand it more and more. There's not much that I didn’t like about the book or the movie it was great to me. (less)

like · see review

Feb 17, 2013 Vanessa Jones rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Though this type of fiction has always been one of my favorites, I had not read a mystery/crime/detective story in awhile. Picked this up last year. From page one: Did not care for how the author brought me into the story. After reading a few more pages I was able to get into it. Overall it felt forced and simplified.

The characters were interesting but I felt like I was watching a movie on TV because there was nothing better on the other stations.

It did have some great moments when I actually f...more

1 like · like · see review

Dec 20, 2012 Kara Jorges rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The story begins when Alex Cross’ idyllic life is shattered by the hit man who murders his wife. Cross had been a cop then, and the story jumps ahead to his career move to the FBI, after which an altercation with his grandmother prompts him to change careers again. In the present, Cross is a therapist raising three children with help from Nana Mama, and only occasionally consulting for the Washington PD or the FBI. He gets pulled into the case of a serial rapist only because he believes it’s the...more The story begins when Alex Cross’ idyllic life is shattered by the hit man who murders his wife. Cross had been a cop then, and the story jumps ahead to his career move to the FBI, after which an altercation with his grandmother prompts him to change careers again. In the present, Cross is a therapist raising three children with help from Nana Mama, and only occasionally consulting for the Washington PD or the FBI. He gets pulled into the case of a serial rapist only because he believes it’s the same man who murdered his wife. The Butcher was a mafia hit man who had fun mutilating his victims, and the FBI has wanted him for a long time, but he’s like a shadow who leaves no trace of himself. In actuality, he’s been raising a family in the suburbs, occasionally taking a job or venturing into the city to commit a rape or a murder, photographing his grisly deeds to frighten future victims.

The story ambles along following both the lives of Alex Cross and the Butcher, Michael Sullivan. Sullivan is an interesting character, though his family life doesn’t exactly ring true and there are several violent incidents he’d have a tough time explaining to his family that get glossed over and forgotten. Alex Cross is as exciting as oatmeal. The author obviously thinks highly of him, but I found him a bit too much of a great guy. He’s one of those people who can whimsically pick and choose from professional careers, and never utters a misplaced word or commits a dastardly deed. And what a dad! He’s also the hope and salvation of more than one branch of law enforcement because he’s such an incredible detective, but he’s so terribly bland about it, I found myself wishing something bad would happen just to liven things up. Also, in an apparent bid to ensure the book made money even if sales were low, Patterson seems to have worked out a deal with Mercedes, singing the praises of their crossover vehicle several dozen times too often. I half expected to see Mercedes in the acknowledgements, or at least find their logo on the cover.

Though I have read a Women’s Murder Club book by Patterson and liked it a lot, that same feeling did not translate to this book. Not only was the change between points of view jarring, Alex Cross is a snore. He’s easily the most vanilla lead character I’ve come across in a long time. Patterson has quite a following, and some of his books are good, but this one fell far short of impressing me.
(less)

like · see review

Dec 09, 2012 Alex Morrow rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

James Patterson

Cross by James Patterson was a book that was above average but not by much. I read this on a plane ride to Oregon so it was useful at keeping myself occupied while doing something productive like reading at the same time. I would not recommend this book unless you have read the other ten or so books. I was not aware this was a large series of books when i bought it so i was thrown into a world of murder, mystery and crime without a clue of who the characters were and the referenc...more

like · see review

Dec 05, 2012 Cydnee Gillett rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I actually didn't read all of the Alex Cross series before this book. I chose this one purely because I watched the trailer and the movie looked really good - so I knew the book would be ultimately better.

I've also never been partial to crime-fiction-thriller type books, so this was also my first in that respect too. In particular the synopsis looked a lot more interesting than the others in the series, which I assume is why they made this one (and 2 others I believe) into movie features.

The wr...more

like · see review

Dec 05, 2012 Dave Christofer rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A necessary book to move the story of Alex cross along, but not the best Patterson book. The story describes in detail the murder of Alex's wife (which is telegraphed a bit too much), the involvement of "Nana Momma", and Alex Cross's movement from psychologist, to DC Metro detective, to FBI, back to psychologist. As usual, Alex Cross is hot on the trail of a serial killer, Sullivan "the Butcher". Sullivan, trained by the mafia, would rape, murder, and mutilate his victims, not always in that ord...more

like · see review

Nov 06, 2012 Doug Clark rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Cross is James Patterson’s 12th novel about his DC policeman/FBI agent/psychologist, Dr. Alex Cross. Cross, in the course of these novels has become known as the Dragon Slayer for his success at capturing the worst criminals society has. These are often serial killers. As such, I have categorized these novels as a genre I call serial killer books. Besides Patterson, I put other authors such as Patricia Cornwell, John Sandford, Kathy Reichs, Michael Slade and Phillip Margolin into the same catego...more Cross is James Patterson’s 12th novel about his DC policeman/FBI agent/psychologist, Dr. Alex Cross. Cross, in the course of these novels has become known as the Dragon Slayer for his success at capturing the worst criminals society has. These are often serial killers. As such, I have categorized these novels as a genre I call serial killer books. Besides Patterson, I put other authors such as Patricia Cornwell, John Sandford, Kathy Reichs, Michael Slade and Phillip Margolin into the same category. Most of these authors have continuing series involving investigators of either police or forensic scientists.

So, here we are with another Alex Cross novel in paperback (the newest one is the recent hardcover, Double Cross). Cross has resigned from the FBI and is returning to private practice. This is due to his obsession in solving horrific cases and the risk and cost these cases have had on his family. Cross is a widower (his wife, Maria, was shot by a sniper and died in Cross’s arms at a local hospital) with three children to raise. His grandmother, Nana, has gotten frustrated with his commitment to solving murders and the possibility of him being killed.

The novel opens with Cross seriously injured and being rushed to a hospital. It then backtracks to a series of violent rapes occurring in the DC area. Cross’s long-time friend, DC homicide detective John Sampson, asks for Cross’s help in solving the rapes, which turn out to be connected to a series of murders. The rapist, a Mafia hitman known as the Butcher (named after how he disposes of victims using a scalpel), turns out to have a connection with the death of Cross’s wife many years before. In solving the rapes (and various murders), Cross pursues the Butcher, Michael Sullivan, with dogged determination as he is now convinced Sullivan murdered his wife.

As a side plot, Sullivan is also being pursued by the Mafia to silence and eliminate him as a loose cannon. Sullivan is angry at this and takes revenge, gruesome revenge, on the Mob. Eventually, all the plots collide in a frenzied shoot-out in which Cross is wounded, returning the reader to the opening scene. An epilogue moves the story to a satisfying conclusion.

Okay, so did I like the book? Yes, I did. Patterson’s novels, whether about Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, or his other novels, are very easy and fast reads. However, I am finding that as I read each novel, or at least the crime-oriented novels, that I smell quite a whiff of misogyny. This bothers me. I understand that most serial killers are male and that most victims are female, but the brutality the women in his books are subject to leads to a sense of distaste. In some ways, I wish the novels weren’t so violent towards women as I fear it might lead to a desensitization of violence towards women. In a culture in which women are already the primary victims of rape, assault, and domestic violence, this cannot be healthy. So what can I say? I enjoy reading Patterson’s novels. I like the Alex Cross character immensely. But…but there is a disquieting sense of moral outrage in how his victims, nearly all female, are treated. There are strong female characters in these books, but other than Cross’s grandmother, Nana, Cross doesn’t seem to be able to develop a long-term relationship with them. This is a frustrating point for me.

(less)

like · see review

Sep 06, 2012 Nancy Bandusky rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This story involves the "hero" who was a police officer, became an FBI agent and then left that to become a psychologist. However, he's so good at law enforcement he returns to "help" capture The Butcher.

The progress is incredibly slow as both main characters, Cross and The Butcher, keep repeating what we already know. The final straw in the boring storyline was when he does almost get the Butcher, Cross won't shoot because he would be shooting the killer in front of the killer's own family. Th...more

1 like · like · see review

Aug 28, 2012 Sarah rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was another quick read in James Patterson's Alex Cross series. While the plot was not as thrilling or intricate as earlier entries in this series, it did give further insight into the protagonist's psyche. I gave this book three stars because although I was quickly drawn into the story and devoured the book in approximately 2.5 hours across two sittings, it did have a couple of minor problems, in my opinion.

One, Alex Cross has always been a flawed hero, but the sudden obsession with his de...more

like · see review

Jul 29, 2012 Justin Olson rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

To his credit, Patterson writes in a way that allows you to speed through the book at a breakneck pace and as such find yourself far enough to keep with it, "just one more quick chapter", until hours go by and you finish it. Not many authors can accomplish such a feat, but once I was finished and sat back I had to analyze the book as a whole and found it wasn't all that substantial in the grand scheme.

I jumped in at book 12 because I know a movie is coming and read this was what it was to be ba...more

like · see review

May 17, 2012 Megan rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-but-unowned

James Patterson's Cross was my introduction into the world of James Patterson novels. His books aren't my usual fare, but this book was given to me as a present so I figured I should at least try it.

As far as style is concerned, I enjoyed the short chapters. I felt that having the chapters be that short made it easier to keep reading and helped the story keep a fast pace. There was also the alternating POVs. Some chapters were told from Alex Cross' point of view and others from Michael "The Butc...more

like · see review

Jun 21, 2011 Andrea rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: action-adventure

James Patterson writes the shortest chapters of any writer that I know of.

Cross, the 12th book about Dr. Alex Cross (PhD), presents the story of who killed Maria, Cross's wife, more than 10 years ago. She was shot as she was leaving work and Cross witnessed the shooting, but could not identify the shooter. This story about a Mafia hit man, Michael Sullivan, a.k.a. The Butcher for his knife work and amputations during his kills. When he attacks and rapes young, executive-type women in Georgetown,...more

like · see review

Feb 19, 2011 David Anthony rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Prolific author James Patterson has written over 75 books. He has penned young adult stories, romance novels, and non-fiction. He is known best, however, for adult thrillers, especially those starring Alex Cross. Cross is a homicide detective and psychologist who lives and works in Washington, D.C. At the time of this writing, Alex Cross has appeared as the protagonist in 16 Patterson novels. In a seventeenth Alex Cross book, the character is presented as the author of a historical novel. Two of...more Prolific author James Patterson has written over 75 books. He has penned young adult stories, romance novels, and non-fiction. He is known best, however, for adult thrillers, especially those starring Alex Cross. Cross is a homicide detective and psychologist who lives and works in Washington, D.C. At the time of this writing, Alex Cross has appeared as the protagonist in 16 Patterson novels. In a seventeenth Alex Cross book, the character is presented as the author of a historical novel. Two of the early Alex Cross books were made into films (miscast, in my opinion, by the otherwise talented Morgan Freeman). A third Alex Cross movie is slated for 2011 release starring Tyler Perry. Let's just say that I'm skeptical but still eager for the film's release.

Over the years, James Patterson's writing style has changed drastically. The author was once quite verbose. His books included long paragraphs, detailed descriptions, and chapters that consumed a night's reading. Now those traits are gone. Today Patterson writes what I like to call "Goosebumps for Grown-ups" (trademark pending--ha!) Short chapters, minimal description, and speedy dialogue abound. His chapters are often 2-3 pages, some shorter.

Fellow American author Stephen King isn't impressed with Patterson's style, going so far as to call Patterson a "terrible writer." Furthermore, King accuses Patterson of writing "dopey thrillers." Not high praise from a contemporary who has sold in excess of 350 million books.

In my opinion, King misses the point. Patterson defends himself by saying, "I am not a great prose stylist. I'm a storyteller. There are thousands of people who don't like what I do. Fortunately, there are millions who do." Excellent response. When I named Patterson's books Goosebumps for Grown-ups, I intended it as praise. Patterson's newest adult thrillers are fast-paced, tense action frenzies. Call them thrilling sprees (trademark also pending). Whenever I pick up the latest Patterson book, I have difficulty putting it down until, eyes red and imagination blurry, I've Alex Cross-ed the finish line.(less)

like · see review

Nov 29, 2010 Mayberryaftermidnight rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Read this in approx. 36 hours over Thanksgiving break, and I bumped up the rating from 2 to 3 stars after considering that it did, at least, provide some non-television/digital entertainment during a family holiday (no, I don't have an e-reader and I hope I never will, but I don't hate those of you who do have them, and as a book editor, I encourage you to BUY BOOKS IN ANY FORMAT). This is a quick read and one with a few interesting points of view. The only other Patterson book I've read is _Alo...more

like · see review

Apr 24, 2010 Lee rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Mystery fans

Shelves: mystery

I became a James Patterson fan with the movie, "Kiss the Girls," starring Morgan Freeman and Ashley Judd. I loved the way the female protagonist was a match for the serial killer villain and how she fought back against him. Upon reading the book, I became a fan of Alex Cross as well. The middle class cop/FBI agent/psychiatrist raising his two kids without their dead mother, but with the help of his grandmother, "Nana-mama," charmed and intrigued me.

Since then, I've read a few Patterson novels th...more

like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 99 100 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
75 Books: Julie's books for 2013	39	26	May 21, 2013 05:10am
Where did Ali come from??	17	178	Apr 20, 2013 08:25am
Is it better to read his books in order?	27	286	Dec 14, 2012 12:41pm
How to turn this book into a children's book?!?	2	16	Jun 14, 2011 11:51pm

combine
Other Editions (67)

More editions...

Genres

Mystery > Crime

97 users

Suspense

86 users

Thriller > Mystery Thriller

59 users

Mystery > Detective

43 users

Mystery

40 users

Thriller

35 users

Mystery > Murder Mystery

30 users

Adventure

14 users

Adult

13 users

Adult Fiction

10 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About James Patterson

Offical US Site
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 any other author (according...more

More about James Patterson...

Books by James Patterson

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About Cross

10 trivia questions

More quizzes & trivia...

Quotes from Cross

“Beware the anger of a patient man.” — 46 people liked it

“Coimhead feara fhear na foighrde.

(Beware the anger of a patient man)” — 6 people liked it

More quotes…

title link	preview: Cross
avg rating	preview: Cross Goodreads rating: 3.95 (25663 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9918746-cross?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1359933380l/9918746.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9918746-cross?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Cross by James Patterson[/url]

Cross (Alex Cross #12)

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website