I have read other Alex Cross books but, finally was able to read the first one in the series. I did like it in that I felt it really gave me the background/indepth that I was looking for in Alex and who he was and why he ticked.

This story does the introduction of Gary Soneji. I have read about him periodically thru out other books in the series. Now I know how he came into the big picture. Nice to know the entire background (so to speak) of Gary and what he means.

The story is based on Gary having kidnapped two children of important people (one the treasury of the state, another an actress). Thru out the story you follow the 'chase' of Gary to find out about him, and what makes him--him. Alex falls for Jezzie a secret service agent (supervisior). At first Alex is upset that he is taken off the case of a serial killer in the southeast of DC to be put on the kidnapping case. Soon Alex becomes vital to the case and at one point is the scape goat.

Alex eventually gets to 'analyze' Gary Soneji via Gary Murphy to find out what type of person he is. Near the end Alex finds out the truth of the kidnappings. The reader is lead to believe that this is the end of Gary Soneji which I know is not the truth as I have read about him in other stories.