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Cradle and All
Two teenage girls claim that they pregnant--and virgins . One is carrying the child of Christ... the other the son of Satan.
In Boston, seventeen-year-old Kathleen is pregnant--but she swears she's a virgin. In Ireland, another teenage girl, Colleen, discovers she is in the same impossible condition. Cities all around the world are suddenly overwhelmed by epidemics, droughts, famines, floods, and worse.
As terrifying forces of light and darkness begin to gather, Kathleen and Colleen find themselves at the center of the final battle for the very soul of humanity. Each of the girls must convince a young detective that she is the true mother of God... and that the other is carrying the devil.
The stakes couldn't be higher in this page-turning thriller. You won't be able to put it down until the final which baby is the miracle--and which the monster?
In Boston, seventeen-year-old Kathleen is pregnant--but she swears she's a virgin. In Ireland, another teenage girl, Colleen, discovers she is in the same impossible condition. Cities all around the world are suddenly overwhelmed by epidemics, droughts, famines, floods, and worse.
As terrifying forces of light and darkness begin to gather, Kathleen and Colleen find themselves at the center of the final battle for the very soul of humanity. Each of the girls must convince a young detective that she is the true mother of God... and that the other is carrying the devil.
The stakes couldn't be higher in this page-turning thriller. You won't be able to put it down until the final which baby is the miracle--and which the monster?
351 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1980
1001 people are currently reading
12751 people want to read
About the author
James Patterson
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Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
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James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead
James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,471 reviews
November 1, 2023
First published in 1980, Cradle and All is my first horror novel by James Patterson and I really enjoyed it.
The new cover is a bit telling, it reminds me of a classic Rosemary's Baby, but I still wasn't sure what to expect. Turns out JP can write demonic suspense about good vs evil and a very gripping one at that.
There are droughts, famines, and floods. The polio outbreak in Los Angeles and Boston. Two young girls one in Rhode Island and another in Ireland are pregnant, both claimed to be virgins.
Anne Fitzgerald, a PI and a former nun is asked to investigate the occurrences by her friend, a cardinal of the Archdiocese of Boston.
I usually avoid religious themes in books, but I went in blind and I'm happy I didn't miss out on this one. JP manages to keep me guessing and unable to stop listening. I was invested in the MC, Anne as well as the two pregnant girls, and really want to know about the babies. I love the unexpected and twisted ending that sends shivers down my spine!
The new cover is a bit telling, it reminds me of a classic Rosemary's Baby, but I still wasn't sure what to expect. Turns out JP can write demonic suspense about good vs evil and a very gripping one at that.
There are droughts, famines, and floods. The polio outbreak in Los Angeles and Boston. Two young girls one in Rhode Island and another in Ireland are pregnant, both claimed to be virgins.
Anne Fitzgerald, a PI and a former nun is asked to investigate the occurrences by her friend, a cardinal of the Archdiocese of Boston.
I usually avoid religious themes in books, but I went in blind and I'm happy I didn't miss out on this one. JP manages to keep me guessing and unable to stop listening. I was invested in the MC, Anne as well as the two pregnant girls, and really want to know about the babies. I love the unexpected and twisted ending that sends shivers down my spine!
February 15, 2017
The Catholic church tries to figure out which pregnant virgin teen is the Mother of Christ and which is the Mother of Satan. Needless to say, they get it wrong, although what with all the snakes attacking Mexico and demonic priests riding motorcycles you can understand how they got baffled. Written in that typical Patterson style: as personal and efficient as an unoccupied room in a Ramada Inn.
January 29, 2019
I finished reading this a few days ago but I completely forgot to update it on here... see what prac is doing to me 😂
Alright so I really did enjoy this book. It had some plot twists that I was not expecting to see.
One things I didn’t like was the switching character point of views and there was no indication that told me whose point of view it was. I found that annoying and confusing.
Alright so I really did enjoy this book. It had some plot twists that I was not expecting to see.
One things I didn’t like was the switching character point of views and there was no indication that told me whose point of view it was. I found that annoying and confusing.
May 7, 2010
This is the first non-Alex Cross book of Patterson's that I've read. While the story is good, the writing is poor -- not up to the standard I'd expect from Patterson. I suspect this is an early novel that Patterson dusted off and marketed after he got hot.
The secret of the miraculous revelations of the appearance of the Virgin Mary in Fatima in 1918 is that two virgins will conceive. One will bear the Son of God, the other will bear the Son of Satan. The premise of the book is that two teenagers show up pregnant, both claiming to be virgins. Examination by doctors confirm this. Anne Fitzgerald, Boston PI, is hired by the Catholic Church to investigate, along with Father Nicholas Rosetti, from the Vatican, and Father Justin O'Carroll from the Boston diocese, who has a history with Anne.
In my opinion, the scenes are not blended very well at all. The transitions are almost non-existent, which leaves lots of holes. For example, Father Nicholas Rosetti is flying a small commuter jet out of Ireland to make a connection for a flight to New York. The plane crashes, leaving Rosetti as the only survivor. The next time we see Rosetti, he is in New York, and no further mention is made of the crash. In another scene, Kathleen is in the hospital in Rhode Island, when Father O'Carroll gives the news that Rhode Island's first polio case, presumably as a result of Kathleen's (one of the virgins) presence. Then, no further mention of that particular incident. (The reader is told that there is an epidemic of a new polio strain spreading around the world, along with the plague, drought and sundry other disasters, all presumably related to the advent of the virgins. The only way the reader knows this is because the narrator said it. Not very kosher.)
In another scene, Kathleen is attacked by her maid and pushed down a flight of stairs. Once the scene ends, no mention is made of bumps, bruises, contusions or other fallout from the attack, other than that the baby is okay.
The secret of the miraculous revelations of the appearance of the Virgin Mary in Fatima in 1918 is that two virgins will conceive. One will bear the Son of God, the other will bear the Son of Satan. The premise of the book is that two teenagers show up pregnant, both claiming to be virgins. Examination by doctors confirm this. Anne Fitzgerald, Boston PI, is hired by the Catholic Church to investigate, along with Father Nicholas Rosetti, from the Vatican, and Father Justin O'Carroll from the Boston diocese, who has a history with Anne.
In my opinion, the scenes are not blended very well at all. The transitions are almost non-existent, which leaves lots of holes. For example, Father Nicholas Rosetti is flying a small commuter jet out of Ireland to make a connection for a flight to New York. The plane crashes, leaving Rosetti as the only survivor. The next time we see Rosetti, he is in New York, and no further mention is made of the crash. In another scene, Kathleen is in the hospital in Rhode Island, when Father O'Carroll gives the news that Rhode Island's first polio case, presumably as a result of Kathleen's (one of the virgins) presence. Then, no further mention of that particular incident. (The reader is told that there is an epidemic of a new polio strain spreading around the world, along with the plague, drought and sundry other disasters, all presumably related to the advent of the virgins. The only way the reader knows this is because the narrator said it. Not very kosher.)
In another scene, Kathleen is attacked by her maid and pushed down a flight of stairs. Once the scene ends, no mention is made of bumps, bruises, contusions or other fallout from the attack, other than that the baby is okay.
November 3, 2011
This book.. is so much more than a book to me. This book is a beautiful, yet bittersweet memory for me. I remember reading this book when I was about 12-years-old. I had spent the weekend with Nana (my mom's mother). She had taken me to the library that Friday to get me a stack of Sweet Valley High books. I had read through them, and wanted to read something else. Nana grabbed the book she had finished, she had just gotten it. And it was Cradle and All. She figured that I might enjoy it. I began reading it, and couldn't stop. I was excited and into it! I finished the book by Sunday afternoon. I kept going on and on about how great the book was. And how much I loved the ending. How it was a twist I didn't expect.
That evening I went home and I found out that one of my closest friends, a girl I had been baptized with had passed away at 9-years-old of Cancer. And then in 2007, Nana passed away, three days shy of 67 years old. Last year, for Christmas, my husband bought me a First Edition of this book. It is one of my most prized books and will be till the day I die.
That evening I went home and I found out that one of my closest friends, a girl I had been baptized with had passed away at 9-years-old of Cancer. And then in 2007, Nana passed away, three days shy of 67 years old. Last year, for Christmas, my husband bought me a First Edition of this book. It is one of my most prized books and will be till the day I die.
August 6, 2016
This book is just terrible. A story about two virgins about to give birth, we find out one will be to the Saviour and one will be to the Beast. But which one? Well, lets see, one of the girls is a rich, white, blonde, debutante, from America and getting loads of press. The other a poor girl in a poor Irish town who is abused by the locals and gets maybe 15 pages in the whole book. While there are a couple of twists, its not good. The characters are flat, the plot weak and drawn out by repeated 'oh no!'s and chapter ends. This is nothing more then Christian sensationalism with a lot of jump cuts, and former nun-turned cop-turned private detective, and priest being love to provide some romantic tension.
June 23, 2023
Easy to read and entertaining even if it is a complete load of bollocks. Two pregnant virgins one with the possible savior and the other the son of the devil. Vatican troubleshooter Rosetti is sent to investigate. Anne an ex nun now a private investigator is employed to keep an eye on Kathleen one of the virgins. We switch from the USA and Ireland with Patterson think getting guns into Ireland is easy.
Its an odd story with the world suffering epidemics, famine and drought. The story ends on a clifftop with the devil baby apparently plunging to his death. We can only be thankful their is no sequel that I could find.
Do yourself a favor avoid this one. Stick with Cross.
Its an odd story with the world suffering epidemics, famine and drought. The story ends on a clifftop with the devil baby apparently plunging to his death. We can only be thankful their is no sequel that I could find.
Do yourself a favor avoid this one. Stick with Cross.
September 28, 2021
First off, Happy 20th Anniversary to CRADLE AND ALL, first published in 2001! Secondly, this was a DARK ROLLER COASTER READ! I thoroughly enjoyed this for it had the Halloween feels to it! Heart-pounding and terrifying, CRADLE AND ALL is a book that you will remember for a long time! In Boston, seventeen-year old Kathleen is pregnant, but she swears she’s a virgin. In Ireland, another teenage girl, Colleen is pregnant also. Cities all around the world are suddenly overwhelmed with mysterious occurrences. But something awful is coming. As terrifying forces of light and dark begin to gather, the two girls find themselves at the center of the final battle for the very soul of humanity. Each of the girls must convince young detective, Anne, that they are the true mother of God…or the other Satan. A fast-paced page turner, this book was haunting and gripping from the start! For anyone who loves HORROR or THRILLERS, then you will love this book! Recommend highly!
October 14, 2016
Love, love love this book. Does anyone know if there will be a second book with the way it ended?
April 12, 2014
James Patterson is skilled at making the reader keep turning the page, primarily by withholding infuriating details and writing chapters that are no longer than 3 pages. This book was definitely a page-turner, but ultimately I did not enjoy it. Most, if not all, of the characters were underdeveloped, and the plot bordered on ridiculous at times. I wasn't sure what type of book Patterson intended this to be. For a long time I wondered if the visions and voices that different characters were seeing and hearing were going to be explained by something non-supernatural—and that, I think, would have made this book more intriguing and satisfying. I am a Christian, but a lot of the imagery and theology in this book were unfamiliar to me (I suppose since I am not Catholic?) and frankly, quite disturbing. Explaining the majority of the events in the book on supernatural forces came off a bit as lazy writing. At the end, I was still left with many questions that were unanswered, and I hated that particular details were never explained. For example—why did the Vatican priest believe he was descending into hell after taking on his "mission" to try to solve the mysteries of the two virgins? I found myself saying "I just don't get it" at several points, and again, I wondered if my lack of experience with Catholicism had something to do with it, although I consider myself pretty knowledgeable about Christianity and other religious imagery. So yes, while I spent the majority of the book eager to know how it ended, I wasn't left with many answers or even a satisfyingly vague ending. I still give the book two stars because it was fun to read for a while before I realized that Patterson wasn't going to really solve the mystery for us.
March 20, 2017
Worst James Patterson book ever!! I'm not even sure he actually wrote this. I am a fan of his work but this book was horrible and the subject matter ridiculous. Are we actually expected to believe this crap? I almost stopped reading it a bunch of times, but it was almost like a horrible accident that I couldn't look away from. I am so glad to be done with this one. Seriously, people like this??
August 8, 2016
I read this book years ago when it was first published, so I was intrigued to see how it was reworked to be YA. I only had a vague memory of what happened, but I knew I liked the story. And it was still just as interesting.
I really enjoyed that Anne's portion of the story was the main POV. I loved that we got first person with her. It definitely made it easy to connect with her and feel like I was on the journey for revelations. Getting random POV of the other characters normally irritates me, but in this case, it added a layer of suspense and was an effective way to round out the entire story.
Overall, it was a much quicker read than the "adult" version, but I don't feel like I missed any part of what happened.
**Huge thanks to Jimmy Patterson Books and Edelweiss for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review**
I really enjoyed that Anne's portion of the story was the main POV. I loved that we got first person with her. It definitely made it easy to connect with her and feel like I was on the journey for revelations. Getting random POV of the other characters normally irritates me, but in this case, it added a layer of suspense and was an effective way to round out the entire story.
Overall, it was a much quicker read than the "adult" version, but I don't feel like I missed any part of what happened.
**Huge thanks to Jimmy Patterson Books and Edelweiss for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review**
January 1, 2017
Cradle and All is the first book I’ve read by James Patterson and this may be brutal, but I wasn’t impressed. So originally this book was published in the early 80s but I stumbled upon a new edition in the teen section the other day when I was at the bookstore. Yes you heard me, THE TEEN SECTION.
Yeah, I really don’t know if the young adult section is really the best way to market this book unless they did some serious editing. The book wasn’t very sexual, but the scenes that were, were violent and graphic and just plan weird. This is without a doubt an upper teen read at best. (**I read the original edition**)
The book overall had an interesting plot (especially the end, I wanted more of that ending) but was poorly executed. The writing was choppy, going back and forth in different narratives and perspectives between many different characters. Characters were introduced with a lot of focus put on them only to be mentioned once or twice and never to return. Around the 50% mark the book seemed to drag making little to no progress in the story.
I’m bummed. I’ve heard wonderful things about James Patterson and this book had so much potential. I hope the new edition has a bit more structure and focus.
Yeah, I really don’t know if the young adult section is really the best way to market this book unless they did some serious editing. The book wasn’t very sexual, but the scenes that were, were violent and graphic and just plan weird. This is without a doubt an upper teen read at best. (**I read the original edition**)
The book overall had an interesting plot (especially the end, I wanted more of that ending) but was poorly executed. The writing was choppy, going back and forth in different narratives and perspectives between many different characters. Characters were introduced with a lot of focus put on them only to be mentioned once or twice and never to return. Around the 50% mark the book seemed to drag making little to no progress in the story.
I’m bummed. I’ve heard wonderful things about James Patterson and this book had so much potential. I hope the new edition has a bit more structure and focus.
April 5, 2019
Maybe a 2.5?
My review for this book is basically me trying to figure out how I feel about this book. So... enjoy? Haha
I Seem to have more cons about this book than pros... but I was still intrigued enough to want to finish and honestly, I liked the ending... well, kinda.
I went into this book the way I do with religion, skeptically. The overall premise of the book was absolutely intriguing, but the execution was way off. I liked the short chapters, I was able to fly through to book, but the writing was choppy and the story was all over the place. I felt that several of the chapters were somewhat repetitive and overall... not a lot happened in these 300 pages. So why was I so compelled? I was raised Catholic, but once again I’ve always been hesitant about religion.
Also, I felt very disconnected to the characters because of the writing. I felt like I didn’t have a chance to get to know any of the characters very well. Plus I kept getting a lot of the characters mixed up for some reason.
Also, let me just state that as a Catholic (technically I am) I was suuuupper uncomfortable with the ex nun/priest “romance” going on. I know it’s the 21st century and I even got married by a married Priest (he converted from being Baptist after he already had an established family) but that relationship just didn’t feel right.
Also... the thing... WTF. That was SO random. There were no hints regarding that “twist.”
This may be one of my most random reviews thus far... but I’m still processing it.
My review for this book is basically me trying to figure out how I feel about this book. So... enjoy? Haha
I Seem to have more cons about this book than pros... but I was still intrigued enough to want to finish and honestly, I liked the ending... well, kinda.
I went into this book the way I do with religion, skeptically. The overall premise of the book was absolutely intriguing, but the execution was way off. I liked the short chapters, I was able to fly through to book, but the writing was choppy and the story was all over the place. I felt that several of the chapters were somewhat repetitive and overall... not a lot happened in these 300 pages. So why was I so compelled? I was raised Catholic, but once again I’ve always been hesitant about religion.
Also, I felt very disconnected to the characters because of the writing. I felt like I didn’t have a chance to get to know any of the characters very well. Plus I kept getting a lot of the characters mixed up for some reason.
Also, let me just state that as a Catholic (technically I am) I was suuuupper uncomfortable with the ex nun/priest “romance” going on. I know it’s the 21st century and I even got married by a married Priest (he converted from being Baptist after he already had an established family) but that relationship just didn’t feel right.
Also... the thing... WTF. That was SO random. There were no hints regarding that “twist.”
This may be one of my most random reviews thus far... but I’m still processing it.
August 8, 2010
Ok, so my opinion of this book might be totally bias because this book is honestly the first book I ever remember reading that wasn't a "school assignment" or those Goosebumps books in middle school. (go R.L. Stine!)
So it was my first "adult" choice book. And I'm SO glad it was, because it did the job. I don't know if I'd be as taken with reading if I didn't like this book.
Thankfully that wasn't the case.
Have I read things I've loved more since this book? Of course. But you're always gonna have a soft spot and love for your "first."
I loved the plot, it kept me turning the pages. I rememeber being SO engrossed in what was going on and not knowing WHAT would happen next. I REALLY loved the locations in the story, I remember thinking they were beautiful and I could completely picture them in my head. But more so, I loved the two girls (the main characters). I felt like I could relate to them.
I fully intend to go back and read this agian to see if I still love it as much and really figure out what did it for me, but having said that I'll always love this book for what it signifies to me. And I'd recommend it to anyone who likes a good suspenseful plot and a fun, quick page turner!
So it was my first "adult" choice book. And I'm SO glad it was, because it did the job. I don't know if I'd be as taken with reading if I didn't like this book.
Thankfully that wasn't the case.
Have I read things I've loved more since this book? Of course. But you're always gonna have a soft spot and love for your "first."
I loved the plot, it kept me turning the pages. I rememeber being SO engrossed in what was going on and not knowing WHAT would happen next. I REALLY loved the locations in the story, I remember thinking they were beautiful and I could completely picture them in my head. But more so, I loved the two girls (the main characters). I felt like I could relate to them.
I fully intend to go back and read this agian to see if I still love it as much and really figure out what did it for me, but having said that I'll always love this book for what it signifies to me. And I'd recommend it to anyone who likes a good suspenseful plot and a fun, quick page turner!
December 27, 2017
This is the first book I read by James Patterson, but I don't think that was the right choice to begin with, it was ok but I was disappointed, from the synopsis I thought it would be more suspense I was waiting for things to get exciting and things to start happening but as the pages goes and as I'm reading more nothing happened until last 5 pages wish was a good ending by the way I like it.
I'm hoping to give other books by James Patterson a try because I really like his writing style and he have some really interesting titles.
I'm hoping to give other books by James Patterson a try because I really like his writing style and he have some really interesting titles.
August 7, 2021
Patterson is so prolific I had to read at least one of his books. This one is a fun and engaging read but very fantastical. It held my attention. The prose is evidence of the author's command and ability to keep so many readers buying and reading his books. The book is simply entertainment, like watching a fantasy movie.
December 27, 2008
A few years ago (like 1980), Patterson dove into the area of religious action and suspense with this novel, which is really the story of the three women. The main narrative character is Anne Fitzgerald, a former nun turned private investigator, who has been hired by the Catholic Church to look into the mysterious case of a virgin from Newport, Rhode Island who is very pregnant. Kathleen Beavier is a young teen from a very wealthy family. She was attacked months earlier, but has no memory of the exact details of the event, but medical examinations clearly show that she is still a virgin. The Church has serious concerns about the pregnancy because of something that was said by the Virgin Mary during her visit to Fatima in 1917 that has been a real-life, well-kept secret by the Vatican ever since. The secrete ties in with the fact that there will be two sets of virgin births with one of the babies is fated to be the Second Coming while the other is the Anti-Christ.
The reason the situation is so troubling is that there is a second girl in Ireland who is also pregnant while still being a virgin. Colleen does not have the positive reputation of Kathleen since she has definitely had some experiences with males, but she is by technicality a virgin.
While all of this is going on, the world seems fraught with disease and natural disasters bringing up concerns that the Apocalypse is upon everyone. And as the story progresses, serious questions about who is good and who is evil arise.
The novel is quick-paced and Anne, Kathleen, and Colleen are all interesting characters that leave the reader really caring about what will happen to each of them. Anne, along with a priest named Justin she has fallen in love with, dig deeper and deeper into the mysteries surrounding the two girls in order to find out the truth and try and prove which baby is fated to be evil so it can be destroyed while the other can be protected from the forces of evil.
Other than the fact that Newport no longer sports any truly wealthy families even though it is so well-known for the beautiful Guilded Age mansions that line the coast, Patterson stayed true to much of the geography and feel of the island community. I could almost see myself joining Anne as she visits local sights from the high school to the historic district.
The one frustration is that while the book has a really stunning and awesome conclusion, a big opening is left for a sequel, which does not appear to have been written. I would really have liked to read more about what happens to Anne, Justin, the two young girls and their families.
The reason the situation is so troubling is that there is a second girl in Ireland who is also pregnant while still being a virgin. Colleen does not have the positive reputation of Kathleen since she has definitely had some experiences with males, but she is by technicality a virgin.
While all of this is going on, the world seems fraught with disease and natural disasters bringing up concerns that the Apocalypse is upon everyone. And as the story progresses, serious questions about who is good and who is evil arise.
The novel is quick-paced and Anne, Kathleen, and Colleen are all interesting characters that leave the reader really caring about what will happen to each of them. Anne, along with a priest named Justin she has fallen in love with, dig deeper and deeper into the mysteries surrounding the two girls in order to find out the truth and try and prove which baby is fated to be evil so it can be destroyed while the other can be protected from the forces of evil.
Other than the fact that Newport no longer sports any truly wealthy families even though it is so well-known for the beautiful Guilded Age mansions that line the coast, Patterson stayed true to much of the geography and feel of the island community. I could almost see myself joining Anne as she visits local sights from the high school to the historic district.
The one frustration is that while the book has a really stunning and awesome conclusion, a big opening is left for a sequel, which does not appear to have been written. I would really have liked to read more about what happens to Anne, Justin, the two young girls and their families.
November 19, 2021
At the beginning the book had hooked but then it was just a rollercoaster of meh and uuuaaa.
The whole book was about figuring out who was carrying the son of god and the son of the devil. I knew they were going to get it wrong (very obvious) but it had an unexpected twist. I was left with wtf, is that...how? Then I'm like "ohhh i see. She should have said something!!" And I didn't see that ending coming at all! Like at all. It was like a "come on!!??" Ending.
I liked very much the detective, that was the only character I liked from the whole book, the others you just had sympathy for. 🤷🏻♀️
The whole book was about figuring out who was carrying the son of god and the son of the devil. I knew they were going to get it wrong (very obvious) but it had an unexpected twist. I was left with wtf, is that...how? Then I'm like "ohhh i see. She should have said something!!" And I didn't see that ending coming at all! Like at all. It was like a "come on!!??" Ending.
I liked very much the detective, that was the only character I liked from the whole book, the others you just had sympathy for. 🤷🏻♀️
May 31, 2024
A very interesting concept for a book. It kept me interested throughout. In fact, this was a one sitting book for me. I spent all day reading it.
Unfortunately, I was a little disappointed with the ending, but not enough to take too many stars away.
Unfortunately, I was a little disappointed with the ending, but not enough to take too many stars away.
April 9, 2019
First time reading Patterson's. What a book. Wow.
July 11, 2024
I think this book was written for high schoolers, but I could not understand it. About two pregnant virgins? Stupid book 😃 (read the whole thing in 3 days)
January 9, 2022
Cradle and All is a medical thriller. It revolves around three major characters. Anne Fitzgerald is retired nun turned private investigator. She is hired to investigate a series of unlikely events, including two virgin pregnancies. Kathleen is the first of two pregnant virgins. Kathleen lives in Newport, Rhode Island with her family. Thus, much of the story takes place in Newport. Kathleen denies that she has had sex, yet is unable to remember fully the night she conceived. Therefore, her pregnancy is surrounded by speculation, and even her parents are not supportive. Colleen is the second of the virgin girls. Colleen lives in Maam Cross, Ireland, with her ill mother. She attends a Catholic school for girls. She, too, denies having had sex, but finds herself pregnant. The Irish community is not supportive of her and ridicules her publicly, forcing Colleen to be schooled from home in seclusion. Both girls are independently examined by doctors who confirm that they are indeed pregnant virgins. The mystery of their conceptions is reminiscent of the Immaculate Conception and piques the curiosity of the Catholic Church, both in America and at its headquarters in Italy.
Additional supporting characters also attempt to understand the mysterious pregnancies. Father Nicholas Rosetti is sent by the Pope to research the girls and their situation. Just before his death, Pope Pius XIII entrusted Father Rosetti with all of the details of the prophecy. Father Rosetti has this additional information to utilize when investigating the girls. Father Justin O'Carroll is sent by the Cardinal to investigate as well. Anne, Father Rosetti, and Justin each face the forces of good and evil during their quest. They will hear demonic voices, feel temptation to act in unspeakable ways, and some will experience physical pain. As the story unfolds, the reader also discovers that simultaneous world-wide catastrophies are occurring. Droughts, famine, floods, viruses, genocide, and polio outbreaks are harming humans in large numbers. The Blessed Mother foretold the birth of a savior and also the birth of Satan's son. This prophecy, combined with the world-wide disasters, leads church authorities to conclude that one of the virgins will deliver a savior who will end the suffering. The converse is that the other virgin will birth a powerful beast.
During their research, Anne and Justin rekindle a loving relationship that had previously been suppressed. Father Rosetti is the most deeply disturbed of the three—the Devil visits him frequently. The trio cross the world trying to unravel the mystery. Old medical records provide the details that help Father Rosetti to determine that Colleen is carrying Satan's child. The birth process creates a surge in Kathleen's memory, and she realizes that although she is a virgin, her child's conception is not divine. The true child of God is born unto Anne in the epilogue.
At the French shrine of Lourdes in 1917, three children delivered a prophecy from the Virgin Mary: At some point in the future, two girls will experience near-simultaneous immaculate conceptions; one will give birth to a new Savior; the other will bring the Antichrist into the world. Now, in an undated present, with strange new plagues and catastrophes filling the news every day, and the Pope dying of a horrible virus, private detective Anne Fitzgerald is abruptly hired by Boston's Cardinal Rooney to keep an eye on young Kathleen Beavier, a spoiled, trash-talking (but virginal) rich kid. Kathleen's attempt to get an abortion is stymied when she finds her doctor’s bleeding corpse hanging from a hook in a South Boston clinic. Since then she's been hearing nasty voices and believes she's being watched by animals. An ex-cop with a Harvard psychology degree, Fitzgerald is also a former nun who left the order after falling in love with a priest. Though that love affair was never consummated, fate will reunite Fitzgerald with good-looking Father Justin O'Carroll. Meanwhile, in an Irish village, poor but pure Colleen Deirdre Galaher is getting dirty looks from the nuns at her Catholic boarding school. Sent from Rome to investigate, Father Nicholas Rosetti, the Vatican's international expert on miracles, finds himself aroused by the sight of the girl. Could this have anything to do with the inexplicable fainting spells he suffered in Rome only days ago? And what about that nasty voice that reviles him in his dreams? One can only hope that the ridiculous, cliff-hanging finale’s promise of a sequel will never be fulfilled.
Additional supporting characters also attempt to understand the mysterious pregnancies. Father Nicholas Rosetti is sent by the Pope to research the girls and their situation. Just before his death, Pope Pius XIII entrusted Father Rosetti with all of the details of the prophecy. Father Rosetti has this additional information to utilize when investigating the girls. Father Justin O'Carroll is sent by the Cardinal to investigate as well. Anne, Father Rosetti, and Justin each face the forces of good and evil during their quest. They will hear demonic voices, feel temptation to act in unspeakable ways, and some will experience physical pain. As the story unfolds, the reader also discovers that simultaneous world-wide catastrophies are occurring. Droughts, famine, floods, viruses, genocide, and polio outbreaks are harming humans in large numbers. The Blessed Mother foretold the birth of a savior and also the birth of Satan's son. This prophecy, combined with the world-wide disasters, leads church authorities to conclude that one of the virgins will deliver a savior who will end the suffering. The converse is that the other virgin will birth a powerful beast.
During their research, Anne and Justin rekindle a loving relationship that had previously been suppressed. Father Rosetti is the most deeply disturbed of the three—the Devil visits him frequently. The trio cross the world trying to unravel the mystery. Old medical records provide the details that help Father Rosetti to determine that Colleen is carrying Satan's child. The birth process creates a surge in Kathleen's memory, and she realizes that although she is a virgin, her child's conception is not divine. The true child of God is born unto Anne in the epilogue.
At the French shrine of Lourdes in 1917, three children delivered a prophecy from the Virgin Mary: At some point in the future, two girls will experience near-simultaneous immaculate conceptions; one will give birth to a new Savior; the other will bring the Antichrist into the world. Now, in an undated present, with strange new plagues and catastrophes filling the news every day, and the Pope dying of a horrible virus, private detective Anne Fitzgerald is abruptly hired by Boston's Cardinal Rooney to keep an eye on young Kathleen Beavier, a spoiled, trash-talking (but virginal) rich kid. Kathleen's attempt to get an abortion is stymied when she finds her doctor’s bleeding corpse hanging from a hook in a South Boston clinic. Since then she's been hearing nasty voices and believes she's being watched by animals. An ex-cop with a Harvard psychology degree, Fitzgerald is also a former nun who left the order after falling in love with a priest. Though that love affair was never consummated, fate will reunite Fitzgerald with good-looking Father Justin O'Carroll. Meanwhile, in an Irish village, poor but pure Colleen Deirdre Galaher is getting dirty looks from the nuns at her Catholic boarding school. Sent from Rome to investigate, Father Nicholas Rosetti, the Vatican's international expert on miracles, finds himself aroused by the sight of the girl. Could this have anything to do with the inexplicable fainting spells he suffered in Rome only days ago? And what about that nasty voice that reviles him in his dreams? One can only hope that the ridiculous, cliff-hanging finale’s promise of a sequel will never be fulfilled.
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August 14, 2020As a big fan of this writer, I will always be interested with his novels. But this one is yet another different output from JP. It wasn't just any modern take of the perennial story of the Immaculate Conception, sprinkled with twists and turns of a typical James Patterson suspense-thriller. What was quite surprising for me was that it also had a touch of fantasy and paranormal in it, like people suddenly appearing and disappearing, miraculous and infernal phenomena, and the like. It wasn't the first time that I read a fantasy-themed James Patterson novel, yet I wasn't quite expecting how some of the events turned out in the story. That must be the reason why I find some scenes a bit weird.
Nevertheless, this one still ended up as enjoyable, as usual. It still has the same trademark of James Patterson by the end of the story: those explosive, you've-never-seen-it-coming kind of revelation/s. And the very last chapter was such a very impressive way of how to wrap things up for this kind of novel.
Nevertheless, this one still ended up as enjoyable, as usual. It still has the same trademark of James Patterson by the end of the story: those explosive, you've-never-seen-it-coming kind of revelation/s. And the very last chapter was such a very impressive way of how to wrap things up for this kind of novel.
April 20, 2011
saw this ending coming from a mile away!
December 6, 2012
I am glad I was able to pick up the early Patterson novel. I thought it was a real page turner. I found the characters realistic and the story almost believable.
September 23, 2016
Could not put this one down!
May 9, 2019
I listened to the teen version audio book. The voice actors were one of the better aspects of the book, especially the woman who voiced Anna, the detective tasked with figuring out if the story of Kathleen, one of the virgin mothers, was true. Between her and Colleen, I dont think there were differences between the teen girls, except for one living in New York and the other in Ireland. They were both very bland and one dimensional. They were described very generically as very good girls who never lied, or even cheat in Goverment high school class!
I thought Kathleen's parents would be interesting, but not really. The mom decided to call the church and the dad kept dismissing his daughter.
On the other hand, Colleen simply had no friends at all and her mom was barely mentioned, either she was always sleeping or resting to interact with her pregnant bullied daughter.
The book's theology struck me as all sorts of wrong. Not only does it depict faith as a force, "pray really hard with your eyes closed and simply believe", and no mention of being saved by God's grace. Reminded me that sadly, saved by works is rampant in Catholic beliefs.
But it also TOLD me a lot of what was happening instead of just showing me. How epic would it have been (because of all the diseases) if the government infrastructure to take care of the problems had been touched on?
Also, not all virgins have a hymen. It's a membrane easily torn in various ways.
**spoilers ahead**
*you were warned*
I did laugh at the true savior being a girl because I liked the twist. But really? Anna just had to believe she was strong enough to withstand the "demon" voice mocking her and showing her horrible visions of the priest and Justin being dead? Believing in herself is not the same as believing that through God, she can overcome temptation and darkness and all the evil, because of His strength, not hers.
I didn't like that there was no explanation as to why Anna was "chosen". It seemed as if she was being tested in order to be chosen and granted this amazing gift.
And finally, What is the purpose of God bringing in a new child through a virgin this time around? To save the world from sin? Already done by Jesus dying on the cross. To end the beast's child?
The book dismissed all the biblical prophecies of the 2nd coming of Jesus, not as a child again, but as a full adult, in all His divine rights. But I did think it was interesting that the Devil had to pervert the divine conception by needing to have intercourse with a human instead of how God did it, by His mighty power of giving life alone.
And what about the girl not knowing if she could bring the crash victims back to life? Jesus was fully God and fully human. He lived the perfect life while struggling just as we do, but always knew His power as part of the Godhead. It struck me that the savior girl (I forget her name) was just a human with some powers, like a mutant from the Xmen who just happens to have been divinely conceived.
I thought Kathleen's parents would be interesting, but not really. The mom decided to call the church and the dad kept dismissing his daughter.
On the other hand, Colleen simply had no friends at all and her mom was barely mentioned, either she was always sleeping or resting to interact with her pregnant bullied daughter.
The book's theology struck me as all sorts of wrong. Not only does it depict faith as a force, "pray really hard with your eyes closed and simply believe", and no mention of being saved by God's grace. Reminded me that sadly, saved by works is rampant in Catholic beliefs.
But it also TOLD me a lot of what was happening instead of just showing me. How epic would it have been (because of all the diseases) if the government infrastructure to take care of the problems had been touched on?
Also, not all virgins have a hymen. It's a membrane easily torn in various ways.
**spoilers ahead**
*you were warned*
I did laugh at the true savior being a girl because I liked the twist. But really? Anna just had to believe she was strong enough to withstand the "demon" voice mocking her and showing her horrible visions of the priest and Justin being dead? Believing in herself is not the same as believing that through God, she can overcome temptation and darkness and all the evil, because of His strength, not hers.
I didn't like that there was no explanation as to why Anna was "chosen". It seemed as if she was being tested in order to be chosen and granted this amazing gift.
And finally, What is the purpose of God bringing in a new child through a virgin this time around? To save the world from sin? Already done by Jesus dying on the cross. To end the beast's child?
The book dismissed all the biblical prophecies of the 2nd coming of Jesus, not as a child again, but as a full adult, in all His divine rights. But I did think it was interesting that the Devil had to pervert the divine conception by needing to have intercourse with a human instead of how God did it, by His mighty power of giving life alone.
And what about the girl not knowing if she could bring the crash victims back to life? Jesus was fully God and fully human. He lived the perfect life while struggling just as we do, but always knew His power as part of the Godhead. It struck me that the savior girl (I forget her name) was just a human with some powers, like a mutant from the Xmen who just happens to have been divinely conceived.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2023
DNF page 141
I went to Florida for a family event, and I wanted to take the time to test the "airport novel." These novels are usually written by John Grisham, Danielle Steel, Nora Roberts, Dan Brown, etc etc, and are essentially designed to be disposable. I have always been fascinated by them, so I thought on this flight, I would try a Jimmy P.
Uh, it was bad! Like shockingly bad. The prose was middle school (not written for Middle Schoolers, but as if written by one), and the story had potential to be interesting, but fell into several cliches by the point I had stopped. This is not me being snooty about Patterson, I went into this hoping to enjoy a fast-paced thriller with invisible writing, but what I got instead was kinda insulting. I paid a whole dollar for this?!
I can't see myself giving Jimmy P another chance if I'm being honest. He has great commercials tho!
I went to Florida for a family event, and I wanted to take the time to test the "airport novel." These novels are usually written by John Grisham, Danielle Steel, Nora Roberts, Dan Brown, etc etc, and are essentially designed to be disposable. I have always been fascinated by them, so I thought on this flight, I would try a Jimmy P.
Uh, it was bad! Like shockingly bad. The prose was middle school (not written for Middle Schoolers, but as if written by one), and the story had potential to be interesting, but fell into several cliches by the point I had stopped. This is not me being snooty about Patterson, I went into this hoping to enjoy a fast-paced thriller with invisible writing, but what I got instead was kinda insulting. I paid a whole dollar for this?!
I can't see myself giving Jimmy P another chance if I'm being honest. He has great commercials tho!
May 7, 2025
Patterson has written some pretty good books over the years. This was an early one from him completely different from what he writes today.
Is based on a story that has always intrigued me. The girls of FATIMA and the miracles promised. I like this book, I liked it a lot, but then I’m inclined to like things that support my belief system. I’m just glad that I found it.
It’s was published in 1970 and quite often, It’s hard to find books from that time that are available on online and ready to listen to not just read.
The person who was the reader did a pretty good job on this. I read it as a book provided for handicapped and blind people on the bard system & if you qualify, you should get involved and become a member. You may as I do get to enjoy audiobooks that don’t cost a penny. An annual contribution is a nice way to help though.
Is based on a story that has always intrigued me. The girls of FATIMA and the miracles promised. I like this book, I liked it a lot, but then I’m inclined to like things that support my belief system. I’m just glad that I found it.
It’s was published in 1970 and quite often, It’s hard to find books from that time that are available on online and ready to listen to not just read.
The person who was the reader did a pretty good job on this. I read it as a book provided for handicapped and blind people on the bard system & if you qualify, you should get involved and become a member. You may as I do get to enjoy audiobooks that don’t cost a penny. An annual contribution is a nice way to help though.
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