Cross Country - Newest book

[Fiona (Titch)]

What do you make of the next 2 books in the series?

Alex's Trial (book 15) & I, Alex Cross (book 16) They are due out in September and November 2009.

[Kaz.]

I will have to go and have a look at the James Patterson site to see if I can get a hint on what the story line is about and I'll get back to you.

[[deleted user]]

I didn't read all the posts, because I want to be surprised! Is this Alex Cross or Michael Bennett series?

[Tumani]

I am really into the Alex Cross series, however, Cross Country didn't meet my expectations. In fact, I didn't complete the book. I went back and picked up Lifeguard and Sailing. I am really enjoying Lifeguard; I haven't started reading Sailing.

[Tumani]

Tumani wrote: "I am really into the Alex Cross series, however, Cross Country didn't meet my expectations. In fact, I didn't complete the book. I went back and picked up Lifeguard and Sailing. I am really enjo..."

[[deleted user]]

Tumani: Is Lifegard in one of his series, or a stand-alone book? I'm on Alex Cross Cat and Mouse. A big book! I'd switched out to other books for a while, and it's nice to "meet" Alex again and follow along.
I feel J.P. has some to be desired in his actual writing, but the story plots are good. This one is quite non-predictable so far, so that's great!

[Aarthy]

I just finished reading the book last week or so. A decent one, Patterson takes Alex thru a riveting African odyssey, sharing some beastly (and yet legit) details of the African child soldiers and terrorist organizations. It seemed as though Patterson wanted to bring to light the many atrocities happening in Africa, in the name of freedom, thru this book. I applaud Patterson for the effort. However, story-wise, it did seem a bit unrealistic to me at times, like Alex trying to single-handedly tackle the African terrorist organizations, and quite miraculously, surviving it! Not you’re typical Alex Cross thriller, but a good one, indeed.

[[deleted user]]

Waaaayyyy above, someone asked when Kyle Craig was introduced as a character. I wonder, too. I was up to Roses are Red and by the end realized the character hadn't been developed enough through the series. Without spoiling the end-and despite little character development throughout, I felt he acted very out of character from the little we know about him...perhaps development of him throughout would've helped Roses are Red make more sense.

The draw for me is familiar characters, yet it seems deep development is lacking a bit...I feel this way because I can't even picture some. Jannie and Damon especially-I see their lightheartedness but can't "see" their faces.

I feel occasional angst on their parts would be more realistic considering the amount of violence that has chased Alex and those he's been so personal with...Naomi, Christine, Jezzie, Betsey, even the household cat. I'd like to see Nana remind him he puts his loved ones in jeopardy in his work every moment of every day and night, and nudge him occasionally into a therapy practice instead. It could be another little banter poke, prudge that follows through the series as they have others... but very serious under the surface of both characters.

(To JP fans, I'm NOT bashing, just observing. I am an observer of writing as much as enjoying stories!)

For instance, the kids could catch heinous crimes he investigates on the news...they have a bit of trouble with worry about him, he reassures them well despite knowing the truth-that any of the "evil ones" could strike his family at any time.

I'd love to see more personal poignant moments such as in the midst of a horrible case, him coming in the room and just watch Damon and Jannie sleeping with a full moon filtering light through the blinds...the light falling across Jannie's golden hair, across Nana's homespun quilts, and him feeling a bit of comfort in those streams of light touching them-spending hours watching them for comfort and a feeling of "protection" until he falls asleep in the chair there. I just feel the kids are too unaffected by his career. But, maybe more of this may come in as I go forward to Violets are Blue and the others of the series...

He takes solace in his piano, while these such poignant moments may bond him tighter to the kids than just boxing lessons, and his sweety interactions with them.

I could go on about the writing...but feel I'd get an onslaught of anger from all JP fans. Obviously despite the writing, I am still a fan because I'm still following the series!

This is just an overall "discussion point" regarding the series up to Roses are Red. Any other discussion (rather than bashing me) is very welcome. Maybe I'm reading them to fast to see some of the things I've noted are lacking above. I'd love reminders of any poignant scenes within the series!

Thanks for letting me critique the writing.

[Mandy]

A lot of the things you pointed out I feel do happen later on in the series, Nana Mama telling him to get out of the job, good bonding with the kids and family, we get more of an insight to Alex and his family. Perhaps it's a little early in the series just yet.

[[deleted user]]

Yes, I'm hoping the development continues through the series. I only wish the development would've been clarified earlier on so it didn't confuse plots.
i.e: from book to book Christine was a saint who wanted to marry Alex no matter what, and then once she's found, they don't get deep enough into the resentment she feels for Alex' part in her kidnapping to the point of a mother giving up her child! Even under the circumstances, I can see her not wanting to marry him, be involved with him, but NOT give little Alex up...he's all she had that was beautiful while she was abducted to where ever she was (which was unclear). I do look forward to Violets are Blue, but a couple others have been waiting on my shelf in the meantime! Nice chatting with you.

[Afsana]

Karen wrote: "I can't remember which exact books he was in but he was in all the early few books of the series, at a guess about the first 6 or so, he befriended Alex and was in the FBI."

As Kyle Craig is alex's boss and friend he was mentioned in all the first books as helping alex and just being there it is only later that you realise that he is evil (i think it as roses are red)

Re Cross country this is my review

"this was not one of his best books

I read it and enjoyed it on a superficial level but found that the storyline seemed a bit far fetched

Alex cross is on the hunt for a gang of killers who kill whole families. The gang is made of children and led by a vicious killer who does not hesitate to wipe out the entire family due to his unhappiness with one.

The story enfolds mainly in a foreign land where Alex has chased the killer (not even sure it is the right one) ignoring the fact that this unlike others definately endangers his family and goes against his bosses and tries to stop the gang.

It then of course leads to his families capture but goes against previous experience with the killer as the killer holds them hostage to terrorize alex rather than an automatically kill as punishment "

[Kaz.]

I agree with you Afsana, it was to far fetched and it really annoyed me that he did not consider the safety of his family in this book, it goes against his personality that has been built up in his previous books, his own and his families safety was number one priority before this book that is why he went back to his sociology practice when he did.

I was disappointed in this book and I have liked them all up to date, I hope the next installment is better than this one.

[Afsana]

Karen I hope so to-have you read 8th confession? Or run for your life

Run for your life-michael bennet was great i am really enjoying that series and 8th confession was good ( I am not too sure on the womens murder club. firstt couple were good and then it seemed that he just was churning them out and wanting to get to the end and they are all coauthored!!-

[Kaz.]

Yes I've read 8th Confession and really enjoyed it.

I've only read Step on a Crack, the first one in the Michael Bennet series so far, I thought it was good and I'll be reading Run for your Life soon.

[Afsana]

Thats good it gets better I preferred it over womens murder club

I am not sure about whether to read alex cross's trial as it is about alex's ancestor and him writing about it

anyone else dubious whethjer it will be worth a read?