Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
I am a huge fan of the Alex Cross series, but this entry was a slog for me. It took me forever to finish, albeit I was reading before bed and could have just been sleepy. BUT if the story was intriguing, I probably would have powered through no matter how tired I was. There was way too much build up before some action actually happened. Once the book hit its climax, though, I was way more interested in figuring out the who and the why. The motive was a crazy one and would be scary if something like that could actually happen.
The story line for this book was tied up, but Patterson finished with a cliffhanger, which of course, I now need to read the next book to see where it goes. It seems like this new mystery will focus on a solitary psycho killer that Alex Cross is famous for going after. This book was more a political thriller and I'm happy that it sounds like Patterson will be going back to Cross's "roots."
The story line for this book was tied up, but Patterson finished with a cliffhanger, which of course, I now need to read the next book to see where it goes. It seems like this new mystery will focus on a solitary psycho killer that Alex Cross is famous for going after. This book was more a political thriller and I'm happy that it sounds like Patterson will be going back to Cross's "roots."
I normally love the Alex Cross series. This one was a struggle for me because I felt the plot was just too far out there. I’m sure I’ll pick up the next one but this one did disappoint.
In the craziness that is James Patterson’s massive collection of collaborative efforts, it is hard to find something that truly has the ‘Patterson flavour’ any longer. While he has shuffled many of his series and one-off novels to others, the Alex Cross novels remain solely his, allowing fans to see where he has taken his longest-serving protagonist over two decades. In this novel, Alex Cross and the rest of the country are stunned by the death of the President of the United States, an event that resonates, no matter one’s political leanings. As the country seeks to brush itself off, Washington is stunned by a new set of murders, including one of a sitting US senator. Alex is pulled in to work the case by the FBI, which forces him to keep his wife, Chief of Detectives Bree Stone, away from the action. As they work, the case seems somewhat open and shut, with a suspect all but pointing to where they committed the crime. Then, things take a definite turn. Multiple murders of several high-ranking officials lead Cross and the FBI to feel that there might be an international threat to the United States. It’s no longer a criminal they seek, but a country ready to do whatever it takes to weaken America. With nuclear weapons on hand, this could quickly escalate into a war from which no one will walk away unscathed. Patterson does well to amp up the action as Alex Cross continues to entertain, in his twenty-sixth novel. Recommended to series fans and those who want to ride the wave of international meddling in American affairs.
It is becoming harder for me to find myself hooked on James Patterson series of late. While I have come to really enjoy some of his long-running collections, they begin to get a little stale or outlive their run. Alex Cross has always been a stalwart for me, something on which I can rely. While the characters age, Alex never lets that dilute his work on crimes or his passion for family. Still, one must begin to wonder if there is a time and place to let him hang up the cuffs and enjoy those around him. I began to feel that way about this book, as things have become somewhat stagnant. The crime is surely out of this world—well, country—but I was left wondering if things simply have run out for Alex Cross and if he needs to let someone else take over. Cross is a remarkable man and his character is second to none, though I think it is not him that is so bothersome, but some of the corny interactions he has with patients and his own family that has me soured. Great kids, lovely wife, and a funny grandmother, but it’s just a little too hokey in the dialogue. I’d never want Patterson to wipe them out, for that his the Cross foundation and all that keeps him sane. Still, they tend to grate on my nerves, which spills over to creating an animosity for me as I read. The premise of the story is great and could really have worked well. I think it needed some more grit, something deeper and more intense. There are some wonderful political and criminal elements in the story that I would love to see in a series (or one-off) that can dedicate time to this sort of political thriller, but Patterson’s use of short chapters and hokey family sub-plots were not for me. An easy read and I will always keep Patterson around for that, but could it be that Alex Cross novels are falling victim to James Patterson Syndrome? Might they be selling for the name on the cover and not the quality of the writing? We can at least applaud him for a wonderful cliffhanger ending!
Kudos, Mr. Patterson, for keeping Alex Cross going. I know I can be tough, but I think it’s fair game when you are so established and basking in fortune
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons
It is becoming harder for me to find myself hooked on James Patterson series of late. While I have come to really enjoy some of his long-running collections, they begin to get a little stale or outlive their run. Alex Cross has always been a stalwart for me, something on which I can rely. While the characters age, Alex never lets that dilute his work on crimes or his passion for family. Still, one must begin to wonder if there is a time and place to let him hang up the cuffs and enjoy those around him. I began to feel that way about this book, as things have become somewhat stagnant. The crime is surely out of this world—well, country—but I was left wondering if things simply have run out for Alex Cross and if he needs to let someone else take over. Cross is a remarkable man and his character is second to none, though I think it is not him that is so bothersome, but some of the corny interactions he has with patients and his own family that has me soured. Great kids, lovely wife, and a funny grandmother, but it’s just a little too hokey in the dialogue. I’d never want Patterson to wipe them out, for that his the Cross foundation and all that keeps him sane. Still, they tend to grate on my nerves, which spills over to creating an animosity for me as I read. The premise of the story is great and could really have worked well. I think it needed some more grit, something deeper and more intense. There are some wonderful political and criminal elements in the story that I would love to see in a series (or one-off) that can dedicate time to this sort of political thriller, but Patterson’s use of short chapters and hokey family sub-plots were not for me. An easy read and I will always keep Patterson around for that, but could it be that Alex Cross novels are falling victim to James Patterson Syndrome? Might they be selling for the name on the cover and not the quality of the writing? We can at least applaud him for a wonderful cliffhanger ending!
Kudos, Mr. Patterson, for keeping Alex Cross going. I know I can be tough, but I think it’s fair game when you are so established and basking in fortune
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons
I really Enjoyed this books.
I will admit I found this to be less enjoyable than usual and I think it was largely due to each of the many assassins in this book having chapters from their POV as it just felt like many assassins targeting people but I found it hard to differentiate.
But the story was smart and very interesting. I enjoyed learning about Marshal Law and seeing Alex and his family as they experience this.
It also ended in a way where I assume it will follow on into the next book.
Few issues but overall a good read
I will admit I found this to be less enjoyable than usual and I think it was largely due to each of the many assassins in this book having chapters from their POV as it just felt like many assassins targeting people but I found it hard to differentiate.
But the story was smart and very interesting. I enjoyed learning about Marshal Law and seeing Alex and his family as they experience this.
It also ended in a way where I assume it will follow on into the next book.
Few issues but overall a good read
Target Alex Cross, the twenty-six novel to feature psychologist Dr Alex Cross, is as captivating and nail-biting an affair as many of Mr Patterson's previous novels. He is my go-to author if I'm looking for a light and easy, none-taxing read, but of course, many of them, including this one require a healthy suspension of disbelief which I don't mind as long as I have an idea that it'll be that way. It isn't necessary to have read the previous books in order to enjoy this one as the author very kindly provides background on the recurring characters, their development and why they act the way they do. As always with Patterson, this is an edge-of-your-seat, nonstop action type of thriller that has a cornucopia of shocking twists that I didn't see coming and that make the plot explosive. The main characters are developed well and Patterson's propensity for keeping the chapters short and punchy creates a tension that builds nicely throughout the story.
Although the second half of the book is told from Alex's perspective, the first 50% changes between lots of different characters points-of-view and is quite confusing but intriguing. Only towards the concluding part of the book does it all become clear, and the struggle to keep each character straight in your head eventually pays off. This is a well written and expertly plotted white-knuckle ride that will be loved by those who are already fans of this series and James Patterson's books in general but will also no doubt gain him many new admirers. The author is a master of the crime genre, and it's easy to see why he has been the number one bestselling thriller writer for many years. The breakneck pace coupled with the fact that you just get past one amazing twist and you're straight onto another makes this a highly entertaining and unputdownable read. You barely have time to take a breath. Highly recommended.
Many thanks to Century for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Although the second half of the book is told from Alex's perspective, the first 50% changes between lots of different characters points-of-view and is quite confusing but intriguing. Only towards the concluding part of the book does it all become clear, and the struggle to keep each character straight in your head eventually pays off. This is a well written and expertly plotted white-knuckle ride that will be loved by those who are already fans of this series and James Patterson's books in general but will also no doubt gain him many new admirers. The author is a master of the crime genre, and it's easy to see why he has been the number one bestselling thriller writer for many years. The breakneck pace coupled with the fact that you just get past one amazing twist and you're straight onto another makes this a highly entertaining and unputdownable read. You barely have time to take a breath. Highly recommended.
Many thanks to Century for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Starting to wonder if I’m going to continue this series...this one was just meh. Again.