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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
I’m glad the Alex Cross novels moved back to full length. I did think this storyline was a little longer than it needed to be. Listened to the audio version.
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Title: The People vs. Alex Cross
Author: James Patterson
Series: Alex Cross, #25
Genre: Mystery/Police Procedural
Rating: 3.75
Pub Date: November 20, 2017
T H R E E • W O R D S
Quick • Tense • Engaging
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Following an on-the-job shooting, which resulted in two fatalities and another victim left with life-changing injuries, Alex Cross finds himself on trial for murder. Alex's knows he acted in self-defense. But will the jury see it that way as the prosecution presents its case? True to his character, Alex cannot say no when his former partner John Sampson shows up needing help in a case relating to a string of missing blonde women, even though he knows he is risking what is left of his career. Will Alex be able to save himself and the girls? Or will everything go up in flames?
💭 T H O U G H T S
In his trademark short, quick chapters, Patterson delivers another good installment in the bestselling series. Switching back and forth between the plotlines seamlessly, he presents some background info key to the stories before the plot really gets going. While other series have suffered in entertainment value as the series has progressed, I don't find this is the case in the Cross series. Maybe because Patterson continues to write these ones himself? I couldn't turn the pages fast enough, and I can always count on this series when I need a quick, engaging read to get me out of slump. The integration of the familial life is one of the reasons I love this series so much. Nana Mama may just be one of my most beloved characters... ever!
While these books can be read individually, I suggest reading them in order to get the full reading experience.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• Alex Cross devotees
• readers looking for a quick read
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"That's because when you fall in love, there's a chemical cocktail mixing in your brain. First it's norepinephrine, and then the serotonins kick in, give you wild energy. It's like bathing your brain in cocaine."
Author: James Patterson
Series: Alex Cross, #25
Genre: Mystery/Police Procedural
Rating: 3.75
Pub Date: November 20, 2017
T H R E E • W O R D S
Quick • Tense • Engaging
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Following an on-the-job shooting, which resulted in two fatalities and another victim left with life-changing injuries, Alex Cross finds himself on trial for murder. Alex's knows he acted in self-defense. But will the jury see it that way as the prosecution presents its case? True to his character, Alex cannot say no when his former partner John Sampson shows up needing help in a case relating to a string of missing blonde women, even though he knows he is risking what is left of his career. Will Alex be able to save himself and the girls? Or will everything go up in flames?
💭 T H O U G H T S
In his trademark short, quick chapters, Patterson delivers another good installment in the bestselling series. Switching back and forth between the plotlines seamlessly, he presents some background info key to the stories before the plot really gets going. While other series have suffered in entertainment value as the series has progressed, I don't find this is the case in the Cross series. Maybe because Patterson continues to write these ones himself? I couldn't turn the pages fast enough, and I can always count on this series when I need a quick, engaging read to get me out of slump. The integration of the familial life is one of the reasons I love this series so much. Nana Mama may just be one of my most beloved characters... ever!
While these books can be read individually, I suggest reading them in order to get the full reading experience.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• Alex Cross devotees
• readers looking for a quick read
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"That's because when you fall in love, there's a chemical cocktail mixing in your brain. First it's norepinephrine, and then the serotonins kick in, give you wild energy. It's like bathing your brain in cocaine."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood
Moderate: Confinement, Gun violence, Hate crime, Kidnapping, Murder
Minor: Animal cruelty, Terminal illness
mention of strangulation
I always enjoy the Alex Cross series, and I really liked the angle of this one. While still involving a criminal investigation, the novel also considers Alex Cross's own actions as he is on trial for deadly force. A pretty interesting take on current events and the "other side" of the issues.
There was a lot to like about this book and it was vintage Patterson. The Alex Cross series has always been his best. I have one issue though.
This was the first book where it really brought home to me that Alex Cross is a black character written by a white writer. There is a scene where Alex is talking to his son about police shootings and he doesn't go into "the talk" that African American parents have with their children. Maybe he'd done it previously, but then Mr. Patterson would usually allude to that. He didn't.
Also no where in the whole trial is race even mentioned. No way that would happen especially in today's climate. A black police detective on trial for killing two white people? Race would have been front and center. Sampson would have said something to Cross about it.
That being sad it is still a good book and I will still read the next Alex Cross.
This was the first book where it really brought home to me that Alex Cross is a black character written by a white writer. There is a scene where Alex is talking to his son about police shootings and he doesn't go into "the talk" that African American parents have with their children. Maybe he'd done it previously, but then Mr. Patterson would usually allude to that. He didn't.
Also no where in the whole trial is race even mentioned. No way that would happen especially in today's climate. A black police detective on trial for killing two white people? Race would have been front and center. Sampson would have said something to Cross about it.
That being sad it is still a good book and I will still read the next Alex Cross.
Audio
This will be my last James Patterson/Alex Cross for awhile. I. Just. Couldn't. I realize Alex (and Sampson) is the hero but...why did I know they would find the phone when no one else did? This one was too much for me. Maybe the narration was the problem. Not the narrator; he did an excellent job. The addition of background sounds (gunfire, dramatic music) didn't add to my listening experience.
This will be my last James Patterson/Alex Cross for awhile. I. Just. Couldn't. I realize Alex (and Sampson) is the hero but...why did I know they would find the phone when no one else did? This one was too much for me. Maybe the narration was the problem. Not the narrator; he did an excellent job. The addition of background sounds (gunfire, dramatic music) didn't add to my listening experience.
After an apparent snafu with all the Alex Cross and BookShot releases to confuse many fans of the series, Patterson attempts to set things back on track with this much-anticipated novel. Alex Cross is on trial for two counts of first degree murder, stemming from an apparent unjustified shooting of a number of Gary Soneji lookalikes (see BookShot ‘Cross Kill’, eventually labelled properly as Alex Cross 24.4). However, he has been able to stay out of jail for the time being and is serving a suspension, allowing Cross to open a temporary private counselling practice. News hits the DC Police that blondes are being kidnapped, their photos eventually posted on the dark web, sometimes in apparent snuff films. Cross becomes personally involved when a patient comes to him, seeking help to locate his daughter, whom he feels may still be alive. Working under the radar, Cross learns more about the case and begins following up leads, much to the chagrin of his wife and Chief of Ds, Bree Stone. With the trial set to open, Cross is confident that he will be able to tell the truth and go free, but previously uncovered videos of the event prove highly damning, to the point that Cross begins to doubt himself. However, there are those within the Cross clan that will stop at nothing to prove Alex innocent and there has to be something within the footage and the forensic evidence to shed light on this travesty of justice. Meanwhile, a teenage girl hangs on by a thread, uncertain what awaits her and a killer with a strong dislike of certain hair colours continues a rampage that could dispel the myth that blondes have it better. A decent addition to the Alex Cross series, allowing fans to get some answers after a mess of poorly timed releases in Patterson’s attempt to pad his gold-lined pockets.
I have said it once and I will say it again, James Patterson can write well when it suits him, but he seems to use his name to sell books and not think of the readers who adore his series. I ranted previously about the muck that became the Alex Cross series with the novels and BookShots intermingling and keeping series fans leaping back and forth, worried that they had missed something. Timing is everything with this series, as the number of novels continues to climb, but it is only the patient and dedicated series fan who will not have tossed in the towel or f-bombed dear JP by now. When writing alone, Patterson can concoct some great characters, which he has done here, though Alex Cross may be looking to hang up those cuffs and turn to something more psychiatric or counselling-based to appease those of us who know he cannot be a spring chicken. Characters like Nanna Momma continue to inject much needed humour into the story, though there are times that I cannot help but dislike all the precocious and ‘gifted’ genes that Cross has somehow been able to find in his offspring. The dual (at least) premise of the story keeps the reader juggling both the trial and the search for the latest serial killer, which works well inside these short chapters. Patterson paces things well and in true fashion, one thread is tied off and leaves a single focus for the final 30 chapters. The trial premise worked decently, though the reader can always expect that Perry Mason moment when evidence that was previously missing someone comes together, but will it work in Cross’s favour this time around? I have stopped setting the bar so high for Alex Cross books, as I turn to them when I need a quick read and a rest from mental gymnastics. It served its purpose, but I am happy to say that I acquire these in such a way that I am not forced to pad the royalty cheque that dear James Patterson receives.
Kudos, Mr. Patterson, on another decent addition to the series. One can hope you and your publishers will pay attention to series fans who raged about the out of sync release dates on this series.
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 have said it once and I will say it again, James Patterson can write well when it suits him, but he seems to use his name to sell books and not think of the readers who adore his series. I ranted previously about the muck that became the Alex Cross series with the novels and BookShots intermingling and keeping series fans leaping back and forth, worried that they had missed something. Timing is everything with this series, as the number of novels continues to climb, but it is only the patient and dedicated series fan who will not have tossed in the towel or f-bombed dear JP by now. When writing alone, Patterson can concoct some great characters, which he has done here, though Alex Cross may be looking to hang up those cuffs and turn to something more psychiatric or counselling-based to appease those of us who know he cannot be a spring chicken. Characters like Nanna Momma continue to inject much needed humour into the story, though there are times that I cannot help but dislike all the precocious and ‘gifted’ genes that Cross has somehow been able to find in his offspring. The dual (at least) premise of the story keeps the reader juggling both the trial and the search for the latest serial killer, which works well inside these short chapters. Patterson paces things well and in true fashion, one thread is tied off and leaves a single focus for the final 30 chapters. The trial premise worked decently, though the reader can always expect that Perry Mason moment when evidence that was previously missing someone comes together, but will it work in Cross’s favour this time around? I have stopped setting the bar so high for Alex Cross books, as I turn to them when I need a quick read and a rest from mental gymnastics. It served its purpose, but I am happy to say that I acquire these in such a way that I am not forced to pad the royalty cheque that dear James Patterson receives.
Kudos, Mr. Patterson, on another decent addition to the series. One can hope you and your publishers will pay attention to series fans who raged about the out of sync release dates on this series.
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've said many times that Alex Cross feels like home to me as it is my favourite series of all time.
This book follows Alex as he is on trial for murder. A murder he carried out in self-defence.
However, he has been labelled as a trigger-happy cop.
Alongside this there's another story of blonde girls being kidnapped for snuff movies.
The story was so well written. I loved it from start to finish.
The only thing I felt a little let down by was the fact that the trial was wrapped up around half way through as I felt as it was meant to be based on this trial it should have continued all the way through. It would have shown such a different dynamic to Alex and his family and how this has impacted them!! We got to see the impact with Ali and the bullies or Jannie and her doubts and fears but more of that would be better!!
Overall I loved the book! Definitely recommend
This book follows Alex as he is on trial for murder. A murder he carried out in self-defence.
However, he has been labelled as a trigger-happy cop.
Alongside this there's another story of blonde girls being kidnapped for snuff movies.
The story was so well written. I loved it from start to finish.
The only thing I felt a little let down by was the fact that the trial was wrapped up around half way through as I felt as it was meant to be based on this trial it should have continued all the way through. It would have shown such a different dynamic to Alex and his family and how this has impacted them!! We got to see the impact with Ali and the bullies or Jannie and her doubts and fears but more of that would be better!!
Overall I loved the book! Definitely recommend
I’m glad the Alex Cross novels moved back to full length. I did think this storyline was a little longer than it needed to be. Listened to the audio version.