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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
I haven't read James Patterson in a long time and after this book, I am wondering if I will pick him up again.
Did I stay up too late reading this book and fly through it to find out what would happen next? Yes, but there were so many things wrong with this book, I don't know where to start.
The story became far-fetched so often that I almost abandoned the book (how many times can Alex get beat up in this book? Who in their right mind would run around Africa for so long and leave their family behind when killings were still happening in DC? And the list goes on...). The writing (including the punctuation) was cheesy at times (I don't remember his earlier works doing that) and the ending was utterly predictable.
I have to agree with the other Patterson critics that this once-great writer has lost his way in his effort to pump out as many books as possible.
That said, if you are looking for a mindless page-turner and you don't mind a lot of gore (this book gets pretty bad), you might enjoy Cross Country.
Did I stay up too late reading this book and fly through it to find out what would happen next? Yes, but there were so many things wrong with this book, I don't know where to start.
The story became far-fetched so often that I almost abandoned the book (how many times can Alex get beat up in this book? Who in their right mind would run around Africa for so long and leave their family behind when killings were still happening in DC? And the list goes on...). The writing (including the punctuation) was cheesy at times (I don't remember his earlier works doing that) and the ending was utterly predictable.
I have to agree with the other Patterson critics that this once-great writer has lost his way in his effort to pump out as many books as possible.
That said, if you are looking for a mindless page-turner and you don't mind a lot of gore (this book gets pretty bad), you might enjoy Cross Country.
I think it's really weird that a lot of the criminals Alex faces have animal names. Patterson has delivered us wolf, weasel, and now the tiger. Well, this tiger isn't lounging around in a jungle or sitting pretty in a zoo. Nope, this guy is murdering lots and lots of people. He also murdered Ellie, who was Alex's friend and first real love. Obviously, Alex tracks him down so he can catch him while delivering justice to Ellie and all of the other victims.
Cross Country takes Alex to Africa - which sounds like an awesome adventure except for the whole chasing a killer and everything. But this book is no vacation for Alex. Nope, because his ass gets arrested, thrown in jail, and tortured while visiting.
I don't know if it's just me but Alex came off super dumb in this book or maybe dumber than he has acted in the other books??! He just seems to walk into situations that he normally wouldn't.
And since I came into this series looking for the murders - this book definitely delivered gruesome ones. I kind of wanted to cover my eyes but read at the same time.
I can't wait to dive into the next book guys!
Cross Country takes Alex to Africa - which sounds like an awesome adventure except for the whole chasing a killer and everything. But this book is no vacation for Alex. Nope, because his ass gets arrested, thrown in jail, and tortured while visiting.
I don't know if it's just me but Alex came off super dumb in this book or maybe dumber than he has acted in the other books??! He just seems to walk into situations that he normally wouldn't.
And since I came into this series looking for the murders - this book definitely delivered gruesome ones. I kind of wanted to cover my eyes but read at the same time.
I can't wait to dive into the next book guys!
his books have become such a disappointment, yet i have to read. i wish i didn't.
I didn't enjoy this as much as Patterson's other books. was a decent read but I don't think I enjoyed the setting in Africa - it seemed implausible that he could survive given the nature of the investigation.
Very disappointing
As other reviewers have stated, this story was ridiculous and more unrealistic than anything written before about Alex. Alex does seem to be an idiot who puts everyone in danger intentionally. And who goes off to Africa for extended indefinite period of time while a killer he knows is just waiting to kill his family, and I’m not talking about the Tiger.
As other reviewers have stated, this story was ridiculous and more unrealistic than anything written before about Alex. Alex does seem to be an idiot who puts everyone in danger intentionally. And who goes off to Africa for extended indefinite period of time while a killer he knows is just waiting to kill his family, and I’m not talking about the Tiger.
Cross Country was meh at best and frustrating at most. This is my first (and possibly last) Alex Cross book, and if he acts this dumb for most of the series, then I don’t understand why this series is so popular.
I mean, this “detective” hops on a plane to go to Africa to chase a killer...and does no research about Africa, where the well-known dangerous hot spots are, how to get around on a practical daily level, or how to deal with the locals; does nothing to disguise the fact that he’s a white guy, despite knowing that racism and anti-American sentiments are rampant; makes the trip by himself with only himself as backup...and yet he’s surprised every time he gets kidnapped, beaten up, and tortured.
Given just how naive and stupid Alex Cross acts for someone who’s supposed to be a seasoned cop and detective, I suspect that James Patterson just used this book as a platform to preach about Africa and how terrible it is (while, likely, doing nothing himself to help aside from probably throwing money at the problem) - not unlike how he used Maximum Ride to rail against global warming/climate change and big corporations and promote environmentalism.
Mr. Patterson, please step down from the soap box or do a better job of integrating your personal beliefs into your story without sacrificing your own characters and story on the alter.
I mean, this “detective” hops on a plane to go to Africa to chase a killer...and does no research about Africa, where the well-known dangerous hot spots are, how to get around on a practical daily level, or how to deal with the locals; does nothing to disguise the fact that he’s a white guy, despite knowing that racism and anti-American sentiments are rampant; makes the trip by himself with only himself as backup...and yet he’s surprised every time he gets kidnapped, beaten up, and tortured.
Given just how naive and stupid Alex Cross acts for someone who’s supposed to be a seasoned cop and detective, I suspect that James Patterson just used this book as a platform to preach about Africa and how terrible it is (while, likely, doing nothing himself to help aside from probably throwing money at the problem) - not unlike how he used Maximum Ride to rail against global warming/climate change and big corporations and promote environmentalism.
Mr. Patterson, please step down from the soap box or do a better job of integrating your personal beliefs into your story without sacrificing your own characters and story on the alter.
This was the worst James Patterson I have ever read. Boring, choppy, didn't like the story line, poorly developed.....you get the idea. I contemplated stopping reading it many times, but for some reason kept on...
Like all James Patterson books he has an amazing story to tell and keeps you interested! This book was a bit more graphic then I sometimes like so be aware if your picking him up for the first time. I also really appreciated a leading writter touching on the topic of international political debate and genocide that is happening just across the Atlantic ocean
Alex Cross' decisions in this book made him a very inconsistent character, idiotic most of the time, which is unlike the other books.