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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
This was my first Alex Cross novel and my second (third?) Patterson novel. This summer I took a trip to PA and bought a Patterson novel from the airport convenience store. I finished that book early in my trip and had to find another book to read on the way home! I stumbled across this book at one of the Little Library locations in PA. What a fun find.
I read Along Came a Spider on the return trip (PA to Seattle). It was definitely an engrossing novel! It's not my favorite thriller/mystery but I'd be willing to read more of the Alex Cross series.
I read Along Came a Spider on the return trip (PA to Seattle). It was definitely an engrossing novel! It's not my favorite thriller/mystery but I'd be willing to read more of the Alex Cross series.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
fast-paced
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A Promising Plot Undermined by Frustrating Flaws
This is my first book by the author, and I’m not quite sure what to think... yet.
Along Came a Spider is the first book in the Alex Cross series. Alex Cross, a detective with the Washington D.C. Police Department, is pulled off a brutal family murder case to assist in the high-profile kidnapping of two children from an elite school. The perpetrator? Gary Soneji, a seemingly ordinary teacher who harbors psychopathic tendencies and an audacious ambition to commit the "crime of the century."
Alex Cross isn’t just a detective; he’s also a psychologist, which, in theory, should make him an exceptionally skilled investigator. But can he outsmart Soneji and save the children? That’s the question that keeps you turning the pages of this 450-page thriller.
I had my moments with this book—both good and bad. Let me point out the frustrating ones:
1. Unrealized Potential:
Alex Cross is portrayed as a brilliant detective with a psychology degree from one of the finest institutions. However, his investigative methods often lack the psychological depth you'd expect. Instead, he follows clues in a fairly routine manner, no different from what any other detective might do. This left me questioning why he’s supposed to be “smarter” than the FBI. On that note, why do local PD detectives in fiction always think they’re more competent than federal agents?
2. Romance Over Reason:
Amidst the tense pursuit of a psychopathic kidnapper, Alex Cross starts an affair with Jezzie, a Secret Service agent. Their romantic interludes—like bike rides and vacations—felt oddly timed and detracted from the urgency of the case.
3. Overemphasis on Race:
The constant mention of Alex Cross being Black became tiresome. It felt less like a meaningful exploration of race and more like an overused narrative device. At times, it seemed as though the racial divide was being emphasized to the point of overshadowing the plot. I never realized how deeply ingrained racism is in America—especially ironic considering how often American leaders criticize other countries, like India, for their issues with discrimination. In this case, Patterson’s portrayal felt more like rubbing salt on old wounds rather than offering thoughtful commentary.
4. Pop Culture Name-Dropping:
The frequent references to movies and other pop culture elements felt excessive, distracting from the story rather than enriching it.
These recurring issues, unfortunately, marred what could have been a compelling plot.
If the author had cut down on the excessive rambling, the book's dark and gripping plot could have earned it four stars. However, I deducted two stars for how it was mishandled.
So, why did I pick up this book in the first place?
I watched the first episode of the Cross series and decided to give the book a shot. However, just like the show (which I abandoned after second episode), I struggled to stay engaged. I was eager to finish the book and move on.
Would I read another book by this author? Perhaps—but only if it comes highly recommended.
This is my first book by the author, and I’m not quite sure what to think... yet.
Along Came a Spider is the first book in the Alex Cross series. Alex Cross, a detective with the Washington D.C. Police Department, is pulled off a brutal family murder case to assist in the high-profile kidnapping of two children from an elite school. The perpetrator? Gary Soneji, a seemingly ordinary teacher who harbors psychopathic tendencies and an audacious ambition to commit the "crime of the century."
Alex Cross isn’t just a detective; he’s also a psychologist, which, in theory, should make him an exceptionally skilled investigator. But can he outsmart Soneji and save the children? That’s the question that keeps you turning the pages of this 450-page thriller.
I had my moments with this book—both good and bad. Let me point out the frustrating ones:
1. Unrealized Potential:
Alex Cross is portrayed as a brilliant detective with a psychology degree from one of the finest institutions. However, his investigative methods often lack the psychological depth you'd expect. Instead, he follows clues in a fairly routine manner, no different from what any other detective might do. This left me questioning why he’s supposed to be “smarter” than the FBI. On that note, why do local PD detectives in fiction always think they’re more competent than federal agents?
2. Romance Over Reason:
Amidst the tense pursuit of a psychopathic kidnapper, Alex Cross starts an affair with Jezzie, a Secret Service agent. Their romantic interludes—like bike rides and vacations—felt oddly timed and detracted from the urgency of the case.
3. Overemphasis on Race:
The constant mention of Alex Cross being Black became tiresome. It felt less like a meaningful exploration of race and more like an overused narrative device. At times, it seemed as though the racial divide was being emphasized to the point of overshadowing the plot. I never realized how deeply ingrained racism is in America—especially ironic considering how often American leaders criticize other countries, like India, for their issues with discrimination. In this case, Patterson’s portrayal felt more like rubbing salt on old wounds rather than offering thoughtful commentary.
4. Pop Culture Name-Dropping:
The frequent references to movies and other pop culture elements felt excessive, distracting from the story rather than enriching it.
These recurring issues, unfortunately, marred what could have been a compelling plot.
If the author had cut down on the excessive rambling, the book's dark and gripping plot could have earned it four stars. However, I deducted two stars for how it was mishandled.
So, why did I pick up this book in the first place?
I watched the first episode of the Cross series and decided to give the book a shot. However, just like the show (which I abandoned after second episode), I struggled to stay engaged. I was eager to finish the book and move on.
Would I read another book by this author? Perhaps—but only if it comes highly recommended.
slow-paced
The only bad thing is that I'll probably end up buying all 30 books...
dark
mysterious
slow-paced