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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
I have abandoned this book. I think it is a murder mystery, but I don't like any of the plot or characters, or the writing. There is some sense of intrigue, but it is not enough to keep me reading.
I managed to get this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy). While I enjoyed this book, I think Kill Alex Cross was better--and I had just read that recently.
A must if you're a fan of the series though!
A must if you're a fan of the series though!
James Patterson cannot go wrong when he pens his Alex Cross novels (perhaps proof that it is the co-authoring that makes some of the work attributed to him sub-standard). In this, the 20th installment of the Alex Cross series, the book takes our main character and stretches him out to deal with three main issues: a set of murderers on the loose, a reporter with an axe to grind, and some major issues at home that threaten to tear the family apart. Cross must juggle all these issues with his usual aplomb, and keep the citizens of Washington safe. With his typical class, Cross tackles everything head on and leaves no rock unturned as he fights for his family and his own safety. Patterson has surely saved the best for this installment, which pits Cross into some of his most trying issues to date. A great ending brings the reader to the edge of their seat, left doubtful that the words on the page could be anything but deceitful.
The series, in general, does a good job with presenting the chronological progression of Cross and his family. There are sure to be some inconsistencies and some books are written to take place as follow-ups to their predecessors, although they are written a year later. We have not gone on a 20 year journey with Alex Cross, though some mention of past histories do help the reader fill in gaps not discussed in full-on books. The series does regularly deal with one-off ‘bad guys’, evil-doers who pop up and are caught in the same 100 chapters or so. I have, however, enjoyed Patterson’s use of recurring characters to force the avid Alex Cross reader to remember the threads of past storylines to piece the larger story together for all involved.
I have a love/hate relationship with James Patterson and his books. While he is surely one of the great writers of quick crime fiction (I take creative liberty to make my own sub-genre) these days, his long list of new publications are not always as stellar as the moniker of ‘New York Times bestseller’ would lead one to believe. Those who have read some of my numerous Patterson reviews will know that I have penned the ‘Patterson syndrome’, whereby an author will succeed in selling a vast quantity of their books simply on name alone. Patterson’s Cross, WMC, and Bennett series are the only ones whose regularity is also met with greatness. While some of his earlier one-offs are decent reads, others are best used to prop open a door in a drafty house. That said, Cross is his go-to series and is usually fairly well written. The reader need not worry about sub-par writing or silly storylines. I do wonder how long he will be able to keep the story going, as we are reaching the limits of what I suspect the character can do.
Kudos, Mr. Patterson, for this great piece of work. You’ve done well with your original series and I hope it remains a important staple in you writing career.
The series, in general, does a good job with presenting the chronological progression of Cross and his family. There are sure to be some inconsistencies and some books are written to take place as follow-ups to their predecessors, although they are written a year later. We have not gone on a 20 year journey with Alex Cross, though some mention of past histories do help the reader fill in gaps not discussed in full-on books. The series does regularly deal with one-off ‘bad guys’, evil-doers who pop up and are caught in the same 100 chapters or so. I have, however, enjoyed Patterson’s use of recurring characters to force the avid Alex Cross reader to remember the threads of past storylines to piece the larger story together for all involved.
I have a love/hate relationship with James Patterson and his books. While he is surely one of the great writers of quick crime fiction (I take creative liberty to make my own sub-genre) these days, his long list of new publications are not always as stellar as the moniker of ‘New York Times bestseller’ would lead one to believe. Those who have read some of my numerous Patterson reviews will know that I have penned the ‘Patterson syndrome’, whereby an author will succeed in selling a vast quantity of their books simply on name alone. Patterson’s Cross, WMC, and Bennett series are the only ones whose regularity is also met with greatness. While some of his earlier one-offs are decent reads, others are best used to prop open a door in a drafty house. That said, Cross is his go-to series and is usually fairly well written. The reader need not worry about sub-par writing or silly storylines. I do wonder how long he will be able to keep the story going, as we are reaching the limits of what I suspect the character can do.
Kudos, Mr. Patterson, for this great piece of work. You’ve done well with your original series and I hope it remains a important staple in you writing career.
While Patterson might be the most read author out there this book was basically a light wash. Thin characters, weak plot, misleading title. After so many books I'm sure he's getting bored with his characters.
Basically pulp fiction.
Basically pulp fiction.
James Patterson seems to be getting his edge back with these last handful of Alex Cross books. I read from this one every chance I got, almost late to work because I had a hard time putting it down.
The pace is unbelievable, the bad guys horrible, Alex Cross is in over his head, and the chapters so short that it is very easy to promise yourself 'just one more chapter' before bed.
The pace is unbelievable, the bad guys horrible, Alex Cross is in over his head, and the chapters so short that it is very easy to promise yourself 'just one more chapter' before bed.