I, Alex Cross by James Patterson
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Book Reviews of I, Alex Cross
Book Review: A terrifying page turner
Summary: 5 Stars
I told a friend who works at a used book store in Houston that I had the new James Patterson novel to review, she asked, "The King Tut one?" I said no, it was the new one. "Oh, that Max series book?" was her response. "No, the new Alex Cross novel," I told her. Her response was, "You mean the one about the trial?" "No," I said to her, "the one after that." She laughed and said, "James Patterson, the bane of used booksellers!"
To understand what she means one only needs to walk into a used bookstore or ask a seller to point you in the direction of the James Patterson sections. Depending on what website you look at, he has had between 55 and 68 novels, graphic novels, and non-fiction books published since his 1976 award winning novel, "The Thomas Berryman Number." It's estimated that one of every fifteen hardback novels sold is penned by James Patterson. Two of his Alex Cross novels (1997's "Kiss the Girls" and 2001's "Along Came a Spider") have been made into films starring Morgan Freeman. There was also a series based on his Women's Murder Club collection of books aired on ABC between 2007 and 2008.
"I, Alex Cross" is a very, very nervous novel that will make your skin crawl. Detective Alex Cross is not only up against a ruthless killer whose perverted sexual gratification ends in death, he is up against those who protect the killer and dispose of the bodies. Alex must track down this twisted fiend who has friends in high places, a killer who has killed a member of Alex's family and calls himself Zeus. As Detective Cross begins to get closer to the truth and the case begins to come together, he must also cope with the reality that one of his own is slowly slipping away.
Not since 2003's "Big Bad Wolf" has an Alex Cross novel really gotten under my skin. And, not since Bret Easton Ellis's megalomaniac killer Patrick Bateman in 1991's "American Psycho," has a serial killer seemed as twisted and plausible as James Patterson's Zeus. By the time I got to the last page, I felt like I had been through hell and back and every second of it was a fantastic, albeit creepy, ride.
The audiobook offers a hands free way to enjoy the novel. Read by Tim Cain and Tony Award Winning actor Michael Cerveris, it comes complete with music, sound effects and creative characterizations. Personally, Alex Cross will always be Morgan Freeman (because of the two films and a voice as recognizable as James Earl Jones.) Still, the audiobook is entertaining and is a convenient way to get your Patterson fix while on the go or while otherwise engaged.
Chilling and provocative, James Patterson has done it again. He has created yet another antihero to add to his ever expanding body of work. At the rate he's going, Patterson is well on his way to becoming one of the most prolific American writers of the past 30 years. "I, Alex Cross" will keep the fans happy and make Patterson a few new ones in the process.
Book Review: FINALLY!!! Patterson and Cross Are Back and True to Form :)
Summary: 5 Stars
Well I must admit that I was initially apprehensive about paying so much money for a James Patterson book after the horrible Cross Country (Alex Cross) where Alex Cross goes to Africa. In fact, not only did I write a scathing review of that book, but I seriously spent about 10 minutes trying to decide if I wanted to risk my money on this latest Alex Cross novel.
However, I decide I would go ahead and risk it. Surprisingly, or perhaps not so surprisingly, I was absolutely delighted with the story and thrilled that Patterson was back in form with good fast paced writing that kept the pages turning with nary a single thought of putting the book down. Although admittedly I did a time or two in order to try and get some sleep, but it didn't work so I finished the book in one sitting.
I especially liked the cameo appearance (so to speak) of another Patterson character in the Alex Cross novels and I am hoping that he will be a major player in an upcoming Alex Cross novel. Every Superman needs their Lex Luthor and this character is definitely that. And no, I am not going to give away the suprise ending.
The basic plot of the story is that a loose family member (no pun intended, which you will understand within the first 30 pages or so) is found murdered and Alex Cross begins a perilous journey to find the family members killer or killers. Quite an interesting background of characters that I thought was rather well done, although I wondered just how realistic a couple of them really would have been.
I am not going to give away any more than that, but it should be sufficient for me to say that being a HUGE Alex Cross/Patterson fan has me believing once again in the writing of this terrific author who needs to stick to solo projects and an already proven recipe for great stories and characters.
Please, no more books like Cross Country (Alex Cross)!
Shawn Kovacich
Author of the Achieving Kicking Excellence series.
Book Review: Alex Cross at his very best
Summary: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Cherie Fisher for Reader Views (12/09)
James Patterson does it again with his Alex Cross novels! This is his 16th installment in the Alex Cross series and I have read all of the other books and found this one to be as intriguing and well written as the rest.
The Cross family is growing up, with the oldest boy, Damon, away at boarding school, and the ninety-plus-year-old Nana's health starting to fail. With Alex's girlfriend Bree a member of the household, the Cross family is still very close. They plan a fun birthday celebration for Alex, but when the phone rings it turns into anything but that. He gets called to Virginia to identify the body that has been brutally murdered and horribly mutilated. He is incensed by what he sees and vows to find the killer. As he begins his investigation, he uncovers things he never wanted to know about the Washington, D.C. powerful and elite.
The trail keeps leading back to an upscale farm in Virginia where people can pay a high price for whatever pleasure they are seeking. It turns out that one individual, with the code name of Zeus, has been using the farm to do horrendous things to the high-paid call girls working there, including killing them.
Alex quickly realizes that the client list of the farm contains individuals so high up in the government that it is going to make solving the case that much harder. As soon as he starts uncovering facts about Zeus that lead back to the White House, people that are in the know about the farm start mysteriously disappearing.
I can usually figure out who the killer is, but wasn't able to in this case. The conclusion is jaw-dropping and James Patterson at his best. Of course the final page leaves the reader with a call from Kyle Craig, Alex's biggest nemesis, who taunts him letting him know to enjoy his time now because he is coming back soon to play with Alex. So my question now is....when is the next Alex Cross novel going to be ready?????
I highly recommend "I, Alex Cross" for Alex Cross and James Patterson fans and those who enjoy a fast-paced, well-written thriller.
Book Review: This is his best
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is undoubtedly James Patterson at his best. Patterson apparently wrote the Cross series by himself, in contrast to many of his other novels, and he creates in this mystery a tale filled with excitement, intrigue and pathos.
The volume has Patterson's characteristic short paragraphs, but the print is smaller, so readers will need about a third more time every hour to finish the book. But this is good, very good, since this book is very enjoyable.
Cross faces an unusual killer and his strange accomplices who commit bizarre murders, brutality by ex-federal cops, and weird methods of disposal of bodies. He encounters a sex cell where a single evening of sex cost as much as $20,000, and is well worth it.
Readers will enjoy reading the excitement surrounding Operation Coitus Interruptus that involved a host of federal, state and local police, and the consequences of the operation. Readers will wonder until the end about questions, such as: Who is the freakish murderer who bites his victims? Who are his accomplices? How is the White House tangled in the murders? Why is the FBI involved in local murders? What role does the US Secret Service play, the Vice President of the United States, and the President's Chief of Staff? Why does the federal government want Cross off the case? Is there a cover-up?
Patterson is superb at portraying Cross' interaction with his unusually close family, especially Nana, including the kisses, hugs and tears shed on occasions. If his usual depictions of this interaction deserve five stars, he should be awarded six stars for this volume.
Book Review: Blame It On Zeus
Summary: 5 Stars
In the past few months I have read three of James Patterson's novels: Swimsuit, Alex Cross's Trial, and The Murder of King Tut. I, Alex Cross easily tops all three. It's skillfully written, suspenseful, and even includes a few funny zingers.
Detective Alex Cross's niece, Caroline, is murdered. He learns of her death during his birthday party as his family gathered to express their deep affection for him. Cross spearheads the murder investigation. His family comes together to support him in this difficult time. A key theme in the novel is the importance of family.
A pivotal figure is known as Zeus. This Zeus does not live on Mount Olympus. He's a very wealthy and powerful man who frequents a "gentlemen's club" in Virginia, just outside of Washington. The club caters to rich people with bizarre tastes. It seems that Zeus is a violent man...
When it rains it pours. Cross's beloved grandmother, Nana, suffers from congestive heart failure. Her condition worsens until she is near death. Cross is overcome with concern, but he must press on with the search for Caroline's killer. As he visits a comatose Nana in the hospital, he is inspired by memories of her advice through the years.
There are vicious people in this book who use their wealth and influence to cover up their crimes. There's a wood chipper that is used in a manner not intended by its manufacturer.
Veteran author Patterson weaves these disparate elements together. It all builds to an exciting conclusion. The shocking identity of Zeus is finally revealed. Highly recommended.