I have read almost all the Alex Cross books, and I have not been disappointed yet.

These books are truly captivating. The character of Alex Cross is so well-developed. He is a brilliant detective with a complex personal life. The storylines are always full of twists and turns, keeping me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.

Each book presents a new and exciting mystery for Alex to solve. The author does an excellent job of creating a sense of urgency and danger. I find myself completely immersed in the world of Alex Cross, eagerly turning the pages to see what will happen next.

Whether it's a thrilling chase, a heart-pounding confrontation, or a clever deduction, the Alex Cross books never fail to deliver. I highly recommend them to anyone who loves a good mystery or crime novel.

Second Read - I just re-read this book, and to my great surprise, I discovered a whole new set of details and nuances that I had completely missed during my first reading.

I really enjoyed it very much this time around. In fact, I firmly believe that it is one of the better works by Cross. If you have a penchant for this kind of reading material, you are likely to enjoy it as well.

The friendship between Cross and Sampson is truly one of my favorite aspects of the story. Their bond is so strong and unwavering that it really adds depth and warmth to the narrative. I found myself completely engrossed in their interactions and looking forward to each new scene they shared.

Part of the plot of this book revolves around the tragic event that occurred about 10 years ago when Alex Cross' wife Maria was brutally murdered. He still carries the weight of her loss with him, and it is evident in his every action and decision.

Moreover, he is burning out from all the grueling work and complex cases he has been handling with both the Police Department and The FBI. In a desperate attempt to turn things around and find some semblance of peace and stability, he makes the difficult decision to quit both of these positions and return to Psychological Counseling as a free agent.

Thankfully, his family life begins to feel more stable as a result. However, just when he thinks he can start to move on, his former partner, John Sampson, and childhood friend calls in a favor. Together, they embark on a dangerous mission to track down a Serial Rapist.

As the case progresses, they uncover some shocking revelations that lead them to learn more about Maria's death. The story is filled with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. It is truly a great read, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good mystery thriller.

I may have made a blunder with these books. Generally speaking, I am extremely meticulous when it comes to series. I always begin from number one and progress in sequence. However, for some inexplicable reason, I deviated from this norm with Alex Cross, and now I'm starting to experience a sense of remorse!

Certainly, each individual story can stand on its own. But when read randomly, at times Alex is married, while at other times he isn't. Then he has two children, then three, and then two again. Characters from previous books are recalled, and I find myself completely clueless as to who they are!

This issue significantly impacted my enjoyment of this particular book. I believe I would have relished it a little more had I possessed better background knowledge. Nevertheless, it was a typical Patterson offering, filled with copious amounts of action, numerous deaths, short chapters that maintain the momentum of the action and compel you to stay up late to complete the book.

I did enjoy it, but I suspect that with a more comprehensive understanding of the series, my enjoyment might have been even greater. The fault lies with me, not the author!

**The Complex Tale of Michael Sullivan and Alex Cross**

Michael Sullivan, also known as the Butcher, was the right-hand man and enforcer of Italian Mafia boss Dominic Maione. However, his unorthodox methods were not always beneficial for the organization's reputation. When Maione Junior took over from his father, he set his sights on Sullivan, marking the beginning of a terrifying vendetta.

Simultaneously, John Sampson asks for Alex Cross's help to catch a psychotic serial killer who murders people and then mutilates their faces. Initial clues suggest that this killer may have been responsible for Maria's murder approximately ten years ago.

In this 12th installment of the series featuring the colorful psychologist and detective, the tragic scene of Maria's murder in 1993 unfolds, revealing the emotional burden that Cross has been carrying for so many years. Even his psychologist, Antel Finali, makes a reappearance. Meanwhile, the intensity and danger that Cross experiences once again in a very difficult case of shootouts and hostage situations push him to the brink, and he resigns from the FBI. He then reopens his practice as a psychologist and starts to acquire his first clients.

The case of Michael Sullivan is quite interesting as he is a more realistic character than those the author has presented so far. He is literally a butcher, a hitman who carries out murders for hire, yet he is also prone to paranoia and randomly kills strangers. His paranoia finds fertile ground when he discovers that Maione Junior wants to get rid of him, and he begins a series of murders of his relatives and superiors in the Mafia. At the same time, his past and the history of his family gradually come to light, and Cross and Sampson close in on him. What I take away from this bloody story is the fact that no matter how paranoid and深陷 in crime and lawlessness you are, you can still create a family with children! I can't understand it at all because, aside from the constant struggle to keep your loved ones safe, the children have no future other than inheriting a life in the underworld! Nevertheless, I liked the last move that Sullivan made towards his family, which showed me what he really thought of them!

On a personal level, parallel to Sullivan's manhunt and the spree of killings he commits, there are many events that lead Alex Cross to his decision to resign, open his practice, accept his first clients (with the first one being more involved than he should be), and enjoy the warmth of his family, including his now 14-year-old Damon and Jannie, who has become caustic and ironic towards her father and his chaotic past before changing careers. I also liked that Little Alex returned to his family, even though his mother had won custody, because she simply changed her mind! I won't be quick to condemn the author for superficiality or expediency because we are dealing with character consistency: in the previous book, "Murders in the Beverly Hills," Christine Johnson already showed signs of indecisiveness. Finally, Kayla Coles decides to return to North Carolina as she realizes that she is needed there more and feels more at home, having been born and raised there.

In the end, was Michael Sullivan the killer of Maria or not? How will this vendetta develop? What impact will it have on everyone's lives? Will Alex Cross move forward in his life? Will he finally enjoy the peace of his family without interruption? No, because on the last page of the book, someone calls him on the phone to announce a murder: "-And why did you take me? -Because you're Dr. Cross and I'm the killer."

This story features a "hero" who began as a police officer, then became an FBI agent, and later left that career to become a psychologist. Nevertheless, his law enforcement skills are so outstanding that he returns to "assist" in capturing The Butcher.

However, the progress is excruciatingly slow as both the main characters, Cross and The Butcher, repeatedly say things that we already know. The final irritation in this dull storyline occurs when Cross almost catches The Butcher but refuses to shoot because he would be doing so in front of the killer's family. Then, when Cross once again nearly captures The Butcher, he (a former cop and FBI agent) fails to secure the scene before putting away his own gun. Shockingly, The Butcher shoots Cross. This is just the last annoyance of the novel.

Another issue with Cross' background is that his wife is murdered shortly after telling him about a crime. When those same crimes start happening ten years later, Cross (a former cop/FBI agent) takes almost the entire novel to realize the similarity.

The constant back and forth about whether The Butcher killed Cross' wife at the beginning of the story also becomes tiresome as it seems like just an attempt to make some poor reader pick up the next novel.

Finally, regarding a minor character issue, we start the story with Cross having 2 children and then his wife dies. We skip forward 10 years and now he has 3 children - with no explanation. Although this has nothing to do with the "real" story, I kept waiting throughout the entire novel to be given some information. Patterson has a line near the end of the novel that sums it up: "I didn't quite understand that last part, but you never get to understand everything."

So, this particular thing is not one of my absolute favorites.

However, that doesn't mean I don't have a great deal of affection for Alex and his family.

Alex is a wonderful person with many endearing qualities. His kindness and charm always manage to win people over.

And his family is just as amazing. They are a close-knit group who support and love each other unconditionally.

Despite not being at the top of my favorites list, the relationship I have with Alex and his family is still very special to me.

I cherish the time I get to spend with them and look forward to many more memories together.

Even though it may not be my number one preference, I will always have a soft spot in my heart for Alex and his wonderful family.

One of the better installments of the Alex Cross series. The story line was so engaging that I really got into it from the very beginning. It had me on the edge of my seat, eagerly turning the pages to find out what would happen next. And the ending was truly satisfying, tying up all the loose ends in a way that left me feeling both fulfilled and excited for what's to come.

I generally have a soft spot for the Michael Bennett series, but I have to admit that this Alex Cross installment was just as good, if not better. It had all the elements that make a great thriller - action, mystery, and a touch of romance.

I can't wait to see what Cross does next. Will he solve another high-profile case? Will he face new challenges and obstacles? Only time will tell, but I'm sure it's going to be another great read.

Great Read!

I sometimes find it truly astonishing what manages to get published these days.

Take Cross for example. It's like a hot-air balloon - a large volume of air trapped within fabric that, in comparison, has a much smaller volume than the air it contains. What makes matters even more tragic is that the whole thing just floats aimlessly, and I really can't fathom why.

There was hardly any real substance spread across all those pages. The story was just average. We all know that even the most overused premises can give rise to great stories. However, Cross fails to be an example of how that can be achieved. The story might have been more captivating if the characters hadn't been so one-dimensional. Their actions often seemed unconvincing due to the sloppy characterization, which was unfortunately also applied to our hero. My initial impression of him was far from favorable.

Let's be honest here - Alex Cross is the very definition of blandness. To me, he comes across more like a cardboard cutout than a real person. He lacks the convincing invincibility and charisma of Jack Reacher, the stubborn rebelliousness of Harry Bosch, and the dogged determination of Harry Hole. Granted, all of these aforementioned contemporary thriller heroes are loners and not family men, but they are portrayed as real human beings with both virtues and flaws, as well as their own unique quirks. Alex Cross, on the other hand, is mainly characterized through telling, a literary technique that I truly detest. His self-deprecating comments about himself don't make any sense because everyone is constantly fawning over him and praising his prowess in catching bad guys. Why on earth is everyone sucking up to Alex Cross? That's simply not how the world works. His monologue often ventured into the cheesy realm. In fact, the perspective of Michael Sullivan was more enjoyable to read, despite his obvious psychopathy. At least the guy was sometimes funny.

Anyhow, I'm not sure if I'll pick up another book from the Alex Cross series. Maybe if I have nothing better to choose from in the library on those sweltering summer days when I don't have the energy to go to another library, but otherwise - I highly doubt it.

P.S. Another thing that really annoys me is the overuse of pop culture references. Please, Mr. Patterson, you're not being cool and trendy. You're just making your book seem dated.

3 stars. This particular book really doesn't function well when read out of sequence. It's my fault, not that of the author or the book itself. The majority of the tension is actually generated from the backstory rather than within the pages of this book. I'm generally acquainted with the story of Alex's wife Maria, yet not in the level of detail that this story demands. Given that, I did enjoy it to a certain extent. However, I felt that I didn't truly extract the maximum from it. The so-called "standalone" aspect of this one was relatively feeble. I have more thoughts that I will share in the future.

Throughout the series, Alex has frequently mentioned his wife, Maria.

This time, in this book, Alex is thrust back to the very moment she was brutally murdered. The profound pain of missing a spouse is vividly splattered across the pages, searing the soul of the reader. It is an emotional rollercoaster, and finally getting to "meet" Maria in this context is both heart-wrenching and poignant.

The hunt for her killer intensifies with a vengeance. "The Butcher" is a truly ruthless murderer and rapist, a character so vile and heinous that he is easy to despise. The scenes depicting his crimes are intense and not for the faint of heart, earning the book its R rating.

After devouring this book, I find myself wondering if, at long last, Alex Cross can find a way to move on with his life. It确实 feels like the end of a significant chapter.

Janelle, Damon, and Ali are the center of his world, along with the ever-present and beloved Nana Mama. I have always adored the family aspect in this series, as it adds a layer of warmth and authenticity to the otherwise dark and gritty storylines.

What an ending! It leaves the reader both satisfied and hungry for more, eager to see what lies ahead for Alex Cross and his family.

Alex Cross is once again engaged in private practice.

However, his friend John Sampson reaches out to him, asking for a favor. There is a serial rapist on the loose, and the case requires Alex's expertise.

What makes this case particularly interesting is that the rapist takes pictures of his victims and then shows them to his next victim.

As Alex delves deeper into the case, he discovers a disturbing link to the murder of his wife. Needless to say, this revelation hooks Alex completely.

He becomes determined to solve the case and bring the rapist to justice, not only for the sake of the victims but also to find some closure for himself.

With his skills and experience, Alex Cross is ready to take on this challenging case and uncover the truth behind the serial rapist's actions.

The stage is set for an intense and thrilling investigation that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

So, we finally have a book that delves into the story of Alex Cross's wife. Throughout the series, we've only heard snippets of the tale, but now we get the full details. And I have to say, I wasn't disappointed.

The Butcher, as the villain, was truly captivating. What a sick, twisted madman! I found myself completely engrossed in following his actions. It was interesting to have the point of view of the killer, as we often do in this series. The Butcher's insights were simply fascinating.

As always, this book was fast-paced, quick, and an easy read. It's so effortless to get sucked into Alex Cross's world. There was a bit more body horror than I had anticipated from James Patterson, but I still enjoyed it. This installment was much more focused on the killings and Alex solving crimes, rather than his home life, which I actually prefer.

I almost always have a great time with this series. Some books are better than others, and I don't expect a five-star read every time, but I always look forward to a good time.