Thanks to my intense dislike of Christmas music and Portland radio station's incessant playing of it starting earlier and earlier in the year, I decided now would be a great time to start listening to audiobooks in the car. It's a two-fold win.

My ears aren't assaulted by the overplayed Christmas tunes, and I can get books off the TBR list faster.

The last time I listened to an audiobook, it was "Cat and Mouse," book 4 in this series. So when I made this decision, my first thought was of Alex Cross. At first, I was disappointed that "Cross" is not also narrated by Anthony Heald. However, I got sucked into the story from the start and quickly got past that.

Anyone familiar with this series knows that Alex Cross is a widower and his wife, Maria's, murder is an unsolved cold case. In this installment, a suspect in a case claims to know who Maria's killer was and then gets murdered himself. The story starts by going back and forth between present day and Alex reminiscing about his romance with Maria, right up to the moment she is shot and dies in his arms.

I often marvel at how I tend to read books in a timely fashion related to my life. I loved finally hearing the story of Maria's death as it's been an integral part of Alex's story. This telling comes about 10 years after Maria's death, and as someone also widowed for about 10 years, I found myself nodding a lot. I could totally relate to what Alex was thinking and how he was feeling about the passage of time and how he wondered how much the ghost of Maria was really still impacting his life. He knew it was time to say goodbye but at the same time still didn't know how to do it and if saying that goodbye would finally open the door for someone else to come in.

The mystery aspect was well-paced too. As with most of the stories in this series, the bad guy is known to the reader from the start. In this case, Alex has decided to put police work behind him and go back into private practice. This lasts all of about two minutes before Sampson asks him to help capture "The Butcher." He only does it because of the connection to Maria's unsolved case. The Butcher is initially suspected in a series of brutal rapes before the homicide connection is made. The ensuing chase takes Alex and John all over the northeastern states and finally concludes with the revelation of a secret John carried for almost a decade.

I am one of those who feels like listening to books vs actually reading them is cheating in a way. But there were times with this one that I sat in the car to listen a bit longer and considered listening in other places as well. Given that I am 2-for-2 on Alex Cross audiobooks, I have already checked out the next one. Road trip, anyone?

James Patterson owes Hollywood a debt of gratitude.

If it wasn't for the movie version of this book, I would not be writing this review. In fact, if it wasn't for this movie, I would not have read the past three Cross novels, ever. I am not a fan of James Patterson. His writing is beyond abominable. (This will come as no surprise to those of you that have read my previous reviews of Patterson's Cross series.) But Patterson does have one redeeming quality: he has a storyteller's heart.

The action was frenetic and fierce; the set pieces continuously changed; and the characters were only slightly annoying when it came to dialogue. If I'm being really honest, I would prefer no dialogue in Patterson's novels at all. Okay. I'm done ragging on Patterson. I should probably take it easy, the man does have 76 bestsellers to his name.

The plot of ALEX CROSS is twisted, to say the least. Cross is determined to hunt down a man known as The Butcher. The Butcher killed Cross's wife. This villainous monstrosity was such in my head that when I watched the movie I was worried Matthew Fox was not up to the part. No worries, Fox nailed the part and then some. The game of cat and mouse ensues for nearly 400 pages. Filled with unbelievable action, underdeveloped characters, and hyperviolence, this novel exceeded all of my expectations; it's not like I read a Patterson novel for depth. (Okay, no more ragging, I promise.) Even if Patterson does try, in vain, to add depth to this story by constructing flashbacks of The Butcher reliving some grisly moments with his abusive father, and Cross's own flashbacks of his wife, these distractions never take away from the action.

But the best part of this novel was the unintentional (I think) metafictional element. You see, one day when Alex comes home, tired, frustrated, on edge from chasing The Butcher, he sits down to watch some television. After flipping through the channels, finding nothing of real interest, Cross decides to watch a Tyler Perry Madea movie. This is only funny because Tyler Perry has now taken the role of Alex Cross, previously played by Morgan Freeman. So there I was, reading this novel, and thinking how trippy it must have been for Alex Cross to be watching a movie that had a gigantic old woman that looked like himself in a starring role. The book was published in 2009, so I guess there could have been a time when Patterson went back and placed this little Easter egg...regardless, besides the action, which there is plenty, this little scene bumped the book one full star for me. I can appreciate an author that can have some fun with themselves.

Go and read the book; it only takes a few hours. And then go and watch the movie. There are worse things you could do with a free night.

RECOMMENDED

At that time, it seemed to me very pleasant and exciting. Although, of course, I read it out of context as it is the 12th in a series and I believe it was the first one I read by this author. I gave it an 8/10 rating. The story had a certain charm that drew me in right from the start. The characters were vividly described, and I could easily picture them in my mind. The plot was engaging and full of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. Even though I hadn't read the previous installments, I was still able to follow along and enjoy the story. However, there were a few parts that I felt could have been developed further. Overall, it was a great read, and I would definitely recommend it to others who enjoy this genre.

I reread this on 7/16/24.

I truly believe this was an outstanding book. It had a really terrible and awful bad guy. However, once again, this bad guy was brought over from another book in the Alex Cross series. I don't have a major issue when this occurs every now and then. But as time goes on, it starts to feel a bit old.

They reintroduced the threat of Kyle Craig. Alex had managed to get him locked up several books ago. Now, there's a hint that he'll make an appearance again in a future book. I actually liked Kyle Craig until he became the Mastermind killer. Of course, he's now targeting Alex and his family. So, I'm going to assume that he'll show up in an upcoming book. I kind of despise this upcoming plot, but perhaps I'm the only one with this opinion. The only reason I'm aware that he's coming back is that Kyle calls Alex and drops hints that he'll be seeing him and his family soon. They also hinted that Kyle might have someone on the inside who is going to help him escape. UGGGG!

Other than the spoiler mentioned above, this book was significantly better than some of the other books that had a carry-over bad guy.

I have a deep love for all the Alex Cross detective books. I sincerely hope that the author never stops writing about Cross.

I have, at various times, perused most of the Alex Cross series.

This particular installment simply fails to live up to the standards set by the other earlier books in the series that I relished to a great extent.

It commences with a flashback to the tragic murder of Alex's wife, and unfortunately, it steadily deteriorates from that point on. It wasn't so糟糕 that it compelled me to abandon it outright, but the idea did indeed cross my mind on one or two occasions.

All in all, I cannot recommend this book. It lacks the engaging plot and the captivating characters that made the previous books in the series so enjoyable. The story seems to lack direction and fails to hold the reader's attention as firmly as it should.

Perhaps fans of the series will still find some redeeming qualities, but for those new to Alex Cross, it might be best to start with one of the earlier and more highly regarded books.

Well, Patterson is indeed a master of his craft, and that is without a doubt.

It is truly amazing to see how much plot, character development, and setting he is able to pack within just two to three pages.

While other authors typically require many, many pages to achieve the same results, Patterson accomplishes it in just a few.

His ability to condense so much essential information and create a vivid and engaging story in such a short space is truly remarkable.

It leaves readers eager and looking forward to more of his work.

One can only imagine what other masterpieces this talented author has in store for us.

His unique writing style and storytelling prowess continue to captivate audiences and set him apart from the rest.

We can't wait to see what he comes up with next.

I actually quite enjoyed the story. It was the typical James Patterson fare that I have come to expect. The plot was engaging, the characters were well-developed, and the pacing was just right.

However, there was one thing that really bothered me. It was the blatant product placement for Mercedes. It felt so out of place and read like an advert rather than a natural part of the story. It really took me out of the narrative and made me question the authenticity of the whole thing.

I think it's the last I'll be reading of James Patterson. It's a shame because I used to really like his books. But this kind of blatant commercialism is just too much for me to handle. I want to read stories that are about the characters and the plot, not about promoting a particular brand.

I hope that other authors will take note and avoid this kind of thing in the future. It really detracts from the reading experience and makes it feel like we are just being used as a marketing tool.

It was an excellent adventure.

When I'm reading, I feel like I'm part of the story. My heart races with the action, as if I am right there in the middle of the excitement.

It pangs for the loss of a loved one, experiencing the emotions just as deeply as the characters in the book.

It was really exciting to read, as each page turned brought new surprises and kept me on the edge of my seat.

The story was so engaging that I couldn't put the book down, completely immersed in the world that the author had created.

It was a truly unforgettable reading experience that left me longing for more.

I can't wait to pick up another book and embark on a new adventure.

Cross is not only chasing a serial killer but also a serial rapist who has completely gone off the deep end.

The descriptions of how some of the killings took place are both interesting and hard to read. It makes one shudder to think about the horror and brutality involved.

Moreover, family and friendship play a big role in this novel. The relationships between the characters add depth and complexity to the story.

Overall, Alex Cross is an interesting read. Although I haven't read the books in order, I'm still able to understand it as a "stand alone" book. The author does a good job of providing enough background information and context to make the story accessible to new readers.

However, I can't help but wonder if reading the books in sequence would enhance the reading experience even further. Maybe I'll go back and read the earlier installments to find out.

Despite not being read in order, this book has still managed to capture my attention and keep me on the edge of my seat. I'm looking forward to reading more about Alex Cross and his adventures in the future.

This book is extremely fast-paced, truly a page turner!

The short and punchy chapters keep the reader engaged from start to finish.

James Patterson has once again proven himself to be a master storyteller.

The character of Alex Cross is captivating, and his adventures are thrilling.

I can't wait for the next installment in the series. Please bring on the next Alex Cross!

The action-packed plot and well-developed characters make this book a must-read for fans of the mystery and thriller genres.

Whether you're looking for a quick and exciting read or a long-term investment in a great series, this book has something for everyone.

So don't hesitate, pick up a copy today and get ready to be swept away by the world of Alex Cross.

I don't want to be a sexist, but in this book, there is definitely an orientation towards a male audience. Blood, guts, dynamics, maniacs, sadists, and brother against brother

Another fast-paced, twisty mystery awaits you in this novel.

It takes you back to Cross' early days as a detective, specifically to the tragic death of his first wife, Maria.

Years have passed since then, and Cross has managed to rebuild his life with his kids and Nana Mama by his side.

Now, he works as a therapist and also serves as an occasional consultant to law enforcement.

However, his peaceful life is disrupted when he is drawn into a case that involves a brutal and sadistic killer known as "The Butcher."

This novel has the power to draw you in quickly and hold your interest firmly until the very end.

You'll be on the edge of your seat, eagerly following Cross as he tries to solve the mystery and bring the killer to justice.

The story is filled with unexpected twists and turns that will keep you guessing and make it impossible to put the book down.

Whether you're a fan of mysteries or just looking for a thrilling read, this novel is sure to satisfy.