3.5 stars

When I was in the 10th grade, I had a huge obsession with James Patterson. My parents would buy used copies of his books for me as Christmas stocking stuffers, and I devoured a large number of them. My grandmother was also a great lover of his books. So, whenever I miss her, I would pick up one of his novels.

Say whatever you want about James Patterson, whether he truly wrote his books or not (personally, I believe he wrote his earlier novels like this one). He has achieved an amazing feat with the Alex Cross series. He has sold hundreds of millions of books, which is no small accomplishment that just anyone can boast about.

This is the third Alex Cross novel, and Alex finds himself caught between two cases. A small black girl is brutally murdered in his neighborhood, and high-profile politicians are being killed in DC. Alex works on both cases simultaneously, one in secret, with the hope of bringing justice to all the victims.

Definitely an entertaining read. It has been such a long time since I last read it that I remembered almost nothing, making it feel like reading a new book. However, I do think this style of mystery writing is a bit outdated (being from the mid-1990s), and I had some difficulty staying focused while reading. It didn't grip me as strongly as it did when I was a teenager.

James Patterson is an author who never fails to amaze me. His books are simply outstanding. Once you pick up one of his novels and start reading, it becomes almost impossible to put it down until you've reached the end. The story in this particular book is like a flurry of darts being shot at you from every direction. It keeps you on the edge of your seat, constantly engaged and eager to find out what will happen next. And the best part is, it's not over yet. I'm already excited to move on to the next installment in the Cat & Mouse series. Patterson's writing style is so captivating that it draws you in and doesn't let go. I can't wait to see what other thrilling adventures he has in store for us.

I initially had high expectations for this book, hoping it would match the excellence of the first two installments. However, upon reading, I found that it didn't quite live up to my anticipation.

It failed to captivate me in the same way as the previous ones. The narrative seemed to lack the same level of charm and engagement that had drawn me in before.

Nevertheless, there was a glimmer of hope towards the end. The climax was intense and thrilling, finally managing to pique my interest.

What's more, the appearance of Gary Soneji from "Along Came a Spider" was a clever plot twist. It not only added an element of surprise but also set the stage for the fourth book, hinting at what was to come.

Overall, while this book may not be as outstanding as the first two, I still recommend it to fans of the Alex Cross series. Especially those who are eager to follow the story line and discover what awaits in the fourth book, which, based on the ending of this one, promises to be very good.

The third installment in the Alex Cross series offers an engaging but somewhat uneven reading experience. This time around, Alex Cross finds himself embroiled in two chilling cases. On one hand, there is a serial killer preying on small children, a truly brutal and heart-wrenching situation. On the other, a pair of killers, dubbed Jack and Jill, are targeting the rich and famous in Washington, D.C., with the President and his wife among their potential victims.

The short chapters make it a page turner, which is a definite plus. However, for me, the story was just okay. The child killer's actions were so heinous that they were almost difficult to stomach. As for Jack and Jill, their motives and methods didn't quite click for me. I found myself struggling to understand their reasoning and connection to the overall plot.

Nevertheless, it was still worth the read, especially while waiting for my favorite authors (such as Sandford, Connelly, and Galbraith) to release new books. It provided a bit of entertainment and a break from the norm. While not my favorite in the series, it did have its moments and kept me engaged enough to see it through to the end.

This story is a typical offering from James Patterson and Alex Cross.

If you've delved into any of the other books in the series, you'll have a good idea of what to anticipate from this particular installment.

The writing in these books isn't outstanding by any means, but I find the plots to be engaging and often the suspense is truly excellent.

However, with this one, I felt that the ending was somewhat absurd and the revelation of Jack and Jill was a letdown.

For instance, Alex spends a significant portion of the book having feelings for the married school principal. Then, conveniently, at the end, the principal's husband is murdered by the child killer, making her "available" if Alex so desires [insert eyeroll].

And all along, Jack and Jill keep insisting that what they're doing is patriotic and beyond the understanding of the average person who can't even begin to fathom their motives.

Given how the story was structured, I was anticipating a truly explosive reason behind their decision to become killers. So, when it was disclosed that the motive was simply that they didn't like the way the president conducted business, I was disappointed.

Despite my disappointment with the way this one concluded, I still generally enjoy these books and will likely continue to read more in this series.

This spine-chilling tale has our heroic protagonist, Alex Cross, being tugged in two entirely disparate directions.

A child killer lurking right in his own neighborhood should, by all rights, take top priority. That's what Detective Doctor Cross and his loyal sidekick Sampson firmly believe. However, Cross' superiors have other plans for him. They want him to be on Presidential detail.

Both storylines unfold in ways that are completely unexpected. The potential conspiracy theory aspect of the President's precarious situation is not only realistic but also humbling and downright frightening. Meanwhile, the child killer case has the power to tear the readers' hearts in two.

The third installment in the Alex Cross novel series is masterfully written and has the distinct possibility of keeping you up well into the late hours of the night, unable to put it down.

Once again, I found myself in a struggle between giving this book 3 or 4 stars.

The continuing story of Alex Cross, the cop, is indeed interesting. It has its own charm and keeps the reader engaged. However, it is not quite the type of mystery that I am accustomed to.

I have my own preferences when it comes to mystery novels. I like those that have more complex plots and unexpected twists. This book, while good, didn't quite meet those expectations.

Nevertheless, it is still a worthy read. The character of Alex Cross is well-developed, and the author does a good job of creating a sense of tension and suspense.

In conclusion, if you are a fan of the Alex Cross series, you will probably enjoy this book. But if you are looking for a more traditional mystery with a lot of surprises, you might want to look elsewhere.

Jack and Jill by James Patterson is the third installment in the Alex Cross series.

In this thrilling novel, Alex Cross is tasked with investigating the murder of a US senator. The crime scene is left with a note signed by Jack and Jill, ominously stating that this is just the beginning of a series of killings.

Adding to the horror, children are also being brutally battered to death.

The story unfolds at a breakneck pace, filled with non-stop action and numerous twists and turns that keep the reader on the edge of their seat.

It is a typical Alex Cross novel, showcasing Patterson's ability to craft a gripping and suspenseful narrative.

Rereading it in February 2023 as part of reading the series in order, it was just as enjoyable and engaging as the first time.

The characters are well-developed, and the plot is complex and full of surprises.

Overall, Jack and Jill is a must-read for fans of the Alex Cross series and anyone who enjoys a good mystery thriller.

The first 150 pages of this book are disappointingly slow. I wouldn't say they are dull, but to be honest, they lack the kind of interest that would keep a reader hooked.

However, as the story progresses, it takes a turn for the better and becomes a real page turner. The portrayal of racism and the differences between the victims is truly remarkable. Jack and Jill are targeting rich and powerful white celebrities, while the Truth School Killer's victims are black kids. It's not hard to guess who gets all the attention.

The element of the President assassination is extremely gripping. I think it's quite brave of the author to take on such a huge and sensitive topic. It stirs up ghosts from the real world, where both Kennedy brothers were assassinated, and their deaths are still the subject of widespread analysis.

Assassinating the President is undoubtedly one of the biggest crimes that could be committed, not just in the US but around the globe. It's an act that would put the perpetrator into the history books, something that Jack and Jill are clearly counting on. Overall, this is a very good book (though not awesome). It's gripping and has all the elements that a thriller should have. It's truly thrilling!

I was hoping that Alex would finally manage to discover who is behind the President assassination, but I guess it's just one of the many parallels drawn between the fictional and real world.

This is the very first James Patterson book that I have had the pleasure of reading, and I simply adored it.

Initially, I wasn't aware that it was actually the third installment in the 'Alex Cross' series. However, that didn't seem to be a major drawback. Even though I felt that perhaps I would have known a great deal more about Alex and some of the previous murderers who were mentioned more frequently if I had read the books in sequential order.

Nonetheless, this realization only serves to heighten my desire to obtain the other books in the series and devour them.

In general, I found this book to be action-packed and well-paced, filled with numerous unexpected twists and turns.

Since having my little one, it has taken me a while to get back into the rhythm of reading. Finding the time to read has been the most challenging aspect.

Nevertheless, this book has most definitely rekindled my love for reading and made me acutely aware of just how much I had missed it.

This may have been the best Patterson novel I've ever read, encompassing all of his stand-alone works and other series. It was truly outstanding!

From the very beginning, it was filled with non-stop action. What made it even more exciting was that there wasn't just one killer. In fact, there were three! Two of them, working together as Jack and Jill, were murdering well-known celebrities. Then there was the Truth School killer, who was targeting little kids. Both cases were shocking, but perhaps for different reasons.

There is an element of racism in this book, as seems to be the case with all of the Cross novels. The kids being killed by the Truth School killer are black, while the celebrities are white, rich, and powerful. So, it's no surprise that the police force in Washington gives more attention to the Jack and Jill case. However, Alex Cross strongly contests this and is forced by his superiors to work more on the Jack and Jill case. Despite this, he still manages to work on the child murders as much as he can, proving what a lovely and honest character he truly is.

The whole element of the President assassination was really gripping. I thought it was quite brave of the author to tackle something so monumentally huge. After all, it really is the biggest crime one could probably commit in America and would surely write the perpetrators into the history books, something that Jack and Jill are counting on. Overall, it was a very good book, gripping and exactly how a thriller should be. Thrilling indeed!

This was a book that you really have to pay attention to.

It was not only interesting but also highly involved.

The story line was captivating, pulling the reader in from the very beginning.

The characters were well-developed, with their own unique personalities and motives.

The author's writing style was engaging, making it easy to get lost in the pages.

As you read, you couldn't help but become invested in the outcome of the story.

Every chapter brought new surprises and twists, keeping you on the edge of your seat.

Whether you were a fan of fiction or non-fiction, this book had something for everyone.

It was a must-read for anyone looking for an entertaining and thought-provoking read.

So, if you haven't already, be sure to pick up this book and see for yourself what all the fuss is about.

You won't be disappointed.