I have an unwavering love for James Patterson. His books were my constant companions throughout high school, providing me with countless hours of entertainment and escape.

I simply cannot refrain from singing the praises of the early books in the Alex Cross series, and this particular installment is no different. It's an absolute must-read. Just pick it up and start reading!

In this thrilling story, someone is carrying out murders at Cross's son's school, which makes the situation hit extremely close to home. Cross feels an intense pull to solve these murders and ensure the safety of his child. Meanwhile, elsewhere in Washington, killers who identify themselves as "Jack & Jill" are targeting high-profile individuals, and the president is their next intended victim.

The question that looms large is whether Cross can successfully solve both cases when his boss wants him to focus solely on the Jack & Jill case. The tension and excitement build with each passing page, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

This will contain a few minor spoilers but should not ruin the book for anyone.

I have to admit that I did not read the first two books. However, I did see the movie, and I tend to get bored reading books after seeing the movies, so I skipped them. Fortunately, it was not difficult to "catch up" on this one.

While James Patterson is a good writer and a well-known author, unfortunately, I don't think this was one of his better books. There were a lot of questions left unanswered, and things seemed to be just thrown in. For example, I wanted to know more about the game "Jack and Jill" that they were playing and why they were playing the board game. Neither of the motives was ever explained, and when the true killers were caught at the end, it just didn't seem to fit for me. I was like, "huh?" It just felt as if it didn't make sense.

Minor Spoiler here----

When Christine's husband gets shot and killed, I sort of felt like it was a way for Alex to finally be with her without it seeming so horrible. You never meet her husband or know how she feels about him up until this point, but you know how Alex feels about her every time he sees her, to the point where it gets annoying and obsessive.

I have always liked James Patterson, though, and have a hard time giving his books less than three stars. Maybe this one did deserve two, but the writing was good, and I will read at least a few more in the series.

This is an extremely thrilling and exciting book.

From the moment you open its pages, you are immediately drawn into a world filled with heart-pounding action and nail-biting suspense.

The story unfolds at a breakneck pace, keeping you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

The characters are vividly portrayed, each with their own unique personalities and motives.

You will find yourself rooting for the heroes and despising the villains as you follow their adventures through the twists and turns of the plot.

Whether you are a fan of adventure, mystery, or thriller novels, this book is sure to satisfy your cravings for excitement.

It is a must-read for anyone who loves a good page-turner that will leave them breathless and eager for more.

I have read and listened to a plethora of books about Alex Cross. However, for some reason, I happened to miss this particular one.

I borrowed the book from the library, only to find out that it was abridged and lasted for just 3 hours. I had never listened to an abridged version of one of Patterson's books before. It gave the distinct impression that half of the book was lacking.

Nonetheless, the plot was quite good. I have decided that for the next book, I will ensure it is not made shorter. I truly don't understand why anyone would have an inclination to read or listen to a book when a significant part of it is missing. It seems rather counterintuitive to me.

I gave this one 4 stars instead of 5.

I truly love the character of Alex Cross. Reading about him and the way he thinks and solves problems is always a delight.

"Jack and Jill" was written quite some time ago, yet it amazes me how relevant some of the political feelings, ideas, and themes remain today. It shows the timeless nature of certain aspects of our society.

However, for me, this particular installment seemed to drag a little bit in the middle. This is a bit unusual for a Patterson book. It wasn't to the extent that I lost interest, but it was just a bit slower compared to the other Alex Cross books I've read.

Despite that, the ending was a real cliffhanger, which left me eager to keep reading this series. I can't wait to see what adventures and mysteries Alex Cross will encounter next.

I'm sure there will be more excitement and thrills in the upcoming books, and I'm looking forward to experiencing them all.

2018 Reading Challenge: Book Set in the 1990s

The 1990s was a decade filled with unique charm and significant events. In this year's reading challenge, I have decided to focus on a book set during this era.

I'm going to force myself to read this series. At first, it might seem like a daunting task, but I believe that as I delve deeper into the story, I will gradually uncover its hidden gems.

I understand that sometimes we need to step out of our comfort zones and explore new literary territories. This book set in the 1990s offers a chance to relive the past or gain a new perspective on that time period.

Although I may not immediately enjoy it, I'm determined to give it a fair chance. I'm hopeful that by the end of this reading journey, I will have discovered a new favorite book and a greater appreciation for the literature of the 1990s.

Third in the Alex Cross thriller series, this story revolves around Dr./Deputy Chief Alex Cross.

My Take

Yeah, Jack & Jill is one of the few stories I didn't finish. I like the characters. Alex is an intriguing man, and I adore his kids and Nana Mama. Sampson sounds great too.

BUT Patterson is mostly "tell" with a great storyline. Part of me wants to finish Jack & Jill, but Patterson is too repetitive. I understand the point he's making about the inequality between blacks and whites, but his ramming-it-home habit just made me roll my eyes.

In the past, I've enjoyed hearing the inner thoughts of the characters, but Patterson repeats them over and over again. It's annoying. However, I have to give him credit for being consistent.

I sympathize with Jack & Jill's anger, but they lost me with Jack's attitude toward Natalie Sheehan. And what's with Sampson? He keeps saying he's going to shoot Perez but never does! Arghh.

Jeez, Chop-It-Off-Chucky is so disgusting. And I don't understand Alex's reaction to running down the wrong child molester. He's a criminal, so why is it wrong to chase him?

I loved it when Alex slammed Pittman! He so deserved it!! But I don't know if Patterson is trying to up his page numbers or if he thinks his readers are that stupid. I just can't take it anymore.

Well, that's it. I only got up to Chapter 27, page 122, before I gave up.

The Story

Alex Cross tries to solve the case as the killer(s) strike again and again. First a senator, then a little girl. No one in Washington is safe, not even the president.

The Characters

Dr. Alex Cross is a detective and deputy chief. Jannie and Damon are his kids. Nana Mama is his grandmother. Detective John Sampson is his partner. There are also other characters like Detective Powell, Commissioner Clouser, and Chief Pittman.

"Jack" is a code word for President Byrnes, and "Jill" is his wife. There are also other characters like Senator Fitzpatrick, Shanelle Green, and Natalie Sheehan.

The Cover and Title

The cover is a deep blue sky with the title in embossed gold. The bottom quarter shows the author's name and a green lawn with the White House in the background. The title refers to a game played by Jack and Jill to right some wrongs.

Every Third Entry in James Patterson & Affiliates Has Been My Least Favorite…

Jack and Jill was okay, but not great. Maybe I've grown in my reading. I'm sure that is true, as I now have higher expectations for the books I read. I still enjoy a good beach read to reset and relax, but unfortunately, every third book I've read so far has not been as good as the first two. The Women's Murder Club series had its moments, but some of the entries felt a bit formulaic. The Michael Bennett books were also decent, but not outstanding. And now, the Alex Cross series.

With a multi-homicide narrative in this particular Alex Cross book, I felt that Alex himself was less relatable than in previous installments. This made it harder for me to fully engage with the story and enjoy the book. It was definitely not as well written as Along Came a Spider and Kiss the Girls, which are two of my favorites in the series. The only redeeming factor was the ending, which had a bit of a surprise twist that managed to salvage the book a little. Overall, I gave it 3 stars, but I was definitely disappointed.

I'm hoping that the next book in the series will be better and will bring back the magic that made me fall in love with Alex Cross in the first place.

I liked the story okay.

The setting of the story being in Washington DC was quite appealing to me. Since I grew up near that area, it was always interesting and fun to read a story where I was familiar with some of the locations.

Moreover, I still have a soft spot for Alex Cross as a character. He has a certain charm and depth that keeps me engaged.

However, I was hoping for a bit more excitement and action in this particular installment. But despite that, I am determined to stick with the series. I believe there is still a lot more to explore and discover in the adventures of Alex Cross.

I look forward to seeing how the story progresses and what new challenges and mysteries await him in the future.

Overall, while this story may not have been a home run for me, it has still managed to maintain my interest in the series and keep me eager for more.

With JACK & JILL, the Alex Cross series, which initially started with the rather entertaining ALONG CAME A SPIDER, simply tumbles off a cliff.

The writing in this installment is truly atrocious, and that's saying a lot even when judged by James Patterson's standards. If I didn't know any better, I might have been led to believe that it was penned by a high school student.

The character of Alex Cross doesn't come off well either. Like many others, I have a penchant for intelligent detective novels that showcase smart detectives engaged in astute detecting. Regrettably, there is precious little of that to be discovered in JACK & JILL. Here, Alex Cross appears to be able to identify a killer only when the culprit is presented to him on a silver platter.

Moreover, Cross takes some remarkably foolish risks in this novel, and it's solely because Patterson requires him for future novels that he isn't dispatched in some incredibly anticlimactic manner. JACK & JILL is easily among the most amateurishly written best-sellers I have ever perused. It makes Dan Brown seem like Dostoyevsky in comparison. I seriously question whether Patterson bothered to take the time to produce more than a single draft, and it's even more difficult to envision that the manuscript was ever reviewed by a professional editor. Undoubtedly, it represents a low point in 1990s pop literature.

This was my very first encounter with a James Patterson book.

Admittedly, I might be a bit tardy in joining the party, but here I am now.

The book is truly excellent, filled with more twists and turns than a curly-wurly.

My only source of disappointment, and this has nothing to do with the author himself, is the subject matter.

An epidemic of senseless killing, even involving children, is alarmingly widespread in the USA.

There will be no spoilers here. All you need to do is to immerse yourself in this beautifully written story.

I'm now off to search for another title within the Alex Cross Thriller series.

I'm eager to see what other exciting adventures and mysteries await me in Patterson's fictional world.

His writing style has truly captivated me, and I can't wait to explore more of his works.

I really enjoyed the plot of this story a great deal.

It had me hooked from the very beginning and kept my attention throughout. The twists and turns were unexpected and added an extra layer of excitement.

The characters were well-developed and their relationships added depth to the overall narrative.

I found myself completely immersed in the story and couldn't wait to see what would happen next.

While there were a few minor flaws, they didn't detract from my overall enjoyment.

In fact, I would rate this story a 4.5 out of 5.

It was a great read and I would highly recommend it to others who enjoy a good plot-driven story.

I'm looking forward to seeing what the author comes up with next.