Holy Christmas! THIS is what rates as "one of the great creations of thriller fiction" according to the Dallas Morning News? This book is an absolute disaster. It's absurd, lacking any real substance, flimsy in its construction, nonsensical, overly sentimental, and filled with cliches. Reading it was a painful experience that actually made my brain hurt. I'll admit, I'm not a huge fan of thriller fiction to begin with, but this novel makes the works of Clancy seem like masterpieces in comparison.

The reason I'm not a fan of the thriller genre is the sameness of the plots, the artificial deviousness of the conspiracies, and the simplistic imagining of the nature of evil. All of these elements combine to make the typical thriller fiction banal and completely beholden to the requirements of the plot. Patterson's attempt to break free from this trap is simply to ignore the necessities of the plot and proceed as if what follows is a logical consequence of what came before. It's a flawed approach that results in a story that makes no sense.

For example, in Jack & Jill, we're asked to believe that a carefully planned, professional crime to kill one specific person is somehow best served by warning the victim first and leaving a trail of evidence at a series of murders that leads directly to the culprits. It's a ridiculous premise that shows how little thought Patterson put into his story before rushing it to publication. The secondary story of a child murderer is actually more believable and interesting, which is a sad commentary on the quality of the main plot.
Worst of all, Patterson is one of those authors who constantly reminds us of how much smarter, more observant, and more dedicated our hero is than his co-workers, especially his bosses. We're bombarded with assurances that the successful resolution of these crimes depends entirely on our hero, only to have the entire farce of a novel resolve each investigation with basic police work that undermines the need for a trained psychologist/profiler like Dr. Cross. In fact, Dr. Cross seems completely unnecessary in this story.
Most of this novel feels unnecessary as well. Patterson's writing technique can be aptly compared to the actions of the CIA director in the book. At one point, Cross drives from his home in Southeast DC to Langley, Virginia, for a meeting with the CIA director. It's a 45-minute trip if traffic is good. He spends a few minutes there talking to the director, who then tells him to follow her back to her home in Chevy Chase, Maryland. That's another 45-minute trip. However, Chevy Chase is only a 15-minute trip from Cross's home in DC. Patterson is like that CIA director, forcing us to take a roundabout route that leads us right back to where we started.
The better parts of this novel are clearly copied from better books, and many of the actual scene details are stolen from well-written thrillers. Once you remove the thin veneer of borrowed quality, what's left is an author who thinks he's a master of taut prose and misdirection but is actually prone to an excessive amount of flabby cliches. He also makes the fatal error of revealing the identity of the villain by making them the only non-repeating character who is described in detail. And let's not forget the obvious future damsel in distress whose fate is so clumsily determined that I had to force myself to read through the final 50 pages just so I could write this review with fresh memories of Patterson's literary crimes.
In those final pages, I noticed several more absurdities. For instance, Patterson refers to a character as the "SEXY SPINSTER." It's a ridiculous and inappropriate term that he continues to use throughout the book. There's also a scene where Dr. Inspector Cross spends nearly an hour crouched at a window seat staring at a bus shelter poster for a Calvin Klein perfume. He somehow manages to read the properly punctuated graffiti written above the model's head, which is quite remarkable considering the distance. And why is he spending so much time staring out the window when he's supposed to be actively looking for evidence? He only finds the evidence when he stops obsessing over the perfumed waif ad. That hour of his time should definitely not be billable to the DC taxpayers.
Finally, Patterson has a strange writing tic where he makes allusions to the murders of the Kennedy brothers and Martin Luther King as if they prove the existence of conspiracies. However, when we look at the facts, there is no evidence to support a larger conspiracy in the case of the Kennedy assassinations. Oswald was clearly a deranged individual acting alone. And yet, Patterson continues to use these allusions as a crutch when he has nothing else reasonable to say. It's a lazy and ineffective writing technique that only serves to further undermine the credibility of his story.
In conclusion, Jack & Jill is not a thriller novel. It's a jumbled mess of words that only appears to be a thriller novel if you don't look too closely. It's filled with absurdities, cliches, and stolen ideas, and it fails to deliver on any level. I would not recommend this book to anyone, especially not to those who are looking for a good thriller. There are far better options available out there.

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In the third installment of Alex Cross, we are taken on a thrilling journey as Alex Cross endeavors to solve two distinct and highly perilous crimes.

The first crime involves a terrifying plot that directly targets the President of the country. The stakes are incredibly high, and the nation holds its breath as Alex Cross races against time to uncover the identities of the perpetrators and prevent a catastrophic event from occurring.

Adding to the intensity, the second crime hits closer to home for Alex Cross. His son's school becomes the target, putting his family in immediate danger. Alex Cross must not only use his sharp investigative skills but also draw on his deep love and protectiveness for his family to solve this case and ensure the safety of his son and the other students.

As we follow Alex Cross through this complex web of crimes, we are on the edge of our seats, eager to see how he will untangle the mysteries and bring the criminals to justice.

This is an older Alex Cross novel. I just completed Postcard Killers (a newer novel) around a month ago, and there are numerous similarities with the J&J killers. The greatest enigma of the book was attempting to fathom why the killers committed their deeds, which is never entirely resolved.

At the outset, J&J are engaged with a game board of some sort, but this is entirely forgotten after a few chapters and has no bearing on the motive. There are an excessive number of red herrings to the point of carelessness. When it reaches the conclusion, you're scratching your head because there were no clues regarding the identity of the killers.

Alex Cross has yet another case where children are being murdered in a schoolyard. Once more, there are too many red herrings and the killer's motive is never clearly discerned. The killer is only targeting black children and you never know if it was merely an opportunity or racism.

A notable point is that the future Mrs. Cross, Christine, is introduced.

The reason I purchased the audio was because John Rubinstein did part of it. He does the John Kellerman audios and in this, he plays all the killer's voices. Blair Underwood is the voice of Cross and he is dreadful. I may be prejudiced, but I desired Morgan Freeman as Underwood reads too rapidly and it's difficult to keep up with the change in scene. Rubinstein was excellent but did not mesh well with Underwood.

Even with Rubinstein, I do not recommend this novel. The police work is shoddy and Cross never catches or identifies the killers. They make mistakes or turn on each other. You are never informed of a motive or if the Real Jack is playing the board game with the Real Jill or the Fake Jill. This book is a waste.

The third book in the Alex Cross series penned by James Patterson is truly a gem.

It belongs to the kind of Patterson novels that I have a particular penchant for. The story unfolds at a breakneck pace, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat from start to finish.

What makes it even more appealing is that it is all Patterson's own original work. His vivid imagination and masterful storytelling skills are on full display in this installment.

The characters are well-developed and the plot is filled with twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end.

Whether you are a die-hard fan of the Alex Cross series or a newcomer to Patterson's work, this book is sure to satisfy. It is a thrilling ride that you won't want to miss.

So, if you're looking for a fast-paced, engaging read, look no further than the third book in the Alex Cross series by James Patterson.

I don't know if I'll ever see properly again.

Maybe I've rolled my eyes so much that I've blinded myself with this.

I'm not even sure if I can bring myself to write a full review.

It's a really strange and concerning situation.

My eyesight seems to be affected, and it's making me question a lot of things.

Will I be able to continue doing the things I love, like reading and writing?

Time will tell, but for now, I'm just left with this uncertainty and a bit of worry.

I hope that whatever is wrong with my eyes can be fixed, but until then, I'll have to wait and see.

Maybe I should go see an eye doctor and get a proper diagnosis.

But for now, all I can do is sit here and wonder.

It's supposed to be a detective novel, isn't it? However, there isn't much detective work going on here.

Alex Cross, who is both a detective and a psychologist, didn't utilize much of either of those skills in this novel.

The plot advanced simply because the killers did something stupid or killed somebody. It wasn't due to the police or Alex Cross performing some amazing work and uncovering crucial evidence.

To be honest, I'm very disappointed. This detective novel failed to meet my expectations. I was hoping for a thrilling and intellectually stimulating story that would showcase the skills and deductions of the detective. But instead, it seems that the story relied more on the actions of the killers rather than the efforts of the protagonist.

I expected more from Alex Cross and the police force. They should have been more proactive in solving the case and using their skills to outwit the killers.

Overall, this novel was a letdown and didn't live up to the standards of a typical detective novel.

Without a doubt, James Patterson has an incredibly criminal mind. This, perhaps, isn't very comforting for his family and friends, yet it serves as a great source of income. In this work, he takes us on another page-turning investigation, not of just one but two high-profile cases to follow. The character of Cross is an extremely likeable law enforcement person. He is the kind of person we would hope to have on our side if we ever needed someone to make us feel safe. The plot is filled with plenty of twists and turns, intense moments that keep us on the edge of our seats. As usual, it's quite hard not to just read and turn the pages continuously to find out what happened next. I was very entertained, probably a bit excessively. Patterson's ability to create such engaging and thrilling stories is truly remarkable. His works have the power to transport readers into a world of mystery and suspense, leaving them eagerly awaiting the next installment.

I feel that as a dedicated book reader, it is my responsibility to issue a warning regarding the third Alex Cross novel.

It contains a disturbing attempted assassination attempt on a President and vividly describes the gruesome acts of a child killer. These elements made me feel extremely uncomfortable.

Although I have a great fondness for this series, I must admit that "Jack and Jill" fell a bit short for me. The political aspect seemed a bit overemphasized, which didn't quite suit my taste. In fact, the pursuit of the Truth School Killer was far more thrilling than the threat at the White House.

Another point worth noting is that James Patterson seems to be portraying Alex Cross as a bit of a Casanova. Three times in a row, he has shown interest in different women. Please, let him find some stability already. It's starting to get a little tiresome. He is an extremely likable character, highly skilled at his job, and a gentle father, but this is a flaw in his characterization that needs to be addressed.

Nevertheless, the setup for "Cat and Mouse" has me both on edge and excited. Round 2 between Cross and Soneji is about to begin.

In the dead of night, a highly controversial U.S. senator is shockingly discovered murdered in his bed. The killers have left a sinister note, signed "Jack and Jill," ominously promising that this is merely the beginning. Homicide Detective Alex Cross finds himself working on not one, but two cases simultaneously, and the killers continue to strike with terrifying regularity. No one in Washington is safe, not the innocent children, not the powerful politicians, and not even the President of the United States. Only Alex Cross possesses the unique skills and unwavering courage to crack this complex case, but the question remains: will he be able to discover the truth in time?

Jack and Jill is a relentless roller coaster ride of heart-pounding suspense and mind-bending plot twists. Patterson has masterfully crafted a compelling thriller that becomes a nonstop nightmare for Cross. In this edition of the Alex Cross series, he is faced with two concurrent cases that are rife with tension and excitement. There is the disturbing matter of a child killer who strikes perilously close to home when a little girl is found dead near his son's school. At the same time, a pair of killers known as Jack and Jill embark on a spectacular spree of celebrity killings, leaving cryptic notes with the corpses. The child killer case is both a personal and professional matter for Alex, but his chief forces him to devote most of his energy to the Jack and Jill case, which has a devastating impact on both investigations.

One aspect of Alex Cross' character that Patterson handles exceptionally well in his detective-thriller novels is the portrayal of his home life and family. This addition enriches the character of Alex Cross, making him more relatable and real. We get a glimpse into what a homicide detective does to unwind and relax, and how he behaves in normal family settings. As readers, we become even more thrilled and concerned when the child killer makes it known that Alex Cross and his family are on his hit list. The intensity ratchets up for Alex as the threat is directed at those he loves, and it becomes increasingly difficult for him to manage two cases simultaneously. The lines between predator and prey become increasingly blurred.

Another couple of elements that I found to be executed brilliantly were the well-developed characters of the killers, who are nearly as complex as Cross, Sampson, and the President. Giving the villains ample pages to展示 their abilities, inabilities, and mindset enhanced the reading experience tremendously. The second aspect that I thought was done extremely well was the foreplay scenes that Jack has with a female TV star, as well as with Jill. The writing related to the famous female TV star was perhaps the sexiest writing I have ever come across, and that's saying something considering I don't usually notice such things. Kudos to Patterson for that!

Jack and Jill is everything you could hope for in a James Patterson thriller. It is suspenseful, action-packed, and thoroughly entertaining. This isn't the first Alex Cross novel I have read, and it most certainly won't be the last. This book was given to me as a Christmas present, and although it was originally released over a decade ago, the portrayal of a divisive President - albeit for different reasons - was fascinating to read. Add to that the fact that a killer was shooting school kids, which mirrors America's ongoing problem with guns even today, when school shootings seem to occur on a weekly basis.

Of James Patterson's earlier Alex Cross stories, this one holds a special place in my heart as it is my absolute favorite.

I recall a time when I was completely engrossed in his works. I devoured several of his books one after another, getting lost in the thrilling adventures and complex mysteries that Patterson so masterfully weaves. However, due to the demands of school studies, I had to take a break.

As time passed, my focus shifted to other aspects of life, and I unfortunately didn't revisit these captivating stories. But the memories of how much I adored this particular book still linger vividly in my mind.

It was a page-turner from start to finish, filled with heart-pounding action, unexpected twists, and a cast of unforgettable characters. I can still picture the scenes and feel the excitement that coursed through me as I read.

Even though I haven't picked up this book in a while, I know that it will always remain one of my most cherished reads from Patterson's extensive collection.

Now I am truly hooked.

This was such an outstanding, effortless, and creative book. I was completely captivated right after the very first page.

The characters were incredibly charming and easy to fall in love with and follow, just like the story itself. The author has an amazing talent for making the mental images of the surroundings so vivid and clear, and the actions of the characters felt extremely real.

I would highly recommend both this author and this book to anyone who loves a great read. It's a book that will keep you engaged from start to finish and leave you with a sense of satisfaction.

Whether you're a fan of fiction or just looking for a good book to pass the time, this one is definitely worth checking out.

The third book in the Alex Cross series didn't quite have the same impact as the previous two.

It follows two parallel murder cases. One involves a child murderer, and the other is about someone "righting the wrongs of the world." These two cases are very different, but only Alex Cross has the skills to solve them.

As always, it was an easy read. However, because I loved "Kiss the Girls" so much, I could only rate this book as an average three stars. I wasn't as engaged in this story and didn't care much about the political killings plot line. The love interest also felt a bit lacking. I'm not overly interested in Alex's love life, but if it's going to be included, it should be written with more passion.

I'm not sure if the reason behind the murders was ever fully explained, which was a bit frustrating. The ending was interesting, though, and I assume it leads into the fourth book of the series, which I hope will be better.

I will definitely continue with the series and move on to the next book!