Gary Soneji lurks in the basement, biding his time, patiently waiting for Alex Cross, with the intention of killing him.

Meanwhile, Alex is not only preoccupied with the task of finding Soneji but also gets drawn into the case of a serial murderer known as ‘Mr Smith’.

Now, with two murderers on his tail, the situation becomes even more complex when an FBI agent gets involved in the job.

The whole scenario is truly terrifying. It makes one wonder how a person who appears and behaves completely normal on the surface can actually be hiding his true, malevolent self.

Alex Cross is in a race against time and must use all his skills and instincts to stay alive and solve these cases before it's too late.

Oh my!

The layers of the plot in this book are simply captivating. The character development is so well-done that you truly feel connected to each one. The plot itself is filled with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat, constantly wondering "who is the cat" and "who is the mouse"?

Our hero is faced with the difficult task of finding the answers, and as the story progresses, he becomes more and more broken. But that's what makes this book so addictive. You just can't stop reading!

Every page turn reveals a new mystery, a new clue, and you find yourself completely immersed in this world. It's a thrilling ride from start to finish, and you'll be left breathless by the end.

If you're looking for a book that will keep you entertained and engaged, then this is the one for you. So sit back, relax, and get ready to be swept away by the amazing story within these pages.

Gary Soneji is back, and this time, he is in a state where he has absolutely nothing to lose.

Alex Cross, the brilliant detective, must quickly figure out the reason behind Soneji's return before he takes the lives of more innocent people.

As if that wasn't enough, Cross is also being pestered to look into another serial murder case that has a global reach.

A serial murderer known as the ominous Mr. Smith is terrorizing Europe, and his tracker, Thomas Pierce, is determined to find him and settle a score.

Cross and Pierce are on a collision course that will throw them both into the depths of Hell.

This installment in The Alex Cross series was truly excellent. It was filled with super twisty turns that kept me on the edge of my seat.

At times, I did feel that some of the情节 were a bit repetitive, but overall, I think this might be my favorite book in the series so far.

Patterson is truly a fantastic storyteller, able to create complex and engaging characters and plotlines that draw the reader in and keep them hooked until the very end.

I can't wait to see what he has in store for us in the next installment of this thrilling series.

The experience wasn't bad at all.

Certainly, there were some parts that were a bit of a challenge to maintain my interest. They seemed to be somewhat redundant, repeating similar ideas or details.

However, when looking at the overall picture, it was still good.

The positive aspects managed to outweigh the few drawbacks.

Perhaps with a bit of refinement and more variety in those less engaging sections, it could have been even better.

Nonetheless, I can't deny that it had its merits and I'm glad I gave it a chance.

It's important to remember that no experience is perfect, and this one had enough good qualities to make it worthwhile.

Overall, I would say it was a decent encounter.

I read this book mainly because a co-worker lent it to me. There is a reference to the diving horse at Atlantic City in it, which piqued my interest to some extent.

However, as I delved into the story, I found it to be quite predictable. In fact, I was able to figure out who the killer was long before it was officially revealed in the book. This was a major disappointment for me as I prefer mysteries that keep me guessing until the very end. I don't like it when the solution is so obvious.

Moreover, the parts involving Alex Cross and Christine were overly sappy. It was mentioned numerous times how their bodies fit together so well and how perfectly they danced together. This kind of description seemed far from a realistic portrayal of a relationship. It felt forced and cliched, rather than genuine and believable. Overall, this book did not meet my expectations.

Alex Cross is once again hot on the trail of Gary Soneji.

Simultaneously, there is a menacing killer loose in England that the FBI is in hot pursuit of and they earnestly desire Cross to assist in cracking the case.

The book had such a gripping hold on me that I couldn't stop turning the pages. However, it seemed as if the two stories were completely unrelated, and in fact, I firmly believe they were.

It was almost like having two books combined into one. But here's the interesting part, each of the killers had a burning desire to see if Alex could outwit them.

This presented a bit of a departure from his previous books, adding an element of新鲜感 and unpredictability that kept me thoroughly engaged from start to finish.

Overall, it was an exciting read that kept my heart pounding and my mind racing as I followed Alex Cross on his dual investigations.

Now that I’m delving into the fourth Alex Cross book, I’m growing increasingly acquainted with James Patterson’s writing formula, and it’s, well, just okay…at times.

If we’re to believe that Alex Cross is the paragon of courage and selflessness among fictional police detectives, then it’s no surprise that his girlfriend makes Wonder Woman seem like a meek and mild five-year-old bed wetter. And if he’s supposed to be a highly talented and astute super detective with a mountain of demands on his time, then of course he’ll be home most nights with his saintly grandmother and kids who could teach the Queen’s nanny a thing or two about kindness and good manners.

It appears that no character in this book or the ones before it, aside from the criminal, has any negative traits. Whether Cross is interacting with his partner, grandmother, or colleagues, they’re always agreeable, understanding, accommodating, and eager to shower him with compliments. Nobody is ever on edge, irritated, or even short-tempered with anyone else. It’s dull and overly formulaic. Without negative personality characteristics, character development quickly becomes a snooze fest. Patterson might have intended to develop the characters slowly, knowing he’d have a long series ahead, but it still falls flat.

Yes, I’m fully aware that all of this is fictional, but there’s a fine line between fictional and just plain unrealistic. Here we have a renowned police detective in the DC area who has taken down the worst of the worst criminals, a man who could be ambushed and shot in the back at any moment, yet he’s hardly ever stressed and the horrors of his job never seem to affect his home life. In the midst of having his family threatened, losing loved ones, witnessing gruesome crime scenes, and being targeted by demented criminals, I would think it would have a greater impact on his character. It’s simply not believable.

There are both pros and cons to Patterson’s writing. He does a decent job of making you think about the inner workings of an insane murderer and getting inside their head, but otherwise the dialogue is basic and unoriginal. Patterson is also overly effusive and clumsy in his descriptions. He uses clunky language to drive home just how impossibly attractive his girlfriend is, how incredibly well-behaved his kids are, and how truly insane the antagonist is. I much prefer a more minimalist approach, letting the character’s actions speak for themselves and using just the right amount of description in the appropriate places.

In this book, when there’s a sentimental moment, it’s so saccharine sweet that you’ll need to reach for your toothbrush immediately. And when a cop cracks a joke, it’s so overdone and obvious that you’ll be tempted to hurl a rotten tomato at the book. Patterson can effortlessly describe mundane scenes in bars or on the street, but when it comes to dialogue and description, sometimes it feels like he’s trying too hard.

However, these books do have the advantage of being quick reads. Most of the chapters are only a page or two long. Four books in and we’ve had four antagonists who are criminally insane sociopaths, each more intense than the last. We’ll have to wait and see if Patterson can outdo himself in the next book with an even crazier antagonist. That’s going to be a tall order.

This visceral thriller has its moments, but there are a few elements that seem a bit off.

For instance, the line "That I-MURDERED-ISABELLA-CALAIS bit feels a little awkward in this otherwise visceral thriller. Too juvenile." It stands out in a way that doesn't quite fit with the overall tone of the story.

On a different note, the descriptions of the cement add an interesting texture. We read that "Our shoes softly scraped the cement" and "Here the cold cement floor was smooth." These details help to create a vivid setting.

Another funny thing is that the word "Beemer (BMW)" is spelt in an unusual way. It's not something one typically sees, and it adds a touch of uniqueness to the text.

Overall, while the thriller has its strengths, these small quirks make it a bit of a mixed bag.

Alex Cross is back in a thrilling novel that features a cast of characters more menacing and lethal than ever before. Gary Soneji, a desperate prison escapee on the verge of death, is hell-bent on seeking revenge against Cross. Meanwhile, another deranged killer is being hunted by Thomas Augustine Pierce, a brilliant and tenacious detective who might even outshine Cross. As the body count rises and Cross narrowly escapes being murdered in his own home, the intense game of cat and mouse leads to a final, dangerous trap, leaving readers guessing who will ultimately survive.

There are several aspects of this book that I really liked. Firstly, Gary Soneji, despite being a truly despicable character, was captivating. His actions and motives added an extra layer of excitement to the story. Secondly, I found the ending to be quite engaging. However, there were also things that I didn't enjoy as much. The relationship between Christine and Alex felt forced to me. Their declarations of love and their quick progression to a more intimate level seemed rushed and unrealistic, especially considering the recent murder of Christine's husband. Additionally, the foreshadowing of Alex's near-death experience was rather predictable.

One of the things I disliked the most was the killing off of Gary Soneji. He was my favorite character in Along Came A Spider and remained so in this book as well. I also thought that the Mr. Smith storyline was a bit too obvious. It was easy to figure out who the killer was based on the excessive attention given to Thomas Pierce and his remarks about medical school and his girlfriend's heart being cut out. Overall, though, I still found that aspect of the story interesting. Finally, while I thought the ending was okay in terms of Christine being taken by an unknown person, I had a problem with the logistics. How did someone manage to follow Alex, his family, and Christine all the way to the Bahamas and know exactly when Christine would be alone to kidnap her? It just didn't seem to make sense.

In conclusion, these were the things that I liked and didn't like about this book. I believe that if Soneji hadn't been killed off and Christine and Alex had taken more time to develop their relationship naturally, I would have had a more positive overall impression of the book.

Such a fitting title for the fourth installment in the Alex Cross series!

Cat & Mouse heralds the return of one of the craziest fictional characters I've ever come across. We were introduced to Gary Sonjei in Kiss the Girls and this time he's out for blood once more - specifically Alex's and his family. The first half was absolutely intense as Sonjei continues to play mind games, leaving Cross and Sampson a trail of clues as the monster reigns terror across multiple train stations. Just when you think that it's all over and everyone is safe.... Then you meet Mr Smith, who makes Sonjei look like an adorable kitten. Smith is likened to Hannibal Lector and same as Sonjei, he's playing a long game across the continents.

This was substantially better than the slight letdown of the previous installment. Cross's Cassanova act has been rectified as he is now steadily dating school principal Christine. She's the one, apparently, but with Alex's track record, I sense that trouble is on the horizon for the love birds! Nice little segway leading into Pop Goes the Weasel which makes me ultra excited to get to. I had to read the final lines a few times for the twist to sink in!!

I truly had a great fondness for this book. It had so many elements that initially seemed promising. The characters were well-developed, especially the kids, and the plot was engaging. However, there was just one major flaw that completely marred the reading experience for me.

That flaw was the use of the n-word with the hard “r.” There was no conceivable reason for it to be included in the book. Its presence was not only inappropriate but also extremely upsetting. It came as a shock when I encountered it while peacefully engrossed in reading what I thought was a great book.

This book had the potential to be a four or even five-star read. But due to this one glaring issue, it unfortunately drops to a two-star rating. It’s a shame that such a small yet significant detail could have such a profound impact on the overall perception of the book.

Another quick, easy, and entertaining read.

It is the kind of reading material that you can pick up and finish in a short amount of time, without feeling overwhelmed or bored.

The content is engaging and interesting, filled with stories, facts, or ideas that capture your attention and keep you turning the pages.

Whether you're looking for a lighthearted escape during your commute or a way to relax before bed, this type of read is perfect.

It doesn't require a lot of mental effort, but it still provides some entertainment and enjoyment.

You can easily lose yourself in the words and forget about the stresses of your day.

So, if you're in the mood for a quick and easy read that will also put a smile on your face, look no further.

There are plenty of options out there that will meet your needs and provide you with a fun and entertaining experience.