I've really relished the initial several Alex Cross books. They were filled with thrilling plots, engaging characters, and heart-pounding action that kept me on the edge of my seat. However, when it comes to this particular installment, something seems to have gone amiss.

I just found myself gradually losing interest as I delved deeper into the story. Maybe it was the predictability of the plot, or perhaps the characters didn't have the same charm and depth as in the previous books.

Whatever the reason may be, it's a disappointment. I had such high expectations, but unfortunately, this one failed to meet them. I hope that the next Alex Cross book will be able to recapture the magic and excitement that made the earlier ones so enjoyable.

Gary Soneji once again haunts Alex's life. Many have become his repeated victims. Besides that, on the other side of Europe, Mr Smith is also running amok. Many have already fallen victim.

For this script, there are various mixtures of emotions. Anger, rage, sadness, joy, and so on. All kinds of things happen in Alex's life because of that crazy Soneji. To the extent that it almost sacrifices Alex's family.

SH quite likes the 'brotherhood' friendship between Alex and Sampsons. Always there for each other. And always supporting each other. Can feel the anger and sadness of Sampsons when a disaster occurs in Alex's family.

And SH also likes the way the writer presents two killers in two different ways. It seems as if both of them are psychopathic killers. But they have different criteria and ways.

This book is truly perfect for those individuals who are seeking a completely predictable, awfully written, and overly played detective story. Patterson's writing style in "Cat and Mouse" is simply hideous.

He constantly switches from the first-person views of one character to another, which leaves the reader still attempting to find the meaning within the pointless two-page chapter that preceded it. Not to mention that Patterson divides the book into two sections that are not even relatable.

Halfway through the book, Patterson abruptly switches from the Soneji case to the Mr. Smith case, as if it were an entirely new book! All the endings are extremely predictable, yet somehow the world's most perfect detective, Alex Cross, couldn't seem to figure it out.

"Along Came a Spider" was good, "Kiss the Girls" was great, "Jack and Jill" was okay, but the fourth book, "Cat and Mouse," was horrible. Even with my love for the series from the first two books, I will absolutely not continue the series. Unless you are looking for a book to lull you to sleep, it is advisable to stay away from "Cat and Mouse."

I absolutely adored this book!!!

I have a profound enjoyment of the Alex Cross series. It is truly outstanding!!!

The story has such a captivating charm that it compels you to continuously read the entire series until you reach the end. Lol.

Each book in the series seems to draw you in deeper, with its thrilling plots and well-developed characters.

The adventures of Alex Cross are both exciting and engaging, keeping you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

Whether you're a fan of mystery, thriller, or crime novels, the Alex Cross series is definitely one that you don't want to miss.

I can't wait to see what other adventures await Alex Cross in the future installments of this amazing series.

"Death is the nature's way of saying 'howdy'" - Nana

Gary Soneji, the menacing criminal, is once again on the loose, and this time, his thirst for vengeance against Alex Cross knows no bounds. In James Patterson's first installment of the Alex Cross series, this deranged psychopath had kidnapped two innocent kids. Now, he has escalated his heinous acts, randomly killing strangers and turning various stations into his gruesome human shooting range, methodically carrying out his murders.

On the other side of the coin, Thomas Agustine, endowed with an uncanny talent for apprehending killers, is hot on the trail of the man who brutally murdered his fiancee, Mr. Smith. His determination to seek justice drives him forward.

Meanwhile, Alex Cross finds himself in a vulnerable position when an unknown assailant attacks him right in the sanctity of his own home. The situation takes a dramatic turn when it is revealed that it was Thomas Pierce who had butchered his girlfriend. He had struck her heart with a piercing blow because he discovered that she had been cheating on him all along, and in reality, she had never truly loved him.

As the story unfolds, the question remains: Who will ultimately become the mouse, and who will emerge as the cat in this deadly game of cat and mouse? The suspense builds, keeping readers on the edge of their seats, eager to discover the thrilling conclusion.

Serial killer, Gary Soneji, has been released from jail and is now hell-bent on seeking revenge against detective Alex Cross. His diabolical plan is to not only kill Cross but also his entire family. Before carrying out this heinous act, Soneji is engaging in a series of other killings and taunting Cross, making the detective's life a living nightmare.

Meanwhile, Cross finds himself attracted to his kids' principal, Christine. However, she is hesitant to enter into a relationship with someone in his dangerous line of work. The potential romance between Alex and Christine adds an interesting layer to the story.

I have a particular fondness for this installment. Although I recall the name Soneji, the details of his character from the previous books in the series (this being the fourth) have somewhat escaped my memory. Nevertheless, it is not essential to remember everything about him to fully enjoy this book. Any relevant information from the previous installments that I needed to know was conveniently refreshed in my mind. I am intrigued by the budding relationship between Alex and Christine and look forward to seeing how it develops in the pages to come.

Would you be an assassin?

\\tThis is a thought-provoking question. When is being the bad guy ever good? Is being an assassin a good or a bad thing? Do killers have different problems than regular people?

\\t"Cat and Mouse" by James Patterson is a thrilling and exciting action book that will truly blow your mind. In this story, two people engage in a fight to the death. But the question remains, who will be the cat and who will be the mouse?

\\tGary Sonejis is an assassin in the United States who was once a kidnapper. Mr. Smith, a person without a first name, is also an assassin, but in Europe and he too used to be a kidnapper. Until one day, one of them receives a target that includes the other person. So, they must defend themselves to determine who will come out on top.

\\tI was truly amazed by the suspense in "Cat and Mouse" by James Patterson. I highly recommend this book to those who love to be surprised and enjoy unpredictable situations. I like this book because it was not only very entertaining but also took my breath away. The suspense was palpable, keeping me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire reading experience.

\\tIf you're looking for a thrilling and action-packed read, "Cat and Mouse" is definitely the book for you.

Old and new villains come together in this exciting story, creating a plot that is full of thrills and chills. The combination of familiar and unfamiliar antagonists adds an extra layer of complexity and excitement to the narrative. As the story unfolds, readers are taken on a wild ride through a world of danger and mystery, never quite sure what will happen next.

The actual rating of 4.5 reflects the high quality of the writing and the engaging nature of the plot. Fans of thrilling stories are sure to be captivated by this tale of old and new villains, and will find themselves on the edge of their seats from beginning to end.

Whether you're a long-time fan of the genre or a newcomer looking for a great read, this story is definitely worth checking out. With its exciting plot, well-developed characters, and high rating, it's sure to become a favorite among readers everywhere.

4/5 stars

Wow! I was initially all set to rate this a mere 2/5 stars due to what I thought was a rather dull and foreseeable plot. Alex Cross finds himself trapped between two murder investigations, one of which is deeply personal as it involves his family. In the first case, his long-time adversary Gary Soneji meets his end in a somewhat expected manner, with Alex using Soneji's own weapons to take him down.

However, what truly elevated this book and earned it an additional 2 stars was the Mr. Smith case. I haven't delved into too many books that feature unreliable narrators, but this one truly took me by surprise. The poetic justice of Thomas Pierce being his own final victim neatly tied up this aspect of the story. I'm now excited to move on to the next book in the series, especially since the plot doesn't necessarily have to carry over from this one.

I'm looking forward to seeing what new challenges and mysteries Alex Cross will face, and whether the author can continue to surprise me with unexpected twists and turns.

Patterson's fourth Alex Cross book is an exciting and fast-paced detective drama.

It follows the intertwining investigations of mass murders, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

Patterson has masterfully created believable and likable characters, as well as complex relationships within the context of a chilling murder mystery.

The story unfolds with twists and turns, making it difficult to put down.

Readers will be drawn into the world of Alex Cross and his team as they race against time to solve the crimes and bring the killers to justice.

Overall, this book is a must-read for fans of detective fiction and those who enjoy a thrilling and engaging story.

It doesn't take long to get into the action, and once the action starts, it's non-stop.

This book is well-paced, well-written, and well-executed. It is so suspenseful and truly lives up to the title of Cat and Mouse.

The multiple points of view were done extremely well. It wasn't just to keep the plot moving forward but also to help the reader step into the different minds of the characters. This thriller also has a slight horror element with its vivid and descriptive body horror. The chapters were so short that it constantly kept me wanting to read just one more, which I absolutely love, especially in this genre.

Alex Cross, at this point in the series, is a pretty well-developed character. Although I do think you could read this book without reading the previous ones, it is much better if you have read them. James Patterson wasn't afraid to get brutal in this book, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

There were a few shocks, twists, and turns that were really good as well. It was high stakes, a lot of fun, and a really great read. I am looking forward to continuing with this series and can't wait to see what Alex does next. The book ends on a mini cliffhanger, which makes me want to pick up the next book sooner rather than later.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves thrillers, mysteries, or just a good page-turner. It will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

The first time Alex Cross informed me... four stars in the first half, two in a row and an infuriating cliffhanger at the end, as if we were watching an episode of a police series.

Alex Cross is a well-known detective in the fictional world. His cases are always full of twists and turns, keeping the readers on the edge of their seats. In this particular story, the beginning was quite promising with the discovery of four stars in the first half. It made me wonder what they could possibly mean and how they were related to the case.

As the story progressed, two more stars appeared in a row, adding to the mystery. I was really getting into the plot, eager to find out what would happen next. And then, just when I thought I had a handle on things, the author threw in an unexpected cliffhanger at the end. It was so frustrating! I wanted to know the resolution right away, but I had to wait for the next installment.

Overall, this was a great read that had me hooked from start to finish. I can't wait to see what else Alex Cross has in store for us in the future.