I absolutely love the Alex Cross books!

They are truly captivating and keep me on the edge of my seat with every turn of the page. Just when you think James Patterson can't possibly make this series any better, he goes and does just that. His ability to create complex and engaging storylines, along with well-developed characters, is truly remarkable.

I am so excited for the fact that this is only the fifth book in a so far 27 book series. There is so much more to come, and I can't wait to see what adventures Alex Cross will embark on next. Each book in the series seems to build upon the previous ones, adding new layers and depth to the overall story arc.

I highly recommend the Alex Cross books to anyone who loves a good mystery or thriller. They are a must-read for fans of the genre and will keep you entertained from start to finish.

Another exciting read that draws in the reader is truly a captivating experience.

It has the power to transport the reader to different worlds, introduce them to unique characters, and engage their minds in a thrilling adventure.

The story unfolds in a way that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, eagerly turning the pages to discover what happens next.

With vivid descriptions and a well-crafted plot, this read becomes a page-turner that is difficult to put down.

It has the ability to evoke a wide range of emotions, from excitement and anticipation to surprise and satisfaction.

Whether it's a mystery, a romance, or an action-packed thriller, this exciting read has something for everyone.

It invites the reader to lose themselves in its pages and embark on a journey that they will not soon forget.

So, if you're looking for a book that will draw you in and keep you entertained from start to finish, look no further than this exciting read.

I'll skip the synopsis.

Honestly, James Patterson does precisely what he is expected to do, and that is to create a captivating and thrilling read. To some extent, this story delivers on that front. However, it falls short when compared to other Alex Cross novels.

After reading several Cross mysteries, I've noticed that most of these villains, such as The Wolf, The Mastermind, and The Weasel, seem to have a similar feel. They lack depth and come across as rather two-dimensional or cardboard-like.

Colonel Geoffrey Shafer, also known as The Weasel, is somewhat more developed, but for some reason, in my opinion, his actions still seem a bit stiff.

I actually felt a bit cheated after finishing the novel. It was extremely rushed, and I breezed through it without experiencing a single jaw-dropping moment like I have in other books by Patterson.

What I did appreciate, though, is how The Weasel's maniacal behavior gradually evolves throughout the novel. Another aspect that I really liked was Alex's ongoing relationship with Christine. They make such a great couple, and I think it adds a realistic and enjoyable element to the story.

Overall, I would say that this book is less than satisfactory. It has a few good parts, but not nearly enough to counterbalance the not-so-great parts.

I could not get past page 12 before I wanted to hurl this piece of drivel down a well then toss a rock after it to prevent its accidental discovery.

It was truly astonishing how bad this writing was. I didn't know it was possible to create such horrible stereotypes and to write with this level of immaturity.

The way the characters were portrayed was offensive and inaccurate. Maybe I should have read further, but after hearing the young black kid actually say, "Yo, yo, yo", I had to find better things to do with my time.

It felt like the author was trying too hard to be edgy and cool, but instead, it just came across as juvenile and disrespectful. I would not recommend this book to anyone. It was a waste of my time and I'm sure there are much better books out there to read.

I hope the author takes some time to reflect on their writing and makes some improvements in the future.

Alex Cross #5 is an enthralling mystery that unfolds within a web of mysteries, all set within a complex and captivating game.

Posing as a cab driver, the menacing Weasel has been terrorizing the streets of Washington. His victims are found in the poorer areas of town, naked and wounded, leaving a trail of fear and mystery in his wake.

For some time now, Alex, along with his partner Sampson and a couple of detective friends, has been determined to catch the Weasel. However, they are operating unofficially as the chief has warned them off the investigation. But, of course, that won't stop their unwavering pursuit.

The truth behind the killer is astonishing. He is actually a British diplomat involved in a role-playing game, but he is playing by his own twisted rules.

Soon, Alex becomes an unwilling participant in this dangerous game, and he is on the verge of losing everything that is dear to him. His world is turned upside down as he battles to save those he loves and solve the mystery before it's too late.

This book is truly exhilarating. We see a brand new side of Alex, both personality-wise and emotionally. With his fiancée Christine abducted, our usually upbeat hero is now distraught and his emotions are all over the place, affecting both his homelife and work ethic.

I, for one, would never actively get involved in a role-playing game such as The Four Kingsmen. It is simply too gruesome for my taste.

James Patterson has once again proven himself as a master storyteller with this installment. Although the plot line may seem a bit disjointed at times, it ultimately works, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.

Well, well, well. Patterson truly has a way of pulling me in. These are not your ordinary crime novels.

His characters are so deeply multi-level psychotic that it can be a bit terrifying to read.

This time around, Cross is on the hunt for a killer who is murdering simply for the game and sport of it.

What begins as former intelligence agents engaging in an on-line fantasy game suddenly transforms into the real thing.

It's like death personified has stepped out from the pages.

The story unfolds with a sense of urgency and mystery, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat.

We follow Cross as he delves deeper into the twisted mind of the killer, trying to understand the motives behind the senseless acts of violence.

The tension builds with each passing chapter, making it impossible to put the book down.

Patterson's writing is as engaging as ever, and this installment of the Cross series is no exception.

It's a thrilling ride from start to finish, and I can't wait to see what he has in store for us next.

Well, that was a truly weird ending.

This is yet another excellent addition to the Alex Cross series. The story features a brilliant and sick psycho killer, which keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. Throughout most of the book, Alex is distraught, and it's great to see a support system come through to assist him. I really hope we get to see more of a resolution to the events that took place in this book.

Overall, this was another wonderful adventure. However, it felt less "wrapped up" in many ways. There are many unanswered questions, and the ending was somewhat strange for sure. It left me with a sense of dissatisfaction, as if there were still loose ends that needed to be tied up.

Despite this, I'm still looking forward to continuing the journey of Cross. I have no doubt that the next book in the series will be just as exciting and engaging as this one.

4 Stars

I just couldn't get into this one. It was simply too far fetched. The story seemed to lack any semblance of reality, making it difficult for me to engage with it.

And the writing of Jannie really drove me nuts. She's only 7 years old, not 13. At that tender age, she simply can't handle hypotheticals like the ones presented in the story. It felt completely inappropriate and took away from the overall believability of the narrative.

I understand that the author may have been trying to create something unique and imaginative, but it just didn't work for me. I found myself constantly frustrated and disengaged, unable to connect with the characters or the plot. Maybe if the story had been more grounded in reality and the writing more age-appropriate for Jannie, I would have had a different opinion. But as it stands, this one just wasn't for me.

SPOILERS AHEAD

The story was both entertaining and rather ridiculous. Right from the start, we learn that Geoffrey Shafer, a British Embassy official, has gone insane. Apparently, this is a common occurrence among British diplomats. He plays a game called the Four Horsemen, and he is Death. Surprise, surprise! The game involves throwing dice, and the numbers that come up require certain actions. However, the rules are never really explained in detail.

Thanks to the incompetence of the police and a seemingly complete lack of forensic evidence, his body count rises. Cross investigates and also gets involved with Christine, his kids' school principal. He proposes, and she eventually accepts. The whole family then goes to Bermuda. But there, Christine is kidnapped by Shafer. It's absurd that the police on a small island can't trace a white rental van.

Shafer murders Cross's partner Patsy. They catch him with her blood on him, but due to the weirdness of the American justice system, it's inadmissible as evidence. What the f***! Shafer waives diplomatic immunity and stands trial, only to be found not guilty. His wife Lucy leaves him, taking their three children back to England.

Then, Shafer meets up with the other horsemen and kills them in Jamaica. A fight ensues in the sea between Cross and Shafer, and it seems that Shafer is drowned. Of course, he survives and murders his wife and twins in a supermarket in Chelsea, England. And then we're expected to believe that after missing for a year, Christine is alive and unharmed, with a baby called Alex, while being held captive by Rastafarian bandits. What the f***??

Everyone else Shafer has murdered, except for Christine, who is held captive for a year. He's a homicidal maniac, high most of the time on a cocktail of drugs. Still, I'll read the sequel to see how Alex Cross kills him and learn more about his so-called perfect family. It's complete nonsense, but very entertaining.

I was just in a bit of a quandary.

I didn't really want to like this particular book. You see, I haven't read a Patterson novel that wasn't specifically targeted at children or young adults. But this one caught my eye as it was a freebie just lying around, so I thought, "Why not?"

Surprisingly, I found that I did enjoy it. I have a penchant for crime-related stuff, and this book fit the bill perfectly. It was not only fun but also incredibly easy to read.

As I was reading, I found myself thinking that I could be persuaded to pick up more of the Alex Cross books. In fact, that's exactly what I'm getting at.

Maybe Patterson has more hidden gems in store for me in the adult crime fiction genre. I'm definitely intrigued enough to give it a try and see where this literary journey takes me.

Who knows, I might just become a die-hard fan of his adult novels as well.

Patterson is truly a guilty pleasure for me.

Somehow, I managed to miss this particular entry in the Alex Cross series. It's quite significant as it not only introduces a major villain but also explains a crucial plot point that appears in numerous later books within the series.

I'm extremely glad that I finally came across this one and realized that I hadn't read it yet. It's like uncovering a hidden gem.

Now that I've found it, I can't wait to dive in and see how this villain and plot point develop and impact the overall story arc.

I'm sure it will be another thrilling and engaging read from Patterson, just like the rest of the books in the Alex Cross series.

It's moments like these that make being a fan of his work so enjoyable.

I never thought this moment would come: a book by my beloved #JamesPatterson that I didn't like. Never say never, right?

Alex Cross in this book is illogical and just keeps crying all over himself in such a fake way that it's impossible to empathize with him. Even the children and Nana, who usually make a nice backdrop, this time turned out to be unconvincing characters. And Jannie, instead of behaving like a child, seems, well, like a forty-year-old woman. The serial killer in the story is equally illogical. Initially, he seemed like a great villain, but in the end, he fails to be convincing. It seems that the characters act randomly, rather than being driven by the dice.

And to be honest? I was hoping that Christine would die. The ending is, to say the least, bad.

Failed across the board.