The truth is that it seemed extremely boring to me. To the extent that I rushed to finish it in order to be able to go and vote in the PASO.

I was reading it very superficially because I wanted to know how it ended but, to be honest, I didn't care at all.

It starts well but then in the middle it's a mess. It was more about the love relationship than the thriller itself.

Clearly I'm in the minority or perhaps I have to avoid books written in the 90's.

Maybe I'm just too impatient for this kind of story. Or perhaps the writing style of that era doesn't resonate with me. Whatever the reason, this book just didn't do it for me. I found myself constantly looking at the page number, hoping it would end soon.

I had high expectations at the beginning, but they were quickly dashed. The plot became convoluted and the characters didn't seem fully developed. It was a disappointment overall.

Along Came a Spider

Alex Cross, Book 1

I Picked Up This Book Because:

I have a great desire to watch the show, and naturally, I understand the importance of reading the original source material first. It's like laying the foundation before building a house.




Media Type:

Audiobook


Source:

HC Public Library


Dates Read:

12/1/24 - 12/3/24


Stars:

3.5 Stars


Narrator(s):

Taye Diggs




The Characters:





Alex Cross: He is the central character, a complex and multi-faceted individual.

Jezzie Flanagan

Gary Sonji, Solomon (or maybe Sampson, Alex’s BFF), Nana Momma, Alex’s Kids




The Story:







Writing: The writing is of good quality. It is fast-paced, filled with numerous storylines that keep the reader on the edge of their seat. The tone is dark and gritty, almost leaning towards urban fantasy. It creates a vivid and immersive world.

Overall Interest: This is a book that demands your full attention. If you don't pay close attention, you will quickly get lost in the web of plot twists and turns. They are non-stop, and to be honest, I don't think I was able to catch all the subtleties and nuances of the story.

Length of Reading Time: Although it is a long book, it is definitely worth the time investment. The story is engaging enough to keep you hooked from start to finish.

Re-read-ability: For me, personally, I don't think I would re-read this book. Once was enough to experience the excitement and drama.

I truly relished this initial book in the Alex Cross series. It's not hard to fathom why it has achieved such popularity. I'm extremely glad that I ultimately decided to pick it up, and I'll be delving into the subsequent installments of the series shortly. What I adore is that I remained oblivious to several of the twists until moments before they unfolded. Even when I harbored suspicions, I couldn't be entirely certain that events would transpire precisely as they did.

This book kept me on the edge of my seat, constantly guessing and second-guessing. The plot was so intricately woven that it was a joy to try and untangle.

Where you can find me:
•(♥).•*Monlatable Book Reviews*•.(♥)•
Twitter: @monicaisreading
Instagram: @readermonica
Goodreads Group: The Black Bookcase

Das war eines der am schlechtesten geschriebenen Bücher, die ich je gelesen habe. Und damit meine ich nicht nur den Plot.

Der Plot war so, wie man ihn von vielen anderen Thrillern kennt: Ein Psychopath entführt Kinder, und die Polizei jagt ihm hinterher. Nach diversen unrealistischen Plottwists ist es nicht mehr klar, wer gut und wer böse ist. Nun, jedem seinen Geschmack. Für mich war es jedoch abstrus, nur mäßig spannend und hatte für meinen Geschmack zu viele Ungereimtheiten.

Was wirklich schlecht war, war die Sprache. Patterson schreibt offensichtlich für Leser, die die Bedeutung eines einzelnen Verbs im Satz für überwertet halten. Er verwendet kurze Sätze in kurzen Kapiteln. Oft sind es nur hingeworfene Begriffe, als hätte er schon 1992 gewusst, wie man auf Twitter postet.

Dieser Stil ist für Leser gedacht, die es langweilig finden, wenn eine Person ausführlich in die Geschichte eingeführt wird. Sie wollen eine rasante Handlung und empfinden diesen abgehakten Sprachstil als flüssig und dynamisch. Allerdings wird das Buch so geschrieben, als wäre es ein Artikel in der Yellow Press mit klischeehaften Dialoge von wenig ausgearbeiteten Charakteren.

Ich lese gerade parallel einen Stephen King. Der Unterschied in der Erzählfertigkeit könnte kaum größer sein. Und trotzdem führt so eine Romanproduziermaschine wie Patterson die Bestsellerlisten an. Das muss doch für talentierte Autoren extrem frustrierend sein.

I watched the film a long time ago, even before I read the book. At first, I was really astonished by the significant differences between the film and the book. Then I started to wonder why they made those changes for the film version. The book boasted a far superior storyline, with deeper and more complex characters. It seemed that it could have been easily translated into a great film.

As is usually the case, the book turned out to be better than the film. Without a doubt, it deserves 5 stars.

I think the filmmakers might have made some compromises due to various reasons, such as time constraints or the need to appeal to a wider audience. However, in doing so, they sacrificed some of the essence and charm of the original book.

Nonetheless, both the film and the book have their own merits. The film can provide a visual and auditory experience, while the book allows the reader to immerse themselves in the detailed descriptions and the author's unique writing style.

In conclusion, although the book is better in my opinion, the film can still be enjoyed as a separate entity. It's always interesting to compare the two and see how the story is presented in different ways.

5 Stars. I simply couldn't put this book down. It's truly that outstanding. What an amazing debut!

Dr. Alex Cross, a black psychologist and police detective, along with his life-long friend John Sampson, also a detective, are deeply engrossed in investigating yet another brutal homicide that has occurred in the projects of Washington DC. Just as they are making progress, news arrives that two young students have been kidnapped from an up-scale private school.

Why should they abandon their urgent case and collaborate with the FBI and the Secret Service? It seems unfair, but one of the fathers happens to be the US Secretary of the Treasury, and Alex is reluctantly pulled into the new investigation. Later, he is just as unjustly pushed aside.

This is the first time we are introduced to Cross, one of the great fictional personalities to emerge in the mystery - thriller genre in recent years. The story is a real page turner, perhaps because author James Patterson presents us with one of the most despicable criminals ever encountered, Gary Soneji.

Then there's Secret Service Supervising Agent Jezzie Flanagan. She's not just a beautiful face; in fact, her relationship with Cross adds a steamy element to the story. There's even a reference to the infamous Lindbergh baby kidnapping in 1932, which continues to be a topic of controversy to this day.

Can you read 500 pages in one sitting? I sure needed a long weekend to devour this thrilling novel. (November 2017)

This story's top rating is truly well-deserved.

It is based on multiple aspects that make it a remarkable piece of work. Firstly, its pace is engaging, keeping the readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. The sharp writing adds another layer of excellence, with every word carefully chosen to create vivid images and evoke strong emotions.

The various plots within the story further enhance its appeal. They are intertwined in a way that keeps the readers guessing and interested in finding out what will happen next.

Finally, the conclusion ties everything together neatly, providing a satisfying end to the journey.

Charles Turner's narration is outstanding, bringing the story to life and making it even more enjoyable to read. With all these elements combined, it is no wonder that this story has received a rating of 9 out of 10 stars.

3.5 stars

This rating of 3.5 stars indicates a moderately good experience. It's not quite a perfect 5-star rating, but it's also not a mediocre or disappointing one. There are aspects that are definitely commendable and enjoyable. However, there may be a few areas that could use some improvement or refinement. It could be that the service was generally good, but there were a couple of minor glitches or delays. Or perhaps the product had some great features, but there were a few small flaws that detracted slightly from the overall experience. Despite these small drawbacks, a 3.5-star rating still means that the overall impression is positive and that there is potential for even better things in the future. It gives a sense of satisfaction while also leaving room for growth and improvement.

I read this over 20 years ago and still remember it vividly.

Just recently, as I embarked on my journey to read them all, I reread it.

This is the first of the Alex Cross books. If you think you've read James Patterson but haven't delved into the Cross books, then you're missing out.

Each and every one of these books is excellent and seamlessly leads into the next.

I have a particular fondness for the stories that involve Cross's family members.

And, of course, the villains in these books are simply terrifying, sending shivers down your spine.

The combination of well-developed characters, thrilling plots, and heart-pounding action makes the Alex Cross series a must-read for any fan of mystery and thriller novels.

Whether you're a long-time Patterson enthusiast or new to his work, the Cross books are sure to captivate and keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

First Read:

I have now read the majority of the Alex Cross books. I discovered this particular installment in the library and learned that it is the first book of the series. I am extremely glad I did so because I found it to be an outstanding book. It features a fast-paced and thrilling story that keeps the reader guessing from the very first page. Then, it concludes with a truly remarkable twist that came as a huge surprise to me. I spent a significant portion of the night listening to a playaway - which was 12 hours long. All in all, it was a really great read. I have a hunch that I will encounter some of these characters again.

Second Read:

Alex Cross is a widower, detective, and father who frequently battles against menacing villains and criminals who desire to kill him and others. The series mainly centers on Cross attempting to solve extremely difficult cases while simultaneously striving to maintain a relationship with his family. For instance, in Merry Christmas, Alex Cross, he misses out on Christmas Eve and Christmas itself in order to focus on locating and defeating a terrorist group. One of his regular adversaries in the earlier books is Gary Soneji, the "Mastermind" who wants to kill Cross as revenge for Alex incarcerating him. In some books, Cross sometimes collaborates with - or goes against - the President/Secret Service, as seen in books like Along Came a Spider, Jack & Jill, I, Alex Cross, and Kill Alex Cross. An ongoing theme in the earlier novels is the unresolved murder of his first wife, Maria. Cross later discloses another motivation for attempting to solve the cases: to safeguard his family from danger. Cross currently resides on Fifth Street in Southeast Washington, D.C., along with his grandmother Nana Mama, children Damon, Janelle ("Jannie"), and Alex Jr. ("Ali"), and his current and new wife, Brianna "Bree" Stone-Cross. When Alex was 9 years old, his father passed away from alcoholism, a year after his mother's death. He went to Washington, D.C., to live with his grandmother - Nana Mama. During his childhood, he met his later best friend John Sampson. He also later met his wife, Maria, in Washington and married her. After giving birth to two children, a few months or years later, she is murdered. Alex later meets a woman named Christine, who becomes pregnant and gives birth to an additional third child for the Cross family - Ali. She later leaves Ali with Alex, dealing with traumatization over her kidnapping in Pop Goes the Weasel. Afterwards, she attempts to claim custody of Ali and succeeds. However, she later returns Ali to Alex, who had joined the FBI at that time. His deadliest foes are Geoffrey Shafer and Gary Soneji; both have been killed throughout the course and events of the book series.

Ok, so I watched the movie starring Morgan Freeman before reading this book.

To be honest, it sort of ruined the experience for me. But trust me, I've learned my lesson.

The only things the movie got right were the names of the characters and the main theme/plot of the book, which was the kidnapping.

I was truly amazed at how different the movie was compared to the book. But enough about that.

This book was probably the most engaging mystery/thriller/suspense book I've read since "A Cold Day In Paradise" by Steve Hamilton, which got me into this genre.

I finished this book in about 2 days, with maybe 4 hours of reading combined, and it held my interest throughout.

I really like how Patterson writes small 3-4 page chapters and uses multiple points of view. It gives you a great idea of what's going on in the minds of all the characters involved.

Sadly, the twist didn't work on me because I had seen the movie about 2 weeks before I picked up the book. However, it still managed to keep me interested by making me constantly juggle between the different characters.

I'm looking forward to reading more from Patterson, as this was my first book by him. Honestly, I would give this book 4.5/5 stars, but since you can't give additional half star ratings, I'll just say it's a great book and I highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of the crime/mystery/thriller genre.

Along Came a Spider is a thrilling novel that introduces us to the captivating Detective Alex Cross as he embarks on a dangerous hunt for the serial killer Gary Soneji/Murphy. This was my initial encounter with the works of James Patterson, and it didn't take long for me to understand why he is such a highly regarded author. The plot is filled with non-stop action and numerous suspenseful moments that had me completely engrossed, reading well into the night.

The character of Soneji/Murphy is particularly fascinating. Patterson masterfully crafts both the persona of Murphy, a seemingly normal and loving husband, and Soneji, a heartless serial killer. His portrayal is so convincing that it keeps the reader constantly guessing whether he truly has a multiple personality disorder or is simply a master manipulator.

When it comes to Detective Alex Cross, my feelings are a bit more mixed. At times, I found myself really liking him. Patterson creates a relatable image of Cross as a single father with two kids, supported by his nan. This makes him seem down to earth and likeable. However, there were also moments when Cross came across as overly big-headed and full of himself, which I didn't find as appealing.

The book also has a strong racial theme, which at times felt a bit forced. Patterson seemed to be constantly reminding us that Cross is a black man, and after a while, this became somewhat annoying. I believe that the character's "blackness" should be more genuine and less contrived.

Despite this minor flaw, I thoroughly enjoyed the many plot twists and turns in the story. Soneji/Murphy's constant evasion of capture added an extra layer of excitement. Additionally, Patterson's writing style is unique and refreshing, especially when compared to today's detective novels. It was nice to read an older book that didn't rely on fancy technology.

I can clearly see why this book was chosen to be made into a film. With Morgan Freeman playing the role of Detective Cross, I'm sure the movie will be just as captivating as the book. I'm now off to watch the film and see how it compares.