4.5

Really Amazed!!

We often feel a tinge of regret for those books that have been sitting on our shelves for a long time, waiting to be read. This particular novel is one of the well-written gems among them. I had the opportunity to watch the movie adaptation, but unfortunately, it failed to do justice to the book. Apart from the abduction plot and the use of the same names, the movie was not even close to capturing the essence of the story.

The abduction scenes in the book were truly captivating, leaving the readers on the edge of their seats. Gary Soneji/Murphy, the antagonist, is a character who is almost as menacing as the Joker. His actions and motives add an element of mystery and danger to the story.

On the other hand, Alex Cross, the protagonist, is a brilliant detective with a sharp mind and a strong sense of justice. His pursuit of the truth and his determination to solve the case make him a truly likable and heroic character. Overall, this novel is a must-read for anyone who loves a good mystery and a well-developed plot.

I will leave a review later.

This simple statement holds a certain significance. It implies that after experiencing or using something, I have the intention to provide my thoughts and feedback. Leaving a review can be beneficial in many ways. It helps others make informed decisions as they can learn from my experience. It also gives the provider of the product or service an opportunity to improve based on the feedback received. Additionally, it allows me to share my perspective and contribute to the overall conversation. Whether it's a positive or negative review, it serves a purpose. I look forward to sharing my thoughts and experiences with others through the review, and I hope it will be helpful to them in some way.

Story 5/5

Narration 5/5

The narrator in this story is truly excellent. Their voice and tone bring the story to life, captivating the listeners from start to finish. With each word they speak, the characters and events seem to unfold right before our eyes. The narrator's ability to convey emotions, create suspense, and build tension is remarkable. They make us feel as if we are part of the story, experiencing every moment along with the characters. Whether it's a thrilling adventure, a heartwarming romance, or a thought-provoking drama, the narrator's narration enhances the overall experience and makes it truly unforgettable. Their talent and skill in storytelling are a joy to listen to, and we look forward to hearing more from them in the future.

Serial Maniac


Over the years, I have read this book two or maybe even three times. It is an incredibly gripping tale and serves as a fantastic start to the series.




\\n  UPDATED 5/2022:\\n

Now, it's time to give the audio version of this book a try. Although I already own the book, I wanted to explore something different as I am catching up with the series from the very beginning.


I had forgotten just how unsettling the beginning of this book is. Perhaps being a parent now has a significant impact on my perception. In fact, it has a lot to do with it. My perspectives and the things I observe over time have undergone a shift.


To be honest, a great deal of the details in this book had slipped my mind as a long time has elapsed since my last reading. However, as the story gradually came back to me, I was truly impressed by how it unfolded. The web of lies, the hidden truths, and everything in between made for a captivating narrative.


The story delves into numerous aspects that remain relevant to this day. The crimes that occur in Southeast DC are still often looked down upon and given a lower priority. Wealth indeed matters when it comes to the allocation of resources. Skin color frequently influences people's perceptions. And women still have to constantly prove themselves when they strive for a job that is traditionally considered a "man's" domain.


I borrowed a copy of the audio book from my local library. The narrator is Charles Turner. Charles does a decent job, but he simply doesn't match the image of Alex Cross that I have in my mind. Admittedly, the Alex Cross in my head \\n  might\\n bear a resemblance to Morgan Freeman. Hmm... I wonder why.

I am truly at a loss for words after reading that. It encompasses everything that a thriller should be. I'm rather embarrassed to admit that this is the very first James Patterson book I have read (aside from his BookShot series).

Although I was not well-versed in his work, I believe that everyone who has an affinity for fiction has heard of Alex Cross.

He was one of the many remarkable characters in this novel. Alex Cross, a detective, a doctor of psychology, a hypnotizer, a friend to the poor when he volunteers at a food shelter, respected by the black community for never abandoning the 'hood despite his successful career, a great family man, and a bit of a genius who simply cannot let go of a case. Although tough and rough when necessary, and as practical as can be - the crimes he witnesses sometimes deeply disturb him - such as the deaths of young children.

Now, let's introduce our villain: Gary Murphy/Soneji. An actor. A manipulator. With a tortured past and a horrid present.

Other significant characters include Alex's best friend and partner, the sunglasses-wearing, 6'6"+ police officer Sampson, and FBI agent Jezzie Flannagan, who is part of Alex's team of experts, hoping to solve the world's most infamous case.

The story begins with the kidnapping of two children from a $10,000-a-term school by a Maths teacher! One was the son of the Secretary of State, and the other was the daughter of this fictional world's equivalent of Angelina Jolie.

There are also several brutal murders that have been occurring in the suburbs, which are far too grim to describe here. The book delves deeply into the theme of cruelty to children - and we get to see both sides... those who have endured such agony and the perspectives of those inflicting it. It's truly macabre!

How does all of this fit together? Just when I thought I had a handle on where the book was headed, Patterson would throw a curveball and send it in a completely unexpected direction. I felt as if I had been metaphorically blindfolded by the author, kidnapped, and dropped off in the woods 70 miles away, with Patterson laughing grotesquely at me, saying - here are a few clues - figure this out! Hahaha!

Friends and colleagues may not be as straightforward as they seem. Is the villain a psychopath or a sufferer from multiple-personality disorder? Will the families pay the ransom? Do the children survive? Are the kidnappings related to the murders? Is there an accomplice? Is it even more complex than that? How many deaths can one person cause? Who can we trust?

I won't go into too much detail about the specific twists or the plot, as that's what makes this book so special. It was brilliantly written, with a well-paced narrative. There are slow scenes with Alex and his family, middle-paced romance scenes with Alex and a special someone, and also heart-pounding, page-turning sections that move at a breakneck speed of 700 miles an hour.

This was an absolute gem. I wish I had more of his Alex Cross novels to devour. I might consider watching the film, although I've heard it's not very good.

That was one thrilling ride. Detective Inspector James x

James Patterson is now being included in my list of authors that I will no longer support.

The reason is simply appalling. How could he make racist comments while purportedly "supporting" a white man who sexually molested his adopted daughter? This is wrong on multiple fronts.

Instead of opening his mouth and uttering such problematic statements, he should have just remained silent. His actions have clearly shown a lack of judgment and respect.

It is disheartening to see an author of his stature engage in such behavior.

The link provided, https://www.usatoday.com/story/entert..., further details this disturbing incident.

(Also, it's important to note that since there's no rating on this review, it won't have any impact on the rating of this book, ensuring that Goodreads won't take it down. ✌

Yes, it was just as I expected.

There was plenty of action that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the story. The adventure elements took me on a thrilling journey, exploring new and exciting places.

But what really made this story stand out was the suspense. The author did an excellent job of building tension and keeping me guessing until the very end.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves action, adventure, and suspense. It's a page-turner that you won't be able to put down.

Whether you're looking for a thrilling escape or just a great read, this book has something for everyone. So don't hesitate, pick it up today and get ready for an unforgettable adventure!

I read this series when it first came out.

However, somehow I lost track of it along the way.

Now, I'm doing a reread as part of a challenge.

As I'm getting back into it, I've realized just how much I truly enjoyed Alex Cross.

The character is so engaging and the stories are filled with excitement and mystery.

It's like rediscovering an old friend.

The plotlines are intricate and keep me on the edge of my seat.

Each book in the series seems to offer something new and unique.

I'm looking forward to seeing how the story progresses and what new adventures Alex Cross will embark on.

Overall, this reread has been a great decision and I'm loving every moment of it.

I'm sure that by the time I finish this challenge, I'll have an even deeper appreciation for the Alex Cross series.

I've had the Alex Cross books on my To-Be-Read (TBR) list for years. However, I just hadn't managed to get around to reading them. But now, over the next year, I've decided to make an attempt to read all of them.

Having just completed the very first one, I find myself extremely excited to carry on with the series. James Patterson has long been one of my favorite authors, and his writing style always manages to captivate me. I'm really looking forward to delving into the rest of the Alex Cross books and uncovering all the thrilling stories and mysteries that lie within.

This first book was truly excellent. It had a great plot, well-developed characters, and kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. I can't wait to see what the next books in the series have in store for me.

This was an excellent read!

It served as a great start to the Alex Cross series, immediately captivating the reader's attention and keeping them engaged from beginning to end.

The story was a real page-turner, filled with thrilling twists and turns that had me on the edge of my seat.

The characters were well-developed and the plot was intricately woven, making it difficult to put the book down.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery or thriller.

It's a must-read for fans of the genre and a great introduction to the Alex Cross series.

I can't think of much to say about this other than it was just okay. There were some nice twists in the story, but they were written in a way that you'll probably guess them before they happen.

It didn't really surprise me or keep me on the edge of my seat. However, it wasn't a bad read either.

Would I do the Alex Cross #2? Doubtful. I'm not really that interested in continuing with this series. Although, if I'm in the mood for something easy to read with familiar characters, I might consider it.

But overall, this book didn't really do much for me. It was just an average read that I'll probably forget about in a few weeks.

I'm sure there are other books out there that are more exciting and engaging.

⭐️ Synopsis:

Alex Cross and his partner are summoned to the gruesome scene of a family of three brutally murdered in one of the poorest areas of Washington, DC. Before they even have a chance to fully process the horror and injustice of this heinous crime, they are suddenly thrust into the high-profile kidnapping of the young daughter of a wealthy movie star. As the investigation unfolds, it begins to seem that both events might be connected, pulling Alex into a complex and twisted web of cruelty and crime.

⭐️What I thought about this book:

This is a classic James Patterson police procedural. Readers know they're in for a story about a strong yet sensitive detective who has endured the loss of his wife and is a great father to his numerous children, with a fast pace and a wild storyline. That's precisely why we read these books, isn't it? And that's exactly what we get with this one. There are no surprises in that regard. However, what is a bit of a surprise is that a very white Patterson has created a black Alex Cross character. I've lived in Massachusetts my entire life, which means I'm not just liberal, I'm extremely liberal. So I understand that my next comments should be taken with a grain of salt. Even I know that. But I have to admit that I felt a bit uncomfortable with some of the things that a white writer felt comfortable expressing through a black character. The N word was used, and Nana Momma told Alex never to trust a white person and definitely not to date a white woman. I just wanted to put that out there. With that said, Cross is a solid and likable character. If we can trust the internet, he's also very well-liked by Patterson's black audience. A movie and a TV series have been made based on the first two books in this series. Honestly, I thought this book was one of Patterson's better works. The writing felt fresh, and the plot was excellent, as was its execution. If you're into this type of book, I would highly recommend it.