This was truly amazing. Again, I find myself completely enamored with Alex. He is not only loyal but also street smart, which makes him such an endearing character.

However, I was quite surprised when a certain someone reemerged and he simply up and left his kids to go on holiday. It seemed a bit out of character for him.

Still, the aspect of twinning and Casanova's revelation had me on the edge of the sofa for most of the book. I absolutely loved it!!!!! The plot twists and turns kept me engaged from start to finish, and I couldn't put the book down.

I'm eager to see what happens next in the story and how Alex will handle the new challenges that come his way.

Alex Cross is a highly skilled and deeply dedicated detective hailing from Washington, DC.

When he discovers that his niece has gone missing from her college in NC and there is a possibility she has been kidnapped by a serial killer, he immediately teams up with the NC authorities and the FBI.

Women are disappearing one by one. They are all beautiful and extremely intelligent. Some are found brutally murdered, while others simply vanish without a trace, leaving no clues as to their whereabouts.

When one victim manages to escape, Alex and the FBI realize that this case is far more complex and dangerous than they initially thought. The NC kidnappings and murders might be connected to similar crimes in California.

Alex and the FBI race against time to solve the case and find the missing victims before more lives are lost.

I am truly enjoying this series. I picked up the first book as it was part of the Great American Read, and I continued because I love the characters, especially Alex Cross.

Cross is a complex character. He is a ruthless investigator when it comes to solving crimes, but a kind and gentle father to his two children.

The plots are not only interesting but also very suspenseful. "Kiss the Girls" is not for the faint of heart. It contains quite graphic descriptions of torture, rape, kidnapping, and abuse.

There was one scene involving an assault with a snake that was so intense and disturbing that I had to turn off the audio book for a while and watch a Disney movie to calm my nerves.

The villain in this story is crazier than a snake in an S-house and extremely dangerous.

The point of view jumps around frequently, changing from the victims, to the killer, to Alex Cross. Although I'm not usually a fan of such storytelling, it works perfectly in this book.

It not only heightens the suspense but also helps to develop the characters. The crimes are chilling and horrible, keeping me on the edge of my seat throughout the story.

I usually listen to audio books while doing yard work outside. However, this one was a bit too intense and graphic for that.

It wasn't suitable for listening to outside as our neighbors on one side have small children, and the neighborhood gossips are on the other side. I could just imagine the gossips spreading rumors that I was listening to dirty sex books in my front yard.

So, I chose to enjoy this suspenseful story in the privacy of my kitchen, away from any neighborly side glances.

Overall, it's a very, very good book. Just a word of caution for those who have small kids at home or are uncomfortable with books that deal with rape and torture themes.

Narrated by Michael Kramer, the audio book version I listened to is just under 11 hours long. While I would have preferred a black voice actor, Kramer did a good job.

Despite my hearing loss, I was able to hear and understand the entire book easily.

I'm definitely going to read more of this series! It's been very enjoyable so far. The books are bestsellers for a reason, and I'm glad I'm finally getting into this series. I just wish I had started reading sooner!

Solid four stars.

This movie/TV show/book is truly entertaining. From the very beginning, it managed to capture my attention and keep me hooked throughout. The story is engaging and full of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. The characters are well-developed and relatable, which made me really invested in their journey. I found myself rooting for them and hoping for a happy ending. The cinematography/visuals are also top-notch, adding to the overall atmosphere and enhancing the viewing/reading experience. Overall, I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a great form of entertainment. It's definitely worth checking out and I'm sure you'll enjoy it as much as I did.

I received an ARC of Kiss the Girls via NetGalley and I would like to express my gratitude to James Patterson, Random House UK, Cornerstone, and Arrow.

Although this is a well-known classic thriller that was first released in 1995, a new version with that strikingly awesome cover is being published on 29 June 2017. Kiss the Girls is the second installment featuring detective and psychologist Alex Cross, following the excellent Along Came A Spider.

The story commences with Alex arriving home one day to find a house full of crying relatives. The reason is that his niece Naomi has gone missing while studying law in Carolina. Naturally, they are shocked and devastated. To complicate matters further, this is not an isolated incident. At least six attractive, intelligent women have recently vanished, leading the police to suspect a serial kidnapper. Since this is personal, Alex manages to talk his way from Washington D.C. to Carolina, where he teams up with the local force and the FBI to investigate these mysterious disappearances that have left no evidence or even the slightest lead.

Kiss the Girls includes familiar characters who are frequent throughout the series, such as Alex's partner, the "Man Mountain" Detective John Sampson, and his FBI contact, Special Agent Kyle Craig. I thoroughly enjoyed delving deeper into these characters, as well as learning more about Alex himself. Similar to most thrillers, we are introduced to new, highly interesting, and complex characters, such as the "two killers" and a female student doctor and karate expert, Kate.

The action alternates between Washington D.C. and Carolina. The novel progresses at a breakneck pace, with short, sharp, and precise chapters that maintain the intensity and keep the reader gripped. Alex does what he does best, which is attempting to get inside the minds of these notorious "monsters" in an effort to find a clue that will shed light on these horrific events. I have read approximately six Alex Cross novels, and my experience with these books, including Kiss the Girls, is that Patterson does create some gruesome and disturbing scenes, including rape and murder, so this is not for the faint of heart.

I don't wish to disclose any significant details about the plot or the direction the book takes. When I read, I always attempt to predict what will occur. Kiss the Girls was so highly unpredictable that I didn't bother trying to guess and simply strapped myself in to enjoy the ride. Apologies for the cliché, but the narrative is like an intense roller coaster. It sent my mind in one direction, then there was a twist, and then I thought a particular revelation was amazing, only to realize that I had been blindsided and things were not at all as they seemed. It leaves you slightly disoriented but in a great way. Since Alex's parts are in the first person, I empathized with his distress and confusion at certain points as he tries to solve the case. However, I also experienced a real thrill when something worked out in Alex's favor and when his deductions proved fruitful. The other characters are presented in the third person, which means that we have a complete view of everything that is happening and are with Alex as he pieces together the puzzle to try and rescue his niece, along with the other missing women. To call this a thriller is an understatement. This is my favorite Alex Cross book so far, and I can't wait to read Cat and Mouse next and complete the series chronologically. (I have already read Jack and Jill before anyone points out that I have the order wrong lol!) Highly recommended.

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I picked this up because Brendan Dassey mentioned it.

Now, after further reflection, I have more in-depth thoughts about Making a Murderer. This documentary series has truly sparked a great deal of discussion and debate. It presents a complex and controversial case that challenges our understanding of the criminal justice system.

The story of Brendan Dassey and his involvement in the events has been a focal point for many. His young age and the circumstances surrounding his confession have raised serious questions about the fairness and reliability of the legal process.

However, my opinion of James Patterson remains unchanged. Patterson is a well-known author with a successful writing career. While his works may be popular, I have always had my own views on his writing style and the content he presents.

Overall, my exploration of Making a Murderer has only deepened my interest in this topic, and I look forward to continuing to engage in discussions and learning more about the issues it raises.

At the beginning, with the prologues, I initially thought there was one killer with two different scenes. However, upon rereading the two prologues, I was completely wrong.

In the beginning of Kiss the Girls, you are instantly hooked with two different murder scenes on opposite sides of the coast. One killer, who calls himself Casanova, operates mostly within North Carolina. The other killer, known as The Gentleman Caller, commits his crimes within L.A. Both of these guys are extremely creepy and will make you cringe throughout the book. But they do manage to hook you onto this captivating story. It was a great start to a really wonderful book.

Warning! Spoilers below!

Now we get to see Cross come back into these murders and hope to witness how he will catch the killers. Well, first off, Alex Cross's niece Naomi had been kidnapped. Naturally, he is going to work around the clock, search high and low, for the despicable person who has potentially harmed a family member of his.

Naomi, who was so sweet and whom I instantly loved, has been kidnapped by Casanova.

However, later in the book, she also encounters The Gentleman Caller. Both of these creeps seem to be best friends, and I had no idea how Naomi was going to survive any of this.

Meanwhile, Cross is falling in love with Kate McTiernan for some inexplicable reason. It always confounds my mind why he chooses to date some woman while attempting to solve murders. And this time, while he was trying to do that and find his niece?! I don't know, and I didn't really care about their relationship.

Then the ending was so good because you discover there's another murder! And now I'm already hooked for the next book.

Overall, I really liked this book and I can't wait to find out what else will be thrown at Alex Cross.

The disappearance of teenage girls has become a question mark for all parties. Even more terrifying is that some of the missing girls are found in a state of no longer being alive. In fact, AC's younger sister is also reported missing. And this leads Alex Cross to try to become part of the investigation team although he is from a different area. Casanova turns out to be a cunning and quite cautious murderer. He himself names himself Casanova the Lover of Women.

SH feels sorry for the girls who become the captives of Casanova. They have to follow all his desires if they don't want to lose their lives. It's sad to see women being regarded as mere satisfaction of desires. If not followed, the victim will die in a very cruel state.

SH likes the strength and tenacity of Kate's spirit. Although there are times when she is also fragile like other victims. However, she turns out to be a brave person. Another feature that SH likes about Kate is that she has self-defense skills. And this is what should be possessed by all women. Especially in the present era which is becoming increasingly unsafe. At least they know and can use it for themselves in times of emergency.

Does AC really have to fall in love in every episode? Although this is only the second book in the Alex Cross series, there is a significant similarity in both books involving the issue of AC's love. It feels like if he doesn't fall in love, it's okay too. It doesn't interfere with the story's progress.

The ending is rather disappointing. It seems that AC's intelligence is useless. If it is said that the criminal is really smarter and more cunning, it shouldn't be like this. It shows the stupidity of the criminal and also the ineffectiveness of AC. It's really frustrating to read the ending. I feel like what kind of ending is this.

I first read this back in the 90’s, and I’ve also watched the movie.

Recently, I just reread it, and to my surprise, this book is just as chilling the second time around.

If you’ve recently heard of James Patterson and are interested in exploring his works, I highly recommend going all the way back to Along Came A Spider and reading them in order.

One of the great aspects of Patterson’s writing is the continuity of characters. There are both good and even bad characters that carry from book to book, which adds depth and a sense of familiarity to the series.

In addition, Patterson is known for his grammatically correct and well-prosed writing. He is truly a great writer who has the ability to engage readers from the very first page.

I’ve heard that his non-Cross books aren’t as good, but I haven’t read any of them yet. Based on my experience with this book, I’m looking forward to reading more of his works.

This was a good one!

This book is truly creepy and sickening.

The monsters described within its pages are horribly disturbing, causing me to feel plain uncomfortable while reading.

Ultimately, this isn't the goal I have when picking up a book.

I believe there's a distinct difference between a book being intense or scary and it being disturbing and disgusting.

In this story, there's a truly terrible person and a detective is on their trail.

If you enjoy such tales, it might be worth a try.

However, I just didn't feel a connection to the characters.

It's not overly long and is worth a one-time read, but I won't be revisiting it and hope to forget it soon.

Goosie Scale Rating: 6/10

I gave it some credit for making my skin crawl. It's disturbing in a gagging, skin-crawling way.

If this style and genre is your cup of tea, I'm sure you'd rate it highly across the board as it's well-written.

First Sentence Rating: 8/10

"For three weeks, the young killer actually lived inside the walls of an extraordinary fifteen-room beach house."

This opener is terrifying and eerie, immediately thrusting you into the novel.

It's very uncomfortable and unsettling, but a perfect start for this book.

It also makes you eager to know more, as any great opener should.

4 stars

“Everything I loved was taken away from me, and I did not die.”

I first came across this book during my sophomore year of high school. At that time, I was deeply immersed in a huge James Patterson phase and had devoured a significant number of his original works. My grandmother also had a penchant for his writing, which gave us a wonderful connection. I will always hold a special place in my heart for James Patterson, if only for this reason.

Kiss the Girls is truly one of his finest stories. A young doctor finds herself abducted by a killer who styles himself as Casanova. This Casanova believes he is distinct from other killers as he claims to have the capacity to love and is on a quest for the love of his life. Kate manages to escape, becoming the only girl to do so, and she teams up with the authorities in an attempt to capture this elusive man.

“Oh, I guess I want to fall in love, to stay in love for a while. I want to feel real romance every day that I possibly can. I want to feel something special in my life. I want to experience intimacy with another person. I'm not that different from everyone else. Except that I act instead of daydream.”

I relished this book over 15 years ago, and I still found it enjoyable in the modern day. When I first read it as a teen (a rather sheltered one at that), I didn't fully grasp some of the concepts. Mainly, I recalled Casanova, but I completely forgot about the coast to coast killers aspect. This time around, I also noticed more acutely the racism that Alex and Sampson endured while working on a case in the South. It was evident throughout the entire novel, and I'm glad Patterson addressed this aspect of being a black detective operating in such an environment.

I must admit, the build-up to the end of the book didn't have the same impact on me the second time, perhaps because I had a vague memory of who the killer was. However, if you're one of those who are skeptical of Patterson because he doesn't write all his books (and let's face it, it's quite obvious he doesn't write the newer ones), this book serves as proof that he is a great writer, or at least was at one point. Now, I'm off to watch the movie for various reasons!

“A saying of Sun-tzu’s hammered through her head: “A victorious army wins its victories before seeking battle.”


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This was the first book that I read in Apur's translation.

It was extremely enjoyable

If there has ever been a more unnecessary book written in English, well, I don't know what it is.

I truly don't understand how people can read Patterson at all.

Alex Cross is an extremely boring character. He is not only dull but also an unlikely and barely likeable one.

Moreover, in the neighbourhood where he unrealistically chooses to live, his Porsche would likely get stolen every day.

The writing in Patterson's books is trite and pedestrian. On average, there are 3.2 ridiculous clichés every two pages.

Tossing one plucky woman into a story does not excuse the endless, graphic violence, degradation, and horrific ravings of brutal misogynists.

The business with the snake was definitely the worst of Patterson's seeming mission towards the women in his books. Until now, I don't even know what the goal could possibly be.

James Patterson is like the smallpox of modern writing. He is going to either kill us or leave us so scarred by the trial that we'll never be the same again.

His works seem to lack depth and originality, and the overuse of certain themes and writing styles is becoming tiresome.

It's time for readers to look for more engaging and thought-provoking literature.