It perhaps speaks volumes that, despite the abysmal editing, plots full of holes, and the fact that it has now become a cliché, I still end up reading Patterson novels. I do try to avoid his joint works, which seem like a lazy way to write and simply use his name to rake in more money.

There are two serial killers in this story, known as Casanova and The Gentleman Killer. Alex Cross's niece is among several young women who have gone missing, and a few have been found dead.

He travels down to Durham to investigate, with Sampson, his partner, helping as much as he can. They catch a break when Kate, one of the victims, manages to escape. However, there is some really weird and inappropriate relationship developing between Alex and Kate, which is just ridiculous. Then, Alex comes up with a bizarre theory called twinning. Eventually, The Gentleman Killer is identified. Why are doctors so often portrayed as evil in these books? There is a hilarious chase scene that defies the laws of gravity, with Alex on top of a car and the killer somehow manages to escape.

SPOILERS AHEAD

Finally, they discover the lair where the women are being held. But, interestingly, they don't share this information with the FBI. There is a shootout, and one of the killers gets away. In the final confrontation, we find out that Casanova is actually Ruskin, one of the local detectives. WTF! How on earth did the FBI miss that? We don't really get much of a background on what in Ruskin's past caused him to go insane.

After reading this, I couldn't help but think about what the selection process is for police candidates in the USA and for doctors as well! I also thought that Cross taking advantage of Kate, who has been brutalized and is highly vulnerable and suggestive, was completely inappropriate. I plan to watch the movie again because I think the relationships are portrayed differently in it.

**From Sea to Shining Sea**

I have read this book two or maybe three times over the years. Recently, I decided to enhance the experience by adding the audio version. Michael Kramer does a decent job with the narration. However, I find myself once again disappointed as he just doesn't quite embody the character of Alex Cross for me. On the positive side, I do appreciate his Southern accent when it comes to the antagonists, which adds an interesting touch.

Regarding the latest mystery that grabs Alex's attention, I really enjoy all the twists and turns as he teams up with the FBI to identify and catch Casanova and the Gentleman Caller. His relationship with Dr. Kate is also a nice aspect of the story.

It's important to note that this novel contains triggers. There are not only the gruesome crimes but also the rapes that occur to the victims before their discovery.

Overall, I rate the story 4.5 stars and the narration 3.5 stars.

This book is truly bad and you should avoid reading it. The fact that its author is touted as a #1 bestseller is a damning indictment of the taste of the casual reader. The book has been rated a whopping 250,000 times on Goodreads with an average star rating just under 4, which is quite concerning. If you happened to like it, I'm sorry, but you can and should read better books.

Characterization in this book is virtually nonexistent. The prose styling is at best poor. Women are particularly objectified, existing only as victims, most likely to be sexually abused or killed. There are numerous plot threads that lead nowhere. I'll admit that this might be because it's the second book in an ongoing series. However, the author's (a white guy, as I gather) clumsy attempts to address the racial dynamics of a black detective in the South 20 years ago are truly lacking. The fact that no chapter is ever more than about three pages is just... I don't even know how to describe it.

You might wonder why I read this book since it's not at all in my area of interest, and that's a valid question. On my own, I would never have picked it up. I only became curious about it because of my recent fascination with the Netflix documentary series, Making a Murderer. Without revealing too much about that series, in a later episode, a young man who earlier gave a seemingly coerced and probably false confession described a murder. Well, a murder definitely did occur - you'd have to watch the series to understand. This book, on the other hand, is not good at all.

In the series, this young man, who is heard on a jailhouse phone call with his mother not knowing the meaning of the word "inconsistent," later takes the stand in his own defense. His claim is that he made it all up because that's what the police investigators wanted him to do. During cross-examination, he suggests that he may have read something similar in a book. When the prosecutor demands to know what book, he says maybe Kiss the Girls, but he doesn't remember the author.

There are two things to note here. If you've seen the series, you'll surely understand the criticism I'm leveling at this book by saying that I can easily believe Brendan Dassey may have read it at some point. The second thing is that there's nothing in Kiss the Girls like the murder described in Making a Murderer. I was really, morbidly curious to see if there would be.

I've endured this for you. Let your curiosity be satisfied. It's not any kind of explanation for the confession. Now you have no reason to read it yourself, and that's definitely for the better.

In the entire history of my mature reading, which dates back to when I picked up Fahrenheit 451 at 15, I don't think I've ever come across a sentence as soul-crushingly, brain-batteringly, and rage-inducingly bad as "He made a noise. It sounded like 'yaaaaaaagh.'"

HE MADE. A NOISE. IT SOUNDED. LIKE. "YAAAAAAAGH."

Readers of popular fiction, this is what your favorite authors might think of you. They seem to assume that you're only capable of processing information at a fourth-grade level. Merely having a character shout "YAAAAAAGH" isn't sufficient; instead, emphasis has to be placed on how the noise sounded like yagh, yet it didn't necessarily have to be exactly yagh. It could've been something closely related like "yargh" or even "yogh." Authors who pen sentences like that perhaps shouldn't be granted publishing deals. They should be sent back to freshman creative writing class and remain there until they vow never to type such a sentence again. Of course, it might not be entirely the fault of Patterson himself, but rather that of his small army of ghost writers.

And don't try to tell me it's just pulp fiction. Raymond Chandler would never write a sentence like that. If Philip Marlowe were real, he'd probably give Patterson a good smack for that one. It's just completely asinine. There are numerous more sentences like that in the book. Moreover, bad sentences aren't even the worst aspect of the four chapters of this book that I read before setting it aside in disgust. The excessive use of holy-shit italics and the flat characterization might be even more excruciating. Is this truly how low the bar for popular fiction has sunk? I'll gladly stick to the literary works, thank you very much.

Ok, so initially, I was inclined to award James Patterson's "Kiss the Girls" 4 stars. The reason being that, to be honest, it simply doesn't qualify as a literary masterpiece. However, upon further reflection, I thought, well, it's insanely entertaining. So, despite not always being in agreement with the writing style or its predictability, it definitely earns a 5-star rating in the entertainment category. I also gave "Along Came A Spider" 5 stars, and this book is a bit more memorable than that one. So far, I have a greater preference for the Women's Murder Club books, but I'm still going to remain loyal to Alex Cross. I don't anticipate being disappointed anytime soon!

The following may or may not contain spoilers.

Several beautiful women in the North Carolina area are disappearing mysteriously, with some turning up dead. It is suspected that the intelligent and sex-crazed killer, Casanova, has a harem of women trapped in a remote forest. Alex Cross gets involved when his niece Naomi is among the abducted women. Now, it has become personal. Not only that, but soon a series of similar crimes begin to surface on the West coast as well, committed by a man identified as the Gentlemen Caller. Could these coast-to-coast killers be competing, or even worse, collaborating? With the help of Casanova's escaped victim, Kate, Alex Cross hopes to apprehend these crazy madmen and rescue Naomi. But will his budding relationship with Kate complicate matters?

The villains in this book are both so terrifying that they make this book unforgettable. The plausibility and realism of the women's harem add an extra layer of interest to the reading experience. Kate's story is intense, and Alex's emotions contribute to making this novel shine. I feel that the reader gets to know Alex Cross better. The non-stop action in this book is truly wonderful.

Now, onto the complaints. I feel that at this stage in Patterson's career, he was still in the process of determining his writing style. After reading more recent works of his, I sense that he has become much more refined over the years. His point-of-view changes are still present in his current books, but I feel that he was more experimental and confusing with it in this early Alex Cross book. However, given such a minor complaint, why would I deduct a star just for that?

5 stars. Filled with drama and suspense.

I read this particular piece simply because I found myself at a loose end and my more serious reading endeavors were not making any progress.

To be honest, I have bid farewell to this genre of thriller quite a long time ago.

I suppose it could be regarded as an okay read. However, I cannot say this with complete fairness as I had already watched the movie adaptation. As a result, to some extent, it was spoiled for me - even though I couldn't recall the exact plot.

Despite this, there were still some aspects of the written work that managed to hold my attention. The author's descriptive language painted vivid pictures in my mind, allowing me to envision the scenes and characters with relative ease.

Nonetheless, without the element of surprise that comes with not having seen the movie first, I felt that the overall impact of the story was somewhat diminished.

All in all, while it wasn't a terrible read, it also didn't quite live up to my expectations.

If you see me rating a book 5 stars, make sure you jump on it.

It is truly very, very thrilling! I thoroughly enjoyed it. This story is a bit touchy as the brutality is at its best. There are two astute example executioners who are teaming up, participating, and contending - and they are working across the nation. Just imagine how terrifying this is!

In Los Angeles, a correspondent who is exploring a series of homicides is murdered. In Chapel Hill, North Carolina, a wonderful medical assistant suddenly vanishes. In Washington D.C., Alex Cross has returned to solve the most confounding and frightening homicide case ever. The story unfolds with such intensity and mystery that it keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The characters are well-developed and the plot is full of twists and turns that you would never expect. It's a must-read for anyone who loves a good thriller.

What kind of an animal dog-ears book pages? It's truly baffling. Are people too lazy to find a proper bookmark? Or perhaps they just don't understand that literally anything can serve as a bookmark. After all, every bookstore usually has a stack of free bookmarks right there on the front counter. And let's not forget that the receipt they give you can also be used for that purpose. But maybe your bookstore is 'going green' (which is rather ironic if you're buying a paperback) and doesn't offer these options. So what's one to do then? Well, you could always buy a stick of gum at a Pharmacy. They will give you a four-foot long piece of paper that you can use to mark the spot where you left off. And here's the thing, all these chapters are like two pages long. . . . Are you seriously folding pages every time you have to stir your mac and cheese?

*Deep Breath*

So about this book. . . . If you haven't caught on yet, I read a 'previously enjoyed' copy. I did enjoy the premise, but I couldn't help but notice numerous plot holes and some glaring spelling mistakes that really should have been caught by someone along the way. The constant, and sometimes rather irrelevant, use of italics made my brain feel as if it was on a wild rollercoaster ride of emphasis. (I'm quite sure my eyebrows were going up and down constantly while I was reading it.) Some of the relationships between characters were just not believable, and some were even inappropriate. (How could a doctor/cop not realize that dating a victim of a crime he's investigating is highly frowned upon?) It did seem a little bit like a male fantasy book, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I was hoping for a bit more realism to help me suspend my disbelief. Especially considering it was written by such a big name mainstream author. For some strange reason, it reminded me of watching a Hollywood popcorn flick. . . . Oh right, it was a movie. Sure enough.

This seems like another one of those reviews I write that makes the book sound bad, but in reality, I was up late at night reading multiple chapters at a time and managed to finish it in a week. The chimp who read it before me clearly enjoyed it too, as he left his mark on every second page all the way to the end.

Another adventure of Alex Cross that I enjoy. A police plot, (two serial killers this time), and a very interesting portrayal of all the protagonists, including the "bad" ones. Of course, there were moments when I said "this is an exaggeration" but it's rare that I don't state something like that in a book of this kind. (In the opposite case, we might say that there were no unexpected developments and it was rather subdued).

Recently I also bumped into the third book of Cross, so I can continue his adventures in their proper order.

The story of Alex Cross is always full of excitement and mystery. The author does a great job of creating a complex web of characters and events that keep the reader on the edge of their seat. In this particular installment, the two serial killers add an extra layer of danger and intrigue.

The descriptions of the characters are vivid and detailed, making it easy for the reader to picture them in their minds. Even the "bad" characters are given depth and motivation, which makes them more than just one-dimensional villains.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery or thriller. It's a great addition to the Alex Cross series and I can't wait to see what happens next in his adventures.

Patterson's books bear a striking resemblance to those of Steven James, who is one of my all-time favorite authors.

Both authors have a penchant for delving into the world of serial killers, creating stories that are both thrilling and thought-provoking.

This particular book had me on the edge of my seat, constantly wondering who the killer could be.

The suspense was palpable, and I found myself completely unable to guess the identity of the culprit until the very end.

It was truly a masterclass in mystery writing.

As a result, I have just placed an order for two more of Patterson's books from paperbackswap.

I can't wait to see what other mysteries and thrills he has in store for me.

I'm sure they will be just as engaging and entertaining as this one.

I highly recommend Patterson's books to anyone who loves a good mystery or thriller.

You won't be disappointed.

Why was I permitted to read this during my high school years?!

Moreover, why did I have a liking for Alex Cross back in high school?!

This individual repels me to the greatest extent.

SPOILER BELOW.

Seriously, cease.

Kate truly deserved far better.

In high school, I was exposed to certain materials that now make me question. The character of Alex Cross, whom I once liked, now seems unappealing. His actions and traits give me a sense of discomfort.

The story had a particular plot that perhaps didn't unfold in a way that satisfied me. Kate, a significant character, was not treated as she should have been. She was worthy of a better fate and more respect.

Looking back, I wonder about the choices I made in my reading and the impact they had on my perception. Maybe it was a learning experience, but it also makes me realize that our tastes and perspectives can change over time.

The amazing story of two killers is in James Patterson's "Kiss the Girls".

One is Cassanova. He considers himself a ladies' man. His job is to abduct the best women. Then hold them captive and conduct amazing experiments. Cassanova keeps the women captive in his own mansion, where he has his own rules. If anyone doesn't follow the rules, he tortures and kills them, which he calls the "last kiss".

On the other hand, there is another killer, the Gentleman Caller. His job is to do serial killings and perverted sexual experiments. He collects the most beautiful body parts of women and is forced to write the details of their killings in a diary and publish them in a magazine.

The story unfolds as Naomi Cross, the sister of Alex Cross, an officer of the Homicide Department, is abducted. Alex Cross starts the investigation with his partner John Sampson. Meanwhile, a medical student in her second year named Kate McTiernan manages to escape from Cassanova's door and joins Alex Cross in the search for Cassanova.

Then they find something different.

"Kiss the Girls" is the second book in Thriller King James Patterson's Alex Cross series. I really wanted to read this book but due to other books or lack of time, it didn't get read. Finally, I read it. What I liked about the book was that it was thrilling, the plot was huge. I liked the character of Cassanova even more. His twisted thoughts and actions were really enjoyable. There was so much 18+ content in the whole book, so vividly described that it made my body shiver while reading. All these descriptions were really enjoyable. Sometimes I thought how可怕sexual things can be. It's really amazing to create such a thrilling plot about sexuality. However, it doesn't mean that the book was full of sexuality. The author had to use sexual topics to create thrilling suspense. Anish Das's Bengali translation was my reading material in PDF format. The translation was good, but it could have been better. I didn't like the cover of the translation, so I edited and uploaded a photo.

Overall, I really liked it.

Reviewed again

Book name: Kiss the Girls

Author: James Patterson

Translation: Anish Das

Pages: 265.

Rating: 4/5.