For those who are first-time James Patterson readers like me, get ready to be hooked!!!! This book was truly awesome. From page 1, I was completely engaged and couldn't put it down. I would highly recommend this book to everyone. However, I do realize that in order to fully understand the character of Alex Cross and the events that have led up to this story, I need to start from the first Alex Cross book. But that's okay, because once I do that, I'm sure everything will make perfect sense. Lol. This is definitely a must-read!!!!

Many people have never had the experiences that Alex Cross has endured, or even come close to them.

When Alex decides to retire as a homicide detective, an interference from his childhood friend, John Sampson, presents a case that Cross simply cannot refuse. He agrees to take on this case, believing it will be his last. However, he has no idea just how dangerous and complicated it will become until he has dug himself so deep that there is no turning back for either him or Sampson.

Sampson explains to Alex that his friend from the war is in trouble, being charged with murder. John is highly convinced that his friend is innocent and would never commit such a crime. They begin their investigation, and Alex, knowing many people, enlists their help to obtain classified information. Once he notices a few small pieces of evidence that don't quite match up with the rest, he realizes that something is amiss. He suspects that John's friend has been set up and delves further into the case. To his surprise, he discovers that many other people are in the same situation as Sampson's friend.

Alex and Sampson go on to talk to others whose family members have been framed. In each person's house, they find dolls that all look the same, yet the people who know the framed men have no idea where they came from. Despite gathering more and more evidence, it doesn't seem to help much. All of the framed men have either been sentenced to death or are already dead, including Sampson's friend. Alex and John are still left in the dark as to who is committing the murders and framing these seemingly innocent men, and why.

Alongside this life-threatening case, Alex also has personal issues to deal with. Nana Mama, his grandmother who has taken care of him and his kids for a very long time and is more like a mother to him, is growing very old and sick. He can't imagine what he would do without her and is afraid that he will soon have to find out. Additionally, he has started seeing a woman named Jamila, who he and his family seem to like very much. The only problem is that she lives all the way in California while he lives in D.C. It is extremely difficult for Alex to balance everything, especially since he keeps finding himself in life-threatening situations.

I have read and greatly enjoyed the works of James Patterson in the past. His stories often had a certain charm and excitement that kept me engaged from start to finish. However, I must now honestly say that this particular book will be the last Patterson book I will ever read.

I was truly disappointed in the lack of storytelling and writing ability demonstrated in this work. The book seemed to lack any real depth, and as a result, the story suffered. It felt as if the author was simply going through the motions, rather than truly investing in the creation of a compelling narrative.

As I read through the book, I couldn't help but get the impression that Mr. Patterson was more interested in cranking out a book as quickly as possible, rather than taking the time to craft a well-written and engaging story. There was a distinct lack of descriptive detail, which made it difficult for me to fully immerse myself in the world of the book. Additionally, the plotting seemed rather formulaic and uncreative, lacking the twists and turns that I have come to expect from a Patterson novel.

Finally, I did not find the characters or their behavior to be believable. They seemed one-dimensional and lacked any real personality or motivation. This made it difficult for me to care about what happened to them, and ultimately, it detracted from my overall enjoyment of the book.

In conclusion, while I have enjoyed many of James Patterson's previous works, this particular book has left me feeling disappointed and disillusioned. I will not be reading any more of his books in the future.

Honestly, it's not that great. I do understand that perhaps it's not the main point of the book, but when the protagonist is a detective, I have certain expectations. I expect the process of a homicide investigation to be logical and believable. However, in this case, there was an excessive amount of time-skipping and major breaks. There was very little to no actual investigation or proper build-up. It felt as if the characters and events were simply inserted into a half-baked plot. It really detracted from the overall reading experience. I was hoping for a more engaging and well-structured story that would keep me on the edge of my seat, but unfortunately, that wasn't the case.

I truly adored this book.

It centers around Alex Cross and his pursuit of the Three Blind Mice. This group consists of three war veterans who have become hitmen. Alex Cross is assigned to the case to halt the rampaging hitmen.

The story is filled with intense action and nail-biting suspense. I was extremely impressed with how James Patterson crafted the characters throughout the book. He made you wholeheartedly cheer for Cross and truly loathe the bad guys. And make no mistake, these bad guys are the absolute worst.

Overall, it is an outstanding book, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a thrilling and engaging read. It keeps you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end and leaves you craving more.

Time taken to read - 2 days on and off

Pages - 416

Publisher - Headline

Source - Gift

Blurb from Amazon

Alex Cross is on the verge of resigning from the Washington Police Force. He relishes this feeling, especially since the Mastermind is safely behind bars. Moreover, he has met a wonderful woman, Jamilla Hughes, and they are discussing their future. Then, John Sampson unexpectedly shows up at his house, desperately seeking his help. Three young military wives have been brutally slain during a 'girls' night out', and Sampson's friend, a master sergeant at the army base, has been accused.

Uncovering a trail of suspicious murder convictions, Alex and Sampson are resolute in infiltrating the closed military world. But what exactly is the army attempting to hide? And do the mysterious symbols smeared on the accused's house imply the presence of more sinister forces at play?

My Review

John Sampson and Alex Cross have always shared a close bond. When Sampson pleads with Alex to assist in investigating a case that has landed his friend on death row, Alex readily agrees. The duo encounters significant resistance as they delve into the military and try to understand why they are so eager to convict one of their own.

We follow the investigation into Sampson's old friend, Sergeant Ellis Cooper, who has been accused and convicted of murdering three women and is now facing the death penalty. From the first few chapters, we learn what happened to the women, and the narrative alternates between Alex & Sampson and others involved in the case.

In terms of action, it begins with a revelation and then tracks the progress of the investigation. The chapters are short and concise, a trademark of Patterson's writing. Some may dislike this, but I have always found it appealing. It allows for easy reading, especially when you are busy with work or other commitments and only have short intervals of time to spare. We gain more insight into Alex's character. In the previous book (as far as I remember, since I don't read them in order), he met Jamilla, and we see her character make a comeback, along with more of Alex's family life. I truly enjoy the Alex Cross books. Although this one had a slightly less powerful impact than the others I have read, I still found it enjoyable. I rate it 3/5. I have several other Alex Cross books on my to-be-read list and will purchase them as I come across them.

Great story!

This has to be my favorite thus far. It truly stands out among the others. I enjoyed it much more than the last one. The reason being, I found this one to be a more balanced story. The plot was well-developed, with each element fitting together seamlessly.

I absolutely loved Sampson in this one. His character was so vivid and engaging. The storyline involving him added an extra layer of depth and excitement to the overall narrative. I was completely invested in his journey and couldn't wait to see what would happen next.

I hope this wonderful trend continues into future books. I'm eagerly looking forward to reading more about Sampson and the other characters. The author has done an excellent job with this story, and I have high expectations for what's to come.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good read. It's a must-read for fans of the genre. You won't be disappointed!

SPOILERS AHEAD

Patterson's own works are always effortlessly readable. The combination of short chapters and a roller coaster plot effectively builds suspension. Take Alex Cross, for example. His seemingly picture-perfect family, with Nana, an octogenarian who cooks and cleans for them, is of course rather far-fetched but still great fun.

In this story, Alex and his friend John Sampson, a fellow homicide detective, investigate a murder. A friend of John's from Vietnam has been framed for it. The narrative follows three deranged army rangers who kill people and frame innocent soldiers, who ultimately end up being executed. These rangers also enjoy hunting and killing innocent people in their spare time.

Alex is led by Foot Soldier, who has set up these murders as revenge for the killing of his innocent family by American soldiers during the Vietnam War. Eventually, Alex and John manage to catch up with these crazy ex-soldiers. There is also a fourth culprit who turns out to be in charge of West Point. He too gets what he deserves. Overall, it's a solid suspense thriller that could perhaps do without the romantic subplots involving Alex and later John.

Rated—R (my personal opinion based on content)

This rating of "Rated—R" is my personal assessment based on the content at hand. It implies that the material contains elements that may not be suitable for all audiences. Such content could include mature themes, strong language, or potentially disturbing images or concepts.

When I assign this rating, I take into consideration various factors. For example, the nature of the story, the way the characters are developed, and the overall tone and atmosphere of the work. If the content delves deep into topics that are more appropriate for an adult audience, it earns this R rating.

It's important to note that this is just my opinion, and others may have different views on what constitutes an R-rated piece. However, I believe that by providing this rating, I can give readers an idea of what to expect and help them make an informed decision about whether or not they want to engage with the content.

These books keep getting better and better.

I normally don’t like these types of books. I usually have my own preferences when it comes to reading, and this particular genre didn't seem to be my cup of tea at first.

However, something has changed. I'm just devouring them. Once I started reading, I couldn't put them down. The stories are so engaging and the characters are so well-developed that I find myself completely immersed in the world created by the author.

I really recommend this series. Whether you're a fan of this genre or not, I think you should give it a try. You might be surprised at how much you enjoy it. It's one of those rare series that can appeal to a wide range of readers. So, don't hesitate. Pick up the first book and start reading. You won't be disappointed.

No telling why I liked this one so much but I did.

This was definitely one of his top thrillers. It was a thrilling cat and mouse chase that lasted till the very end. The title was appropriately chosen.

Patterson has a tendency to come up with some rather unique and "out there" crime patterns in his works. In fact, it got to a point where I was beginning to wonder if I was going to finish the series.

However, this particular installment has reeled me back in. The story involves innocent ex-military men being wrongly convicted of murders and then killed on death row.

Cross, the protagonist, tries his best to save them all but unfortunately, he can't. Nevertheless, he does manage to put a stop to the disturbing pattern.

I might add that I have a great affection for his best friend, Sampson. He adds an interesting dimension to the story.

Now, if only Cross could find a love connection that actually works ;) That would be an added bonus to an already exciting series.

A good friend recommended that I read the James Patterson books in order.

I am so glad she did! It is truly amazing how all the books are interconnected with each other.

Alex Cross, the main character, never fails to disappoint me.

As is the case with all the other books in the series, this one also took an unexpected twist towards the end that really caught me by surprise.

The way Patterson weaves the story and creates such engaging characters is truly remarkable.

Each book builds on the previous ones, adding more depth and complexity to the overall narrative.

I can't wait to continue reading the rest of the series and see what other surprises Patterson has in store for me.

Overall, I highly recommend the James Patterson books to anyone who loves a good mystery or thriller.

They are well-written, fast-paced, and full of excitement from start to finish.