So much mayhem and drama is happening in “London Bridges!” It's truly captivating. The sense of urgency in this story is palpable, and the plot progresses at a rapid pace, with almost no breaks in the action. I found myself constantly guessing who the Wolf was or what would happen next, but I was continuously proved wrong. It added an element of excitement and unpredictability to the narrative. However, I do have one minor gripe. I only wish there were more scenes with the Weasel. The villain crossover could have been more developed. It would have been interesting to see how the Weasel interacted with the other characters and how his presence affected the overall story. Nevertheless, I'm excited to move on to the next installment and see what other adventures await.

London Bridges serves as yet another illustration of why I peruse Patterson's works but refrain from purchasing them. For the reader, the book maintains a good tempo, and for the publisher, the series holds promising momentum. However, I'm somewhat hazy on how this whole setup functions. The James Patterson franchise churns out several books annually, featuring diverse authors and different series. Presumably, the Alex Cross series has been penned thus far by someone using the actual James Patterson pen name. It seems to me that this individual is extremely occupied, juggling numerous projects. One out of every four Cross novels is excellent, two are decent, and it appears that every couple of years, a random collection of scraps is assembled and cobbled together by some frenzied editors and then released for publication.

Patterson's books are irresistibly readable. With the average chapter being less than three pages in length, you don't merely read one more page; you breeze through one more chapter. This makes the book progress at a rapid clip. I've entertained the thought that this might be a ploy targeted at readers. Regrettably, I suspect it could also be a gimmick in the writing process. One sits down, scribbles a brief blurb... and another chapter is completed. Sit down again at a later time, pen a quick piece, and we'll tidy it up later... at least someone will.

This book is rife with redundancy and inconsistency. The only role that the renowned and highly intelligent Dr. Cross plays in this installment is to traipse around the globe posing the questions, "Who is the Wolf?" and "Where is the Wolf?"

I'm not a huge enthusiast of Patterson's villains. He has a tendency to lavish excessive attention on them, resurrecting them in subsequent episodes. In this particular case, the reason for bringing the villain back is blatantly evident.

Author: "Hey, remember those three sections we omitted from 'Pop Goes the Weasel'? Put them to use; it'll get us part of the way there.


Editor: "If you say so... I'll do my best."


Publisher: "Yeah, baby! That'll have us wrapped up three weeks ahead of schedule, right before the peak season. Just don't delay it!"

Now, despite all my griping, I didn't despise this book entirely. I was irritated and frustrated, yet I was propelled forward by the breakneck pace.

This was truly a terrifying scenario to consider. Just imagining if someone had the ability to unite so many forces of destruction. I thoroughly loved the chase, and I had numerous speculations about the individuals who might be playing both sides. However, I wasn't entirely correct in my guesses.

My main gripe is that the ending was extremely weak. It better not actually be the end, because if it is, it felt like such a hasty and rushed job. Even though the circumstances in the ending could potentially be realistic, it simply came across as flat and devoid of any emotion.

Nevertheless, I did enjoy the journey and the collaboration between the different agencies, as well as the mass chaos that ensued around the world. It was very exciting and definitely a thrilling read. I wonder how much more Alex can endure and if Nana will ever pass away due to old age or if James Patterson will utilize her death as a catalyst. I have a feeling that Patterson won't kill her off unless the kids are old enough to fend for themselves or Alex gets remarried.

Overall, I give this book 4 stars. I can't wait to progress to book 11 and see what other adventures await.

This is the tenth book in the Alex Cross series, and Patterson seems to have written beyond his capabilities. As the saying goes, it's "a bridge too far." He apparently had an envy of Ian Fleming and James Bond, but he failed to hit the mark not by a few feet or yards, but by miles.

London Bridges is extremely excessive in its portrayal of villains. Comparing The Wolf to bin Laden was amateurish and ignorant. Moreover, bin Laden was protected by Pakistan and he made his move only once, not repeatedly like the fictional Wolf. In short, this book was boring and it was extremely painful to read. In other words, it was stupid!

My advice is to skip books #9 and #10, and let's hope Patterson can regain his magic with book #11. If these two books represent the new trend in the Alex Cross series, then I'm finished with Patterson.

Three years after the September 11th terrorist attack, this book was published, the 10th in the series with Alex Cross. It clearly shows James Patterson's intention to add his own contribution to the fear and anxiety that a terrorist strike generates in the simple and innocent world.

The "Wolf" we met in the previous book, titled "In the Wolf's Lair", thirsty for revenge and now a personal enemy of Cross, discovers in Salvador, Brazil, the "Bride", also a deadly enemy of the former detective and now agent. He coercively enlists her in his plans to literally rule the world. Contacts with organizations like Al Qaeda and Al-Zinch, weapons of great lethality, nuclear and explosive devices, individual bombs, a unique plan that works like a clock and targets New York, Washington, London, and Frankfurt, and an Alex Cross who chases the tracks of his opponents without being led anywhere, all combine to form an exciting and thrilling read.

I don't deny that "The Bridges of London" has suspense, surprises, and unexpected events. However, if you have enjoyed the authenticity of Tom Clancy and Frederick Forsyth, it will be difficult to feel satisfied with James Patterson's new novel. A great enemy who terrorizes the world leaders without making a mistake, has prepared everything perfectly, anticipating the possible reactions of his enemies, and has his tools in the right places and at the right times, which of course he kills to leave no witnesses, while at the same time managing to lead Cross from one dead end to another, is an incredibly believable case. Nevertheless, I had a good time and flipped through the book, wondering how all this adventure would end, especially when the Queensboro Bridge in New York, another landmark of the city as important as the Twin Towers, as well as Westminster in London and a small part of Paris, are threatened! Okay, there was a big twist, but the author almost immediately took it back, playing one last time with the reader (and his nerves) before the novel ended.

The bombing in the San Rafael Valley of Nevada, with which the book begins, an unexplained and apparently pointless act, brings together the stars of the FBI, the CIA, and the Secret Service, while bloody attacks in Germany and Scotland raise the British Prime Minister, the German Chancellor, and the American President. The executions are carried out coldly, and operatives and policemen in Paris and London come and go from Cross's life in the blink of an eye. Chaos, terror, blood, and banality, exactly what the attack on the Twin Towers left behind: "No one can bet on anything in our days. Everything can happen, and sooner or later, the most likely thing is that it will happen. We don't seem to be getting smarter as a species, just more jaded. Or, at the very least, much more dangerous. Incredibly, unbearably more dangerous" (p. 270). Murders, kidnappings, executions, traps, plenty of wood, and manhunts are contained here in abundance! In fact, our hero travels literally all over Europe (London, Paris, Zurich, Nice), not only in America (Seattle, Anchorage), even to Guantanamo!

The "Bride" we met in the 5th book of the series, "The Four Horsemen" (three years ago according to the author), or Jeffrey Seifer, is an obedient executive tool of the Wolf and leads Cross into impossible situations while continuing to do what he likes very much: to kill. Of course, we also have a serious flaw here, since the suspect Seifer manages to reach London and enter the house of his bride, where his daughters live, without any problem. Didn't the woman change direction after the bloody events? Weren't there security measures when Seifer's face began to appear in the terrorist attacks? Also, I couldn't believe how easily the fight between Cross and Seifer was completed, when everything was perfectly choreographed as a plan down to the tiniest detail, almost if not randomly at least carelessly, not to mention loosely. Anyway, more generally, the involvement of the Bride did not manage to particularly complicate the already loaded text, and Cross almost knew from the beginning that he was dealing with two enemies, so I wonder why the author chose this particular opponent, especially as he brought him out in the middle.

On a personal level, we see the three-year-old Alex Junior (four months after the previous book) living with his mother in Seattle, with Alex visiting him about twice. This case puts his family in danger again, the ten-year-old Jannie, the twelve-year-old Damon, and the wonderful Nana Mama, while Jamilla Hughes realizes how serious and realistic the obstacles are in their relationship and that they are not only geographical. I really hope that Patterson will handle this serious ethical dilemma correctly and in the next book, I will see an extremely genuine, completely realistic character who will make a decision and choose what he has to do with the rest of his life. Certainly, it is not easy for someone of his action, intensity, and mysteries to withdraw, but there must be a golden mean where he can move as he wants without putting his family in danger. I'm daydreaming, right? So let's see what else the author has in mind.

"The Bridges of London" is the next adventure of Alex Cross in the well-known series of books and an attempt by the author to write a political thriller with suspense and anxiety, changing the level of the narrative motif.

I find the Alex Cross books more interesting when Samson is in them more.

Samson adds a unique element to the story. His presence brings a sense of mystery and danger.

When he is involved, the plot thickens, and there are more twists and turns.

Alex Cross has to face a more formidable adversary in Samson.

The dynamic between the two characters makes for an exciting read.

Samson's actions and motives are often unpredictable, which keeps the reader on the edge of their seat.

The author does a great job of developing Samson's character, making him a memorable and engaging villain.

Overall, the inclusion of Samson in the Alex Cross books elevates the series and makes it even more enjoyable to read.

Although this one wasn't as gripping as previous books, it definitely was a good read.

"Alex Cross is on vacation when he gets the call. The Wolf is back. And so is the Weasel. A town in Nevada has been annihilated and the Wolf is claiming responsibility. Major cities around the globe are threatened with total destruction. Cross is catapulted into an international chase of astonishing danger. Arriving in London, he fights his way through a torrent of false leads, impersonators and foreign agents. Then he must face and figure out who the Wolf is."

Despite the story not being to the high standard that I now hold James Patterson up to, I still enjoyed this one. His writing and character development continues to be amazing. The way he weaves the plot and builds up the tension is truly remarkable. It was interesting to read the conclusion to the Wolf plot. I love that Patterson comes back to his characters and gives them a well-deserved conclusion rather than leaving readers questioning what happened to them. He has a unique ability to make the readers feel connected to the characters and care about their fate. One of my favourite authors, Patterson never fails to deliver an exciting and engaging story. I can't wait to read the next one and see what adventures Alex Cross will embark on.

The Thames River stretched before us, as dark as the early-morning sky that hung above it. The air carried a distinct smell, a combination of slight saltiness and a hint of fishiness. Rows of plum-colored tourist buses were lined up near the bridge, sitting idle and waiting for the day's first passengers.

However, it wasn't going to be a typical day. In fact, on this particular day of days, all hell was about to break loose. James Patterson, in his thrilling novel "London Bridges," takes us on an international race against terror. The story concludes the Alex Cross series, and Cross finds himself pitted against the Wolf, a Russian supercriminal with a diabolical plan to complete a global annihilation.

The mood of this book can only be described as suspenseful. Questions like what provoked him to join forces with the Weasel, what happened to him in Paris, and who can be trusted, plagued me throughout the page-turning adventure. It's no easy feat for an author to transport us from Paris to London, to Washington D.C., and then to Seattle all within the span of a few chapters, but Patterson accomplishes this seamlessly.

While I have seen many negative reviews about this book, I find myself somewhere in the middle. It was definitely a page-turner, but there was just something that seemed to be missing for me. I would rate it 3 stars. Some memorable quotes from the book include: "We don’t seem to be getting any smarter as a species, just crazier and crazier. Or at the very least, a whole lot more dangerous. Unbelievably, unbearably more dangerous." and "Everybody I talked to had possible leads, but no one had anything hot, or even what I would consider lukewarm."

Overall, "London Bridges" is a thrilling read that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

WOLF!!!

This is an amazing story that is filled with so many twists and turns. There are numerous curves and dead ends, which make it extremely engaging. I simply couldn't put it down. I just had to know who the wolf was. It's a fantastic and awesome story. However, there is a lingering question in my mind. Is he really dead? The story leaves this open-ended, which adds an extra layer of mystery and intrigue. It makes me wonder if there could be more to come. Maybe there will be a sequel that reveals the true fate of the wolf. Or perhaps the author is leaving it up to our imagination to decide. Either way, this story has truly captivated me and left me eager for more.

Title: 2.5 Stars

The rating of 2.5 stars is an interesting one. It's not a full three stars, which might imply that there are some aspects that fall just short of being excellent. However, it's also not a two-star rating, suggesting that there is still some value or merit to be found.

Perhaps the product or service in question has a few flaws or areas for improvement. Maybe the quality is good but not outstanding, or the features are useful but not comprehensive enough. It could also be that the overall experience is satisfactory but lacks that certain something to make it truly great.

On the other hand, a 2.5-star rating could also indicate that the reviewer has a more subjective opinion. Maybe they had higher expectations going in, or they were comparing the item to others that they consider to be better. In any case, a 2.5-star rating is a middle ground, and it's up to the individual to decide whether or not it's worth their attention.

As if it weren't already enough that Alex Cross has a horde of extremely vicious villains just eager to strike back at him, now he has two more.

In this novel, we witness the return not only of the Wolf from the previous Alex Cross novel but also Geoffrey "Weasel" Shafer from Pop Goes the Weasel. And both are determined not just to take down Cross but to bring the world to its knees by completely destroying four major cities around the globe.

Yes, the Wolf and the Weasel have plans to utterly annihilate four major cities unless the world's leaders submit to their power and pay an enormous ransom. And on several occasions, they prove that they are not bluffing.

I am truly grateful that the Alex Cross books of old seem to have made a comeback. It's a classic thriller set against a post-9/11 backdrop, filled with excitement and danger at every turn.

Readers will be on the edge of their seats as they follow Alex Cross's attempts to stop these two deadly foes and save the world from destruction.

This latest installment in the Alex Cross series is sure to be a hit with fans of the genre and those who have been eagerly awaiting the return of the classic Alex Cross stories.

Good Read

A good read is like a magical portal that transports us to different worlds, introduces us to diverse characters, and exposes us to a plethora of ideas. It has the power to captivate our attention from the very first page and keep us hooked until the last word. Whether it's a thrilling mystery, a heartwarming romance, an informative non-fiction piece, or a thought-provoking work of literature, a good read has the ability to touch our emotions, expand our knowledge, and inspire us. It allows us to escape the realities of our daily lives for a while and immerse ourselves in a different story. A good read can also be a great source of entertainment, providing us with hours of enjoyment and relaxation. So, the next time you pick up a book, make sure it's a good read that will take you on an unforgettable journey.