Cross
by James Patterson
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Book Summary Information
Author: James PattersonEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Published)
Format: Bargain Price
Published: 2006-11-13
ISBN: 1580176712
Number of pages: 400
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Book Reviews of Cross
Book Review: I kind of missed Alex Cross and enjoyed catching up with him!
Summary: 3 Stars
Life is what really happens when you're busy making plans...or something to that effect. That or something close to it explains my feeling of Patterson's Alex Cross and oddly describe my feelings about "Cross" the novel. I have to admit that I had stopped reading the Alex Cross series a while ago because I had grown tired of the same cookie cutter stories. Alex gets a big case...the killer challenges the illustrious Alex Cross to catch him if he can...driven, Alex comes up with a profile of what and who he thinks the killer is...eventually in classic Alex Cross style, he unveils the killer (maybe injured) with the help of his handy sidekick and friend, Sampson (the large yet loveable childhood friend)..all while worrying about his grandmother (Nana Mama) and his kids...and all while still grieving for his perfect, beloved and murdered wife, Maria. And I almost forgot, Alex is usually solving some pretty horrific crimes while discovering that his close friend is also a crazed serial killer who hates his guts (Craig). So, I left Alex, and started to read other series (Banks, Robb, etc) or other Patterson collaborations (which didn't always prove good), and wondered "where did the Patterson magic go? Believe it or not, I found some of what attracted me to the series has returned. I am not sure if it was my break from Patterson's Cross or if this particular novel answered some of those pesky questions that I had formulated over the years and was glad some of the issues were resolved. Like "Why Alex can't have a decent relationship with a woman" (he hasn't gotten over Maria) or why Alex finds himself attracted to women that aren't always good for him. Of course there were still things that kind of annoyed me, like Sampson calling Alex "Sugar" constantly distracted from the dialog. But I put that aside and just didn't think about it too hard, and enjoyed the story.
Now on to the book...."Cross" finds Alex on the trail of the man who he believes (for over 10 years) is responsible for his beloved wife Maria's death. "The Butcher", a psychotic, Mafia hired assassin/hitman (who is extremely fond of a scapel), not only murders for money but enjoys raping women too. A father and husband by day, Michael Sullivan (AKA The Butcher) does what he wants, when he wants and doesn't care what anyone thinks. Matching wits with his past nemesis Cross, Sullivan sets out to get revenge against those he believes have wronged him, while protecting his family in his own way, and maintaining/strengthening his image as a crazed killer. As Alex finally deals with his guilt for not being able to save Maria, and continuously places his life in jeopardy, Alex enjoys his retirement from the FBI and his move back to his practice as a psychologist. He finally gets some closure.
So while I do not think that this is Pattersons most prized novel, I do think that it was an improvement from some of his earlier works. I was glad to see the piano playing, self-sacrificing Alex and the familiar crew once again.
Summary of Cross
Alex Cross was a rising star in the Washington, DC, Police Department when an unknown shooter gunned down his wife, Maria, in front of him. Alex's need for vengeance was placed on hold as he faced another huge challenge-raising his children without their mother.Years later Alex is making a bold move in his life. He has left the FBI and set up practice as a psychologist once again. His life with Nana Mama, Damon, Jannie, and little Alex finally feels like it's in order. He even has a chance at a new love.
Then Cross's former partner, John Sampson, calls in a favor. He is tracking a serial rapist in Georgetown, one whose brutal modus operandi includes threatening his victims with terrifying photos. Cross and Sampson need the testimonies of these women to stop the predator, but the rape victims refuse to reveal anything about their attacker.
When the case triggers a connection to Maria's death, Alex may have a chance to catch his wife's murderer after all these years. Is this a chance for justice at long last? Or the culminating scene in his own deadly obsession?
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