Double Cross (Alex Cross, Book 13)
by James Patterson
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Book Reviews of Double Cross (Alex Cross, Book 13)
Book Review: Patterson at his best - don't miss this one
Summary: 5 Stars
Synopsis
In this, the thirteenth installment for super-cop Alex Cross, he finds himself once again returning to the streets to catch a diabolical duo of killers. Pursuing a genius serial killer who thrives on killing his victims in front of the largest crowds he can muster, Cross has his hands full. Known as the "Audience Killer," he delights in murdering famous people in broad daylight and on live television. He posts streaming video on the Internet, all the while taunting and threatening to make Cross his ultimate victim.
As if this is not enough to keep Cross and his partner Bree Stone busy, former colleague and friend Kyle Craig performs a dramatic prison break and is bent on exacting his revenge on Cross for putting him in maximum security prison for four long years.
Craig and the Audience Killer are destined to team up and make life short and miserable for the retired detective.The action is fast-paced and the suspense is palpable in this high-tech crime thriller.
My Two Cents Worth
After a couple of unremarkable efforts, Patterson is back. Double Cross is probably the best effort in the series of Cross novels.
The plot is complicated and boasts some ingenious twists and turns, but very well developed and engaging. Patterson sets a scorching pace and keeps the reader completely engrossed in the story line. The prose is cohesive and concise and he paints a compelling story.
Cross is still bigger-than-life, but unlike some of the previous books, the action doesn't suffer from lapses in reality. I found it refreshing to be completely consumed in a story for a change.
Double Cross delivered, big-time.
Book Review: Started off interesting, but went downhill fast
Summary: 1 Stars
I thought the book started off well with an interesting twist of how the main serial killer (DCAK) made up characters which he portrayed during the course of his murders. Now that I've said everything positive I can about this book, lets get to the bad. The book did not need the Kyle Craig character in it at all and every section of the book in which he made an appearance brought the novel to a screaching and awkward halt considering he was completely secluded from the rest of the story's plotline. The revelation that Cross's two counseling patients are the killer duo actually came as no surprise. It also made no sense that if they planned on killing him that they didn't use their covers in this case to their advantage. And I didn't get why they were a duo anyways. The only thing that I can say the killer's sister actually did in the entire book was give her own brother a handjob infront of Cross. Really... WTF? What was the point? The ending was also horrible. Cross, his girlfriend, and his old partner are all tied up while the killer duo both have guns on them from different angles. So basically their stuck in a situation in which escaping is impossible, and of course they not only escape but overpower their captors. Cross even manages to get into a knife fight with the guy and win. Oh yeah then Kyle Craig shows up to threaten Cross's life to his face and then leaves without even attempting to kill him. Come on, give me a break.
The ending made me glad that I had found this book at a b&b instead of paying money for it. This was the first and last James Patterson book I'm going to read. Would have given it 0 stars in I could because of the ending.
Book Review: Not as good as his others
Summary: 2 Stars
The Alex Cross series is not meant to be highbrow literature, it is meant to be a page-turning, rollicking ride - enjoyable, but forgettable. Whilst Patterson has still delivered an enjoyable read, I think it is largely due to the great cast of characters that he has created, not to do with the actual plot of this story, which is not as good as some of his others (eg Pop Goes The Weasel, Roses are Red etc).
This story flits back and forth between perspectives, Cross' and the baddies'. During the chapters narrated by the latter, the story loses momentum, and can become bogged down and even sometimes confusing (which is not what one wants from a popcorn book). Still, Alex Cross has the same great, ballsy attitude that keeps on bringing me back time and again.
My main quibble is the frequent sexual innuendo and soft-core pornographic elements. At times through out the book, it felt as though Patterson was looking for any opportunity to his readers cringe at the incessant sexual activity - not because of its existence per se, but because of the incredible, blunt corniness (seriously, he wants to use his 'lightsabre' to penetrate his girlfriend 'good and deep'? Really? Patterson needs to do a stint writing at Penthouse to get this stuff out of his system, then return to the Cross of old).
Overall, it is still an entertaining read compared to many books out there, but not as great as some of the other Cross ouvre - fluffy, forgettable, but fun.
Book Review: Why not read it for yourself
Summary: 4 Stars
Double Cross is a fast-action, fast-pace novel. The novel is packed with plenty of elements of surprises that will keep you on the edge of your seat with each page read. Just when you think you have it all figured out, Patterson inserts another twist that will leave you with your mouth dropped.
This book is part of the Alex Cross series. Making a special appearance in this book are Detective Bree Stones, (Alex Cross' girlfriend), Detective John Sampson, (longtime friend of Cross), Kyle Craig, (FBI agent turned serial murder), DCAK (District of Columbia Audience Killer), and the MPD (Metro Police Department).
DCAK is a thespian by heart. He/She believes that he/she is a great actor/actress. With experiences in performing small roles in theater, DCAK decides to write out his/her own scripts and perform the scenes to an audience of his/her choosing and on his/her own accord. He/she has drawn inspiration from Kyle Craig, a convicted serial murderer, serving a life sentence in a super-maximum prison. Craig might have been serving time in solitary confinement, but in the outside world he has many followers, disciples, and fanatics. A few have made contact with Craig and have carried out murders in his honor. Though Craig is delighted that he has a group of fanatics that worships him, his primary concern is keeping promises he made in a courtroom filled with witnesses and Cross.
Book Review: When Terror and fame meet....
Summary: 4 Stars
I have always been a big fan of the Alex Cross Novels (With the exception of London Bridges (Alex Cross Novels) and I don't care for his other books written by other authors with his named stamped on top), so I was excited to receive and advance readers copy of Double Cross (Alex Cross)! I waited for a slow day a the Marina before cracking it open and was soon lost in the world of Cross. Alex has become like a old friend, having read so many of his trails, adventures, and tragedies.
Alex's life has become more settled since we last saw him in Cross. He is back at work tending to his patients and living a normal life with his girlfriend Brianna Stone--detective Stone that is. But of course this cannot last. Washington DC and the east cost are a jitter because of a number of elaborate murders; these are not just murders but spectacles. This guy is a grisly showman. A murderer who wants fame---and to scare the pants off the entire DC metro area. Of course it is up Alex and Brianna to bring this guy down...but at what cost?
Patterson's master plotting, lightening fast chapters that keep you turning the pages are again on display and make for a great beach read!