Double Cross (Alex Cross, Book 13)
by James Patterson
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Book Reviews of Double Cross (Alex Cross, Book 13)
Book Review: Bad Beyond Belief
Summary: 1 Stars
There was no greater fan when I began reading Cross' books. About six books ago, I had not only stopped reading his books - I had taken him off my excel list of good authors.
A friend passed this book onto me, so thought I would give it one more try. Big mistake. It consists of incomplete chapters, which merely ring up one victim after another, so they can promptly be dispatched by the primary killer or a friend, while Cross, et al, do essentially nothing.
There is no plot, no suspense, no intelligent thought. In the last "dramatic" (not) scene, they have "killed" the really bad guy, Cross' nemisis forever, only to have him jump up unharmed, wearing a bullet proof vest. Who could have ever guessed? Could he be saved for another book? Throw up!
His book, Cross Creek, has also been given to me. I will dispose of it without opening it. I have 50 mystery authors on my reading list, all of whom have written mostly enjoyable, suspenseful, interesting books. Mr. Cross will never again be part of that list.
Dwight Jundt
Book Review: Just plain awful!
Summary: 1 Stars
JP, where is the brilliant criminologist/psychologist Alex Cross of ALONG CAME A SPIDER, KISS THE GIRLS, and JACK AND JILL? In this outing, Cross is reduced to a hormone raging teen boy in heat, even as he and Bree study crime photos. Give me a break!
And stop with the 2 page chapters already. Your stock in trade writing has become trite and formulaic. It seems as though Patterson can't live up to the standard of mystery and intrigue that Alex Cross used to have, what made Patterson fun to read. Now, everything is predictable. A killer or two, the killing keeps going until he/she/they are caught by the master criminologist himself, 1 dimensional characters, and Cross' love interest is short lived either by death or by break up. And BTW, Client/attorney privacy doesn't mean no videotape, guards watching just outside of hearing range.
The plot could have been good, but JP's execution was dismal to the point that this reader put it down ½ of the way and dumped my last Patterson novel into the recycle bin.
Book Review: come one james!!
Summary: 2 Stars
There aren't too many james patterson novels I haven't like but this one is in another category. If alex Cross is the leading crime fighter in America we're all in trouble. First of all with two sadistic serial killers on the loose and getting tons of media Patterson creates the impression that only three maybe four people are working on this case and one of them is part time, alex cross. He can't even give up his private practice where he is being scammed anyway. If he is such a great detective how come he didn't figure that out, I did. Also in one scene where one of the killers is driving around Washington DC sightseeing at 4 to 6 o'clock am and then he kills someone, In the next scene Bree Stone gets to the crime scene at 2 am??? Huh how is that possible when the crime hasn't happened yet?
I can't recommend this dragon slayer to work in my town to solve crimes or his best buddies who all get captured by the bad guy. Maybe in the next book Alex Cross will actually use some good police techniques.
Book Review: Can You Argue With Success?
Summary: 4 Stars
Author James Patterson has developed a formula for writing fiction bestsellers: very short (2-4 pages) chapters, plenty of action, a sprinkling of lurid themes, and a hallmark character (Alex Cross) who has legions of fans. You'll notice I said nothing about deep character development and profound insights. The vocabulary is never challenging and the references never obtuse. It's like a People Magazine take on a crime novel.
In Double Cross, psychologist/crime-fighter/profiler Cross and his main squeeze, Detective Bree Stone are hot on the trail (when they're not hot on each other) of a serial killer who craves a mass audience. Meanwhile, yet another serial killer, whom Cross put away years earlier, escapes from a maximum sercurity facility and craves revenge on Cross.
There are plenty of chills and thrills. The conclusion is exciting. Many reviews have described Patterson's books as "page turners." I concur. And the door is left widely open for a sequel.
Book Review: Fast and easy!
Summary: 5 Stars
Haven't read Patterson in about 3 years, but I was in the mood for something fast and easy to get into. And this fit the bill. From page one it grabbed me. Seriously, the book actually grew arms, took a hold of my by the shoulders, and wrestled me to the ground. I might have blacked out for a bit, because when I woke up I saw the book relaxing on my couch like nothing happened. Has this ever happened to you?
Anyway, I did manage to pin the book after several attempts and when I got back to reading it flew by. I knocked this sucker out in about 2 days. Could have done it faster, but these gosh darn kids of mine keep asking for milk, and cheese, and needing diaper changes. Luckily, I can change a diaper with one hand and read in the other. Back to the book. It flew by and now I am going for another. Patterson and his co-authors write like 20 books a year, so I have some good times ahead of me for awhile.