Double Cross (Alex Cross, Book 13)
by James Patterson
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Book Reviews of Double Cross (Alex Cross, Book 13)
Book Review: Alexander the Great
Summary: 2 Stars
I gave this book 2 stars because it's not the worst thing I've ever read, but it's close. Even though this book reads like it was written from a recipe, the end result wouldn't have been so bad if the main ingredient wasn't so stale. The main character, Alex Cross, is the typical retired super detective who is semi-reluctantly pulled out of retirement to solve the case no one else in the world can solve and he drives a Mercedes Benz R 350.
Perhaps everyone who isn't Alex Cross in this book has such a hard time solving the case because all they do is stand around and think about how awesome Alex Cross is. Even Alex Cross spends the majority of his time thinking about how awesome he is and driving his Mercedes Benz R 350.
Oh did I mention he drives a Mercedes Benz R 350? He does. Often.
Book Review: Great read--just didn't feel like Alex Cross
Summary: 4 Stars
I really liked this book. It was engaging, suspenseful and unpredictable--all the essential elements of a really good thriller. My only complaint was that I didnt feel Alex Cross in this one. In previous books, I have been blown away by Patterson's ability to capture the personality of an African American man in a sensitive, authentic and non-stereotypical way. His phrasing, his cultural references, the way he spoke with his Nana and kids just felt authentically Black--not urban, not gritty, just Black (and as an African American, I get to say that LOL). And I missed that texture in Double Cross. The lead character could have been a white man or an Asian woman for that matter. The point is, it just didn't feel like Alex. And I think the book suffered a bit because of it. What happened?Book Review: Completely readable, but Cross totally out of character
Summary: 3 Stars
Read through the customer reviews and was a little surprised to see had badly the book was received. The book was a quick read and entertaining and worth the time, but I had a couple of problems with it.
1) I agree with other reviewers that Cross, who is usually so maticulous, thoughtful, and cautious, would make such rash, illogical decisions throughout the book putting himself and everyone with him in unnecessary danger.
2) I just couldn't get past that Cross went to Africa to chase down the killer of the "love of his life," and immediately begins obsessing and lusting after a news reporter in Nigeria. More and more it seems like any female Alex Cross meets is immediately a love interest. This disturbing trend continues in Patterson's Double Cross.
Book Review: Not as good as TV
Summary: 1 Stars
Many of my friends have encouraged me to read James Patterson. Double Cross was my second attempt. (I gave up on "Sail" after about 3 chapters). Never again!
I would describe James Patterson's writing as comparable to a script for a "due for cancellation" TV cop show. There are just too many cliches, coincidences, and plot holes, not to say anything about bringing a villain back from a previous book. There is even an escape by a bad guy using one of the phoniest devices ever used in books and movies. We have seen all this many times before, usually in a more entertaining way.
There are far too many good writers of mystery/crime thrillers (try Robert Crais or Elmore Leonard) around for anyone to waste their time on James Patterson.
Book Review: Not his best work
Summary: 3 Stars
Double Cross (Alex Cross Novels)
I have read all of this series, my boyfriend got me hooked on them. He is an excellent writer, however I do not enjoy reading a book that has this much violence in it. Yes, I'm sure these situations exist, but I read to escape the stresses and horrors of everyday life not be immersed in it as this book does. The story is not that plausible for a real detective either and I found myself reading and saying oh come on, that wouldn't happen in real life. He has reached too far on this one and I won't be buying another in this series if it has the same type of violence that this once contains.