I, Alex Cross
by James Patterson
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Book Reviews of I, Alex Cross
Book Review: You gotta know when to hold then and know when to fold them!
Summary: 1 Stars
I imagine that one of the most often asked question of an author was posed to Margaret Mitchell who wrote Gone with the Wind. I imagine the questions went something like, "Why didn't you ever write another book?" And to that I am sure Ms. Mitchell had many answers the least of one I imagine was, "When you write one great novel, that's enough." Well, I'm not sure it was enough in Ms Mitchell's case but I do think that there are some authors who keep writing and writing and what was once exciting and spellbinding is now most tedious. Among the authors I once loved and no longer read is Sidney Sheldon, Danielle Steel and Nora Roberts. But one by one I passed up reading their books and I am just about to do the same with James Patterson's newest book, I, Alex Cross. And I must say that the Alex Cross series was the one Patterson books I thought I would always read.
The problem I had with this book sis that despite Alex being the same old Alex, the plot left me scratching my head. First Patterson has Alex's niece who was part of an eascort service brutally murdered and I don't recall her ever being mentioned let along Alex's brother who died from drugs. Then there is a White House cover - up and the one who did the dirty deed was almosty plucked from the air which left anybody wondering who did it again scratching their head. And then in the midst of all of this Patterson still had time to include the softer side of Alex caring for his elderly grandmother and professing his love to his children and lover. It was just a bit too much for me although the last page was intriguing with aphone call from Cross;s long time nemesis Kyle sending his best wishes to Alex and his family.
So now I wonder if Kyle will be featured in the next Cross book and will I be tempted to read another Patterson novel.
Sometimes a good thing isn't so good anymoer and since I never finished Swinsuit and didn't feel guilty about it, I looked forward to reading this book and raving about it they way I once raved about his first Cross book Along Came a Spider. It might be easy enough for Patterson to churn out this series, the women's series, the cop wuth 10 children series, his children series and even his romance novels. But it's another thing for one of his loyal readers to stick around. So, unless there is a dramatic change in Patterson's mysteries I'm sticking with Sara Paretsky's books along with Daniel Silva and Jacqueline Winspear.-
Book Review: FINALLY!!! Patterson and Cross Are Back and True to Form :)
Summary: 5 Stars
Well I must admit that I was initially apprehensive about paying so much money for a James Patterson book after the horrible Cross Country (Alex Cross) where Alex Cross goes to Africa. In fact, not only did I write a scathing review of that book, but I seriously spent about 10 minutes trying to decide if I wanted to risk my money on this latest Alex Cross novel.
However, I decide I would go ahead and risk it. Surprisingly, or perhaps not so surprisingly, I was absolutely delighted with the story and thrilled that Patterson was back in form with good fast paced writing that kept the pages turning with nary a single thought of putting the book down. Although admittedly I did a time or two in order to try and get some sleep, but it didn't work so I finished the book in one sitting.
I especially liked the cameo appearance (so to speak) of another Patterson character in the Alex Cross novels and I am hoping that he will be a major player in an upcoming Alex Cross novel. Every Superman needs their Lex Luthor and this character is definitely that. And no, I am not going to give away the suprise ending.
The basic plot of the story is that a loose family member (no pun intended, which you will understand within the first 30 pages or so) is found murdered and Alex Cross begins a perilous journey to find the family members killer or killers. Quite an interesting background of characters that I thought was rather well done, although I wondered just how realistic a couple of them really would have been.
I am not going to give away any more than that, but it should be sufficient for me to say that being a HUGE Alex Cross/Patterson fan has me believing once again in the writing of this terrific author who needs to stick to solo projects and an already proven recipe for great stories and characters.
Please, no more books like Cross Country (Alex Cross)!
Shawn Kovacich
Author of the Achieving Kicking Excellence series.
Book Review: Alex Cross at his very best
Summary: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Cherie Fisher for Reader Views (12/09)
James Patterson does it again with his Alex Cross novels! This is his 16th installment in the Alex Cross series and I have read all of the other books and found this one to be as intriguing and well written as the rest.
The Cross family is growing up, with the oldest boy, Damon, away at boarding school, and the ninety-plus-year-old Nana's health starting to fail. With Alex's girlfriend Bree a member of the household, the Cross family is still very close. They plan a fun birthday celebration for Alex, but when the phone rings it turns into anything but that. He gets called to Virginia to identify the body that has been brutally murdered and horribly mutilated. He is incensed by what he sees and vows to find the killer. As he begins his investigation, he uncovers things he never wanted to know about the Washington, D.C. powerful and elite.
The trail keeps leading back to an upscale farm in Virginia where people can pay a high price for whatever pleasure they are seeking. It turns out that one individual, with the code name of Zeus, has been using the farm to do horrendous things to the high-paid call girls working there, including killing them.
Alex quickly realizes that the client list of the farm contains individuals so high up in the government that it is going to make solving the case that much harder. As soon as he starts uncovering facts about Zeus that lead back to the White House, people that are in the know about the farm start mysteriously disappearing.
I can usually figure out who the killer is, but wasn't able to in this case. The conclusion is jaw-dropping and James Patterson at his best. Of course the final page leaves the reader with a call from Kyle Craig, Alex's biggest nemesis, who taunts him letting him know to enjoy his time now because he is coming back soon to play with Alex. So my question now is....when is the next Alex Cross novel going to be ready?????
I highly recommend "I, Alex Cross" for Alex Cross and James Patterson fans and those who enjoy a fast-paced, well-written thriller.
Book Review: Actually it was pretty good!
Summary: 4 Stars
When I picked up I, Alex Cross at the library, I was expected not to like it. I mean, for a while quite a lot of Patterson books were turkeys. I was very surprised on how good this actually was! Was it perfect? No, but it was darn close.
The plot is that someone in the Cross family was murdered and it's up to Alex to find out who killed his family member. Along the way and deeper Alex gets into the case the more road blocks he runs into, including road blocks from the White House! As he's dealing with those road blocks he has to deal with his feelings with who was killed and what they were into that lead to her vicious and extremely violent and horrible death. He's looking for the killer, then will realize that soon the killer will be hunting him. While all of this is going on, Alex has to deal with a personal problem with someone he loves very much, and he can't afford to lose this person too. I don't want to say who it is and what Alex has to face because I don't want to spoil it for you. If you start I, Alex Cross, you won't be sorry.
As I said, it was a pretty darn good read. I just had two problems with it. There wasn't any cat and mouse between Alex and the killer. None. For me, in the past, that was something that made the Cross books interesting. The other thing I didn't like how the killer was caught. It was kind of anti - Climatic, it really didn't fit for me.
I did like how the book ended. Again, I don't want to say how it ended, but it was really good, and I can't wait for the next Cross book to come out. That's something I haven't said for a very, very, long time.
Perhaps this was one of Patterson's better books because **he** wrote it. He didn't give outlines and notes to someone then that person wrote it, but Patterson did. I was glad to see that Patterson put his effort into it. I hope that the next Patterson book is the same. It was good to see Alex back, I hope we see him again soon, and he's the same Alex that we all know and love.
I highly suggest I, Alex Cross.
Book Review: (RAW Rating: 3.5) - Man Behind The Mask
Summary: 4 Stars
James Patterson brings back one of his most captivating characters in his sixteenth book of the Alex Cross series. In previous books, Cross' demeanor was dedicated, almost to a fault, to his profession. But, in I, ALEX CROSS I felt Cross was more approachable. In other books, he has had several relationship problems, and more than one career change, but in this one I was reminded of the 'more balanced' Cross initially introduced to readers.
The niece of Cross has just been murdered and he is torn. Because he lost contact with her, some 20 years ago, there is an element of guilt, and then there is his personal connection with the gruesome crime. As he begins his investigation, he is shocked to learn what his niece had been into, and that there have been some mysterious disappearances and maybe more killings. When the cloud starts taking form, Cross uncovers call girls, murders, and an indomitable masked character called Zeus. The signs point to the house on Pennsylvania Avenue, and Cross is asked off the case. In the midst of this investigation, Cross has to share his mental state with serious health issues that have hospitalized Nana. Alex and his girlfriend, Detective Brianna Stone, are soon facing some very important, very protected and extremely dangerous people, and the acute realization that people who operate at this level will do anything to protect their secrets. But, Alex Cross has faced his fair share of foes, and even though this killer seems untouchable, he does not back down.
I, ALEX CROSS shares a vulnerable, more tranquil, yet still un-intimidated Alex Cross; like glimpsing the true reality of the man. Because of the gruesome nature of the crimes, I anticipated a dedicated build up, to a confrontation/battle with a nemesis, and I expected a climatic ending. With that being said, this book is still an intriquing story about corruption, murder and mayhem, and should please fans.
Reviewed by aNN
of The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers