Jack & Jill (Alex Cross)
by James Patterson

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Book Reviews of Jack & Jill (Alex Cross)

Book Review: Cross Becomes the President's Man
Summary: 4 Stars

Described as the "Last Southern Gentleman" in a previous novel, Alex Cross is a DC homicide cop and psychological profilist. He lives in the impoverished Southeast of DC with his grandmother and two children. He is often described as looking a little like Muhammed Ali, but the movie versions of the first two books, featuring Morgan Freeman, make it hard to keep this visualization.

In "Jack and Jill", Cross and his partner, Sampson, set out to solve mystery of the Sojourner Truth School murders. Along the way, Cross gets dragged into the "Jack and Jill" case, in which a male/female team are randomly targeting celebrities and murdering them in a spree that seems to be leading upto an assasination attempt on the President of the United States. As a result, Cross is drafted into a special team designed to protect the President.

One of the features of the Cross series that I like is that the chapters that focus on Cross are told in first person narrative style. Although Cross doesn't have many flaws, he is a fairly dynamic character that has some personal losses from previous novels, societal problems, and a personal stalker (again from a previous novel) to deal with. Not to mention that the chapters told from Cross's point of view usually have the most interesting commentary on American society and pop culture.

Other chapters, especially those featuring the killers, are told in third person. This is especially effective in that it allows Patterson to share their thoughts and actions without giving away the identity of the killers. Not to mention, Patterson has away of setting the reader up only to dash expectations with an unexpected plot twist.

And there are plot twists. Just when you think the only thing left to do in the novel is for Cross and Sampson to find the killer, circumstances change and its not so easy or straight forward anymore. This may sound vague, but any more detail would spoil the story.

Like its predecessors, "Jack and Jill" is hard to put down. Its quick narrative style makes it an engaging read. Well distributed plot twists and murders keep your attention and turning the pages. However, this book almost starts to establish a formula for the Cross series (opening scene with the killer, enter Cross, start investigation, plot twist, another murder, etc.)

Another issue that nags at me with this novel is that a lot is left unexplained at the end. I don't need everything spelled out for me or the future of the main characters laid out cleanly, but I do like to have the major plot questions answered. Circumstances at the end of the novel prevent that from happening and left me frustrated. Hopefully, these events will be visited again in future sequels, otherwise (and potential SPOILER, you may want to skip to the next paragraph) we are talking potential JFK level of conspiracy.

Overall, I enjoyed "Jack and Jill" and will continue on with the series. Neither this novel or "Kiss the Girls" were as good as "Along Came a Spider", but they are worthy successors. I'd recommend this to any mystery or thriller enthusiast.

Summary of Jack & Jill (Alex Cross)

While the death of an inner-city black child doesn't garner much media attention, another murder is making big headlines. The same day that Shanelle was beaten to death, Senator Daniel Fitzpatrick was found handcuffed to a bed and shot execution style. The only clue the police have to go on is a bizarre rhyme, signed "Jack and Jill," promising more high-profile executions, ultimately targeting the president of the United States. When Cross is called in to help protect the president, he begins to suspect that the two cases are somehow related. As he races to put all the pieces together, the killers continue their bloody rampage, paralyzing the city.

Like Along Came a Spider and Cat & Mouse, Jack & Jill is a rapid-fire thriller from start to finish, with enough plot twists to satisfy even the most jaded mystery fan.

Literature & Fiction Books

• Subjects > Literature & Fiction
• Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Police Procedurals
• Thrillers > Psychological Thrillers
• Suspense