Cross (Alex Cross) by James Patterson Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Cross (Alex Cross)
Book Review: Signals Crossed
Summary: 3 Stars
The James Patterson books that I've read are super quick reads. Lot's of chapters with lots of white-space between each chapter. A great, down-to-earth writing style that any 'normal' person can relate to. And most importantly: lots of action.
It's no wonder every writer under the sun is trying to get Patterson to attach his name to their own novels. Man, I think that there were four titles on the rack of popular books at the airport this week that had James Patterson's name on the cover either by himself or with a co-writer.
So is all this 'writing' burning the guy out? Because while Cross had the traits that I mentioned earlier, the story was not quite as well put together as what I was used to from Patterson.
It's actually been a while since I sat down with one of Patterson's Alex Cross stories (2003's The Big Bad Wolf). So for Cross, I was a little rusty on some of the lead protagonist's background. Hence, when Patterson started jumping around in timeframes in Cross, I found it confusing. One minute in the early stages of the book we're back like over 10 years ago, the next minute were in the present day. And those time frames would probably be crystal clear to an avid follower of the Alex cross novels, but they were lost on me until I kinda had to put it together myself.
I mean the words were there to distinguish the different time periods, but if you blink, which I apparently did, you might miss the transformation(s).
And then Cross ended so abruptly. The book deals with the hunt for a brutal serial rapist/killer that may have more connections to Alex Cross than he bargained for. Brutal rape/murder after brutal rape murder occur, and at the end of the story you're screaming for a justice equal to the atrocities that the bad guy has committed. But ultimately what I got just didn't feel 'right'. It felt 'rushed'. Like Patterson needed to get to his next co-write appointment.
So overall, I did get wrapped up and thoroughly engrossed in the story. But I certainly didn't walk away with that satisfying Along Came a Spider or Kiss the Girls kind of feeling. Cross did do it's job however as a companion on a flight with two 4 hour legs and a few hours of down-time on recent holiday.
Book Review: Terrible, absolutely terrible
Summary: 1 Stars
I'm half way through this and I'm scanning like crazy. Can't wait for it to be over! No wonder Patterson's chapters are only 2 pages long -- there's no substance, the story is fragmented - totally lacks cohesion.
Didn't care for some of his others either -- cookie cutter templates that lack credibility and substance. I think Patterson is way past his prime for writing now.
Book Review: Terribly disappointing
Summary: 2 Stars
Anyone who has read the Dr. Alex Cross books inevitably must be touched by the story of Cross losing his wife, Maria, to a drive-by shooter when their children were babies. Years later, the case remains unsolved and Maria's death has had a huge impact on every aspect of Cross's life -- his family, his career, his personal life. So a book that focuses on Maria's unsolved murder and gives Alex the chance for redemption and closure should be a pivotal, premiere book in this series. Unfortunately, it falls far short of the mark. The narrative is disjointed, choppy and disconnected, jumping from person to person, across time periods and plot lines. Numerous threads are left unplucked, the characters are cardboard in their single dimensionality, and it just seems like Patterson is phoning this book in. Even worse, at points the novel reads like Patterson was paid for product placement, with nauseatingly positive references to Alex's new Mercedes in particular. This had the potential to be one of the best books in the series and ended up being one of the worst.Book Review: The Best Cross Ever!
Summary: 5 Stars
It is vintage Alex Cross the way that people remember the series as it began. Alex has decided to call his career in the FBI quits and take up private practice and caring for his three kids when a part of his past reappears in the DC area. His old buddy and partner from the DC Police Department John Sampson enlists his help in investigating a series of brutal rapes and murders that take him into confronting the man he has wanted the most: the man who killed his wife Maria over ten years ago. Does Alex get justice or revenge? This is one ride you won't want to get off until it is over. S.L. Chessor, author of Poodlums, Boogeymen and Booglers and My Tongue Fell Out.Poodlums, Boogeymen and Booglers: A Poetry CollectionMy Tongue Fell Out
Book Review: What pile of steamy dookie
Summary: 1 Stars
"Along Came a Spider," "Cat and Mouse," Kiss the Girls," and "Mary, Mary" are my favorite of the Cross books. I've been very disappointed with the recent adventures. I finished this book today, and was again disappointed. I think Patterson is lazy these days. His writing is just vague. My expectations were high before I started reading, "Cross." Patterson stated in an interview that this was the Cross novel to read. What a liar.
I just picked up Double Cross today at the library because I want to know where Alex cross is going. If I read the same kind of story line, I'll never read an Alex Cross novel again.
My advice, don't buy the book. That's what libraries are for.