Another top installment to the cross series. As usual well written and I was gripped throughout,

Would definitely recommend and im looking forward to the next installment

I normally applaud a novel for its pace and page turning necessity but Criss Cross was way too much. No doubt James Patterson has a very strong following for his Alex Cross novels but I would have to say I’m not one. There is hardly any realism, the ‘clues’ he gives have the equivalent of flashing neon lights around them and there is little regard to subtlety to be found anywhere. Most characters are stereotypes, either square jawed, straight up sort of guys who would die for their country or the softer home made apple pie quaffing, family guys where children laugh, the dog barks and the sun sets. Oh, I forgot the central villain who runs rings around everyone, intelligent, merciless, an abundance of luck, tech savvy, carries an illogical grudge and always escapes despite being shot and a temporary paraplegic.
I did however read it to the end but it was more out of curiosity than literary merit.

Love James Patterson books and especially Alex Cross. Really enjoyed this one, tho you have to wonder have much can happen to one family!! They have the worst luck!! Decent plot and writing as always though this story is clearly going to run over a couple of books. It finished a bit abruptly but I can understand why! Thanks for letting me review the book.

While I normally love Alex Cross series, this one just didn’t hit the mark. I thought a lot of it was disjointed and I just wasn’t enthused about the past cases review. It won’t stop me anxiously awaiting the next one though!!!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced read copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

This is book #27 in the Alex Cross series. I have followed the series right from book #1 up to about book #22 when it felt like the series was getting a bit stale! I loved the early Alex Cross books but it did begin to feel that as the series went on the stories were becoming the same as the previous one! I saw this one and thought I’d revisit Alex and see if being away from this series for a while would make a difference!

I have to admit the story was very similar to other Alex Cross books I’ve read before, but I suppose that’s the nature of this genre – there is only so many different topics you can cover!! It was however, really nice to be back in the bosom of the Cross household and nice to see that Nana is still fussing over everyone, Alex and Bree are still together and Alex’s children are growing up fast! The storyline, as is usual with this author’s books, was fast paced, short chapters and lots of cliff-hangers! It was also particularly gruesome with bodies piling up (not always in whole pieces!) and even a visit to death row to turn your stomach even more!

The story switched back and forth between years previously and present day. The cliff-hangers had me biting at the bit for more and when the name of a blast from the past was mentioned I could feel the whole storyline begin to get exciting!! The story was predictable, but there were a few red herrings chucked in just to keep me on my toes! It was great to see so many familiar characters like Sampson and Bree, and interesting to see some new characters emerging. The book is left wide open for book #28 to carry on the story, which of course I will have to read to find out what happens!!

All in all, the storyline wasn’t as original as some other authors but I have to admit it was nice to be back into this author’s style of writing. I still think there is only so far a series of books can go, and I do wonder whether this particular series is reaching its conclusion! It is though a perfect read for a bit of escapism, so why not treat yourself!

I love James Pattersons books and this rises up amongst one of the best I have read, in fact read it in one day as totally unputdownable ( my own word)
Alex Cross is a man of many talents who now lends his abilities to his local police force in Washington, his wife Bree is police chief and he is still working with his trust friend Sampson
Everyone in the Alex Cross novels are there including nana mama, janine and his youngest boy Ali
As well as some of his past nemesis like Kyle Craig, yep I thought he had died years ago and Cross had seen him blown up
But he seems sto be back under the alias of 'M'
Alex chases this illusive man everywhere but he is always a step ahead of him
Then M snatches Ali and taunts cross about where his son is, will Cross find his little fire cracker of a son Ali
This book has it all as usual Patterson does not disappoint

This was a story full of twists and turns, every time I thought I knew ‘whodunnit ‘ I was wrong. There’s a lot to keep up with and the book goes back to and forth to a previous case but it was a very cleverly plotted book and you won’t regret reading it.
James Patterson always brings heart to his characters, particularly Alex Cross’s family and closest friend Samson which helps balance the sometimes horrific crimes - and these crimes are pretty horrific!
If you’re a James Patterson fan you’ll be glad you read the book, and if you’re not, well I think you soon will be.

Sorry to say that the story really did not live up to its hype. Most enjoyable parts for me were Nana Mama's aphorisms.

Alex Cross travels to be a witness at the execution of a killer that he and a former partner convicted. However, before the death certificate is even dry another killer strikes, one with alarming similarities to that of the recently deceased killer. Are they looking at a copycat? Did they get the right guy first time around?

The Edgerton family are wealthy beyond belief and they vow to ruin Alex and prove that he fromaed Michael. Can Alex prove the conviction was safe before the killer takes someone close to home?

This a great book and Mr ptterson has long been the master of the Craft but I do feel that the series is starting to log slightly. There are only so many times the Cross family can be in peril and survive.

Still a tightly crafted story, just wondering if it's time for Alex to retire and a new leading man emerge?

Alex Cross is back and this time better than ever . After witnessing a criminal he convicted put to death in The Electric Chair he is taunted by another murderer . He continues to hunt for him with his old friend Sampson . His family is threatened but he carries on with the hunt and brings it to a head . A fast moving thriller .

Another good story from James Patterson about one of his most popular characters, Alex Cross. However I found the plot a little confusing and it didn't hold my attention. There were too many references to villains in previous stories and although I suppose this was integral to the story it was a little boring. Not my favourite Alex Cross story and the ending was only partly resolved so I am presuming there will be a subsequent book. Maybe James Patterson should concentrate more on quality and quantity, churning out books so frequently only seems to detract from the depth of the story lines.

I am a long time fan of the Alex Cross series, its fast paced, plenty of drama although not exciting drama if you’re stuck in the middle of it, more run of the mill everyone dies drama as you would expect from a Cross book…. Alex & Samson are back together again and they make a great team running down and tracking what could be/is Alex’s arch enemy, could he really be back? Another great addition to this series.

I really like Patterson’s murder club series and hoped this would be as good. Alas it’s not very well written and the plot is very unlikely.. Dr Cross’s son is the only charsacter both real and interesting. . I really don’t like books which have cliffhangers and no proper conclusion.

While I am familiar with Alex Cross from films based on the stories, this is the first novel I have read featuring him. Apparently, it is number 27!

Alex and his family are threatened by an elusive serial killer so Alex must not only try to find the killer to solve the case but keep his family safe at the same time.

The novel works fine as a standalone novel.

The story is a real page-turner and although some of the paths the story would follow were predictable, there were plenty of surprises, even along the predictable paths.

I would recommend to others.

My thanks to NetGalley and publisher Random House UK, Cornerstone, for the ARC.

Well, James Patterson has once again given us a well-written, complex and innovative mystery/thriller!

"What in God's name have we done?" - Dr Alex Cross asks John Sampson, after witnessing the execution of Michael 'Mikey' Edgerton.
There are secrets to be revealed in this latest (#27) book featuring the consultant forensic psychologist.
Edgerton's wealthy family vow to prove Mikey was framed but Cross is convinced he was responsible for at least 8 murders.
Cross and Sampson are called to a murder scene where they discover a copy-cat killing displaying a personal note to Cross and signed by "M". This is now personal and Cross needs to protect his family. Who is "M" and just how does he manage to keep well ahead of the investigation into a slew of gruesome murders.
The narrative takes us intermittently back 12 years beforehand as Cross considers answers lay in old case notes and he re-visits his thoughts and actions at those times in relation to what's happening now.
Cross's family feature heavily in this particular story, giving us delightful family scenarios and interactions with his grandmother and 2 children, providing snippets of information which are woven into the investigation.
There are lots of twist, turns and red-herrings - just as you think Cross has it all worked out, you have to think again because "M" is targeting Cross directly amidst his killing spree. Is this psychopathic serial killer capable of out-foxing our Dr Cross?

Great read - wish more of these books would be turned into film.

Standard JP, love Alex Cross and his family, great story as always, fadt paced from beginning to end and wrapped up nicely, but with a little hint of what could come next

I received this ARC from Net Galley to give an honest review.
James Patterson is a brilliant storyteller and once again he has written another page turner. Once I started reading the book I found it difficult to put down. You get carried away with the story but you also enjoy his family the brilliant Nanna Mama the glue that holds the family together, his children that we all have cheered along the way also felt their fears. They play such a large part of his life and this is written brilliantly into his stories.
There was so many twists and turns you find your self going in so many directions the story is unpredictable but that is why his books so thrilling.
I do not want to give anything away in the story but if you like to sit on the edge of your seat then please read this book you will enjoy it and go back for more’

Found this book amazing! Would love to read more of her books.
5**** from me
Would definitely recommend this to others

⭐️⭐️⭐️ this is an ok book. I think if I hadn’t read previous books by the author I would have enjoyed it more.

But for me it’s a bit of same old same old. Someone getting the better of Alex? His family at risk? How is nana mama still going?!

Anyway it was enjoyable enough but didn’t blow me away sorry.

Having been a fan of James Patterson and particularly the Alex Cross series I was a little disappointed in Criss Cross.
Whilst well written it is a bit ‘samey’ . Alex Cross’s family are at risk again from a mass murderer.
I did read it in one sitting and enjoyed it but not as much as his previous books.
There a quite a few red herrings and twists in the storyline but some of these are obvious.
It is the law of diminishing returns- having read all of the previous ones I think I didn’t find it as exciting.