With series books I'd always recommend you start from book one and read in order. That's the point of them as opposed to stand alones - to get to know the series characters and follow their development as the series progresses. But in this case, if you are new to this series - how, why? - there's a whole load of catching up to be done so, well, just do your best!
So, we start with the death of the wife of the current vice president, shot dead in a car along with a politically active school principal. Both have lead, shall we say, interesting lives so initially it is unclear who was the main victim and who collateral damage. Sampson and Alex split up. Sampson following up Randall Christopher and Alex, along with FBI Special Agent Mahoney, concentrate on Kay Willingham.
Even though this is book 28, and I have read most of the preceding books, this series shows no sign of flagging. Whether this is due to the storylines and individual plots for each book or the fact that I have invested so much time in the main characters and their respective families that I am so excited about reconnecting with every book that I would pretty much follow whatever they do... I have seen Sampson mature in his relationships, I have followed Alex's love-life and watch his kids grow up. They are almost like family to me after all these years. Maybe that makes me biased. TBH I don't really care. I just know that when I start a new book in this series I am unlikely to be let down.
As well as a great series cast, we also have some good episode extras all as well crafted as the main players. We have a tight, well executed plot with all the twists turns and duplicitous behaviour necessary to keep the reader intrigued and engaged. Pacing is good and follows the narrative well. There's a bit of padding but nothing over the top and we also hear quite a bit from Alex's family but, as I said, that's the point of series books - to engage with the cast.
All in all, a good addition to an already well established series. Roll on next time. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

As two prominent figures are found murdered Alex and his team must pull all their resources together to solve the crime, while also working on other cases at the same time.
Avid Alex Cross readers might find the pace of this one slightly slower to previous reads, but it will draw you in just the same! As ever with James Patterson, you will not want to put it down as you become more entwined with each chapter you read.

What I find amazing with this series is Patterson’s ability to write something new and different each time. With other authors and series you often find that a couple of books in and the storyline is similar and can become predictable. Not the Alex Cross series. It’s always something new and exciting, new evil characters and plots, but still the same Alex and his family and colleagues, which develops through each book.

I don’t want to give much away as you just need to delve in and read it!! But I will say, have the tissues at the ready for there is one heartbreaking part to this story.


Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers and most importantly the author, for the chance to read this book, in exchange for an honest review.

Is it just me or does it feel like FOREVER since the last Alex Cross installment? Can you believe it's now book #28!

Well James Patterson most defhbrought him back with a bang!!

Once again we see Alex and John Sampson brought together to investigate a truly shocking double murder, but is all as it seems? As all of JP's novels there is always so much more going on than just one storyline.

I found myself 100% fully emerged by the end of the first chapter. Not only do we follow the investigations that are going on but as every Cross novel you find yourself within the bosom of the Cross Family. I think this is the first Cross book I have read though that doesn't overly focus on the children, they aren't in the forefront this time round which was a shame.

This time around brings some real sadness for John Sampson (no spoilers) so he may not play such a pivotal role within the crime investigation as per usual but his own story plays alongside.

You'll need to strap yourself in for this rollercoaster ride as you won't be able to let go until the very end.

5*

Huge thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK for the ARC.

Alex Cross is back for book 28! And it is very much reminiscent of the Alex Cross of old, with much more emphasis on the police work than there has been recently - and I loved it. You would absolutely want Alex and his team on your side if you were in trouble. All the gang is here for this one, and I love that Nanna Mama still rules the roost!

Alex and John Sampson are called the scene of a double murder, victims have been shot in the back of a car in the parking lot of a school. The couple are high profile and known to Alex. The male is his daughters school principal and the woman is Kay Willingham, the ex wife of the current vice president. This is going to be one hell of a case with the media all over it. Who would kill them and why? A suspect is soon in custody but Alex is not convinced and with good reasons. Along with his wife, Bree, the chief of police, they keep working the case, clues taking them somewhere they never expected it to.

Of course, as with all Alex Cross novels, there is so much more going on in the characters personal lives, The kids are growing up and the relationships of all the family members is developing.

This a rollercoaster ride, never letting go of the pace right til the end. I cannot recommend James Patterson books more.

thanks to Random House UK and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book to read.

Thanks to NetGalley and The Publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars rounded up

I am a big Alex Cross fan and always look forward to reading the next installment. I have to say this one really impressed me. The writing and depth of the story reminded me I why I got addicted to these books in the first place. Lots of red herrings and misdirection and not as formulaic as recent ones have been, All that was missing for me was a little more darkness and this would have been the perfect Alex Cross novel for me. A welcomed return to form for James Patterson with this one. Really enjoyed and really looking forward to the next one.

James Patterson does it again ! Love all of Alex Cross books, not only do you get a great page turner, you also get involved in his family life, very well written, can’t wait for the next one ! Would recommend to everyone.

Another great Alex Cross book. Winning formula that doesn’t disappoint. I’ve been a fan of Cross for years and really enjoy the mix of the family and the cases that he works on.

It's Alex Cross! Nothing much to say other than outstanding as usual!

My thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK for the opportunity to read and review honestly.

I had forgotten how much I love the Alex Cross books, hadn't read them for ages. It was like snuggling up by a fire on a cold winter's day (much like today). The characters felt together and it didn't matter that I had missed out a lot of the series I feel back to the fold.. I could see how they had grown in the years apart.

A nice easy read and glad I had done so.

I was given this book by net galley in exchange for an honest and fair review which I have done.

Alex Cross tries to lead a more balanced life, he is more focused on his family and less on murders and mayhem. Despite all good intentions he is soon involved in investigation of double murder, where he knows both of the victims. There are also some shootings and missing girls. Are these cases connected?

Classical Patterson, the reader knows what to expect. Some action, mistery and emotions.

Good read.

This is the first James Patterson book that I have actually read. I have listened to them on audio book and watched the odd film, so I was expecting a plausible and gripping plot with plenty of twists and turns and some action. This book delivered all of the above and as such was a very satisfying read. What took me by surprise, was the sensitive and emotional way that he wrote about an event in the book (no spoilers). I wasn't expecting it and it really added some depth to the story for me. I found Patterson's writing style very easy to read, and that along with the gripping plot made this book very hard to put down.

Loved this. I am a big Alex Cross fan. I love finding out more about Alex and his family and friends in every book. This story had me hooked from the start and kept me reading. I have read all of the series and I would definitely recommend it.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Exactly what it says on the tin, another Alex Cross instalment which I enjoyed for what it is!

Well paced, comforting read as you know the characters so well. Not overly detailed which sometimes puts me off.

Read if you like easy to read police/crime thrillers.

EIt's been a while since I've dripped into an Alex Cross book so reading Deadly Cross was like catching up with an old friend you've not seen in years. Alex Cross, Nana Mama and Sampson were welcome characters that I enjoyed reconnecting with.
The story begins when Alex Cross is called in as a consultant to the FBI when socialite and former wife of the Vice President are found shot dead in her car alongside her lover, the principle of the local school. Alex is now as a consultant for the FBI and is assigned the case by his girlfriend who also happens to be a chief detective in the police. Working together to solve this murder, Alex is drawn into other prominent murder cases that are happening.
Although this has the plot twists you come to expect from James Patterson I didn't enjoy this as much as I was hoping to and skipped forward a few times.
Although at times some elements of the case slotted in just too neatly for me, I think regular fans of James Patterson would en!oy this book. For me, I think I'm more of a 'Along came a Spider' kind of reader..

Just when you think Alex cross can't get any better , up comes Deadly Cross . Away you go, into his life and reading about his family as well as trying to guess who is the killer ! Hopefully all will turn out well , and yet every page makes you become unsure , how will he be able to work it out ? Then you read the last page , but wish you hadn't , because it was so good . Oh well ,let's hope their will be another case very soon .

This is my first Alex Cross book and I really enjoyed it!

The Vice President's ex-wife is found shot dead in a car parked next to a school alongside its Principal, with both their watches and jewellery stolen - you're left guessing until the very end who did it! Does it tie in with two other cases being investigated by Alex and his wife? You'll have to find out! A really good read - 5*.

A great book. I have to say that James Patterson have improved his writing style 100% and I enjoyed this book immensely. In the past his writing has become ho-hum, but this book and a couple of others I have recently read, his style has done a backflip and I can honestly say I loved the book and now am looking forward to more from Patterson.
Sampson and Cross are in a race to find the killer in two mysteries. An "important" couple murdered in their car, and girls going missing and then found dead. It takes them a lot of investigating to get to the bottom of each of the murders, and the twists in the storyline really were some of Patterson's best.
Highly recommend to anyone to pick up Patterson and give him a second chance if you were feeling not so interested after past books. Definitely looking for more to read from him soon.

I am an avid fan of the Alex Cross series, I welcome each book as I get to understand how the family changes. This book certainly does not disappoint it is full of the usual characters and situations Dr Cross gets into as an FBI consultant and Doctor. Alex and his police partner John Sampson are called to the high school where the body of a wealthy socialite Kay Willingham, who Alex knew socially, and the high school principal are found shot dead in the back of a car, they are in a compromising state. Alex joins up with FBI Special Agent Mahoney they trace Kay’s movements back to Alabama. Of course, all is not what it seems.

Another Alex Cross book by James Patterson and I couldn't wait to read it. This is one of my favourite series. A really great book and I will be recommending it to my friends. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me review this book.

The twenty eighth novel in James Patterson’s Alex Cross series and another incredibly well-written page-turner. As an avid Patterson reader, I was very excited to receive the latest Alex Cross thriller and read it in one day.

In Washington D.C., working as a metro PD consultant, Alex Cross helps his wife, Chief of Detectives Bree Stone and detective John Sampson investigate a string of rapes and killings of teenage girls, one of them known to Alex' children. Having killed roughly every two years, the killer is now escalating, his attacks becoming more frequent.

When two high profile victims are found shot and robbed in front of a school, Alex is also called in as an FBI consultant. One of the victims, Kay Willingham, ex-wife of the Vice President, Alex has a previous connection to, which lands him in hot water. Secret service, FBI and metro police are all vying for the case, which has garnered national attention, putting Bree under pressure as metro PD's new police commissioner wants a quick break in the case. The typical DC chaos ensues, with political intrigue, scheming, and meddling, journalists and bloggers out for blood, as well as lobbyists and power brokers.

The multi-state Willingham investigation takes Alex and FBI’s Ned Mahoney to Alabama, where Kay is from. Just as Alex and Mahoney get closer to solving the murder of Kay, and Bree and John Sampson are making headway on the rape murder cases, someone starts shooting celebrities, politicians and rich people in the bum in DC. In the midst of it all, tragedy strikes close to Alex and his family.

The main case is mostly slow and thorough detective work, interspersed with some high action, mainly in the second half of the book.
Complex connections become apparent, keeping the reader guessing until the very end. A thoroughly enjoyable read, highly recommended.

At the beginning of the book, Alex, along with his kids Jannie and Ali climbs a cliff in the Blue ridge mountains with an instructor, which sounds awesome. Being a fan of the Netflix series Ozark as well, I can relate to the Cross family’s binge.