Patterson mixes it up again with multiple (and international) psychopaths on the rampage. One of which is his old nemesis, Gary Soneji. There are some great action scenes in Cat and Mouse and Patterson captures the the tension well. As expected, the actual profiling of the criminal mind is shallow, and the main characters are somewhat superficial too, although existing readers will know what to expect - action and intrigue. Patterson fans will not be disappointed since Cat and Mouse has plenty of both. Longer than usual, Cat and Mouse is two stories interwoven and together they make an entertaining read. ( )

I liked this novel. Good action all through out. I didn't like the part that Thomas Pierce spoke. I didn't have a good vibe about him. He wasn't that interesting. I loved the ending. I'm happy that Alex Cross found someone that he could love. I found that he proposed really quick. I guess when you know your in love and you want to be with that person. It's the right thing to do. Overall I was satisfied with this novel. ( )

disapppointing and long on the cd reading. Tale too preposterous but then I am new to mysteries. Smith/Pierce murders and almost autopsies of the bodies. Alex Cross and family are targets but somehow live. Went on too long. ( )

Cat and Mouse is my first foray into the world of Alex Cross, a world written by James Patterson. While much better than the Iris Johansen novel I delved into last year, slightly above average is the best I can call this work. If this is an example of his style, I find myself wondering what all the fuss is about over Patterson’s writing.

Let’s go with the good stuff first. While Alex Cross is an ongoing character, and I understand this book comes in late in the series, I had no trouble getting into the feel of the character. Good character development in a short time is not too common. Cross had my empathy after only a short time into the story. Cross has not one but two world-class bad guys to contend with and they were not operating as a team. A very nice plot device and it was used effectively. There is gore, this is a murder mystery after all, but no more than is needed to make the point. Good restraint on the author’s part.

With an opening like this, why did it end up being just over middle of the road? Because the big plot twist was not too much of a surprise after all. While not exactly spelled out, it became obvious too quickly. One of the killers appeared to be killing people randomly while the police and the FBI frantically tried to find the pattern. It was there if you read carefully long before it was revealed by Cross. That is not giving the plot away. Cross is the hero, that’s what he’s supposed to do: solve the pattern.

Ironically, what elevated this story from sub-mediocrity was the romantic subplot. I’m not into romance novels, but a well-done truly romantic interlude is difficult to find. One that is not over the top in detail is even more rare. Patterson does not write the erotic scenes Murakami has shown in some of his works, but for a potboiler author, Patterson is very refreshing.

All told, Cat and Mouse made an interesting diversion during my daily commute. Good travel reading and suggested for best-seller / murder mystery lovers. If you prefer more thought in your reading, this book may leave something to be desired. ( )

More "unspeakable acts" performed by unstoppable evil serial killers. Fortunately Alex Cross is on the case. Decent page turner, but nothing outstanding. ( )