Cross Fire (Alex Cross) (edition 2011)

The return of Alex's adversary Kyle Craig assumes the identity of FBI agent Max Siegel and ended up working with Cross to find two snipers mitch and denny who take it upon themselves to kill people of questionable ethics. Plus Alex and Bree Stone get married. ( )

Another great book from James Patterson. Alex is on the case of two snipers killing the unpopular elite of society. However his and his loved ones lives are put in danger after the appearance of Kyle Craig, his old nemesis who is determined that this time Alex Cross will die. ( )

I always enjoy a good story by James Patterson. The short chapters always make the book seem to go by fast!

I enjoyed the story in this book, and of course the ultimate outcome of Alex Cross as well.... ( )

CROSS FIRE by James Patterson
Published by Little Brown and Company
ISBN-13: 9780316036177
At the request of The Hachette Book Group, a HC book was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.

Synopsis (borrowed from B&N): Wedding bells ring
Detective Alex Cross and Bree's wedding plans are put on hold when Alex is called to the scene of the perfectly executed assassination of two of Washington D.C.'s most corrupt: a dirty congressmen and an underhanded lobbyist. Next, the elusive gunman begins picking off other crooked politicians, sparking a blaze of theories--is the marksman a hero or a vigilante?
A murderer returns
The case explodes, and the FBI assigns agent Max Siegel to the investigation. As Alex and Siegel battle over jurisdiction, the murders continue. It becomes clear that they are the work of a professional who has detailed knowledge of his victims' movements--information that only a Washington insider could possess.
Caught in a lethal cross fire
As Alex contends with the sniper, Siegel, and the wedding, he receives a call from his deadliest adversary, Kyle Craig. The Mastermind is in D.C. and will not relent until he has eliminated Cross and his family for good. With a supercharged blend of action, deception, and suspense, Cross Fire is James Patterson's most visceral and exciting Alex Cross novel ever.

My Thoughts and Opinion: Who doesn't like a classic James Patterson book with it's 2-4 page chapters, especially his long running Alex Cross series? I got hooked on his books many years ago, and Cross Fire was true to form. Dr. Alex Cross, Nana and the kids are all a central part of the story line and his devotion to his family makes the character even more likable. And in this book he finally gets married. The action is fast paced and as stated above, because of the short chapters, it is very easy to say "just one more chapter" and you find that you have read ten. A very quick read. Even though I enjoyed this novel because it was an "Alex Cross book", I found it to be predictable and lacking the high drama of investigation that one could find in his earlier books. Will I read another Patterson book? Yes....I still like his writing style.

My Rating: 3 ( )

Alex Cross and Kyle Craig meet face to face. Although this time, Craig has had plastic surgery to impersonate an FBI agent(Max Siegel) whom he murders in cold bloood. Craig, alias Siegel, is called upon to help Cross and the rest of the MDP solve what is called The Numbers Murders.

Cross and Craig are on a stake out together one night. Cross still does not realize that it is not Siegel. They begin talking and he asks Cross if he could kill Craig face to face, Cross replied no. Craig was really surprised about this information.

Cross marries a few weeks later and is on his honeymoon. He also invites his family to accompany he and his new bride which they did. Lo and behold, who should call Cross one morning, but Craig himself. Cross was shocked. He looked all around the secluded beacg area and spotted Craig holding a gun to his sons' head. Nobody messes around with his family.

The ending is a shocker. But one must remember, Kyle Craig thinks he is the Mastermind.

I always enjoy Alex Cross books. They keep you guessing during the whole book. It's hard to believe that Cross and Craig were once best buddies; now, they're arch enemies. Craig always tries to be one step ahead of Cross, but Cross questions his motives always.
I'm not sure how many Alex Cross books are left in the series but I'll be sad when they are gone. ( )