Cross My Heart

Alex Cross and his wife, Bree, have a lot going on in this book. With the murder rate in D.C. souring out of control, they are both chasing killers by day, then dealing with the kids and a remodel at home by night. When they start hunting a baby kidnapper/killer, the job consumes them. Unfortunately, while Alex isn't paying attention, a vicious psycho named Marcus Sunday is working his way into Alex's life, intent on destroying everything he holds dear. This book is face-paced and action-packed until the last page, where it ends abruptly in the middle of the story! Even though the Alex Cross books are a series, and an open ending is typical, this is still not a nice thing for an author to do. I will have to grab the next book to find show more out what happens to Alex's family. show less

Alex Cross book # 21

I took a long break between the last book and this one. It was time for me to move on, take some time off, read something else in order to enjoy Alex Cross sagas at a later date. Oh boy, I didn’t know I would take 8 years to pick up this series again. I am happy I did, I admit to have enjoyed every bit of the time I spent with Alex.

I must say that James Patterson has a knack for writing fast-paced, engaging stories that gripped from the first page. In “Cross My Heart” Alex is investigating a string of murders while he is being stalked and provoked by a psychopath obsessed with him and determined to torment him by targeting his family. The man knows that nothing matters more to Alex that his children, his show more grandmother and his wife and uses Alex’s strength as a weapon against him.

This story definitely has much more emotional fell. We can sense Alex’s pain as he not only had to deal with what was happening to his family but hold himself back not to make things worse. It was hard not to react and feel somewhat apprehensive during the last chapter and as I was wondering where the storyline would bring me. My heart was on a roller coaster ride and a thousand questions crossing my mind...” This cannot be happening ....is this ever going to end....oh no what else.. There is so much going on that my thoughts will exceed my objective of writing short reviews. So it is up to you to discover the ins and outs....

Well, this book doesn’t have an actual ending but what an ending it was: bold, dramatic, jaw-dropping. This cliff-hanger ending may be disappointing although I am certain the drama may continue in the next installment “Hope to Die” which no doubts will give us another exciting ride. show less

For a long time, I have wondered what has gotten into James Patterson. His books have become flat, run-of the mill plots and totally unbelievable plots, not to mention the characters, which lack depth and/or interest. Now, I have come to realize that he has peaked as an author and may be on his way down. This latest installment of the Alex Cross series packs the usual excitement and interest earlier books in the series did, but it lacks and ending. I guess he thinks his fan base is so secure that he can write a 400 page book, fill it with an exciting plot, and leave the reader hanging, with no ending, figuring the reader will naturally just buy the follow-on book to see what happens. Based on reviews I have read, most other readers are show more as disappointed as I am that this author, who gave us so much, has resorted to a dirty trick to sell his books. I am luckier than many, because I got my copy from the local library and didn’t waste my money on this one. Cranking out books as often as he has been doing takes its toll, and we are seeing it right here. He probably is not selling as many books as he once did (they are now inferior to those from earlier times), and needs to resort to tricks to ensure future sales. Needless to say, I am sorely disappointed with this book and with the author. Not sure whether I will be reading the next book in the series. I sure won’t be buying it if I do. The story in this one is good, and the characters are pretty good, though both are a bit unbelievable, but the ending to this book is terrible. I hope he gets the message from his readers, but I suspect he will be laughing all the way to the bank on this one. show less

One of the better Alex Cross books in recent years. Bree Stone is tasked with solving two baby kidnappings while Alex and John Sampson work on a mass shooting at a massage parlor (whorehouse), where a famous local football player is among the dead. Tipped off by a man stalking Alex and his family, they find out this is the third instance of these crimes, and have a definitive timetable for catching the culprit. Meanwhile, the man and his partner plan to inflict the worst sort of sadistic torture on Alex. Do not be fooled by the lower ratings on this book, which are dissatisfaction for a cliffhanger ending.

The story interweaves a couple of different plots nicely and keeps us reading at a very good pace. A psycho is after Alex and his family, Characters develop, bad guys emerge... Then the book ended, or I should say, it didn't end. It just ran out of words. I'm lucky, the book was on loan from a library so I don't feel like I've been rooked out of $15 for a hard cover book.

First published in 2013 Cross My Heart is the twenty-first book in the Alex Cross series by James Patterson. This happens to be the first part of a story which continues in to the next book Hope to Die. Cross My Heart is a welcome return to form for the series after a couple of weaker outings for Cross.

It has been a very busy few months for the homicide detectives of Metro PD. Cross and Sampson are under pressure to close cases and it had not even reached Easter and they both knew it could only get worse with the rest of the year to face. When a mass homicide is called in at a Washington brothel with no survivors will make the case hard. When another brothel massacre occurs Cross does find a survivor who can aid the investigation. His show more wife, Bree, is investigating the mysterious disappearance of babies from their homes and one from daycare. Cross and Bree need to get their heads together so they can solve both investigations.

Cross does not realise that he is being watched his every move recorded and kept. The person spying on him also happens to be spying on all his family. The watcher has even planted bugs in the Cross residence so he can gather as much information as possible on the family. This becomes clear to Cross when his family is kidnaped, and he is being taunted about the fact by the perpetrator. It is only with the help of Ava who finds Cross that things start to make sense and is able to get him out of the fug state he is in. Cross now knows what he needs to do.

This really a gripping read that keeps you enthralled from beginning to the end. Wondering if the hunter knows that he has become the hunted, and someone is intent on crushing Cross. It is only the youngest, Ali with a belief in Zombies who says he can smell them that sets a pace for Cross to follow.

An excellent read and return to form for Cross. show less

I was going to give it four stars because it is a cranked out Alex Cross book which I love to read...then the last 50 pages made me give it five stars. Patterson has taken it to the next level is all I am going to say to avoid a spoiler!