Deadly Cross

When a wealthy, Southern socialite, Kay Willingham, and the founder and principal of Harrison Charter High School in DC, Randall Christopher, are found shot to death while having sex in the school's parking lot, Alex Cross is called in to help his friend and FBI agent, Ned Mahoney, investigate. It turns out that Alex knew Kay personally, and his daughter, Jannie, attends HCH. When Kay's ex-husband, J. Walter Willingham, the VP of the United States, becomes involved, the pressure is turned up to find the killer. Meanwhile, DC Metro's Police Chief and Alex's wife, Bree, is being pressured by her new boss to find a serial rapist/murderer of teenage girls and a crazy person shooting rich people in the ass.

This book features several show more converging plot lines where the action never quits. The author takes our hero, Cross, to Alabama looking for Kay's murderer, then to Virginia hunting a seditious killer. Mixed in with the police procedures, Alex's friend, John Sampson, suffers a catastrophic loss, and Bree is forced to make a life-changing decision. I found this edition in the series to be electrifying and moving—one of the best so far. show less

FBI special agent Ned Mahoney, Doctor Alex Cross, and DC Metro Homicide detective John Sampson investigate the double murder of Washington socialite [and ex-wife of the vice-president] Kay Willingham and Randall Christopher, the headmaster of a private school. When the case leads Alex and Ned to Alabama, they uncover long-held secrets, lies, and corruption.

At the same time, DC Metro Police Chief of Detectives Bree Stone and Chief of Police Bryan Michaels investigate the random street shooting of people, all struck in the derriere. And the on-going investigation into the abduction, rape, and murder of local young girls takes on a new urgency when more girls disappear.

Can Alex unravel the secrets and bring the murderer to justice? And show more can the police find the girls before they, too, meet their deaths?

In this, the twenty-eighth outing for Alex Cross, most of the expected characters are in place; well-defined and much like old friends, they greet the reader as the story unfolds with non-stop action. Unexpected revelations help build suspense and the author’s trademark short chapters keep the tension building. Anchored by a strong sense of place, the story twists and turns, bringing readers several surprises as the unputdownable tale spins out.

Despite being part of a long-running series, the book works as a stand-alone since it weaves sufficient backstory into the telling of the tale to keep everything nicely humming along. There’s much to appreciate in this captivating addition to the Alex Cross canon.

Highly recommended. show less

Back to the cross of old. Loved it! Too many lately were psychos chasing the cross family it was nice to get back to the great cross family who happen to also fight crime. Not five stars only because they are surface level book junkie reads not deep thought provoking life changing books but five star compared to other Alex cross books for sure!

I hesitate to review any novel with less than four stars because I know the work behind a book. The exception arises from the fact a mega author like Patterson has to be above criticism. The solution is so convenient it comes close to violating fair play.

Deadly Cross – Another Patterson Classic

When Patterson is on familiar ground with familiar characters, even though murder is involved, it is like reading a thriller comfort blanket. You may know what you will get, Alex Cross the victorious investigator in the end. But that never detracts from the writing or the story, Cross being the best in the business is a happy coincidence.

When the glamourous ex-wife of the Vice-President, and a school principal are found murdered in the back of her car, on school grounds, so starts a tale of corruption, lies and any attempt at murder possible. While there is a side-story of an ongoing investigation that Cross, and his partner also need to complete.

The side-story is a race against time to solve a show more serial killer who has the habit of kidnaping females and then murdering them at a later date. This investigation almost collides with Cross’ socialite murder case.

During the investigations, tragedy strikes Cross’ friend and colleague, when his wife dies due to heart disease brought about by lymes disease. Alex Cross manages to step up for his friends and colleague, whilst keeping the investigation on track.

While other investigators may be thrown off course by the various events that happen around Washington DC, it does not bother Cross, who will successfully lead the investigations to a conclusion. Then he can head off and be a family man once again with his children and wife. show less

Fast paced and engaging. Two chapters at the end went into third person for no apparent reason. Took me out of the story as it was building to the end. Still, entertaining.

When 2 people are murdered behind a school, Alex is called to investigate. Shockingly, he knows both of the victims. On top of that, there are young girls being raped and murdered in the vicinity of the school. Is there a connection?
Alex’s investigation has him delving into the past of one of the victims and finding a trail of evidence.
Always well written, this latest Alex Cross is suspenseful and tense enough to keep you entertained throughout.
#DeadlyCross #JamesPatterson