Cross Fire

Alex Cross #17

by James Patterson

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.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Crime, Suspense, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook

356 pages, Hardcover

First published November 15, 2010

About the author

Official US Site
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JIMMY Patterson Books
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James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.

Reviews

[Suzzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Alex Cross installment was good on both the personal front plot and the crime plots. Crazy good to have the Kyle Craig aspect to come front and center for the length of the book in and out. Sometimes he dropped in at the end of one of the installments and it was, “oh, come on!” I find his and Alex’s chase interesting and it this book took it to even higher heights. Awesome last few chapters! Read this one in one sitting.

My quick and simple overall: some happy moments and some thrilling moments made for a quick, interesting read.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patterson can write and tell a good story when he wants to.

[Daniel Audet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished Cross Fire a couple of days ago and amid the storm of activity around the ranch here I tried to best organize my thoughts to a point where this review would not be too rambling. The thing that stands out the most for me with this newest edition in the Alex Cross saga series is this: No matter what you may read posted by book reviewers, book critics, literary purists(if there is such a thing), thriller genre fans and writer bloggers is this: James Patterson IS and has a style all his own and he has a razor sharp, clear and familiar voice. I am often surprised at his really clever single word usage to describe gesture, or indicative body motions, or to narrate and announce pivot moments in the plot by a single one word thought which bring us deep, deeper or back into the characters mind and effortlessly manipulates our thoughts as readers. Even those of us, as writers, who read his work can't out think him or race ahead in terms of what we might expect. Yes, to an extent we can pretty much guess Alex will survive and live on to battle the crime world's best efforts to wreak havoc on the earth, but still, Patterson's skill level is so high we feel as though we've been upgraded to first class from the baggage compartment after just a few pages into any book we read from him. We love Alex's family too, we think some of his co-workers need to be smacked while others need to be commended for seeing him as WE do. We pull for him when he's in danger, which is a lot, urge him to look behind himself as the maniacal evil genius Kyle creeps up behind him now and again. Cross Fire, for me was part formulaic mastercraft(newsflash kids - so is everyone else's in one way or another) and ALL brilliance. I never struggle to read on, I am never disappointed in the overall "concept" (whatever that REALLY means), and I walk away, as a writer, feeling like I should go back to school.....
Whatever reasons motivate you to read, this book will not, should not, disappoint you. There are many genres and sub-genres but in the field of bestselling thriller fiction there's a real and good reason Patterson is KING and Cross Fire is another example of that. And, you can bet that the next installment in the Alex Cross series will be in my hands soon enough.
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I started reading Cross Fire the other day. In typical James Patterson style, Alex Cross, our hero, is thrust into 2 very serious situations right off the bat. His old enemy is back which adds a deep and heavy dose of poison tension to the mix while Alex tries to stabilize his life with girlfriend Bree, also a capable law enforcement agent. Patterson's writing has become a benchmark in the publishing world, and in my opinion for good reason. His trademark quips, one word descriptions, such as "chinned" (meaning a physical indication head movement) and many others keep me as a writer looking for the method to his success in every book he writes. For me, the first person narration is a key element in Patterson's appeal. He is able to take us into the mind of the characters and it's as if we are seeing and feeling what they do. I believe this is one of Mr. P's big attractions to so many millions around the world and because he makes it look so easy, for me, as a writer, his work is a case study in writing style and technique both in the craft of writing and the art of story telling.
I'm coming up on page 200 or so and will read a bit more today. You don't need me to tell you what or whom to read folks but this should be on your list of books to read, no matter what genre you like. Formula? Yeah maybe, but don't let that stop you from studying yet another in the series by a modern master, you can't help but be better off as a writer and/or be entertained as a fan. More on this fast read soon!

[Lucy'sLilLibrary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was so close to being a four star read but there was too much I didn't like, another Alex Cross and another average rating, I think once I have read all the Alex Cross books I own this series will be over for me.

I was happy that Kyle Craig was back, but I can't help thinking that his character has ran his course and I want a new big bad guy to take over. JP is back at it with his awkward sex scenes, I honestly just wish he'd leave them out at this point. There are two plots going on in this one, one Kyle Craig and the other a sniper plot. Sniper plots really aren't my cup of tea, I find them boring. I'm not really interested in guns or ballistics and I think the crimes feel so impersonal. The Max Sigel/Kyle Craig was interesting though, having inside knowledge that Alex Cross didn't have was fun.

It was like one plot was a two star and the other a four star, I would have preferred JP to stick with the Kyle Craig plot but to really go for it. As always the chapters were quick and snappy it was easy to read and follow, time always seems to fly by when I read this series but it's feeling a little stale now.

[Susy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
Action and suspense make this a fast read. This is my first James Patterson and I really liked it. The first two instalments were made into movies, and both were great. So maybe I should just start the Alex Cross series from the beginning (this book was given to me...quite some time ago....by someone....). And I would, starting today even, if it weren't for all the other books I have on my TBR. The many, many instalments are holding me off a bit and my memory is so bad, that reading one once in a while doesn't work for me cause I'd be forgetting important details referred to in later books....

[Gareth Otton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well it's about time that the Kyle Craig storyline was done with once and for all. This is the 11th book since we found out that Kyle Craig was the Mastermind and finally he got what was coming to him... and in such anti-climactic fashion.

I think this is going to have to be my first negative review of James Patterson novel. After waiting for so long to see Kyle get what was coming to him and to have it end as it did in this story was so disappointing. There were no fiendishly clever and terrifying plots that Alex had to fight through, there was little real collateral damage to Alex and his family and most of all it seemed in the end that Kyle actually gave himself up to Alex to be taken down... really... he was the MASTERMIND!

Nothing about the final act of this book told me that there was a mastermind at work here and it was only by sheer luck that Alex took him down in any form, sheer luck and the aid of Bree. This was James Patterson's chance to show just how good Alex Cross really could be. Forget the other killers and concentrate on Craig, have Alex hunt him down as he should have been doing the second he broke out of prison and finally end this once and for all thanks to simply outwitting the man who was in love with his own brilliance.

Very disappointing and not worth the 12 books (from Roses are Read to Cross Fire) it took to get there. But at least it is finally over and maybe we can move on to bigger and better things!

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cross Fire (Alex Cross, #17) by james Patterson.

Alex Cross comes face to face with his old nemesis...or does he??? Another fantastic, not to be missed, Alex Cross book. Just when I think J.P. couldn't possibly keep up another mind-boggling story-he does it again.

5 stars.

[Monique · Rating 3 out of 5]

So my first novel by James Patterson which is surprising because even I know he has written a ton of novels..and I must check out more as his writing is crisp, engaging and easy to read, you find yourself tearing through pages and looking up to see half the book is gone and that is wonderful talent...In this seventeenth installment (I know I know I have to read more of the series) Detective Alex Cross is newly engaged and back in touch with his arch nemesis Kyle Craig who basically wants to destroy him. As always I am immediately drawn to the bad guy, the pyscho killer to find out why they do what they, what drives them, and how can they be smart enough to elude capture for so long and pull off some sick kills. I loved Kyle Craig in this book from his intriguing intro where he is getting a face lift to look like another FBI agent he has killed, new face, walk, talk everything--brilliant. I didn't really care for his methods as an ice pick to the neck was kinda..yawn..LOL...But I enjoyed everything else about him and the mounting tension in the relationship between Alex and Max Siegel/Kyle Craig. It was really a distraction to read about another serial killer as he was not very developed so I didnt really care too much for him..I really enjoyed the suspense of the meeting between Max Siegel/Kyle Craig when he would reveal who he is but found that scene a little disappointing for the time it was drawn out..Alex Cross was interesting as a character and I get that he is the good guy who we should root for but I have to read more to gauge my feelings for him. I mean you know he's gonna win and defeat the elusive Kyle Craig its just a race to end to figure out how and when..I suppose finding out more of that backstory would definitely help me accurately rate this book but as a stand alone novel highly recommended as "the best in the series" I did enjoy it..thanks for the fast read and recommended for those that like a great cat and mouse kinda cops and serial killers thrill ride LOL..

[Alaina · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot has happened in Cross Fire, like Alex Cross getting married. Oh, and don't forget that Kyle Craig is back. But of course Cross still somehow makes stupid mistakes within this book - which is just frustrating beyond relief.

I don't really know how I truly feel about this book and I'm kind of scared to rate this book based on my review because I'm just kind of all over the place. No, it wasn't boring to read at all. But yes, I did get annoyed with a bunch of things. I do like to see some old villains reappearing but then it takes Alex forever to solve the crime or catch the killer.

I also just don't care about him marrying Bree - sorry, I just don't. I'm not here for the romance I'm here for the murders.

[Brittany McCann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the first 3/4 of the book. The ending felt rushed, though, after all of the lead-up. The numbers killer was ended in a cop-out way as well. I wish there would have been more details and we could have known more about that one.

I get why Patterson gave Alex a wife, but of all of the women, I just haven't been a big fan of Bree.

Overall, I was happy to have Alex back, but a few things detracted from the greatness.

3 Stars for me.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Preparations are underway for the wedding of Alex Cross and Bree Stone. Alex’s family is excited and happy about the wedding. Kyle Craig, Alex’s sworn enemy, is thinking about Alex’s wedding and determined to do whatever is necessary to make Alex’s life miserable. His plans to disrupt the wedding sound perfect.

Alex’s wedding is put on hold when a gunman begins a killing spree. The killer’s victims include people whose names are well known in Washington not only for their positions but also for their corruption. Max Siegel of the Washington field office steps in to assist with the investigation. Alex is not pleased with this arrangement and has an immediate dislike for Siegel.

As if Alex doesn’t have enough on his plate, he receives a phone call from Kyle Craig. Alex suspects that Kyle is in Washington but has no idea how to find him. Alex is seeking at least one shooter and maybe two, working with Siegel and trying to keep his home life in order and that is not an easy task.

Cross Fire is full of the characters of previous Cross books that Cross fans will enjoy reading about. The story is complicated with a lot of action. Kyle is always there – just out of Alex’s reach.

This latest addition to the Alex Cross series is one that Patterson fans will not want to miss.

[Mike · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have always been a fan of James Patterson, and of the Alex Cross series. This book was written in the same style, that makes for a very quick read. Unfortunately, this is the first book I have read in a very long time that I considered not finishing. The plot dragged along and was predictable. The only part of the book that ended too quickly was the end...it seemed like James Patterson was writing to hit a prescribed number of words, and once reached, wrap up the book as quickly as possible. This is the last Alex Cross book I will be reading.

[Ms. Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Patterson's reads are engaging, which can be a bad thing when you're so caught up in the story you pick apart every scene of the book.

Cross, to me, is not a reliable character. One book he'll come up with all the ideas and be hot on the trail of his killer, the next and he's clueless. I still don't know who he works for full time.

This one was action packed and I loved the fact that Bree has all the qualities that Cross needs to keep him balanced. She fits in well.

The baby-momma issue needs to stop altogether.

On to the next.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of Det. Alex Cross's hated enemies is Kyle Craig. Craig has escaped from prison and
is seeking revenge against Cross. Craig kills FBI agent Max Siegel and then has plastic surgery to make himself look like Siegel then he learns everything he can about Siegle's life.

In Washington, D.C. Alex Cross has proposed to Brianna Stone. Shortly thereafter he's called to investgigate a sniper assassination of two of Washington's politicians who were under investigation for corruption.

When another sniper killing takes place and this person was under investigation for criminal activity, the killers are praised in the media and officials realize they might be dealing with another case similar to the Beltway Sniper.

Kyle, posing as FBI agent Max Siegel gets assigned to the case and is able to move his plan for revenge into high gear. With Cross not suspecting anything from a fellow officer, there is excellent suspense.

The story is a page turner but the reader has to suspend their concept that someone could assume another person's identification, have plastic surgery and not have the other person's co-workers suspect that this isn't the person who they thought.

Even with this skepticism, James Patterson shows that he's the master of nail biters because he still gets the reader's involvement in the case. The reader turns the pages wondering how Cross will find the sniper team and how he will stop Craig before Craig takes revenge on Cross and his family.

[Kay Van Slyke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good one! Alex finally gets married and we see the last of Kyle Craig. Thank goodness. There are a couple of other killers running loose. Kyle Craig spends lots of money making himself looking like a former FBI agent named Max Siegel. He is still determined to kill Alex Cross but to do so he works hard to become Max and gets assigned to a couple of Alex's cases. A numbers killer named Stanislaw Wajda who is pretty much insane. Kyle even commits a few murders of his own to make them look like Wajda's. But he kills Wajda and leaves a special note for Alex. This murder being his wedding present. Another case that runs throughout the book involves Denny and Mitch who are murdering high profile corrupt individuals. Denny kills Mitch and Kyle kills Denny for Alex. Kyle follows Alex on his honeymoon and confronts him at the hotel where he is staying. He uses his children to draw Alex out. In the end Alex is able to shoot Kyle in the legs. While he is being loaded into the ambulance Kyle retrieves one of the officers guns. There were gunshots fired and Kyle's oxygen tank explodes as well as the fuel tank for the ambulance. Yeah, Kyle is finally out of Alex's life and Bree is in!!! Based on the last chapter maybe Alex will get to work with Lindsey Boxer from the Ladies Murder Club in the next book.

[Baba · Rating 2 out of 5]

As Alex Cross and Brie plan their wedding… two serial killers start working their way through DC… one a maths nut, the other a bit of a media sensation as he appears to be killing crooked people in power. If that isn't enough for Cross to handle, Cross Fire features the return of the Mastermind, Kyle Craig, who manages to get himself entangled in Cross's life without Cross knowing. I feel that this episode should have been a lot better than it is, featuring the return of Mastermind. 5 out of 12

[Michael crage · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Patterson Alex Cross book. That is enough to tell you it is good. Alex has three different cases going on in this book. First the alphabet killer, second someone killing high profile people who are not exactly nice people and 3rd Kyle Craig has escaped and is back in Alex's life. And Alex and Bree get married near the end of the book.

[Paulo Pires · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.3
«Alex está à beira do casamento com Bree, a vida pessoal de Alex está em alta.
Em Washington a corrupção está a ser atacada, ou melhor eliminada, literalmente!
Um atirador furtivo mata cirurgicamente elementos da sociedade que são corruptos, dividindo a opinião pública.
Alex é chamado a investigar, mas o pior inimigo de Alex Cross, Kyle Craig, está de volta, com um plano surpreendentemente engenhoso, e uma vez mais a família de Alex está em perigo. Como conseguirá Alex resolver tantas adversidades?

Este é o 17ª livro da série de Alex Cross, e tem um título interessante havendo além do evidente significado um trocadilho com o nome da personagem (o titulo original é Cross Fire), trocadilho que volta a acontecer noutras alturas ao longo da narrativa.

É incrível como a fórmula continua a funcionar, com uma escrita coerente e límpida através de curtos capítulos criam o ambiente propício a mais uma fantástica história, que é o que acontece aqui. E por mais simples que seja o conceito, ou por mais simples que James Patterson o faça parecer, o certo é que não é alcançado com tanto êxito por outros autores.

As personagens foram habilmente talhadas e houve o cuidado de dar ao leitor a proximidade necessária para criar empatia. Aliás este é um dos muitos atributos do autor, esta capacidade de gerar proximidade e encetar diálogo leitor vs personagens.

Sobre a história, Alex Cross vê-se obrigado a interromper os seus planos de casamento para investigar homicídios de pessoas corruptas. No decurso das investigações, Alex é também chamado a investigar uns estranhos crimes, cujas vítimas apresentam números talhados em seus corpos. Mas Craig, o seu eterno rival, está de volta não facilitando a vida de Alex, e tem um objectivo bem definido: Matar Alex, só ainda não escolheu a forma!

Estas constantes e crescentes adversidades dão dinamismo ao enredo e prendem o leitor.
A história está bem conseguida, incluí o suspense, a acção e a intensidade (...)


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[David Savage · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detective Alex Cross is back in the 17th novel of this best selling series. In my opinion it is the best Alex Cross novel to date, James Patterson at his best.

It starts with a chilling murder committed by ‘The Mastermind’, readers of the previous novels will know who this is. From here on it just gets better and better.

A sniper is going around Washington killing “the bad guys from the newspapers”, high profile targets including politicians, judges and heads of companies. Is the killer working alone and is someone else pulling the strings? Who would want these people dead and for what reason?

Alex Cross is put in charge of the sniper killings and at the same time there are also the bizarre deaths of homeless men with strange numbers carved into their bodies. Alex is overworked and also planning his wedding to Bree so takes the help of an FBI who he dislikes.

Will Alex solve the murders and catch the killers? Will Kyle Craig get his revenge or be captured and taken back to maximum security?

This is a great fast paced, action packed thriller from page 1 right to the climatic finish. It leaves you wanting more. It is well written with believable characters. You don’t have to have read any of the previous novels to understand what is going on, but if you haven’t read the other books in this series this will make you want to read them all. It is action packed, fast paced and not a dull moment. It is definitely worth the money and the time to read. You will not be disappointed.

[Paula Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alex Cross is back and it's not a surprise that the case he has to solve involves a whole lot of drama and mystery. With Alex Cross , comes a lot of Family drama , work commitments and the life of serial killers and pyschos. In Cross Fire we see Alex Cross's ol' enemy and ex-best friend Kyle Craig - "Mastermind" escape from prison and read as he kills an Undercover FBI agent Max Siegel and takes his place as a field agent. Meanwhile Alex Cross and his good friend/partner John Sampson are working on a sniper case that is killing some of the city's top and important men, are these ex-special forces or are they just a couple of guys who are into killing with snipers, and of course if trying to solve a few murders and stop his own and his families from happening Alex Cross is planning a wedding with Detective Bree Stone - a perfect pair that the PD has started to call Breelex -taking after the whole Brad and Angelina nickname of Brangelina and of course nothing ever goes smoothly in Alex Cross's life and marriage with his ex-wife Christina - Ali's mum back in the picture with something fishy happening.
For Alex Cross , its just another day in the life of being a Homicide Detective and a member of the Cross family and for readers, its another joy as we turn with eagerness each page.

[Sarah Nessler · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 17th installment of the Alex Cross series and yet again another striking novel. I have yet to tire of this endless series. The elusive Kyle Craig is back haunting Alex Cross since his escape at the maximum security prison. Max Siegel aka Kyle Craig that's right Kyle Craig becomes someone else although I am not going to provide the detail behind because I really feel you should read the series but anyway it was quite the plot twist for the beginning of the book. So many ups and downs yet again multiple serial killings and a page turner down the very end. The thing that I liked most about James Patterson's style is that he always some surprise that is lurking around the corner. That as well I am not going to give away but I will give one hint that he brings another one of his book series in for the ride. Although there is not much detail behind the why it is just enough taste to make you want to pick up the next book. Bravo Patterson, may you never end this series it has been one of my favorites for quite some time!

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have enjoyed all of the Alex Cross books that I have read and I love Patterson's style. His crisp, short chapters are a trademark and he keeps you turning the pages until before you know it, the book is finished!

In most thrillers there is a hidden element and you wonder what it is. If the book is well written, you don't figure it out until the end. In this book, there is a twist and Patterson discloses an event right at the beginning of the story and you are wondering how Alex will figure this out and when. Alex has had to put his marriage on hold as he chases down the killer to high profile people in DC, but there is not a lot of sadness around their deaths since they are pretty immoral, unethical folks that are being wiped out. Alex also discovers that his buddy Kyle Craig is NOT dead and is threatening to destroy Alex and everyone that he cares about. Yet another exciting page turner by Patterson.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Patterson brings back fan favorite Alex Cross for a 17th time with this volume, and this time it is an opportunity to come up with his former friend and nemesis, Kyle Craig, who has been lurking around in the background of the last few books. The novel starts with Craig getting the finishing touches on a round of plastic surgery that will allow him to work his way back into the FBI under the guise of another agent who had been working undercover on a case for the last few years. As a result, he will be back in the Washington area to get get his final revenge on Alex for sending him to a high security, solitary confinement prison in Colorado for years before escaping.

Life for the Cross family seems to be going well. The two older kids are making their way in the world, settling into successful school careers and Nana Mama still sticking around to take care of the whole gang. Alex and his girlfriend and fellow police officer Bree Stone are getting really serious, and there is talk about wedding bells in the air.

All of this is taking place as two series of killings seem to be hitting the capital city. The first set is targeting good folks turned bad in what appears to be a vigilante sniper shooting spree. The victims include company executives that cheated employees out of the retirement investments and a number of others who seem ripped from the headlines of the last few years. In some ways, the public seems to be on the side of the snipers since they are being viewed as messengers of justice.

The other murders seem to be drawn from one of Alex's former cases as all the bodies are turning up with numbers carved into their bodies. Other than that, the clues are pretty limited.

Alex is working frantically to get to the bottom of the cases while also trying to fend of Kyle Craig who has sent a message that he is keeping his eye on the whole Cross family. While Alex doesn't know that he is working directly with him under his new guise. Will they be able to work together to solve the cases? Could Craig actually be connected (or even directing) the murders? Will Alex be able to find Craig before any of the Cross clan end up hurt or dead themselves?

This is a typical Cross tale, though I thought it was a off to a slow start. I did end up enjoying it quite a bit, though I am a bit baffled by the fact that Patterson once again brought back Christine, the former school principal and mother of Alex's youngest son Ali, to once again show off how crazy she is. It seems to serve no purpose other than to further debase the poor woman, whose life seem to flip out of control after she was taking hostage to punish Alex by one of his other criminal targets because she was his wife. If anything, I think these little cameos make Alex seem like a totally selfish and unsympathetic character when you figure how much Christine has lost because of him, yet he fells no compassion for her. To make matters worse, the events never seem to add anything to the novels in which they occur go figure.

If you are into the Cross series, then this is definitely a must read because Kyle Craig as a challenger for Cross is always a guaranteed hit. As usual, it is a quick read high on action and conversation between characters, but not really all that literary.

The book does end with a sneak peak at a return of another one of Cross' former challengers so it seems that there will at least be a number 18 in this series, which (prior to this addition) seemed to be getting a bit stale.

[Best Crime Books & More · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel a terrible burden when I pick up a James Patterson book these days. The man is a legend who has produced some fantastic work that has earned him the right to be called one of the bestselling authors of all time. A staggering figure is that in 2007 one in every fifteen hardback books sold was a James Patterson. I myself seem to have a love-hate relationship with his work. Lately I haven't been over enthused with any of his offerings and his best book in the last few months has been without a doubt `Worst case' which is another popular series of books featuring Michael Bennett. It seems that all of his co-written books have been a pile of rubbish and it makes me wonder just how bad his books can get. I was however looking forward to his new release Cross Fire, his 17th in the Cross Series of books. When the book arrived my first thought was that this book would be the one that cemented my loyalty to JP and why I always pre-order his books no matter how disappointed
I was with the last one.

In this latest instalment we again get drawn straight in at chapter one. JP's infamous style of his short sharp chapters is there in abundance, which I confess I love. Alex is written exceptionally and as soon as you pick the book up you feel like you are getting reacquainted with an old friend. Nana is also still around as are the kids and you felt like you are once again part of the Cross' hectic family life. The story itself is the major let down for me. James Patterson in the past has come up with storylines that have had me staying up overnight to finish a book or being so engrossed that I miss my train stop. This book is certainly not up to what I would call his best standards. I thought the plot jumped and many of the chapters felt almost unfinished.

We see the re-appearance of an old adversary in the form of Kyle Craig. I was looking forward to this element of the story as you feel like you have seen Alex' life up close and personal in all of his books. For me the first half of the book featuring Kyle Craig was okay but the second half was abysmal. It felt rushed and unfinished and had an element of laziness to it. Overall the book was very average and again I finished it feeling that dreaded sense of disappointment returning. I don't know why his books just don't seem to hit the mark anymore and I find myself wondering if Alex Cross is running out of steam. In comparison his Michael Bennett novels are picking up pace and fast becoming favourites of mine. All in all, if you are expecting another corker in the Alex Cross series you may be disappointed.

[Ron · Rating 1 out of 5]

In the days before "jumping the shark" became the standard to mark the decline of a television show, I used to apply my own standard, the "evil twin." You know, when an evil twin pops up, the show has officialy run out of ideas.

This book runs a variation on the evil twin. The villian, apparently a long time foe of series hero Alex Delaware, stalks and kills an FBI agent named Max Siegel, then has total facial reconstruction surgery to look like him. He also learns to speak exactly like him. Then he steps into Siegel's life as if nothing happened. The plot device used to soften this ridiculous scenario - that Siegel has been deep under cover on a drug operation and therefore has had little or no contact with his colleagues for a while and noone really knows exactly what he looks like anymore - was not even lame enough to make me chuckle. The point of the killers actions is so that he can get close to Delaware on a joint FBI/police investigation and eventually kill him and his family. This is a total crapfest, not worth the paper its written on.

And thats really the lesson here, there was no paper involved. Someone gave me a Kindle reader a few weeks ago and I was trying to get started on using it to see if I would like it. I downloaded this book because the shopping function on the kindle is not particularly convenient, and I got irritated looking for something I wanted to download and read. It was taking too long. I remembered having read one of the Alex Cross books years ago and from what I could recall, it wasn't terrible. What a mistake.

On the upside, I liked the Kindle experience. The size and weight of the device worked well for me, and I liked not having to dogear pages to mark where I left off or where I need to go back and recheck some factoid from earlier in the story.

[William Bentrim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cross Fire by James Patterson

Kyle Craig is back. If you have read any of the Alex Cross books, that four word sentence is enough for you to want to read this one. Multiple plots, multiple villains and an intense climax make this a speedy read.

Alex is in love again. This Time Bree Stone is the object of his affection. This guy has had more deep loves than Jacque Cousteau. A wedding is planned and surprisingly Nana is on board. The kids are also in favor of Bree. Sounds like a love story but then add Kyle Craig, the monomaniac ex-FBI serial killer. That provides a heady mix and an intoxicating brew. Typically fast paced with the characteristic 2 and three page chapters the book moves really fast.

An ethical dilemma that plays well in today’s distrustful environment complicates an already involved plot. High profile sleazoids are being killed. Mortgage brokers defrauding home owners, oil speculators, people who are widely hated for their self serving behavior are being killed and the killer is seen as a dispenser of justice. This adds difficulty to Cross and Sampson when they investigate. Who wants a “patriot” to be caught?

This Patterson was a bit more thought provoking than many. Don’t get me wrong, I most often enjoy them but they seldom cause me to ponder. The ethical issues in one case, in this book, let me to ponder my own feelings on the situation. It was an extra added bonus on top of the light speed, cotton candy read that I usually expect from Patterson.

I highly recommend it.

[Raina · Rating 3 out of 5]

What does it say about an author when you need three intersecting serial killers to keep the plot moving along? I guess you can make some observations comparing the detached and impersonal efficiency of a military sniper to the brutality and viciousness of a knife-wielding psycho, but to what end? The bodies still pile up.

A very formulaic escapade into the world of Alex Cross. For a Character that has been with us since the beginning the End of the Mastermind character was very Anti Climactic. So while it was good enough it just was not Great.

Simply put it was more of the same.

The only saving grace in this Patterson series is the protaganist Alex Cross. You really like and respect the guy. You would hope that Patterson would return the favor. I really need to stop reading James Patterson books but I can't seem to make myself stop...It's like an illness....

[Sonja · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Cross Fire. It's an amazing fast-paced thriller. I flew through it.
Some references in this book were lost on me because it's part of a detective series I've never read before. However reading it as a standalone didn't obstruct my understanding of the book. Cross Fire can hold its own well. If anything, it only made me more curious to check out the rest of the series, to read more about these intriguing characters.
Overall, it's a great crime thriller. It's written well and it is a page turner. I finished it in less than two days!

[Betsy Ashton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast fun read. Perfect combination of Alex Cross and James Patterson. Perfect also as audio book for a road trip.

[Charlotte Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another 5star rating love reading Alex cross. This one was not what I expected at all.
Just a pity it ended like it did as another storey could have come between them