Suspense

I've surprised myself: I'm an avid thriller/crime/suspense reader and yet, have managed somehow to not read a James Patterson. I've seen him rated, compared to and recommended, but my radar failed to pick him up. I don't know how that happened.

Net Galley kindly provided me with a copy of this book. However, I'm not going to thank them for the appalling copy. The pdfs were sprawled over about ten pages, words ran into each other: in short, a complete mess. If you're going to hand out books to get honest reviews then give them properly formatted and well-edited versions. My copy was unreadable.

I wobbled a bit when I saw that this was #27 of the Alex Cross books…an FBI consultant. But it stands alone perfectly. My first JP book has got me rather smitten, and I can see I'm going to be lining up a lot of his books to read. I like his writing: it's uncomplicated, direct, and easy to read. Here, Cross is being taunted by the elusive 'M', a gruesome, soulless, evil serial killer. It's fast-paced and compelling.

As I haven't read any other Patterson books, I can't compare it to any of his others. All I can say is, I thoroughly enjoyed it, and it has certainly given me a taste for more of his books.
( )

M is back and seeking retribution: he wants to make sure that Alex doesn't forget that he is not the hero everyone believes. In fact, the opening scene in the book is the execution of a serial killer, where Alex cut a corner. There are a series of women abducted and decapitated, and an ex-FBI agent Martin Forbes is in prison awaiting trial for murdering/decapitating human traffickers on a yacht. As Alex and John Sampson start to investigate, they catch glimpses of their adversary, who seems to be ... the mastermind, Kyle Craig, who Alex saw burn to death (or did he?) A lot of misdirection as M plays with Alex until things get very personal as someone close to Alex is kidnapped. I liked some of the new technology Patterson uses: crypto-currency, backtracing, disappearing messages on Wickr, etc. Maybe 3.5 stars. ( )

I thoroughly enjoyed reading CRISS CROSS by James Patterson. This story left me second-guessing who the killer was every time I closed the book. Then a new murder happened and my theory was blown to bits. The suspense near the end caused me to continue reading way past my bedtime to see how it all turned out. I wasn't disappointed. Now I have to wait for the next story to be released to see if "M" continues the killing spree and goes after Alex's family again. Highly recommended. ( )

Guess I miss out some in Criss Cross since this "M" is from previous book and I have lots to catch up.
The book is still very good and exciting to listen to. Is JP's Alex Cross the only audio book to get sound effects?
The mystery was good, his antagonist is always on the crazy side. I love the Cross family dynamic especially when they are together doing family thing. It makes me want to eat nana mama's cooking too. ( )