I, Alex Cross

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James Patterson

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Pages: 400 (Hardcover)

ISBN: 1846052602

Pub: Century

Pub date: 2009-10-22

Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 4683

Editorial Review:

James Patterson is unquestionably one of the world's most successful crime writers, with a following (and sales) that are the envy of many of his peers. His secret, of course, is his immense readability: Paterson has a narrative grasp that ensures total reader commitment from first page to last. So as his new book, I, Alex Cross, appears, it is tempting to speculate on what his response will be to the words being uttered by many of his admirers; ‘It's a Patterson-only outing again -- thank God!’ As the author’s solo books are almost always more authoritatively written than the legion of novels he produces with an army of collaborators, one wonders why he feels the need to sustain this highly profitable writing factory (some might argue that this question is answered by the word ‘profitable’, but Patterson comfortably outsells most of his rivals, and acquiring even more revenue can't be such a pressing need, can it?) But to the business at hand: here's a new Alex Cross novel, and that's always a cause for celebration.
In I, Alex Cross, Patterson's eponymous hero is dragged from a family celebration and given some very unwelcome news: Caroline, his niece, has been savagely killed. Cross makes an instant promise: he will use all his resources to track down the murderer. But disturbing facts begin to emerge: Caroline was involved with a particularly strange endeavour in Washington, an organisation that promises to fulfil every fantasy of its participants, however outlandish. As Alex learns, the people involved in this sinister dream factory are both powerful and influential, and only those with the most copper-bottomed credentials are allowed to join the party. With the aid of his girlfriend, Detective Brianna Stone, Alex Cross gets closer and closer to these mysterious figures, and the reason behind Caroline's brutal murder. But (as so often before), he realises that he is up against people who will stop at nothing to maintain the clandestine nature of their activities. What's more, Alex discovers there is far more at stake than just a modern day version of the hellfire club -- there are revelations in store which could shake the foundations of society.

As the above suggests, James Patterson's return to solo writing has obliged him to raise his game in terms of the reach of this latest Alex Cross outing. If the book doesn't seem, perhaps, to be in the class of some of the vintage Alex Cross outings, that may (to some extent) be due to our familiarity with the character – it’s more difficult to ring the changes. What isn't in dispute, though, is the author’s total professionalism, and his ability to comprehensively grip the reader remains undimmed. --Barry Forshaw

Reader Reviews:

I, Read It (0/0 people found this helpful)

A highly enjoyable novel with well-developed principal characters. You do not have to have read other books in the Alex Cross series to find your footing amongst the cast of this book.

The plot is plausible, which helps when one is 'dealing' with the Washington elite.

Technically, I found it to be very well written. The scenes dealing with sexual violence just keep on the right side of readability. Though, those of a genteel disposition would be advised to look elsewhere for their mystery thrills.

As in other Alex Cross novels, the story-telling is through interleaved chapters using differing viewpoints. Cross's viewpoint is rendered in first-person. The other narrative viewpoint is 'omniscient' and keeps the reader ahead of the action until the surprise ending. Patterson manages to maintain a distinct narrative 'tone' for each viewpoint. Descriptive details seem effortlessly rendered. Patterson excels in the dripping in of 'telling details' which 'place' the reader at the scene.

I liked the detailed side-story dealing with the hospitalization of Cross's beloved 'Nana'. This arc added a nice counterpoint to the seamy main storyline, and draws the reader into the world of Cross. However, I can imagine many readers finding this aspect of the book tedious. It really depends upon one's taste. For me, characterization is as important as plot.

I have no hesitation in awarding 5 stars.

Cross Roads (0/0 people found this helpful)

James Patterson books are in the unenviable position of being something I love and hate at the same time. Dreadful short chapters that make a nonsense of the concept of traditional novel structure while at the same time making it easy for the reader without much time or attention span to dip in and out of the middle-sized crime novel without missing a beat. I also admit I'm jealous of his popularity and his pay cheques as a fellow crime writer! But most of the time I can't fault the punchy stories told in his series of Alex Cross novels. This one is unfortunately one of two exceptions. Both this and its predecessor have something in common - a too thin story and too much angst. While Cross himself remains an interesting character his sickly family life gets a huge part in this story at the expense of the crime itself. If you like the character, stick to the earlier tales prior to Mary, Mary. If this is your first exposure to the character, start at the beginning with Along Came A Spider. Missing the grit of these hard to follow acts, it may well be time to retire the detective/therapist/FBI agent and leave him with his happy ever, after if Patterson cannot find a way back to what made him fresh and vibrant. Of interest only to completist fans and those discovering it for the first time.

A pity it has come to this... (0/0 people found this helpful)

I have all the Alex Cross novels and eagerly read them and wait for new instalments.

This last "I, Cross", however is a total fluke. It seems it was written in 2 days, the plot has no plot, and Mama's illness is a pain in the bottom and has aboslutely no connection with the novel.

I even doubt it was written by Pattersson ( and not by one of his many minions ).

All in all, a sad and poor "chapter" in a, untill now, rewarding series...

Below PAR (0/0 people found this helpful)

A very simple story from Patterson. There is little in the way of suspense or thrills, and from half way through its quite easy to guess 'who-dunnit'. The only reasons this hits the best-seller lists are "James Patterson" & "Alex Cross". I have to admire him for milking the machine to maximum affect but I am afraid that this is the last Cross for me to bear.

More like it (0/0 people found this helpful)

This is more like it from Mr Patterson. Read this in a couple of days, and I really enjoyed it. The characters were believiable and the storyline quite good. Enough said.
Big D

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