Cross Country

Hands down the most exciting Alex Cross novel so far in the series! A real page turner, I tried to slow down but I finished this book in one sitting.

An Alex Cross book unlike any others before. The international interest in this story should make Cross Country a terrific read for the entire globe. The story starts out with some horrific killings during break-ins in Washington, DC. The method of getting into the house, talking to the inhabitants, and the methods the victims were tortured and killed is almost beyond human description. When it turns out that the family involved in this killing is one that Alex Cross personally knows, he is upset beyond words and actions. The "Tiger" was a big strong young man who had complete control over the youth that he enlisted in his gang of relentless killers. He issued the orders and they listened or they would not live to receive the next order from Tiger. The family killings continued with Tiger using some words that you might construe as Islamic or African roots. The CIA got interested but shared little information that the DC police could use. Detective Brianna Stone was a DC cop that worked with Alex but their relationship went much farther than working. They both knew the love was there between them and they did all they could to keep their work outside their relationship. But when Alex heard of a connection between the Tiger and Africa, he decided he had to go to Africa to try to catch and stop the Tiger from his brutal senseless killings. Despite pleas from Bree and his coworkers he did go, not knowing what he was going to find. Alex Cross walked into a buzz saw and literally was thrown into the Tiger's plans in Africa as were also his family in Washington. Alex was captured, brutalized, and had no communication with the outside world. Even after he was released he was recaptured and went through the same type pf torture. The brutality he saw and experienced in Africa was nothing like any he had ever seen. Before his capture he described the living in Africa and the killing that also existed in large amounts, making a day-to-day life in Africa a very unsteady affair. I have read other books about the non-existent decent lifestyle in Africa so I know that what Alex saw and endured is very close to actuality. I highly recommend this book to any adventure reader. It will take you to a life you would not want to endure.

This is by far not the best of James Patterson's books, nor of the Alex Cross series, but it is alright. It doesn't really add a lot to his character or the overall storyline of the series, but it is a nice filler. I think Alex escapes WAY too many near death experiences (he averages at least one per book, but this was more like 10-12). I find my self disliking Brie and wanting Alex to fall for the Nubian character, but I won't spoil anything. Overall, not the best of times, but certainly not the worst of times. The 4th book in The Angel Experiment series---now there is the worst of times.

I have read many of James Patterson's books. I feel this is the best book he has ever written. I am proud of the fact that he has had the courage to write about the actual horrors that the people of Africa are submitted to on a daily basis, from small children to old persons. They are raped, butchered, multilated and sold, and many times it is another "civilized" country working with the corrupt people in Africa that are behind this pillage. He has written the truth in fiction form, and for anyone to say it is too violent shows that they do not live in the real world. These people live and suffer in the real world. It really is Rowanda all over again and not enough is being done to stop it. If people took their heads out of the sand and were truly honest with themselves they would be horrified because it is true, not because they feel it is too violent. Yes it is violent - now think about how the people and children feel who are submitted to this daily and yearly. Much praise for Mr. Patterson for this indepth book. This is why there is a warrant for the arrest of the prime minister of Sudan. Because of the atrocities in this book.

Great story. Africa described to perfection. If you live a sheltered life or afraid of your shaddow read something else. Mike [New Orleans]

I've read every Alex Cross novel by James Patterson, and Cross Country certainly did not let me down. I really enjoyed how half of the book, if not more, took place in Africa, where Cross wasn't the one with useful resources, and he had to survive on his own and make due where he could. I thought it was very intriguing and gripping to follow. I actually sat down on Christmas night (I got it for Christmas from my brother) and read for 6 1/2 straight hours until 3 in the morning to finish it. If you're an James Patterson fan, let alone an Alex Cross fan, I promise you won't be disappointed.