Status
Available
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
Vision (1997), Edition: Reissue, 480 pages
Description
Fiction. Mystery. Thriller. HTML:Join Alex Cross in a heart-stopping thrill ride as he pieces together the clues of two gruesome murders. Will he find the killers in time?In the middle of the night, a controversial U.S. senator is found murdered in bed in his Georgetown pied-a-terre. The police turn up only one clue: a mysterious rhyme signed "Jack and Jill" promising that this is just the beginning. Jack and Jill are out to get the rich and famous, and they will stop at nothing until their fiendish plan is carried out. Meanwhile, Washington, D. C. homicide detective Alex Cross is called to a murder scene only blocks from his house, far from the corridors of power where he spends his days. The victim: a beautiful little girl, savagely beaten and deposited in front of the elementary school Cross's son attends. No one in Washington is safe-not children, not politicians, not even the President of the United States. Only Alex Cross has the skills and the courage to crack the case, but will he discover the truth in time? A relentless roller coaster of heart-pounding suspense and jolting plot twists, Jack and Jill proves that no one can write a more compelling thriller than James Patterson, the master of the nonstop nightmare.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member yargles
I don't care much for James Patterson's books, and I wouldn't read him at all, but I was given quite a few of his novels, and I'm making my way through them. This was one of the more distasteful Alex Cross stories for me.
First, and foremost, Alex Cross is one of THE most boring and unrealistic
Second, I cannot stand Nanamama. She's a bigoted woman who gets away with far too many stupid observations about white people. Just because she can cook doesn't mean someone shouldn't wash her mouth out with the same water used to wash her dishes when she repeats yet another intolerant and idiotic opinion that white people don't care about dead black babies. I don't know to whom James Patterson is pandering with his racist granny... liberal white people or bigoted black people. Whomever... I don't want to read that garbage, and I find it appalling it's repeatedly on the best seller list.
Last, Alex Cross defines himself in this book as "Dragonslayer". Had I not recently seen the reality series Survivor: Tocantins, I would have only been mildly amused at Cross' ridiculously macho description of himself. But now that "Coach" and Dragonslayer and forever linked in my mind, Alex Cross is nothing more than an annoying, irritating joke.
First, and foremost, Alex Cross is one of THE most boring and unrealistic
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detectives in fiction I've read, and I've read lots of detective fiction. He and his buddy James Sampson are supposed to be a hunky pair of he-men who women would swoon into swamp mud for. Except that Swanson often calls Cross either "sugar" or "sweet". I have no idea what that's about, and I don't want to know.Second, I cannot stand Nanamama. She's a bigoted woman who gets away with far too many stupid observations about white people. Just because she can cook doesn't mean someone shouldn't wash her mouth out with the same water used to wash her dishes when she repeats yet another intolerant and idiotic opinion that white people don't care about dead black babies. I don't know to whom James Patterson is pandering with his racist granny... liberal white people or bigoted black people. Whomever... I don't want to read that garbage, and I find it appalling it's repeatedly on the best seller list.
Last, Alex Cross defines himself in this book as "Dragonslayer". Had I not recently seen the reality series Survivor: Tocantins, I would have only been mildly amused at Cross' ridiculously macho description of himself. But now that "Coach" and Dragonslayer and forever linked in my mind, Alex Cross is nothing more than an annoying, irritating joke.
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LibraryThing member riverwillow
I am not sure about this book as I felt elements of the plot were blindingly obvious, but then I wanted an easy undemanding read, which it definitely was, but I am not sure that Patterson deserves his status as a top writer as I have read better.
LibraryThing member debavp
An improvement from Kiss the Girls, but not much. Cross is still too watered down most of the time. I want to see that DC Cop come through, some real grappling with all that goes one, not more of the same glossed over weak sentiments. And what about Sampson, Its book 3 and we still don't know crap
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about him. Show Less
LibraryThing member mcal
After finishing "Kiss the Girls", this was great. It was hard to stop reading.
This simultaneous murder investigations is a bit strange. The storyline involving the truth school killer seems as if Patterson added it as an afterthought and to prepare for a future book. The two investigations are
The namesake of the book was the storyline that kept the book flowing and had me yearning for more. About halfway through you see the true intentions for Jack and Jill and their ultimate target. Shortly after that I figured out who Jill was, or I thought I did until Patterson toyed with my mind. Ultimately, I was right after all.
This simultaneous murder investigations is a bit strange. The storyline involving the truth school killer seems as if Patterson added it as an afterthought and to prepare for a future book. The two investigations are
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unrelated except for the envy of getting the media attention that the other killers are receiving. It seemed the only reason for adding this part was to introduce Christine Johnson and make her a possible love interest to Dr. Cross. The namesake of the book was the storyline that kept the book flowing and had me yearning for more. About halfway through you see the true intentions for Jack and Jill and their ultimate target. Shortly after that I figured out who Jill was, or I thought I did until Patterson toyed with my mind. Ultimately, I was right after all.
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LibraryThing member skinglist
Journal entry 3 by SKingList from New York, New York USA on Saturday, January 22, 2005
Eeeeeh! Neesy knew how much I love Patterson, though I've only read a handful by him. This is near the top of Mt. TBR, but I will not scare myself silly by reading it just before bed like I did with Kiss the
Thanks, Neesy :)
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Journal entry 4 by SKingList from New York, New York USA on Wednesday, April 13, 2005
I adored this book!
I think it's the best of the Alex Cross series so far, and Neesy, you rock for getting me into Patterson.
Like others in the AC series, this had the balance of two cases, Jack and Jill which of course had more layers than you could ever imagine and the Truth school killer. This also filled in some of the blanks about who Christine was and how Alex met her.
Now to eventually track down the rest in the series.
Eeeeeh! Neesy knew how much I love Patterson, though I've only read a handful by him. This is near the top of Mt. TBR, but I will not scare myself silly by reading it just before bed like I did with Kiss the
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Girls!Thanks, Neesy :)
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Journal entry 4 by SKingList from New York, New York USA on Wednesday, April 13, 2005
I adored this book!
I think it's the best of the Alex Cross series so far, and Neesy, you rock for getting me into Patterson.
Like others in the AC series, this had the balance of two cases, Jack and Jill which of course had more layers than you could ever imagine and the Truth school killer. This also filled in some of the blanks about who Christine was and how Alex met her.
Now to eventually track down the rest in the series.
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LibraryThing member Heptonj
Another masterpiece in the Alex Cross series. Alex is drafted to the FBI to help solve the 'Jack and Jill' murder spree. Their final target is the president who must be protected at all costs. At the same time someone in Alex's neighbourhood is killing young children from the local school. Two
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plots for the price of one! This is an excellent novel with shocking twists in both of the crime scenarios. Show Less
LibraryThing member heidijane
This is a typical James Patterson thriller, with twists and turns all the way. On the one hand, he is trying to stop a pair of celebrity-stalker killers whose ultimate target is the President of the United States, and alongside that he is trying to solve the murderer of small children in his
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neighbourhood.This book is a rollercoaster ride, flicking between the two cases, and is a good entertaining read. Show Less
LibraryThing member SonicQuack
Patterson throws caution to the wind in the third Alex Cross novel. This time Alex finds himself investigating another pair of killers, although this time they have very different agendas. One is killing on Alex's home turf, the other a political killer. Alex must divide his time, weighing his
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heart against reason in a tight and fast moving thriller. Patterson delivers the goods, creating a twisting tale in which he makes some courageous calls in which direction to take the story. Shocking and fun. Show Less
LibraryThing member mazda502001
I really like the Alex Cross series and find the books fast-paced, page-turning thrillers.
Back Cover Blurb:
A pair of ice-cold killers have been picking off Washington's rich and famous with chilling professional efficiency. As the nation awaits the identity of the next celebrity victim, Alex Cross
Back Cover Blurb:
A pair of ice-cold killers have been picking off Washington's rich and famous with chilling professional efficiency. As the nation awaits the identity of the next celebrity victim, Alex Cross
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takes over the high-profile investigation. With his proven ability to get inside the minds of the most deranged killers, he has the skills and the courage to crack the case - but will he discover the truth before 'Jack and Jill' set their sights on Washington's ultimate celebrity target? Show Less
LibraryThing member verenka
Jack and Jill is a Alex Cross Novel, like "Along Came a Spider". I can't say I particularly liked the writing style or the story. I saw the film version of an Alex Cross novel and liked Morgan Freeman as Alex Cross a lot better than the actual character in the book. Although I sometimes enjoy a
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good thriller, this one wasn't for me. I'll stay clear from Patterson in the future and pass this one on. Show Less
LibraryThing member mbertsch
I'm not sure this book was as good as the first two Alex Cross novels. Two serial killers at once? And I thought it was implied that they had something to do with each other. The ending was forseeable, and thus disappointing.
LibraryThing member TinyDancer11
Although not as good as the previous Alex Cross novels, I constantly admire James Patterson's ability to invent new serial killer scenarios and make my reading enjoyable.
LibraryThing member breadnbutter
I thoroughly enjoy reading about Doctor Detective Alex Cross. James Patterson certainly does not shy away from the gruesome details which is what really makes this a great, shocking mystery.
A murderous duo, who've dubbed themselves Jack and Jill have come to Washington to kill, kill, kill. At the
This book does inspire some real fear because it occasionally alternated POVs to the multiple killers and Alex Cross. I don't read too many of these thriller types, but the idea of seeing things from a psychopath's point of few is something that Patterson does well.
A murderous duo, who've dubbed themselves Jack and Jill have come to Washington to kill, kill, kill. At the
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same time, there is an elusive and brutal killing of a young girl In Alex Cross' neck of the woods, and yet all of the attention is focused on the celebrity killings of Jack and Jill, and that certainly doesn't sit will with the newly dubbed Truth School killer. So Alex serves double duty in this installment which follows two cases (which claim to be connected but really aren't which makes the book a tad disjointed). This book does inspire some real fear because it occasionally alternated POVs to the multiple killers and Alex Cross. I don't read too many of these thriller types, but the idea of seeing things from a psychopath's point of few is something that Patterson does well.
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LibraryThing member emhromp2
The novel offers exactly what you would expect. A more or less thrilling story about two murderers who work together and a story about a person who murders little children. The why is left in the dark, which left me with an unsatisfied feeling. This book is not nearly as good as "Kiss the Girls".
LibraryThing member Steffi09
My first James Patterson / Alex Cross novel. First, I was put off by the child murder scene but I kept reading. The 2 crime investigations don't really connect and I'm not sure how Alex Cross is so famous to be pulled into the Jack and Jill investigation. But the author pulls it together, and it
The child murderer is competing against the reporting by the media covering both cases. I think this is a very current topic, and does connect both storylines after all. Also, the motivation behind the Jack and Jill killings is pretty much current affairs or rather timeless in US history...
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keeps you reading, especially towards the end. The child murderer is competing against the reporting by the media covering both cases. I think this is a very current topic, and does connect both storylines after all. Also, the motivation behind the Jack and Jill killings is pretty much current affairs or rather timeless in US history...
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LibraryThing member LibraryCin
Jack & Jill are not only code names for the president and his wife, but also two killers in Washington, D.C., who are killing celebrities. At the same time, in a black neighbourhood, Alex Cross's neighbourhood, someone is killing young children near Alex's son's school. Alex wants to help solve the
This was really good. There were plenty of twists and turns in both cases to keep things interesting and at a steady pace throughout the book.
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case of the kids being killed, but is pulled away to help with the Jack & Jill case. But, he continues to do what he can on the side. This was really good. There were plenty of twists and turns in both cases to keep things interesting and at a steady pace throughout the book.
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LibraryThing member Joybee
A good Patterson thriller.
The third in the Alex Cross series. High profile people in Washington are being murdered by 2 killers calling themselves Jack & Jill. Meanwhile (black) children are being murdered in the lower class neighborhood where Cross lives. The powers that be do not give proper
A fun quick read. I will continue with the series.
The third in the Alex Cross series. High profile people in Washington are being murdered by 2 killers calling themselves Jack & Jill. Meanwhile (black) children are being murdered in the lower class neighborhood where Cross lives. The powers that be do not give proper
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resources to finding the child murderer because Jack & Jill are the hot topic, and they may be going after the President. Alex Cross gets pulled off the child murders to work the Jack & Jill case, but he spends whatever free time he has working the child murders. Through many twists and turns this book keeps you on the edge of your seat. Alex's feelings seem a bit dark and melancholy in this book; but the killer from one of the previous books is still out there stalking Alex and his family, the higher ups in the police department don't seem to care about the brutal murders of young black children, and there may be some type of government/political conspiracy going on that no one can stop.A fun quick read. I will continue with the series.
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LibraryThing member SSbooks
This book was okay. I had rather Patterson stuck with the D.C. case and not bothered to bring in the story of Truth School Killings. At first I was waiting for him to tie the two cases together but soon realized that was not going to happen. It's like trying to read two books at once with one of
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them not completed. Show Less
LibraryThing member whyteb
Good, but gorey
LibraryThing member BingeReader87
another great Alex Cross mystery with a political thriller twist. Loved it.
LibraryThing member HenriMoreaux
After the rather precise and enthralling writing I couldn't help but feel a bit let down with Jack & Jill, the plot itself was terribly unrealistic - if someone was going to try to assassinate a US President they surely wouldn't give the authorities a running commentary on how close they were
Asides for how unrealistic it was, the story was okay, but the clunky dialogue really did take a lot of the zip out of the tale. The secondary plot of the school student killer was actually a bit more interesting than the main plot I found, particularly the twist in the secondary was better than that of the former.
If I were to re-read the series, I'd skip this one. It doesn't offer that much in the way of character development for Cross & his family, or coworkers.
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getting. That aside however it was the dialogue that really got to me, it seemed almost rambling in comparison to the earlier two novels. Asides for how unrealistic it was, the story was okay, but the clunky dialogue really did take a lot of the zip out of the tale. The secondary plot of the school student killer was actually a bit more interesting than the main plot I found, particularly the twist in the secondary was better than that of the former.
If I were to re-read the series, I'd skip this one. It doesn't offer that much in the way of character development for Cross & his family, or coworkers.
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LibraryThing member susandennis
I know Patterson is not the author of the great American novel, but I have, in the past, enjoyed his yarns. However, either I read this one already and forgot to note it, or all his books are just running together into one familiar plot. The powerful in Washington DC are being murdered brutally.
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And poor black children in the slums are being murdered brutally. DC homicide detective Alex Cross is working on both. If you've never read a Patterson, this is as good as the rest. Show Less
LibraryThing member ToniFGMAMTC
This series does an awesome job of keeping the suspense and surprises coming. I can't get enough of Alex Cross.
LibraryThing member ToniFGMAMTC
This series does an awesome job of keeping the suspense and surprises coming. I can't get enough of Alex Cross.
LibraryThing member bah195
Just finished this book. There were a alot of twists and turns that kept me riveted.
Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1996-09-28
Physical description
480 p.; 4.25 inches
ISBN
0446604801 / 9780446604802