Status
Available
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
Grand Central Publishing (2003), 416 pages
Description
Fiction. Mystery. Thriller. HTML:In this #1 New York Times bestseller, Alex Cross is ready to resign-but when his partner shows up with a case he can't refuse, he goes up against the most bone-chilling killers of his entire career.Detective Alex Cross is on his way to resign from the Washington, D.C., Police Force when his partner's oldest friend-a Vietnam veteran-is arrested for murder. He is subject to the iron hand of the United States Army, and the evidence against him is strong enough to send him to the gas chamber. Sampson is certain his friend has been framed, and Alex's investigation turns up evidence overlooked-or concealed-by the military authorities. Drawing on their years of street training and an almost telepathic mutual trust, Cross and Sampson go deep behind military lines to confront the most terrifying-and deadly-killers they have ever encountered. Behind these three highly skilled killing machines there appears to be an even more threatening controller. Discovering the identity of this lethal genius will prove to be Cross's most terrifying challenge ever. On his visits home, Alex must confront another, more harrowing mystery: what's the matter with Nana Mama? As he explores the possibility of a new relationship with a woman who offers him new hope, Alex must also confront the fact that his beloved grandmother is only human.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member mramos
James Paterson's narrative style has improved with this writting. We once again follow Alex Cross as he works on a homicide case. But this time, he is brought into the case by his best friend and partner John Sampson.
An old army budy of John's from Vietnam, a decorated veteran with a perfect
There are a lot of distractions in this book, and some background. We learn why John feels like he was rasied by Alex's grandmother, Nana. The fact that John servered in Vietnam before going to the police academy. Both John and Alex have new budding relationships. And Nana is sick.
As usual, we know who the killers are toward the begining of the book. And we get to see things from the killers propsective as our hero, Alex Cross tries to catch them. Still, the book is a page turner and I read it in one day.
An old army budy of John's from Vietnam, a decorated veteran with a perfect
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record, is convicted of a brutal murder. And Alex can not accept this. He ask Alex to investigate this crime as a favor. As they delve into the murder, they find that there is more then one crime associated with the Army that have the same profile. The army does not cooperate with Cross, and we are left wondering if they are protecting their own, or hiding something. There are a lot of distractions in this book, and some background. We learn why John feels like he was rasied by Alex's grandmother, Nana. The fact that John servered in Vietnam before going to the police academy. Both John and Alex have new budding relationships. And Nana is sick.
As usual, we know who the killers are toward the begining of the book. And we get to see things from the killers propsective as our hero, Alex Cross tries to catch them. Still, the book is a page turner and I read it in one day.
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LibraryThing member Heptonj
This is the best Alex Cross novel I have read so far. Alex Cross and his friend John Sampson have a 'last job' to do before Alex joins the FBI which leads to a gang of vicious killers who are themselves targets for revenge for their atrocities in the Vietnam War. Just when you think you know who is
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behind it all it turns out differently. Excellent. Show Less
LibraryThing member Djupstrom
Interest storyline with the addition of another friend, and not just the sexually ambiguous John Sampson.
LibraryThing member kymmayfield
wow this was great. one of the best in the alex cross series. As soon as I thought i knew who the killer was it proved me wrong. There were times in the book that i thought i would start to cry but then was smiling in triumph as James Patterson did it again with the emotional attachment that he is
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so go at. A must read for any suspense/mystery lover. Show Less
LibraryThing member Grandeplease
The story moves rapidly. It is laced with violence and death, spiced with thought provoking sermons about capturing family moments and sprinkled with not so subtle jabs at the business of war and some thereby employed.
If you need Spock-like logical characters, this tale is not for you. Patterson's
Read for entertainment, not to escape the ugliness that life brings to some.
If you need Spock-like logical characters, this tale is not for you. Patterson's
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Detective Cross will annoy you when he repeatedly puts himself in harm's way - sometimes alone. Likely equally annoying will be the fact the Patterson does not slow the plot by taking time to explain how Detective Cross and his partner John Sampson are able to spend weeks solving crime(s) with no apparent connection to the District of Columbia - their employer.Read for entertainment, not to escape the ugliness that life brings to some.
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LibraryThing member debavp
I'm glad Cross has finally been able to make decision and move forward in life at the conclusion of this. There's still enough uncertainty to make you want to read the next installment.
And it was nice for Sampson to reveal more of his character as well. I didn't see that coming :)
And it was nice for Sampson to reveal more of his character as well. I didn't see that coming :)
LibraryThing member skinglist
Journal entry 2 by SKingList from New York, New York USA on Thursday, April 14, 2005
I liked this one, but not as much as some of the others in the AC series. I always liked the bit of the personal touch--about Nana and his kids--but I'm not really interested in Alex's sneaking off to be with
All in all, a good book. Well written and trying to find out who the head honcho was and not sorting it out until the last chapters.
I liked this one, but not as much as some of the others in the AC series. I always liked the bit of the personal touch--about Nana and his kids--but I'm not really interested in Alex's sneaking off to be with
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Jamilla, or Sampson's private nurse, but I guess that's the non-romance fan in me.All in all, a good book. Well written and trying to find out who the head honcho was and not sorting it out until the last chapters.
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LibraryThing member amacmillen
8th in the Dr. Cross Series.
A Dr. Cross novel. This book is about military assassins who are hired to frame military people for murders that they commit. A general from west Point is the 4th mouse. Everything stems from Vietnam and atrocities that the general was involved with.
A Dr. Cross novel. This book is about military assassins who are hired to frame military people for murders that they commit. A general from west Point is the 4th mouse. Everything stems from Vietnam and atrocities that the general was involved with.
LibraryThing member ulfhjorr
A fast pace helps pull readers along in what was, otherwise, a rather bland offering. The earlier Alex Cross books were a bit more exciting and fun to read, while this one seemed a little off.
LibraryThing member SonicQuack
A refreshing change of direction in the series as Patterson presents Alex Cross's final case as a detective. This time Alex helps out long time friend Sampson as an old colleague of his is framed for murder. Sampson and Cross find themselves embroiled in a murder hunt within the confines of the
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American military, definitely new ground in this series. Three Blind Mice is also the most character driven Cross book so far, with plenty of narrative around Sampson and Cross's personal lives. This doesn't affect the usual Patterson pace and there is plenty of intrigue and certainly enough action sequeneces to keep those pages turning. Show Less
LibraryThing member mazda502001
The next in the Alex Cross series. Fast read and the book goes at a breakneck speed.
Back Cover Blurb:
Alex Cross is preparing to resign from the Washington Police Force. He's enjoying the feeling; not least because the Mastermind is now in prison. Also, Alex has met a woman, Jamilla Hughes, and he
Then John Sampson shows up at the house, desperate for Alex's help. Three young military wives have been savagely killed during a 'girls' night out' and Sampson's friend, a master sergeant at the army base, stands accused.
Uncovering evidence of a series of suspicious murder convictions, Alex and Sampson are determined to infiltrate the closed world of the military. But what is the army trying to hide? And do the mysterious symbols daubed on the homes of the accused mean that there are more sinister forces at work?
Back Cover Blurb:
Alex Cross is preparing to resign from the Washington Police Force. He's enjoying the feeling; not least because the Mastermind is now in prison. Also, Alex has met a woman, Jamilla Hughes, and he
Show More
is talking about the future.Then John Sampson shows up at the house, desperate for Alex's help. Three young military wives have been savagely killed during a 'girls' night out' and Sampson's friend, a master sergeant at the army base, stands accused.
Uncovering evidence of a series of suspicious murder convictions, Alex and Sampson are determined to infiltrate the closed world of the military. But what is the army trying to hide? And do the mysterious symbols daubed on the homes of the accused mean that there are more sinister forces at work?
Show Less
LibraryThing member TinyDancer11
Another great one of Patterson's Alex Cross novels.
LibraryThing member sabreenalyn
excellent reading, fast pace, no slow to interest parts
LibraryThing member daddyofattyo
The more James Patterson I read, the more boggled my mind becomes about the fanatical popularity of this writer. Sure, the stories are always compelling, the action non-stop, our heroes Alex Cross and John Sampson (not to mention Nana Mama and the kids) are all stellar individuals we love to hunker
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down with - But can we continue to call it literature? I think not - there must be a genre title for this type of story telling. It is so simple, condescending - the 2-3 page chapters that lob whoppers of action, spoon-feeding it to us, but it just lacks depth, emotion, itellectual challenge, novelty, wit - the things that stay with you for a while after reading a great novel. In the same genre Jeffrey Deaver and Elizabeth George come to mind as a means of comparison to what I'm talking about. Reading Patterson feels like eating with a really bad cold (which I'm currently nursing - hence, the analogy) - I can taste the texture - it's meaty and salty or it's a dougnut and is sweet -but not the actual flavours, spices, essences, things that would make me wonder - what's in this - it tastes so GOOD?! I'll stop ramblng and close by saying that I suppose I'll never stop eating fast food or reading James Patterson, but it'll always be filet mignon and chocolate souflee that I will dream of. Show Less
LibraryThing member brian_irons
Why do I continue to buy this trash.
LibraryThing member HenriMoreaux
I don't really hold any expectation of James Patterson novels beyond basic entertainment at the afternoon television sitcom level - it passes the time, but rarely is memorable.
Thankfully this novel wasn't so bland as many of his others; a pretty decent story line, somewhat based in reality (there
Like his over novels however the story isn't particularly deep, the characters are all rather like a thin sheet of paper - present but not much to them. So whilst it's entertaining to a point I wouldn't hold an expectation of being thrilled.
Thankfully this novel wasn't so bland as many of his others; a pretty decent story line, somewhat based in reality (there
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were some serious massacres in Vietnam which once found out about were covered up and despite ample evidence were never prosecuted) and enough mystery and suspense to keep the pages turning.Like his over novels however the story isn't particularly deep, the characters are all rather like a thin sheet of paper - present but not much to them. So whilst it's entertaining to a point I wouldn't hold an expectation of being thrilled.
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LibraryThing member br14brgu
Four Blind Mice is the eighth book in the Alex Cross series by James Patterson. What the book is about is Alex Cross is facing against three former Vietnam warriors.The case ends by Cross and his friend Sampson killing the three warriors and a prisoners gang rescuing Alex and killing the main
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master behind it all.I would recommend this book for anyone who is into Action/Mystery books and especially books by James Patterson.The Alex Cross series is about A Homicide Detective on many deathly cases. I really enjoy the Alex Cross series and I hope that I get to like it even more as I continue reading the whole series. The only thing I would really like to say is that I wouldn't let anyone under twelve years of age because of some of the content of the book.I really enjoyed this book and hope to finish the whole series someday (if it ever ends) and I love all of James Patterson's many other books as well. Show Less
LibraryThing member Nataliec7
Not as good as the other Alex Cross books, however better than the previous one. It held my interest and was a great quick read.
LibraryThing member RGaryRasmussen
Dr. Alex Cross is a psychologist and a Washington D.C. detective. His partner is childhood friend John Sampson. This intricate, fast-moving, and mostly believable story starts out with the duo trying to clear Sampson's Army buddy, Sergent Ellis Cooper, of murder, a crime he swears he did not
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commit. Along the way they discover, then tangle with, a trio of hit men, the Three Blind Mice, who had framed Cooper, and others, for murders they had done. But why _Four_ Blind Mice? James Patterson is a terrific story teller, and a master of dialogue and plot development. This book is definitely worth reading. Show Less
LibraryThing member BingeReader87
This entry in the Alex Cross series featured a military conspiracy dating back to Vietnam and some pretty great side steps. Recommended .
LibraryThing member readingover50
A really good mystery/thriller. The murderers are definitely insane and revel in the killing. They seem unstoppable and Cross and Sampson have their work cut out for them. There were many tense moments for me. As this is the 8th book in the series, there is also progression in Alex's relationship
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with his new girlfriend, and Sampson also finding a love interest. Sampson's relationship felt a bit cliche, but I still thought this was a good continuation of the series. Show Less
LibraryThing member HenriMoreaux
I previously read this 6 years ago and am now reading the series from the beginning as I'd only read a handful of the books out of order previously.
I can say with the context of the earlier books the story does have a bit more depth too it, and certainly more than some of the other Patterson booksrevenge crimes being committed in the present day based on circumstances that occurred during the Vietnam War a particularly intriguing idea and the way it was presented was novel interesting and had you guessing as to whom was behind the crimes and why.
I also noted that in this book the age of Alex Cross's 'old black porsche' is revealed to be 14 years, which means when it was first referred to as his 'old black porsche' it was a mere 8 years of age if I have the series chronology correct in my memory. An 8 year old car isn't quite what I'd refer to as old, not even a 14 year old car, rather I personally would refer to it as a porsche. An old porsche to me brings mental images of a 1950s, 1960s, even 1970s car.
Overall, another good installment and we see Cross's career development now progress further.
I can say with the context of the earlier books the story does have a bit more depth too it, and certainly more than some of the other Patterson books
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I've read. I did find the idea of I also noted that in this book the age of Alex Cross's 'old black porsche' is revealed to be 14 years, which means when it was first referred to as his 'old black porsche' it was a mere 8 years of age if I have the series chronology correct in my memory. An 8 year old car isn't quite what I'd refer to as old, not even a 14 year old car, rather I personally would refer to it as a porsche. An old porsche to me brings mental images of a 1950s, 1960s, even 1970s car.
Overall, another good installment and we see Cross's career development now progress further.
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LibraryThing member threadnsong
This book was a great revisit to Alex Cross' world and into the trauma experienced by soldiers when they return home. It did not get my usual 5 star rating, though, because the book seemed to be relying on too many formulas.
Still, it is a great page-turner. Alex Cross is deciding to resign from his
As the two lifelong friends investigate what appears to be a wrongful conviction they come up against the thick grey wall of the armed forces. Seems that Sampson's buddy was accused of a brutal murder of three women, including painting and posing the bodies, and nothing either Sampson or Cross say will change the verdict.
Along with this conviction are more Army men accused of similarly heinous crimes, all of whom plead innocent and all of whom are put to death by the State. All of them served in the Vietnam War.
And then we begin to see the co-plot of three men, veterans of this same War, who seem to be re-enacting something from their days in Vietnam. They have a horrible blood lust and seem to revel in tracking down and killing their victims.
In the personal side of this book, Nana is beginning to feel her age and it takes Alex everything he can do to get her to a doctor. In fact, the Doctor comes to visit Nana and only then does she agree to go to a hospital. And the possible interest from the previous book, Jamilla, begins a long-distance romance with Alex.
By the end, the resolution was just a bit too pat and complete, and the chance to hear the stories from the bad guys didn't happen. I would have loved a confession of some sort from them.
Still, it is a great page-turner. Alex Cross is deciding to resign from his
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policing job and instead go into another field. It may be psychology, it may be the FBI and he he leaning toward the FBI. Then his best friend, Sampson, urges him to help clear an old Army buddy from Death Row.As the two lifelong friends investigate what appears to be a wrongful conviction they come up against the thick grey wall of the armed forces. Seems that Sampson's buddy was accused of a brutal murder of three women, including painting and posing the bodies, and nothing either Sampson or Cross say will change the verdict.
Along with this conviction are more Army men accused of similarly heinous crimes, all of whom plead innocent and all of whom are put to death by the State. All of them served in the Vietnam War.
And then we begin to see the co-plot of three men, veterans of this same War, who seem to be re-enacting something from their days in Vietnam. They have a horrible blood lust and seem to revel in tracking down and killing their victims.
In the personal side of this book, Nana is beginning to feel her age and it takes Alex everything he can do to get her to a doctor. In fact, the Doctor comes to visit Nana and only then does she agree to go to a hospital. And the possible interest from the previous book, Jamilla, begins a long-distance romance with Alex.
By the end, the resolution was just a bit too pat and complete, and the chance to hear the stories from the bad guys didn't happen. I would have loved a confession of some sort from them.
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Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2002
Physical description
416 p.; 4.25 inches
ISBN
0446613266 / 9780446613262