Status
Available
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
Vision (2010), Edition: Reissue, 400 pages
Description
Fiction. Suspense. Thriller. HTML:You can't run Detective Alex Cross is pulled out of a family celebration and given the awful news that a beloved relative has been found brutally murdered. Alex vows to hunt down the killer, and soon learns that she was mixed up in one of Washington's wildest scenes. And she was not this killer's only victim. You can't hide The hunt for her murderer leads Alex and his girlfriend, Detective Brianna Stone, to a place where every fantasy is possible, if you have the credentials to get in. Alex and Bree are soon facing down some very important, very protected, very dangerous people in levels of society where only one thing is certain--they will do anything to keep their secrets safe. Alex Cross is your only hope to stay alive As Alex closes in on the killer, he discovers evidence that points to the unimaginable--a revelation that could rock the entire world. With the unstoppable action, unforeseeable twists, and edge-of-your-seat suspense that only a James Patterson thriller delivers, I, Alex Cross is the master of suspense at his sharpest and best.… (more)
Media reviews
I, Alex Cross is perhaps the worst novel, ever, set in Washington, D.C.; the worst smutty book, ever, involving politicians or U.N. ambassadors; and the worst bid for literature ever—OK, this week—on the Times bestseller list.
User reviews
LibraryThing member marient
Detective Alex Cross is pulled out of a family celebration and given the awful news that a beloved relative has been found brutally murdered. Slex vows to hunt down her killer, and soon learns that she was mixed up in one of Washington's wildest scenes. And she was not this killer's only victim..
LibraryThing member JeanneMarkert
Typical Alex Cross novel with nothing new except Nana almost dies. Bree & Alex get a little closer. Plot is almost forgettable. Main villian is Zeus & how close to the white-house he resides.
LibraryThing member scoutlee
Alex Cross is celebrating his birthday with family when he receives a disturbing phone call. His niece has been found brutally murdered. When Alex goes to identify her remains, he’s shocked to learn what’s left of her body. Alex takes this case personally as he tracks down a sadistic and
Alex Cross, without doubt, is my favorite series. I started reading this series in graduate school and continue to look forward to each November for the latest release. I really like Alex Cross, the man. He’s intelligent, dedicated, attractive, a family man and professional. Like any other parent, he tries to balance his home life with his work life. Sometimes he succeeds and other times it hurts him to have to disappoint his family one more time.
I, Alex Cross, for me, returned to the Alex Cross books of the past. Last year’s Cross Country was a miss for me, so I hoped I would enjoy reading I, Alex Cross. And I was not disappointed. As Alex is hunting down a killer, that may be connected with The White House, he’s also dealing with an unexpected crisis on home. I won’t reveal the details of his personal crisis to avoid spoilers, but I will say the reader feels compassion for Alex as he tries to handle both stressful situations.
Mr. Patterson did an excellent job with his latest villain. While reading several scenes, I literally squirmed as I pictured what was happening to the victims. And when the killer is finally revealed, I was shocked! I didn’t see that coming at all. I, Alex Cross ended perfectly for me. One of my favorite characters has returned to let Alex know he’s always watching. The sad part is I have to wait until next November to find out what happens next!
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ruthless killer.Alex Cross, without doubt, is my favorite series. I started reading this series in graduate school and continue to look forward to each November for the latest release. I really like Alex Cross, the man. He’s intelligent, dedicated, attractive, a family man and professional. Like any other parent, he tries to balance his home life with his work life. Sometimes he succeeds and other times it hurts him to have to disappoint his family one more time.
I, Alex Cross, for me, returned to the Alex Cross books of the past. Last year’s Cross Country was a miss for me, so I hoped I would enjoy reading I, Alex Cross. And I was not disappointed. As Alex is hunting down a killer, that may be connected with The White House, he’s also dealing with an unexpected crisis on home. I won’t reveal the details of his personal crisis to avoid spoilers, but I will say the reader feels compassion for Alex as he tries to handle both stressful situations.
Mr. Patterson did an excellent job with his latest villain. While reading several scenes, I literally squirmed as I pictured what was happening to the victims. And when the killer is finally revealed, I was shocked! I didn’t see that coming at all. I, Alex Cross ended perfectly for me. One of my favorite characters has returned to let Alex know he’s always watching. The sad part is I have to wait until next November to find out what happens next!
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LibraryThing member lsh63
I have always loved the Alex Cross character, and this latest book does not dissapoint.
Detective Cross is celebrating his birthday when he receives a call that will shake him to the core, if that is not bad enough, his formidable and loveable Nana is suffering a serious health crisis.
I loved the
Detective Cross is celebrating his birthday when he receives a call that will shake him to the core, if that is not bad enough, his formidable and loveable Nana is suffering a serious health crisis.
I loved the
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tease at the end of a former character possibly coming back to "play games" with Alex one more time. I don't think I can wait a whole year for the next installment in the series. Show Less
LibraryThing member LBM007
I read this book in one Sunday. On that same day I also cleaned the house, did the laundry, went to the grocery store and took a long walk. In other words, the book is very short. (It's 300+ pages, but is printed in a rather large font, with lots of blank space between 2- or 3-page-long chapters.)
As much as I enjoy the Alex Cross series in general I have to rate this one low because I think Patterson has taken to churning his books out too fast to make them as good as they used to be.
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Almost too short. I mean, shouldn't a novel take longer to read than a day??As much as I enjoy the Alex Cross series in general I have to rate this one low because I think Patterson has taken to churning his books out too fast to make them as good as they used to be.
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LibraryThing member jasmyn9
Alex Cross is a well known detective, known for solving difficult cases, but when the phone rings at his birthday party, he finds himself in the midst of his wildest case ever. A case that involves the grisly murder (I'm glad they didn't give more detail than they did) of his estranged niece. The
This is my first Alex Cross book, and I really enjoyed reading it. He is a fantastic character that many will be able to relate to. The death of his niece isn't the only tragedy he faces in this book, and the way he handles all the blows that come his way was very touching. He is the type of person I would want to have as a friend.
The only complaint I have about the mystery solving itself was there were a couple "hand of God" moments. Things seemed to break in the case at just the right time without any action on Alex's part. This held true especially in the case of the ending, where all leads seemed to die out when miraculously something happened. Up until that point, the crime solving was done quite nicely...calling in old friends, dropping words in the ears of the right people, and good old fashioned foot work.
There were a couple times the story dragged, and this coupled with the final clue, caused it to lose the 1/2 star. I would still recommend the story to anyone who enjoys a good mystery.
3.5/5
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investigation is full of loops and twists and eventually leads him into the highest profile case he's ever had, with ties that see to go all the way to the White House.This is my first Alex Cross book, and I really enjoyed reading it. He is a fantastic character that many will be able to relate to. The death of his niece isn't the only tragedy he faces in this book, and the way he handles all the blows that come his way was very touching. He is the type of person I would want to have as a friend.
The only complaint I have about the mystery solving itself was there were a couple "hand of God" moments. Things seemed to break in the case at just the right time without any action on Alex's part. This held true especially in the case of the ending, where all leads seemed to die out when miraculously something happened. Up until that point, the crime solving was done quite nicely...calling in old friends, dropping words in the ears of the right people, and good old fashioned foot work.
There were a couple times the story dragged, and this coupled with the final clue, caused it to lose the 1/2 star. I would still recommend the story to anyone who enjoys a good mystery.
3.5/5
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LibraryThing member CymLowell
The famous detective, Dr. Alex Cross, faces a tsunami of combustible elements in this most recent adventure, including:
*A niece is brutally murdered
*White House involvement
*Alex’s grandmother (who raised him and is his confessor) is seriously ill in the hospital
*A sensual playground for the rich
*Female President
*High-level cover-up swallowing everyone in sight
*An engagement ring in the pocket
*Our hero is a marked man of the best at elimination without trace
This long-running series is one of the premier suspense-mystery-thriller sagas in the genre. It is easy to understand why. This story grabbed me from the first line, held my attention throughout, and proceeded at Patterson’s normal break-neck pace to an unanticipated ending.
This is a great read! It is such a joy to read the work of a master on his plane of creativity.
Maybe in a future saga, Alex will be off to exotica on a honeymoon where crisis ensnares him in a world where he does not have bearings, friends, or knowledge. He is left to his own wits to navigate in the stormy, uncharted seas, with the essence of his heart and soul adrift in a shadowy world of circling sharks.
*A niece is brutally murdered
*White House involvement
*Alex’s grandmother (who raised him and is his confessor) is seriously ill in the hospital
*A sensual playground for the rich
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and famous*Female President
*High-level cover-up swallowing everyone in sight
*An engagement ring in the pocket
*Our hero is a marked man of the best at elimination without trace
This long-running series is one of the premier suspense-mystery-thriller sagas in the genre. It is easy to understand why. This story grabbed me from the first line, held my attention throughout, and proceeded at Patterson’s normal break-neck pace to an unanticipated ending.
This is a great read! It is such a joy to read the work of a master on his plane of creativity.
Maybe in a future saga, Alex will be off to exotica on a honeymoon where crisis ensnares him in a world where he does not have bearings, friends, or knowledge. He is left to his own wits to navigate in the stormy, uncharted seas, with the essence of his heart and soul adrift in a shadowy world of circling sharks.
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LibraryThing member DBower
For some reason I have always shied away from the Alex Cross books despite numerous people assuring me that I would love them. I think part of my concern was having to go back and read the whole series (which I do not know why I felt I would have to do this) which seemed a daunting task . For some
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reason I decided that I would read I, Alex Cross and I am now hooked. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, the storyline, and the writing. I have lots to catch up on. Show Less
LibraryThing member delphimo
James Patterson ranks as a favorite writer, for the simple fact that his books accelerate like a train and do not stop until the train reaches the end of the track. I have not read the whole series, but I know enough to enjoy the books I have read. This book follows the murder of escort ladies, and
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one of the dead is Alex's niece. Alex and other police departments, FBI, and other government agencies follow the trail of murdered and dismembered bodies. But murder and mayhem are not Alex's only problem. Beloved Nana winds up in the hospital two times with heart problems. Will Nana survive, and will the killer Zeus be caught? The book ends with a message from Kyle Craig alias the Mastermind. Patterson does not write in the psychological style of Elizabeth George, Patterson writes the graphic page-turning thriller. Show Less
LibraryThing member kpetlewski
This was the best James Patterson book I've read in quite a while. He seems to have gone back to what works best for him - human interest in describing his grandmother's medical problems, romantic moments, and his always-good suspense. It made a winning combination!
LibraryThing member Reacherfan
When I picked up I, Alex Cross at the library, I was expected not to like it. I mean, for a while quite a lot of Patterson books were turkeys. I was very surprised on how good this actually was! Was it perfect? No, but it was darn close.
The plot is that someone in the Cross family was murdered and
As I said, it was a pretty darn good read. I just had two problems with it. There wasn't any cat and mouse between Alex and the killer. None. For me, in the past, that was something that made the Cross books interesting. The other thing I didn't like how the killer was caught. It was kind of anti - Climatic, it really didn't fit for me.
I did like how the book ended. Again, I don't want to say how it ended, but it was really good, and I can't wait for the next Cross book to come out. That's something I haven't said for a very, very, long time.
Perhaps this was one of Patterson's better books because **he** wrote it. He didn't give outlines and notes to someone then that person wrote it, but Patterson did. I was glad to see that Patterson put his effort into it. I hope that the next Patterson book is the same. It was good to see Alex back, I hope we see him again soon, and he's the same Alex that we all know and love.
I highly suggest I, Alex Cross.
The plot is that someone in the Cross family was murdered and
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it's up to Alex to find out who killed his family member. Along the way and deeper Alex gets into the case the more road blocks he runs into, including road blocks from the White House! As he's dealing with those road blocks he has to deal with his feelings with who was killed and what they were into that lead to her vicious and extremely violent and horrible death. He's looking for the killer, then will realize that soon the killer will be hunting him. While all of this is going on, Alex has to deal with a personal problem with someone he loves very much, and he can't afford to lose this person too. I don't want to say who it is and what Alex has to face because I don't want to spoil it for you. If you start I, Alex Cross, you won't be sorry. As I said, it was a pretty darn good read. I just had two problems with it. There wasn't any cat and mouse between Alex and the killer. None. For me, in the past, that was something that made the Cross books interesting. The other thing I didn't like how the killer was caught. It was kind of anti - Climatic, it really didn't fit for me.
I did like how the book ended. Again, I don't want to say how it ended, but it was really good, and I can't wait for the next Cross book to come out. That's something I haven't said for a very, very, long time.
Perhaps this was one of Patterson's better books because **he** wrote it. He didn't give outlines and notes to someone then that person wrote it, but Patterson did. I was glad to see that Patterson put his effort into it. I hope that the next Patterson book is the same. It was good to see Alex back, I hope we see him again soon, and he's the same Alex that we all know and love.
I highly suggest I, Alex Cross.
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LibraryThing member Pam1960ca
Another excellent Alex Cross novel. I have to say, I read quite a few books where the main character is continued throughout each novel (i.e. Kay Scarpetta, Temperance Brennan, Alan Gregory) but Alex continues to be my favorite. Excellent read!
LibraryThing member Judes316
I enjoy reading the Alex Cross series and this book did not disappoint. I could not put down the book as it keeps you thinking about who the murderer might be.
LibraryThing member kageeh
Typical extremely readable Alex Cross story of which one can ever get enough. There is a lot in this one about Alex's grandmother and I'm sorry she's already so old that she won't appear in too many new stories. The chapters are, as usual, short and very fast-paced. It has a good mystery and a
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great plot about the murder of Alex's niece, Caroline. Show Less
LibraryThing member TomWheaton
To me, this was one of the best Alex Cross stories yet. It was a REAL page-turner with a real twist at the end. I thought I had it all figured out but, was completely wrong! I highly recomment it.
LibraryThing member welshy72
In the 16th book of the Alex Cross series, Cross’s niece is found brutally murdered. Overcome with grief, Alex vows to take down her killer before he strikes again. But shortly after he begins the investigation, Alex discovers that his niece had gotten mixed up with some very important, very
I’m not a fan of American police type books and for me this book didn’t excite but before that puts you off let me explain. For a start it was the 16th book in a series, I hadn’t read any of the previous books so jumping in at that stage I had missed any personal and professional relationships being built so where the book mentioned Cross and another colleague, I didn’t quite get how their relationship worked, I felt like I was missing out when things that had happened in previous books were mentioned. Another thing about this book was there was way too many characters, not only were there work colleagues and family members involved in the story but also the ‘baddies’ and I didn’t want to keep going back and checking who was who.
One of the reasons I don’t like American books is the termology that is used. For example, the story was told from Cross’s point of view and he said, I spelled Bree then Aunt Tia spelled me. I think I know what it is now but I don’t want to stop reading a book to wonder how different sayings are meant. I want to read, maybe guess at ‘who dunnit’ and not have to think about these things.
Having said that, I feel quite sure that if I had read the series from the beginning then I would be writing a very different review right now. If your a fan of Alex Cross then this book would be a real page turner for you, it was action packed and the story kept it’s pace all the way through. There was plenty going on in Cross’s work and personal life to keep the story flowing. The chapter’s were short, at most 5 pages long so any fans would fly through this book and I don’t think they’d be disappointed. Not for me but would recommend it to others.
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dangerous people. And she’s not the only one who has disappeared.The hunt for the murderer leads Alex and his girlfriend, Bree, to Washington’s most infamous club, a place where every fantasy is possible, if you have the credentials to get in. The killer could be one of their patrons, one of Washington’s elite who will do anything to keep their secrets buried.I’m not a fan of American police type books and for me this book didn’t excite but before that puts you off let me explain. For a start it was the 16th book in a series, I hadn’t read any of the previous books so jumping in at that stage I had missed any personal and professional relationships being built so where the book mentioned Cross and another colleague, I didn’t quite get how their relationship worked, I felt like I was missing out when things that had happened in previous books were mentioned. Another thing about this book was there was way too many characters, not only were there work colleagues and family members involved in the story but also the ‘baddies’ and I didn’t want to keep going back and checking who was who.
One of the reasons I don’t like American books is the termology that is used. For example, the story was told from Cross’s point of view and he said, I spelled Bree then Aunt Tia spelled me. I think I know what it is now but I don’t want to stop reading a book to wonder how different sayings are meant. I want to read, maybe guess at ‘who dunnit’ and not have to think about these things.
Having said that, I feel quite sure that if I had read the series from the beginning then I would be writing a very different review right now. If your a fan of Alex Cross then this book would be a real page turner for you, it was action packed and the story kept it’s pace all the way through. There was plenty going on in Cross’s work and personal life to keep the story flowing. The chapter’s were short, at most 5 pages long so any fans would fly through this book and I don’t think they’d be disappointed. Not for me but would recommend it to others.
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LibraryThing member roselady1
This was the best Alex Cross book in quite a while. The plot kept thickening and I couldn't read or turn the pages fast enough with quite a surprise ending., Now we have to wait to see what comes next for Alex with the voice from the past.
LibraryThing member DavidLErickson
Definitely not the best Patterson or Alex Cross novel. Way too much time was spent on Cross' dying grandmother and not enough detective work was done solving the crime. This was a major serial killer and a super-high ranked bad guy who got shorted. The climax was too quick to build, thus most of
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the oomph was gone. If Patterson had concentrated more on the investigation and less on the grandmother, this could have been a great book. If you are a die-hard Patterson/Alex Cross fan, you may enjoy it, but Alex spent most of his time at the hospital -which came across more as filler than anything. Wonder if Patterson is running out of good story plots. Show Less
LibraryThing member br14brgu
I, Alex Cross was very good read but not the best Alex Cross novel. In the story there is serial killer and crazy rapist who goes by the name of Zeus. He is first noticed by Alex Cross when he finds out that his niece has been murdered and all that was left were chunks of her flesh and bone, later
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he finds out that the murder weapon was a wood chipper. In the end of the book they find out that Zeus is the presidents husband and when an agent leads him outside he shoots him in the head and then gets shot down himself. This book is perfect for readers who enjoy mystery ,and action/adventure due to the plot and story. But, I would not let anyone 11 or younger read this book due to content. Overall this book is a really good one as well as the previous books before it and I will continue to read this series to the very end. Show Less
LibraryThing member busyreadin
Much better than the last few. A complex, gruesome, mystery. There was a lot of story concerning Nana Mamma, and she is definitely one of my favorite characters
LibraryThing member es135
This is possibly my favorite Cross novel in a long time. I think it has all of the elements that made the early installments so great. I've said it many times, but I'll say it again. Whenever Alex Cross has a believable personal stake in a case, the novel ends up being better than the others. I was
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kind of excited to hear the new Alex Cross movies would be named after this one. The story, apparently will be taken from Cross, another novel that got it right by using personal investment to showcase the human story instead of just mindless plotting. With this novel, it seems Patterson may have found his rhythm again. Show Less
LibraryThing member brian_irons
As bad as this may sound, Patterson is strictly a fall-back-on auther to me. I realize that that's not a popular opinion but his stories a predictable and so easy to read that (like I said) I use them when I have nothing else.
LibraryThing member cherybear
I love me a good murder mystery. Throw in a lot of very kinky sex/murder. Good summer read.
LibraryThing member jbemrose
On Alex Cross birthday he was informed that his estranged niece was brutally murdered. Plus other exscorts where missing. The killer may be connected with the white house. Alex's investigation is full of high cover ups. Plus Alex's grandmother is seriously ill in the hospital. Nana Mama was
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fighting to live. Show Less
LibraryThing member JohnGrant1
I don't read James Patterson novels very often (aside from anything else, I have this ongoing nag about, y'know, who actually wrote them, despite the name on the cover; call me old-fashioned and stuffy if you will, but . . .). The text runs to 374 numbered pages; because of the shortness of the
Alex Cross is now working for the Washington DC cops. He's called in when the remains of his niece are discovered -- "remains" in that her killer has reduced her to hamburger and buried her in a plastic bag. Oh yes, oh my. Alex eventually discovers -- in between being pulled off the case, being put back on it, coping with his gran having a stroke (this plot strand had me threatening more than once to throw the book at the wall), all that sorta stuff -- that the killer who's torture-murdering escort girls at a $100,000-a-night sex club is someone high-placed in the current US Administration.
At this point the critical facilities tend to switch off: All dem background checks, designed (rightly) to pick up so much as a wide stance in an airport lav, haven't spotted there's a serial killer somewhere in the White House. (No: Patterson's point isn't that successive US prezzes have been mass-murderers on a scale Ted Bundy might envy. That coulda been a cute bit of political metaphor, but it's not what's going on here.) The revelation of the culprit is not so much a surprise as an insult; in his next novel I imagine that Patterson, having worked his culprits steadily higher and higher up the ladder of US politics and having nowhere else left to go, will finger God.
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chapters (there are 117 of them), the section breaks, etc., the book probably runs to about 70,000 words at best; back in the day, this was the kind of crime novel that houses like Gollancz felt they were bumping out if they got it to make 224 pages.Alex Cross is now working for the Washington DC cops. He's called in when the remains of his niece are discovered -- "remains" in that her killer has reduced her to hamburger and buried her in a plastic bag. Oh yes, oh my. Alex eventually discovers -- in between being pulled off the case, being put back on it, coping with his gran having a stroke (this plot strand had me threatening more than once to throw the book at the wall), all that sorta stuff -- that the killer who's torture-murdering escort girls at a $100,000-a-night sex club is someone high-placed in the current US Administration.
At this point the critical facilities tend to switch off: All dem background checks, designed (rightly) to pick up so much as a wide stance in an airport lav, haven't spotted there's a serial killer somewhere in the White House. (No: Patterson's point isn't that successive US prezzes have been mass-murderers on a scale Ted Bundy might envy. That coulda been a cute bit of political metaphor, but it's not what's going on here.) The revelation of the culprit is not so much a surprise as an insult; in his next novel I imagine that Patterson, having worked his culprits steadily higher and higher up the ladder of US politics and having nowhere else left to go, will finger God.
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Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2009-11
Physical description
7.5 inches
ISBN
0446561967 / 9780446561969