Cross the Line

Hardcover, 2016

Publication

Little Brown & Company (2016)

Description

Shots ring out in the early morning hours in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. When the smoke clears, a prominent police official lies dead, leaving the city's police force scrambling for answers. Under pressure from the mayor, Alex Cross steps into the leadership vacuum to crack the case. But before Cross can make any headway, a brutal crime wave sweeps across the region. The deadly scenes share only one common thread; the victims are all criminals. And the only thing more dangerous than a murderer without a conscience is a killer who thinks he has justice on his side. As Cross pursues an adversary who has appointed himself judge, jury, and executioner, he must take the law back into his own hands before the city he's sworn to protect descends into utter chaos.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member jfe16

The murder of Washington’s chief of detectives results in a long list of suspects, a killer on the loose, and a city in panic.
Both Alex Cross and his wife, Bree, join forces with the rest of the department to catch the killer, but circumstances find them in difficult straits. Will their

relationship survive their difficulties or will they become collateral damage in the hunt for a killer?

With well-crafted characters who display growth and development and a sensational plot that masterly weaves a quintet of disparate themes into an exciting unified whole, readers will find much to appreciate in this unputdownable tale.

Highly recommended.

Show Less

6 more

LibraryThing member JPodlaski

I was never disappointed when reading an Alex Cross story by James Patterson. Unfortunately, I stopped reading his e-books a couple of years ago for a couple of reasons: first, the high cost of ownership, and two, Patterson's voice changing throughout the story and every story seemed to have a

co-author - there is a distinct difference!. I purchased 'Cross the Line' because the cost was inexpensive for a change and I soon felt like Patterson was back to himself and that his voice had returned. It was also a book without a co-author listed.

'Cross the Line' has two plots in which Alex, Bree and Sampson try to find the two killers. The story did hold my interest and it was difficult to put down at the end of the night. Patterson's chapters are short and I found myself saying, 'just one more' before going to sleep.

The Chief of Detectives is murdered (Bree's former mentor) and she is named his replacement after Alex first turned down the position to spend more time with his family. As Alex's boss, they have some professional disagreements on how the investigations should proceed. However, they keep it professional and out of their personal lives. I also missed the bantering of Nana Mama and her words of wisdom - the Cross family is like the 'perfect family.'

The one killer is finally uncovered and Patterson does a decent job at closing out that plot line. With 12% remaining in the e-book, I looked forward to exposing killer #2 and closing out that storyline...only it stopped. Suddenly. And left me scratching my head and saying, 'waaaaatt'? The remainder of the book turned out to be a preview of Patterson's next one - which didn't interest me the least in reading it. I was almost back...guess I'll have to wait a couple of years to read another Patterson book.

Don't get me wrong, the story was an entertaining read with twists and turns, but the sudden ending turned me off!. I haven't given up, but will be more selective in the future.

Show Less

LibraryThing member buffalogr

There are actually a couple of plots here-one killer is finally uncovered and Patterson does a decent job at closing out that plot line. With little remaining, I looked forward to exposing killer #2 and closing out that storyline...only it stopped. Suddenly. Disappointing and makes you wonder if

the editor was pushing for a deadline and the author just ran out of time. Good friends, the characters, and they acted in their normal way.

Show Less

LibraryThing member lewilliams

I enjoyed the book, however, the plot was just a little unbelieveable. it is fast paced.

LibraryThing member Virginia51

I love Alex Cross books. Not one of these books has ever disappointed me. I love the characters In these stories.

LibraryThing member rmarcin

Another solid Alex Cross mystery, this time. it involved a group of vigilantes who were trying to clean up drug cartels and crooked politicians. There were also some side stories of people being killed. As usual, Alex's family played a large part in the book.

LibraryThing member PaulaGalvan

Cross the Line is a high-octane thriller. Bullets are flying, and people are dying as Alex, Bree, and Sampson join the FBI to track vigilante killers. After their boss, Chief of Detectives Tom McGrath is gunned down in cold blood, the DCPD is focused on finding his killer. But they are soon

diverted by several mass shootings. The killers are highly trained mercenaries and seem to be on a mission to exterminate their idea of vermin, no matter how many innocents are collateral damage. Bree and Alex get beat up pretty good in this one. Fast-moving and action-packed, this was a great book without much fluff. Nana Mama, and the kids make minor appearances.

Show Less

Fewer