Cat and Mouse (AUDIO CASSETTE)

Rating:
Summary: Evil has a name...
Review: Again, another novel by James Patterson in the Alex Cross series that will get your attention- and not let go!

This is one of my favorites of Patterson's, having read it a few years ago it still sticks out in my mind as a fast-paced thriller. And the more I read of Alex Cross, the more I like him. With two mad-men out to get Cross, you can't guess what will happen in this book! Never a dull moment.

If you're looking for a new author to try in the crime thriller genre, you should definitely add Patterson to your "to-read" list!

Rating:
Summary: Great Great Story!
Review: I had never read a James Patterson novel, and only read this one because I found the Hardcover version on sale, but now I'm hooked on James Patterson.

This novel was very intense and has twists around every corner. It is written on the first person perspective, detail that I have always considered a minus rather than a plus. But in this case it actually adds to the story and makes it even more enjoyable.

The story deals with Gary Soneji (character which I've found out appears in Along came a Spider novel that I will begin reading today) who has decided he wants to go out with a bang by committing one of the so called crimes of the century and in so doing threatens Dr. Cross that even if he dies he will still come back from the grave to kill him. Meanwhile, in Europe a serial killer known simply as Mr. Smith and whom the public actually believes to be an alien is performing autopsies on his victims while they are still alive. Alex Cross and FBI agent Thomas Pierce, whose girlfriend was the first victim of Mr. Smith, must put the pieces together before Mr. Smith attacks again.

One additional detail that I really enjoyed is the fact that chapters are just two or three pages long which allows you to really turn pages in a hurry and allows you not to get lost in a twenty page chapter.

In conclusion, I really enjoyed this novel. I rank it right up there with the only two other novels which I have given five stars to, so far, The Coffin Dancer by Jeffery Deaver and A time to Kill by John Grisham.

Rating:
Summary: A dull Cross novel
Review: I have noticed that after a while, James Patterson's books all seem the same. In the fourth Alex Cross novel, "Cat and Mouse", Cross must combat his old enemy Gary Sanji, who has arrived out of nowhere to take revenge on him. Also, Senji has a secret. And there is also a new villian thrown into the mix; Mr. Smith, who is murdering people all over Europe and in the U.S. On his trail is Agent Pierce of the FBI. How these two storys combine is pretty thin for my taste. The whole book seemed way to contrived. I usually like Patterson's books, but this one, while fast paced and exciting (loved the chase through the New York subways), just dosn't hold up to logic very well, even worst here than usual. Cross is in love with his kids' school principal, who lost her husband in the previous book "Jack and Jill". She seems to be just there to give Cross somthing to do between cases. All in all, I really didn't like this one as well as I did the others.

Rating:
Summary: A Worthy Sequel
Review: I loved "Kiss the Girls" and "Along came a Spider" and I loved this latest book as well.

It was as fast-paced and thrilling as the others. Okay, Gary Soneji finds his demise way to early, but then ... there is still Mr. Smith to keep the reader interested.

I think switching first person narrative from Alex Cross to Agent Thomas Pierce in the middle of the book was a nice twist and added to the story.

I had my suspicions on the identity of Mr. Smith early on, but that did not diminish my reading pleasure. I kept telling myself that this could not be true only to learn near the end that the FBI had had the same suspicions from the beginning. Well, good for me, I'm as smart as the FBI ! :-)

Usually I am not into love scenes, I don't think, a detective story is the right place for them, but in this case I granted it to Alex Cross. Maybe the reason is that I read Patricia Cornwells "Point of Origin" prior to this book, where everyone seems to suffer from severe depression. So I was relieved that at least someone in law enforcement finally finds some joy in life.

I would recommend "Cat and Mouse" to any James Patterson and Alex Cross fan, though it's probably best to read the books in order. I for one am still wondering how Soneji got out of prison, but that's probably in a book I haven't read yet.

- Sabrina

Rating:
Summary: A Masterpiece
Review: James Patterson is probably the most brilliant suspsense writer of today. With "Cat and Mouse", he escelates the dark brutality and suspense, bringing back a dispicable villain from the past and creating an even more intriguing one. Gary Sonjei (from "Along Came a Spider") escapes from jail, and his hell-bent on vengeance to Alex Cross. He murders grandoise amounts of people, and spills their blood like water. Alex wonders, Why would Gary Sonjei be so disorganized, so blatantly insane. In the past, he murdered people in an organized way, but now, he's just totally insane. I haven't read "Along Came a Spider" yet, but this book is just as enjoyable for me not even having read it. As the mysteries thicken with Sonjei, Thomas Pierce, another detective, is working on one of the most bizarre murder cases of today-a mysterious man named Mr. Smith, who performs autopsies on his victims, WHILE they're alive. Thomas Pierce is brought in to help on a case involving someone who may or may not be an accomplice to Gary, and things escalate to an exciting and terrifying climax. This book really tells a great tale, involving such themes as infidelities, humanity, love, and trains (read the book and find out) :). It's one of the most shocking and suspenseful books I have ever read, and it's sooooo hard to put down. It's a masterpiece, in my opinion, and ranks with Patterson's "Roses Are Red". Brilliance! Sheer brilliance!!

Rating:
Summary: Cat and Mouse shows the sick, scary side of the real world.
Review: The novel, Cat and Mouse, describes the life of Alex Cross, a Washington detective who is chasing one of the worlds most notorious serial killers, Gary Soneji. The author of the novel, James Patterson takes you through a series of grotesque murders committed by Gary Soneji. With Alex Cross on the case it is a compelling, fast-paced story that forces you to keep reading. Alex Cross has been searching for Gary Soneji ever since he got out of jail and started committing more murders. Gary Soneji's lofty intelligence has made this case more difficult and time consuming than Detective Cross can hardly handle. Soneji's sick mind takes Cross on a wild and exciting "cat and mouse" chase around the east coast. Just when you think that Alex Cross caught Soneji the story turns the opposite direction. Gary Sonejihas a cohort named "Mr. Smith" who is also a demented serial killer out on the rampage. To me the book was the best I have ever read. It kept me in suspence the whole time. James Patterson is a creative writer who deserves all the credit he got. This book well deserves its number one bestseller rating. In my opinion this novel shows thesick side of the real world. James Patterson's use of informal modern English makes the novel easy to read. He symbolizes Cross's old black Porsche, that is in bad need of a paint job, with how Cross does not have enough time to go buy a new car. He spends all of his extra time with his children since the case takes up most of it. Cat and Mouse is filled with true life accounts that will make the reader's curiosity run wild with excitement but will also make them shake with fright. It shows the real world is a scary place that should not be dealt with lighty. The overall theme of the novel is that life is precious and some bad things happen to good people.

Rating:
Summary: You're clutching your heart the whole way through.....
Review: This is the fourth book of JP's I've read this summer...okay, I was late to join his fan club and have a lot of catching up to do.
Having read so many of his books in such a short span of time I can tell you what draws me to want to read the rest of what he's written.

1) He's the master of suspense. He knows how to construct a plot that keeps you turning the pages.

2) He creates characters you really care about. You find yourself cheering for them, whether it's Alex Cross or one of his "one-off" characters in his stand alone novels.

3) He's very kind to other authors and is constantly plugging other books he likes within his own novels.....I find this very generous.

4) He seems like a really nice guy.....last night I finished "Cradle and All" and was impressed by his sympathy for others. He's the kind of guy you wish there were more of in the world....especially single guys! (yes, I know he's married.) But he's the type you'd love to invite to a dinner party, he comes off as smart, entertaining, and compassionate towards those around him.

5) And finally, he writes really fun, fast-paced novels. They are an absolute pleasure to read!

Bottom line.....I recommend all of his books!