Rating: 
Summary: Easy reading, but plot holes abound
Review: There is no question that this book moves fast, and the reading is undeniably fun. But the plot has some logical disconnects that make the Murphy/Soneji character seem like a moron rather than a supposedly brilliant killer/kidnapper. In particular, Soneji expends significant effort to establish a foothold at the school in order to gain the trust of teachers of students. And early on in the book, his plot to kidnap Michael and Maggie seems simple enough--get them out of the school and into the van. Fine. Yet, later in the book it becomes evident that the Secret Service agents that ultimately took Maggie were on to Soneji beforehand, and had followed him into Southeast DC and to the farmhouse. Inexplicably, we are told that the Secret Service agents became suspicious of Soneji because they had seen him in a car parked near Michael's house. Huh? What on earth was Soneji doing near the house. If he is so "smart," why would he be canvassing the house. None of his later actions suggest any reason why he would have needed to take the foolish risk of going near his intended victim outside of the school setting. After all, that's what the elaborate ruse at the school was all about. But from this improbable link, Patterson conjures up the equally ridiculous idea that the three agents would then be in cahoots to take Maggie, get the ransom, and of course sleep with the main character. Notwithstanding the plot's shortcomings, the book is definitely entertaining.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Action Thriller
Review: This book is very fast paced and is a page turner. The development of the characters are in great detail and established an environment that blend in with the action. I will definitely recommend this book to anyone who is interested in this genre.
Rating: 
Summary: A book you have to read!!
Review: There were so many good things about this book that made it fun to read all 494 pages of it. It is one of the best books I have ever read. The first reason that I gave it four stars was because I loved the way that James Patterson told you how everyone was feeling or thinking. This helped me think that I was in the or in the person's head. It helped me know things that no one else in the story did. The book is about a serial killer that begins by kidnapping two little kids. As the kidnapping becomes more and more publicized, the killer begins killing more and more people. While he is killing someone, the author tells you exactly what he is feeling and thinking at that time. Also, he builds up the story very well. Just when you think you have the story figured out, he puts in another twist that has you thinking again. He gives you just enough information so you know what is going on, but he leaves enough out to keep you reading the book. The book would have gotten all five stars if it weren't for the constant profanity. Even though a person like me is around it everyday, it still started to bother me in the book. I think it has a greater impact in writing, than it does in speech. A little bit of it was necessary to give the characters their personality, but after awhile it became a constant thing. At a lot of the parts, the cussing was unnecessary and not needed at all. Also, I like a book with a lot of detail. It helps me relate better to the story and know better about what is going on. After a murder, the author went into great detail about what the murder scene looked like. I have a very weak stomach and things like this made me feel a little queasy. The third reason I gave this book four stars was he was able to mix up the genre. The book started as a murder mystery. It was a detective book that allowed you to solve the mystery alongside the detectives in the story. As the book progressed so did a romance between two main characters in the story. At times when all the excitement and information got to be too much, the author switched to a nice calm love story. It always fit just right so that you could get a break from all the intensity without having to stop reading. It also helped because I have always been a big sap for "romance stories." This book was by far one of the best books I have ever read. It came as a relief when I was finally able to find a book I enjoyed. I realized there are still good books out there, you just have to find them. I can seriously say I could not put this book down! Submitted: May 8, 2001
Rating:
Summary: Along Came A Spider
Review: Since I read this book in the Fall of 1997, I can't remember enough of the specifics to conform to your request to "focus .. comments on the book's content." It was James Patterson's style which captured my interest. He is one HECK of a writer and I always sit there enthralled when a James Patterson book is in my hands!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Page Turner
Review: This was my first reading of a Patterson book. Now I can't put them down. He weaves a story that causes the reader to become a part of the story. You are right there with Cross tracking Soneji/Murphy! The short chapters keeps it fast paced and it never lulls. I highly reccomend this to mystery/law/crime novel fans!
Rating:
Summary: DOWNRIGHT SCARY
Review: ALONG CAME A SPIDER is a mystery thriller that has everything a crime-mystery lover needs ... a plot so twisted and bizarre that it takes the most competent detective numerous attempts and unfailing commitment before he can unravel it. The mind of the kidnapper/murderer, Gary Soneji/Murphy, is so heinous that the reader's heart beats faster as he races along with him from one of his crimes to the next, with Detective Alex Cross a close step behind - but not close enough. Always in the back of the reader's mind, he thinks about "the guy next door" and wonder if he's capable of having thoughts and plans like Soneji/Murphy. Patterson doesn't let us wonder what will happen next. ALONG CAME A SPIDER is filled with action and suspense. At times, I found myself reading so fast just to see what would happen next, that I actually had to go back and read portions again just to make sure I'd gotten it right. This is an excellent novel, and it sets the pace for the rest of the "Alex Cross" series.
Rating:
Summary: alex cross
Review: Alex Cross is such a likable character - exciting in his official capacity - touching as a father. Along Came a Spider keeps you on the edge right up til the end --a MUST READ for suspense lovers .... what a gripping story!!
Rating: 
Summary: Bad work
Review: The bad phrasing and uninspiring writing style made this one the worst reads of the millenium. I strongly advise against any literature by James Patterson
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book despite...
Review: This was my first Alex Cross book, and overall it was very good, and would read another. The villian in the novel is intelligent, cunning, and very dangerous, and so the hero in return must also be intelligent, and insightful. Patterson succeeded in keeping me on the edge of my seat through out much of the book, and I found most of his twists, and turns very entertaining. Sadly what I did not find entertaining, intelligent, or even fresh was the routine use of the "Black vs White" mentality used by the star of the book Alex Cross. I found the use of this really insulting, and it turned me off almost to the point of putting the book down. I could not understand why its inclusion made this a better book, or a better character. I certainly hope that in the future Alex cross books, that Patterson was comfortable with himself as a writer that he no longer had to include such petty plot devices.
Rating:
Summary: DON'T START UNLESS YOU HAVE THE WHOLE SERIES!
Review: Alex Cross, along with Lincoln Rhyme and Myron Bolitar, is one of the finest literary creations in the thriller genre of our time! Patterson has given us a hero with flaws, a wonderful family and personal relationship with his friends, a man with moral conviction and a fierce determination to bring criminals to justice. "Along Came a Spider" is the first in the series and it is a whopper of a tale. We meet the extremely heinous Gary Soneji, a murderer, a kidnaper, who seemingly can't make any mistakes. He kidnaps the children of a prominent politician and a movie star, and then proceeds to feign his crimes under the "multiple personality" umbrella. What a sickie! What makes Patterson so great is that he weaves tales with brisk, short chapters; characters that have more than one dimension, and a wonderful sense of timing. He pulls lots of plot twists, not quite as sinuously as Jeffrey Deaver, but still they are lulus! I can't imagine anyone not enjoying these books. They are the creme de la creme of the lot! Enjoy, but be prepared to get hooked. One aside: I agree that the casting of Morgan Freeman as Cross in the two films is questionable. Freeman is a marvelous actor, but I think casting a younger actor, such as Denzel Washington or even Cuba Gooding, Jr., would have allowed the movies to follow the books' characterization more fully. But don't blame Freeman. He does an outstanding job, as always. And as always, the book is ALWAYS better than the movie!
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