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Summary: Oh Alex! What would the world be like without you, Sugar!
Review: This is the first series of the Alex Cross novels created by James Patterson. I have read all of them three or four times each by now..they really are that addictive. Alex Cross, the fictional love-of-my-life, is a tough, detective/psychologist in the Southeast side of Washington D.C. Alex has a wonderful family and best friend Sampson (who I always imagine as a Forrest Whittaker type) who help him get through his daily doses of crime and maiming. Let's talk about the story...it was a normal day at the Washington Day school, until two students, Maggie Rose Dunne, and Michael "Shrimpie" Goldberg are kidnapped. Their favorite math teacher, Gary Soneji takes them, burries them in the ground and demands a huge ransom. These two students were children of the most prominent families in the area. Alex and Sampson are taken off a brutal crime in the D.C. area and forced onto the Goldberg-Dunne kidnappings. Everyone gets involved. Secret Service, FBI, and the Washington police all try to work together to solve the crime. This book has so many twist and turns, and plots within plots, it will make your head spin. Every page you turn reveals something new and exciting. Even when Gary Soneji is caught....nobody is sure who is responsible...Gary seems to have a split personality (Remember Adam Stampler from "Primal Fear") and the outcome of his trial is questionable. You have to read this book...Alex Cross books like this one, and "Kiss the Girls" are movies now, but they never let you see Alex in an intimate way.... he has a loveable family, his best pal Sampson, and lots of juicy romances. All of these are left out of the movies. Why? because Patterson wants you to see the movie...love it...and then read the books..because he KNOWS you too will like it better than the movies and read the whole series. I promise, the books are really are not comparable to the movies.
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Summary: The start of a series
Review: This was a true thriller! Alex Cross is introduced in this novel and so starts the series that deals with a serial killer, who in his own mind is unstoppable. I fell in love with the Cross character because he is so sensetive to his children and his Nanna. This makes him vulnerable and while he is searching for the two kidnapped children, you feel the emtions he is feeling because he is thinking what if it were his kids. You get to know Samson also, (Alex's friend.) I could not put this one down. The twist and turns and the surprise ending kept me spellbound, as is typical of any James Patterson novel. Anyone who read "Kiss the Girls" will be thrilled by this one if they have not read it. "Along Came A Spider" sets the tone for it.Thanks to Mr. Patterson for all his amazing thrillers. I am a true fan of his and can't wait for his next novel.
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Summary: Didn't enjoy.
Review: The biggest thing to me is when I read novels by black authors about black charaters, their voice is different, the things they see and report are different. This writer, who is white, didn't seem to capture an authintic voice.
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Summary: The FIRST Alex Cross Book
Review: First of all, everyone should know that this is the first Alex Cross book, before "Kiss the Girls," which was the second. This book is Patterson at his finest. The killer in the book is very unpredictable and will keep you guessing and second-guessing. This is argueably the BEST in the Alex Cross series. READ THIS ONE FIRST. If you have already read others later in the series, read them again after you read this one, it is essential because the devolpment of the main character, ALEX CROSS, throughout the seris is important to the final book. Also, as you get to know Cross you can better feel the fear and danger he expereinces throughout the series. You will actually start to feel that Cross and his family are friends of yours and the reading expereince will be intense. Yes, Patterson is THAT GOOD.
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Summary: Along Came a Spider is a winner!
Review: I am only 15 years old and don't enjoy reading that much, that is until I read this book. This book is brilliant, with a good plot, an outstanding cast of characters, and one heck of an ending. I like the short but intriguing chapters.I like how the book shifts from Cross' family life to Soneji's sick and twisted mind. I am almost done with "Pop Goes the Weasel" which isn't as good as "Along Came a Spider" but it is pretty good. I'm looking forward to reading more Alex Cross novels in the future and I'm hoping they are just as good as this one was. This book is something I recomend to readers who love mystery and love getting scared. This is definately a FIVE STAR book!
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Summary: Excellent
Review: I quite enjoyed the story. It was well written, made sense and was suspensful enough to make you keep reading. While later Patterson books have been a disappointment, this one was great. Definitely worth a read!
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Summary: DEFINITELY A FIVE-STAR PLUS!
Review: Of all the James Patterson novels, this one is definitely at the top of the list. In this and subsequent novels, kidnapper, Gary Soneji is to Alex Cross as Hannibal is to FBI Agent Clarice Starling. Without going into the specifics of the book, all of which have been provided for you in the editorial reviews, this book is one of my all time favourites of James Patterson. It is packed with suspense, drama, a super A-1 plot and great characters. Be prepared for a long night ahead because it is a book you will not want to put down from start to finish. Also, at the top of the list is "Kiss the Girls" and "Cat and Mouse." If you have read Patterson's later novels,"When the Wind Blows" and "Cradle and All," and are disappointed with what you have read, do not be discouraged. This book has all the punch and power of a real super thriller! You will not want to miss this book or the movie of the same name.
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Summary: The best of James Patterson
Review: At first I didn't want to read this because Cradle and All wasn't to good. But then I read it because it was the first Alex Cross novel I found this to be the greatest book I ever read before. Gary Soneji is a bright teacher at a famous washington school. But then when he kidnaps two kids and there is a large search, what can Alex Cross do? Unlike other books Alex Cross isn't perfect. He makes several mistakes in this. But this seems to be a first rate thriller. Gary Soneji is the most clever fictional character ever! He always has a plan, and a backup plan to follow. He was driven to madness, and it was a good reason. He wants t be somebody. The ending is so good. (I can't see why the director of the movie would want to change it) Gary Soneji has to be the best villian I've ever read about! The characters are great. Gary seems also to be a good actor, and he shows it in the story. This is the best Alex Cross novel of them all.
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Summary: A Delightful and Surprising Thriller
Review: Upon reading the novel, I encountered some very intricate and useful details about the book. I didn't have to worry about a slow or annoying plot in Along Came A Spider because it moved very quickly. Patterson did a great job of moving the characters right inot the feel of the novel. The characters were superb. There were many instances in which I felt like I was Detective Cross and my decisions would determine the outcome of sticky situations. Along Came a Spider was able to grab my attention and hold it. After the first couple of pages, I soon found myself unable to put the novel down at time that I knew I should have. Along Came A Spider truly impressed me to the fact that I can not wait to finish reading Patterson's next thriller, Kiss the Girls. If similar characters are involved, then I am sure the next one will be as delicious as Along Came A Spider.
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Summary: Modern Day Monster Story
Review: I have already read Kiss the Girls by James Patterson, and I liked it so much that I decided to read more of his books. This is an excellent book that keeps you in suspense until the very end. Even when you think you have it all figured out you are soon proven wrong. Gary Soneji is realistic and a scary modern day monster. It is a definite page turner, although it slows down at some points. Patterson lets you into the minds of the characters and yet you still have a hard time figuring out the truth, that's the best part about Patterson's writing style. Not quite the thrill to read as Kiss the Girls, but it is still an excellent book. I heard that they are going to soon make this into a movie and I can't wait to see it.
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