Along Came a Spider

Rating:
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.

Rating:
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.

Rating:
Summary: A great psychological thriller.
Review: This is the first installment in James Patterson's Alex Cross series, and it left me wanting more. This author has the capability of combining psychological suspense with the horror of the unspeakable acts that some people are capable of committing. In order to find this killer, Alex Cross must try and think like the killer does, thus taking you on a journey through the warped mind of a psychopath. This was the first James Patterson I have read, but I will definitely keep reading this series.

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Summary: I couldn't sleep until I finished this book!
Review: This book is not only intense and thrilling but, the characters are so real that even I was wondering if there could be a "Gary Soneji" type living near me. Soneji was a master criminal with many sides. He was a family man, a teacher in a private school, and a graduated student of Yale University. By all accounts an above average person but, his shady past leads him to become one of the scariest masterminds of all time. Dr. Alex Cross is belivable in all of his roles, as father, lover, son, police officer, and criminal psycologist. He a character that anyone can relate to, and he always keeps you interested. The one great thing about this book is its accuracy, living in Washington D.C. made the story even more real, his describtions of the places in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia were right on the mark. This book kept me guessing till the end what happened to the kidnapped children, and when I found out what happened to them and where they ended up I was in total shock. Then the final encounter with Cross and Soneji kept my heart pounding until the bitter end. Not only is this book a great mystery but it is so fast that it keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

Rating:
Summary: Gary Soneji is a frightening character!
Review: James Patterson has created one of the most frightening characters in recent memory. What makes Gary Soneji so scary? Well, I think it is because Patterson has made him so believable. Gary Soneji is someone who could be living next to you right now.

This book is fast paced and scary. It is a great read, especially if you have seen the film. They are very different!

Rating:
Summary: FIRST RATE SUSPENSE
Review: Having read everything by Michael Conelly and Jeffrey Deaver, I was looking for a master of suspense with an imaginative and intellectual lead character. I found both with James Patterson's Along Came A Spider and Dr. Alex Cross.

Alex Cross is a lead detective with the Washington Police Department. He is also a very able licensed psychologist. While investigating a series of murders he is called out to take the lead in the investigation of the kidnapping of a politician's son and a movie star's daughter (Maggie Rose). It isnt long before he finds out the murderer and the kidnapper are one in the same. The manhunt for Gary Sonjei and the search for little lost Maggie Rose have Cross teamed up with the FBI and the Secret Service. Sonjei proves to be evil incarnate with a master plan and a high I.Q. The plot thickens and surprises abound, keeping interest at a high level throughout the book.

Patterson delivers what every suspense reader wants.... a vulnerable and loveable good guy along with a bad guy that has you afraid to turn out the lights at night. Just when you think you have it all figured out he kicks up the intensity another notch.

The book is a smooth read. There are little to no dull spots. You will finish this book wanting to read another Alex Cross novel. I know I did. FIVE STAR THRILLER !!

Rating:
Summary: This book moves faster than a rollercoaster
Review: This book is structured in short two to three page chapters that are engaging and practically will you to turn the page. I think this is the first Alex Cross, I enjoyed the characters and settings their were some great twists and turns. James Patterson writes some of the fastest moving thriller novels out there!

Rating:
Summary: Meet Gary Soneji for the 1st time
Review: To me, Gary Soneji is FAR and AWAY a better crafted character than Hannibal Lecter is. Almost jumping off the pages and into your nightmares is what James Patterson manages to succeed in doing to you. Here is fair warning: IF you have a penchant for dreaming about the books you read, you may want to avoid Patterson's books at all costs! His characters are SO BAD they almost defy the words in the English language to fully describe. Gary Soneji is also one thing many serial killers are not: He is VERY smart (maybe not smart enough NOT to kill, but pretty darned intelligent) but he is also hopelessly past all ability to rehabilitate, too. Patterson's pace is so fast that there is practically a new chapter on every-other-page. The pacing is like a semi coming down a steep grade with no brakes. Watch OUT! If you are into SMART storytelling (Gary Soneji isn't the ONLY smart one in this book) than Patterson's Alex Cross novels are the bar by which everyone else is judged.

Rating:
Summary: Jennifer Peterson strikes again!
Review: This is a WONDERFUL book, filled with mystery and suspence. Not only does Jennifer Peterson keep your fingers turning the pages but she also get a message across while she's doing it!!(you'll have to find out for yourself what the message is.) This is a great book and you just have to read it!

Rating:
Summary: ALONG CAME A WINNER IN ALEX CROSS
Review: This is my first James Patterson book and I am very surprised in this psycholoical thriller. This novel has it all. It has the suspense at every turn. The short chapter writing style made the reading very fast and easy. The character Gary Soneji was unpredictable throughtout. As soon as you seem to have it all figured out, JP throws you a curve. It is drama at it best that will grab you and won't let you go until the end. The reader will need to fasten their seatbelts for this fast ride. I have considered reading Kiss the Girls by JP but I saw the movie instead. I understand that this book will be made into a movie coming out about March or April 2001. I suggest you read the book first. The reader can trust me on this one as a real winner.

I plan to read Cat and Mouse by JP. This book is a continuation of the same villian... Gary Soneji/Murphy Check it out on my next review as well as all my reveiws because they are all good. See YA.