Target: Alex Cross

Had been a James Patterson reader for many years, but during retirement and watching my expenses, I started buying all my book for my Kindle Reader…. but, Kindle Books for James Patterson books cost more than Hardcover books, so James Patterson Books are no longer on my need to read list!

The prologue set the table for this story, and tugged at my heartstrings just a bit. Why? Because, for some inexplicable reason, it had me recollecting back to the days when our country was more united than at any time in my life. Back when a hockey game was paused so the fans could watch a speech by Pres. George W. Bush. That is not to say that the prologue wasnt interesting, because it was. But, I more enjoyed the chapters after the prologue. The first couple chapters with Alex Cross were nothing special, to be sure, but they did set the stage for me to be riveted shortly after.

Once in the groove of the story, I didnt want it to end.

BLUSH FACTOR: Only very mild cussing. No eff-words and no graphic sex scenes. This is a story you may well want to read to your older kids and with any friends or groups you might have.

CHARACTER: As usual, Patterson is a plot-oriented novelist. Not so strong with character development. Yet, he does better with Target than his normal. I almost felt empathy for assassin # 1.

POV: When Alex Cross is in the scene, it is related in first person by him. Otherwise, it is third person. The two different perspectives work quite well.

WRITING & EDITING: Professional editing, as always, helps justify the cost for this novel. What I probably most appreciated was the pacing. This is not non-stop action, is what I mean. Also, just as do so many of the great writers, Patterson makes good use of the sense of smell throughout this novel.

EXCERPT:

‘… Where are we on Senator Walkers death?

Fourth in line, sir, Bree said, taking the chair. FBIs got jurisdiction, with Secret Service and Capitol Police in support.

He didnt seem to like that. So were not even in the game?

I offered Ned Mahoney anything he needed from Metro PD, Bree said. Ill be briefed on a daily basis.

The chief said, Im getting heat on this one, Bree. From the commissioner, the mayor, and the congressmen. Theyre all wondering how were not out front on a murder in our own backyard. Im wondering too.

That surprised Bree. Chief Michaels was by nature a pragmatist, and he knew the command structure in a situation like this as well as she did.

Before she could reply, he said, Wheres Alex in all this?

FBI snapped him up. I dont know exactly what hes working on.

Course not, the chief said, shaking his head.I dont know if this consultant things going to work. Its

Sir?

When Alex was on board full-time, I could count on Metro PD being out front no matter the case, Michaels said.

Hes that kind of detective, sir, Bree allowed.

He is, the chief said, and then he leaned across the desk. But hes unavailable. So I need you to step up, Bree. I want my chief of detectives to be hungry. Not a paper pusher. Not a caretaker. I want you to be bold, to take action, stand for something in the community. I mean, for Gods sake, a U.S. senator was assassinated in our jurisdiction and were not breaking ground?

Chief, again, and with all due respect, the FBI

I dont give a rats [expletive deleted] about the FBI or the Secret Service or the Capitol Police. This is my city, and you are its chief of detectives, Stone. Prove you still should be.

Bree was taken aback for several moments before lifting her chin. And how exactly do I prove that, sir?

You find Senator

Patterson, James. Target: Alex Cross (p. 40). Little, Brown and Company. Kindle Edition.

Patterson, James. Target: Alex Cross (pp. 39-40). Little, Brown and Company. Kindle Edition.

BOTTOM LINE

This is more than hilarious. Actually, it is more humorous, than it is laugh-out-loud hilarity. In one word. In fact, they are endearing. At least for me.

Four stars out of five. Better character development would have raised this to five stars for me. Still, I am quite satisfied with Target.

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First of all, is this book sponsored by Uber? I dont think Ive ever seen Uber mentioned that many times in. . . any sort of media ever. That was a strange detail that stuck out to me.

Second of all, I cant see this being all that realistic. That took me out of the book from time to time. It was very over the top. I will give it credit for being very action packed though.

I thought I would like seeing Alex practicing more in his private practice, but I dont think I do if we are going to have random therapy cases that only exist to add weird angles to his investigations.

Well, that ending was certainly unexpected. I wrote the previous paragraph before I had finished the book. I guess this time, his client has a bigger role – but only if they follow up with the story in the next book. This one was certainly left on a cliffhanger.

There was an upsetting lack of John Sampson.

I have a lot of minor thought about this one. Nothing that really flows together. Overall, it was a solid Alex Cross book. None of them are entirely realistic, so it follows that trend.

3/5 Stars

I think James Patterson has finally overextended himself. The first half of this book had so many stories going on at the same time that was very hard to follow along. Although they did come together in the end, and the premise of the book was fairly unique and interesting, the execution just was not up to his prior standards. Along with that, his research is not as good as it had been in the past. Georgetown and Davidson are not schools in the Atlantic Coast Conference. They are both in the Atlantic-10.

Assassins are running amok all over DC and the whole United States in this Alex Cross story. Patterson intrigues his readers by revealing the details of the assassins’ preparations, disguises, aliases, and elaborate rehearsals, but he doesn’t let us know who the targets are or if the planned crimes are connected until late in the novel, just in time to knock your socks off. After some seemingly random events, Alex Cross begins to experience ominous premonitions, and his gut is right on target. Patterson’s stories are anything but stale, as he takes Alex through the new world of cyber-hacking and cryptocurrency necessary to crack the case. And for those of us who love the Cross family, they are all there at the table for comic relief and anchoring Alex to a greater purpose between car chases and dodging bullets. Thanks, Mr. Patterson, for another thrilling ride.

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