Cross the Line

Is James Patterson farming out his Alex Cross novels? That’s what I wondered as I read Cross the Line and found myself finishing some of the author’s sentences. I didn’t remember Patterson being so predictable before. I also spotted a couple mistakes in grammar in this latest book, and some cliches: unusual. I stopped reading Patterson’s co-authored books years ago because some were frankly terrible, but I stuck with his Alex Cross series. Cross the Line was a disappointment to me. I finished it, but I was rarely engaged in the story. However, it’s nice to know Alex’s family members are doing well; one does become attached over time. I hope to see the series continue and the stories return to the kind a reader can’t put down.

Another enjoyable book in the Alex Cross series; a series written by Patterson without co-authors. Being an action thriller, the story starts off with a bang from the very beginning. In fact, as the reader weaves through the novel, there are a couple sub-plots. The different plots are entertaining, especially since Patterson keeps moving from one to the other in each short chapter.
The main plot takes place unexpectedly when the District Chief of Detectives and his Slovakian girlfriend are gunned down in cold blood on a public walkway. Immediately the shooting grabs the attention of the Washington political scene.
The two sub-plots are what appears to be road rage murders; and lastly, we have mass murders taking place at what appears to be drug making factories.
All capture the readers interest well, though all seem independently different. Mr. Patterson’s very good writing brings all together at the end. Throw some nice twists into the mix and we have a novel the reader can appreciate.

I did, for me, feel the lack of a true closure for Mr. Condon’s part in the book to be a loose end. Yes, he was a threat in the beginning. The cops eventually befriended him, he became an ally, and was used as a decoy. It still didn’t seem finished. He more or less disappeared.

I also feel there is far too much Nana Mama in this book. She is somewhat the wise old Matriarch. But, I’d like to see her take far less a role. There is a lot of Alex’s family involved in this book; they can fade a bit, as well. While a cop’s personal side is always a nice touch, I find Mr. Patterson goes a bit overboard with it.
This really keeps me from giving this 5 stars.

However, as a detective thriller, the book surely does not disappoint.

Another good mystery to solve with Dr. Alex Cross and his wife Detective Bree Stone. Actually there will be several scenarios running through the novel, enough to keep anyone entertained and guessing as to connections, twists, turns and what the final outcome just might be.

There are a series of murders taking place and not just one or two, but at times multiple murders of up to twenty people. They all appear to be by vigilantes trying to clean up the town of the criminal undercurrent. That is except for the opening murder of Chief of Detectives Tom McGrath and a young lady that he has been seeing.

Who would want to kill the chief of detectives? Better question, who wouldn’t? But the answer will be hard to find, or maybe it won’t. That’s what makes it an interesting part of the plot line.

Next question, who will be the new Chief of Detectives? Alex Cross? That’s the logical choice, but will it be the one that is made?

Final question, what do vigilanty killings, the murder of a chief of detectives and trafficking of humans and the sale of narcotics all have in common?

The novel is engaging and will keep your interest as you try and solve some of the mystery. The other thing is that it will make you take a step back and ask yourself, “What has happened to the America that I grew up in?” And, “What can we do about it.” So, don’t just read as a novel. Stop at times and ask yourself some hard questions, such as, what would I do?

Enjoy!

I really enjoyed reading this book until almost the end. Patterson’s storyline kept the suspense up and the writing was entertaining. But I was extremely disappointed in the ending which is why I gave the book only 3 stars. Patterson tied up only one track of the storyline but didn’t even try to wrap up the other part of the story. He just stopped writing. It was a really amateurish way for an accomplished writer to end a novel. I was frustrated and angry at the “non-ending”. I wouldn’t have bothered reading the book if I had known the author didn’t care enough about the story to actually give it an ending.

Im giving this 3 stars only because others might really enjoy it. I found it a bore. Predictable, snoozer. The family is ridiculously perfect. Three kids: one in an elite college, one a soon to be Olympic runner, one a budding Einstein. Perfect marriage. Thrilling but easy cases to solve, mom solves one and dad the other. All while taking out time for weekends with the family. Oh and grandma is a world class cook who makes a new amazing dish every night. I had to keep putting it down. Weeks later Im finished and feel like beach read is too sophisticated a classification.

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