Hope to Die (Alex Cross Book 20)

The first word to come to mind at the end of the last chapter was “awesome!” As I made my way through all the twists and turns, and revelations, my muscles tensed to the point near pain. I’ve read so many of the Alex Cross novels that I feel that I know the family like they were a part of my family. I felt all the anguish and pain Dr. Cross was going through as he searched for his family that was being held by a mad man, and felt hope at each revelation that brought him closer to finding out who the maniac really was. The serial killer was brilliant in his madness and careful planning. After all, he had gotten away with all he had done, leaving no clues behind for anyone to follow. The perfect killer that brings Alex Cross to his knees. Not until the very last moment does he ever realize that he has met more than his match, not only in Alex Cross, but with his family as well. When I finished the book, I realized that my shoulders had tensed to the point of being up around my ears, and my heart was pounding. This is the best book in the series by far! James Patterson has out done himself!

This was a fabulous book! It was a continuation of Patterson’s last Cross book, which I had read, and that made it a little hard for me to follow as the story started but once I got myself up to speed the story moved quickly from one tension wracked but exciting situation to another as Cross moved quickly across what seemed like the entire Country. The book contains several scenes where Cross becomes deeply depressed which I did find somewhat disturbing. These scenes were brilliantly written, in fact far better than the book as a whole or most other books I have ever read, but I read this type of book for excitement, entertainment and pure escape and just don’t care to learn how deeply depressed any character could, should or does become. That’s a downer for me. That said, I loved Hope To Die and wish I hadn’t already finished it. I still don’t understand the necessity of putting solar panels on the roof of the shipping container; it seemed odd and not the kind of thing an artful serial murderer would do but, if I understood everything, I guess I’d have to be Patterson. I’m looking forward to Alex Cross Book 23 and would rather see it sooner than later.

This story moves very fast and is one of the most lively detective books I’ve read in quite awhile. Detective Alex Cross’s thoughts and speech are almost always in first person in this book. He is also almost constantly thrown off guard and on the move. At the same time, this story also described some of the most gruesome murders and passages I’ve ever read. Initially I kind of felt like quitting the book, but it was well-written, and I generally like Alex’s character as well as books written by Patterson. I’m glad I continued. The reader is swept up in all the drama with truly unexpected twists, including lively scenes involving alligators in a Louisiana swamp! Alex’s family was also involved, which made this book special. In addition, he had a new partner – a young female detective who was gifted at what she did. Although her words and thoughts weren’t in the first person, they felt as if they were, since as a reader, I could easily imagine her spunk and actions. Several other interesting characters helped both Alex and the bad “guys”.

Patterson kept us “hanging” in “Cross your Heart” but you are fully rewarded in “Hope to Die”. The two books are intertwined into a superb and intriguing suspense that keeps you turning the pages to see how Cross scratches and claws his way to the end of the turmoil that this insane madman has inflicted upon his life. I really enjoyed Patterson’s masterful use of unusual characters in this mini-series that keeps you riveted to the twisting turns in the story-line.
I bought the Audio Book for my wife and after reading the book am now listening to the book for a second run-thru and am impressed with the clever and detailed mind of Patterson as he lays out an intricately woven web of details that can be missed during a quick ‘first pass’.
Very well done, sir! Highly recommend this fast-paced and action-packed book!

Well written with enough twists and turns to keep you interested. Even though it continued the story of the Cross family kidnapping there was not a lot of time spent reiterating the previous book. I enjoyed the new characters he introduced. The only fault was that Alex Cross seemed to be able to go beyond normal physical limitations when injured. The reason I gave it only four stars is because I don’t like being forced to buy the second book to learn what happened to his family!! (I did buy this immediately after finishing Cross My Heart.)

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