2025 Reading Challenge discussion

This thread is to discuss Pop Goes the Weasel by James Patterson, the fifth book in the Alex Cross series.

Pages: 461 pages

Length: 1 Month (October)

Participants: Lynn, Iton.

Everyone reads at their own pace during a Buddy Read. Because participants can be at different parts of the book at different times, it is extremely important to mark spoilers so that the book is not ruined for someone who is not as far along as others!!!

Mark spoilers by placing {spoiler} before the text and {/spoiler} after the text but use the < and > instead of the { and }.


Happy Buddy Reading!

Well, Iton, since I am just now finishing up Cat & Mouse and have a couple of other September reads to complete, I'll not plan to begin this one until mid-month. One thing about these books--they do seem to read very fast. That's a good thing! LOL

I plan to start this over the weekend, 10-23 and 10-24. Have I lost you as a Buddy Reader, Iton? I hope not!

Hi Lynn. So sorry for being MIA. School has been hectic the past month but I’m back. I’ll start Pop Goes the Weasel later today as I have a backlog of neglected reading.

Iton wrote: "Hi Lynn. So sorry for being MIA. School has been hectic the past month but I’m back. I’ll start Pop Goes the Weasel later today as I have a backlog of neglected reading."

I hear ya. I am not a student, but I work in a higher education institution, and it has been exhausting having students back and putting up with all the other crap of dealing with coworkers, administrators, etc. Ugh...

I am 38% in and had to pause to comment. (view spoiler)[ I’m at the part where Christine is missing and won’t be surprised if Death or one of his cronies has gotten to her. Him donning blackface to commit crimes is despicable, his crimes included, and I can’t wait for him (and his horsemen?) to be caught. (hide spoiler)] What are your thoughts so far?

Iton wrote: "I am 38% in and had to pause to comment. [spoilers removed] What are your thoughts so far?"

Yeah. I spent the last book so worried about Christine and then this happens in the next book. I finished reading it, so I'll wait for your further comments...

Yes, this guy is definitely evil incarnate and such a druggie. The underlying mental health challenges on top of the drugs. Quite the combination...

James Patterson is great at writing the worst types of people. I was shocked there was no confirmation he drowned. In the previous books, Alex seemed like the type to want to know the suspect was caught/apprehended/dead. Because of the lack of confirmation, I wasn't too shocked when he returned in the final chapter, murdering (?) his wife and sparing the children is reminiscent of Soneji.

I think Alex's jobs will affect his and Christine's relationship. She was coping in her own way before her kidnapping. I foresee some sort of ultimatum in the next book/breakup if he continues working with the police. Little Alex!! I look forward to reading about the new addition to the Cross family.

What are your thoughts?

Iton wrote: "James Patterson is great at writing the worst types of people. I was shocked there was no confirmation he drowned. In the previous books, Alex seemed like the type to want to know the suspect was c..."

I assumed there would be no body discovered and he would be alive. A bit of a trite plot point, IMO, but there it is. I was glad his wife finally left him, but angry that he killed her. I had forgotten that Soneji did the same thing!

I was hopeful Christine was still alive and I totally expected a baby to be with her, if she was found alive. And then my heart goes out to Jannie and Damon. They not only have a new woman in their family, but now suddenly a new sibling as well!

One of my very best friends who has read quite a few in this series let it slip that he does change jobs...

One very minor complaint I had was he did not even try to address Christine's vacancy as prinicipal and how the school handled that for a whole year. But that's just me being picky about something that would personally matter a lot as a parent who had to fight for her own school-aged children at times, and also as a 'displaced teacher'. 😉

Lynn wrote: "Iton wrote: "James Patterson is great at writing the worst types of people. I was shocked there was no confirmation he drowned. In the previous books, Alex seemed like the type to want to know the ..."

It was very odd how it was never said who was Principal, and how the school handled Christine's absence. At least, some sort of candlelight vigil should have been held.

Iton wrote: "Lynn wrote: "Iton wrote: "James Patterson is great at writing the worst types of people. I was shocked there was no confirmation he drowned. In the previous books, Alex seemed like the type to want..."

True! I think I may start Roses Are Red this coming weekend. Though I may leave it until next week since I find these very easily read in smaller chunks during the workweek!

No problem! I won’t be able to start Roses at Red until after the 10th.