I, Alex Cross discussion

I've read this book and really enjoyed it but feel it left a lot of questions unanswered.

- How did the mafia tie into the book. Why did Tucci have Caroline's remains and where was he taking them? It seems like everyone else was just buried in the woods behind Remy's cabin.
- Did Cormorant know who Zeus was the entire time? Or when do you think he figured it out?
- If Cormorant knew and was trying to cover up, then why did he go to vice-president Tillman and Gabe Reese?
- What was the significance of the ring Zeus was wearing and why did the ex-secret service agent also have one. Or did Zeus just wear it to frame Constantine Bowie.

Don't know if anyone has read this book and has some thoughts. But if you have and do, I'd love to hear them.

Jupiter394, very good question and probably some of the same ones I had when I read the book. Sorry I can't truly answer any of your questions, its been a minute since I read it so don't remember all the details anymore.

Sadly as Alex Cross books go on, they are becoming more and more unbelievable. Between the constant partner switching and outlandish plots that only this hero can handle, they are not a shade as good as the early books which were hard to put down for a minute. BUT sadly, that is my opinion of the last many James Patterson books on his own, a rare book, or with helpful writers, they are all just becoming very paint by numbers and not really worth buying. Still on a beach, perhaps okay...... Sad though as have read most of his books and used to really look forward to them!

Yes, it does seem to be more of a production. It's like he's not even bothering to work out the details. It's okay to leave some things for the reader to form their own opinion, but this one seems to just have too many for my liking even thought I enjoyed reading it.

Maybe I'll email on the James Patterson sight and see what they have to say. :)

Thx

Agree with you. Let me know if you get a reply, please.

Second thought, occurs to me that perhaps he is getting ready to kill AC off. But his Womans Murder Club has gone down hill terribly in the last couple of books. And, in my opinion, the standalone books of last couple of years are paint by number reminding me of made for tv stories.

I think the biggest problem is that he is cranking them out so quickly. The story concepts are good, but about halfway through, it's as if James Patterson gets bored of it and just writes a quick ending (that leaves the reader saying: "Seriously??"). Like Shakespeare (and no I'm not comparing him to Shakespeare) getting halfway through Romeo and Juliet and writing, and then they killed themselves, The End... Just wait till the end of Cross Fire. I had high expectations throughout the book, but pushed it away in disappointed, disbelief when I was done. Only to find out that there's now another one!! Wondering if I'm finally going to stop buying them in hardcover...

Read it and was so disappointed but have followed from book one so am loyal. Waiting for delivery of Kill Alex Cross any day....curious!

I was very sad to say goodbye to two favorites Kurt Wallander and before him dear Rebus, but Henning Mankill and Ian Rankin respectively are better writers by far and keep true to there creations.
Both Patricia Cornwall with Scarpetta and JP and friends, as who knows who writes what with him now...have deserted their main claim to fame characters! Scarpetta is barely recognizable last few books and we agree about Alex Cross. I feel he has also messed up a good format in his woman's murder club books...very made for tv class. Stands to reason the way he cranks out books like a machine, quality has been dumped for quantity. Shame. I actually threw one of the stand-alone books away to a book exchange in disgust a few months ago.

I don't think I ever buy hard cover books anymore. Unless I'm going to meet the author and get a signature.

Thanks Sharon, I'll look those authors up.

I too was disappointed - not sure if I'll move on to future Alex Cross books!

Shirley wrote: "I too was disappointed - not sure if I'll move on to future Alex Cross books!"

Have the next or latest sitting on my pile and that in itself in a good indication of how truly disappointing I have found the last few of the Alex Cross books...having read them all and in order. Very sad but will read this when time permits and see....fingers crossed!

Ugh. I was so disappointed when I read the synopsis of the new book and got confused when thought that I had picked up a copy of the last one! It's basically an almost identical story! Even though I complain about the deterioration of the story lines, I'm still compelled to read it... I'll try to wait for paperback though. Here's to hoping that J.P. will start spending a little longer on developing some unique ideas, and better endings...

I agree Veera - I highly recommend the trilogy that begins with "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Just vinished the second book and waiting for the Library to call with the third - can't wait!

I read the first two Dragon books. They are good and complicated in a good way. I am too busy for the third right now, but cannot wait until I have time to read it.

I am also reading The Snowman by Jo Nesbo (another Nordic author) and I am enjoying it as well.

I agree with everything that has been said in this thread. The author appears to have sacrificed quality for quantity and the fact that a lot of his books are written with a co-author speaks volumes. It's like JP comes up with the plotline etc. and then leaves it to the co-author to write while he is on to the next one.

The first few Alex Cross books had me hooked and I couldn't put them down. His later ones leave me cold in that I don't know if I can be bothered to read them.

Currently reading Kill Alex Cross...AC #18! Even the titles are in a dip! Used cute nursery story titles until last seven and now Cross this and that. Remind me of b grade made for television plots. Have read a very good many of his stand alone books and The Women's Murder Club Series.....in all cases, early stories were so good that I looked fwd to the next....conveyor belt writing seems to have happened and just no fun anymore. Only positive that remains for me, the short sentences, chapters and description...sad!!

Sadly, I agree.

I wanted to start reading the Alex Cross series, and as usual, Patterson's book are like a crazy roller coaster ride. But there were alot of things that came out of the blue in this story. I had NO idea why the mafia people had Caroline's remains. I mean the other people who were put in the chipper were buried wherever, right? So why not hers? And why keep them and have the mafia guy have it? That did puzzle me. I'm trying to write my own mystery, and I will try to remember not to put out of the blue stuff in my story.

JAMES PATTERSON   Alex Cross
Along Came a Spider (1993,) 
Kiss the Girls (1995,) 
Jack & Jill (1996,) 
Cat and Mouse (1997,) 
Pop Goes the Weasel (1999,) 
Roses are Red (2000,) 
Violets Are Blue (2001,) 
Four Blind Mice (2002,) 
The Big Bad Wolf (2003,) 
London Bridges (2004,) 
Mary, Mary (2005,) 
Cross (2006, ) 
Double Cross (2007,) 
Cross Country (2008,) 
Alex Cross's Trial (2009, , with Richard DiLallo) 
I, Alex Cross (2009,) 
Cross Fire (November 15, 2010) 
Kill Alex Cross 9/11



Women's Murder Club
1st to Die (2001,) 
2nd Chance (2002, , with Andrew Gross) 
3rd Degree (2004, , with Andrew Gross) 
4th of July (2005, , with Maxine Paetro) 
The 5th Horseman (2006, , with Maxine Paetro) 
The 6th Target (2007, , with Maxine Paetro) 
7th Heaven (2008, , with Maxine Paetro) 
8th Confession (2009, , with Maxine Paetro) 
The 9th Judgment (2010, , with Maxine Paetro) 
10th Anniversary (2011, with Maxine Paetro) 
11th Hour  with Maxine Paetro)  iBook May 2012

Patti wrote: "I wanted to start reading the Alex Cross series, and as usual, Patterson's book are like a crazy roller coaster ride. But there were alot of things that came out of the blue in this story. I had ..."

For sure....

I, Alex Cross is an outstanding book. I recommend it to everyone.

I have to agree with all of you. I could not wait to get a hold of a James Patterson book. But after reading Merry Christmas Alex. I was disapointed and there is another one in March! I think he is cranking them to fast also. They start out good but fizzle. As much as I love the Alex Cross series, I miss the nursery rhyme books!!!!

Read them all and the early books were awesome. Must reads, fast and exciting. But somewhere the stories just changed. Terrorism ...military.... And characters that were well formed and interesting components to the books just change or get killed off. I have stopped and sadly am struggling with the latest Patricia Cornwall Scarpetta The Bone Bed too....two favorite writers just lost! These were both writers that I eagerly waited to read the next book. Shame but thank goodness many more to read that don't just crank out books despite lack of content.

maybe as writers...they have these great ideas for a novel. and it works at first. then...it's gets too worn out and dies. but they don't want it to die...and they keep beating it like a dead horse. maybe they should let it go. ??

Patti wrote: "maybe as writers...they have these great ideas for a novel. and it works at first. then...it's gets too worn out and dies. but they don't want it to die...and they keep beating it like a dead ho..."

I think you have a good point. I am giving up JP and Alex Cross and it amazes me as I have read dozens of JP books and waited for the next AC book and loved them but they have become stranger and stranger....time to stop.
On the same sad note, I am currently struggling to get through The Bone Bed by Patricia Cornwall....and it is truly sad as I loved Kay Scarpetta books from the start and eagerly waited for a new book! This is so girlie upset strange I cannot get a fix on it but it is not working. Sure not the KS of old and there are plot set ups that are so convenient it is amateurish..
Have two last adult Kathy Reichs stacked up on iBook too and again a writer and character I followed and loved but just isn't the same character anymore.

PLEASE do NOT give up on Alex Cross!! I just read Alex Cross Run in 2 days! I LOVED it. Reminded me of the old JP books. I was not going to get it but decided to give him one more chance. I am so glad I did!!

Sharon wrote: "Sadly as Alex Cross books go on, they are becoming more and more unbelievable. Between the constant partner switching and outlandish plots that only this hero can handle, they are not a shade as g..."

Exactly.

Sharon wrote: "Read it and was so disappointed but have followed from book one so am loyal. Waiting for delivery of Kill Alex Cross any day....curious!

I was very sad to say goodbye to two favorites Kurt Wallan..."

Sharon, we seem to read the same authors, and again I agree with what you are saying.

Eric wrote: "Sharon wrote: "Read it and was so disappointed but have followed from book one so am loyal. Waiting for delivery of Kill Alex Cross any day....curious!

I was very sad to say goodbye to two favori..."

Gives me no pleasure as I am currently struggling to read the last two Kathy Reichs books. They are so strange. Occurs to me that her success with the TV show, which I find dim and not connected to TB and her teen series, has changed her tone. She is writing Flash and Bones like she is trying to attract a teen and even male audience. Strange language and cutesy asides. Spends hardly a moment in her place of work but running around solving the case current and old..... Liked her early books mostly set in Quebec and with a great voice and flare and some very good cases....last few and this is watered down silliness and how I will get through it and the last one on my iPad I do not know. Usually not a problem but there is so little story! And everyone against the FBI is rather OLD and tedious......

I agree, I had to stop reading Kathy Reichs too. And I can't watch the TV show, the woman/character of Bones is kinda idiotic.
I just discovered Amanda Kyle Williams. She is wonderful. Her first book, I laughed and cried and stayed up until 4 in the morning to finish reading it. I haven't done that in a long time.

Patti wrote: "I agree, I had to stop reading Kathy Reichs too. And I can't watch the TV show, the woman/character of Bones is kinda idiotic.
I just discovered Amanda Kyle Williams. She is wonderful. Her fir..."

Have one more KR downloaded so will get to it but ..... Agree, the TV series ...high heels in that job! Get real!

Thanks for the tip. Will research.

Patti wrote: "maybe as writers...they have these great ideas for a novel. and it works at first. then...it's gets too worn out and dies. but they don't want it to die...and they keep beating it like a dead ho..."

Patti wrote: "maybe as writers...they have these great ideas for a novel. and it works at first. then...it's gets too worn out and dies. but they don't want it to die...and they keep beating it like a dead ho..."

You are absolutely right. Unfortunately, us fans demand more. So instead of doing the right thing, authors drain the life out of their characters.
Personally, I'd be much happier waiting a year or so for quality writing than have to settle for something that is rushed through just to get it done.

I like James Patterson books although I only read two so far I Alex cross, Merry Christmas Alex Cross,like many of you there was some unanswered question,but the book still keep me won't more. Can anyone tell me is there a Certain Order for reading his books.

Thomasina wrote: "I like James Patterson books although I only read two so far I Alex cross, Merry Christmas Alex Cross,like many of you there was some unanswered question,but the book still keep me won't more. Ca..."

Patterson does a good enough job with each book that it's not necessary to read them in order. However, it does help follow Detective Cross' evolution.

In my opinion, the early Alex Cross books were the best. Start with "Along Came a Spider" (Alex Cross, #1)

To find the order of publication, enter "James Patterson" into your GoodReads search bar and it will give you a list of his books. The Alex Cross series will be identified.

Hope this helps. :)

Thank you, I ask my library the same question and she print the order for me. But she said I will still understand if not in order. I will be reading more of James Patterson books this was a new author for me. I read many Different books by different author,from urban fiction, romance, Suspense etc.