Book Review: Criss Cross by James Patterson, the 27th book in the series and in this one perhaps the past comes back to haunt Alex.

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James Patterson is one of the most prolific writers in the world and I remember his first few Alex Cross books with warmth. They were stunnigly written with real attention to the psychological state of the villains. Over the years I have dipped in and out of the Cross novels, secure in the knowledge that Alex and his family will welcome me back with open arms and some of Nana Mama's wonderful chicken.


Blurb

Could a ghost from his past take everything away from Alex Cross?

Mere hours after witnessing the execution of a killer he helped put behind bars, Alex Cross is called to the scene of a copycat murder. A note signed 'M' rests on the corpse: 'You messed up big time, Dr. Cross.'

Was an innocent man just put to death? As the executed convict's family launch a vicious campaign against Cross, his abilities as a detective are called into question.

The enigmatic 'M' lures Cross out of Washington, DC to the sites of multiple homicides, all marked with distressingly familiar details that conjure up decades-old cases and Cross family secrets.

Details that make it clear M is after a prize so dear that – were the killer to attain it – Cross's life would be destroyed.

My Thoughts

Criss Cross,  the 27th Alec Cross book  has the usual tantalising mix of action and family. Cross, a family man, is morally bouunfd to find the truth and when copycat crimes emerge after hes just witnessed the perpetrator be executed, Cross wonders just what mind games are being played. 

In Criss Cross though, danger cmes a llittle too close to the Cross family's front door which edges up the tension quite a bit. 

The dynamics between Cross and his work colleagues and his family bring the book alive for me. It's a pacy, thrilling read with a great storline.  If it lacks the depth of the first Cross books, maybe that's to be expected. I enjoyed it  and am grateful to Netgalley for receiving a copy.