Cross

James Patterson
Little, Brown and Company (2006)
ISBN 0316159794
Reviewed by Patti Yackulic for Reader Views (11/06)

A traumatic few days in 1995 irrevocably altered Washington PD detective Dr. Alex Cross’ life. As Cross participated in a surveillance assignment to deter mob assassin “The Butcher” Michael Sullivan from executing Chinese drug overlord Jiang An-Lo, Cross witnessed both the slaying and Sullivan’s ceremonious bow over Jiang An-Lo’s corpse. Within days, Sullivan, intent upon extinguishing Cross, amazingly exhibited his scruples by sparing Cross as Cross’ children were present. Less than twenty-four hours later, Cross’s wife, Maria, died in his arms after a sniper’s bullet penetrated her. Ten years pass before Cross is once more destined to cross paths with The Butcher. How much more innocent and tainted blood will be spilt before The Butcher’s escapades cease? Will Cross, beholder of the moniker “The Dragon Slayer,” or The Butcher be victorious in their final confrontation? Will Cross solve the mystery of Maria’s untimely demise?

“Cross,” James Patterson’s latest work, promises Patterson’s continued reign as a best-selling author. After all, the book is replete with various elements ensuring commercial success: easily read prose and a well developed story line with exactly the permissible dose of violence and sex tempered with a personable protagonist who continues to evolve and to portray a strong sense of ethics. Although I enjoyed certain aspects of Cross (in particular, the plot progression and the depth of several characters), the vicious images imprinted in my mind were too graphic. Cross is definitely not for the faint of heart. Additionally, Patterson’s employment of foreshadowing was so extensive that I accurately predicted the dénouement long before I reached the pinnacle of the tale. In order for a mystery to be powerful, the element of surprise must be the predominant factor rather than a device rarely utilized in a minor fashion. Nevertheless, I’m certain that Cross will not only delight Patterson’s faithful audience, who are anxiously awaiting the latest Alex Cross installment, but “Cross” will undoubtedly attract a cadre of mystery aficionados presently unfamiliar with Patterson’s talent.

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