Double Cross (Alex Cross)

James Patterson
Little, Brown and Company  (2007)
ISBN 9780316015059
Reviewed by Susan Pettrone for Reader Views (12/07) 


Alex Cross sincerely believes his newly retired life with Detective Brianna Stone, also known as Bree, was going to be a nice, calm existence free from the demons that have haunted his life thus far. He was sorely wrong. A long-planned, remote camping trip ends rather abruptly when Bree receives a phone call summoning her back to DC to work the murder scene of an author prominent in the community and in his field. Quickly it becomes apparent to all concerned that the murderer staged the event for the public attention he received and for the audience present at the time.  Before you can say “homicide,” the horrendous killer nicknamed the DC Audience Killer is performing his chilling crimes not only to a crowd, but he also has a live video cam on his website to document every sick performance. And to make it even more chilling, it is soon clear that he is not working alone after all; he has a partner of sorts, in the form of another sick and twisted individual on the loose.

As if all this chaos and mayhem isn't enough to keep the authorities busy, there is a situation in Colorado that shakes the officers in charge to the very core. Kyle Craig, also known as “The Mastermind,” who has been held in a maximum-security prison for the last four years, has planned a very daring, yet clever escape. Craig has been obsessed with breaking out of jail to the extent of the thought of it being on his mind continually. After he makes good his amazing escape, it is clear Craig wants revenge on everyone responsible for putting him in jail especially Alex Cross.

This book is one of those that keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout its entirety, The characters are well fleshed out, the emotions depicted with such intensity that the reader truly feels a part of the action. The subplots mesh well within the storyline and all the drama and suspense comes to a close in a way that only Patterson can devise.

Though I found myself somewhat frustrated with the ending of “Double Cross,” I can see all too well why the author chose the ending he did. To do so in any other manner would have negated the suspense and chilling effect of the storyline and would have left the reader emotionally exhausted. As it is, the reader is left with a feeling of anticipation for the next book in the series. One, I personally hope will come soon. I don’t know how long I can wait to find out the next installment in the life of Alex Cross.

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