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Alex Cross #13
Double Cross
Perfect. Mint condition. Unabridged on 7 CDS in hard-box library edition of Patterson's Double Cross. alex Cross rejoins the DC police to confront two of the most diabolical killers he's ever encountered. A psychotic killer who craves an audience. This is a beautiful audiobook and would make a great gift.
389 pages, Hardcover
First published November 13, 2007
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20492 people want to read
About the author
James Patterson
930 books354k followersOfficial US Site
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead
James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead
James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,938 reviews
December 3, 2007
Why oh why do I continue to do this to myself? Lots and lots of white space. Super dad, super cop, super doc Alex solves the mystery but only when he isn't chasing his new girlfriend and trying to find time to have sex with her. OK - I am not a prude (I really enjoy good sex scenes in fiction) but this is getting ridiculous.....When Patterson first conceived the Alex Cross character he is what drew readers in - he was an excellant cop, doc, and a good single dad. Now I think Patterson just keeps rehashing the same book with different female leads. No more for me......
November 16, 2023
There were some hiccups and a severe lack of murder scenes, but with one of the killers who is always thrilling and has a way of tying a bunch of previous events together, I was sucked in and devoured the rest of the book.
I have this thing with sibling incest-type events that grossed me out in this book. Can we delve more into the psychological crap to do with that? Alex's practice doesn't seem to be as booming as he once hoped it would be, haha. I enjoyed the clues and wonder how Bree feels about Alex taking over her investigation...
I have so many unanswered questions. I hope the next book goes more in-depth about that. You better not kill the Sandman.
Bree... there's no way she is the final lady in Alex's life. We may be at book #13, but that's not even halfway through, and we all know how long ladies last in Alex's life...
This book had a serious lack of Nana Mama, the kids, and everyone on the good side, except Bree, so that was a bit disappointing.
In the end, it was fun and entertaining, and I still enjoyed the ride, so I will continue along with the easy-read journey of Alex Cross in the future.
4 Stars for me.
I have this thing with sibling incest-type events that grossed me out in this book. Can we delve more into the psychological crap to do with that? Alex's practice doesn't seem to be as booming as he once hoped it would be, haha. I enjoyed the clues and wonder how Bree feels about Alex taking over her investigation...
I have so many unanswered questions. I hope the next book goes more in-depth about that. You better not kill the Sandman.
Bree... there's no way she is the final lady in Alex's life. We may be at book #13, but that's not even halfway through, and we all know how long ladies last in Alex's life...
This book had a serious lack of Nana Mama, the kids, and everyone on the good side, except Bree, so that was a bit disappointing.
In the end, it was fun and entertaining, and I still enjoyed the ride, so I will continue along with the easy-read journey of Alex Cross in the future.
4 Stars for me.
May 9, 2018
An entertaining installment but really wish we had gotten more of backstory on Bree. I feel like other than being told they met at a retirement party that she was just kind of placed as a large part of Alex’s life sorta out of the blue. I like her character but wish we were able to read about their meeting instead of put right in an established relationship.
Any Alex across book with Kyle Craig back in the picture is entertaining because of Alex and his past friendship so I actually got into that aspect of the crime plot right away. The DCAK killing plot was intriguing and constantly changing so that was a very fun aspect to the crime plot. Was thoroughly entertained. Though the Sampson angle left me with nerved.
My quick and simple overall: a great shirt read and addition to the series. I am enjoying this series!
Any Alex across book with Kyle Craig back in the picture is entertaining because of Alex and his past friendship so I actually got into that aspect of the crime plot right away. The DCAK killing plot was intriguing and constantly changing so that was a very fun aspect to the crime plot. Was thoroughly entertained. Though the Sampson angle left me with nerved.
My quick and simple overall: a great shirt read and addition to the series. I am enjoying this series!
June 19, 2020
Book 13 in the Alex Cross series published 2007.
I’m not known for my long review but this one will be shorter than normal.
Have you read any of the Alex Cross books in the past? If the answer is yes then you’ve read this one.
It’s the same story with different homicidal psychopaths. This time round there are two new psychopaths, a bother and sister team and an old perennial ‘Kyle Craig’.
I can’t say that it was not a page turner I wanted to get to the end ASAP
If you are an Alex Cross fan you’re going to enjoy this more than I did.
2.5 stars rounded up up 3 stars.
I’m not known for my long review but this one will be shorter than normal.
Have you read any of the Alex Cross books in the past? If the answer is yes then you’ve read this one.
It’s the same story with different homicidal psychopaths. This time round there are two new psychopaths, a bother and sister team and an old perennial ‘Kyle Craig’.
I can’t say that it was not a page turner I wanted to get to the end ASAP
If you are an Alex Cross fan you’re going to enjoy this more than I did.
2.5 stars rounded up up 3 stars.
December 28, 2016
'Double Cross' is the 13th in the Alex Cross series and in my opinion the best yet. In typical James Patterson style the chapters are short, intense and so easy to follow it makes you just want to keep on reading.
This was a rollercoaster ride of gruesome murders, the hunt for vicious serial killers and a spot on plot line that really had me hooked from the very first page. Having read many of the previous Alex Cross novels I always loved the stories but sometimes I was a bit bored with Alex's family saga that often took up a lot of the book, but this one didn't focus on his family much at all and concentrated purely on the crimes being committed which were gruesome, gory and right up my street! We see the return of Kyle Craig in this book after his escape from prison and I can't help liking the part he plays. All in all this is one of James Patterson's better books as a lot of his work is now co written with other authors and aren't quite up to the usual standards. I highly recommended this book as either a stand alone or as a sequel to the other Cross books.
This was a rollercoaster ride of gruesome murders, the hunt for vicious serial killers and a spot on plot line that really had me hooked from the very first page. Having read many of the previous Alex Cross novels I always loved the stories but sometimes I was a bit bored with Alex's family saga that often took up a lot of the book, but this one didn't focus on his family much at all and concentrated purely on the crimes being committed which were gruesome, gory and right up my street! We see the return of Kyle Craig in this book after his escape from prison and I can't help liking the part he plays. All in all this is one of James Patterson's better books as a lot of his work is now co written with other authors and aren't quite up to the usual standards. I highly recommended this book as either a stand alone or as a sequel to the other Cross books.
March 5, 2017
A go to series. Always can count on these books to get me out of a reading slump!
May 21, 2024
For me this has been the worst book in the Alex Cross series. I always find the sex scenes awkward from JP and this was no exception, Alex's love life was a big focus in this book and I found it pretty boring. His family life was the same old story he misses important dates because of his job and his family forgive him in minutes. Some of the humour in this book was cringe too, maybe I am just getting a little sick of Alex Cross now? Does Alex find every woman he meets attractive?
As for the actual plot it wasn't very cohesive, there were two plot line running alongside one another which I normally enjoy but these didn't match and it ended up just being messy. I found the suspense to be very underwhelming in this book too, it felt like JP was stretching out every scene just to make it to a decent page count. This maybe would have worked better as a 0.5 in the series, it really didn't need to be this long and felt like a bridging book to a bigger plot next time.
This book was just made to reintroduce Kyle Craig, a character that I do enjoy, but it was a lot of work for what it was it could've just been a little epilogue in next instalment. Although I do like Kyle Craig I wish JP would introduce a new big baddie instead of going back to him. I will be continuing but maybe I need a little break from this series for now.
As for the actual plot it wasn't very cohesive, there were two plot line running alongside one another which I normally enjoy but these didn't match and it ended up just being messy. I found the suspense to be very underwhelming in this book too, it felt like JP was stretching out every scene just to make it to a decent page count. This maybe would have worked better as a 0.5 in the series, it really didn't need to be this long and felt like a bridging book to a bigger plot next time.
This book was just made to reintroduce Kyle Craig, a character that I do enjoy, but it was a lot of work for what it was it could've just been a little epilogue in next instalment. Although I do like Kyle Craig I wish JP would introduce a new big baddie instead of going back to him. I will be continuing but maybe I need a little break from this series for now.
December 16, 2009
This is the first James Patterson book I have read because I saw that he is twice on the Amazon best seller list and I wanted a piece of the action. I wasn't a quarter of the way into it when I wondered why he was there. As I kept reading, that feeling grew but I persisted because I felt I must be missing something that thousands of other readers were getting. I was utterly unconvinced by his characters and the story line, the latter doing a very poor job, or no job at all, of explaining how the killers ALWAYS got their victims right where they wanted them. And his killers - god. Has he no interest at all in being realistic? Real life serial killers are an extremely unhappy group of people. That is why they kill - to try to relieve that unhappiness. Patterson's killers are portrayed like schoolkids being let loose in a candy store - much delighted chortling and gleeful hand rubbing. And the real ones mostly kill to a pattern, that pattern being part of a ritual that is supposed to bring them relief. Patterson just gets his serial killer, Kyle Craig, coming across a cleaner in his hotel room and deciding on the spot, yeah, ok, I will kill her right here, right now. Same with a girl he picks up in a bar. Utterly unrealistic.
On the law enforcement side, it ain't any better. Detective Bree Stone (Cross's girlfriend) is supposed to be the lead on the murders but Cross just takes over (how does that happen anyway? He's supposed to be off the force) and Bree is only a shadowy figure on the sidelines. No strong female characters in this book.
The ending was ridiculous, and again, utterly unbelievable. One of the characters brags that he is trained in hand to hand combat, then, after a few seconds of just that, is dead! Hello? Another character fakes death, then leaps to his feet and runs off into the night, laughing maniacally. Talk about a plug for the next book which, I, for one, won't be getting.
On the law enforcement side, it ain't any better. Detective Bree Stone (Cross's girlfriend) is supposed to be the lead on the murders but Cross just takes over (how does that happen anyway? He's supposed to be off the force) and Bree is only a shadowy figure on the sidelines. No strong female characters in this book.
The ending was ridiculous, and again, utterly unbelievable. One of the characters brags that he is trained in hand to hand combat, then, after a few seconds of just that, is dead! Hello? Another character fakes death, then leaps to his feet and runs off into the night, laughing maniacally. Talk about a plug for the next book which, I, for one, won't be getting.
July 23, 2008
I think I've finally realized that I've outgrown the Alex Cross series. That, or JP is getting lazy and sloppy as he keeps cranking out the novels. Predictable plot - yet another over-the-top genius criminal mastermind is committing terrible and sensational murders. Once again, Cross gets sucked in to helping and questions his life's direction. Once again, his love life is disgustingly described. I'm not offended at all by it, just grossed out. I hate how Patterson writes the "romantic interludes". Skeevy. And I find it disturbing that Cross seems to find more time to sleep with his girlfriend du jour than spend with his family. Also, his family is constantly being threatened by horrible killers. Here, never once shows an ounce of concern or seems to feel the need to get them some protection or anything, even when he knows the danger is right there practically stalking he and the family.
I also figured out a couple of the mystery "twists" extremely early on (and usually I'm slow about it!) and the one twist I didn't see coming was just put in there for sheer shock value. I don't like reading books, the whole time waiting to find out whodunit, only to finish the novel knowing absolutely nothing about the killer or where they came from.
I also figured out a couple of the mystery "twists" extremely early on (and usually I'm slow about it!) and the one twist I didn't see coming was just put in there for sheer shock value. I don't like reading books, the whole time waiting to find out whodunit, only to finish the novel knowing absolutely nothing about the killer or where they came from.
November 12, 2017
There was a time before the writing factory of James Patterson and his co-writers took his place in which the Patterson books expecially with Alex Cross were great fun to read. And to be honest this book does stick to the formula but somehow feels empty. It is a set of serial killers that are somehow have an issue that cross the border of suspense of disbelieve in my humble opinion.
Alex Cross is enjoying a romantic outing when his new beau gets called into duty. The rather attention seeking killer does manage to keep out of the hands of the cops while at the same time perpetrating some horrific murders. And yet the story feels like an exercise of how can we top earlier successful stories about serial killers and make it more interesting. The story at no moment grabbed me and it left me only curious how they would resolve this story with more or less cardboard characters. And it was not that great an ending.
Positives were that the story was easy to read and the writer managed to keep the reader guessing what the heck was going on, to spoiler it really no explanation but attention seeking gits.
Patterson used to be fun and exciting but this book proved that he certainly was not with the release of this book.
Recommended to his fans and people who have got more time and nothing else to read.
Alex Cross is enjoying a romantic outing when his new beau gets called into duty. The rather attention seeking killer does manage to keep out of the hands of the cops while at the same time perpetrating some horrific murders. And yet the story feels like an exercise of how can we top earlier successful stories about serial killers and make it more interesting. The story at no moment grabbed me and it left me only curious how they would resolve this story with more or less cardboard characters. And it was not that great an ending.
Positives were that the story was easy to read and the writer managed to keep the reader guessing what the heck was going on, to spoiler it really no explanation but attention seeking gits.
Patterson used to be fun and exciting but this book proved that he certainly was not with the release of this book.
Recommended to his fans and people who have got more time and nothing else to read.
December 20, 2017
WHY ME?!
WHY!
WHY?
Ugh, this book would have been super freaking amazing if Alex didn't always have to chase the "new romance" in every god damn book! I wanted to throw my book out of a window so many freaking times.
If there's another romance in the next book or the next next book I'm going to skim through it because I came for the murders and I will stay until there's justice. I don't need all of this romance shit. It wouldn't be so annoying if his romances didn't leave or die suddenly. Like why the hell does this guy need love? He doesn't. He needs to do his job and solves these murders quicker.
Other than that, I love how James Patterson writes because his chapters are short, sweet, and get to the god damn point. Plus, they are super quick to read (at least in my eyes guys!).
I don't really know how I feel about this book. It wasn't as good as Cross which was kind of a let down. I'm hoping that next book will be better?!? Maybe? Hopefully?
I just want Cross solving murders - not Cross doing all kinds of nonsense while not actually solving the murder until the last chapter.
WHY!
WHY?
Ugh, this book would have been super freaking amazing if Alex didn't always have to chase the "new romance" in every god damn book! I wanted to throw my book out of a window so many freaking times.
If there's another romance in the next book or the next next book I'm going to skim through it because I came for the murders and I will stay until there's justice. I don't need all of this romance shit. It wouldn't be so annoying if his romances didn't leave or die suddenly. Like why the hell does this guy need love? He doesn't. He needs to do his job and solves these murders quicker.
Other than that, I love how James Patterson writes because his chapters are short, sweet, and get to the god damn point. Plus, they are super quick to read (at least in my eyes guys!).
I don't really know how I feel about this book. It wasn't as good as Cross which was kind of a let down. I'm hoping that next book will be better?!? Maybe? Hopefully?
I just want Cross solving murders - not Cross doing all kinds of nonsense while not actually solving the murder until the last chapter.
July 20, 2009
Ok Mr. Patterson...you've figured out that the lot of us are dumb cattle and you could shit in a bag and slap mysterious cover art and a promise of suspense and mystery and the mass will buy it. Damn you...you're right. I literally opened this book and KNEW it was a Patterson turd and I read it anyways.
I'm only slightly positive that at this point in his illustrious career (and don't get me wrong, I do enjoy me some Patterson for a quick, mindless read here & there) he might be taking the time in between counting his millions to just copy & paste some of his old books & send it to the publisher.
Ok ok, maybe not, but I don't really see him pushing any new creative levels of his genre. But then, if it's not broken, don't fix it right? The zomambulified cattle will still flock to the stores and greedily buy them off the shelves whether hardcover (which, really is a bitch to bike & skate to work with all the time. I really could do without a brick in my backpack. But then if I just hold it while skating & fling it in front of me it can propel me forward...just what I need when I'm trying to beat the lightrail bc it's too hot for me to even try waiting for it to pass. Someday I just may lose that game o' chicken...I digress...) or paperback, these puppies still fly off the shelves and I wonder why...until I see one lying around and can't help but think "persnaps this will be like the Patterson of old...what a delish treat that would be"...and then, turd.
Alas, you got me again Mr. Patterson, and while I'd like to think that I've learned my lesson, I already know that I'll eventually pass your dark & mysterious cover for your next book and it'll tick at me like a crack habit. Just don't burn yourself on the pipe kids.
I'm only slightly positive that at this point in his illustrious career (and don't get me wrong, I do enjoy me some Patterson for a quick, mindless read here & there) he might be taking the time in between counting his millions to just copy & paste some of his old books & send it to the publisher.
Ok ok, maybe not, but I don't really see him pushing any new creative levels of his genre. But then, if it's not broken, don't fix it right? The zomambulified cattle will still flock to the stores and greedily buy them off the shelves whether hardcover (which, really is a bitch to bike & skate to work with all the time. I really could do without a brick in my backpack. But then if I just hold it while skating & fling it in front of me it can propel me forward...just what I need when I'm trying to beat the lightrail bc it's too hot for me to even try waiting for it to pass. Someday I just may lose that game o' chicken...I digress...) or paperback, these puppies still fly off the shelves and I wonder why...until I see one lying around and can't help but think "persnaps this will be like the Patterson of old...what a delish treat that would be"...and then, turd.
Alas, you got me again Mr. Patterson, and while I'd like to think that I've learned my lesson, I already know that I'll eventually pass your dark & mysterious cover for your next book and it'll tick at me like a crack habit. Just don't burn yourself on the pipe kids.
December 1, 2019
Another great James Patterson quick paced thriller. I like these books but they all kind of run together after a while. It took me a lot longer to like Alex Cross but I am invested now and I enjoy seeing how the overall story progresses.
Good Read!
Good Read!
May 4, 2013
Once again an Alex Cross book that is gripping for the wrong reason. You keep reading to get answers to your questions, but you never get them answers. A book of loose ends. What was the connection between Kyle and the brother and sister team of serial killers? That was never properly explained. How does an escaped prisoner fly to France for a holiday? Although he commits a murder there it's never investigated so leaves you wondering about what the point was in Patterson even writing about Kyle going to France as it doesn't add to the story and goes nowhere. I could go on and on. Little snippets thrown in which the author should have explored further and embroidered on but didn't leaving you as the reader a bit unsatisfied. I picked up this series again, read three Alex Cross books in a row but need to read some real stories before picking up the series again.
November 25, 2018
Oh the twists and turns in this one...
August 1, 2010
This is the last Patterson book I'm going to read. I'd already given up on all but the Alex Cross series but after "Double Cross", I'm finished with that series, also.
This story involves a serial killer named DCAK (D.C. Audience Killer) who is knocking people off in public situations at the rate of about one a day. How believable is that? In addition, the psychopath, Kyle Craig, manages to escape from his federal prison by somehow convincing his lawyer to impersonate Craig and then hang himself. Happens all the time, right?
Aside from the plot, the characters are pure cardboard. The most interesting ones are the villains.
In addition to the childish text, a most irritating format feature is the two and three page chapters. Either Patterson believes his readers have the attention span of a two year old or Patterson, himself, can't hold it together for more than a couple hundred words. The small chapter format destroys the flow of the story. Other authors indicate necessary breaks with spaces not by starting a new chapter. There were 126 in this book.
So why did you finish this book, you ask. Well, I was traveling, had my other books packed in a checked suitcase and I'd already read the airline magazine on a previous flight. I'm also guilty of wanting to find out how Alex got out of this situation. I could have done that by reading the last three or four so-called chapters but then I would have been left with nothing to read. In my defense, I finished the over 400 page book in less than 6 hours.
I know Patterson is one of the most popular authors around today. I don't understand why or maybe I do understand why and don't want to admit it to myself. Personally, I'd choose 6 hours of T.V. mystery programs before reading another Patterson book. I suspect the programs would be more intellectually satisfying.
This story involves a serial killer named DCAK (D.C. Audience Killer) who is knocking people off in public situations at the rate of about one a day. How believable is that? In addition, the psychopath, Kyle Craig, manages to escape from his federal prison by somehow convincing his lawyer to impersonate Craig and then hang himself. Happens all the time, right?
Aside from the plot, the characters are pure cardboard. The most interesting ones are the villains.
In addition to the childish text, a most irritating format feature is the two and three page chapters. Either Patterson believes his readers have the attention span of a two year old or Patterson, himself, can't hold it together for more than a couple hundred words. The small chapter format destroys the flow of the story. Other authors indicate necessary breaks with spaces not by starting a new chapter. There were 126 in this book.
So why did you finish this book, you ask. Well, I was traveling, had my other books packed in a checked suitcase and I'd already read the airline magazine on a previous flight. I'm also guilty of wanting to find out how Alex got out of this situation. I could have done that by reading the last three or four so-called chapters but then I would have been left with nothing to read. In my defense, I finished the over 400 page book in less than 6 hours.
I know Patterson is one of the most popular authors around today. I don't understand why or maybe I do understand why and don't want to admit it to myself. Personally, I'd choose 6 hours of T.V. mystery programs before reading another Patterson book. I suspect the programs would be more intellectually satisfying.
December 1, 2008
Posted December 1, 2008, 1:48 PM EST: There's not much to say about this book. It is a very typical Alex Cross novel from the extremely prolific James Patterson. It follows the usual formula- Cross is trying to get out of the murder business only to get sucked in by a particularly twisted serial killer. In this case, the serial killer is the D.C. Audience Killer, who does just as his name implies: he kills dramatically before an audience. Added to the mix is the escape of Cross's nemesis, Kyle Craig, and a new girlfriend for Cross, fellow homicide detective Bree Stone.
Patterson seems to be falling victim to his own machine; the repeated churning out of books correlates to a drop in quality for the story. The mystery in this installment is suspenseful, if not particularly captivating, but the quality of writing is pretty mediocre. Patterson abuses the exclamation point like it's going out of style, and the antagonists are barely fleshed out. Kyle Craig gets his due, I suppose, but DCAK is never really given a motive or any sort of backstory, even after the identity is revealed.
If you like the Cross series, this one will suit just fine, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who isn't already a fan.
Patterson seems to be falling victim to his own machine; the repeated churning out of books correlates to a drop in quality for the story. The mystery in this installment is suspenseful, if not particularly captivating, but the quality of writing is pretty mediocre. Patterson abuses the exclamation point like it's going out of style, and the antagonists are barely fleshed out. Kyle Craig gets his due, I suppose, but DCAK is never really given a motive or any sort of backstory, even after the identity is revealed.
If you like the Cross series, this one will suit just fine, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who isn't already a fan.
December 13, 2014
For some reason I enjoyed this one a lot. I think it was the cast of characters. It wasn't just Cross. Bree and John were a big part of the story too.
Sometimes I feel like his family holds him back from truly being as aggressive and hands-on as he needs to be. I understand that they come first, but I can imagine the Cross books without any emotional attachments.
On the flip side, Alex put his family in the backseat on this one and his son rebelled against it. Alex just got through fighting for the youngest and is now "all about the case."
Still, I really got into the pacing and loved the interactions from all of the characters.
I can't take Alex's voice seriously on the audiobook. Emotionally wise, he's not very believable.
On to the next!
Sometimes I feel like his family holds him back from truly being as aggressive and hands-on as he needs to be. I understand that they come first, but I can imagine the Cross books without any emotional attachments.
On the flip side, Alex put his family in the backseat on this one and his son rebelled against it. Alex just got through fighting for the youngest and is now "all about the case."
Still, I really got into the pacing and loved the interactions from all of the characters.
I can't take Alex's voice seriously on the audiobook. Emotionally wise, he's not very believable.
On to the next!
April 9, 2021
I liked this story a lot. I loved that one of the serial killers that Cross had put away before gets out and starts a vendetta in DC to see if Alex Cross will get him again. He tracks Cross to his practice and does some really bad things to him and others in the area...
April 19, 2022
Nice addition to the series
August 20, 2022
Wow and double wow describe this one totally! The action is none stop from beginning to end and the reader is kept on the edge of their seat throughout.
We meet some very odd people in this one that are extremely difficult to categorise and this fact draws the reader in deeper and deeper and then the double whammy hits. Alex and Sampson are broadsided when they receive a blast from the past which leaves both them and the reader reeling.
As with all the Alex Cross books there are adult themes throughout but I most definitely recommend setting aside the time to read this in one sitting as you won't be able to put this one down easily.
18+ recommended audience.
We meet some very odd people in this one that are extremely difficult to categorise and this fact draws the reader in deeper and deeper and then the double whammy hits. Alex and Sampson are broadsided when they receive a blast from the past which leaves both them and the reader reeling.
As with all the Alex Cross books there are adult themes throughout but I most definitely recommend setting aside the time to read this in one sitting as you won't be able to put this one down easily.
18+ recommended audience.
March 5, 2023
I always feel wiped out . . . like I've run a double triathlon after finishing another Alex Cross book. Double Cross is no different. It's another tension laden, high action, shoot 'em out, barely surviving book. I get tired just reading them. While I enjoyed this one, I sometimes feel a bit like I'm being led in circles with some of the same villains appearing again and again even against all odds. This is another example with the Mastermind locked away for life in the most secure maximum security prison out there and yet...yes, he escapes and no one is safe again. Having said that, these books are so well written that I can't stop reading until the end. And, of course, it ends with the set up for the next book well in place. Yes, I'll continue the series! What else can I do at this point?? Highly recommended.
December 26, 2014
Enh, just enh.
There are so many things that I wish weren't a part of this book. I'm afraid this series isn't going in the right direction after 13 books.
Okay, so this won't be long. If you've ever read one of these Alex Cross books you know there's a formula; no matter what the plausibility. In this particular book of the series I just felt that I didn't need nor did I care about all the scenes with Alex and his girlfriend. That being said, this book just feels weak and relies a bit too much on your like of the series to sustain it.
Bottom Line: This is a popcorn book. If you like the series you'll probably read this like I did just for fun, but this series has definitely lost its luster; the mystery/crime writing has become a bit too "paint by numbers."
There are so many things that I wish weren't a part of this book. I'm afraid this series isn't going in the right direction after 13 books.
Okay, so this won't be long. If you've ever read one of these Alex Cross books you know there's a formula; no matter what the plausibility. In this particular book of the series I just felt that I didn't need nor did I care about all the scenes with Alex and his girlfriend. That being said, this book just feels weak and relies a bit too much on your like of the series to sustain it.
Bottom Line: This is a popcorn book. If you like the series you'll probably read this like I did just for fun, but this series has definitely lost its luster; the mystery/crime writing has become a bit too "paint by numbers."
April 28, 2020
The now primarily 'Doctor' Cross is working as a psychologist and dating Washing Major Crimes Officer Bree. A D.C. Audience Killer strikes, a few days before Kyle Craig (Mastermind) escapes prison! One of the better Cross books, as Cross and co. are forced into the world of online social media in this case. 6 out of 12
December 31, 2023
Really enjoyed this book and one I wasn't expecting the ending of.
Hope there is another book that James does with Kyle Craig and Alex in
Hope there is another book that James does with Kyle Craig and Alex in
July 20, 2021
JP.....Another Alex Cross topsy turvy ride along with the fruits, nuts & crackers....aka....psychos.
January 20, 2019
Ο Σόουμαν είναι ένας ψυχωσικός τύπος που διαπράττει φριχτές δολοφονίες μπροστά σε πολυπληθές κοινό στην Ουάσιγκτον. Την υπόθεση αναλαμβάνει η ντετέκτιβ Μπριάνα Στόουν και μαζί της ο Άλεξ Κρος και ο Τζον Σάμπσον, μιας και ο δολοφόνος αφήνει ξεκάθαρα μηνύματα προς τον Κρος. Ταυτόχρονα, ο Κάιλ Κρεγκ, θανάσιμος εχθρός του ανωτέρω πρώην πράκτορα του FBI και νυν ψυχολόγου, καταφέρνει να δραπετεύσει από μια φυλακή υψίστης ασφαλείας και αρχίζει να σκορπά κι αυτός τον θάνατο, πλησιάζοντας όλο και περισσότερο στον αρχικό του στόχο.
Δύο λοιπόν κατά συρροήν δολοφόνοι, δύο απάνθρωπα τέρατα που διαπράττουν εγκλήματα χωρίς να μπορεί η αστυνομία να ανακαλύψει τα ίχνη τους. Ο Σόουμαν είναι τύπος επηρεασμένος από τις δολοφονίες του Κάιλ Κρεγκ και στήνει το δικό του σκηνικό. Διψά για θεατές, δρα με θεατρινίστικο τρόπο, δε διστάζει να αιματοκυλίσει τον κόσμο κι από ένα σημείο και μετά το κάνει ανεβάζοντας live videos στο Διαδίκτυο. Η ταυτότητά του παραμένει μυστική ως το τέλος ενώ η συνηθισμένη πορεία των δικών του εγκλημάτων ακολουθεί τη γνωστή πεπατημένη: από ένα σημείο και μετά κι όσο οι αστυνομικοί δεν τον εντοπίζουν, αποκτά ολοένα και περισσότερο θράσος, νιώθει όλο και πιο ανίκητος.
Ο Κάιλ Κρεγκ, πρώην πράκτορας του FBI και μανιακός δολοφόνος, που ο πραγματικός του ρόλος αποκαλύφθηκε στο «Μεγάλο κόλπο», ελεύθερος μετά από τέσσερα χρόνια, αρχίζει να παίρνει εκδίκηση, σκοτώνοντας όσους ανθρώπους τον έβλαψαν. Σταδιακά πλησιάζει προς την Ουάσιγκτον, μόνο και μόνο για να διαπιστώσουμε πως συνδέεται κατά κάποιον τρόπο με τις ενέργειες του Σόουμαν! Έτσι λοιπόν έχουμε δύο διαφορετικούς αλλά εξίσου σκληρούς αντιπάλους, με άφθονο κυνηγητό, μπόλικο αίμα και συνεχή εμπόδια και ανατροπές ως το τέλος, όπου τα δύο τέρατα ενώνουν τις δυνάμεις τους σε ένα θεαματικό φινάλε.
Το βιβλίο είχε την αναμενόμενη ένταση, απανωτές σκηνές φόνων, τα γνωστά σύντομα κεφάλαια της γραφής του Patterson, κάνα δυο ερωτικές σκηνές (που δεν τις διάβασα μιας και αγωνιούσα για τη συνέχεια), ένα έξυπνο μπέρδεμα που έδειξε τον Σόουμαν να σχετίζεται με την υπόθεση που διαλευκάνθηκε σε προηγούμενο βιβλίο της σειράς («Φόνοι στο Μπέβερλυ Χιλς») και λίγη παραπάνω από την εμπειρία του Άλεξ Κρος ως ψυχολόγου και profiler, μιας και διατύπωνε κάποια μοτίβα για να μπορέσει να προσεγγίσει τον Σόουμαν.
Σε προσωπικό επίπεδο, ο Άλεξ Κρος έχει σχέσεις με την ντετέκτιβ Μπριάνα Στόουν που γνώρισε σ’ ένα πάρτι και τα πάνε καλά μεταξύ τους. Στην αρχή της υπόθεσης του Σόουμαν, ο Κρος προσπάθησε να μην εμπλακεί ενεργά στην υπόθεση της συντρόφου του όμως η πείρα και το ένστικτο δεν τον άφησαν ήσυχο ενώ η μνεία του δολοφόνου στο όνομά του έκανε αναπόφευκτη την παρέμβασή του. Ο γιος του Κρος, Ντέιμον, στην αρχή του βιβλίου ανυπομονεί να πάει στο γυμνάσιο αλλά στο τέλος μεταβαίνει στην Ακαδημία Κούσιγκ (όπως λέει και ο συγγραφέας πρόκειται για προπαρασκευαστικό σχολείο), η Τζάνι είναι στην προεφηβική ηλικία και κάνει μαθήματα ζωγραφικής ενώ ο Άλεξ Τζούνιορ βρίσκει τον ιδανικό άνθρωπο για να παίζει στο πρόσωπο της Μπρι. Τελικά η υπόθεση του Σόουμαν ανάγκασε τον Κρος να προτείνει στον διευθυντή της Αστυνομίας να εργαστεί στη Μονάδα Διερεύνησης Μειζόνων Υποθέσεων μόνο σε συγκεκριμένες αποστολές ως σύμβουλος και να γίνει δεκτός έτσι ξανά στους κόλπους της.
Η «Διπλή απειλή» είναι κάτι σαν ξεκαθάρισμα λογαριασμών με το παρελθόν του γνωστού Αφροαμερικανού ντετέκτιβ, μιας και ο μεγάλος του εχθρός επιστρέφει στη ζωή του, ευτυχώς όμως με ηπιότερο και πιο αληθοφανή τρόπο συγκριτικά με τις «Γέφυρες του Λονδίνου». Επίσης η ιστορία αφορά άλλον ένα παρανοϊκό αντίπαλο, με απάνθρωπες μεθόδους και μια τραγική παραδοξότητα στο οικογενειακό του παρελθόν (αν και αναρωτιέμαι ποιος ήταν στο πλάι του στο τέλος του κεφαλαίου 54, μιας και όπως αποδείχτηκε δεν είχε εν ζωή συγγενικά πρόσωπα)! Άλλο ένα βιβλίο της σειράς με πρωταγωνιστή τον Άλεξ Κρος γεμάτο με όλα τα αναμενόμενα συστατικά ενός βιβλίου θρίλερ γραμμένου από τον James Patterson.
Δύο λοιπόν κατά συρροήν δολοφόνοι, δύο απάνθρωπα τέρατα που διαπράττουν εγκλήματα χωρίς να μπορεί η αστυνομία να ανακαλύψει τα ίχνη τους. Ο Σόουμαν είναι τύπος επηρεασμένος από τις δολοφονίες του Κάιλ Κρεγκ και στήνει το δικό του σκηνικό. Διψά για θεατές, δρα με θεατρινίστικο τρόπο, δε διστάζει να αιματοκυλίσει τον κόσμο κι από ένα σημείο και μετά το κάνει ανεβάζοντας live videos στο Διαδίκτυο. Η ταυτότητά του παραμένει μυστική ως το τέλος ενώ η συνηθισμένη πορεία των δικών του εγκλημάτων ακολουθεί τη γνωστή πεπατημένη: από ένα σημείο και μετά κι όσο οι αστυνομικοί δεν τον εντοπίζουν, αποκτά ολοένα και περισσότερο θράσος, νιώθει όλο και πιο ανίκητος.
Ο Κάιλ Κρεγκ, πρώην πράκτορας του FBI και μανιακός δολοφόνος, που ο πραγματικός του ρόλος αποκαλύφθηκε στο «Μεγάλο κόλπο», ελεύθερος μετά από τέσσερα χρόνια, αρχίζει να παίρνει εκδίκηση, σκοτώνοντας όσους ανθρώπους τον έβλαψαν. Σταδιακά πλησιάζει προς την Ουάσιγκτον, μόνο και μόνο για να διαπιστώσουμε πως συνδέεται κατά κάποιον τρόπο με τις ενέργειες του Σόουμαν! Έτσι λοιπόν έχουμε δύο διαφορετικούς αλλά εξίσου σκληρούς αντιπάλους, με άφθονο κυνηγητό, μπόλικο αίμα και συνεχή εμπόδια και ανατροπές ως το τέλος, όπου τα δύο τέρατα ενώνουν τις δυνάμεις τους σε ένα θεαματικό φινάλε.
Το βιβλίο είχε την αναμενόμενη ένταση, απανωτές σκηνές φόνων, τα γνωστά σύντομα κεφάλαια της γραφής του Patterson, κάνα δυο ερωτικές σκηνές (που δεν τις διάβασα μιας και αγωνιούσα για τη συνέχεια), ένα έξυπνο μπέρδεμα που έδειξε τον Σόουμαν να σχετίζεται με την υπόθεση που διαλευκάνθηκε σε προηγούμενο βιβλίο της σειράς («Φόνοι στο Μπέβερλυ Χιλς») και λίγη παραπάνω από την εμπειρία του Άλεξ Κρος ως ψυχολόγου και profiler, μιας και διατύπωνε κάποια μοτίβα για να μπορέσει να προσεγγίσει τον Σόουμαν.
Σε προσωπικό επίπεδο, ο Άλεξ Κρος έχει σχέσεις με την ντετέκτιβ Μπριάνα Στόουν που γνώρισε σ’ ένα πάρτι και τα πάνε καλά μεταξύ τους. Στην αρχή της υπόθεσης του Σόουμαν, ο Κρος προσπάθησε να μην εμπλακεί ενεργά στην υπόθεση της συντρόφου του όμως η πείρα και το ένστικτο δεν τον άφησαν ήσυχο ενώ η μνεία του δολοφόνου στο όνομά του έκανε αναπόφευκτη την παρέμβασή του. Ο γιος του Κρος, Ντέιμον, στην αρχή του βιβλίου ανυπομονεί να πάει στο γυμνάσιο αλλά στο τέλος μεταβαίνει στην Ακαδημία Κούσιγκ (όπως λέει και ο συγγραφέας πρόκειται για προπαρασκευαστικό σχολείο), η Τζάνι είναι στην προεφηβική ηλικία και κάνει μαθήματα ζωγραφικής ενώ ο Άλεξ Τζούνιορ βρίσκει τον ιδανικό άνθρωπο για να παίζει στο πρόσωπο της Μπρι. Τελικά η υπόθεση του Σόουμαν ανάγκασε τον Κρος να προτείνει στον διευθυντή της Αστυνομίας να εργαστεί στη Μονάδα Διερεύνησης Μειζόνων Υποθέσεων μόνο σε συγκεκριμένες αποστολές ως σύμβουλος και να γίνει δεκτός έτσι ξανά στους κόλπους της.
Η «Διπλή απειλή» είναι κάτι σαν ξεκαθάρισμα λογαριασμών με το παρελθόν του γνωστού Αφροαμερικανού ντετέκτιβ, μιας και ο μεγάλος του εχθρός επιστρέφει στη ζωή του, ευτυχώς όμως με ηπιότερο και πιο αληθοφανή τρόπο συγκριτικά με τις «Γέφυρες του Λονδίνου». Επίσης η ιστορία αφορά άλλον ένα παρανοϊκό αντίπαλο, με απάνθρωπες μεθόδους και μια τραγική παραδοξότητα στο οικογενειακό του παρελθόν (αν και αναρωτιέμαι ποιος ήταν στο πλάι του στο τέλος του κεφαλαίου 54, μιας και όπως αποδείχτηκε δεν είχε εν ζωή συγγενικά πρόσωπα)! Άλλο ένα βιβλίο της σειράς με πρωταγωνιστή τον Άλεξ Κρος γεμάτο με όλα τα αναμενόμενα συστατικά ενός βιβλίου θρίλερ γραμμένου από τον James Patterson.
June 10, 2025
Odd story. There is minimal story involving Nana and the kids. Alex is in a newish relationship with Bree a detective. Patterson really needs to edit out any love scenes they are way too cringy and seem to written from a sixteen old boys perspective.
The serial killer is called the Audience Killer who as you can probably guess likes to kill in front of audiences. Kyle Craig is back and escapes from a maximum security prison by pretending to be his lawyer. Clearly Patterson likes watching Mission Impossible movies.
The killer runs circles around the police and Kyle pops over to Paris to eat, visit museums and his other hobby. The murders nearly all take place in Washington at high profile places including the Kennedy Centre again. Cross seems stretched thin with taking care of private patients, police investigations, his family and finding time for his new lady love Bree.
SPOILERS AHEAD
Alex is not a perceptive psychologist as two of his patients are the DCAK’s and they manage to kidnap Sampson to lure Cross and Bree into a trap. However, Bree is good with knots and escapes killing the DCAK partner who is his sister! In the ensuing pursuit Cross wounds the DCAK and Kyle pops up to threaten him in a future book. Overall entertaining and completely unbelievable. I do get the vibe that Patterson really loathes reporters and the media as he is particularly brutal in his descriptions of them.
The serial killer is called the Audience Killer who as you can probably guess likes to kill in front of audiences. Kyle Craig is back and escapes from a maximum security prison by pretending to be his lawyer. Clearly Patterson likes watching Mission Impossible movies.
The killer runs circles around the police and Kyle pops over to Paris to eat, visit museums and his other hobby. The murders nearly all take place in Washington at high profile places including the Kennedy Centre again. Cross seems stretched thin with taking care of private patients, police investigations, his family and finding time for his new lady love Bree.
SPOILERS AHEAD
Alex is not a perceptive psychologist as two of his patients are the DCAK’s and they manage to kidnap Sampson to lure Cross and Bree into a trap. However, Bree is good with knots and escapes killing the DCAK partner who is his sister! In the ensuing pursuit Cross wounds the DCAK and Kyle pops up to threaten him in a future book. Overall entertaining and completely unbelievable. I do get the vibe that Patterson really loathes reporters and the media as he is particularly brutal in his descriptions of them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 14, 2013
I needed a light read for the weekend, and Double Cross was a good selection. This is a very serviceable detective thriller. The plot wasn't as tight as other Patterson novels I've read, but the killers (one I suspect is a re-tread from a previous novel) were cagey and creepy.
Since this is not my usual genre, I enjoy some of the trapping which might become cliche after reading a couple dozen more thrillers - but the book allowed me to escape for a few hours and the pages kept turning. A very enjoyable read.
My main complaints about the book were: the slipping back and forth between a first person and third person narrative - yeah, I get why it's done - but this was awkward and pulled me out of the story and the supporting cast was a bit one-dimensional (do you really need to read the other 12 books in the series beforehand?).
That said, my overall impression was positive. I loved Alex Cross trying to make it as a therapist - his struggles against his desire to be back on the force were well done. While I figured out the ending well in advance - the twists kept me reading until the very last page.
I will definitely pick up another Patterson book when I need to push the escape button. Recommended for thriller lovers.
Since this is not my usual genre, I enjoy some of the trapping which might become cliche after reading a couple dozen more thrillers - but the book allowed me to escape for a few hours and the pages kept turning. A very enjoyable read.
My main complaints about the book were: the slipping back and forth between a first person and third person narrative - yeah, I get why it's done - but this was awkward and pulled me out of the story and the supporting cast was a bit one-dimensional (do you really need to read the other 12 books in the series beforehand?).
That said, my overall impression was positive. I loved Alex Cross trying to make it as a therapist - his struggles against his desire to be back on the force were well done. While I figured out the ending well in advance - the twists kept me reading until the very last page.
I will definitely pick up another Patterson book when I need to push the escape button. Recommended for thriller lovers.
September 7, 2010
This is a book in the Alex Cross Series! I loved this book and I love the way James Patterson writes. He writes like people normally talk, not formal and his grammar isn’t always correct. He’s extremely descriptive which helps create a good picture in your head. Though the novel is filled with very gruesome murders and some adult content, so squeamish readers be aware! The book includes a murderer that is obsessed with public murders that get him the most attention. While there’s also a murderer who has escaped from a jail that was supposed to be inescapable and both of the murderers are after Alex Cross. The main character is a psychologist in DC who is thrown back into the detective game when terrible murders take place, but, getting back into the scene has put his family in danger as well. So his girlfriend, a fellow detective named Bree, and him are working harder then ever to get this case solved. The book causes you to actually think about what’s happening in the novel and it takes place in many points of view. So you know things that the characters themselves don’t. I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!!!
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