YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

The classic thriller that launched the Alex Cross series, the #1 detective series of the past twenty-five years!

A missing little girl named Maggie Rose . . . a family of three brutally murdered in the projects of Washington, D.C. . . . the thrill-killing of a beautiful elementary school teacher . . . a psychopathic serial kidnapper/murderer who is so terrifying that the FBI, the Secret Service, and the police cannot outsmart him - even after he's been captured.

Gary Soneji wants to commit the crime of the century. Alex Cross is the brilliant homicide detective pitted against him. Jezzie Flanagan is the first female supervisor of the Secret Service who completes one of the most unusual suspense triangles in any thriller you have ever read.

Alex Cross and Jezzie Flanagan are about to have a forbidden love affair--at the worst possible time for both of them. Because Gary Soneji is playing at the top of his game. The latest of the unspeakable crimes happens in Alex Cross's precinct. It happens under the noses of Jezzie Flanagan's men. Now Alex Cross must face the ultimate test: How do you outmaneuver a brilliant psychopath?

Prologue: (view spoiler)[What the hell did I just read?!? This prologue was short and creepy as shit. SOMEONE BURIED A FUCKING BABY ALIVE! What the hell is going on in this book. I need more. Also, I will never use "cool beans!" ever again. EVER. (hide spoiler)]
Part One: (view spoiler)[Okay a ton of shit has happened. It's insane - this book is insane! So a lot of deaths have happened. A lot of kidnaps have happened. I feel kind of bad for Alex Cross being he's being singled out by this "kidnapper" and has him being the errand boy. Soneji is creepy and I don't like him at all. I don't like that he is so happy to be the killer? I'm just forever going to be creeped out by this book - but it's so freaking good that I can't put it down! (hide spoiler)]
Part Two: (view spoiler)[Learning about Cross's past (especially how his wife died) was so freaking sad. Then learning about Gary's past and why he is so freaking obsessed with the Lindbergh kidnapping sort of makes sense because he lived near the family. I also feel bad because his entire family died from a house fire - but then I think he killed them because he's creepy as fuck. THEN THE WHOLE MAGGIE ROSE SOCK FOUND IN THE BASEMENT and now I just want Maggie saved. ALSO, I feel like I just keep mentioning a bunch of shit that happened but I'm sort of shipping Jezzie and Cross together (just a tiny bit). (hide spoiler)]
Part Three: (view spoiler)[Cross and Jezzie are cute and adorable but I don't like how she said the girl is unreliable - I totally believe that there was another guy with Gary/Soneji. Also, I told you Gary was fucking crazy. He's Soneji. I'm still freaking out about everything. (hide spoiler)]
Part Four: (view spoiler)[I loved the moment between Cross and his grandmother. I love how she cares so much about him and the children that she felt the need to warn him about Jezzie. Also Jezzie quitting her job super quickly and then moving to the summer house where there's no phones was just weird to me and suspicious. I'm happy that Gary was found guilty - but does he actually have multiple personalities?! Or was that just a trick of his? (hide spoiler)]
Part Five: (view spoiler)[So Soneji makes breaking out of prison super fucking easy. Too bad that doesn't actually happen.. and I'm proud that Cross tells Jezzie that he knows about her connection to the kidnapping case. I'm so close to the end - I just want to know what's going to happen next!! (hide spoiler)]
Part Six: (view spoiler)[OMFG! I did not see that coming at fucking all. I can't believe that Gary/Soneji (honestly it's getting hard to figure out who he is all the time now) went to Cross's house to kill his children. Thank god Nana Mama wakes his ass up so he can deal with the little shithead. Of course Cross gets hurt which made me sad but in the end he got what he wanted: Gary/Soneji. (hide spoiler)]
Epilogue: (view spoiler)[I knew Jezzie was acting suspicious as fuck. And now I fully regret ever shipping them (even if it was a tiny bit). Cross attend her death, because Jezzie was sentenced to death for kidnapping and murdering Michael Goldberg. As well as kidnapping Maggie Rose - which I'm super happy she was found! Also, Soneji is back in prison serving a life sentence. I hope he doesn't escape again. I wonder what's going to happen to Cross now. I can't wait to read the next book!! (hide spoiler)]

Alaina, your comments make me laugh. I've got this to start but keep getting sidetracked by NetGalley stuff that isn't counting for the challenge. After reading your posts, I think i'll have to start.

Haha I have the second one done but I was way too tired to post the comment sir the review. Hopefully I’ll get it done today with all of the caffeine I’ve had!

That prologue certainly sets us up for some nasty stuff. Can only imagine it gets worse!

Book one part one. Throughout the opening I can’t help but feel sickened by the unnecessary violence. I can’t imagine working in this kind of environment.

Part two...not sure how happy you’d be with that move! Difficult situation to work through.

Book one part three. Fascinating, though I’m not totally convinced by the idea. Really frustrating me that what we think is important at one point gets picked up and dropped at random.

Book one to part six. (view spoiler)[ Jezzie...should have seen that coming! Evil isn’t always clear to see. (hide spoiler)]

Prologues: (view spoiler)[WELL SHIT! Two deaths already. This Casanova guys is creepy as fuck and the Gentleman. who I assumed was Casanova again, was also giving off a huge amount of creepy vibes. However, I'm a sucker for this already and completely hooked. Let's see who else is going to die and how everything is going to play out. (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 27: (view spoiler)[Well shit, again. Cross visits Sarah Duke Gardens because it was the last place Naomi was seen. I'm confused with him because how the hell did Casanova kidnap her in broad fucking daylight? Then when he started to cry because it was so beautiful there and he knew that Naomi would have absolutely loved it there. IT BROKE MY GOD DAMN HEART. I don't know how I'm going to move on from him crying - I'm crying. THE WHOLE WORLD IS CRYING WITH CROSS RIGHT NOW! Let's go get this Casanova bitch now. (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 76: (view spoiler)[Okay, now it's completely official. Casanova is insane. I'm glad that Naomi and some of the other girls are alive - but to see Anna like that. I don't know how I would react to any of that or these rules of his. I just want them to escape from this guy. (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 119: (view spoiler)[OMG! Yay Kate is out of her coma! Also, I'm in love with Nana Mama for telling Cross he needs to find a good wife and mother for the kids! I couldn't stop laughing at that comment. I also hope Casanova doesn't go after him. (hide spoiler)]
Finished: (view spoiler)[What a great ending and now I'm wondering what the hell the next murder is about! WHO DIED? WHO DID IT? I need to know! Also, Sampson is really good at observing people. I mean he called Cross out because he sense that he was missing Kate. God, I love these characters - I need more! (hide spoiler)]

Prologue: (view spoiler)[Well, crap on a fucking stick guys. Two serial murder cases are thrown at Alex Cross again! One is very close to home since someone is killing off children who attend the school his son goes to. Then there's a murdering couple called Jack and Jill killing celebrities. I have no idea which murder I want solved first - but I'm definitely going to go with the school one. I would cry so much if his son dies! (hide spoiler)]
Part One: (view spoiler)[OH MY FUCKING GOD! How dare this killer do that to a poor girl. Shanelle deserves way better and I hope and pray to god that Alex finds this fucker soon. However, my dreams are crushed pretty quickly because the Police Commissioner wants him on the senator case instead. Meanwhile, Cross is fucking thinking about his kids principal!! UGH! (hide spoiler)]
Part Two: (view spoiler)[dfjkalsdfjdla so Cross is basically working overtime on these two cases and not really making much progress because people keep fucking dying. Get your shit together man and focus on these damn cases! Kids are dying. Celebrities are dying. Stop thinking with your penis and think with your god damn brain! (hide spoiler)]
Part Three: (view spoiler)[Well shit. Kevin Hawkins is a crazy bastard. Also seeing how Jack and Jill want to plan their next murder but not actually committing it because they are both worried about it - seems pretty interesting. I wonder how it's all going to play out. (hide spoiler)]
Part Four: (view spoiler)[Shit is getting crazier and crazier. I'm glad the censor lady called the cops because that shit was crazy! All of the information about the killings at the school! Talk about fucking crazy. (hide spoiler)]
Part Five: (view spoiler)[Kind of cool that Alex got to travel with the President to New York but also really fucking creepy how Jack, Jill, and Kevin are all watching the president from different areas. (hide spoiler)]
Finished: (view spoiler)[HOLY FUCK! What an ending! THE PRESIDENT DIED! I'm happy that Alex found out who Jack and Jill were. I thought it was super creepy, yet clever as fuck, for Kevin to dress himself up as an ugly woman within the crowd. So much death in this book. I seriously can't wait for the next book guys! (hide spoiler)]

Book two prologue. Terrifying. Plays on your worst fears.

Omg yes. They were so creepy!!

Book two part one. The details to explain his modus operandi are pretty uncomfortable reading. I don’t like the graphic detail-it seems unnecessarily sadistic. Alex doesn’t seem too heavily involved in this part, but the ending is hard to take.

Book two part two. Psychologically fascinating, but I can’t imagine the horror of actually dealing with either of these two.

I finished book 4 earlier today and I’m just about to finish book 5. I’ll post the comments for them both soon

Prologue: (view spoiler)[Oh no, Soneji is back and he wants revenge. Also, Cross has to deal with Mr. Smith too? Can he handle both villains before the book ends?!? I NEED TO KNOW PEOPLE! (hide spoiler)]
Part One: (view spoiler)[UGH! CROSS! STOP BEING GULLIBLE TO GOD DAMN DISGUISES! YOU STARED AT SONEJI YOU IDIOT! (hide spoiler)]
Part Two: (view spoiler)[Well Soneji officially creeps the fuck out of me, The whole fantasizing about his favorite killers was so fucking creepy. He needs help so badly and I hope Cross finds him soon. (hide spoiler)]
Part Three: (view spoiler)[A GOD DAMN FIRE BOMB?! How the hell does Soneji come up with so many disguises too?!? (hide spoiler)]
Part Four: (view spoiler)[Well, shit. Now I'm freaking out because of what Alex Cross and his entire god damn family just went through. I'm also worried that he's in a god damn coma. I just want the two cases solved and Alex to wake up. PLEASE!? (hide spoiler)]
Finished: (view spoiler)[Well crap on a stick. I at least sort of knew that someone involved on these cases was Mr. Smith. Thank god it was Pierce and that Alex figured it out - it just took him a whole book to basically do it though. I kind of wish, like when he has multiple cases thrown at him, that he would solve one of them before the halfway mark... right? Or is it just me? (hide spoiler)]

Book two part four. Agh! So, a set-up...

Book two...kind of a resolution, though the formula could make it easy for Cross to sort out crimes in future. He's a very personable character, but I think anyone in their right mind would be looking for another job!

Prologue: (view spoiler)[First thought after reading that nightmare was that Shafer is fucking crazy and creepy. I don't know how I feel about this character. And he calls himself Death and his whole life is about a game? Meh - super creepy and crazy nerd? I don't know.. (hide spoiler)]
Part One: (view spoiler)[Well the murders seem very gruesome and I don't know how I stomached all of that. Shafer is a crazy motherfucker with all of these Jane Does and it's weird that he switched his last murder to a John Doe. Alex is engaged and I don't know how I feel about that either. Also I like Hampton as a new addition. (hide spoiler)]
Part Two: (view spoiler)[Oh no, Christine has been kidnapped. I wonder how the hell Alex is going to figure out how to save her ass... (hide spoiler)]
Part Three: (view spoiler)[Well things have definitely become more interesting. Shafer being arrested by Alex Cross and then him wanting to go to trial? Also, where the hell is Christine? (hide spoiler)]
Part Four: (view spoiler)[God, Shafer is such a douche bag. I can't believe that he was let free from that stupid trail. AND he basically told Alex that he killed Christine?!? I hope that isn't true. I really want Shafer to die now. (hide spoiler)]
Part Five: (view spoiler)[OMG OMG OMG! SHE IS ALIVE. CHRISTINE IS ALIVE. AND THEY HAVE A BABY! Okay I can get on this whole true love train now. (hide spoiler)]
Epilogue: (view spoiler)[Holy fuck. THAT ENDING WAS INSANE. Shafer is a monster. I really wanted him to die - but that didn't happen. UGH! I'm mad now. Okay, I need the next book stat! (hide spoiler)]

Prologue: (view spoiler)[well shit, that prologue was intense. I also like how it's a murdering duo too. Kind of sad about the family that died though - that wasn't right. Also, who is the Mastermind? (hide spoiler)]
Part One: (view spoiler)[Yikes well I guess things are super rough and rocky between Alex and Christine. I'm happy that they are sort of seeing each other for the baby? But I mean she has to be going through like traumatic stuff still, right? I feel bad for them. (hide spoiler)]
Part Two: (view spoiler)[Oh man, Alex is just getting shitted on. I feel so bad for him. His daughter has a tumor and needs surgery?!? That's so sad - I hope she is okay. And yes I totally called it because Christine is freaking out. Then there's mastermind who is confusing me and I just want to figure out how everything is connected. (hide spoiler)]
Part Three: (view spoiler)[WAIT A MINUTE?! Did I read that right? Did Christine say she is moving away? And that the baby is staying with Alex? What the hell? She is being a bit dramatic for me right now. Then there's the god damn mastermind again. UGH! (hide spoiler)]
Part Four: (view spoiler)[Things are just getting weird. So two women were approached by the kidnapper prior to their robberies and that person knew everything about them?!? I'm shocked - well not really because there's this thing called the internet and anyone can use it to find shit about you. Or hack you. I don't want suspects anymore - I want Alex to figure this out! (hide spoiler)]
Part Five: (view spoiler)[Well shit that guy in the beginning of part five is awesome! HE shot the mastermind because he was in his house. Good for him! However, Szabo (Mastermind #1) walked out of the hospital and that's when Alex realized that there wasn't one mastermind - but two. AND THEY KNOW WHO IT IS. (hide spoiler)]
Epilogue: (view spoiler)[Well, yay! They got the other mastermind - I mean, he died but oh well. I also want to know where the money went. I'm also happy that Alex and Sampson had their bro moment because he finally told him that Christine left to Seattle. Left him. Left the baby. Left his family. Everything is out in the open now. Maybe he can heal now. I wonder what's going to happen in the next book. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 1: (view spoiler)[Oh look, the mastermind is back. And of course another person that Cross was having a relationship is dead. Another partner. Poor Betsey. (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 26: (view spoiler)[Okay these people are really weird. Vampire church?!? What the hell! Draining people of their blood for joy? Yeah, I don't want to visit that church ever. (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 54: (view spoiler)[Okay, how the hell does everyone sleep so god damn soundly when someone is in the house?!? Also, why the hell hasn't Cross changed his locks? Gotten different keys?!? WHY?! (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 98: (view spoiler)[The mastermind is just so creepy. I hate how he thinks he so freaking superior to everyone. It's great that he's catching murderers and not only innocent people - but why?! What's the end game? Also, why is he so obsessed with killing Cross?!? That guy needs a break. (hide spoiler)]
Finished: (view spoiler)[Well Craig being in jail was a huge god damn shock to me. I never see these things coming - like I've said before. I'd make a terrible detective guys. I wonder if he is actually going to quit?!? (hide spoiler)]

Part One: (view spoiler)[The three blind mice are weird and I don't really get them right now. I also think its laughable that Alex is acting like this will be his last case. I mean, he has so many books so I'm assuming that there's more to his detectiveness. I also wonder if Sampson's friend is guilty or innocent. (hide spoiler)]
Part Two: (view spoiler)[Ugh another love interest for Alex - and I don't care at all about it. Nope. Nothing. No feelings whatsoever. I feel bad for Sampson because his friend died. Then the whole finding the straw dolls was weird. (hide spoiler)]
Part Three: (view spoiler)[These killers are so freaking weird. They celebrate by going to a whore house and kill? I'm so confused and disgusted. I don't know how I feel about this book.. (hide spoiler)]
Part Four: (view spoiler)[oh man the whole shooting scene was intense! ALSO Nana was sick and I was sad and I love how the doctor said she would live to be 100. So that's good news!! (hide spoiler)]
Finished: (view spoiler)[So Sampson gets married! What a happy ending - and one relationship that I can sort of get behind. And of course there's some Alex love triangle hinted which kind of annoys me. I'm glad Nana is fine and healthy. OH and I totally called it because Alex took the job to work for the FBI - so yeah just proved my point that he wasn't going to stay retired. (hide spoiler)]

Prologue: (view spoiler)[Interesting take - I wonder if the Wolf can be the godfather? Better? Worse? Who knows but that murder scene says that he claims to be the new godfather - what will Alex Cross do? (hide spoiler)]
Part One: (view spoiler)[Ugh the couple! And I'm sitting her wondering why the hell the wolf wanted Lizzie?!?! Also not surprised that Alex is having problems, or he thinks he is, with his girlfriend.
Too bad I don't care. (hide spoiler)]
Part Two: (view spoiler)[Wow, a lot has happened. I think my favorite was Lili hacking Wolf's website because she seems to be a badass. Then the couple being murdered by the Wolf. And Audrey being found. I don't really know what else to talk about but I hope Alex finds out who the Wolf is. (hide spoiler)]
Part Three: (view spoiler)[I think the only thing that pissed me off in this part of the book is that Christine is back and how she's trying to take baby Alex away now. She's the one that left - she should've stayed away. UGH. (hide spoiler)]
Finished: (view spoiler)[I think the hardest part of this book to read was when Lizzie was held captive and was raped repeatedly by the wolf. I felt so bad for her and I was so happy that she was found. Then the whole Wolf fighting/running/shooting chapters were intense. I wonder what the hell the next book will be about. (hide spoiler)]

Prologue: (view spoiler)[Well I can't say that I'm surprised there's a new villain called the weasel and that he's off killing prostitutes. But I'm pretty happy that three guys jumped him. (hide spoiler)]
Part One: (view spoiler)[Things are super intense already with all of the killings and the Wolf being back. However, what broke my heart is that Alex junior asked Alex why he always leaves. WHY?!? Because your mom is mean old lady and I don't like that she took you from him! THAT'S WHY! (hide spoiler)]
Part Two: (view spoiler)[ugh, the weasel is back. the wolf is back. and someone is obviously working for the wolf within the FBI. this just screams trouble and danger. I'm glad that Alex told Sampson not to trust anyone with information, not even his wife - because obviously this guy is on top of his game and knows someone is messing around. (hide spoiler)]
Part Three: (view spoiler)[I honestly have no idea how I would react to seeing the bomb site or anything that had to deal with that sort of situation. Or even hearing a bomb go off like Alex did. (hide spoiler)]
Part Four: (view spoiler)[I'm scared about this whole doomsday thing and I don't want to know what or when it will happen. I'm just going to close my eyes and move through the book as fast as I can. (hide spoiler)]
Finished: (view spoiler)[If that's not an ending that had my heart racing at every page then I don't know what the hell to call that. I was constantly jumping out of my seat because I just wanted to know what was happening, who was alive/dead, who the wolf was, and who was the traitor within the FBI. THE ENTIRE TIME THROUGHOUT THIS BOOK. Then when Alex's family is missing that probably gave me a mini heart attack. Good ending to a really creepy book. I can't wait to dive into the next one. (hide spoiler)]

Book 3 part one. Deeply unpleasant crimes, but the novel focuses immediately on the high-profile one. Telling.

Book 3 part 2. Alex is really caught between cases here.

Book 3 part 3. Both killers are moving on, and the trickle of info coming out is disturbing.

Book 3 parts 4 and 5. Talk about not telling you the stuff you need to know! Clever twists here, but it means we’re none the wiser.

Book 3. Some unexpected double crosses. Still a little more gory than I’d like, but it’s interesting. The ending felt too contrived. If things were really this bad you’d never leave your house!

Cat and Mouse Prologue...he’s back! Seriously, Alex should get a new job and move...

Cat and Mouse part one: pacy account of the train station shooting, offset nicely with an attempt at normal, but what a revelation at the end.

Cat and Mouse part two. Slow. Bit bothered by the stereotypes pervaded throughout...seem more obvious here.

Cat and Mouse part three. Can only assume he wasn’t working alone. The Mr Smith side-story allows Patterson to get his police stuff in while Alex is otherwise occupied.

Cat and Mouse part four. (view spoiler)[ So, things with Alex aren’t as we were led to believe-how can his family/Christine go along with it? (hide spoiler)]

Cat and Mouse part five. Sickening stuff.

Cat and Mouse. Sadly, a predictable ending and it is all starting to feel a little obvious. Alex Cross is a character who clearly has something, but I think I’m done with him for the time being.