Want a NOOK? Explore Now
James Patterson has had more New York Times bestsellers than any other writer, ever, according to Guinness World Records. Since his first novel won the Edgar Award in 1977 James Patterson's books have sold more than 240 million copies. He is the author of the Alex Cross novels, the most popular detective series of the past twenty-five years, including Kiss the Girls and Along Came a Spider. Mr. Patterson also writes the bestselling Women's Murder Club novels, set in San Francisco, and the top-selling New York detective series of all time, featuring Detective Michael Bennett. He writes full-time and lives in Florida with his family.
A string of gripping standalone mysteries followed, but it was the 1992 release of Along Came a Spider that elevated Patterson to superstar status. Introducing Alex Cross, a brilliant black police detective/forensic psychologist, the novel was the first installment in a series of bestselling thrillers that has proved to be a cash cow for the author and his publisher.
Examining Patterson's track record, it's obvious that he believes one good series deserves another…maybe even a third! In 2001, he debuted the Women's Murder Club with 1st to Die, a fast-paced thriller featuring four female crime fighters living in San Francisco—a homicide detective, a medical examiner, an assistant D.A., and a cub reporter. The successful series has continued with other numerically titled installments. Then, spinning off a set of characters from a previous novel (1998's When the Wind Blows), in 2005 he published Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment. Featuring a "flock" of genetically engineered flying children, the novel was a huge hit, especially with teen readers, and spawned a series of vastly popular fantasy adventures.
In addition to continuing his bestselling literary franchises, Patterson has also found time to co-author thrillers with other writers—including Peter de Jonge, Andrew Gross, Maxine Paetro, and Howard Roughan—and has even ventured into romance (Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas, Sam's Letters to Jennifer) and children's literature (santaKid). Writing at an astonishing pace, this prolific author has turned himself into a one-man publishing juggernaut, fulfilling his clearly stated ambition to become "the king of the page-turners."
Two of Patterson's Alex Cross mysteries (Along Came a Spider and Kiss the Girls) have been turned into films starring Morgan Freeman; in 2007, a weekly television series premiered, based on the bestselling Women's Murder Club novels.
“LET HER HANG until she’s dead!”
“Take her out and hang her now! I’ll do it myself!”
Bam! Bam! Bam!
Judge Otis L. Warren wielded his gavel with such fury I thought he might smash a hole in the top of his bench.
“Quiet in the court!” the judge shouted. “Settle down, or by God I will hold every last one of you sons of bitches in contempt.”
Bam! Bam! Bam!
It was no use. Warren’s courtroom was overflowing with disgruntled white citizens who wanted nothing more than to see my client hang. Two of them on the left side began a chant that was soon taken up by others:
We don’t care where. We don’t care how.
We just wanna hang Gracie Johnson now!
The shouts from some among the white majority sent such a shiver of fear through the colored balcony that one woman fainted and had to be carried out.
Another bang of the gavel. Judge Warren stood and shouted, “Mr. Loomis, escort all those in the colored section out of my courtroom and out of the building.”
I couldn’t hold my tongue another second.
“Your Honor, I object! I don’t see any of the colored folks being rowdy or disrespectful. The ones making the fuss are the white men in front.”
Judge Warren glared over his glasses at me. His expression intimidated the room into silence.
“Mr. Corbett, it is my job to decide how to keep order in my court. It is your job to counsel your client—and let me tell you, from where I sit, she needs all the help she can get.”
I couldn’t disagree.
What I once thought would be an easy victory in the case of District of Columbia v. Johnson was swiftly turning into a disaster for Gracie and her increasingly helpless attorney, Benjamin E. Corbett: that being myself.
Gracie Johnson was on trial for the murder of Lydia Davenport, a wealthy white woman who was active in Washington society at a level high enough to cause a nosebleed. Worse, Gracie was a black woman accused of killing her wealthy white employer.
The year was 1906. Before it was all over, I was afraid they were going to hang Gracie.
I had to be careful they didn’t hang me while they were at it.
Excerpted from Alex Cross's TRIAL by Patterson, James Copyright © 2010 by Patterson, James. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
Tidbitsofscott
Posted September 18, 2009
I Also Recommend:
I am sorry to say that the story is anything but original. James Patterson and his co-author Richard Dilallo have taken Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird", both John Grisham's "A Painted House" and "A Time to Kill" and combined them all together into a simplistic novel about the south in the early 1900's, a lynching, segregation, and the Ku Klux Clan. I would really like it if Patterson would give over some of his ideas completely to his co-authors and let them run with it, while he concentrates on what made him so famous in the first place - ALEX CROSS. The few times he has chosen to use past history that needs reseach the results always seem to fall short and bring down the overall value of the novels. Read this one if you like most of Patterson's books, but be warned it is not great, merely good.
8 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted August 25, 2009
I received the book in the mail today, and I am beyond disappointed. I have seen quite a decrease in the quality of writing ever since James Patterson allowed other people to write and he just slapped his name on the cover, but this just was the last straw for me. I was a loyal Patterson reader, but I will never pick one up again! I pre-order all of his books, and have never felt the need to read the preview. Today, I immediately opened the box and was surprised as I read the first 3 pages to see that it was nothing like the usual, and honestly of a subject matter that I have no interest in!
I beg you, Mr Patterson, bring back the quality and forsake the quantity!!
8 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Granny_book_lover
Posted August 29, 2009
I made a point of reading all of the first 14 chapters available on the B & N preview before I bought the book as Patterson's last few books have been erratic.
This book was historically accurate and about a topic - lynching in Mississippi in 1906 where the ravages of the Civil War are still present in the black community. Two separate communities, one black and one white, have lives that intertwine. And yet, fear is still the biggest obstacle to overcome as the country moves into the 20th century.
If you like historical novels, you will like this look into racial issues in the Deep South!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Carol1951
Posted May 14, 2010
Being so thoroughly enamoured of Alex Cross, I was sceptical about truly enjoying members of the Cross family in another era, another setting as well, and still getting the thrill ride I so enjoy in Patterson's books. Not to worry. He's got it covered. Go back to the turn of the 20th Century and the deeply bigoted, deep south. Add a colorful touch of the larger than life Teddy Roosevelt, and a young impassioned humanist Harvard law graduate, to the racial pot boiling in small southern town, and you have recipe for terror, suspence, heroism, sorrow, and hope. Patterson has another central character who could be the motivation for a series of great stories that unfold around the old being pulled kicking and screaming into the 20th century.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 16, 2009
I have read all of Alex Cross Books. This was unexpected. I think the subject matter is relevant today. I love pattersons writing style.Of all of the Alex Cross books this will stay with me the longest.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.one of the best Alex Cross books to date - the only thing is that there are many loose ends at the finish
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I will not finish it. Sorry Paterson fans but thats it. I don't really care if the San Juan Hill president wanted to know about the lynchings, and neither does anyone needed to be reminded of those horrible times.
2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 24, 2009
I noticed the minute I read "A PreFace to Trial" that the jacket cover refers to Moody as Abraham's "beautiful daughter" but the preface refers to Abraham as her grandfather. Who did the review & editing for this book, certainly not James Patterson himself!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 12, 2009
I read almost everything that James Patterson publishes, this book is a little different in the cast of characters. Just started to read, so I cannot give a total review.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Excellent reading, Patterson is without a doubt one of the best out there.
I would recomend the entire series for any one who enjoys a good book, just start reading and try to put it down. Waitng on the next Patterson book to be printed.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Like most of the other reviewers I preorder all of James Patterson's books. After SWIMSUIT and now this one I will no longer do this. I also feel the quality of his work has diminished the past 2 years. It seems he is all about churning out numerous books and not that interested in telling a good quality story.
If his next book is like his last two I will no longer purchase titles by this author.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I sat down in a book store and read first 20 pages it has a interesting story and i mean that in a bad way. I would have to say that a book with 128 cahpters is just way too long for a normal csual reader. But a hard core reader would have a better time reading through it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted August 25, 2009
The subject matter is dated. It's over and move on.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 8, 2013
This was a much different book than most of Patterson's books but it was really good. Sad that we have to be reminded that these things really happened. But it's good to be reminded that we have hero's in all walks of life.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Morgan268
Posted April 7, 2013
EXCELLENT! I feel I know the Cross family as if it were my own. Nana is a favorite character in the series. I was pleased to learn more history and family member is the Cross family tree. I first "read" this book on tape while driving long distance. It was so engrossing, it made traveling really short and pleasant. Couldn't wait to get back in the car to learn more about the Cross family and it's history that is also our country's history. I passed the audiobook onto friends. Now I'm buying it for my nook so I can read it again whenever I want.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 8, 2013
Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.wizkids32
Posted February 22, 2013
Awesome book loved it
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 22, 2012
I was sceptical of a novel in the Alex Cross series that wasn't following our usual protaganist. This was a pleasant surprise, however, which really drew me in and had me just as commited as any other. Highly recommend this one, either as part of the series or a stand alone.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted July 22, 2012
Not in line with the current series, so wondering if it will have something to do with upcoming books in the series. Good book and worth reading.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted July 5, 2012
This is unlike any of Patterson's other books. It is a story that could well have been true about the roots of the civil rights movement, and the "trial" involves Alex Cross's great-grandfather.
A little slow at the start, but the story becomes riveting because of Patterson's masterful character building. Gives the reader a chance to see what it may have been like to be in the midst of the unrest between whites and blacks in the South in those times.
Overview