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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.
biloxi45
Posted February 2, 2011
Enjoyed the reading until I found out this preview was nothing more than a con. You have to buy this book in order to see how it ends. Thanks for nothing B&N.
76 out of 84 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 26, 2011
Sorry, but this isn't a free book, so quit advertising it as a free book.
72 out of 78 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.dls37
Posted January 26, 2011
what a ripe off, this is not a free book. It is nothing more than a bait and switch.
53 out of 59 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 5, 2011
Dislike "FREE" when it isn't really free!! I agree with the other reviews; if it is in the free section you have the expectation of getting the WHOLE book for free not a sample.
48 out of 50 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 28, 2011
A lot to like about Barnes and Noble but a fair amount to dislike as well. It is a bait and switch about being a "free book" but not really. They do their customers a major diservice with advertising like they do. Other readers..don't fall for it, it's a scam.
28 out of 29 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 19, 2011
People.....it says "Free PREVIEW"....and that's exactly what it is. Don't get upset if you can't read.
22 out of 25 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.The Mastermind is back, and he's about to destroy everything - and everyone Alex Cross loves.
Wedding Bells Ring: Detective Alex Cross and Bree Stone's wedding plans are put on hold when Alex is called to the scene of the perfectly executed assassination of two of Washington, DC's most corrupt: a dirty congressman and an underhanded lobbyist. Next, the elusive gunman begins picking off other crooked insiders, sparking a blaze of theories - is the marksman a hero or a vigilante?
A Murderer Returns: The case explodes, and the FBI assigns Agent Max Siegel to the investigation. As Alex and Max battle over jurisdiction, the murders continue. It becomes clear that thee killings are the work of a professional who has detailed knowledge of his victims' movements - information that only a Washington insider could possess.
Caught In A Lethal Cross Fire: As Alex contends with the sniper, Siegel, and the wedding, he receives a call from his deadliest adversary, Kyle Craig. The Mastermind is in DC and will not relent until he had eliminated Cross and his family for good. With a supercharged blend of action, deception, and suspense, Cross Fire is James Patterson's most visceral and exciting Alex Cross novel ever.
My Review:
Another excellent page turning novel that literally has you on the edge of your seat til the very end. I saw this novel as a blend between the movie Face Off with John Travolta and Nicholas Cage and a great episode of Criminal Minds. The character of Kyle Craig, goes to the greatest lengths possible to devise an ending to Alex Cross and his family and leaves you wondering how it will all play out in the end.
I received this book compliments of Hachette Book Groups for my honest review and once more James Patterson does not disappoint. This is book number 17 in the series and I would rate this book a perfect 5 out of 5 stars for another perfect crime and suspense thriller. This book is available in Hardcover, eBook, CD and large print formats.
20 out of 23 people found this review helpful.
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Posted November 26, 2010
Truly written in Patterson style - fast, suspensful, riviting. Bought it to read over Thanksgiving weekend and finished it in two days! Bringing back K.C. was great, added to the suspense. Highly recommend.
13 out of 15 people found this review helpful.
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Posted August 1, 2011
Starts out good and the first 30 chapters were interesting, but here is the switch. Nook says it is a free book but once you get to the end of the free sample, they want to sell you the rest of the story. I would rather Nook be up front and tell you it is not a free book but just a teaser. Please have someone in Nook be reading this and be honest in your ads; not decietful.
Signed:
A long time reader of James Patterson novels.
12 out of 16 people found this review helpful.
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Posted August 1, 2011
new to nook- very confusing on what is really a "free" book or just sample-agree with others if not truly a free complete book - then it should not be under this section- how about a free sample section??
10 out of 11 people found this review helpful.
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Posted August 12, 2011
no way i will pay 14.99. thats for sure!
8 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 21, 2010
I Also Recommend:
The novel is about multiple murders in Washington, D.C. The victims include a corrupt politician, a fraudulent lobbyist, and a shady tycoon. These people were hated by many. While investigating the murders, Alex finds a complex math formula in a most unusual place and comes across his long-time nemesis, Kyle Craig. Kyle taunts him with calls, harasses him with threats and tortures him with sadistic implications. Alex can't draw him out and he's so close he could touch him. This mastermind monster outwits them all and plans to destroy everything Alex holds dear. This is the usual Patterson page-turner, fascinating and scary, guaranteed to keep you awake until you are finished!
7 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Kyle Craig was supposed to be sent away to a prison he could not escape from and never come back, that is something Alex Cross had to believe had happened. Kyle Craig was titled The Mastermind because he was a vicious and sadistic killer who only had one nemesis in Alex Cross so when Alex caught him and had him locked up for life or so he thought but Kyle outwitted them all and this time his play to destroy Alex and everything he loves is as flawless as his skin.
Unfortunately, for Alex the past is back and Kyle is in his life standing so close to Alex he could touch him and yet Alex doesn't even know why is that? Kyle taunts him with calls, harasses him with threats and tortures him with sadistic implications and still Alex can't draw him out. Perhaps the distraction of a new version of the DC Snipers who believe they are self-appointed heroes cleaning up their version of the bad seed in America is the reason. Perhaps this is the explanation for Alex's mis-steps and lost chances to catch Kyle but it might be that Kyle really does have the upper hand.
But these seemingly random killings of high profile citizens being gunned down by sniper or could it be snipers continues. With nary a clue to be found Alex finds himself trying to stop that while another serial killer is doing his dirty work in another part of town.
His personal life may be as calm as it can get with a wedding coming up and his family in good health and spirits but Alex is distracted with Kyle and his feeling that they are going to meet and only one will walk away this time. Even an unexpected visit from his youngest son's mother, Christine doesn't distract as much as irritate Alex and he can control this situation yet seems to have lost control with Kyle Craig and that is the only key to solving the crime.
James Patterson writes this story like it is second nature to him and the reader feels his passion for Alex Cross, the life Cross leads and the people involved in the story. These books always have so much going on you might think it distracting to the reader but in fact each person both good and bad bring something to the book that is enjoyable, fascinating and a more than a little scary but I hope there are more Alex Cross types out there than Masterminds but sometimes you are not so sure.
7 out of 10 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 17, 2011
The latest snarly review by "anonymous" on the ability of nookers to read is disingenuous at best. But fear not, faithful nookers - like most of Patterson's books, you will find it in the Bargain Books section at your nearest B&N fairly soon at around $5 bucks to catch the ending - or just refuse to buy into the worthless FREE BOOKS at all and wait for the bargain basement special like I do!
5 out of 5 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 stopped reading James Patterson's books about 2 years ago because they were getting predictable, the type was bigger, and the chapters were so small that the plot was lost. However, he seemed to spend a little extra time with this book. When I read that Nana Momma was ill, the plot became more about the family and less about Cross himself. Now I must go back to others I failed to read to see if this was a fluke or he is thinking more about his stories than cranking out a book a week. This was a very entertaining read.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 7, 2010
Not the best Patterson book..this one didn't keepme intrigued or nearly as drawn as Blink or a few others..and Ive read all his books
4 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
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Posted November 22, 2010
Scrambled sentences, large areas of page omitted. I'm sure it may be a good book, but not on a 3 month old NOOK(which apparently has had a stroke.)
4 out of 14 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Oh snap! J.Pat does it again in this out of this world novel in the Alex Cross series. Let me stop playing, I ain't never read this book but I'm thinking that its ok because of the cover.
4 out of 12 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 8, 2012
I just luv James Patterson and his Alex Cross series they r the best always awaiting the next book.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 26, 2012
STOP DISLIKING THE FACT THAT THIS ISN'T FREE GET A JOB AND READ THE BOOK THEN WRITE A REVIEW
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Overview
Detective Alex Cross and Bree's wedding plans are put on hold when Alex is called to the scene of the perfectly executed assassination of two of Washington D.C.'s most corrupt: a dirty congressmen and an underhanded lobbyist. Next, the elusive gunman begins picking off other crooked ...