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In Los Angeles, a reporter investigating a series of murders is killed. In Chapel Hill, North Carolina, a beautiful medical intern suddenly disappears. Washington D.C.'s Alex Cross is back to solve the most baffling and terrifying murder case ever. Two clever pattern killers are collaborating, cooperating, competing--and they are working coast to coast.
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.
FOR THREE weeks, the young killer actually lived inside the walls of an extraordinary fifteen-room beach house.
He could hear the whispery Atlantic surf outside, but he was never tempted to look out at the ocean or the private white-sand beach that stretched to three hundred feet or more along the shore. There was too much to explore, to study, to accomplish, from his hiding place inside the dazzling Mediterranean-revival-style house in Boca. His pulse hadn't stopped hammering for days.
Four people lived in the huge house: Michael and Hannah Pierce and their two daughters. The killer spied on the family in the most intimate ways, and at their most intimate moments. He loved all the little things about the Pierces, especially Hannah's delicate seashell collection and the fun fleet of teak sailboats that hung from the ceiling in one of the guest rooms.
He watched the elder daughter, Coty, day and night. She attended St. Andrews High School with him. She was stunning. No girl in school was as beautiful or as smart as Coty. He was also keeping his eye on Karrie Pierce. She was only thirteen, but already a budding fox.
Although he was more than six feet tall, he easily fit into the air-conditioning ducts of the house. He was wire thin and hadn't started to fill out yet. The killer was handsome in an Eastern preppy way.
Stashed in his hiding place were a handful of dirty novels, highly erotic books he had found during fevered shopping trips to Miami. He had become addicted to The Story of O, School Girls in Paris, and Voluptuous Initiations. He also kept a Smith and Wesson revolver in the walls with him.
He went in and out of the house through a casement window in the cellar that had a broken latch. Sometimes he even slept down there, behind an old, gently purring Westinghouse refrigerator, where the Pierces kept extra beer and soda pop for their gala parties, which often ended with a bonfire on the beach.
Truth be told, he was feeling a little extra weird that night in June, but nothing to worry about. No problems.
Earlier in the evening, he had handpainted his body in bright streaks and splashes of cherry red, orange, and cadmium yellow. He was a warrior; a hunter.
He huddled with his chrome-plated .22-caliber revolver, flashlight, and grope-books in the ceiling over Coty's bedroom. Right on top of her, so to speak.
Tonight was the night of nights. The beginning of everything that really mattered in his life.
He settled in and began to reread favorite passages from School Girls in Paris. His pocket flashlight cast a dim light on the pages. The book was definitely a major turn-on, but also a big yuk. It was about a "respectable" French lawyer who paid a buxom headmistress to let him spend nights inside a hotsy-totsy boarding school for girls. The story was filled with the hokiest language: "his silver-tipped ferrule," "his faithless truncheon," "he gamahuched the ever-willing schoolgirls."
After a while he got tired of reading, and peeked at his wristwatch. It was time now, almost 3:00 a.m. His hands were shaking as he put the book aside and peered through the cross-hatching of the grill.
He could barely catch his breath as he watched Coty in bed. The very real adventure was now before him. Just as he had imagined it.
He savored a thought: My real life is about to begin. Am I really going to do this? Yes, I am!...
He was definitely living in the walls of the Pierce beach house. Soon that nightmarish, eerie fact would dominate the front page of every major newspaper throughout the United States. He could hardly wait to read the Boca Raton News.
THE BOY IN THE WALLS!
THE KILLER WHO ACTUALLY LIVED IN THE WALLS OF A FAMILY'S HOUSE!
A STARK-RAVING HOMICIDAL MANIAC COULD BE LIVING IN YOUR HOUSE!
Coty Pierce was sleeping like the most beautiful little girl. She had on an oversized University of Miami Hurricanes T-shirt, but it had moved up and he could see the pink silk bikini panties underneath.
She slept on her back, one sunbrowned leg crossed over the other. Her pouty mouth was just slightly open, forming the tiniest o, and she looked all innocence and light from his vantage point.
She was almost a full-grown woman now. He'd watched her preen in front of the wall mirror just a few hours before. Watched her take off her pink lacy push-up bra. Watched her as she stared at her perfect breasts.
Coty was unbearably haughty and untouchable. Tonight he was going to change all that. He was going to take her.
Carefully, silently, he removed the metal grill in the ceiling. Then he crawled out of the wall and down into Coty's sky-blue-and-pink bedroom. His chest felt constricted, and his breathing was quick and labored. One minute he felt hot, the next he was shivering and cold.
Two small plastic trash bags covered his feet and were secured around his ankles, and he wore the light blue rubber gloves that the Pierces' maid used for housecleaning.
He felt like a sleek Ninja warrior and looked like Terror itself with his naked handpainted body. The perfect crime. He loved the feeling.
Could this be a dream? No, he knew it wasn't a dream. This was the real deal. He was actually going to do this! He took a deep breath and felt a burning inside his lungs.
For a brief moment, he studied the peaceful young girl he'd admired so many times at St. Andrews. Then he quietly slipped into bed with the one-and-only Coty Pierce.
He took off a rubber glove and gently caressed her perfect, sun-bronzed skin. He pretended that he was smoothing coconut-scented suntan oil all over Coty. He was rock-hard already.
Her long blond hair was sunbleached and felt as soft as rabbit's fur. It was thick and beautiful and smelled forest-clean, like balsam. Yes, dreams do come true.
Coty suddenly popped open her eyes. They were shiny emerald green gems, and they looked like priceless jewels from Harry Winston's in Boca.
She breathlessly said his name -- the name she knew him by at school. But he had given himself a new name; he'd named himself, re-created himself.
"What are you doing here," she gasped. "How did you get in?"
"Surprise, surprise. I'm Casanova," he whispered against her ear. His pulse was racing off the charts. "I chose you from all the beautiful girls in Boca Raton, in all of Florida. Aren't you pleased?"
Coty started to scream. "Shush now," he said, and smothered her small lovely mouth with his own. With a loving kiss.
He also kissed Hannah Pierce on that unforgettable evening of mayhem and murder in Boca Raton.
Shortly after, he kissed thirteen-year-old Karrie.
Before he was finished for the night, he knew that he really was Casanova -- the world's greatest lover.
Copyright by James Patterson
Anonymous
Posted April 6, 2007
I am surprised to see so many positive reviews because I thought this book was horrible. Not only does the author not keep the details of his characters straight 'in the beginning of the book Kate has blue eyes, but towards the end they're brown', but too many things happened 'by chance,' without any sort of rhyme or reason 'finding out The Gentleman's name, for example'. This is the first book I've read by this author and the only reason I finished it was to see if it would get any better or perhaps tie up all of the loose ends. It did neither. I don't recommend this book to anyone who actually enjoys a good thriller, or even a good book. Save yourself from wasting time reading this book and go read a book by a GOOD author 'ie Dean Koontz'.
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 January 20, 2012
This book has a good twist and turn for a good portion of the journey. You think you have it figured out and something else goes wrong. The ending is frustrating but good and now I need to go buy the next book.
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Posted January 17, 2012
Awesome, one of my favorite books!
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Posted January 11, 2012
If I had 10 minutes to spare, I was reading.
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Posted January 5, 2012
I have seen the movie and just realized it was based on a book. The movie was great and hopefully the book will be just as good.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 3, 2012
This was my first i ever read of James Patterson and i love it. Ever since then i have been reading most of his books and i am still not done collecting his books and reading it. I cant get enough of his books! I cant wait to see what is mext of his books to enjoy and what is in store for is to enjoy! James does not disappoint his readers.
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Posted December 27, 2011
A fast paced read for anyone who enjoyed the first book of the series. Highly reccomended.
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Posted December 20, 2011
If you love a great murder mystery than this book will do. It keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time. Its twist and turns will have you begging for more.
Anonymous
Posted December 2, 2011
This was the first James Patterson book I read when i was 13 im 26 now and it is to this day my favorite of his. I read this book in 2 days. It is brilliantly written and the suspense will keep u turning pages and stayimg up way later then u need too.
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Posted November 13, 2011
I ordered this book as a X-mas gift for a friend of mine. When I received it, the book was in perfect condition and the packaging job was superb. I also got it within a week from ordering. Thanks!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Absolutely loved the criminal situation( its so hard to give tips without giving spoilers) But the chase to catch the killers was fast-paced and exciting.
My favorite parts are the gruesome killings. Patterson's story's can be so diabolical and menacing . This had all the great features of a good ole' rainy day thriller read. (make sure to read it when there is lots of thunder and lighting).
But the part I don't like is Cross. He is so one-dimensional. Because of him I am afraid to continue reading the series. But I cant put this series down.
9340233
Posted September 9, 2011
I already am loving the Alex Cross series. The only reason this book lost a star was the typos...not sure if it is through the Nook conversion or from the original book
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This is classic James Patterson and shows why he now sells so many books and has so many fans. Everything a good thriller needs are in here: A relatable protagonist, vile antagonists, drama, thrills, twists, gruesome scenes that will stay with you, and unpredictability. I really enjoyed this a incorrectly guessed the killer (s) multiple times. Cross is intelligent, warm, tough, and not perfect, which is a perfect blend for a main character. The evil that is in this book at times is almost too intense and also is perfect for this type of book. The only thing that keeps this book from being a five star book is Patterson's use of extra sappy dialogue at the strangest places. Other than that, a perfect book.
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Posted August 5, 2011
This is my favorite out of all the james patterson books not one can compare to the well placed detail and the true feeling of fear. There's someone watching behind the very walls of your own house, chilling.
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Posted August 4, 2011
I read this book about 12ish years ago! I loved it and have been hooked on James Patterson since then!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.One more home run for JP!
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Posted March 19, 2011
Love all James Patterson Books
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.sTaNg18
Posted February 27, 2011
James Patterson's bestseller, Kiss the Girls is a fantastic mystery novel in which two serial killers are working coast to coast with many women. Patterson takes the reader inside Casanova and the Gentleman Caller's crazed and disgusted minds as they stalk their beautiful, flawless victims. The case falls on Alex Cross, an African-American psychologist and homicide detective, who has been informed that his beloved niece is missing. Naomi "Scootchie" Cross is a student at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, where both of these killers eventually end up in an attempt to finally destroy Kate McTiernan. This book is both thrilling and terrifying as the reader is taken through Casanova's personal collection of stunningly beautiful women as well as the Gentleman Caller who is content to keep little bits and pieces of them. One of the major themes is love. Casanova calls himself, "the world's greatest lover"but only understands the sexual part of it. Without really understanding the feeling of sympathy, he never could understand love. Another theme is Casanova's mask for death. This he wears to symbolize his moods and his bipolar personalities. On one hand he is a mass murderer who has no problem with raping and torturing his victims. However, on the other hand he feels a slight sense or remorse and mercy and the death mask represented the evil persona. I found this novel very interesting and captivating and would highly recommend it to people who enjoy suspense and thrills. If there was anything I could critique, it would be that some parts were a little slow. For example, in the beginning it took a while for Alex Cross to actually get involved in the case. However it quickly picked up and was fantastic from then on. James Patterson is a very popular novelist and some of his other works include, Along Came a Spider, Jack & Jill, Cat and Mouse, Roses are Red, Double Cross, etc. Therefore I would highly recommend this book!!!!!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I just started reading the Alex Cross series from the beginning. "Along Came A Spider" was a very good intro, but this 2nd novel in the series blows the 1st away. Intricate tale, plenty of twists and turns, deep character development....a TRUE page turner. Read it!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 22, 2011
Excellent
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Overview
First came the stunning number-one bestseller Along Came a Spider. Now comes the scariest, most unforgettable novel in several years. In Los Angeles, a reporter investigating a series of murders is killed. In Chapel Hill, North Carolina, a beautiful medical intern suddenly disappears. Washington D.C.'s Alex Cross is back to solve the most baffling and terrifying murder case ever. Two clever pattern killers are collaborating, cooperating, competing- and they are working coast to coast.A Main Selection of Book-of-the-Month Club®
In Los Angeles, a reporter investigating a series of murders is killed. In Chapel Hill, North Carolina,...