It does what it says on the tin - the 26th instalment of the Alex Cross series delivers just what one expects from a James Patterson novel: conspiracies, assassinations, shootings, plenty of action, a dollop of clever investigating and detecting and a couple of surprises along the way.
It’s not the deepest, most sophisticated, nor most insightful thriller currently out there, but it’s a fast paced, easy, entertaining, page-turning read, exactly what you want when you pick this up.

I am a big Alex Cross fan. I have read all of the series and each book I read feels like I am reconnecting with old friends. I have read about their journey through life. I liked how current this book seemed. There is a lot of action packed in. The short chapters add to the suspense and kept me reading. This is a complicated plot which is really well thought out and cleverly written. I hope there are more Alex Cross books to come.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Men and women from across the nation line the streets of Washington D.C. to mourn the unexpected death of the President. Hit by painful memories of the loss of his first wife, Alex Cross is left reeling by this tragedy. A sniper's bullet strikes another devastating blow to the heart of Washington with the assassination of a prominent Senator. The shock of this attack puts huge pressure on the police to deliver a speedy response, and as Chief of Detectives, Alex's wife Bree Stone is given an ultimatum: solve the case, or lose her job.
The new President calls on Alex Cross to lead an unparalleled FBI investigation to help capture America's most wanted criminal. Alex has a terrible feeling that the assassination is just the beginning of a much larger plan. All too soon this fear springs to life as a terrifying chain of events plunges the government and the entire country into chaos.
This is the twenty sixth Alex Cross book & could be read on its own. This is another brilliant read in the series, although I’ve not read everyone but I’ve read the vast majority & this one is up there with the best. Well written with spot on characters, a fast paced plot what’s not to like. If you like the Alex Cross books, James Patterson or a good thriller then this is for you
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Target Alex Cross, the twenty-six novel to feature psychologist Dr Alex Cross, is as captivating and nail-biting an affair as many of Mr Patterson's previous novels. He is my go-to author if I'm looking for a light and easy, none-taxing read, but of course, many of them, including this one require a healthy suspension of disbelief which I don't mind as long as I have an idea that it'll be that way. It isn't necessary to have read the previous books in order to enjoy this one as the author very kindly provides background on the recurring characters, their development and why they act the way they do. As always with Patterson, this is an edge-of-your-seat, nonstop action type of thriller that has a cornucopia of shocking twists that I didn't see coming and that make the plot explosive. The main characters are developed well and Patterson's propensity for keeping the chapters short and punchy creates a tension that builds nicely throughout the story.

Although the second half of the book is told from Alex's perspective, the first 50% changes between lots of different characters points-of-view and is quite confusing but intriguing. Only towards the concluding part of the book does it all become clear, and the struggle to keep each character straight in your head eventually pays off. This is a well written and expertly plotted white-knuckle ride that will be loved by those who are already fans of this series and James Patterson's books in general but will also no doubt gain him many new admirers. The author is a master of the crime genre, and it's easy to see why he has been the number one bestselling thriller writer for many years. The breakneck pace coupled with the fact that you just get past one amazing twist and you're straight onto another makes this a highly entertaining and unputdownable read. You barely have time to take a breath. Highly recommended.

Many thanks to Century for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

wow where to start..the president has been shot...and then others are being murdered...all by different assassins...

can cross sort out the mysteries behind this before anyone else gets killed...

brilliantly written though and understanding on american politics is handy to know before reading this...

*4.5 stars*

My goodness, what an intense, action packed read this was, and although it’s the 26th in the series, it reads perfectly well as a stand-alone.

After the assassination of a Senator, Alex Cross and his wife Bree have an enormous task on their hands, as it appears that their is more than one assassin on the loose and their targets are mainly prominent members of government, with the exception of Alex himself - he’s also on the list!

James Patterson is such a gifted writer, and this one was no exception. His characters come from his understanding of personalities, bringing them vividly to life, each of them fitting perfectly into their given roles. No gimmickry needed here - no tired cliches, just pure unadulterated thrill a minute entertainment. Miss this one at your peril!

Alex Cross #26

Dr Alex Cross is a psychologist and his wife, Bree Stone is the newly promoted chief of DC detectives. When a sniper shoots and kills Senator Elizabeth Walker, every agency has been put on high alert. The FBI draft in Alex to help with the investigation while Bree launches her own. Then other attacks take place against prominent government officials. This causes grave concern and mass panic. All agencies across the USA are hunting for the killers.

Though I have read some of James Patterson's books before, it has been a long time since I have read any in the Alex Cross series. Fortunately for me, this book can be read as a standalone. There is quite a lot going on in this story that it needs your full concentration to keep track of all the characters. This is a well written book that's fast paced with plenty of action. Like all of James Patterson's books the chapters are short, of which I quite like. This is a really good political thriller.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Random House UK, Cornerstone and the author James Patterson for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When the President of the USA dies suddenly the whole country mourns their Head of State. They stand by, lining the streets from Capitol Hill to the White House, to watch the funeral cortege pass, showing their love and respect for him. Amongst them is Alex Cross who also feels very sad at the death of such a worthy and popular leader. Very soon afterwards an influential Senator falls to the ground, felled by a sniper’s bullet and then simultaneous attacks are mounted against other government officials, until the number of prominent country leaders assassinated cause grave concern and mass panic. Who will rule the country? Is there a war ahead? The whole country is afraid, restrictions are put on outbound travel and the entire country is in chaos. Effectively people are in hiding and the militia are brought in to keep public order and aid with the investigations.

The new president gathers together the most senior and proven law enforcement gurus, advisers and strategicians. He affords a great honour when he appoints Alex Cross to coordinate and lead a talented, courageous and determined team of specialists to track down and apprehend the professional international assassins. Little does he know he is in grave personal danger and this will prove to be the most complicated and dangerous investigation of his life. Everything depends on his success in bringing the perpetrators to justice before further and more far reaching attacks are made on the country.

I have never read any of James Patterson’s many highly popular novels, but I was delighted to receive a copy of ‘Target Alex Cross’, the twenty-sixth novel in the series, from publisher Cornerstone Digital, and in return for an honest review. I was astounded by the intricacies and many twists and turns in his planning of the plot. His excellent storytelling was masterful, full of suspense, suspicions and dead leads. The action was like a rapid fire gun, all taking place over only a few days. It was a real page-turner full of horrifying action and men evil beyond all reason. It was exciting, terrifying and oh so plausible. I loved seeing the vulnerability and tenderness of Alex matched equally well with his insight, fast thinking and bravery. I shall most definitely read more of this series and, after reading the first five chapters of ‘Ambush’, added for the reader to enjoy, I will read that too. It’s the eleventh novel in the Michael Bennett series and already available in hardback. This was most definitely worthy of a 5* rating and I am now proud to say James Patterson has a new fan.

Another classic James Patterson, with a story that only a true professional could write. I could totally believe this happening, and the chaos that it would bring. The ending was slightly predictable - when you think about who would gain from the plot, there are only two viable options. Given the complexity and cunning of the plot, it was totally obvious who the evil behind the situation was. And also a little predictable, and totally unrealistic, that he would catch himself out in a conversation like that. So lost a star for that. But a great read.

This is the first novel I’ve read by James Pattinson and I found it to be a fast paced thriller with a very contemporary plot and lots of twists and turns. Unfortunately I did find some of the plot lines rather far-fetched and so was disappointed overall. However, I have no doubt that this book will appeal to all James Pattinson fans and those who love action-packed thrillers as it is well written with intense, short chapters that race along on a roller-coaster ride towards its conclusion and a cliff-hanger ending.

I took James Patterson's Masterclass a while back and realized that I still hadn't read a single book of his. Well, not cover-to-cover anyway.

He's a very masterful storyteller, and I love that he writes just like he teaches - in short chapters focusing on action and dwelling on what words to use to describe this or that. It really feels like an easy go.

It says #26 on that cover but it could easily be standalone.

Nice companion for one weekend. Thank you NetGalley for this copy in exchange for my honest review.

Another gripping read from James Patterson.
The book begins with an assassination and the sniper’s bullet strikes a target in the heart of DC.
Alex and his wife, Bree Stone, are tasked with finding the killer.
The Secret Service and the FBI deploy as well in the race to find the person responsible.
Soon other key people are assassinated and Alex realises that this is only the beginning of a larger attack on the nation.
His fears come to life, and the nation plunges into a full-blown Constitutional crisis.
We learn who the snipers are and I’ll admit to being confused at first as there were so many people involved. We get an insight into some of their lives and why they’re doing this but ultimately, as a reader, I just wanted them caught.
Alex and the team work hard to track them down and is tested to his limits.
This is a great read and I highly recommend this series.
Thanks to Century and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Alex Cross is back! And how!

"Target: Alex Cross" is from page 1 till the last one a warm bed for every thriller lover. Snuggling down, on a rainy day, and this book in your hands you'll forget the rest of the world. Yes it is number 26 in this series but Patterson still makes it feel fresh and crisp. Multiple story lines woven into one keeps you interested and will make you hate yourself for finishing this book in one go.

Where's number 27??? I want it now.

It is a while since I have read any James Patterson books and I struggled with this one.

I found the chapters too short and the content just seemed to be thrown together without thought.

Sorry I just didn't enjoy this book and couldn't finish it.

It's been a while since I've read anything from the pen of James Patterson.

It's good to see that the 'small chapter' format is still in use as I feel it allows the complexity of the story to develop without being overshadowed.

Although there are a multitude of characters, some with aliases, the book is so well mapped that it almost impossible to lose the threads of all the component parts of the plot.

Maybe because of the time between my James Patterson experiences, I was mostly unable to predict what would happen next... IMO, the recipe for a successful suspense thriller!

Another winner for Alex Cross and the great J. P.!

#TargetAlexCross #NetGalley It's been a while since I last read a James Patterson Alex Cross novel (The People vs Alex Cross) and I had forgotten what a good series this is. Although number 26 in the series, it is perfectly capable of being read a stand alone although some prior knowledge of Alex and his family add to the enjoyment. This was a cracker of a book with so much going on it was hard to keep up sometimes! Great writing, fast and plenty of action. I love short chapters which keep me reading away way into the night. just one more etc...…. There was a little side story going on with one of Alex's clients that ended with a real cliffhanger, that will no doubt become clearer in Alex Cross number 27!! A fabulous read!!

I'm not gonna lie...I love a James Patterson particularly an Alex Cross one! It's not even a guilty pleasure cos I hold my hands up and admit it quite openly!
.
TARGET: HEAD OF STATE

A leader has fallen, and the procession route from Capitol Hill to the White House is lined with hundreds of thousands of mourners. None feel the loss of a President more keenly than Alex Cross, who has devoted his life to the public good.

TARGET: UNITED STATES CABINET

A sniper’s bullet strikes a target in the heart of DC. Alex Cross’s wife, Bree Stone, newly elevated chief of DC detectives, faces an ultimatum: solve the case, or lose the position for which she’s worked her entire career. The Secret Service and the FBI deploy as well in the race to find the shooter. Alex is tasked by the new President to take a personal role with the FBI, leading an investigation unprecedented in scale and scope.
.
Buckle up for another action packed Alex Cross adventure. The s**t is really hitting the fan in DC when someone starts picking off key members of the president's cabinet as well as the president but to what end?? It's up to Alex Cross to find out and try to stop whoever it is.

This was a fast, fun ride and it did not disappoint. As well as following Alex as he leads the task force into the biggest investigation of his career but we get to follow his family life too with Bree, Nana Mama and the kids and what is the deal with his patient Justice Dept attorney Nina Davis?

I've always had a soft spot for recurring characters Harry Bosch, Jack Reacher, Michael Bennett and Alex Cross is no exception, I've been following him since Along Came A Spider and I'm not ready for his story to end yet!

I had so many James Patterson books on my bookshelves until about a month ago, when they found a new home with my Auntie and Uncle. (I kept the best of the best - Kiss the girls, Along came a spider, Roses are red). I have read quite a few, but it was just time to let someone else have a go.

This popped up on Netgalley and I thought that a digital copy couldn't hurt, I don't need room on my bookshelves for it. Let's have another one! :)

This is a great thriller, it is number 26 in the series, but can be read as a standalone. I admit I haven't read a James Patterson for a little while, but I got straight into it and the writing was familiar, which helped. The one thing that started putting me off JP recently, was his collaborations. I don't enjoy many of the ones he has written with others, as much as the earlier 'all him' ones. So this next instalment of the Alex Cross series was great to read.

It's political and fast paced. I couldn't keep up with all of the political and american jargon, but I made do.

The short chapters helped me read this quite quickly, and whilst the plot was somewhat unrealistic- you needed to suspend belief to really get on board with it- I enjoyed the story telling. JP is a master at spinning a good yarn and getting you invested in his stories.

Target : Alex Cross lacks the grittiness of his earlier work, but non the less was a riveting read from start to finish.

Who wants to bring the country to its knees? Alex Cross is back and he will be in the thick of things in no time. The President has dropped down dead and the nation is mourning her loss, but everything is about to get even worse. The first killing will start a chain of events that will bring Alex & his wife Bree together to work the case of a murdered senator. Who wanted Senator Elizabeth Walker dead? Is the killing related to one of her cases? Bree knows that she needs to solve this case as her job is on the line but the FBI isn't allowing her in so she will need to follow the clues. Bree might have just got a break as a man has been murdered and she just knows that it is related to the murder of the senator. Can she really have found the killer and who killed him? She has a lot to prove as the Chief of Detectives and she just knows that she is on the right track. But before they can find anything the President is shot and wounded and now they know that the country is under attack. Unfortunately things are about to get worse as other important people that could have been the next president have been killed. Alex is brought onto the case to help the FBI. Alex knows that they are looking for at least five to six assassins and that they are still out there and no one knows if the attacks are over. Can Alex figure out who wants the destroy the country? Could be Russia, China or even Korea but why? The assassins all have their own reasons for doing their jobs but it all boils down to the money but will they all be caught? Alex has another problem, his new patient is acting strange and he just doesn't have the time to help her at the moment and that is going to have deadly consequences. Alex & the FBI have to find out who is doing this and stop them for good. Will they have enough time before too much damage is done? He can't walk away as he needs to be able to keep his family safe no matter what. So he will do whatever he can to help the FBI and the President but they have a big problem as their new leader isn't what he seems. A very good read. Just love Alex. He is such a good husband & father and he will always do whatever he can to keep them safe. He is a man of his word. And a good person to have on your side. So good to see the kids growing up and Nana still doing well. Bree is a strong woman that really is Alex's opposite they make a good match. Scary to think that money is always such a drawcard and that people will do whatever they can to get some. I would definitely recommend this latest book to everyone as it has everything that a reader is looking for. I was lucky enough to receive a copy via Netgalley & the publishing house in exchange for my honest review.

What an intense book! The story is exciting and races along, pulling you with it. A complicated plot has several assassins murdering senior members of the American government, then vanishing. Alex Cross and his team are in a race against time to round up the perpetrators. The assassins are also being duped, not paid for their task. The short tense chapters further rack up the urgency of the situation. When two of the people behind the plot are unmasked I realised that I had suspected them all along, without seeing a reason for them to do it, so I had dismissed their importance.

A great story. I have read a few James Patterson books, but this is my first Alex Cross. Looks like I have a lot of catching up to do!