The usual great work of james Patterson although I'm baffled to why it's called alex cross must die when no one even attempts to kill him. To be honest, I only read this as it was free because if you've read one alex cross, you've read them all. Still enjoyed it

Most James Patterson novels - and there are many are a pleasure just waiting for your attention. This series never disappoints, I love the interaction between the main characters and the pace never lets up. Always waiting for the next installment !

Thank you NetGalley for this advance reader copy in exchange for my free and honest review. Another slam dunk by one of the greatest authors to put pen to paper. Alex Cross is one of my favorite characters anyway and he and the other members of the team are so awesome, they are almost unbelievable. I said almost! Alex is raising his mini me as we see signs of, so hopefully mine day Ali will have his own series 😉 James Patterson never disappoints and this book proves that once again.

Alex Cross Must Die (also titled Cross Out) is the thirty-second book in the Alex Cross series by American author, James Patterson. Neither title bears even the vaguest relation to anything that happens in the plot. Investigation consultant to Washington’s MPD and the FBI, Alex Cross and his friend, MPD Senior Detective John Sampson are investigating the case of the Dead Hours murders, a serial killer who shoots his victims in the eyes, then covers them with a sheet, always in the early hours.

While with the family of the fourth victim, they are urgently called away to the scene of a downed American Airlines jet: it’s quickly apparent that, as it was landing, the plane was shot down from a nearby park, but a separate explosion obliterates most evidence of the perpetrator. Work on all manner of clues by seven different law enforcement bodies eventually identifies a football coach whose former US Airforce career took him to the Middle East. But do they have the right man?

Meanwhile, former MPD chief, Bree Stone is asked by her boss at international security company, Bluestone Group, to look into the recent very uncharacteristic media silence of her friend, Lee Anne Asher, an entrepreneur whose successful high-profile IT company is about to go public.

Lee Anne’s last contact was three days earlier, and Elena is worried, as is Lee Anne’s PA Jill. As Bree delves into the CEO’s emails, she learns that her boss hasn’t been completely honest about her friend. And as Bree investigates further, it looks like Lee Anne might be one of over a hundred casualties on the downed flight. But that immediately raises the question of why she was on the flight under another name.

Back at the Cross home, as Nana Cross tries to look after the physical and mental needs of her brood whilst also launching a teaching career on Zoom, Jannie asks for Bree’s help with a running friend who is apparently being blackmailed. It turns out, though, that Bree’s expertise has to take a different direction.

It’s not until the Dead Hours killer has claimed a seventh victim that the particular feature linking all the victims is identified, that the killer’s misstep with one victim, and Ali Cross’s covert surveillance of the crime scenes reveal the perpetrator. Lots of action and a dramatic climax or two: standard Patterson fare.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Random House UK

The thirty-first Alex Cross thriller by James Patterson, Alex Cross Must Die, begins with a bang that brings down a passenger plane on its approach to the Reagan Airport, killing all the hundred-plus aboard. Alex and his friend, John Sampson of the Metro PD, presently hunting a serial killer nicknamed the Dead Hour Killer, are roped in by the FBI to investigate the mass murder. Their probe turns up a highly plausible suspect within a short while – with enough evidence linking him to the massacre – but it all seems a bit too easy considering the meticulousness of the execution.

Alex’s wife and former chief of detectives for MPD, Bree Stone, is searching for a missing woman, who is the founder of a soon-to-be public tech company and a close friend of Bree’s boss in the private security firm where she works, at the request of the boss. Her probe reveals something that makes Bree’s boss wonder whether she knew her friend as much as she had believed. Meanwhile, Jannie, Alex’s daughter, wants Bree to help a friend who is being blackmailed by somebody, but the friend goes missing minutes before Bree is supposed to meet her.

With the Dead Hour Killer escalating and hints of the flight shooter striking again emerging, the involvement of Alex’s mysterious archnemesis over the years – known only as Maestro – in one of the cases makes it all extremely dangerous for Alex.

The explosive beginning of Alex Cross Must Die sets the tone for the rest of the plot, which races towards the action-packed finish with short, snappy chapters. The investigation, painstaking most of the time, into all four cases is absorbing and enlightening. Meeting Alex, his friends, and his family is always a pleasant, entertaining experience, and this time is no exception. Patterson's knack for tempering the profusion of murder and mayhem with the heartwarming domestic episodes of the Cross household, of which Willow – Sampson's little daughter – is frequently a part, shines through again. As expected, Patterson crisply renders all his characters, both the familiar and the new ones, making them feel lifelike.

While the latest addition to this long-running series is riveting for the most part, its intensity is diluted by the multiple parallel tracks. The title has nothing to do with the content and seems to have been chosen at random. And, most disappointingly for ardent fans, Patterson puts off, yet again, the much-anticipated showdown that he has been promising in the last two books. Alex Cross Must Die, though somewhat less satisfying than the previous couple in the series, is nonetheless a good, quick read that will appeal to most thriller fans.

I am thankful to Random House UK, Cornerstone, for the Digital Review Copy of Alex Cross Must Die, made available to me through NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review.

Excellent story fast paced and engaging throughout.
Another great book from James Patterson
Thoroughly enjoyable.

You know you are onto a sure thing when you pick up a James Patterson book and as a reader who has read every Alex Cross thriller i was delighted to get my hands on this one.
Alex and John are pulled onto a case by Ned whilst Bree works a missing person case and is pulled into another case.
Woven so well as only James Patterson can I was hooked from the get go. The short Chapters always appeal and the way the reader is involved with Alex's family is wonderful
Great thriller

James Patterson does not disappoint with this next installment of his Alex Cross Series of Books .
It can be read, enjoyed and understood as a stand alone book.
A fast pace story during which you need to keep your wits about you or you will miss the some clues.
The whole family is involved in solving the crimes this time. Loved it.

An aeroplane has been shot down and a serial killer is ambushing young men, another Alex Cross action packed thriller
I always enjoy Alex Cross novels they never disappoint. With different storylines and twisting and turning plots, and written in short chapters, this book just keeps you page turning,
I highly recommend this book

Another great Alex Cross novel.
Fast paced, well written with old favourites in the characters.
Smooth plot with a few twists and a bit of suspense plus lots of action.
A good read!

It has been a few years since I picked up a James Patterson and more so since I read an Alex Cross. I LOVE the Alex Cross series and going on the title I thought this would be a cat and mouse with Cross and a baddy/taunting him. Maybe that is why I liked but didn't love this one.

There are a fair few storylines, we have a terrorist attack on a commercial plane, a missing friend in the process of making a multimillion business launch, one of Alex's kids friends has gone missing, a killer targeting runners and if that isn't enough a teacher loved and trusted by all may not be all he seems to be.

I love a busy book and there is no denying there is plenty to keep you hooked by I think maybe there was so much we spread just a little thinly. I felt like we hardly seen a whole lot of Alex Cross because there were so many characters to visit/see/chase/action.

Page turner yeah, short chapters - we love but I think had we maybe had a wee bit less we may have had more if that makes sense. I liked it I just didn't love it so therefore 3.5/5 for us, terrorism, murder, families, dark web the book has loads to keep you occupied.

James Patterson is the maestro when it comes to thrillers and this book proves it again. It continues the story of the character and pulls you in immediately. It also acts well as a standalone give the beginning intro/profiling.

An interesting fast paced thriller in this genre. Thank you Random House UK, Cornerstone and NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange of my unbiased review.

James Patterson was my favourite Author for years, with Alex Cross being my favourite character. After abandoning them for a while thanks to NetGalley I have read book 32 in the series. An enjoyable read but not the same as the early books. I will however carry on reading them

It's book 32 of the series. Are they getting "samey'? Yes, vehemently, yes. It's fine for an airport/train read but it's not gripping and heaps of things are somewhat obvious.

Another fantastic addition to the Alex Cross series. thrillers which do not disappoint, and this book captives the reader as you expect from this author. Leaves you expectantly waiting for the next story.

This is the first Alex Cross novel I've read even though there are 32 (!) books in this series. I received a copy from Random House UK via Netgalley and it came out on the 26th of October.

An American Airlines plane crashes on the runway and detectives Alex Cross and John Sampson are to investigate. The plane turns out to be shot from the sky with a very specific weapon only a few can operate. That's not their only case, there is also the car of the 'Dead Hours' murders. Will they be able to solve it?

After so many books about the same person, the character is obviously well worked out. The story reads perfectly as the author is extremely capable of writing in such a way that it flows easily from the pages. As it was my first Alex Cross book and I liked it a lot, I will most definitely be reading more about this character.

In short, it's always a joy to read a James Patterson book!

5/5 ⭐

I have really enjoyed James Patterson and Alex Cross books in the past, but for me, this one is not up to the usual standard. Four stories intended to be interwoven but seemingly unrelated – as is the book title – Cross is never at risk of dying.
The concept of the first story was too far-fetched, even by Patterson’s own standards, and although the tension builds as it progresses, it didn’t hold my attention, which was also distracted by the other three (or was it four, if you include Nana) stories Some of the detail is – as usual – excellent., other parts I found trite. Little is explained well, nor is due process. Seems to me to be a collection of ideas jotted down and filled in, but without the concept of a story line and novel. Sorry James, it’s a “really must do better” from me.

A typical James Patterson read! Short sharp chapters, quick paced Alex cross story! As always James Patterson delivers!

Yes, this is a well written book as usual but I wasn’t too thrilled with it. It was just an OK and very predictable read, and all the lovey dovey family and grandmother stuff tends to get on my nerves. What’s with the misleading title anyway? There was no threat to Alex Cross in the whole book! A bit disappointed and won’t read any more Alex Cross novels.

Love the Alex Cross series by James Patterson. Very enjoyable read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book.