It has been some time since I last read an Alex Cross story. The author still retains that wonderful skill of writing fast paced action thrillers that do not disappoint the reader. The book reads well as a standalone so readers need not worry if they are dipping into the series.
Although, there are quite a few characters and locations involved, that do require some concentration, it is a very easy to read book. The author's descriptive writing really helps to make the action scenes, and characters feel realistic
Also an interesting time with the Cross series now on streaming TV

So we have to work out who is the mysterious M, suspected to be behind a recent cluster of murders. Thankfully we have Alex Cross, Sampson and Bree to work out whether their long time unknown nemesis is truly behind it all. And if it is M - then who are they?

This is a very fast paced, quick read, triggered by a murder made to look an accident in the snowy foothills. It's got a political theme running through it as high profile individuals are being murdered. The whole things progresses very quickly, with each trying to decide whether they think this is really the infamous M or not. Following the trail, in the snow, with chases and shootings on snow mobiles, it gets very tense. It does have a bit of a James Bond feel to me, as the goodies and baddies come face to face and motives start to be exchanged, but it is nonetheless a very engaging and enjoyable read. Good for a few hours escape from the mundane!

A gripping next instalment that quickly gathers pace with twists and turns. Opening with a suspected murder, which quickly turns into a rescue mission where Alex, Bree and Sampson are on the tail of M. Well worth the read.

Back to the good old Cross! Back to the James Patterson style! Over the last few novels I have thought the story lacking but Patterson is back. The ending, I thought, a bit clunky and rushed- lots of "the sparrow did this'... 'the Sparrow did that' but a good read.

Worth a read. More of a beach or plane reading book not requiring much in the way of intellectual thought. For a plane or beach read, 5* just like his other novels. Just not what I personally need right now.

Top ranked legal people are being killed and Alex Cross must find out why and who is responsible. Another action packed novel that is adventurous and fast paced.

Loved this well written, exciting novel. Great characters in very dangerous situations. When his wife and best friend go missing he must act fast. Who will survive and will the killers be caught? Enjoy finding out.

Unusually, for me, I did not enjoy this Alex Cross adventure - it wasn't as fast paced as usual, it was repetitive not just within itself but unnecessarily repeating things from previous novels that weren't really necessary to pursue the storylines here, as well as reusing plot devices that he has used to much better avail in earlier Cross adventures.
I will always love Alex, Nana Mama, John, Bree and the kids but this particular outing wasn't on par and appears to serve as filler in a longer storyline across several books.

Another story where Alex Cross is having to save his wife and oldest friend oh yes and the world!! Fast paced thriller. Much better than the past couple I have read in both terms of story and pace of it. An excellent read which you can read without having read any of his previous books.

I’ve been reading James Patterson on and off for a few years and I really enjoy his books so I was excited to have the chance to read this one!

It started off slower than I would have liked and didn’t hook me from the beginning. It got better towards the end but just didn’t excite me this time around.

James Patterson rarely disappoints and Alex Cross’s latest encounter with the less pleasant side of human nature certainly maintains his reputation as one of the best in this genre. All the usual ingredients are present and correct, with a fast paced plot, great descriptions of the action that is such a feature of these novels (now numbering 32) and characters that support the way the plot unfolds. The author always manages to construct a just about credible plot structure that doesn’t require too much suspension of disbelief and it will be an unusual reader who doesn’t think that s/he can just about squeeze in an extra chapter or two before lights out.
If you’ve liked the previous novels in this series you’re sure to enjoy The House of Cross; if you haven’t, a world of reading pleasure awaits!
Highly recommended.

I have read a few of the Alex Cross series but certainly not all of them. Clearly there are repeat characters but not knowing them all intimately did not impact my enjoyment of this book at all.

From the outset, the action is real and you are immediately thrown into it. There is a fair bit of jumping around to different characters and locations, which required a bit of concentration, but I enjoyed how the plot developed and all the strings finally came together. Lots of likeable main and side characters, and a really compelling set of foes for Alex and the team to deal with.

It was not all perfect and did not get tidied up in a neat way, but the story was all the better for this. A good story and plenty of excitement to keep the attention.

I must admit to being an Alex Cross and James Patterson fan. Although I've not been able to keep up in recent years as the frequency and number of books seems to be increasing as different established series get their own next instalments.
This is book 32 in the Alex Cross series and he's still not yet receiving his pension.

The old elusive foe 'M' appears again this time and is finally revealed after a number of years of being a behind-the-scenes type nemesis spanning several books.

The chapters are the usual short, sharp, keep-the-pace-going affair. Long-standing readers will get exactly what they expect as it's a tried and tested and successful formula.
The indestructible Cross and pals follow different strands and end up crossing over, perhaps a little predictably.

No awards for plot but for a high-paced, snappy thriller it won't disappoint. Just like all the other Alex Cross novels.

I wonder how many more he can keep going (both Patterson & Cross). It felt a little like a conclusion of an era this one, but hopefully there's more to come.

Overall 4 stars from me.

I am a huge admirer of James Patterson's prolific and enduirng skills and talent, and I was delighted to receive a copy of this latest edition, so many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher.

This was another excellent instalment in the series with the wonderful Alex Cross, a character that feels like an old friend. The characterisations, the twists and turns, the clear and present danger to Cross' wife and best friend, the hunt for the elusive M, and the storyline barreling towards an ulitmate crescendo.

This book is just as you would expect from this talented author, and it is a wonderful engrossing thriller.

I would highly recommend it.

James Patterson delivers another fast paced, exciting Alex Cross tale in The House of Cross. Although this book is part of a long series it can be read as a standalone novel. For those of us that are die hard Alex Cross fans the main cast of characters will be familiar.
Although some of the plot and twists and turns were somewhat predictable, this did not detract from my enjoyment of the story and I am looking forward to finding out what is in store for Cross, his family and friends next.

I am grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I haven't read an Alex Cross book for a few years, and I had forgotten just how much I enjoy them.
This one doesn't disappoint. It is fast paced, and interesting throughout - especially during their time in snowy Canada.
I fully recommend this book to fans of James Patterson.

A complex story with a high body count, deceit, lies , danger and a serial killer- everything you need for a great read!

I am grateful to James Patterson, Random House UK, Cornerstone, and Netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy. For anyone vaguely interested in this title, here follows an honest review to help you decide whether or not to pick this novel as your next read.

It’s been a hot minute since I have read an Alex Cross novel. Usually, I would read a series in order, but the opportunity to read this ARC was too good to pass up and so I dived back into the series several books later. It was swiftly a reminder to myself that I must go back and fill in the gaps because although I had the same Alex Cross, I had missed out on seeing his family develop. Having met Cross’s previous partners, Marie, and Christine, I was most intrigued to see his connection with Bree whom unlike the others, has a similar enough career to understand his line of work and determination when he takes on a case.

The House of Cross, like previous Alex Cross titles can be read alone, but is best enjoyed as book 32 in the series. In this novel, we see Cross working as a consultant to the FBI having taken an interest in the death of a Supreme Court Justice. Unfortunately for him, as deaths begin to mount and key figures meet their demise, Cross finds himself caught in a complex web of deceit that should he refuse to stop unravelling will result in the death of his closest friends and family. No stranger to the death of loved ones when a hunted serial killer turns on the hunter, Cross needs to decide what’s more important as he follows a wild goose chase; solving a murder trail where the web becomes more convoluted with each kill or saving the ones he holds dear when they also plummet feet first into a case of their own.

Praise to James Patterson, he has done it again, in a way that very few thriller writers can. I enjoyed The House of Cross immensely and threw myself into the unputdownable novel. Naturally, the book dove right into the action with the heart attack of one judge, the untimely death of Cross’s arch nemesis, and the cold-blooded kill of Judge Franklin and her driver just as she was returning home. There is definitely something odd in the air that will have the reader racing to gather their thoughts as several stories run parallel to each other. Where do the priorities lie?

Over time, I note how Patterson’s plots and their execution have become more complex. This makes for a riveting read and keeps the reader guessing from the edge of their seat throughout the reading journey. Starting in San Francisco, the reader is treated to a descriptive environment before the characters travel across state lines and country borders. The travel had me experiencing turbulence that I couldn’t think straight and failed to solve the crimes. This made for an even more pleasurable and thrilling reading experience, keeping the pages swiftly turning as I devoured each bite-sized chapter.

A must-read for Alex Cross fans, James Patterson followers, and lovers of the thriller genre in general. However, I warn you, you might want to clear your diary for the day because it is terribly easy to get sucked into the drama and motor on through, especially when each chapter finishes on a cliffhanger just as dramatic as the last. A 5/5 star, fast-paced action thriller not to be missed.

I loved early James Patterson, especially Alex Cross, but the last few Patterson’s I read (ARCs, Thankyou to NetGalley) have been very disappointing.
This one was much more readable, decently paced, with some interesting speculation into the criminal potential of AI.
But….
The main group of characters are taking on a bit of a ‘Superhero’ mantle, possessing skills, insight (and charm) far beyond us lesser mortals, including their bosses. However despite their collective 80-odd years of crime fighting, not one of them twigs that twins have the same DNA.
The arch-villain with a God-complex, clandestine fanatical henchpersons, and secret Baddy Lair was all a bit far fetched and James Bond-y.

But if you love Alex Cross, you’ll be happy with it. It’s better than the previous one.

This was a tricky review. Let me try to explain. The characters are all high calibre. The plot was intricate and creative. However, I found that having finished the book I was unsure if I really enjoyed it or not.

This forced me to think deeply to try and work out why it was not a more straightforward 5 out of 5. My ultimate reflection was that this series of books has slowly evolved into being a kind of Marvel Comic and I am not that fond of them. Alex Cross and his team are now the multi-talented team of "super-heroes" that take on dark forces to save humanity.

I would have preferred if the series had been more realistic. It didn't come close to reflecting my understanding of the difficulties faced by law enforcement in running down "the baddies".

I guess that is all a matter of personal taste, though.

I’ve read quite a few Alex Cross books and enjoyed them and this one is no exception. Alex is called in when high profile people start getting killed.
There is also the issue of the anonymous M - is he dead or just missing?
Alex, his wife Bree and their friend John Samson are on the case as the threads start to become intermingled.
Another great book by James Patterson.