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Cross Country (Alex Cross Novels) | 
| Author: James Patterson
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Category: Book
List Price: $27.99
Buy New: $18.47
You Save: $9.52 (34%)
Rating:  138 reviews
Sales Rank: 162
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 416
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.4
Dimensions (in): 9.3 x 5.9 x 1.5
ISBN: 0316018724
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780316018722
Publication Date: November 17, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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Product Description
When the home of Alex Cross's oldest friend, Ellie Cox, is turned into the worst murder scene Alex has ever seen, the destruction leads him to believe that he's chasing a horrible new breed of killer. As Alex and his girlfriend, Brianna Stone, become entangled in the deadly Nigerian underworld of Washington D.C., what they discover is shocking: a stunningly organized gang of lethal teenagers headed by a powerful, diabolical man--the African warlord known as the Tiger. Just when the detectives think they're closing in on the elusive murderer, the Tiger disappears into thin air. Tracking him to Africa, Alex knows that he must follow. Alone.
From the author Time magazine has called "the man who can't miss," CROSS COUNTRY is the most heart-stopping, speed-charged, electrifying Alex Cross thriller yet.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 133 more reviews...
 Where is Alex Cross? November 20, 2008
74 out of 82 found this review helpful
This is one of the most poorly thought-out, unbelievable books I have read in a long time. Almost from the beginning, I had the odd feeling that I had just stepped into the most contrived situation imaginable. Horrible grisly murder after horrible grisly murder, unexpected poorly thought out action, characters that you never really get to understand or don't even want to, overuse of the exclamation point to underline the action(!); felt like a cheap harlequin thriller to me.
The Alex Cross series was a great one; this doesn't even feel like it is written in the same voice. Alex is a gritty smart introspective detective; the Alex Cross in this book was something of an idiot -- blindly forcing himself into situations he had no business even thinking of entering into, all without that careful forethought we have been treated to in the past. I would skip this one, or at least wait until you can find it in the bargain bin.
Thoroughly Disappointing December 3, 2008
26 out of 26 found this review helpful
I am a HUGE fan of James Patterson's Alex Cross series. I look forward to the new releases with great anticipation. However, I must say, I was thoroughly disappointed by this latest Alex Cross novel. It was a tough book to get through; which, for me, is unusual for this series.
(1) The murders were extremely gruesome and violent beyond what seemed necessary. (2) I have to agree with some of the other comments; Alex seemed to have lost his good and common sense in this book. His decisions constantly put those around him in harms way. His decision to fly off to Africa to pursue a killer in a foreign country with absolutely no government assistance seemed downright ridiculous. (3) Although I believe the plight and conditions that exist in Africa should be brought to main st America to encourage awareness; I didn't think this crime-thriller novel was the best forum. (4) The entire plot was beyond believable.
Mr. Patterson's writing style with the short chapters remained but his wonderfully woven storyline was missing from this novel.
AWFUL!!! December 4, 2008
22 out of 22 found this review helpful
This book was horrible, I got it on tape to listen to while driving 1,000 miles (in one day) with my husband over the Thanksgiving holiday. I told him prior to the drive that Patterson had finally written his OWN BOOK......one with Alex Cross in it. I promised him it would be a real treat.
The lack of plot and Alex' complete disregard to the dangers he was in was totally unfathomable. I don't understand why it was written this way, I am so not impressed.
This book disappoints in a huge way. Thank goodness I have gotten smart and not spent my hard earned money on his latest books, I got it at the library.
We struggled to listen to the last couple chapters, it was surreal.
Not worth the effort to read.
Bitterly Disappointing November 26, 2008
15 out of 18 found this review helpful
Having read every Alex Cross novel, I just finished "Cross Country" moments ago. Contrived, confusing, underdeveloped and laughable. Patterson seems unable to deliver a credible story line in this book, and, instead, switches to too much action happening too often in too little time to be believeable. Sending Cross to Africa in search of a mercenary killer is one thing, but, really, does the author expect us to believe the incredible sub-plot after sub-plot, broken nose after broken nose, kidnapping after kidnapping, spy vs. spy ongoings? And if those events aren't confusing enough, how about relying upon the good old crocodile by the river scene? Or the incredibly beautiful woman reporter with whom Alex just sleeps "holding hands", not wishing to cheat on girlfriend and fellow detective, Bree? Or the unexplained kidnapping of his family as well as their equally unexplained return after a week? Or the truly expected, at this point, ending: a cell phone call From Kyle Craig?
I knew this book was in trouble at the beginning, when the the first murder victim (Cross' college flame, long since happily married and with a family) has on her wall not just family photos, but a picture of her with Alex from 20 years ago! I just didn't believe it could evolve into the sad catastrophe that Patterson has concocted here. Fans- please save your money- wait until it hits your local library.
 Is Alex Cross Getting Senile, Or Just Plain Stupid? November 23, 2008
14 out of 20 found this review helpful
I have to admit that I had been eagerly awaiting this new Alex Cross detective thriller for awhile now and purchased it right when it came out. Not only was I surprised when I read it, but also very disappointed! I rated this novel two stars, one because of the novel itself (yes, it really is that bad) and one star because of the very pleasant surprise of an old character appearing in the last few pages of the book, which promises to be a teaser for a return to the great Alex Cross novels of the past.
I will freely admit that if the author had put in a single sentence into the beginning of this book, it would have made the story actually much better without changing anything else. What single sentence could have possibly made this story better you ask, well here it is.
"Due to the recent brain trauma suffered by Alex in a recent car accident, his doctor advised that his decision making ability may be somewhat impaired for a few weeks."
This would have explained Alex's total lack of intelligence on many levels and in numerous situations. Primarily, going to a third world country and expecting to be able to do exactly what you normally do here in the good old US of A. The other thing that really got under my skin was the mentality of trying to "reason with" or perhaps I should say "not kill first" those that are intent upon killing you, regardless of age. I mean come on now holding back from killing someone who is solely intent on killing you. What a pile of horsepucky! At least Bree got it right from the start.
I would not recommend this book at all, and although I normally don't like posting any kind of spoiler, I am going to do so in this case as that was the real highlight for me with the book. So without further ado, here comes the spoiler.
Kyle Craig is back and is only referenced twice near the end of the book. The first time when Alex mentions him in his thoughts, and the other when Kyle actually calls him to let him know that he was actually in the bad guy's house with him just moments before. What great fun! I really can't wait for that novel. I have sincere hopes that it will be written in the old Alex Cross style, which will be a welcome relief from this book.
I would also like to ask Mr. Patterson to please resurrect "The Wolf" as he was a very intriguing character and would be easy to do since it has already been stated that he used more than one double.
Shawn Kovacich
Author of the Achieving Kicking Excellence series.
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