''Alex Cross'' (novel series)

Alex Cross series

The second novel in the series
Author James Patterson
Country United States
Language English
Genre Mystery, Crime
Thriller
Publisher Little, Brown
Media type Hardcover
Paperback
audio book

Alex Cross is a crime, mystery, and thriller novel series written by James Patterson. The series focuses on the protagonist—African-American Metropolitan Police Department detective and father Alex Cross—as he faces threats to his family and the city of Washington, D.C.. Supporting characters include two of Cross's children, Damon, and Janelle, as well as his grandmother Nana Mama. The series is usually narrated in first-person perspective by Alex Cross, and occasionally from the villains' point of view in third-person.

The series has been running since the 1990s and is ongoing. Nearly all have made bestsellers lists and garnered favorable reviews, especially Double Cross, Cross Fire, I, Alex Cross, and Alex Cross, Run.

The series is published worldwide, with Little, Brown currently holding publication rights in the United States, in paperback, hardcover, and audiobook editions. The first book in the series, Along Came a Spider, was released in 1993 to positive reviews, spawning a series of over twenty subsequent novels. The series has led to three films, Along Came a Spider, Kiss the Girls, and Alex Cross (a reboot) with a possible sequel, despite very negative reception.

Plot overview

Alex Cross is a widower-detective-father who often fights against threatening villains—and criminals—who wish to kill Cross and others. It mainly focuses on Cross trying to solve very difficult cases while attempting to maintain a relationship with his family. For example, in Merry Christmas, Alex Cross, Cross misses out on Christmas Eve and Christmas itself to focus on finding and defeating a terrorist group. One of his regular foes in the earlier books is Kyle Craig, the "Mastermind" who wants to kill Cross, out of revenge for Alex putting him in prison. In some books, Cross sometimes works with—or against—the President/Secret Service in a few books such as Along Came a Spider, Jack & Jill, I, Alex Cross, and Kill Alex Cross. An ongoing theme in the earlier novels is the unsolved murder of his first wife, Maria. Cross later reveals another reason for trying to solve the cases: so he can protect his family from danger. Cross currently lives on Fifth Street in Southeast Washington, D.C., along with grandmother Nana Mama, children Damon, Janelle ("Jannie"), and Alex Jr. ("Ali"), and his current and new wife, Brianna "Bree" Stone-Cross.

When Alex was 9, his father died of alcoholism, a year after his mother died. He went to Washington, D.C., to live with his grandmother—Nana Mama. During his childhood, he met his later best friend John Sampson. He also later met his wife, Maria, in Washington, and married her. After giving birth to two children, a few months or years later, she is murdered. Alex later meets a woman named Christine, who becomes pregnant, giving birth to an additional third child for the Cross family—Ali. She later leaves Ali with Alex dealing with traumatization over her kidnapping in Pop Goes the Weasel. Afterwards, she tried claiming custody over Ali and succeeded. However, she later gave Ali back to Alex, who had joined the FBI at the time. His deadliest foes are Geoffrey Shafer, Gary Soneji, and Kyle Craig; all three have been killed through the course and events of the book series.

In Cross, Alex discovers who really killed his wife, and will do anything to take down her murderer. He learns he was chasing a false killer, and the real killer is Jimmy Hats, whom Sampson killed long ago. At the end of the novel, Alex comes to terms with Maria's death and moves on with his life. Double Cross sees Alex as he falls in love again—with detective Bree Stone; he must also assist her in the case of DCAK, a murderer, known as DC Audience Killer, as he retired from the FBI before the events of Cross. In I, Alex Cross, he decides to find and solve the murder case in which his deceased niece, Caroline Cross, was involved in due to her being a victim. He later learns who the murderer is—the president's husband—but the murderer is later killed by an agent from the Secret Service. Also in the book, Alex proposes to Bree and she accepts, becoming his fiancée. By Cross Fire, Alex and Bree get married and face off once more against Kyle Craig, who dies at the end. With Kyle dead, Alex, Bree, and his family experience a sense of peace, something they haven't felt for a long time.

In Kill Alex Cross, after Nana Mama finds a girl trying to steal from their house, she and Bree agree to adopt the girl towards the end of the book; he also goes on the case to rescue the new president's children. In Merry Christmas, Alex Cross, Alex risks everything to solve a case, stop possible murders, help a church, and must use every skill he knows of to help him solve the case and may not make it to Christmas dinner alive. Alex misses Christmas which upsets him and his wife, Bree. In Alex Cross, Run renowned plastic surgeon, Elijah Creem, is arrested and wants revenge on Alex. Alex eventually defeats Creem. However, another antagonist of the novel, one of Alex's stalkers who is bent on murdering Alex, kills Ava after having the foster care services take her away from the Cross family for alleged drug use. Alex, in retaliation, with Sampson and Bree find the killer and arrest him. At the end of the novel, several issues are left unresolved, such as Alex's lifetime problem: endangering his family's life as well as his own. He ponders whether he shall stay with the Metro Police. His therapist assures him he will eventually outgrow the issue, or solve it somehow. There is also some unresolved issues between Alex and Bree as well, but their love for each other continues to remain strong, helping them recover.

Cross My Heart is the twenty-first novel in the series. For most of the novel, Alex is trying to solve a double killer case in which the murderers kill prostitutes. Soon Alex and Bree learn that there is only one murderer, who has multiple personalities and arrest him. Additionally, Bree is searching for Ava, when Alex realizes that she may have killed a girl, and faked her own death. Halfway through the novel, Damon is offered a ride home by a strange woman - throughout the novel it's revealed that the Cross family were being watched - and the woman drugs Damon afterwards. Meanwhile, her accomplice kidnaps the rest of the family including Bree, Ali, Nana Mama, and Alex's daughter. They alert Cross he can do nothing to try to save his family. Meanwhile, Ava reappears along with Sampson, assuring him to continue life normally while they handle the kidnappings. The novel was released in November 2013.[1][2][3] A subsequent novel titled Hope to Die was released in November 2014 and continued the events in Cross My Heart. It was followed by a 23rd novel named Cross Justice, released in November 2015, in which the Cross family travels down to help one of Alex's cousins who is wrongly accused of murder. At the end of Cross Justice, Alex finds his long lost father Jason, who was presumed dead for over three decades but in reality had been a police sergeant in Florida. A 24th novel, Cross the Line, was released in 2016, in which Alex and Bree look for a killer who is murdering criminals and another killer who has murdered one of their former police chiefs.

Characters

Notable Antagonists

Book List

  1. Along Came a Spider (1993), in the original and first chapter of the Cross series, Gary Soneji, a "Math teacher", kidnaps Maggie Rose Dunne, famous actress, Katherine Dunne's daughter, and her best friend hostage. However, as things start to with one of them being kidnapped—again—and the other killed, Alex Cross, a Washington, D.C., detective is on the case with Secret Service agent Jezzie Flannigan to discover what really happened.
    In 2001, the novel was adapted into a film starring Morgan Freeman as Alex Cross, Monica Potter as Jezzie Flannigan, and Michael Wincott as Soneji.
  2. Kiss the Girls (1995), Casanova, a new murderer and collector, strikes and even kidnaps Alex's niece, Naomi, forcing Alex to come into uncharted territory. While working with Kate McTiernan, a surgeon who escaped Casanova, Alex discovers that this new murderer is in fact a woman collector and that there are more women, along with Naomi, being held captive. But there is another killer doing the same thing on the opposite side of the country as well.
    In 1997, the novel was adapted into a film starring Morgan Freeman as Alex Cross and Ashley Judd as Kate McTiernan.
  3. Jack & Jill (1996), Alex faces against Jack and Jill, a new pair of murderers, who kill famous people and name one of their targets to be the President of the United States. While Alex tries to stop Jack and Jill, there is a new killer at Damon's school, forcing him to work two cases at once. But that isn't all that has hit Alex's life, especially when meets a strange woman named Christine Johnson.
  4. Cat and Mouse (1997), now dating Christine, Alex feels that he is ready to move on, until Gary Soneji strikes back at Alex, forcing him to go after his oldest nemesis one more time. But while Alex is chasing Soneji, a new killer, Mr. Smith, is running across Europe as well.
  5. Pop Goes the Weasel (1999), as Alex proposes to Christine, a series or murders rage out of hand in Southeast, forcing Alex to investigate. But when Christine is kidnapped—and the kidnapper possibly the Southeast killer—Alex will do anything to solve the case and save his love.
  6. Roses are Red (2000), as Alex struggles with internal problems with his life, he is forced to investigate a series of bank robberies and a new killer, The Mastermind. Assigned with a new partner, FBI agent Betsey Cavalierre, Alex will stop at nothing to know the identity of the Mastermind himself.
  7. Violets Are Blue (2001), with the Mastermind still on the loose, Alex must investigate a series of killings that relate to cult of vampires. Assigned with San Francisco Inspector, Jamilla Hughes, Alex travels across the United States to find out who are doing all of these murders. But, meanwhile, the Mastermind is planning his own mission to kill Alex once and for all.
  8. Four Blind Mice (2002), as Alex prepares to retire from the police department, his partner, John Sampson, asks him to investigate a recent murder and help clean the name of his friend, who is being accused of the crime. As Alex and John go after three Army Rangers, who have served in Vietnam War, they discover that the murders may go on farther than they originally realized.
  9. The Big Bad Wolf (2003), with Alex officially working for the FBI now, he faces his first assignment to take down a network that is kidnapping people and selling them for sex slavery, which is being controlled by "The Wolf", an unknown Russian mobster. Meanwhile, Alex also faces the return of his ex-fiancée, Christine.
  10. London Bridges (2004), as Alex investigates a bombing in New Mexico, he also discovers that Geoffrey Shafer has returned and is teaming up with The Wolf. Facing two of his biggest enemies yet, Alex travels from the United States to London, Paris, and back again in order to take them down. But the mystery of The Wolf's identity lingers on, forcing Alex to do whatever it takes to discover who he is, but it may cost him his life...
  11. Mary, Mary (2005), while on vacation in Los Angeles with his family, Alex is pulled onto a last minute case to chase down a mysterious murderer, who is killing famous people. But at the same time, Alex must face a new threat that Christine, his ex-fiancée, may cause to his family. While facing many problems at home, Alex must solve the murders before it's too late and also make a powerful decision in the end as well.
  12. Cross (2006), in the 12th book in the Cross series, Cross retires from the FBI and from his life as a detective. Now returning to private practice, Alex is enjoying his new life, until an old enemy from his past resurfaces, forcing him to work with his former partner, Detective John Sampson to find him. But this killer isn't like any other. This killer just maybe the one who killed Maria Cross, Alex's long deceased wife...
    In 2012, the novel was adapted into a film, titled Alex Cross, starring Tyler Perry as Alex Cross and Matthew Fox as The Butcher (renamed Picasso in the film).
  13. Double Cross (2007), Alex has found love with his new girlfriend, Detective Bree Stone, and is enjoying his retired life. But when a new killer, known as DCAK, starts killing people in front of an audience, Alex comes out of his retirement and is officially reinstated with the police department. Working with Bree and his former partner, John Sampson, Alex goes on a hunt for not one, but two killers at the same time. Meanwhile, Kyle Craig (aka the Mastermind), escapes from prison and plans to finish his rivalry with Alex.
  14. Cross Country (2008), when a woman that Alex knew is killed by the Tiger, a new murderer, who is traveling between America and Africa, killing people along with his group of teenagers, Alex heads to Africa. But this time he is faced with a whole new challenge that will test him in every way. But what Alex experiences and discovers will change everything.
  15. Alex Cross's Trial (2009), in this story within a story concept, Alex writes about one of his ancestors, Abraham Cross, who teams up with a lawyer named Ben Corbett to help end the series of lynching that are happening in Eudora, Mississippi. But as they continue to investigate, they discover that the Ku Klux Klan maybe resurfacing and a dark secret is revealed.
  16. I, Alex Cross (2009), when Alex's niece, Caroline, is murdered by a serial killer/rapist known as Zeus, Alex takes on the case and will go to the ultimate depths to find the killer. But as he and his girlfriend, Bree Stone, uncover secrets to Caroline's past, they also uncover a darker secret about the killer. Whilst in the midst of the investigation, Alex has problems at home and comes to a decision about his relationship with Bree.
  17. Cross Fire (2010), as Alex and Bree Stone prepare for their wedding, a series of murders causes Alex to investigate as he begins to chase after two specialized killer who are killing off corrupt officials. Meanwhile, Kyle Craig comes back to finish off what he began in Double Cross, going as far as he never has before, he is out to exact revenge upon Cross and his family.
  18. Kill Alex Cross (2011), when the President's children are kidnapped. Alex is put on the case and seems relentless to give up, while DC faces a threat from a society known as the "Family".
  19. Merry Christmas, Alex Cross (2012), when Cross' church is robbed he goes to investigate and is later put on a case of a series of murders. As he struggles to make it home for Christmas, a new and terrible threat forces him to investigate, making his wife, grandma, and children scared from him. Will Alex be needing a miracle to make it home for Christmas?
  20. Alex Cross, Run (2013), in the 20th novel in the series, Alex must take on three crimes at the same time and must chase down three killers. But while he is struggling to do his job, he also faces problems at home as well. But all the while, a new enemy is stalking Alex and is wanting to claim vengeance. Can Alex survive?
  21. Cross My Heart (2013), Alex Cross has been a family man at heart—he loves his children, his grandmother, and his beautiful wife Bree. Alex Cross has managed to stop serial killers and survive. But all of that is about to change. When a brand-new foe targets Alex's family, our hero finds himself in a whole new game. If he tries to save the his family or try to stop the killer, they die. Can Alex protect his family and stop a new killer at the same time?
  22. Hope to Die (2014), Detective Alex Cross is being stalked by a psychotic genius, forced to play the deadliest game of his career. Cross's family—his loving wife Bree, the wise and lively Nana Mama, and his precious children—have been ripped away. Terrified and desperate, Cross must give this mad man what he wants if he has any chance of saving the most important people in his life. The stakes have never been higher: What will Cross sacrifice to save the ones he loves?
  23. Cross Justice (2015), When his cousin is accused of a heinous crime, Alex Cross returns to his North Carolina hometown for the first time in over three decades. As he tries to prove his cousin's innocence in a town where everyone seems to be on the take, Cross unearths a family secret that forces him to question everything he's ever known. While on a case to catch a killer, Alex also tries to find out the truth about his own past but the answers he finds might be Fatal.
  24. Cross the Line (2016), Shots ring out in the early morning hours in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. When the smoke clears, a prominent police official lies dead, leaving the city's police force scrambling for answers. Under pressure from the mayor, Alex Cross steps into the leadership vacuum to crack the case. But before Cross can make any headway, a brutal crime wave sweeps across the region.
  25. The People vs. Alex Cross (2017), Alex Cross is on the wrong side of the law. Serving a suspension from the force while he awaits trial for murder, Cross has been branded as a trigger-happy cop, another bad apple walking the streets with a gun, an accusation that Cross will do anything to refute. To make himself feel useful again, Cross opens a counseling office in the basement of his home. When his former partner Sampson shows up needing his help, Cross jumps at the chance, even if it may end up costing him what's left of his career. When a string of young, blonde women go missing, the investigation leads Cross and Sampson to the most depraved, darkest corners of the internet. Struggling to prove his own innocence and uncover the truth lurking online, Cross must risk everything to save his most at-risk patient of all... himself.

Bookshots

  1. Cross Kill (2016), Along Came a Spider killer Gary Soneji has been dead for over ten years. Alex Cross watched him die. But today, Cross saw him gun down his partner. Is Soneji alive?
  2. Detective Cross (2017), An anonymous caller has promised to set off deadly bombs in Washington, DC. A cruel hoax or the real deal? By the time Alex Cross and his wife, Bree Stone, uncover the chilling truth, it may already be too late....

Film Adaptations/Reboot

Overall there have been three theatrical films of the Alex Cross series, all met with negative reviews, and poor box-office success, especially the newest film, Alex Cross. So far there have been two films (Kiss the Girls and Along Came a Spider) both met to poor box-office. Due to this, a reboot franchise was ordered. Tyler Perry was cast, his first role in a film that he doesn't direct, produce, write, etc. Despite three poorly received films, a fourth film is in pre-production and Tyler Perry of the 2012 film will come back. The reboot franchise is based on books Cross and Double Cross (the fourth adaptation of the series).

Film Adaptations

Two films, based on the first Cross novels, have been made starring Morgan Freeman (Kiss the Girls and Along Came a Spider), both released to negative reaction. Both of them are very loose adaptations of the books, with Along Came a Spider changing many of the plot's elements, while Kiss the Girls changes nearly the entire story's plot, except for the fact that Alex's niece is kidnapped and its primary antagonist is Casanova. A significant, and well-noted, change upon the books in the movies is that John Sampson is not white but African American, like Alex himself. Though if you go back to the first few books he is black, but in the newest books he is indeed white. Kyle Craig, the book series' main antagonist, is briefly seen in Kiss the Girls. Along Came a Spider's adaptation was also changed with the film taking out major plot elements or changing them. For instance, Jezzie Flannagan and Alex Cross are dating in the book, but are described as only friends in the film. Also, the most important changed elements is Gary Soneji dies, which would therefore erase him from any future adaptation of Cat and Mouse, nor does Soneji escape from prison, nor is the trial in court seen or mentioned in the film. A proposed third film based on Pop Goes the Weasel!, but after Along Came a Spider was panned at the box office, the plans were canceled.

Reboot

Many years after Along Came a Spider's release, a sequel was revealed to be in the works, set for a 2011 release date. Idris Elba was attached to the film as the role of Alex Cross in the film. It was rumored to be based on I, Alex Cross, but director Rob Cohen denied this, revealing he only titled the film like such so as to tell fans: "their hero was back"; to avoid confusion the film's name was changed to Alex Cross with Tyler Perry replacing Elba. Edward Burns and Matthew Fox were later confirmed to star as Cross's partner, Tommy Kane, and the main antagonist, Picasso.[4] The film was later confirmed to be based on the 12th book in the series, Cross. The film was released October 17, 2012, to mixed to negative reviews. The film was a minor box office success, grossing $32 million against its $23 million budget. Matthew Fox and Tyler Perry were praised for their roles in the film however.[5][6]

Despite negative reception, a sequel based on Double Cross is being created, with Perry and Patterson in early talks for a deal for a sequel.[7][8][9] Perry was confirmed to reprise his role as Cross for the sequel.[10] The film still needs casting and a script however. A deal is being finalized between Patterson and Perry.[11]

However, as of 2015 no official word has been said on the sequel, with only news of Patterson and Perry signed on for the film in 2013.

Release

The book series have been released in paperback and hardcover, while it can be listened to on audio book or excerpts from the series can be read online at the official JamesPatterson.com website[12] or others. Merry Christmas, Alex Cross, the latest book in the Cross series, was reported to, unlike its predecessors, be barely over 300 pages. Most of the recent novels have usually grossed between 300 and 400, with a rarity of over 400 pages. The films have also subsequently been released in 1997, 2001, and 2012 with both Tyler Perry and Morgan Freeman getting the chance of portraying Cross in the films, most recently Perry in the 2012 reboot.

Critical reception

The series has been given mixed to positive reviews, with the exception of the 18th book Kill Alex Cross, which has been given mixed to negative reviews, and Cross Country, which received mixed reviews. Many have criticized Kill Alex Cross while few have given it positive reviews. So far, the most positively-received book is rather Double Cross or I, Alex Cross. The series has at numerous times been on the New York Times Bestseller list for several weeks. Good reads.com said "I, Alex Cross is without a doubt the best, revealing new surprises and scares at every turn. It is even scarier than Along Came a Spider—and by far, better! This is Patterson at his best." Double Cross was on the New York Times Bestseller list (at number 1) for numerous weeks before being eventually surpassed.

The film series, however, does not fare well with all three films being given negative reception, especially the newest film Alex Cross due to poor reviews and an underwhelming performance at the box-office. Kiss the Girls was the best received film in the series.

References

  1. "Cross My Heart (Alex Cross) [Hardcover]". Amazon.
  2. "Cross My Heart". Barnes & Noble.
  3. Patterson, James (2013). Cross My Heart. USA: Little, Brown. p. 448. ISBN 0316210919.
  4. Frappier, Rob. "Matthew Fox and Ed Burns Join 'I, Alex Cross'". Screenrant.
  5. Hammond, Pete (October 18, 2012). "Alex Cross". Retrieved December 17, 2012. But this is Perry's show all the way and he proves that as a hired actor he can still deliver something audiences aren't expecting from Hollywood's most prolific multi-hyphenate.
  6. O'Connor, Clint. "'Alex Cross': Tyler Perry becomes James Patterson's detective in new thriller: Review". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved December 17, 2012. powerful screen presence
  7. Fox, Jesse. "An Alex Cross Sequel Is Already in the Works". Vulture. Retrieved October 18, 2012.
  8. "Alex Cross Sequel Double Cross Planned". Coming Soon.net. Retrieved October 18, 2012.
  9. Houx, Damon. "'ALEX CROSS 2' - TYLER PERRY IS ALREADY PLOTTING SEQUEL, 'DOUBLE CROSS'". Screencrush. Retrieved October 18, 2012.
  10. Joseph, Matt. "Tyler Perry To Play Alex Cross Again In Double Cross". We Got This Covered.com. Retrieved October 18, 2012.
  11. Trumbore, Dave. "Tyler Perry and James Patterson Finalize Deal for ALEX CROSS Sequel, DOUBLE CROSS". Collider. Retrieved October 17, 2012.
  12. Patterson, James. "Books".
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