Along Came a Spider - James Patterson

Along Came a Spider

By James Patterson

  • Release Date: 2001-02-15
  • Genre: Police Procedural
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 1,810 Ratings

Description

Cross. Now streaming on Prime Video. 

Discover the classic thriller that launched the #1 detective series and is the inspiration for the original series Cross on Prime Video! 

Alex Cross is a homicide detective with a Ph.D. in psychology. He works and lives in Southeast D.C. and looks like Muhammad Ali in his prime. He's a tough guy from a tough part of town who wears Harris Tweed jackets and likes to relax by banging out Gershwin tunes on his baby grand piano. But he also has two adorable kids of his own, and they are his own special vulnerabilities.

Jezzie Flanagan is the first woman ever to hold the highly sensitive job as supervisor of the Secret Service in Washington. Blond, mysterious, seductive, she's got an outer shell that's as tough as it is beautiful. She rides her black BMW motorcycle at speeds of no less than 100 mph. What is she running from? What is her secret?

Alex Cross and Jezzie Flanagan are about to have a forbidden love affair-at the worst possible time for both of them. Because Gary Soneji, who wants to commit the "crime of the century," is playing at the top of his game. Soneji has outsmarted the FBI, the Secret Service, and the police. Who will be his next victim?

Gary Soneji is every parent's worst nightmare. He has become Alex Cross's nightmare. And now, reader, he's about to become yours.

Reviews

  • So Awful

    1
    By RCW9999
    Absolutely preposterous ending. Seriously? And so many unrealistic actions throughout the book. So one prison guard can just escort the most notorious prisoner out of the prison to freedom? No one notices? Seriously? People executed 2 years after their crimes? Seriously? Does Patterson think readers are that stupid? At least make an effort at reality. But I’m at fault for finishing this terrible book. Should have stopped half way through.

  • Along Came a Spider

    4
    By BellaWolf13
    In this legal thriller, serial killer Gary Soneji kidnaps two children, Maggie Rose Dunne (the daughter of a famous actress) and Michael Goldberg (the son of the Secretary of Treasury). Psychologist-turned-detective, Alex Cross, and his partner, John Sampson, try to rescue the children in a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse that will leave the reader in unbearable suspense. The novel is laced with adrenaline-inducing scenes, tearful chapters, and occasional comic relief, thanks to the likable Sampson. If I had any criticism of the book, it would be these things: 1. The book contains very explicit and excessive descriptions of sex. In-fact, the sexual aspect of the book somewhat took away from the story, and it didn't compliment the crime/thriller genre at all. I could have done without the romance entirely. 2. The dialogue was somewhat lacking and unoriginal. I would have liked a few more engaging conversations. 3. I would have liked to have seen some stronger character development in some of the minor characters; however, I will admit that Patterson's beautiful invention of the admirable Detective Cross compensates for it, as he is a really strong and inspiring character. It is no surprise to me that he has been featured in dozens of other novels, as he makes the whole book worth the read. I also really appreciated the surprising twists and turns; just when things started getting predictable, there was a shocking twist that really kept me engaged in the story, and that is nothing short of brilliance on Patterson's work. Overall, Along Came a Spider is a suspenseful crime thriller, drenched with mystery, clever twists, and an exciting story, that will leave your eyes glued to the pages.

  • Wow!

    5
    By coreyhoro
    Amazing book these Alex Cross books have gotten a younger adult into reading like never before!

  • Pulling you along every step of the crime

    5
    By Maryweather
    James Patterson knows how to masterfully construct people, places and situations.

  • Great Explosion!

    5
    By zolaspace
    Really kept me going! Loved take my eyes off the pages! Had to keep going!

  • Great plot.

    5
    By Omi-Oma
    This story has a great plot and quite an ending. The movie was just as good. But as usual, the book is better. Because you get the full picture of the author’s intent; not a movie director’s interpretation.

  • I am very impressed

    5
    By Sleepless in Chicago 2012
    I wasn’t big into reading until I came across JP on the book shelves. I thought he was just one of those authors that wrote nine hundred page books and only had thirty chapters but I still bought it anyway. And I was hooked like a Fish! The man has class and knows how to drive a book and it’s characters to the brink! Will definitely read again.

  • Excellent story

    4
    By DMD TX
    Excellent story. Good character development, and I look forward to the following stories with Detective Cross. Only complaint is that the gratuitous sex was unnecessary; cheapened the story in my opinion.

  • Along came a spider

    5
    By nanabonnie67
    This Book is just like all the other Books James Patterson has written about the character Alex Cross was very nice to read and it had so many twists and turns it kept you guessing. I love all of his books

  • Suspense at its best

    4
    By PapaJoeKo
    Well told suspense novel. Unfortunately I figured it out early. Still I liked the books plot and characters were well described.

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