This book comes out November 15, 2010. ( )

A very easy read comprising three threads. It lacked a wow factor for me but was still an okay read that had a bit of a dull ending and some of the threads lacked any real depth. Light entertainment. ( )

Ok ( )

and on and on it rolls...one serial killer down, another returns? I guess I'll keep reading on... ( )

Wow, wow and Wow, I didn't want to stop reading once I started but once again life got in the way. Why the hell cannot I just read whenever I want to. I love this series of books and once again Patterson gripped me fromt he beginning. With KC back in this book there was a lot of suspense wondering when he was going to show his hand to Cross. A couple of other interesting cases in this book but Kyle was the main suspense again. He is one evil character. Thanks Patterson for another great read. ( )

Alex proposes marriage to Bree in a temporary lull in Washington DC, just as a pair of homicidal maniacs start killing unpopular people. Meanwhile, following his escape from a maximum security prison where he was serving a life sentence, the Mastermind (Kyle Craig) has plastic surgery and becomes an FBI investigator, intent to bring misery and possibly death to his nemesis, Alex Cross. 'nuff said. ( )

Bit mundane really. Maybe I've read these characters too many times. Snipers, his family life just don't gell and the huntung down Crosses deadly enemy Kyle Graig dont seem plausible. ( )

Maybe it was the reading experience and circumstances that left me feeling this way, but I did not enjoy this Alex Cross book as much as others. My official rating would have to be something closer to 2.5-2.75*.

The plot was a good, fast paced one which left you wondering when Alex was going to catch the bad guy. There were multiple murder investigations going on at the same time and usually something like that wouldn't bother me, but I'm wondering if that was one aspect of the reading that kept the reading slow for me. Perhaps I was just in a bit of a slump towards the end of September.

I like that Kyle Craig came back in this book, but I didn't like the way everything wrapped up at the end concerning Kyle. It didn't feel true to what we all know about Kyle Craig's character. (That is all I'm going to say in order to not spoil anyone.)

I'm glad Alex finally found a woman to "settle down with and spend the rest of his life with" because those aspects of the Alex Cross series could start to feel a little old after a while - he couldn't seem to stay with a girl any longer than about two books.

I still enjoyed this Alex Cross book, but something about it towards the beginning of my read left things feeling a little lacking and I therefore couldn't bring myself to give it any more than 3 stars...

I'll see you again soon Alex! ( )

Decent enough Alex Cross Installment. I'm glad the Kyle Craig crap is over. ( )

Not as action packed as the others, Alex Cross returns and this time, there are snipers killing well known people. There are also bodies being discovered with weird numbers on their bodies. The search is on for the killers. Alex and Sampson are on the cases. Meanwhile Kyle Craig is back and with a new identity. He starts working with Cross but Cross doesn't know who is! Will he make the connection? Read and Find out!
All in all, not the best Cross novel i have read, however again, it was easy to read, the chapters were short and it kept me interested long enough to finish it. ( )

Alex Cross is pursued by an uber bad guy we have seen before who escaped from a supermax prison. There are other bad guys too, but they all die. Cross get married, again. Uber bad guy goes down for the count, on a beach no less. Does that make this a "Beach Read"?

This plot feels a little like those shampoo bottles that say, "Lather, Rinse, and Repeat". Perhaps it was out outsourced? Recommended only for the hopelessly addicted Cross fans, others can wait for new bad guys. ( )

While tracking down his arch nemesis, Karl Craig, our hero decides to plan a wedding. ;-) Oh and there's also Mice and Men characters George & Lenny, or some knock off serial killers of another ilk. Familiar characters; everyone should have a Nanamoma to keep them straight. Good story. Fast chapters, easy listen. ( )

A series of murders have taken place in Washington, D.C., Cross's base. The victims include a corrupt politician, a crooked lobbyist, and a venal tycoon. These were people hated by many, but Cross is determined to solve the case. While investigating the murders, he finds a complex math formula in a most unusual place, gets a big lead from a submerged Suburban, and makes a life-long commitment.

The question is... could a person assume another person's identity so well that not even the person's co-workers suspect anything? The reader must suspend their belief that this could happen. Overall, this is a good read. ( )

I always enjoy a good story by James Patterson. The short chapters always make the book seem to go by fast!

I enjoyed the story in this book, and of course the ultimate outcome of Alex Cross as well.... ( )

This series has taken a turn for the worse. I almost wish James Patterson would just kill off this character and let him go out honorably. ( )

In my opinion this is the best of the Alex Cross novels, enjoyable from the first page. Totally recommendable ( )

This is the last Alex Cross I am reading. I stopped reading the Women's Murder Club series a while back and now I'm stopping this series. I'm just tired of Alex Cross... that's right I said it. *****SPOILER ALERT AHEAD WARNING******

For the rest of the review, visit my blog at: http://angelofmine1974.livejournal.com/70204.html ( )

Great plot of former adversary who disquises himself to hunt Alex Cross while working with him on crimes. Alex's family barely escapes with their lives. ( )

I keep trying James Patterson thinking I'll like one his books, but as of yet, that hasn't happened. This one was no exception -- I almost stopped reading about a third of the way through. I'll try another in a couple years or if someone can suggest a good one, let me know. ( )

The return of Alex's adversary Kyle Craig assumes the identity of FBI agent Max Siegel and ended up working with Cross to find two snipers mitch and denny who take it upon themselves to kill people of questionable ethics. Plus Alex and Bree Stone get married. ( )

Another great book from James Patterson. Alex is on the case of two snipers killing the unpopular elite of society. However his and his loved ones lives are put in danger after the appearance of Kyle Craig, his old nemesis who is determined that this time Alex Cross will die. ( )

I always enjoy a good story by James Patterson. The short chapters always make the book seem to go by fast!

I enjoyed the story in this book, and of course the ultimate outcome of Alex Cross as well.... ( )

CROSS FIRE by James Patterson
Published by Little Brown and Company
ISBN-13: 9780316036177
At the request of The Hachette Book Group, a HC book was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.

Synopsis (borrowed from B&N): Wedding bells ring
Detective Alex Cross and Bree's wedding plans are put on hold when Alex is called to the scene of the perfectly executed assassination of two of Washington D.C.'s most corrupt: a dirty congressmen and an underhanded lobbyist. Next, the elusive gunman begins picking off other crooked politicians, sparking a blaze of theories--is the marksman a hero or a vigilante?
A murderer returns
The case explodes, and the FBI assigns agent Max Siegel to the investigation. As Alex and Siegel battle over jurisdiction, the murders continue. It becomes clear that they are the work of a professional who has detailed knowledge of his victims' movements--information that only a Washington insider could possess.
Caught in a lethal cross fire
As Alex contends with the sniper, Siegel, and the wedding, he receives a call from his deadliest adversary, Kyle Craig. The Mastermind is in D.C. and will not relent until he has eliminated Cross and his family for good. With a supercharged blend of action, deception, and suspense, Cross Fire is James Patterson's most visceral and exciting Alex Cross novel ever.

My Thoughts and Opinion: Who doesn't like a classic James Patterson book with it's 2-4 page chapters, especially his long running Alex Cross series? I got hooked on his books many years ago, and Cross Fire was true to form. Dr. Alex Cross, Nana and the kids are all a central part of the story line and his devotion to his family makes the character even more likable. And in this book he finally gets married. The action is fast paced and as stated above, because of the short chapters, it is very easy to say "just one more chapter" and you find that you have read ten. A very quick read. Even though I enjoyed this novel because it was an "Alex Cross book", I found it to be predictable and lacking the high drama of investigation that one could find in his earlier books. Will I read another Patterson book? Yes....I still like his writing style.

My Rating: 3 ( )

Alex Cross and Kyle Craig meet face to face. Although this time, Craig has had plastic surgery to impersonate an FBI agent(Max Siegel) whom he murders in cold bloood. Craig, alias Siegel, is called upon to help Cross and the rest of the MDP solve what is called The Numbers Murders.

Cross and Craig are on a stake out together one night. Cross still does not realize that it is not Siegel. They begin talking and he asks Cross if he could kill Craig face to face, Cross replied no. Craig was really surprised about this information.

Cross marries a few weeks later and is on his honeymoon. He also invites his family to accompany he and his new bride which they did. Lo and behold, who should call Cross one morning, but Craig himself. Cross was shocked. He looked all around the secluded beacg area and spotted Craig holding a gun to his sons' head. Nobody messes around with his family.

The ending is a shocker. But one must remember, Kyle Craig thinks he is the Mastermind.

I always enjoy Alex Cross books. They keep you guessing during the whole book. It's hard to believe that Cross and Craig were once best buddies; now, they're arch enemies. Craig always tries to be one step ahead of Cross, but Cross questions his motives always.
I'm not sure how many Alex Cross books are left in the series but I'll be sad when they are gone. ( )

Cross Fire is the 17th book in James Patterson’s Alex Cross series. In this instalment, a sniper (or, more probably, a pair of them) are picking off victims with long-range shots. The victims are all hated public figures: corrupt politicians, judges, public servants and lobbyists are assassinated with single shots to the head. Alex has to take a break from planning his wedding to Bree Stone to investigate the case. He is forced to work with FBI agent Max Siegel, who, unbeknownst to Alex, is not what he seems. And just to round things off nicely, that pesky Kyle Craig rings Alex to let him know he’s around and hasn’t forgotten his promise to eliminate him and his family. After the absolutely woeful Cross Country, this Cross book is back up to the standard we have come to expect. Fast paced, excellent plot, a few red herrings, a twist or two: this is Patterson at his best. Who ordered the assassinations and their motive is left unresolved, leaving the way open for a continuation of this theme. There’s also a hint that the next book may see an appearance by Lindsay Boxer. A good read. ( )