Along Came a Spider (Alex Cross, #1)

Title: Along Came a Spider (Alex Cross, #1)

Author: James Patterson

Published in: 1993

Date read: 17th July 2004

Score: 5/5

Genre: Crime, Detective, Thriller

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"Along Came a Spider" is the thrilling first instalment in James Patterson's Alex Cross series, introducing the brilliant homicide detective and forensic psychologist.

The story begins with the shocking kidnapping of two high-profile children, Maggie Rose Dunne and Michael Goldberg, from an elite private school in Washington D.C. The kidnapper, a seemingly unassuming teacher named Gary Soneji, quickly establishes himself as a manipulative and intelligent mastermind with a chilling desire to commit the "crime of the century."

Detective Alex Cross is thrust into the investigation, working alongside Secret Service supervisor Jezzie Flanagan. The search for the children becomes a desperate cat-and-mouse game, with Soneji leaving cryptic clues and taunting the authorities. When one of the children is found dead, the stakes escalate dramatically, and the pressure on Cross to find the other before it's too late becomes immense.

As the investigation unfolds, Cross discovers Soneji's disturbing past and his elaborate plan to exploit the media and public attention. The case takes several unexpected twists, forcing Cross to delve deep into the criminal's psyche. The novel also explores a burgeoning romantic relationship between Cross and Jezzie Flanagan, adding a personal dimension to the high-stakes suspense.

"Along Came a Spider" is known for its relentless pace, intricate plotting, and shocking revelations, as Alex Cross races against time to outwit a truly depraved and cunning villain, uncovering layers of deception that challenge everything he believes about the case.

Comments:
This is where it all started. This and the following books really made me read instead of watching TV, although the film adaptation staring Morgan Freeman was excellent, I was lucky to have read the book before I saw the film.

Books that we've read by James Patterson (32):
Along Came a Spider (Alex Cross, #1) (1993), Kiss the Girls (Alex Cross, #2) (1995), Jack & Jill (Alex Cross, #3) (1996), Cat & Mouse (Alex Cross, #4) (1997), Pop Goes the Weasel (Alex Cross, #5) (1999), Roses Are Red (Alex Cross, #6) (2000), 1st to Die (Women's Murder Club, #1) (2001), Violets Are Blue (Alex Cross, #7) (2001), 2nd Chance (Women's Murder Club, #2) (2002), Four Blind Mice (Alex Cross, #8) (2002), The Big Bad Wolf (Alex Cross, #9) (2003), The Jester (2003), 3rd Degree (Women's Murder Club, #3) (2004), London Bridges (Alex Cross, #10) (2004), 4th of July (Women's Murder Club, #4) (2005), Mary, Mary (Alex Cross, #11) (2005), 5th Horseman (Women's Murder Club, #5) (2006), Cross (Alex Cross, #12) (2006), The 6th Target (Women's Murder Club, #6) (2007), Double Cross (Alex Cross, #13) (2007), 7th Heaven (Women's Murder Club, #7) (2008), Cross Country (Alex Cross, #14) (2008), 8th Confession (Women's Murder Club, #8) (2009), Alex Cross's Trial (Alex Cross, #15) (2009), I, Alex Cross (Alex Cross, #16) (2009), The 9th Judgment (Women's Murder Club, #9) (2010), Cross Fire (Alex Cross, #17) (2010), 10th Anniversary (Women's Murder Club, #10) (2011), Kill Alex Cross (Alex Cross, #18) (2011), 11th Hour (Women's Murder Club, #11) (2012), Merry Christmas, Alex Cross (Alex Cross, #19) (2012), Alex Cross, Run (Alex Cross, #20) (2013)