Merry Christmas, Alex Cross (Alex Cross, #19)

Title: Merry Christmas, Alex Cross (Alex Cross, #19)

Author: James Patterson

Published in: 2012

Date read: 15th June 2015

Score: 4/5

Genre: Crime, Detective, Thriller

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"Merry Christmas, Alex Cross" by James Patterson is the 19th novel in the Alex Cross series, published in 2012. As the title suggests, the story unfolds on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, presenting Alex Cross with two intense and seemingly unrelated cases that pull him away from his family during the holiday.

The book is essentially divided into two distinct, high-stakes plots:

Part 1: The Hostage Situation
The narrative begins with Alex Cross looking forward to a rare, peaceful Christmas Eve at home with his wife Bree, his grandmother Nana Mama, and his children. However, his plans are immediately interrupted by a call to a horrific hostage situation.

Henry Fowler, a disgruntled and heavily armed former lawyer, now seemingly high on crystal meth, has taken his ex-wife, her new husband, their three children, and even a neighbour (who happens to be the wife of a powerful politician) hostage in their suburban home. Fowler is extremely volatile and threatening to kill everyone by Christmas morning.

Alex Cross, a renowned hostage negotiator, is called to the scene. He uses all his psychological prowess and negotiating skills to try and de-escalate the volatile situation. This section of the book is a tense, claustrophobic standoff, with Alex putting his own life on the line to save the innocent lives inside the house. The drama is heightened by the ticking clock of Christmas approaching and the desperate prayers of Alex's family for his safe return.

Part 2: The Terrorist Threat
Just as Alex believes he has resolved the hostage situation (often with a dramatic and unexpected turn), and is about to head home for a much-deserved Christmas with his family, he receives another urgent call – this time from the FBI.

The threat is far larger and more terrifying: an international terrorist from a previous Alex Cross novel, Hala Al Dossari, has resurfaced. She is planning a massive, unprecedented terrorist attack on Washington D.C., potentially targeting millions of innocent civilians. The attack is designed to be devastating and occur when least expected, right in the heart of the capital.

Alex is immediately thrust into a desperate race against time to track down Hala and prevent the attack. This part of the story is a globe-trotting, high-tech hunt as Alex and various intelligence agencies try to piece together Hala's complex plans. He must navigate political pressure, uncover hidden motives, and confront a brilliant and ruthless adversary who has a personal vendetta.

The two plots, while separate, combine to highlight Alex's relentless dedication to his duty, even at the expense of his family time on the most important of holidays. The novel showcases Patterson's signature fast-paced, short-chapter style, creating a sense of urgency and constant peril. It's a dramatic thriller that emphasizes Alex Cross's role as a hero willing to risk everything to protect others, even on Christmas.

Comments:
Great book, however, despite being one of the more recently read, I cannot remember it as well as some of the early ones. Read into that what you will.

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)