Thriller Review: Along Came a Spider (Alex Cross #1) by James Patterson

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Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons,

   


   Along Came a Spider is written by James Patterson. It is published by Hatchet Book Group under their Little Brown & Company imprint. In it we are introduced to Homicide Detective Alex Cross. He has seen the worst of what society has to offer the world, including the murder of his wife. But when two cases collide, he is forced to choose. On one side of Washington, D.C. lay two murdered women and a baby. On the other side is the kidnapping of a diplomat's son and the daughter of a movie star. 

  His superiors want him to take the kidnapping case to utilize his hostage negotiating skills. He is paired with the Secret Service head, Jezzie Flanagan, and the two embark on a case that draws dangerously close to his other case. Will they escape the hands of a killer or be caught in the spider's web?

  This novel was a mixed bag for me. I enjoyed the overall story and the characters were fun to read. I felt tension and there was a sense of high stakes. The twist is what made this book fall short for me. Not because of bad writing but my own personal feelings toward the outcome. If an author can get you invested enough to feel actual sadness at a plot twist, they are doing their job right. It all moved ahead and delivered an action-packed finale.   

    I read Along Came a Spider in part with the narration of actor, Taye Diggs (Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice). He did a wonderful job conveying Alex and his family life. He also played the main antagonist with an extra creepy performance. He read with a sense of urgency that kept the book moving a long at a quick rate. Excellent work.

    In the end I gave Along Came a Spider three stars. The twist did not work for me and I felt the main antagonist took a back seat because of it. I look forward to reading Return of the Spider soon, and comparing the two narratives. It is still fun read that is quick and passes the time nicely. 

     Let me know what you are reading in the comments below.

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