Thriller Review: Return of the Spider (Alex Cross #34) by James Patterson

- May 07, 2026

Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons,

Return of the Spider is written by James Patterson, and is the 34th novel in the Alex Cross series. It is published by Little Brown and Company, an imprint of Hatchet Book Group. In it, we are brought to a cabin in the Pine Barrens as Alex Cross and his long-time partner investigate what looks to be a kill cabin. Upon further research, they find a manifesto written by Alex's deadliest enemy, Gary Sonjei (Along Came a Spider).

As Alex reads the words of the dead serial killer, he realizes that horrible mistakes may have been made by him and the police department. Kidnappings, murders, and an elaborate cat and mouse game are revealed. In the end Alex is left with revelations that will affect him for the rest of his life.

Return of the Spider was a book that expertly went back in time and became the definitive prequel to Alex's first thriller. What we get this time around is a fully fleshed out story that gave Cross more layers. His family, friends, and career are further investigated. Gary Sonjei is treated to chapters narrated by him that burrow further into his demented thoughts. This book's twists and turns created a very satisfying finale.

I read Return of the Spider in part with the narrations of Dion Graham (Alex) and Fred Berman (Sonjei). Their performances were the best I have heard in an audiobook recently. Their respective narrations added bite and a sense of urgency to the story.

In the end, Return of the Spider was a four star read. It delivered a fast-paced thriller that ended with a gut-wrenching finale. Excellent work from Patterson. Check it out if you love a good cat and mouse thriller.

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