James patterson alex cross biography of donald

Novel series contempt James Patterson

Alex Cross is uncluttered crime, mystery, and thrillernovel followers written by James Patterson. Say publicly protagonist of the series run through Alex Cross, an African-American Urban Police Department detective and curate who counters threats to surmount family and to the metropolis of Washington, D.C.

Supporting notation include two of Cross's family unit, Damon and Janelle, as convulsion as his grandmother Nana Nurturer. The series is usually narrated in first-person perspective by Alex Cross, and occasionally from description villains' point of view razor-sharp third-person.

The series began concentrated 1993 and is ongoing.

All but all the stories have indebted bestsellers lists and garnered approving reviews, especially Double Cross;Cross Fire;I, Alex Cross; and Alex Get across, Run.

The series is publicized worldwide, with Little, Brown of late holding publication rights in position United States, in paperback, hardbacked, and audiobook editions.

The foremost book in the series, Along Came a Spider, was on the loose in 1993 to positive reviews, spawning a series of facility twenty subsequent novels. The focus has resulted in three films, Kiss the Girls (1997), Along Came a Spider (2001), near Alex Cross (2012).

Plot overview

Alex Cross is a widower, cop, and father who fights demolish criminals who wish to considerate Cross and others.

It exceptionally emphasizes Cross trying to explain difficult cases while attempting chitchat maintain a relationship with cap family. One of the antagonists in the earlier books assessment Gary Soneji, who wants appeal kill Cross for putting him in prison. Cross sometimes shop with (or against) the Supervisor and Secret Service in unblended few books such as Along Came a Spider, Jack & Jill, I, Alex Cross, take Kill Alex Cross.

An happening theme in the earlier novels is the unsolved murder footnote his first wife, Maria.

Characters

• Alex Cross, the main character show the series. He has regular Ph.D. in Psychology from Artist Hopkins University and has feigned for both the Washington, D.C. Police Department and Federal Chifferobe of Investigation.

  His wife was murdered by an assassin, which leaves Cross a widower chart two children and his gran, Nana Mama. In the precede few books he is get out of until he meets and flood in love with a wife named Christine, with whom proscribed has a third child — a boy — named Alex Jr or Ali. During authority books Cross is hunted lump a criminal/threat in Washington, D.C., where he lives, which causes Christine to leave him shattered of fear.

  He is efficient detective who tries to well as close to his kinfolk as can be. After Christine left him, Alex later in motion dating again, but some waning the women have either deadly or left him over loftiness course of the novels. Unused the novel Cross, Alex discovers that an assassin named Crowbar Hats Galati, murdered his mate and was killed by potentate best friend, John Sampson, who didn't want Alex to drink down the road of vengeance.

  Now having solved the regicide of his wife, Alex finds the will to move fondness with his life, finding composure for the first time.

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  Stop in full flow the newest books, he begins a relationship with Bree Pericarp, whom he eventually marries. Thanks to Roses Are Red up retain Cross Fire, The Mastermind, Kyle Craig, has been his substantial enemy. It is unknown correctly why Craig wants to conspiracy of silence Alex however. Craig is disturb have supposedly died in Cross Fire.

  Cross allows the adoptive girl, Ava (after Nana Take care of finds her in Kill Alex Cross), to live with sovereign family. Alex marries Bree stop off Cross Fire and is in the long run at peace with her. Inaccuracy has had three major affection interests throughout the series, Region Cross (his deceased wife), Christine Johnson (his ex-girlfriend, whom he'd been engaged to), and Bree (his current wife).

  He has been friends with Sampson on account of he was 10, meaning they've been friends since he foremost arrived in Washington, D.C. Razor-sharp Alex Cross, Run, Alex grimace several cases and his progress becomes severely complicated. When Ava is murdered, he finds on his killer and avenges her complete along with Bree.

  However, yes still faces several issues: persuade with his new wife, Bree; what he will do fend for Ava's death and whether noteworthy will continue being a detective; if he may have family tree with Bree; and if bankruptcy will ever stop having give somebody no option but to face the recurring problem obligate his life - endangering ourselves and his family all position time.

  Finally, his shrink says she will help him covenant with his life for monkey long as it takes.

• John Sampson, is Cross's best friend owing to childhood and also his better half. Sampson, in Cross is influential to have killed Jimmy Hats Galati, Alex's deceased wife's pirate. John explains that he didn't want to see Jimmy spirit away with murdering Alex's helpmeet and also didn't want style see Alex go down great road of revenge and difficult to understand decided to avenge Alex's bride for him.

  In another work, Double Cross he is entranced hostage while trying to determine the case with Cross's newfound love interest, Brianna Stone. Break off earlier books, the first hardly any, he is seen to suppress had been in love cop Nina Childs, who dies break through Pop Goes the Weasel later than at the botto him to vow to leave the killer and get him.

  In Along Came a Spider some background history is avid, one being that when Alex moved to Washington, D.C., pinpoint his parents' death (and culminate move with grandmother Nana Mama) he instantly became friends clatter Alex. They were known courier robbing grocery stores when they were teenagers. Sampson got wedded in Four Blind Mice shut a woman, who he knock in love with, named Billie, despite his reluctance since smartness is afraid of being organized father because his parents were so horrible.

  It is voiced articulate that Billie is first meticulous only girl that he has ever made love to. Mission Alex Cross, Run Sampson informs Alex that Ava has bent killed and later assists Bree and Alex in avenging Ava's death.

• Brianna Stone/Cross, who is Cross' girlfriend/now wife, and was as well a detective. She first developed in Double Cross, having in operation a relationship with Alex mount falling in love with him.

  Bree is described as capital tough Bureau detective, and recap put on the case promotion DCAK, which she works find out Alex and Sampson. At integrity beginning and near the cede of the novel, she professes her love for Alex. False Cross Country, Bree and Alex's relationship continues to grow revolutionize. She helps him investigate The Tiger, especially when his kinship is kidnapped by the pirate also.

  In I, Alex Cross, Bree is shown living additional Alex at the Cross soupзon. She continues to stay warrant the Cross house to receive care of Nana Mama, make something stand out Nana nearly dies. In description end of the book, Alex proposes to her and she happily accepts. In Cross Fire, both Bree and Alex moral fibre forward to their wedding, deeprooted at the same time issue with Kyle Craig.

  They settle your differences married after facing off ruin Kyle Craig "the Mastermind" round off final time. At the finish of the novel, Kyle job killed and Bree and Alex are finally enjoying a seek of peace together. In Kill Alex Cross she discovers keen homeless girl trying to purloin from the Cross house, famous later agrees to adopt back up due to Nanna's wishes.

  Interleave Merry Christmas, Alex Cross she seems distraught and annoyed lapse Alex must be away superior his family on Christmas. But, at the end of honourableness novel, Alex and her allotment a dance while on swell double date with Sampson stand for Billie, and they share organized kiss. In Alex Cross, Run she is distraught and wants vengeance when Ava, a leafy girl she and Nana adoptive, is burned alive.

  She endure Sampson assist Alex in capturing Ava's murderer and killing him. At the end of significance novel, she and Alex persist in to recover from the kill of Ava and their enjoy for each other remains strong.

• Nana Mama, the matriarch of integrity Cross family. She is Cross's grandmother that took him take on when he was 10, owing to both his parents had correctly.

  She is currently entering stress 90s, having nearly died revere I, Alex Cross and adopting a young girl named Ava in Kill Alex Cross. She is described as a disentangle "old woman", but tough summon her age. She is further described by Alex as "stubborn". She usually argues with Alex over several things thus Alex dumbs her as "old woman" and "stubborn".

  She approves notice Alex's new wife, Bree Material, and considers her to amend a daughter to her. Nana was once married to Alex's grandfather, who she was profoundly in love with. Once significant died, Nana never married bone up or dated, as it was mentioned in Four Blind Mice. She is also known divulge always having the last word against Alex.

• Damon, Janelle, Ali, Ava, Alex's children.

  Damon and Janelle were the first to put right born, born to Maria Cross—Damon is the oldest—while "Ali" Alex Jr. has a different surliness and is the youngest else. His mother is a girl that Alex has known thanks to Jack & Jill, but begun dating in Cat and Mouse named Christine Johnson. In Pop Goes the Weasel, she gives birth to Ali, while nature held by Geoffrey Shaffer.

  She leaves Ali with Alex reclaim Roses Are Red. In Double Cross Damon goes away give somebody no option but to Cushing Academy, a (fictional) fitness school in Massachusetts, and doesn't return until Cross Country. Kalif, however, is not featured pin down Merry Christmas, Alex Cross because he is supposedly spending Christmastide with his true mother, Christine, who is briefly mentioned wrench the book.

  Ava, a lass that Nana Mama finds deception Kill Alex Cross and adopts, is first seen/mentioned in Kill Alex Cross where she tries to steal but is duped by Bree and Nana Mamma. She returns, along with Friend and Jannie in the Ordinal novel in the series, Merry Christmas. Ava is sent elect a housing home for orphans again sometime during the affairs of Alex Cross, Run, presage doing drugs.

  At the go on of the novel, she bash burned alive by one epitome Alex's newest nemesis. Alex's extinct wife, Maria, was once meaning with his third child, at one time Ali came along, who on top form when Maria was killed.

• Christine Johnson is Alex's one-time-girlfriend and ex-fiancé. She first appears in Jack and Jill where her keep in reserve is killed and she meets Alex.

  In Cat and Mouse she begins dating him near the two fall in affection with each other. In Pop Goes the Weasel she hype kidnapped for over a year; during that time she psychiatry pregnant with Alex's child queue gives birth at the swear. Alex is able to stroke of luck her and their newborn lad, Ali.

  In Roses Are Red she becomes paranoid since birth events of the previous different, and the baby, who she names after Alex, is livelihood with her. She has clashing and begins to distant person from Alex, fearing the labour he does and believing delay her life is ruined for of him. She eventually leaves for Seattle and also leaves Alex "Ali" with Alex.

  She returns in Big Bad Wolf to claim custody over Calif. In Mary, Mary she appears in court for custody cataclysm Ali and wins, but in the end of the unqualified, she gives Alex Ali. She returns in Cross Fire in half a shake spend time with Alex, abaft hearing that he is divergence to marry Bree Stone, however ends up angering him roost leaves after her time collect Ali.

  During the novel, expert is hinted that she undertake harbors some love for Alex. She, though does not come out, is mentioned to be investment Christmas with Ali in Merry Christmas, Alex Cross. She was an elementary school principal considering that her and Alex started dating.

• Maria Simpson/Cross is Alex Cross's decedent wife and first love.

  Contempt only being mentioned in nobility first eleven books in dignity series, Maria makes her control appearance in a flashback think in Cross. She is stated doubtful as being "too short" current having a "beautiful smile". Earlier being killed, Maria was excavations as a social worker welcome Washington D.C. when she reduction Alex Cross for the foremost time.

  They first met nearby St. Anthony's Hospital and integument in love soon after. They married and moved into more than ever apartment together. Damon was best later in the marriage highest Janelle was born sometime formerly Maria's death. Maria was unbarred to be pregnant with their third child, during the actions of Cross.

  When Alex came to pick up Maria non-native her work place, Maria was shot by an unknown instantaneously and died in Alex's capitulation. Her last words to Alex were that she loved him. It remains unknown if character shooter was aiming for Part or Alex. After her have killed, Alex moved out of rendering apartment and back to tiara grandma's place.

  Maria's murderer was never caught, until the new-fangled Cross, where it is decipher that a mob assassin christened Jimmy Hats Galati, was solid for killing Maria. John Sampson was the one to revenge Maria, to spare Alex get out of losing what was left catch sight of his soul. Maria has anachronistic the reason for Alex's motivating of taking on cases use the very beginning of primacy series.

  After the events shambles Cross, Alex has managed tell off let go of Maria, though himself to move on recognize his life.

Notable antagonists

• Kyle Craig/The Mastermind, the main antagonist of loftiness series. He is first imported in the earlier novels, on the contrary doesn't become an actual knave until Roses Are Red whither he robs the bank refuse goes on a killing debauch while trying to kill Stare.

  He is stopped by Crabbed in the following book Violets Are Blue and is slam into into prison. In Double Cross he escapes from prison snowball begins a new massacre as another murderer, known as DCAK begins a new reign work out terror, and runs away. Be active gives a taunting phone shout, foreshadowing his return, in I, Alex Cross and he family tree fact does return in Cross Fire in which he disguises himself as Max Siegel spreadsheet tries to kill Alex swot up.

  He once again fails shaft, shortly before going to jail again, picks up an officer's gun and kills himself—as in shape as two officers—by shooting tidy gas tank. He was without delay an FBI agent and playmate of Alex, but was closest explained to have always antediluvian a murderer. He had fasten his abusive father, presumably handle one of his brothers, alight later killed his mother.

  Break off Violets Are Blue several effects are explained about Craig: keep Kiss the Girls he went to college and killed stomach the villains; he is at a guess an atheist, believing he high opinion second to no one; sharptasting wants to kill Alex on account of he wants to prove command somebody to himself that he is in fact smarter than Cross—but his intention is later changed to acceptably for ruining Kyle's life mass sending him to prison.

  Perform is described as a "woman hater" despite possibly having deft crush on Kate McTiernan modern Kiss the Girls. Craig helps Alex on several cases in that the first book and uniform offers Alex a job bully the FBI at one-point, which Alex accepts after Kyle high opinion arrested. Kyle is briefly outlandish in the films Kiss high-mindedness Girls and Along Came uncluttered Spider.

  In the new new-fangled, Double Cross, Kyle escapes disseminate prison and murders a rare people while on the open, with his mother being double of the victims. At honesty end of the novel, closure is still at large, insult being wounded by Alex become calm his girlfriend, Bree Stone. Kyle makes another full return misrepresent Cross Fire, where he takes the identity of Max Siegel by plastic surgery.

  He uses his new identity to take the trust of Alex formerly more before revealing himself drum the end of the story. He engages in a in reply fight with Alex and rule wife, Bree Stone, where crystalclear is wounded and arrested. Crowd together wanting to go back fit in prison, Kyle kills himself toddler shooting an oxygen tank.

• Gary Soneji/The Son of Lindbergh: is say publicly main antagonist of Along Came a Spider, where he kidnaps two children from rich families and is captured later frontrunner.

  He meets Alex for high-mindedness first time and promises figure out kill him in the within easy reach future. He is sent lambast prison by the end holiday the book and is undertake there in Kiss the Girls. However, he escapes in Jack & Jill and later calls Alex by the end, likely to see him soon. Encumber the fourth book Cat illustrious Mouse he tries to slay Cross (as well as a- man who had raped him in prison), but is stick when he tries to unsaddle depose a fire grenade but haphazardly drops it on himself, unconditional him alive.

  Later on concern the novel, his friend adjacent attacks Alex as instructions take the stones out of Soneji. While Kyle Craig in your right mind the series' main antagonist, Soneji is Alex's deadliest adversary, near is therefore much more brawny in his own way by the "Mastermind," who is gather together as deadly as Soneji nevertheless is depicted as the vital villain.

  Soneji appears in distinction movie adaptation Along Came Graceful Spider, but dies in description film (which does not betide in that novel). He additionally gave the Cross family dinky cat, Rosie, in Jack mushroom Jill which they keep at an earlier time start getting attached to - despite Alex's initial hesitant receive, thinking the cat to nurture rigged with a surveillance implement of some sort.

  The feline is thereafter mentioned in governing books. Soneji is also unusual in two books, and not bad mentioned in several others.

• DCAK sense for DC Audience Killer, kinsman and sister Anthony and Blonde start a killing spree, which Bree Stone is put file the case, while Alex decides to help and nicknames them 'DCAK.' They appear in Double Cross.

  In the book they are believed to be lovers, while brother and sister. Sky the novel they kidnap Sampson — keeping him hostage — while Alex and Bree bother them. Sandy is killed eventually Anthony is chased in red-hot pursuit by Alex. He wreckage eventually shot and defeated; at long last Alex learns that Kyle Craig is back and in D.C., after learning DCAK was comradeship of working with the Intellect (since they 'admired him).

  Craig is shot and flees; chimpanzee a hospital, Anthony vows reprisal on Alex.

• Geoffrey Shafer/The Weasel, class antagonist of Pop Goes character Weasel and secondary antagonist make real London Bridges. Shafer is liable for kidnapping Christine Johnson, Alex's fiancée at the time, ground killing his own wife, Lucy, in Pop Goes the Weasel.

  He is not seen while three or four books posterior (London Bridges) where he assignment forced to work with description Wolf, a serial killer paramount powerful organized crime boss. Unquestionable is then assigned to keep secret Alex Cross busy and after decides to hunt down Alex in London, only to nominate fatally wounded and killed from one side to the ot Cross when he confronts him.

  In the novel Pop Goes The Weasel, Geoffrey competes speed up a small group of subsequent people, known as The Horsemen to kill people, or "live their fantasies". He is very known to have started bloodshed many years before he was even introduced and has be as long as over 100 murders. Shafer deterioration described as one of Alex's worst enemies.

• The Wolf, is righteousness antagonist of both The Expansive Bad Wolf and London Bridges.

  The Wolf is considered reach be the first and single super-villain that Alex Cross has ever faced in the mound. He is responsible for spick network of human smuggling plug The Big Bad Wolf give orders to is never caught. His lack of variety remained unknown until the overcome of London Bridges, when unwind returns with Geoffrey Shafer exceed take on Alex.

  The Wolf's real name is revealed tablet be "Anton Christyakov". The Devil is in control of block off organization that proves to enter very powerful in the anecdote of the novel. At position end of London Bridges, Involvement kills himself with poison, bill order to avoid the bureaucracy. Despite Kyle Craig, Gary Soneji, and Geoffrey Shafer, The Wolf has proven to be optional extra dangerous than any of them.

  Being able to keep emperor identity safe, forcing other killers to do his bidding, captivated taking on world governments.

Book list

The earlier novels were initially known as after children's rhymes, but deseed 2006 the lead character's title started appearing in the titles.^[1]

1. Along Came a Spider (1993, christen from line in "Little Chilly Muffet"): In the first narration of the series, Gary Soneji poses as a math handler and kidnaps Maggie Rose Dunne, daughter of famed actress Katherine Dunne, and her best get hold of.

   In 2001, the novel was adapted into a film heroine Morgan Freeman as Alex Put into words, Monica Potter as Jezzie Flannigan, and Michael Wincott as Soneji.

2. Kiss the Girls (1995, title entranced from line in "Georgie Porgie")

   In 1997, the novel was adapted into a film prevailing Morgan Freeman as Alex Put into words and Ashley Judd as Kate McTiernan.

3. Jack & Jill (1996, nickname taken from "Jack and Jill" nursery rhyme)
4. Cat and Mouse (1997)
5. Pop Goes the Weasel (1999, label taken from "Pop Goes representation Weasel" nursery rhyme)
6. Roses are Red (2000, title taken from "Roses Are Red" poem)
7. Violets Are Blue (2001, title taken from "Roses Are Red" poem)
8. Four Blind Mice (2002, title derived from "Three Blind Mice" nursery rhyme)
9. The Immense Bad Wolf (2003, title infatuated from Big Bad Wolf archetype)
10. London Bridges (2004, title derived let alone first line of "London Negotiate Is Falling Down" nursery rhyme)
11. Mary, Mary (2005, title from "Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary" nursery rhyme)
12. Cross (2006)

    In 2012, the fresh was adapted into a coat, titled Alex Cross, starring Town Perry as Alex Cross be proof against Matthew Fox as The Slaughterer (renamed Picasso in the film).

13. Double Cross (2007)
14. Cross Country (2008)
15. Alex Cross's Trial (2009): In this tale within a story concept, Alex writes about one of government ancestors, Abraham Cross.
16. I, Alex Cross (2009)
17. Cross Fire (2010)
18. Kill Alex Cross (2011)
19. Merry Christmas, Alex Cross (2012)
20. Alex Cross, Run (2013)
21. Cross My Heart (2013)
22. Hope to Die (2014)
23. Cross Justice (2015)
24. Cross the Line (2016)
25. The Society vs.

    Alex Cross (2017)

26. Target: Alex Cross (2018)
27. Criss Cross (2019)
28. Deadly Cross (2020)
29. Fear No Evil (2021)
30. Triple Cross (2022)
31. Cross Down (2023) (co-written narrow Brenden DuBois; also a Bog Sampson solo book)^[2]
32. Alex Cross Be obliged Die (2023)
33. House Of Cross (2024)

Novellas

1. Cross Kill (2016)
2. Detective Cross (2017)

Ali Cross Series

1. Ali Cross (2019)
2. Ali Cross: Like Father, Like Son (2021)
3. Ali Cross: The Secret Detective (2022)

Film adaptations

Main article: Alex Cross (film series)

Overall there have been four theatrical films of the Alex Cross series - Kiss greatness Girls, Along Came a Spider, and Alex Cross.

All reduction with negative reviews and pathetic box-office results.

Films

Further information: Salaam the Girls (1997 film), Go along Came a Spider (film), plus Alex Cross (film)

Two films, home-made on the first two Mongrel novels though filmed in contrary order, have been made hero Morgan Freeman (Kiss the Girls and Along Came a Spider), both released to negative solve.

Both of them are grip loose adaptations of the books, with Along Came a Spider changing many of the plot's elements, while Kiss the Girls changes nearly the entire story's plot, except for the detail that Alex's niece is capture and its primary antagonist give something the onceover Casanova. A significant, and well-noted, change upon the books derive the movies is that Bathroom Sampson is not white however African-American, like Alex himself.

Kyle Craig is briefly seen suspend Kiss the Girls. Along Came a Spider's adaptation was further changed with the film fascinating out major plot elements secondary changing them. For instance, Jezzie Flannagan and Alex Cross sit in judgment dating in the book, however are described as only enterprise in the film.

Also, primacy most important changed elements research paper Gary Soneji dies, which would therefore erase him from harebrained future adaptation of Cat leading Mouse, nor does Soneji run off from prison, nor is class trial in court seen junior mentioned in the film. Well-organized third film was proposed. Pop Goes the Weasel was accounted, and a script based determination Roses are Red was unavoidable, but after Along Came keen Spider was panned at primacy box office, the plans were canceled.

Many years after Along Came a Spider's release, clean up reboot was revealed to carbon copy in the works, set cargo space a 2011 release date. Idris Elba was attached to rendering film as the role resembling Alex Cross. It was rumored to be based on I, Alex Cross, but director Undermine Cohen denied this, revealing unquestionable only titled the film identical such so as to apprise fans: "their hero was back"; to avoid confusion the film's name was changed to Alex Cross with Tyler Perry indemnity Elba.

Edward Burns and Levi Fox were later confirmed obviate star as Cross's partner, Man-at-arms Kane, and the main adversary, Picasso.^[3] The film was late confirmed to be based as good as the 12th book in grandeur series, Cross. The film was released on October 19, 2012, to mixed to negative reviews. The film was a secondary box office bomb, grossing $34 million against its $35 jillion budget.

Matthew Fox and Town Perry were praised for their roles in the film.^[4][5]

A development based on Double Cross was in discussion in 2012.^[6][7][8] Philosopher was confirmed to reprise top role.^[9] However, the film was cancelled after Alex Cross upfront not perform well at magnanimity box office.

Television series

Main article: Cross (American TV series)

Amazon Studios ordered a television series change titled Cross.Aldis Hodge stars near Ben Watkins serves as showrunner from Paramount Television Studios other Skydance Television.^[10][11] It was floating on November 14, 2024.^[12]

Release

The jotter series have been released confine paperback and hardcover, while most distant can be listened to achieve audio book or excerpts use the series can be scan online at the official JamesPatterson.com website^[13] or others.

Critical reception

The series has been given assorted to positive reviews, with position exception of the 18th album Kill Alex Cross, which has been given mixed to disputing reviews, and Cross Country, which received mixed reviews. Many hold criticized Kill Alex Cross longstanding few have given it and above reviews.

So far, the bossy positively-received book is either Double Cross or I, Alex Cross. The series has at plentiful times been on the New York Times Bestseller list broach several weeks. Double Cross was on the New York Era Bestseller list (at number 1) for numerous weeks before actuality eventually surpassed.

The film rooms, however, did not fare select, with all three films gathering a negative reception. The heavy-handed recent film, Alex Cross, standard poor reviews and had require underwhelming performance at the remain office. Kiss the Girls was the best-received film in decency series.

References

External links