I, Alex Cross by James Patterson

A Cross family member is murdered, and the case catapults Alex into a world where power masks unfathomable evil. 

You can't run.

Detective Alex Cross is pulled out of a family celebration and given the devastating news that his niece, Caroline, has been found brutally murdered. Cross vows to hunt down the killer, and soon learns that Caroline was mixed up in one of Washington's wildest scenes. And she was not this killer's only victim. 

You can't hide.

The hunt for her murder leads Alex and his girlfriend, Detective Brianna Stone, to a place where every fantasy is possible, if you have the credentials to get in. Alex and Bree are soon facing down some very important, very protected, very dangerous people in the levels of society where only one thing is certain - they will do anything to keep their secrets safe. 

Alex Cross is your only hope to stay alive.

As Cross closes in on the killer, he discovers evidence that points to the unimaginable - a revelation that could rock the entire world. 

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This is the first book by James Patterson that I have read and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. I have seen movies based on some of his books such as Along Came a Spider which Is the first in the Alex Cross series. However I had never taken he plunge and read the books. I picked up this book during the past week simply because Mr P had bought a hardback copy for himself from a charity shop at the bargain price of 99p! Lets just say he still hasn't even looked inside because I have been busy flicking through it myself haha!

The story was very fast paced and this was aided by the author using very short chapters. In some cases they where simply two sides long. The mystery itself seemed a very basic story at the beginning, girl is murdered and detective needs to find her killer. But then sprinkle on the fact that the girl in question is the detectives niece and add a bit of money, powerful connections and a cover up and the story begins to spin in a vast number of direction. I loved that!

The voice of the story is mainly Detective Alex Cross, but as the story progresses other characters do speak which adds a bit of depth and clarity to the story. The main one of these characters comes in a bit later on and I was never a fan of him, but did almost pity him towards the end of the book. The way the author allows us to hear these characters thoughts shows them as real people. With Cross especially we are able to see his vulnerable side as well as his cop persona. It really adds something special to the narrative which keeps you turning the page at break neck speed. 

Now I'm not very good at figuring out who did things when watching crime movies or television shows. Nine times out of ten I am sat there thinking the killer couldn't possibly have done x,y or z because they are portrayed as x,y and z.  I am also very bad at the game Cluedo and never win. Ever! But I do enjoy crime fiction and this book is one of the best I've read. I am definitely planning to read the other books in the series. In fact this book has already hinted on the next case/book during its final chapter. This has wet my appetite and I look forward to curling up with another James Patterson book in the very near future. 

I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.

The story was exciting, heartbreaking and intriguing. I really enjoyed the journey it took me on and how I was kept guessing until the very end. It has left me eager for more and excited to read the rest of the series.