Along Came a Spider by James Patterson {Book Review}

Last year I finally started on another series by author James Patterson, the Alex Cross series.

The series follows Alex Cross, a detective with a PhD in psychology; hunting down killers, solving homicides and keeping his family, and himself, safe.

While the books in the series can be read independently, it is recommended to read them in order to not spoil what has happened in the previous books as some cases are mentioned from previous books.

I watched the movie years ago, starring Morgan Freeman (as Alex Cross) and Monica Potter (as Jezzie Flanagan), long before I knew it was based on a book.

DISCLAIMER: This review could contain possible spoilers based on my opinions. All opinions and views are my own.

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Plot:

Alex Cross, a detective with a PhD in psychology, is called to investigate the kidnapping was of two famous and rich children.

The nation is shaken when one of them is found dead.

Alex teams up with Jezzie Flanagan, a young Secret Service agent, to hunt down the kidnapper but as the case evolves, they begin to piece together a puzzle of a kidnapper who can switch between madness and sanity in a heartbeat.

Is the suspect a clever mastermind manipulator, or a victim of a multiple-personality disorder?

Thoughts:

Following the usual style of writing by the author, the chapters are short and most end on a cliffhanger to make you want to continue reading to know what happens next.

There’s always a sense of suspense within the plot and the sub-plots in the book.

Alex Cross is a likeable character, down to earth, fighting outer and inner demons with his own imperfections.

Jezzie Flanagan is an ambitious agent who has a point to prove as a female in the Secret Service. Her determination is obvious, owning up to her mistakes but a few surprises along the way show some shocking revelations about her.

The antagonist is creepy as hell, and there’s no way to figure out if he’s the mastermind he’s made out to be or someone suffering from a mental disorder. The puzzle continues through the book as you learn little details about him.

The mystery around the kidnapping is chilling and leaves an anxious feeling when you read about the child’s experience and perspective of their surroundings.

The book takes you back to the 90s with the realisation how some things don’t change, no matter what year we’re in.

Overview:

There are some major differences between the book and the movie, with some important emotional details completely being left out in the movie, which was a shame because it would’ve only made it better.

The book focuses on important emotional connections that add to the distress of the characters and the consequences of relationship choices to add an extra edge to the conclusion.