Along Came a Spider

I decided to start reading the books from Patterson, since I decided to go in order, this was the first on my list. The story line was good, first book in a long time I had trouble putting down. I would have given it 5 stars except for the excessive use of the F-bomb when it wasn't necessary to the story, nor did it seem appropriate to be coming out of the mouth of this very successful cop/detective/psychologist. Second point was the constant reminders that the narrator was black. Not necessary to the story. He only had to tell us once, and the reader could carry that information through the book.

The most striking thing about this novel was how applicable the narrative is to living in the late 2010s. Especially sociopolitically! The story itself is so-so. If I hadn't sporadically read Alex Cross novels before, this wouldn't have been a novel that pulled me in to the genius that is James Patterson. I believe he only gets better from here.It wasn't boring, but it wasn't the rich, thrilling and suspenseful story plotting that is behind 'The Murder House', 'The Black Book' and his more recent novels. What will keep you going is the relevance to today's world and living in the shoes of people of color. Good read. Read it for wokeness!

I like mysteries and I thought I’d try one by a well-known American author (as opposed to British ones). I only made it halfway through the book. Patterson’s writing is about as undisciplined as it gets. He tries to write from two different points of view - first person and third person, which gets confusing in a hurry. Patterson can’t resist locker room language, both in his narration and dialogue. He also plays the race card ad nauseam throughout. Not my cup of tea.

I really wanted to like this book, but it was so improbable that I struggled finishing it. A detective/psychologist high on pain killers in Washington DC in charge of negotiations? A perp who is organized enough to pull off a long-term stint as a teacher at a high security private school but then is so chaotic and disorganized that he cannot even break into a house? Hypnosis in the court room? The list goes on and on.I guess it was somewhat entertaining but the improbability of it all was bothersome. Especially to a 'fellow' psychologist like me. I am glad I had enough free shipping credits to get this book for free. For free it was good enough.

I heard this is the novel that sent Patterson's career soaring. It was made into a movie many years ago, which I also did not see. While I enjoyed the twists and turns, I didn't much like the simplistic writing style. I know this is a dictate of Patterson and any author who writes for him must write at a third grade level. He targets the person in a supermarket who is looking for a quick read. Obviously, the formula works for him, and he's a high net worth author. Still, this book is a quick and easy read. Sometimes, I suppose, the simple ways are the best way.

I always prefer the book to the movie, however, this is not the case here. I also wanted to read tis as it is the first "Alex Cross" novel. What a disappointment! Patterson must have got published by knowing someone in the industry because it wasn't though his" writing skills" we all know he uses other writers to "write" his stories but Mr. Patterson claims he and he alone writes the Alex Cross novels, perhaps he should have allowed some of these others to write them - they would have been better!The writing is disjointed, very passive (everything id "was this" or "was that", sometimes 1st person, sometimes 3rd, all tell and no show.In a nutshell, a 5th grade attempt. To see if Mr. Patterson had improved any, I read the "look inside" of his latest Alex Cross novels... no, if there is an improvement its only marginal.The Alex Cross movies starring Morgan Freeman are great and worth watching, I think, but the books "written" by James Patterson are simplistic, poorly developed, and at best would make a half decent first draft. However, Patterson seems to be in love with fame & fortune and the more books he puts out, equals more $$$... so his "books" come out as regular as toilet paper.Which is basically what they are.

This is James Patterson's first novel in a series of books written in the 90's but does not appear to be too outdated, and easy to follow. The main character, Alex Cross is a Detective/Forensic Psychologist for the Washington DC police Department. This book is an exceptional psychological mystery with intricate plots and twists throughout involving psychopath killer Gary Soneji/Murphy who allegedly has multiple personality disorders. Psychopaths behaviors constitute an inability to plan for the future, yet Gary Soneji always had a "back up plan" should something go wrong. With the exception of that glitch he certainly is a psychopath. I liked the Alex Cross character and his thoughtful problem solving process. I give it high marks for the storyline and plots but personally I did not find other characters intriguing enough to continue with this Alex Cross series.

Lousy Ending. Great all along the way so I won’t say anything too specific. Okay introduction to the Alex Cross character if this is really the first one. Very complicated characters but not a lot of genuine insight into how they think and feel. Superficial except for Cross. I got lost in it enough that it’s now 2:57 AM on a work night but in the end I am sorry that the term Criminal Psychopath was ever coined—it is used so often as short hand in fiction as if it explained people but in reality it is just a label not an explanation of character or even of personality. Was a very good read….

Along came a spider is the first book in the Alex Cross series. A dangerous sociopath is out to commit the crime of the century. It has taken years of planning and patience, but he is finally in the perfect position to strike. When two children from prominent families are kidnapped from an elite school in the capital, Detective Cross, an established criminal psychologist, is brought in. But he's not happy about it. It seems nobody cares about the three unsolved murders of a poor black family he is already investigating. The rich, politically connected white children are apparently more important. But, as he resignedly begins his investigation, he realises things are not as simple as he thought, and when trying to solve the crime of the century, everything is connected. And he soon learns, nobody can be trusted.Alex Cross is one of the great literary characters and legends that has made it onto the big screen, via two pretty good films starring Morgan Freeman, and a pretty awful one starring Tyler Perry. However, now having gotten to know the character in his original form, it is clear that none of the films were especially well cast. Doctor Detective Cross is an athletic, muscular 6'3" man in his late forties. Denzel Washington would probably be an excellent fit.Like all of Patterson's books, the short, punchy chapters make for a blistering pace. The narrative is relentless, and almost always ends on a cliffhanger. Even if you've seen the films and know the twist, you'll be pleasantly surprised by the book's more brutal depiction and veering from the path in its telling. You'll also be rewarded by a masterful villain in the form of Gary Sonjei.I found myself immediately drawn to the Cross character, feeling his anguish and frustration from early on. I also have to commend Patterson on how well he depicts the thoughts, feelings, and emotions of a black man growing up amidst poverty and prejudice, which come across incredibly well. The close relationship and bond Cross has with his partner is something else missing from the films, and brilliantly depicted in the book.I found the change of narratives from first person (Cross) to third (everyone else), a little interesting, but overall strange, and perhaps not necessary. However, it could be argued that it wad this very style that made me identify with Cross so well as a character.Along came a spider is a great story, easily read, and full of pace, action, and thrills. A brilliant first chapter in the Alex Cross legend.

I found the exaggerated stereotypes of the detectives a turn off. The decent black detective widower, with double qualifications in psychology and law enforcement, his problems with authority and his love-life was seemingly interesting but actually rather dull, similarly is girlfriend beautiful blond with high sex drive and love of motorcycling but without much real character and warmth unengaging. What should have been interesting racial and sexual politics was unsustained. As for the plot, again the elements start well, a kidnapping under horrific circumstances, the parents' anguish all very well- but it quickly dissipates into a boring court drama... so overall a dull plod of a book. I was disappointed given the author's huge readership and reputation. I am not tempted to read any further books in the series.

I first read this book back in 2005 when I first come across this author I not long got into crime thriller fiction (starting with Patricia cornwell) I think the last book of his I read was in 2010 I loved Alex cross and turned to his murder club series also plus a few independent books along with supernatural series maximum ride.After a lot of crime thriller series I switched to supernatural for a break.I found this book for a £1(because I cleared out all the books I had as I'm a huge reader I switched to kindle) I still enjoyed this read but having have read a lot since I read this the first time not as good as I remember.I still enjoyed and if the cost was cheaper I would read them all again.

This is the first book introducing Alex, a tall, muscular, black Washington DC Detective / Psychologist, in many ways as complex as the criminals he seeks to apprehend. In this firs book he challenged by a serious psychopath who devious twists and turns keep you turning the pages of the book, you do not want to put it down.When two elite children are kidnapped from a school, it is up to cross and the Secret Service to investigate, the pressure is intense with a mad man's voice always in the background. I am not going to say anymore, other than to get the book, sit down and enjoy.

I'm not sure how, given Patterson's world-wide recognition, and his productivity, but I had not heard of him until recently. On a friend's recommendation I've now tried two of his books - The River Murders - and now this one.Regrettably, I've put aside both after a hundred or so pages having become irritated by short, staccato sentencing and the American-English language style. I thought the character's a little two dimensional too. Back to good English authors then!