Along Came a Spider: (Alex Cross 1)

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.

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 was NOT hooked. I thought the writing style quite poor and the poor difficult to engage with. I understand the author is American, and the story is set in the US, but there were too many reference to things a UK reader would not normally know about. The book is unread in my house.

This book has you hooked within the first two or three pages. I was inside the book and found it to be unpredictable and unable to put it down. There's plenty of twists and turns. Highly recommended

Boring, bunged full of waffle. Charity shop won it!