Having put aside the long standing and very Alex Criss series because of lost interest in a plot that seemed redundant and never ending, I was pleased to find that Patterson ‘s latest installment in this series turned out to be a wild ride, with lots of action and plot twists -an immersive fun read.

When prominent judges become the targets of what appears to be a serial killer, all of series’ police persons ( Alex, Bree and John Sampson) spring into action. Why on earth are the murders taking place? Who would do such a thing? Is there a political link?

When “M” ( Maestro ) can’t be ruled out a suspect it seems that all current theories are null and void. And when Bree and Sampson are kidnapped it looks like there is no way to save them. Or is there?

This was a page turner that held my interest from cover to cover. I wish “M” could be retired from Cross’s cast of characters, but putting that aside, the rest of the gang lived up to their reputations and then some. A title too super hero ish ? Perhaps. But still fun read.

Four stars for a police procedural, suspenseful book that doesn’t disappoint. Just published on November 25, 2024, this book is available now. I think Patterson fans will be glad they read it. Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of “The House of Cross” in exchange for an honest review.

Dr. Alex Cross and crew are back again for the latest installment in the long-running series, this time investigating the murders of Supreme Court candidates. Before long, it is apparent that Cross’ biggest nemesis is involved, and he, his best friend Sampson, and his wife Bree all find themselves in dire straights far from home, with no certainty of returning home alive.

The Alex Cross series is one of the most reliably entertaining thriller series going, and “The House of Cross” is no exception. Fast paced, action-packed, high stakes, and emotional at times, this is a superb read. Highly recommended.

5 Stars

Someone is targeting potential Supreme Court nominees….

…but who is behind the attacks? What is their end game? With a presidential election recently decided and the city of Washington gearing up for the inauguration, the last thing members of law enforcement need is a series of attacks, some fatal, on high ranking judges whose only commonality appears to be their profession. Given the high profile nature of the case, it is no surprise that FBI behavioral consultant Dr. Alex Cross is pulled in to the investigation alongside FBI Special Agent. Ned Mahoney, and the two are under a great deal of pressure (particularly of the political variety) to bring it to a swift close. Meanwhile, Cross’s wife Bree is still pursuing the person behind a vigilante group known as Maestro, known only as M, who recently tried to kill Alex and their friend (and Alex’s former MPD partner) John Sampson. She suspects that reclusive billionaire Ryan Malcolm, founder of a powerful data-mining company whose clients include federal law enforcement entities, is M but has been unable to prove it. When Malcolm dies in a car accident on a remote and mountainous Nevada road, Bree thinks she can now put the matter behind her….but her doubts remain, and she and Sampson start probing into Malcolm’s death. That proves to be a dangerous course of action for them; soon Alex has far more to worry about than just the killing of judges, and the three friends will need to fight for their lives against members of Maestro and the unforgiving winter weather in a remote Canadian locale.
Readers of the Alex Cross series will enjoy this latest installment, as will viewers of the Amazon Prime Video series Cross. With recurring characters like the indomitable Nana Mama and Alex’s kids as well as Sampson’s daughter and his new love interest, the family that keeps Cross grounded in the face of the terrible things that humans inflict upon one another is a constant in the series. With the two cases being worked by two sets of partners within the book, there are plenty of possible villains, past secrets to be uncovered, and more than a few plot twists tossed in to keep the reader guessing….in short, it is classic Cross. The story moves quickly, and incorporates a fair amount of issues in play currently (attacks of members of the judiciary, powerful people from the technology industry wielding power within the government, and the managed chaos of the transition of power at the White House) for good measure. Fans of James Patterson in general and the Cross books in particular should certainly grab a copy, as should readers of David Baldacci, Otho Eskin and Kathy Reichs (among others). Many thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for allowing me early access to this latest Cross mystery….I’ve been hooked ever since Along Came a Spider’s release too many decades ago for me to admit.

The House of Cross is the 33rd book in the Alex Cross thriller series by James Patterson. A lot is going on! Someone is murdering Supreme Court justice candidates. The vigilante group Maestro may be involved but that seems too easy. Especially because its alleged mastermind leader "M" may be dead. Will the taunting and terror finally stop or will the House of Cross crumble?

The cases in The House of Cross are suspenseful enough to hold readers' attention for 300+ pages. As usual, the action jumps off from the first short chapter and continues to nearly the end. No surprises though, just repetition and predictable plot. I like how Bree and Sampson are working together on their own case while Alex Cross teams up with Ned Mahoney on official FBI business. It is a good balance between the two mysteries and potential for another crime crossover.

It is rare for a series to remain strong for over thirty books. It is really rare for the main character, sub characters and plot to not be stale after so long. Alex Cross, his beloved Nana Mama, smart and beautiful wife Bree, wise beyond his years son Ali, athletic genius daughter Jannie and mature oldest son Damon, are all going strong. Even his partner John Sampson and young daughter Willow are characters that are still being developed and quite interesting to read about.

It makes me wonder whether Patterson should stop this series now while ahead. Let the nemesis "M" go, once and for all. Let Cross ride into the retirement sunset, alive and well, spending quality time with family and friends. Then perhaps start a spinoff series featuring Bree and Sampson continuing to solve murders. Recent crossover cases are certainly making for a smooth transition to this route. Leave the sleuthing to Ali. Cross can remain a consultant but take a backseat. I rather watch him on the screen now. Just a thought...

Happy Early Pub Day, James Patterson! The House of Cross will be available tomorrow. And be sure to watch the new Cross series on Prime TV starring Aldis Hodge. Hey boo, hey! 👋🏾 It is worth clearing your calendar to binge the entire first season. Crime thriller at its finest!

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

4.5 stars. The first James Patterson book i read was in the Alex Cross series. This is the 33rd one in the series. I have read almost all of them and they are my favorite that James writes. It is amazing that 33 books in, the books are still Amazing! James has NOT run out of ideas! This book kept my interest and was hard to put down. A lot of action occurred which kept the book suspenseful! thanks to negalley, the publisher, and the James Patterson Street Team, for the early ebook copy

James Patterson's latest Alex Cross thriller delivers a pulse-pounding investigation that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. With Supreme Court candidates being systematically murdered as a new president prepares to take office, the novel weaves a complex narrative of political intrigue and potential conspiracy.

Patterson masterfully builds suspense by connecting multiple threads, including the return of the mysterious terrorist group M and the suspicious death of a billionaire. His signature short chapters propel the story forward, making it nearly impossible to put down. The action sequences, particularly those set in the frigid Canadian wilderness, are especially gripping, with Cross, his wife Bree, and partner John Sampson facing mortal danger.

Cross remains a compelling protagonist—dedicated, intelligent, and deeply committed to protecting his family and community. The novel successfully explores political tension and institutional vulnerability by targeting Supreme Court candidates, tapping into contemporary anxieties about democratic processes.

The character dynamics remain a highlight of the series. Cross continues to be a compelling protagonist—dedicated, intelligent, and deeply committed to protecting both his family and the broader community. The relationship between Cross, Bree, and Sampson adds emotional depth to the high-stakes investigation, providing moments of genuine connection amidst the surrounding violence.

A big thank you to Little, Brown and Company and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

You always know what you're getting with a James Patterson "Cross" novel. Part of the reason they're so enjoyable is that they follow a formula. The House of Cross is no different. It's the literary equivalent of a meal at McDonalds: consistency. There is a mystery that advances the continuing storyline from the last book, and sets up the next book in the series, yet can be read on its own if there are any readers unfamiliar with Alex Cross and crew. There are often personal issues for the characters' development. There's danger to be overcome. There will be a twist you may or may not see coming.

I actually found The House of Cross a little more than enjoyable than some other Cross novels, mainly because it focuses more on the mystery solving and less on Cross' family dynamic. The mystery of "Maestro" is one that's spanned over several novels and is intriguing, similar to Sherlock Holmes' involvement with his great nemesis, Moriarty.

It's a successful formula, about as irresistible as eating one potato chip. James Patterson has written another 5 star mystery novel.

Like many readers, I often look forward to books in various series; over several, I become familiar with a particular character or characters and am confident that I'll enjoy the latest installment. But after a period of time - say 10 or 15 years - it's also likely I'll take a break. Most of the time, it's just a feeling of ennui; the latest story's setting may be a little different, but otherwise, it's become sort of same old, same old. It's happened with every series I've ever followed to any extent; and it's true of the Alex Cross series, which I read from the beginning until fairly recently. When I compiled a list of all-time favorite Top 20 book heroes a decade or so ago, detective Cross was on it.

And he still is. So given a little extra breathing room on my list of for-review books and the opportunity to snag this one (the 30th in the series), I took it; and I'm glad I did. Besides reviving old familiar faces and an engaging, edge-of-my-seat story, taking that break refreshed my outlook and I'm once again looking to cross paths, so to speak, with the good Dr. Cross, his family and friends. The story hits the ground running with the murders of some top-level judges in different parts of the country. Alex is a consultant on the FBI's high-profile investigations unit, so he gets an SOS from the agency.
Meanwhile, Alex's wife Bree is looking into an auto crash authorities have ruled accidental; she suspects the dead guy may be an old nemesis - a dangerous man known as "M" and leader of a dangerous vigilante group known as Maestro (he'll be familiar to regular readers). She and Metro PD's John Sampson head off in a different direction - the site of the man's demise - to do their own investigating, leaving the wonderful Nana Mama, who's now over 90, to hold down the home fort.

Alex and Ned aren't exactly setting the world on fire, but they make some progress; Bree and John's investigation, though, goes off track right out of the starting block. Suddenly, Alex and Ned must switch gears to go look for the missing couple, hoping to finding them still alive. From that point on, it's nonstop action - I had trouble putting it down to the point of staying up something like 45 minutes later than my usual bedtime to finish it. The bottom line? I'm hooked on the series once again, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for bringing me back into the fold by way of a pre-release copy.

James Patterson always delivers, keeping me on the edge of my seat. Potential Supreme Court justices are being picked off. A lot of twist and turns as Alex, Bree and Sampson try to find and stop the serial killer. Never underestimate the power of determination when it comes to saving those you love.

This fast paced story packs enough excitement to keep you reading into the night.. Federal Judges are being murdered by a serial killer. The death of billionaire Ryan Malcomb and the upcoming presidential inauguration all seem puzzling at first.

Alex is investigating these events while Sampson and Bree are concentrating on Ryan Malcomb’s accident, which maybe wasn’t an accident after all. Then, Sampson and Bree disappear. This leads to more excitement with lots of twists and turns. Alex goes into full gear trying to find them and solve these cases. Excellent story telling at its best, and it was great to see all my favorite characters again. Don’t miss the latest installment.

Thank You to NetGalley, the Author James Patterson and the Publisher Little, Brown and Company for allowing me to read this advanced copy for my honest review.

It’s always an adventurous thrill seeker. To see where Alex, Sampson and Bree get caught up in a homicide and or kidnapping.

THE HOUSE OF CROSS - A big fan of Alex Cross for decades, I enjoyed reading this good paced, action filled thriller with it's great characters, interesting story lines and twists and turns. Source: Netgalley. 5*

LIES HE TOLD ME - The story started off a bit slow but kicked into gear after a few chapters. Interesting story lines, good characters and a few twists made for a hard to put down read. Source: Netgalley. 5*

The House of Cross is the 33rd book in the Alex Cross Series.
James Patterson's longest series, and it is as exciting as the first book.

The story is filled with lots of action!

Alex is up against a serial killer targeting the smartest legal minds.

As if that is not enough, he is trying to find and save Bree and John who are missing.

The plot is perfectly paced filled with action and plenty of twists and turns.

Highly recommended!

The Alex Cross books don’t get any better than this one that finds Alex and Ned Mahoney chasing a serial killer who is targeting federal judges. Meanwhile, Bree Stone, Alex’s wife, and John Sampson, his best friend, are chasing down leads to find out if Ryan Malcolm, the M that has been Cross’s nemesis in many other books in the series, is actually dead or not following an accident out west. The two stories converge in the author’s usual seamless way of knitting things together. The action is non-stop and the story is compelling and unputdownable. The characters are realistically portrayed and dynamic, with real emotion displayed when one gets badly injured. I really enjoyed the brilliance of Alex Cross and how he thought through what would happen next. The clues for the readers were abundant, along with plenty of red herrings to throw us off the trail of the truth. This book is number thirty three in the series, but I am confident that anyone can read this book as a standalone and thoroughly enjoy it as much as I did.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Was very exciting book! But was very much like the others I've read Hard to put down as your always trying to figure out what will happen next! Good Book

4 stars
Another fabulous installment of the Alex Cross series. Considering how many there are, this ranks among one of the best ones yet (earliest ones are obviously top tier).
Non stop action and drama, and just an all around great mystery story.

I love the Alex Cross novels and this is one of the best! A thrill ride from beginning to end! When several supreme court justices are targeted for murder, Alex is thrown into a deadly game. Bree and Sampson take off across the country to search for Maestro! Are they connected?

I have been a huge fan of the Alex Cross series since the beginning and continue that into this book #33 and beyond! While some readers may think what can be new in a series with 33 books....believe me when I report that Patterson can keep the mysterious thrillers going with a new crisis that needs Alex Cross and company to handle!! In this book we revisit the elusive Maestro as he continues to wreak havoc by targeting the judicial branch of federal government, sending Alex, Bree, and John Sampson on the hunt into treacherous new territory. A great page-turner and quick read because of needing to know what happens next and how this will all turn out! Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the opportunity to read and review this advance reader copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #NetGalley #TheHouseofCross

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book.

Alex Cross always seems to be in the middle of whatever unthinkable thing is going on!!

A new President has been elected and all those around her are busy preparing for the Inauguration. Some are vetting possible appointees, while others are setting up plans for the security of everyone at the ceremony itself. In the midst of these preparations, two Federal judges and an esteemed law professor are murdered. Their only link is that they appear on a super secure list of possible Supreme Court nominees, should an opening happen. And considering that one current Justice has just had a recurrence of his cancer, that may happen sooner rather than later. And another Justice is having mysterious symptoms, which she attributes to the stress of her job and the medics diagnose as dehydration.

Cross's wife, Bree is obsessed with finding the mysterious M, who is at the root of so many strange occurrences and when it seems their two cases might converge, it get really interesting. Involving snow storms and blizzards in inaccessible areas both in the US and Canada, this is a wild ride!!

Of course, no surprise, Cross emerges victorious, but there were moments................

Alex Cross is back in his 33rd book and this time around he is bringing his wife, old partner/best friend and new partner along for the ride. Story starts when someone is going for a run and mysteriously feels a strange pain to their head and ends up being sick and nauseous for a few days. A couple days later a judge is shot down while getting out of their vehicle and this brings Cross into the mix. Meanwhile his wife is obsessed with the death of Ryan Malcomb and begins to investigate his accident and believes that he was M and in charge of the crime group Maestro. Alex and his wife go their separate directions to solve their cases but Alex is ultimately dragged into his wife's case when she and best friend John Sampson go missing.

This is a fast paced read with some twists and turns that will keep you guessing as to who is behind the murders of these judges and why; along with was Ryan Malcomb truly M and if he is dead who is behind all the chaos.

Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

#NetGalley #TheHouseofCross #AlexCross