James Patterson’s Alex Cross books in order is the topic of our blog post today!
In this blog post, we delve into each of the books in the Alex Cross series, in chronological order. We provide a snapshot of every book from “Along Came a Spider” (1993), which introduced us to the memorable character of Alex Cross, right up to the latest release. Prepare to embark on a rollercoaster ride through a world of suspense, as we navigate the captivating labyrinth of crime, psychology, and sheer thrills that is James Patterson’s Alex Cross series.
James Patterson’s Alex Cross Books in Order
Here are James Patterson’s Alex Cross books in order:
1. Along Came a Spider (1993)
Detective Alex Cross is pitted against a psychopathic serial kidnapper/murderer who is known as “Gary Soneji.” The case becomes personal when Soneji takes two children from elite private schools, and Cross is charged with their recovery.
2. Kiss the Girls (1995)
Cross is dealing with two serial killers, The Gentleman Caller and Casanova, who are on opposite sides of the country (California and North Carolina). He partners with detective Kate McTiernan to stop these killers who are notorious for their intricate knowledge of female psychology.
3. Jack & Jill (1996)
In this book, Alex Cross investigates the murders of high-profile celebrities in Washington D.C while also handling a sadistic killer who’s murdering children in his neighborhood.
4. Cat & Mouse (1997)
Alex Cross encounters his most dangerous adversary yet, Gary Soneji, from “Along Came a Spider”, and a serial killer known as Mr. Smith, who operates in several countries, leading Cross on an international manhunt.
5. Pop Goes the Weasel (1999)
Alex Cross is investigating a spate of gruesome murders in Southeast D.C., that are tied to a dangerous underground game called The Four Horsemen.
6. Roses Are Red (2000)
Alex Cross is up against The Mastermind, a criminal who’s pulling off bank robberies with ruthless efficiency. As the case unfolds, those close to Cross become targets of the mysterious criminal.
7. Violets Are Blue (2001)
Cross is tracking a pair of serial killers who are murdering their victims in a vampiric fashion, while also still dealing with the threats from The Mastermind.
8. Four Blind Mice (2002)
Cross investigates a series of military personnel murders, which seem to be connected to a Vietnam war conspiracy. The urgency intensifies when his partner, John Sampson, is accused of a brutal murder.
9. The Big Bad Wolf (2003)
Alex Cross, now working for the FBI, must track down “The Wolf,” a notorious Russian mobster who’s trafficking humans in an elaborate underground operation.
10. London Bridges (2004)
Alex Cross is on a global manhunt to catch The Wolf and The Weasel, who are now working together, threatening several major cities around the world with mass destruction.
11. Mary, Mary (2005)
Alex Cross pursues an LA-based serial killer, who is targeting Hollywood celebrities and describing his deeds in chilling emails sent to the Los Angeles Times.
12. Cross (2006)
Cross comes out of retirement to take on a case that cuts close to home. He’s hunting for the killer of his wife, Maria, who was murdered years ago.
13. Double Cross (2007)
Cross deals with two serial killers. One is a vigilante targeting criminals who have been acquitted, while the other kills in public, staging his murders for maximum public effect.
14. Cross Country (2008)
A horrific murder of an old friend leads Cross to Nigeria, where he finds himself in the middle of a brutal underworld and a series of unspeakable crimes.
15. Alex Cross’s Trial (2009)
This novel is a historical fiction, focusing on Cross’s ancestor, Ben Corbett, and his fight against the Ku Klux Klan.
16. I, Alex Cross (2009)
When Cross’s niece is found brutally murdered, he vows to catch the killer. His investigation leads him to a secretive service that caters to the elite
17. Cross Fire (2010)
Alex Cross is planning his wedding to Bree Stone when he’s called to solve the murders of major political figures by a sniper. He also deals with an old enemy, Kyle Craig, who’s determined to take revenge on him.
18. Kill Alex Cross (2011)
Alex Cross’s toughest case yet, as he deals with a kidnapping case involving the children of the president of the United States, while also trying to stop a catastrophic attack that could endanger the entire country.
19. Merry Christmas, Alex Cross (2012)
Cross is pulled away from his family on Christmas Eve to deal with a hostage situation that has gone wrong and also to prevent a terrorist attack on his city.
20. Alex Cross, Run (2013)
In this book, Alex Cross is facing a lot of public scrutiny while dealing with three chilling murder cases.
21. Cross My Heart (2013)
In this suspenseful installment of the Alex Cross series, Cross becomes the target of a dangerous psychopath who calls himself “Thierry Mulch”. Mulch threatens not just Alex, but his family as well, pushing Cross into a desperate race against time to save everything and everyone he holds dear.
The story’s antagonist, Mulch, proves to be one of the most formidable opponents Cross has ever faced. He’s methodical, ruthless, and seems to know Cross better than he knows himself. As Mulch’s threats escalate, Cross is forced to question how far he’s willing to go to protect his family. Will he cross lines he’s never crossed before?
22. Hope to Die (2014)
This book picks up where “Cross My Heart” left off, with Alex Cross’s family missing. Cross will do whatever it takes to save his family and take down the psychopath who’s targeted them.
23. Cross Justice (2015)
Cross returns to his North Carolina hometown for the first time in years to prove his cousin’s innocence in a horrific crime. Along the way, he unearths a family secret that forces him to question everything he’s ever known.
24. Cross the Line (2016)
In this novel, Alex Cross faces a turning point in his career when a murder investigation puts him in the crosshairs of a corrupt police force. When his wife, Bree Stone, newly elevated chief of DC detectives faces growing pressure to solve the case, it’s not just their family that’s in danger.
Alex is under the gun as the most ruthless killers he’s ever encountered are hot on his trail. This suspense-filled thriller involves the hunt for a pair of criminals who leave a trail of chaos and destruction across Washington D.C. with their own twisted form of justice.
25. Cross Kill (2016)
In this short story, Cross witnesses the impossible: the death of his nemesis, Gary Soneji, who apparently returns to enact revenge. It’s a race against time as he tries to catch this killer.
26. Detective Cross (2017)
Another short story, this book sees Cross deal with a deadly robbery that could escalate to catastrophic proportions if he doesn’t stop the criminals in time.
27. The People vs. Alex Cross (2017)
Cross is on trial for murder and suspended from duty. Even while fighting for his future, he must investigate a string of kidnappings and disappearances that strike too close to home.
28. Target: Alex Cross (2018)
The president of the United States has been assassinated, and Cross is assigned the task of solving the case. He finds himself in the crosshairs as he unravels the truth behind unprecedented attacks on the government.
29. Criss Cross (2019)
Cross investigates when a former partner asks him to prove the innocence of a serial murderer. As he digs into the case, he finds clues that point to a criminal from another case.
30.Deadly Cross (2020)
Cross investigates the murder of a close friend’s daughter, leading him into the world of Washington D.C.’s elite. As the stakes get higher, he finds himself under threat from a dangerous enemy.
Final thoughts
In conclusion, the Alex Cross series by James Patterson is a must-read for anyone who appreciates engrossing, intelligently crafted suspense and crime thrillers. From the debut novel “Along Came a Spider” to the most recent additions to the series, Patterson has never failed to deliver a complex plot, fascinating characters, and the sense of tension that keeps readers hooked from the first page to the last.
