Target: Alex Cross

The prologue set the table for this story, and tugged at my heartstrings just a bit. Why? Because, for some inexplicable reason, it had me recollecting back to the days when our country was more united than at any time in my life. Back when a hockey game was paused so the fans could watch a speech by Pres. George W. Bush. That is not to say that the prologue wasn’t interesting, because it was. But, I more enjoyed the chapters after the prologue. The first couple chapters with Alex Cross were nothing special, to be sure, but they did set the stage for me to be riveted shortly after.Once in the groove of the story, I didn’t want it to end.BLUSH FACTOR: Only very mild cussing. No eff-words and no graphic sex scenes. This is a story you may well want to read to your older kids and with any friends or groups you might have.CHARACTER: As usual, Patterson is a plot-oriented novelist. Not so strong with character development. Yet, he does better with “Target” than his normal. I almost felt empathy for assassin # 1.POV: When Alex Cross is in the scene, it is related in first person by him. Otherwise, it is third person. The two different perspectives work quite well.WRITING & EDITING: Professional editing, as always, helps justify the cost for this novel. What I probably most appreciated was the pacing. This is not non-stop action, is what I mean. Also, just as do so many of the great writers, Patterson makes good use of the sense of smell throughout this novel.EXCERPT:'... “Where are we on Senator Walker’s death?”“Fourth in line, sir,” Bree said, taking the chair. “FBI’s got jurisdiction, with Secret Service and Capitol Police in support.”He didn’t seem to like that. “So we’re not even in the game?”“I offered Ned Mahoney anything he needed from Metro PD,” Bree said. “I’ll be briefed on a daily basis.”The chief said, “I’m getting heat on this one, Bree. From the commissioner, the mayor, and the congressmen. They’re all wondering how we’re not out front on a murder in our own backyard. I’m wondering too.”That surprised Bree. Chief Michaels was by nature a pragmatist, and he knew the command structure in a situation like this as well as she did.Before she could reply, he said, “Where’s Alex in all this?”“FBI snapped him up. I don’t know exactly what he’s working on.”“Course not,” the chief said, shaking his head.“I don’t know if this consultant thing’s going to work. It’s…”“Sir?”“When Alex was on board full-time, I could count on Metro PD being out front no matter the case,” Michaels said.“He’s that kind of detective, sir,” Bree allowed.“He is,” the chief said, and then he leaned across the desk. “But he’s unavailable. So I need you to step up, Bree. I want my chief of detectives to be hungry. Not a paper pusher. Not a caretaker. I want you to be bold, to take action, stand for something in the community. I mean, for God’s sake, a U.S. senator was assassinated in our jurisdiction and we’re not breaking ground?”“Chief, again, and with all due respect, the FBI—”“I don’t give a rat’s [expletive deleted] about the FBI or the Secret Service or the Capitol Police. This is my city, and you are its chief of detectives, Stone. Prove you still should be.”Bree was taken aback for several moments before lifting her chin. “And how exactly do I prove that, sir?” “You find Senator…’Patterson, James. Target: Alex Cross (p. 40). Little, Brown and Company. Kindle Edition.Patterson, James. Target: Alex Cross (pp. 39-40). Little, Brown and Company. Kindle Edition.BOTTOM LINEThis is more than hilarious. Actually, it is more humorous, than it is laugh-out-loud hilarity. In one word. In fact, they are endearing. At least for me.Four stars out of five. Better character development would have raised this to five stars for me. Still, I am quite satisfied with “Target.”I am striving to produce reviews that help you find books that you want, or avoid books that you wish to avoid. With your help, my improvement will help you and me improve book reviews on Amazon. Together, you and I can build a great customer review process that helps everybody. Will you join me? It is people such as you who have helped me improve over the years. I'm still learning, and I have a great deal yet to learn. With your help, I'll improve every day.One request: Be respectful and courteous in your comments and emails to me. I will do likewise with you.Thank you so much for indicating if this review helped you, or for your comment. for indicating if this review helped you, or for your comment.

Very exciting and well-written book. I think Patterson must have written it himself!!! Really enjoyed it and would recommend it highly. And! You really don’t know who did it till the end! Yay!

You can never go wrong with reading anything with Alex Cross! Ready to start the next one. James Patterson, thank you for never disappointing me.

This was an interesting book on many levels, and it is also interesting to me how other people viewed this book, so here are some bullet points:1) The name of the book IS a bit misleading in that it appears to be TARGET ALEX CROSS - as if AC was the target, which he is clearly not. The name of the book is TARGET - and it is an Alex Cross book. A bit of marketing deception, but hey, I guess JP needs the money.2) The book was somewhat confusing and chaotic - with so many assassins, and then throw in the fact that they all use aliases, but hey, that is the real world of conspiracies - nothing is straightforward or moves in a linear direction.3) I do give some kudos to JP in getting into online gambling with eSports and Bitcoin - clearly within the realm of possibilities in today's world - as anyone knows in the cryptocurrency world, Bitcoin can be $5000 today and $20,000 tomorrow or vice versa, and obviously those who want to "control" the price and heap huge financial gains will in fact probably go to any lengths to leverage the currency or corner the market with respect to it.4) I also agree that we do not need to know so much about AC's family and "attend" a basketball game at the Verizon Center in DC or see what Mama Nana is cooking for dinner - totally irrelevant to the book. I have the same problem with JP's Michael Bennett books where he concentrates so much on MB and his ten adopted children - I've purchased the book to enjoy reading about a murder mystery - if I want to be exposed to LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, I will watch it on TV.5) All in all, a solid book, but leave out the "fluff".

Years ago I devoured Patterson’s books! One by the bed, one on the coffee table, one in my purse; they were everywhere! Coming back to him with Target for(an almost book club) I found an old friend😃 couldn’t believe how quickly I was drawn in and waiting for THE clue to solve the mystery before Alex. Now I am on to Criss Cross!

Alex Cross is my favorite Patterson character. This series always makes me anxious for the next book........! Long live Nana Mama!

Really like this author!

Love Alex Cross books

I’m only a few pages into this book and already bitterly disappointed. It’s going to be a good read, they all are, but when you’ve been following Alex Cross since the beginning it’s just insulting our intelligence to pretend Patterson took his time contributing to this one. There’s even a bio at the front to help the real author get Alex’s back story straight, and he still manages to get it wrong. When Maria was killed Cross was left with a son and baby daughter to raise, not just a baby boy. Is he confusing them with Ali? Very disappointed.

I enjoyed the book guys. I'm glad Patterson has not given in to political correctness (as you'll see) #FatShaming...Tense build up of murder and unabashed slaughter.Missing Sampson's usual inclusion here and Ali was not put to as much use as he was in the last one where his brilliant prodigal theories broke the case wide open.SPOILER THEORY BELOW ---------------------....Nina's hyper-sexed alter ego "Kaycee" and the final message written on the wall/mirror or something published by an "M"....in my opinion (or at least wouldn't it be utterly fantastic if) Kyle Craig/KC/Kaycee / M for Mastermind may have returned AGAIN.I can't remember the specifics from when Kyle died but there was definately a gas canister explosion on an ambulance... did we get a description of what his body looked like? The mastermind had the dollars to pay off a corrupt coroner to fake his death, right?....I know, long shot. But I just love the thought

This is the twenty sixth book in the Alex Cross Series of books. The plot for this book is a little far fetched but provides an interesting concept if it were to ever happen, if someone or a group of people decided to cause mayhem in the United States and upset the Constitution.In this book Alex Cross is trying to find the people or persons responsible for the assignations of the president and other various people next in line to the presidency. Bree his wife is also doing the same. Why were these people killed? Whom By?The plot its fast paced and has many twists and turns. Does Alex Cross help save the day? Does Bree keep her job?Well you will just have to purchase the book, and sit and delve within its pages to find the answers. Read and enjoy.

Yet again a wonderful read by Mr Paterson excellent from start to finish with that ending leaving you with what's next.

I have struggled beyond belief with this book for over three weeks. Picking it up and after an hour or so throwing it down in anger yet again because I have wasted another hour of my life on it. But no more! I have read 59% of it and have just deleted it from my Kindle. Absolutely woeful plot, too many beyond-the-realm of belief characters and, without doubt, James Patterson at his WORST. You have been warned! Save your money!