Cross Fire / Review

Author: James Patterson

Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

(November 15, 2010)
ISBN-10: 031603617X

Book Description:

Wedding bells ring...Detective Alex Cross and Bree's wedding plans are put on hold when Alex is called to the scene of the perfectly executed assassination of two of Washington D.C.'s most corrupt: a dirty congressmen and an underhanded lobbyist. Next, the elusive gunman begins picking off other crooked politicians, sparking a blaze of theories--is the marksman a hero or a vigilante?

A murderer returns....The case explodes, and the FBI assigns agent Max Siegel to the investigation. As Alex and Siegel battle over jurisdiction, the murders continue. It becomes clear that they are the work of a professional who has detailed knowledge of his victims' movements--information that only a Washington insider could possess.

Caught in a lethal cross fire.... As Alex contends with the sniper, Siegel, and the wedding, he receives a call from his deadliest adversary, Kyle Craig. The Mastermind is in D.C. and will not relent until he has eliminated Cross and his family for good.

With a supercharged blend of action, deception, and suspense, Cross Fire is James Patterson's most visceral and exciting Alex Cross novel ever.

My Review:

I enjoyed every page of this heart-stopping, suspense novel by James Patterson. It is vicious, wicked, depraved, and at times even tender.

As Alex Cross attempts to protect himself and his family from his old nemesis, Kyle Craig, murders of Washington's elite are taking place. Detective Cross has a BIG SURPRISE awaiting him... right under his nose, so to speak. How will he get out of this one? His death seems inevitable; it's bound to happen this time.

I believe Cross Fire is Patterson's best Alex Cross work so far. The tale has depth, characters are well-developed, and the suspense is riveting. I was hooked from the first page!

5 stars*****

(Thank you to Hachette Book Group for my review copy.)

The Postcard Killers / Review

Author: James Patterson
Hardcover: 432 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company (August 16, 2010)
ISBN-10: 0316089516

My Review:
Detective Jacob Kanon is in Europe for one purpose...to find the killer of his beloved daughter, Kimmy. Her death is eating him alive; he must find the evil people who are slashing the throats of young couples who are enjoying vacation time in Paris, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, and Stockholm.

Postcards are being sent to the local newspapers preceding each new death. Kanon meets Swedish reporter, Dessie Larsson, who has just received a postcard in Stockholm, and teams up with her, not knowing that he and Dessie will become attracted to each other.

As Jacob and Dessie start putting clues together and relentlessly pursuing the killers, I was completely drawn in by Patterson's vivid writing. This novel kept me interested from start to finish; it was never boring. It also had some very sexy moments, I might add!!

Definitely 5 stars*****

(Thanks go to Hachette Book Group for my review copy.)

Deliver Us From Evil / Review

Author: David Baldacci
Hardcover: 416 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing;
1ST edition (April 20, 2010)
ISBN-10: 0446564087

Book Description:
Evan Waller is a monster. He has built a fortune from his willingness to buy and sell anything . . . and anyone. In search of new opportunities, Waller has just begun a new business venture: one that could lead to millions of deaths all over the globe.

On Waller's trail is Shaw, the mysterious operative from The Whole Truth, who must prevent Waller from closing his latest deal. Shaw's one chance to bring him down will come in the most unlikely of places: a serene, bucolic village in Provence. But Waller's depravity and ruthlessness go deeper than Shaw knows. And now, there is someone else pursuing Waller in Provence-Reggie Campion, an agent for a secret vigilante group headquartered in a musty old English estate-and she has an agenda of her own.

Hunting the same man and unaware of each other's mission, Shaw and Reggie will be caught in a deadly duel of nerve and wits.

My Review:
Baldacci's Deliver Us From Evil is well written and fast paced. It was exciting from start to finish. Characters are well developed and the story is rich with suspense; although violent at times. A battle of wits. 4 stars****

(Thank you to Hachette Book Group for my review copy.)