Cross Down: The Sunday Times bestselling thriller

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Patterson and DuBois work well together in this collaborative effort that moves the spotlight off Cross himself. While things heat up, Sampson finds himself working with the most unlikely partner and travels to the far sides of the world. As the book goes along, John realizes that he can't trust anyone except for Alex and their FBI friend Ned Mahoney. I can see a great deal of potential with this new spin to the series, involving John Sampson a great deal more. Your payment method will be charged immediately, and the product is expected to ship on or around June 5, 2023.

Alex Cross was benched early in the game and wasn’t really able to help solve this one, but John put on his cape and saved the day. As a long-time fan of the Alex Cross series, I was surprised to see a collaboration with this one as it has normally always been a James Patterson standalone series. Even though Alex was absent from the screen about 80% of the time, that was okay, because the story was good. In this installment, Sampson is carrying the weight of justice on his own and I feel we see how he develops.

The first clue is that it is co-authored with Brendan DuBois, which is only the second time out of 31 books that Patterson has allowed that to happen.

If I’m correct, this is the first time Patterson has used a co-author on this series and, IMO, a huge mistake. Alex ends up in ICU and fighting for his life, John does what Alex normally would have done and heads to save the day and find out what is happening. Cross Down” begins with Cross and Sampson being pulled into a Presidential task force to deal with a rash of recent attacks that are more than what they first appeared to be.

No one gets this big without amazing natural storytelling talent - which is what Jim has, in spades. This is a highly unusual Alex Cross book; makes me wonder if Alex Cross is on his way out and John Sampson is on his way in.

The only sad part is that we don’t get to see Alex take the reigning spotlight that the series does. Huge disappointment but it was inevitable that this great series would eventually go the way other Patterson series have gone…. Sampson must use his own strengths and experience to hunt down those who tried to kill his partner and best friend. D. has taken out one of the attackers and driven off and possibly wounding one or two of the others.Alex of course knows that they aren't random but the day he goes to share, he and John find themselves amid gunfire and Alex is shot - hence the title "Cross Down". Alex Cross has taken a step back, allowing John Sampson to shine and perhaps show his mettle for upcoming novels.