Alex Cross Books In Order
Book links take you to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn money from qualifying purchases.Publication Order of Alex Cross Books
Publication Order of Bookshots: Alex Cross Books
| Action | (2014) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| Cross Kill | (2016) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| Detective Cross | (2017) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
Publication Order of Alex Cross Miscellaneous Books
| Alex Cross's Trial | (2009) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| Merry Christmas, Alex Cross | (2011) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
James Patterson is an American author and producer. He is a global composer of fiction for all ages. He is married with one child.
Born March 22, 1947, Patterson was raised in New York in Newburgh. He was the son of a school teacher and an insurance salesman, and first started writing when he was 19 years old. He attended Manhattan College and graduated in 1969. Vanderbilt University gave him a full scholarship to attend their graduate program in English. He departed there before he was able to leave with a degree thanks to complications from the Vietnam War.
The author eventually decided to move to New York and worked for an advertising agency as a junior copywriter. The North American company would eventually see Patterson become its CEO. While he was working there in 1976, the author saw his debut novel published. The Thomas Berryman Number was initially turned down on the behalf of no less than 31 publishers but went on to win praise and an Edgar Award.
His novels have sold nearly 400 million copies globally and increasing. The author is the current holder of a Guinness Word Record when it comes to having the most number one best sellers on the New York Times.
The author has not only written a great number of books but has also made a concerted effort to enrich the lives of others. He has donated over a million books for students to read and often would focus on schools as well as youth programs that did not have the proper resources. The author donated over seven million to libraries in the schools and classrooms in America as well as two million to indie bookstores.
Patterson donated over thirty-five million in funds to Manhattan Collage, University of Wisconsin, and Vanderbilt University. He has also established several hundred scholarships at different universities and colleges located across the country. He has also helped the U.S. forces read, enabling the donation of over a million books to overseas soldiers and those serving at home.
In 2015 during May, he also launched a book imprint for children’s books at Little, Brown named Jimmy Patterson, which focused on helping kids develop a passion for books that lasts. It also focuses on providing strategies, resources and programs that help serve librarians, parents, teachers, and book sellers. Proceeds from all sales into initiatives that promote reading. He’s a founder of a website called ReadKiddoRead.com that encourages parents and more to help ignite an excitement in the new generation for reading.
He is known for writing suspense and thriller novels but also writes fictional stories for readers that are younger or of all ages. This includes the series Max Einstein, which was produced in part thanks to the estate of Albert Einstein. He is the first writer to have new number one titles on the Times’ lists for the adult best sellers and children’s best sellers at the same time.
James Patterson is the creator and the author of the Alex Cross series. The series first kicked off in 1993. This is when the popular and thrilling debut novel in the series was released, Along Came a Spider. The sequel would become Kiss the Girls, a second novel that was released in 1994. There are over two dozen fictional installments of this series, so if you are looking for an amazing suspense series with a strong male protagonist (and want to see the movie based on the book after), check out the first and rest of the books in this series!
The book was adapted into a film starring Morgan Freeman in 2001. The role of main character Alex Cross was also taken up, played by Tyler Perry in the 2012 film titled Alex Cross. The adaptation of the Middle School novel by Patterson for middle grade students came out in theaters in 2016.
Along Came a Spider is the first novel in the Alex Cross series. If you have been searching for an amazing thriller that keeps you turning the pages to find out what happens next, this is the right series and debut fiction novel for you!
Maggie Rose is a little girl that has gone missing. Meanwhile, a family consisting of three people has been found murdered in the Washington, D.C. projects. Then there is the matter of a gorgeous teacher that was killed for what appears to be for the awful thrill of it. Could these cases all be linked?
It turns out that there is a killer on the loose. This serial kidnapper and murderer is psychopathic in nature. The killer is so terrifying and smart that when it comes to the authorities, they’re finding that this particular target is going to be a tough one to track down. The police and the FBI are not capable of outsmarting this man, even after his capture.
The man’s name is Gary Soneji, and his main goal is to commit the biggest crime that the century has ever seen. Main character Alex Cross, a homicide detective, is the only one with the experience and the smarts to take this villain on. He may be the only one that has what it takes to take Gary down before he pulls off his master plan.
Meanwhile, Jezzie Flanagan has risen through the ranks to become the Secret Service’s first-ever female supervisor. The chemistry between Alex and Jezzie is palpable, and the two may not be able to stop themselves from giving in to an affair of passion despite the risks.
With Gary still playing his games, Cross is horrified when another unspeakable crime happens in his very own precinct. Can he outsmart a psychopath? Or will Soneji take him out first? Read this unforgettable thriller to find out!
Kiss the Girls is the second novel in the Alex Cross series by James Patterson. Cross is back at it again to put his mind to the test when it comes to solving a confusing murder case.
A reporter in L.A. is dead after investigating some murders. In North Carolina, a medical intern disappears. When two pattern killers collaborate, can Cross figure out what’s going on before it’s too late? Read this engaging second book in the Cross series by James Patterson to find out!
Book Series In Order » Characters »
Any issues with the book list you are seeing? Or is there an author or series we don’t have? Let me know!
I have read every book as they release of the Alex Cross series. I also saw the movie and I really liked it. I also have read most of the Maximum ride Series.I read and also loved the childs book by your character son Ali. I have shared the books for young adults with my granddaughter Brianna (Bree) and she really liked them. My mother who past 2 years ago read the series Alex Cross after I finished them. I will be waiting for every release you make of the Cross series for as long as you write them. I can read most books in 1 or 2 days. I also only read from 3 authors because they don’t ramble and are too hard to put down. ( You Books of course, Patricia cornwell- Scarlett series, Kay Hooper the Bishop crime series.) Thankyou for all the absolutely wonderful books.
I found Morgan Freeman to be an excellent Alex Cross. I saw the move when first released. No way should Tyler Perry played him.
It was not the right role for Tyler Perry.
I have read many of James Paterson’s “Alex Cross” books but have completely stopped because there are too many books with his name on them. It is one thing to sponsor or recommend a new author but to have them write and then take credit for their work is just wrong.
That’s why I get mine from the library. I don’t feel cheated out of my hard earned money.
I watched an interview with one of James Patterson’s co-authors & he had nothing but praise for Patterson. He said Patterson gives a very detailed outline of what he wants & has the final say in the completed book. Patterson is giving unknown authors an opportunity to get a book published.
He is helping the authors get published. I think they are getting great exposure and their royalties for writing the book with his help.
He is the best. I Wish we had more books on Ty Hauck. My favorite.
PATTERSON entertains and is brilliant in his characters.
I get mine from thrift stores. 1.09 for a paperback. 3 bucks for hardcovers. Then recycle to friends or back to thrift store.
Please publish Nana Mamas recipes in a cookbook!!
Damn I’d love 2 see that too
Just finished reading Cris Cross and as always enjoy his books so much have now got to go get follow up
anyone else picter alex cross little like danzel washington?
Yes! I’ve had that picture in my mind for several years!
I so wish there would be just one more Alex book following “Deadly Cross”. I’ve read all of Jame’s books featuring Alex Cross and when I finished Deadly Cross 2 weeks ago I say-now what?
If you haven’t read the Women’s Murder Club yet that would be a good series to tide you over until the next Cross novel. Also the Harry Bosch series by Michael Connelly.
Just finished his last, Target: Alex Cross and it was hard to keep up with. I had to keep flipping back. Not my favorite. But still ready for his next.
Just realized that I skipped over “Target”. Just ordered it.
Alex Cross is the ultimate heroine!!! boy, I have gotten used to bad grammar and apostrophes in the wrong place but this is just too much. Also I think I remember there being used instead of their at the beginning of the revue. Lord help us!!
You didn’t capitalize the beginning of a sentence, are missing a comma before but, misspelled review and using multiple exclamation points is redundant, but thanks for pointing out other people’s mistakes.
I am a bit annoyed cause at the end of Cat and Mouse Christine has gone missing and I have just started the next book Pop Goes the Weasel and … nothing… even Alex Cross’s bio is different from the previous book… is there an explanation?
I liked the Alex Cross books and some others. Now we have books By John Doe with James Patterson or the other way around. I recently read an article that said that anymore Patterson writes an outline and someone else writes the book. Other than Alex cross I never have cared much for his books anyway.
Love Alex Cross – and I have read them in order
I love morgan freeman as alex cross. I listen to them in the car traveling. I love james patterson books and my child read his younger age books
So have I.
How silly; of course you can read them in any order! However, the author is on point by emphasizing that character development is best appreciated by reading in order. Either way; I think Patterson is an exceptional writer.
My favorite aspect of Patterson’s writing, (besides relatability), is his wicked sense of humor. One example of this is the internal dialog of his villan in “Along Came a Spider”. Unfortunately, much of the humor and much of the characters’ essence in ANY movie based upon his novels is “lost in translation”; meaning the difficult translation from book to movie.
One last comment regarding the movies; I found Morgan Freeman to be a huge disappointment as the actor chosen to portray Alex Cross. Don’t misunderstand me – I LOVE Morgan Freeman!! However, in my mind’s eye the actor most well suited for the role would have been Denzel Washington, as I felt he was closer in age to Alex Cross (whose children were young throughout the Cross series). I would have envisioned Michael Clarke Duncan (from “The Green Mile”, and now deceased) – as his best friend, Sampson. I would have LOVED this pairing, and believe that many more of the Alex Cross books would have been brought to the big screen.
A final comment, and also the reason I piped up (ad nauseum) in the first place; the tail end of the preceding article refers to Cross being “the ultimate heroine”. I guess I missed the gender identity crises that apparently plagued Alex Cross’ life throughout the series. I wonder how his public restroom visits while in North Carolina were played out? Wow, talk about a plot twist……(yes, this IS intended to be sarcasm!).
I noticed that also and had to laugh.
You are perfectly on point. I couldn’t have chosen a better set.
What! No one could have played Alex Cross that Morgan Freeman – You want to talk about disappointment was choosing Tyler Perry – BIG DISAPPOINTMENT!
I totally agree I also love Morgan freeman but thought that he was miscast for the part of Alex and I thought I was alone in thinking that pleased someone else thought so too
Morgan Freeman is way too old to play Alex Cross. He should be played by samual L Jackson.
I completely agree with the Morgan Freeman comment along side your Denzel Washington views. As I have read many Alex Cross books and have always pictured Tyler Perry as a good leading role too. I many be alone with this idea but I feel as though he would make a great Alex Cross.
ya Denzel but Idris Elba would be even better and more fit like Alex cross.. and can act too. Denzel ofcourse can act but Idris would be a gr8 Alex cross 100
I think Tyler Perry was the worst choice made to play Alex Cross. Although Denzel is great, I can’t see him as Alex Cross. Morgan Freeman was the best actor to portray Alex Cross.
It is really helpful to see a chronological listing of the Alex Cross novels. However, the mistakes in both grammar and spelling have casted a cloud of doubt over the writer’s attention to detail.
Also, I have been under the impression that there ARE Cross novels that precede “Along Came a Spider”.
In hindsight, I realize that I should have searched on “Jamespatterson.com” for a trustworthy source.
can we read the alex cross books by james patterson in any order?
You really can, they are pretty much stand alone, he does go through women, though
Not really, if you want to follow his personal life and not just the crime..His life is entwined in the book as well and it does continue from book to book, in sequence..Also have discovered that some of the previous crimes have carried over to the next book..Don’t want to spoil it for you…but if you only read to enjoy the crime solving itself, then I suppose you can just skip around..I am now on book 11 in the series..and will continue in order because I enjoy his personal story as well and want to follow it as it develops with each new book..
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Avatar
Sandi Ellenwood
3 minutes ago
How silly; of course you can read them in any order! However, the author is on point by emphasizing that character development is best appreciated by reading in order. Either way; I think Patterson is an exceptional writer.
My favorite aspect of Patterson’s writing, (besides relatability), is his wicked sense of humor. One example of this is the internal dialog of his villan in “Along Came a Spider”. Unfortunately, much of the humor and much of the characters’ essence in ANY movie based upon his novels is “lost in translation”; meaning the difficult translation from book to movie.
One last comment regarding the movies; I found Morgan Freeman to be a huge disappointment as the actor chosen to portray Alex Cross. Don’t misunderstand me – I LOVE Morgan Freeman!! However, in my mind’s eye the actor most well suited for the role would have been Denzel Washington, as I felt he was closer in age to Alex Cross (whose children were young throughout the Cross series). I would have envisioned Michael Clarke Duncan (from “The Green Mile”, and now deceased) – as his best friend, Sampson. I would have LOVED this pairing, and believe that many more of the Alex Cross books would have been brought to the big screen.
A final comment, and also the reason I piped up (ad nauseum) in the first place; the tail end of the preceding article refers to Cross being “the ultimate heroine”. I guess I missed the gender identity crises that apparently plagued Alex Cross’ life throughout the series. I wonder how his public restroom visits while in North Carolina were played out? Wow, talk about a plot twist……(yes, this IS intended to be sarcasm!).
I did