Merry Christmas, Alex Cross -- Free Preview -- The First 18 Chapters

by James Patterson

It's Christmas Eve and Detective Alex Cross has been called out to catch someone who's robbing his church's poor box. That mission behind him, Alex returns home to celebrate with Bree, Nana, and his children. The tree decorating is barely underway before his phone rings again--a horrific hostage situation is quickly spiraling out of control. Away from his own family on the most precious of days, Alex calls upon every ounce of his training, creativity, and daring to save another family. Alex risks everything--and he may not make it back alive on this most sacred of family days. Alex Cross is a hero for our time, and never more so than in this story of family, action, and the deepest moral choices. MERRY CHRISTMAS, ALEX CROSS will be a holiday classic for years to come.

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Adult

51 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2012

About the author

Official US Site
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead

James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.

Reviews

[Linda Munro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my, look at this James Patterson has written a book by himself!

I love the Alex Cross series; I especially like Nana Mama; hmmm, a ninety-something grandmother who has a way with words, to say the least. I really enjoy the fact that Alex is once again married, because now he has another character in his life to throw him on a guilt trip (even though it never works!)

While Alex's family prepares for their traditional Christmas Eve fanfare, Alex gets called away to deal with a hostage situation. By the time he returns home; everyone is asleep. Alex decides to join his family at rest, crawling into bed for 'a long winter's nap.' Of course, this is Alex Cross and his job seems to cut into his life even on holidays! Before he can as much as catch up on his rest, he is recalled to deal with a terrorist....the question is, will Alex make it home safely to his family this time?

Guess you'll have to read it to find out!

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy Patterson's novels, though they can be a bit predictable. Alex Cross just wants to be home with his family for Christmas and one after another crimes keeps him from celebrating with the family.

First, he is called to a the home a wealthy doctor who is being held hostage by is wife's ex-husband. When that is wrapped up so to speak, he goes home sleeps a little and his called back out to the train station for a possible explosives plot.

Though I enjoyed both stories, they seen a bit "pushed together" to get one big story.

[Chloris]

I discovered 'Alex Cross' was busy living his life in danger and with consequences while I was engaged with 'Joe Pickett' and many others. I was surprised with details I didn't know about 'Alex'.

[Debbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very disappointed. This book is essentially two short stories slapped together. It lacks the usual in depth plot of an Alex Cross novel and is probably the best/worst example to date of the toll cranking out so many books every year has taken on the quality of James Patterson's writing and stories. I'm starting to prefer the books he co-writes with other authors. I'm not sure I'll purchase future Patterson books, even though I have been a loyal reader from early in his career and will miss many of the characters he has brought life.

[Dominique King · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, this one was definitely different for me, but from am author I think Tim read (and he was a real adventure, espionage, spy, cop story type of fan when it came to reading--where I'm more of a non-fiction, historical fiction, music fan when it comes to reading).
I picked this one out of another Little Free Library book box because it was a Christmas title, and I wanted a quick read.
I can see the appeal for books like this...especially for guys like Tim...and it definitely held my interest for the couple of days it took me to read it.
This one is the story revolving two different cases faced by a DC cop during Christmas Day. Both very different, and both involving life and death situations!
I liked the book, and would not hesitate to read another of Patterson's books in the future.
This one was fast-moving and exciting...and a perfect diversion on a cold and sometimes snowing winter weekend.

[Brent Alley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one does a two parter. The first part is cross talking down a man from murdering his whole family two years after his wife cheated. The second part is stopping a terrorist incident. It was okay overall.

[Venessa Johnstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always quick read, I love Alex Cross!!

[ShayLynn Kadrmas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE the Alex Cross series by James Patterson. Kept me hooked!

[Penny Evenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good Alex Cross book!! Suspenseful as always.

[Annotaré · Rating 5 out of 5]

REVIEW FOR THE WRITER

Patterson just keeps honing his trade. Merry Christmas combines two major events: domestic hostage and terrorist scenarios. Patterson doesn't waste his readers time... jumps right into the story from the Prologue page 1, and by chapter 2, page 10 capturing his first criminal ⎯ scumbag dipping his paws into the poor box at church to support his habit.

Book One, Christmas Eve, Cross is called out for a domestic hostage situation with some fairly explicit language... for Patterson. Humpbacked on that, Cross ⎯ with little sleep ⎯ is engaged in the gist of the book a terrorist attack that could take down America politically.

Characters well developed. Steady to fast paced reading. Easy to finish Merry Christmas in a day. The terrorist plot was slightly more complex than other novels in the Alex Cross series. Well thought out and developed to the conclusion.

Nana Mama, his kids and now Bree keep up the sour puss contention every time Cross is called to a job. You would think by now, years as a cop, FBI agent then MPD/FBI coordinator, they would be used to his routine. Seems unfair to me he has to deal with that attitude at home while out policing the world safe for these complainers.

I think Patterson must listen to his reviewers, in book 18 and Merry Christmas, he handles his intimate scenes much better than in earlier novels. Leaving much more to his readers imagination. alway more vivid than any writer can explicit.

I tried a couple of Nana Mama's recipes: cheese grits (yummy) and sugar bacon. Liked both.

This novel kept me turning the pages to find out "What's next?"

RECOMMENDED. However, this series you must read in sequence for the secondary relationships.

[Don Sparrow · Rating 3 out of 5]

J.P.'s latest...(10 weeks on the NY Times bestseller list) suspense thriller is just what you'd expect from the world's most prolific crime fiction writer. Alex Cross, J.P.s most famous fictional character is the star of this story. Alex's Christmas was anything but merry. Xmas Eve was spent trying to talk an ex husband out of murdering his whole family. Xmas day he battled a dangerous Arab terrorist who was plotting a nerve gas attack on Washington DC. Hey, I know this is not Pulitzer Prize material but it sure is entertaining.I read all of J.P.'s novels as it gives me a quick satisfying escape from the real world. Patterson fans will not be disappointed.

[Mick · Rating 4 out of 5]

James Patterson knows how to keep the reader turning the pages in Merry Christmas, Alex Cross, an action packed adrenaline rush. On Christmas Eve Detective Alex Cross is called away to be a hostage negotiator for a psychotic threatening to kill his family in a Georgetown mansion. Then on Christmas day, the FBI calls Cross to find a sociopath at Union Station in Washington, D. C. It's a terrorist attempt to use nerve gas attack.

This isn't Patterson's best, but there are alot of sharp no nonsense action scenes and it's guaranteed to increase your heart rate.

[Tialisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alex finds himself trouble stacked on top of more trouble while his family copes with an Alex free anxiety laced Christmas. I really enjoyed this back to back adventure first, a once prominent lawyer takes his entire family hostage on Christmas day then we revisit an old terorist friend from books gone buy as Alex and the gang try and stop a mass murder later on that same day. It never stops and you won't want it too. Alex Cross novels never fail to entertain.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like James Patterson's books. A true 'man's man', Alex Cross is not only a quick thinking, quick response kind of guy, he is also moral and spiritual. I like the action and thrilling mystery of, 'will he or won't he catch the bad guys'. His books seem to capture me from the beginning and carry me through with rapt attention until the end.

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy James Patterson's book, especially the Alex Cross series. This is a great book showing how important family values are. What book with Alex Cross wouldn't be complete without Nana who is now in her 90's and still going strong.
In this book Alex manages to become involved in two separate incidents, both entirely different. This is a quick enjoyable read.

[Marla Madison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite Cross book. Nice Christmas background with the family scenes flashing between the other action, but
the second part had some huge credibility leaps for me, one in particular at the very end, which seemed to be rather
abrupt.
But all in all, it will keep you reading, done in Patterson's rapid-reader style. Despite my criticism, it held my interest to
the end.

[Terri Palermo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this one by accident...don't know how I missed...and read it slightly out of order. Probably one of my favorite Alex Cross stories! I don't know if you're like me, but generally I like to read Christmas-y things at Christmas time. In my mind, this book can be easily read at any time...and I think you should!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this story makes me wonder how a person can kill in the name of their god, and yet I know this same thing has gone on for centuries.
As usual, Patterson has constructed a story that keeps you riveted from page one to the end.

[Jill McMillen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, who doesn't like Alex Cross? I like this series of JP's, but was like 2 separate stories jammed in together in one book. It almost reminded me of Ferris Buehler's day off. Seriously how can all that happen in 1 day?!

[Dom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too predictable, I expected better plots from the terrorists. It felt like the book was rushed from the time the female terrorist revealed herself @ the train station. The deranged lawyer was interesting.

[Claudia · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was disjointed (2 stories in 1 book) and the plot wasn't exciting. It just didn't grab me...dunno, maybe it was the prose or the flat characters. I would have really preferred we learn more about Fowler in the first story instead of move on to a completely different story.

[Esther Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read the first 18 chapters. If you are an Alex Cross fan you will love this one. HAve already pre-ordered and can't wait so I can dig back in and finish. Good from page 1

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a classic a very good read, could not wait to finish this book.

[Cheryl Yeung · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are two stories. The first one was good, the second one, not so much.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two crimes in one book. Alex doesn't get to rest before he heads off to the second crime. First a hostage situation the next something more far reaching.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book, continuous action that keeps you reading to the end. This one is written by James Patterson without a co-author!

[Carolyn Leshyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good for Alex Cross book. He's always a good read.

[Chrissy howard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alex Cross is always a good story. Enjoyable.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

good, quick read

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book!! I love the Alex Cross character. :)