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Alex Cross #34
Return of the Spider
Alex Cross is back in the thirty-third instalment of James Patterson's bestselling series... but so is an old enemy he thought he'd laid to rest...
407 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 24, 2025
2362 people are currently reading
13155 people want to read
About the author
James Patterson
951 books355k followersOfficial 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews
November 29, 2025
In the thirty-fourth installment of the Alex Cross series, James Patterson has catapulted us back to the beginning with a prequel to Along Came a Spider. Not only taking us into the past but also giving us a closer look at Alex Cross himself, Return of the Spider was a fast-paced, twisty rollercoaster ride that kept me glued to the pages. Developing the main characters even more all while introducing a few new—or should I say old—characters into the mix, it was our old enemy, Gary Soneji, who chilled me to the bone once again with his villainous behavior. Between the two, there was an epic game of cat-and-mouse as well as a refreshing look back to Cross’s past when he was just a fresh-faced detective. Adding complexity and depth to his persona, I suggest reading the series a bit before diving in even though you could easily read it as a standalone novel. After all, you don’t want to miss getting to know Detective Alex Cross better.
All said and done, thanks to the short, cliffhanger chapters, action-packed scenes, and nostalgic time period, I had no trouble at all falling into this story. Did it have James Patterson’s somewhat formulaic feel? Well, yes… But then again, if it didn’t work so well, this series wouldn’t be as prolific as it is, now would it? Besides, Patterson always seems to deliver a plot that keeps me firmly in suspense. With dual timelines and multiple POVs, I loved all of the insight into the characters’ lives as the heart-pounding events exploded onto the page. Twisting and turning all while delivering that classic thriller tension on top of a deep-dive into the emotions driving the characters, it was a fantastic read even if it wasn’t my favorite by Patterson. That being said, I loved how Cross was forced to reexamine his past and the missteps he might’ve made while pursuing the Spider. In the end, I ate up every word as I raced through the pages in one very, very late night of reading. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
The suspense classic Along Came a Spider introduced an unsurpassed Detective Alex Cross, the "human superhero" (New York Times), versus Gary Soneji, the "most deliciously wicked character since Hannibal Lecter" (Lexington Herald-Leader). But that wasn't their first meeting...
At a desolate cabin in the woods, police discover a hidden journal titled "Profiles in Homicidal Genius." Evidence points to it being a murder book kept by Soneji.
As Alex studies the clues, he's enmeshed in a web of evil Soneji designed to ensnare him all along. Plunging into the past, Alex must now retrace the steps of a long-ago investigation and face...the Return of the Spider.
Thank you to James Patterson and Little, Brown and Company for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: November 17, 2025
All said and done, thanks to the short, cliffhanger chapters, action-packed scenes, and nostalgic time period, I had no trouble at all falling into this story. Did it have James Patterson’s somewhat formulaic feel? Well, yes… But then again, if it didn’t work so well, this series wouldn’t be as prolific as it is, now would it? Besides, Patterson always seems to deliver a plot that keeps me firmly in suspense. With dual timelines and multiple POVs, I loved all of the insight into the characters’ lives as the heart-pounding events exploded onto the page. Twisting and turning all while delivering that classic thriller tension on top of a deep-dive into the emotions driving the characters, it was a fantastic read even if it wasn’t my favorite by Patterson. That being said, I loved how Cross was forced to reexamine his past and the missteps he might’ve made while pursuing the Spider. In the end, I ate up every word as I raced through the pages in one very, very late night of reading. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
The suspense classic Along Came a Spider introduced an unsurpassed Detective Alex Cross, the "human superhero" (New York Times), versus Gary Soneji, the "most deliciously wicked character since Hannibal Lecter" (Lexington Herald-Leader). But that wasn't their first meeting...
At a desolate cabin in the woods, police discover a hidden journal titled "Profiles in Homicidal Genius." Evidence points to it being a murder book kept by Soneji.
As Alex studies the clues, he's enmeshed in a web of evil Soneji designed to ensnare him all along. Plunging into the past, Alex must now retrace the steps of a long-ago investigation and face...the Return of the Spider.
Thank you to James Patterson and Little, Brown and Company for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: November 17, 2025
November 13, 2025
A fan of some books series penned by James Patterson, I have always enjoyed the Alex Cross collection. I respect that Patterson has tried to tackle it on his own, a rarity in his ever-growing stardom. Detective Alex Cross versus Gary Soneji emerged in the opening novel of this series, creating one of the greatest cat and mouse clashes in crime thrillers. However, their connection precedes Patterson's Along Came a Spider in this prequel story that lays the groundwork for the entire Cross series. During a police sweep of an abandoned cabin in the woods, the Metro Police discover a hidden journal. The title, “Profiles in Homicidal Genius”, is penned by none other than Gary Soneji. His criminal mastermind seeps from every page and explores many of the crimes Soneji committed before his apparent death. While Detective Cross wants to keep the past locked away, Soneji's writing stirs up memories and leads to some worrying revelations. When Cross was a rookie detective, he actually crossed paths with a young and determined Gary Soneji, honing his craft and beginning to sample with various types of murder. This journal and these memories help to form a chilling sentiment for Cross, as he comes to terms with the return of the spider, his greatest enemy! Patterson delivers a strong story that impressed me more than I thought it might!
I have long had a love/hate relationship with James Patterson novels. This series has usually been able to push me into the contented column, as Patterson takes time to craft a decent piece. The story is electric from the opening pages, leaving series fans to wonder what's coming next. There is little time to rest, as the quick chapters with which Patterson is renowned provide the reader with something they can enjoy. Tapping into early Cross themes and ideas, the story's pace kicks up even more as the reader seeks to piece things together over a thirty-four novel arc. With some decent ideas, Patterson keeps Alex Cross fresh and intriguing, which has me wanting to see how long the calculating detective has left before hanging up his cuffs.
Characters work well to complement the story, mixing series regulars with new (old?) faces. Alex Cross remains a character that keeps impressing the reader, though I feel this book sought to add some backstory to someone whose development has reached its limits. The story adds some familiar characters whose backstories emerge at times, though many remain in the background, as the likes of John Sampson (Cross' longest friend and fellow cop) and Gary Soneji play strong roles. Even Cross' first wife, Maria, serves to flavour the story and injects some excitement into the protagonist's step.
Plot points help keep the surprise factor as the story progresses. While this was meant to be a quasi-prequel to the larger series, it straddles past and present to keep things surprising. I was not shocked by too much in the piece, but Patterson ensured that things were not too predictable for series fans. There were some decent twists and it helped enrich the reading experience, leaving me, once more, to wonder how much longer Alex Cross has left before he fades into the background.
Kudos, Mr. Patterson, for a nice addition to your well-established series.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
I have long had a love/hate relationship with James Patterson novels. This series has usually been able to push me into the contented column, as Patterson takes time to craft a decent piece. The story is electric from the opening pages, leaving series fans to wonder what's coming next. There is little time to rest, as the quick chapters with which Patterson is renowned provide the reader with something they can enjoy. Tapping into early Cross themes and ideas, the story's pace kicks up even more as the reader seeks to piece things together over a thirty-four novel arc. With some decent ideas, Patterson keeps Alex Cross fresh and intriguing, which has me wanting to see how long the calculating detective has left before hanging up his cuffs.
Characters work well to complement the story, mixing series regulars with new (old?) faces. Alex Cross remains a character that keeps impressing the reader, though I feel this book sought to add some backstory to someone whose development has reached its limits. The story adds some familiar characters whose backstories emerge at times, though many remain in the background, as the likes of John Sampson (Cross' longest friend and fellow cop) and Gary Soneji play strong roles. Even Cross' first wife, Maria, serves to flavour the story and injects some excitement into the protagonist's step.
Plot points help keep the surprise factor as the story progresses. While this was meant to be a quasi-prequel to the larger series, it straddles past and present to keep things surprising. I was not shocked by too much in the piece, but Patterson ensured that things were not too predictable for series fans. There were some decent twists and it helped enrich the reading experience, leaving me, once more, to wonder how much longer Alex Cross has left before he fades into the background.
Kudos, Mr. Patterson, for a nice addition to your well-established series.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
October 29, 2025
I am always so thrilled to be an early reviewer for one of my all time favourite authors, James Patterson, so a massive thank you to Little,Brown and Company for the opportunity.
I flew through this book, elate, once you start you won’t want to stop. As a longtime reader of the Alex Cross series, the thought of going back to where it all began was so exciting. Gary Soneji was such an evil, twisted psychopath and Alex’s nemesis. Years after his death, his cabin in the woods is discovered, along with his murder weapons, research and a murder book, a book that blows Alex’s world apart. Did he get it all wrong?
It was fascinating to see Alex Cross and John Sampson as young, green detectives at the start of their careers in law enforcement. They are still learning the job, but still have that same determination that we have been used to throughout the series. This is now book number 34, and this was a brilliant way to bring the worst killer they have ever faced back to life for a while. We see how Soneji started his killing spree, what was going through his mind, how he picked his victims and now he was going to kill them.
It was lovely to see Alex as the family man too. Back when his first love Maria was pregnant with their second child, Damon was a little boy and Nana Mama was a younger but still feisty woman.
I will never tire of reading about these characters, and getting more insight into their personalities and younger lives was brilliant. I could have kept reading this for days, but as always with James Patterson, I just had to keep reading. I think this may be one of my favourites in the series, a thrill ride from the past, full of tension and drama.
Published on November 17th, a must read for Alex Cross fans.
I flew through this book, elate, once you start you won’t want to stop. As a longtime reader of the Alex Cross series, the thought of going back to where it all began was so exciting. Gary Soneji was such an evil, twisted psychopath and Alex’s nemesis. Years after his death, his cabin in the woods is discovered, along with his murder weapons, research and a murder book, a book that blows Alex’s world apart. Did he get it all wrong?
It was fascinating to see Alex Cross and John Sampson as young, green detectives at the start of their careers in law enforcement. They are still learning the job, but still have that same determination that we have been used to throughout the series. This is now book number 34, and this was a brilliant way to bring the worst killer they have ever faced back to life for a while. We see how Soneji started his killing spree, what was going through his mind, how he picked his victims and now he was going to kill them.
It was lovely to see Alex as the family man too. Back when his first love Maria was pregnant with their second child, Damon was a little boy and Nana Mama was a younger but still feisty woman.
I will never tire of reading about these characters, and getting more insight into their personalities and younger lives was brilliant. I could have kept reading this for days, but as always with James Patterson, I just had to keep reading. I think this may be one of my favourites in the series, a thrill ride from the past, full of tension and drama.
Published on November 17th, a must read for Alex Cross fans.
November 14, 2025
2.0 / 5.0
Disappointment is an understatement- because what the heck did I just read. Admittedly this book centres around the first book realised 22 years ago, which if I’m honest I haven’t read. This book feels like a literal scam because quite literally it’s a re-hash of what I’m assuming is in the first book but with more information. The hard work has already been laid out only for Patterson to use the same plot and go down memory lane. It’s disappointing because as good as the trip down memory lane is - it’s a very low quality book which probably took less than a week to write (because you’re using the events of the first book with added extra bits). It’s frustrating because after the last couple books with similar plots, dipping quality (weird Mastero mastermind plot), crazy plots and strange direction this book felt like the return of the psychological, thriller vibes the Alex Cross series were. It’s purely the reason why I was so keen to get my hands on this book because I thought finally it’s going to change. Finally we are going to get the old vibes back. But no, this feels like going back to your ex even though your friends have spent ages convincing you not too. I feel horribly gaslight reading this book because I thought I was in for a thrilling read!
I’m disappointed because in actually if you take the events in portions of the book, 90% is quite literally a rehash of the past with only 10% of current time. I don’t know whether this is Patterson why of indicating that the end is near for the Cross series but it’s disappointing when nothing really happens after the past is revealed. We see this moral questioning of Cross but it comes across too late in the book and before you know it the book ends quite literally 2 pages after this revelation. For me this just reads as a ploy for Patterson to spit out more Cross books and get more money. Not worth the investment, seriously questioning whether this series is even worth it or not.
Disappointment is an understatement- because what the heck did I just read. Admittedly this book centres around the first book realised 22 years ago, which if I’m honest I haven’t read. This book feels like a literal scam because quite literally it’s a re-hash of what I’m assuming is in the first book but with more information. The hard work has already been laid out only for Patterson to use the same plot and go down memory lane. It’s disappointing because as good as the trip down memory lane is - it’s a very low quality book which probably took less than a week to write (because you’re using the events of the first book with added extra bits). It’s frustrating because after the last couple books with similar plots, dipping quality (weird Mastero mastermind plot), crazy plots and strange direction this book felt like the return of the psychological, thriller vibes the Alex Cross series were. It’s purely the reason why I was so keen to get my hands on this book because I thought finally it’s going to change. Finally we are going to get the old vibes back. But no, this feels like going back to your ex even though your friends have spent ages convincing you not too. I feel horribly gaslight reading this book because I thought I was in for a thrilling read!
I’m disappointed because in actually if you take the events in portions of the book, 90% is quite literally a rehash of the past with only 10% of current time. I don’t know whether this is Patterson why of indicating that the end is near for the Cross series but it’s disappointing when nothing really happens after the past is revealed. We see this moral questioning of Cross but it comes across too late in the book and before you know it the book ends quite literally 2 pages after this revelation. For me this just reads as a ploy for Patterson to spit out more Cross books and get more money. Not worth the investment, seriously questioning whether this series is even worth it or not.
December 2, 2025
One of Patterson’s best Alex Cross books! I read it in one sitting!
November 17, 2025
An Okay Read But Nothing Special!
After being a very loyal reader of James Patterson’s first ten Alex Cross books and some of his earlier books, I gave up on his books years ago when he decided to become a publisher industry unto himself. Having loved his Along Came A Spider, which I read as an ARC in 1993, I decided to lift my ban on his books and read Return Of The Spider. This book forces Cross to revisit his rookie-investigation years and face the possibility that he and his best friend and partner, Sampson, may have caused the wrong man to be convicted.
Bottom line is that it is just an okay read, making it mostly a letdown relative to my expectations. Here are some reasons why:
…While Cross and Gary Sonegi remain well drawn, richly developed characters, many of the supporting characters are just serviceable at best;
…With multiple timelines, flashbacks, revelations, supporting characters and shifting motives, the plot at times seemed overburdened and some plot threads are less developed that I wanted;
…Some of the thriller mechanics Patterson uses tread on well-worn ground, making the book at times seem more stale than fresh; and
…For a thriller, many of its intended thrills were often expected and not very thrilling.
All in all, I’m glad I read Return Of The Spider but it is not a book I’d recommend anyone but diehard Alex Cross fanatics rush out to read.
After being a very loyal reader of James Patterson’s first ten Alex Cross books and some of his earlier books, I gave up on his books years ago when he decided to become a publisher industry unto himself. Having loved his Along Came A Spider, which I read as an ARC in 1993, I decided to lift my ban on his books and read Return Of The Spider. This book forces Cross to revisit his rookie-investigation years and face the possibility that he and his best friend and partner, Sampson, may have caused the wrong man to be convicted.
Bottom line is that it is just an okay read, making it mostly a letdown relative to my expectations. Here are some reasons why:
…While Cross and Gary Sonegi remain well drawn, richly developed characters, many of the supporting characters are just serviceable at best;
…With multiple timelines, flashbacks, revelations, supporting characters and shifting motives, the plot at times seemed overburdened and some plot threads are less developed that I wanted;
…Some of the thriller mechanics Patterson uses tread on well-worn ground, making the book at times seem more stale than fresh; and
…For a thriller, many of its intended thrills were often expected and not very thrilling.
All in all, I’m glad I read Return Of The Spider but it is not a book I’d recommend anyone but diehard Alex Cross fanatics rush out to read.
November 17, 2025
Wow – this is the 34th book featuring detective and psychologist Alex Cross? Believe it or not, I’ve read almost all of the others. One of the most popular repeat characters in this series featured another noteworthy character – serial killer Gary Soneji – a nasty dude who (ahem) Crossed paths with Alex in a few books before finally getting his due.
Well, Soneji is long dead, but the author has found a creative way to bring him back to life in this installment; apparently, the killer’s debut in Along Came a Spider wasn’t the first time the two (ahem again) Crossed hairs previously. Now a homicide detective with the Washington, D.C., Metro Police, Alex and his department friend John Sampson are called by Alex’s old partner Ned Mahoney to a house that once belonged to Soneji (a.k.a. Gary Murphy). Among other things, they find a hidden notebook that clearly belonged to Soneji; as Alex begins to read it, he’s taken back to those long-ago cases.
And of course, he takes readers with him. For the most part, current wife Bree and his delightful Nana Mama are left behind except for an occasional chapter that returns to the present. Back in Soneji’s heyday, Alex was a rookie cop married to first love Maria, already the mother of a son and not far from delivering their second one. Readers follow the progression and conclusion of the detectives’ case back then as they learn how the facts impact a current one (with a few that take both the detectives and readers by surprise.
Did I love the book? You bet. Do I recommend it to all mystery/thriller readers? In that it stands alone well, sure; but I do think that while those who are not regular followers of the Cross series will enjoy the journey, those who are well-seasoned travelers are likely to get a few more miles to the gallon. In any event, I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for taking me on a great ride by way of a pre-release copy. Well done!
Well, Soneji is long dead, but the author has found a creative way to bring him back to life in this installment; apparently, the killer’s debut in Along Came a Spider wasn’t the first time the two (ahem again) Crossed hairs previously. Now a homicide detective with the Washington, D.C., Metro Police, Alex and his department friend John Sampson are called by Alex’s old partner Ned Mahoney to a house that once belonged to Soneji (a.k.a. Gary Murphy). Among other things, they find a hidden notebook that clearly belonged to Soneji; as Alex begins to read it, he’s taken back to those long-ago cases.
And of course, he takes readers with him. For the most part, current wife Bree and his delightful Nana Mama are left behind except for an occasional chapter that returns to the present. Back in Soneji’s heyday, Alex was a rookie cop married to first love Maria, already the mother of a son and not far from delivering their second one. Readers follow the progression and conclusion of the detectives’ case back then as they learn how the facts impact a current one (with a few that take both the detectives and readers by surprise.
Did I love the book? You bet. Do I recommend it to all mystery/thriller readers? In that it stands alone well, sure; but I do think that while those who are not regular followers of the Cross series will enjoy the journey, those who are well-seasoned travelers are likely to get a few more miles to the gallon. In any event, I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for taking me on a great ride by way of a pre-release copy. Well done!
October 12, 2025
This is the 34th (!!!!) installment in the Detective Alex Cross series, which began in 1993 with “Along Came a Spider.” I know I read the first one near when it was first published and I definitely finished all the ones with titles that mimicked children’s rhymes. In “Cross time,” only eighteen years have passed, but it’s long enough in the past for cellphones and GPS not to be universal technology. Only an expensive car phone the size of a brick seems to be the height of twenty year old tech in this flashback thriller.
An old journal is found in a secret room and we then get a backstory on Cross’s first deadly enemy, Gary Soneji, as well as the early tale of the Cross/Sampson partnership, when they were investigating multiple earlier murders by serial killer Soneji without knowing it. In the early Cross books, Alex’s wife Maria was always an off-screen memory, having already been killed in a drive-by shooting, but she’s a full fledged character here, pregnant with their daughter while Damon is a toddler. I did open up the original “Along Came a Spider” to try to reconcile the timeline, and I was mostly reminded why I loved the Alex Cross stories so long ago.
The flashback story gets a bit bogged down as Cross and Sampson juggle multiple other murders unrelated to the Spider, but it does show their development as young detectives, using their own dedication skills prior to the advent of DNA evidence and ubiquitous camera surveillance. Bringing back Cross’ greatest nemesis creates a suspenseful timeline — and you’ll be tempted (like me) to read “Along Came a Spider” if you never did so (warning: female characters wear leg warmers). 4.5 stars!
Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Soneji used green colored contacts as a disguise.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO Although kudzu is used as a green drapery to hide the suspect.
Thank you to Little, Brown, and Company and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!
An old journal is found in a secret room and we then get a backstory on Cross’s first deadly enemy, Gary Soneji, as well as the early tale of the Cross/Sampson partnership, when they were investigating multiple earlier murders by serial killer Soneji without knowing it. In the early Cross books, Alex’s wife Maria was always an off-screen memory, having already been killed in a drive-by shooting, but she’s a full fledged character here, pregnant with their daughter while Damon is a toddler. I did open up the original “Along Came a Spider” to try to reconcile the timeline, and I was mostly reminded why I loved the Alex Cross stories so long ago.
The flashback story gets a bit bogged down as Cross and Sampson juggle multiple other murders unrelated to the Spider, but it does show their development as young detectives, using their own dedication skills prior to the advent of DNA evidence and ubiquitous camera surveillance. Bringing back Cross’ greatest nemesis creates a suspenseful timeline — and you’ll be tempted (like me) to read “Along Came a Spider” if you never did so (warning: female characters wear leg warmers). 4.5 stars!
Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Soneji used green colored contacts as a disguise.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO Although kudzu is used as a green drapery to hide the suspect.
Thank you to Little, Brown, and Company and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!
November 4, 2025
This was my first James Patterson book, I didn't find this thriller.. Particularly thrilling but it was still a good read. I'd give it 3.5 stars. I just personally like more twists and turns and a touch of mystery.
November 24, 2025
Not my favorite. Why dredge up the past, even with a prequel premise, when we’ve been through this already. Was really looking forward to this, but was let down big time. 3stars.
September 28, 2025
Gary is a ghost that won’t go away and we love it! He’s formidable villain for a tenacious and perspective hero like Alex Cross.
This rewind in time is great for avid Cross fans looking for a peak behind the invincible man. We wince at every loss and cheer at every win because we just love Alex and that’s exciting. Fingers crossed we get to see some of this moments in the TV series!
Favorite chapter
Chapter 26 is so cute with lots of family vibes and it really humanizes this superhero of a character. I love how his family is always down to encourage him. It makes us feel like we are around the table too.
Favorite quote: "Use your imagination, but make sure it's imagination rooted in experience and reality. My mother taught me that was what being creative was — learning a skill well enough that you can use your imagination to improve it."
Thank you @Little, Brown and Co and @James Patterson for the advance reader copy.
This rewind in time is great for avid Cross fans looking for a peak behind the invincible man. We wince at every loss and cheer at every win because we just love Alex and that’s exciting. Fingers crossed we get to see some of this moments in the TV series!
Favorite chapter
Chapter 26 is so cute with lots of family vibes and it really humanizes this superhero of a character. I love how his family is always down to encourage him. It makes us feel like we are around the table too.
Favorite quote: "Use your imagination, but make sure it's imagination rooted in experience and reality. My mother taught me that was what being creative was — learning a skill well enough that you can use your imagination to improve it."
Thank you @Little, Brown and Co and @James Patterson for the advance reader copy.
November 17, 2025
There’s a certain sense of nostalgia I get every time I pick up a new Alex Cross book. I was first introduced to James Patterson’s bestselling series back in 2005 when my mom handed me a paperback copy of Mary, Mary. I devoured it in a single weekend and immediately began working my way backward, starting with the first book, Along Came a Spider. I’ve been a fan ever since. I’ve read all thirty-three novels, watched the various attempts at film adaptations, and recently enjoyed the latest effort to bring Patterson’s hero to life in the Amazon Prime TV series. Every time I return to the series, I’m greeted by the familiar blend of heart, suspense, and Patterson’s signature breakneck pace. The newest novel, Return of the Spider, feels especially nostalgic as it resurrects Gary Soneji—the villain who started it all in those early Cross stories. But would this long-awaited return mark a fresh new chapter for Alex Cross, or simply revisit old ground?
The novel is unique in that it serves as a kind of prequel to the series opener. In the present day, Alex Cross and his longtime partner John Sampson are called to a remote cabin in the woods, where the human remains buried around the property aren’t the most disturbing thing discovered on the scene. That honor belongs to a hidden journal titled Profiles in Human Genius. Strange enough on its own, but it’s the contents of the journal that truly bring Cross to his knees. Inside are detailed accounts of murders committed by none other than Gary Soneji.
The name catapults Alex back decades, to the days when Soneji terrorized the city with a string of abductions and murders. But as Alex reads, he comes to a chilling realization: his connection to Soneji began much earlier than he ever imagined. Back when he was a young detective with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove, the seeds of this nightmare were already being sown. As he reads on, Alex becomes ensnared in a web of evil Soneji seems to have spun just for him. Plunging into the past, he must retrace the steps of an old investigation and face the truth about the monster who’s been haunting him from the very start.
With Return of the Spider, James Patterson proves he’s far from done finding new ways to thrill readers with his Alex Cross series. The last book, The House of Cross, brought a long-running thread to its climax, leaving me wondering where Patterson could possibly take the story next. It turns out, he’s taken it all the way back to the beginning. Gary Soneji was one of the most terrifying and relentless foes Alex ever faced, so it was thrilling to see his origins finally revealed.
By taking the series back in time, Patterson adds new depth to both his hero and his villain, breathing fresh life into the world of Alex Cross while still honoring the familiar beats longtime readers have come to love. The ending jumps back to the present day, forcing Alex to face a moral reckoning—about his past, the truths he’s built his life upon, and what the future might hold. I, for one, can’t wait to see where Patterson takes him next. It proves that even after three decades, James Patterson still knows how to keep us turning the pages.
The novel is unique in that it serves as a kind of prequel to the series opener. In the present day, Alex Cross and his longtime partner John Sampson are called to a remote cabin in the woods, where the human remains buried around the property aren’t the most disturbing thing discovered on the scene. That honor belongs to a hidden journal titled Profiles in Human Genius. Strange enough on its own, but it’s the contents of the journal that truly bring Cross to his knees. Inside are detailed accounts of murders committed by none other than Gary Soneji.
The name catapults Alex back decades, to the days when Soneji terrorized the city with a string of abductions and murders. But as Alex reads, he comes to a chilling realization: his connection to Soneji began much earlier than he ever imagined. Back when he was a young detective with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove, the seeds of this nightmare were already being sown. As he reads on, Alex becomes ensnared in a web of evil Soneji seems to have spun just for him. Plunging into the past, he must retrace the steps of an old investigation and face the truth about the monster who’s been haunting him from the very start.
With Return of the Spider, James Patterson proves he’s far from done finding new ways to thrill readers with his Alex Cross series. The last book, The House of Cross, brought a long-running thread to its climax, leaving me wondering where Patterson could possibly take the story next. It turns out, he’s taken it all the way back to the beginning. Gary Soneji was one of the most terrifying and relentless foes Alex ever faced, so it was thrilling to see his origins finally revealed.
By taking the series back in time, Patterson adds new depth to both his hero and his villain, breathing fresh life into the world of Alex Cross while still honoring the familiar beats longtime readers have come to love. The ending jumps back to the present day, forcing Alex to face a moral reckoning—about his past, the truths he’s built his life upon, and what the future might hold. I, for one, can’t wait to see where Patterson takes him next. It proves that even after three decades, James Patterson still knows how to keep us turning the pages.
November 30, 2025
Along Came a Spider is classic Alex Cross…fast, tense, and creepy in all the best ways. Return of the Spider brings back Gary Soneji, one of the series’ most unsettling villains, and adds a great twist: a “murder book” where Soneji recorded his rise from harmless substitute teacher to full-blown serial killer. Even worse, it hints that Alex may have overlooked something major back when he was a rookie.
Now Cross has to dig into his own past and revisit an investigation he thought was closed for good. The story mixes mystery with psychological tension, and it keeps you hooked as Alex pieces together what really happened. If you enjoy thrillers with sharp detectives and villains who seriously get under your skin, this is a fun, fast read.
Now Cross has to dig into his own past and revisit an investigation he thought was closed for good. The story mixes mystery with psychological tension, and it keeps you hooked as Alex pieces together what really happened. If you enjoy thrillers with sharp detectives and villains who seriously get under your skin, this is a fun, fast read.
November 17, 2025
The backstory of Gary Soneji is revealed in this book that I would almost classify as a prequel to the other “spider” books featuring Alex Cross. In this novel, Gary is younger and hungrier to kill and make a name for himself as an accomplished serial killer. Revealing details about some of his first victims and how Gary metamorphosed from a copycat killer to a unique serial killer makes this book fascinating as well as horrifying at times. The book also gives the backstory about Alex and Maria and their early married years as well as their established relationship with Nana Mama. I especially liked how the story unraveled the clues methodically, with a few red herrings along the way as well as plenty of suspense and drama. The characters who were on the trail of the killer, including Alex and John Sampson, were realistically portrayed and relatable as they dove into their work and tackled it with an intensity that showed their dedication to the job. Having read all of the previous Alex Cross books, this one was like frosting on a well-made cake. It answered some questions and created a few more, but it also made my desire to read more about Alex and his career since this book gave him a definitive human and flawed side that I had not seen before. With the author’s signature short chapters and propensity to build the suspense so well that I was immersed in the story, this book is one of the best and a not-to-be-missed addition to the Alex Cross collection.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.
November 25, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“You can always make some good out of the worst situations.”
This is book 34 in the Alex Cross series and it proves that Patterson still has it and Cross is one of the greatest characters.
I loved the story going back in time to give Cross fans insight to how one of the evilest monsters in this series got his start. This novel gave us even more character development to Cross and Sampson and gave us a look at life when Maria was still alive.
It was very nostalgic with many new twists and turns. It would be fitting to have this book be the end of this series, but I do hope for more.
“You can always make some good out of the worst situations.”
This is book 34 in the Alex Cross series and it proves that Patterson still has it and Cross is one of the greatest characters.
I loved the story going back in time to give Cross fans insight to how one of the evilest monsters in this series got his start. This novel gave us even more character development to Cross and Sampson and gave us a look at life when Maria was still alive.
It was very nostalgic with many new twists and turns. It would be fitting to have this book be the end of this series, but I do hope for more.
November 24, 2025
To start with, I absolutely love the Alex Cross series by Patterson even though I’ve fallen behind by several. I read this one because it was a prequel to the first Cross book, Along Came A Spider. I preordered Return of the Spider and just could not wait for it to get here. Gary Soneji is probably my favorite villain in the series. This book took me on a roller coaster ride from start to finish. Just not the kind of ride I was expecting. For the first 300 pages I felt like I stood in line and got on the coaster and after it took off I realized I boarded a kiddie coaster by mistake. Then as the coaster was pulling into the station it jumped tracks for the final 100 pages and that’s where the twists and turns came. I must admit this wasn’t exactly as I hoped it would be but was still a good story. Fans of Alex Cross should still enjoy this read.
November 29, 2025
This is the prequel to Alex Cross books. Alex and Sampson are fledging detectives trying to solve some very complicated murders. One of the perpetrators just happens to be Gary Soneji, a prolific serial killer that they deal with later on in their careers.
In addition, there is a gang war. It is okay, although I was not that interested. And of course, there is the drama of starting a new career and contending with building trust with fellow detectives.
Nice tie in to the other 33 Alex Cross books. However, the epilogue seems a bit rushed.
In addition, there is a gang war. It is okay, although I was not that interested. And of course, there is the drama of starting a new career and contending with building trust with fellow detectives.
Nice tie in to the other 33 Alex Cross books. However, the epilogue seems a bit rushed.
November 22, 2025
While it was sweet to get to experience Alex's life with Maria this felt like a reach. As if maybe Patterson has run out of ideas for Cross. It just felt like a waste, a filler.
November 27, 2025
A cat and mouse thriller…We find out more background about Alex Cross and his patter, John Sampson in this “throw back” about a serial killer who has plagued these two Detectives. An excellent page turner, was the right man convicted ?, with some gruesome premeditated murders. Enjoy
December 1, 2025
Always look forward to Alex Cross books and this one is as great as all the rest!
December 1, 2025
Really good crime drama! James Patterson is always a reliable author for me, and this book revisits one of the first crimes that Alex Cross investigated. Very nostalgic for fans of this author
October 31, 2025
Return of the Spider is a beautiful read. Thriller is truly an awesome genre.
September 17, 2025
#Binge Reviewing my previous Reads #Alex Cross
Apologia Pro Scripta Sua: My first brush with Alex Cross wasn’t through the printed page at all, but on the silver screen — Morgan Freeman’s gravitas in Along Came a Spider and Kiss the Girls drew me in. Years rolled by, and only in 2024 did I find myself pulled back into his world, this time through Cross, the American television series created by Ben Watkins. Streaming on Amazon Prime Video since November 14, 2024, it stars Aldis Hodge, Isaiah Mustafa, and Juanita Jennings, and reimagines James Patterson’s novels for a new generation. Here, Alex Cross stands not just as a forensic psychologist but also a D.C. Metro homicide detective, partnered with the stalwart John Sampson, hunting some of the nation’s most dangerous killers. Inevitably, I circled back to the source, plunging headlong into the books themselves—bingeing all the way to Return of the Spider.
From the moment I got wind of Return of the Spider, what stood out was how it positions itself not just as “another Cross novel” but as a reckoning with a returning old nemesis—and with Alex Cross’s own past choices. Patterson is revisiting one of the defining villains of the series, Gary Soneji (a.k.a. “the Spider”), and this time he’s digging into the gaps in Alex’s early detective work. Readers who’ve followed Cross’s arc for years will recognise a tone of reflection and, yes, unfinished business. It’s not just about catching a killer again; it’s about confronting whether justice was ever fully served in the first case, and whether Alex Cross might have made missteps that let something dangerous fester.
What makes Return of the Spider intriguing is its dual timeline and the way it seems to move between Cross as a seasoned detective and Cross as a younger man. There are echoes of Along Came a Spider (since Soneji was first introduced there), but this time Patterson appears to be asking, 'What might Alex have missed when he was young?' What were the consequences of those misses? The discovery of a hidden cabin full of trophies and diaries, a journal titled Profiles in Homicidal Genius, suggests that Soneji—or those who’ve taken up his legacy—left breadcrumbs that Alex didn’t follow. That setup promises both old-school thriller tension and the emotional complexity that comes with regret and unfinished business.
Comparing this to other recent entries like Alex Cross Must Die or The House of Cross, Return of the Spider seems to lean more on nostalgia and legacy while still trying to push the series forward. Murderous threats and moral compromise remain Patterson’s bread and butter, but here there’s more of a prequel vibe—flashbacks, revelations about Cross’s rookie years, seeing him as a young father and husband with Maria. We’re reminded that Cross has always carried responsibility and grief, but here we get a chance to see how those burdens started shaping him. The series has had arcs where Cross is tested by tech threats, political conspiracies, and family vulnerabilities; this one seems narrower in scope, more psychological, and more about origins and legacy than broad conspiracies (though “Spider’s evil influence spreading wider than he thought” indicates the danger is still large).
From what I've gathered, the tone may be darker in certain ways—not necessarily more gothic in action, but heavier in emotional weight. For long-time readers, the mere idea that Alex may have imprisoned the wrong man or overlooked something that let Soneji or his influence survive is effective because it shakes the foundation of what we assume about Cross’s infallibility. Earlier books showcased Cross’s intellect, empathy, and endurance; Return of the Spider promises a Cross who has to look back—at what he did right and what he may have done wrong—and find a way to correct or atone without losing confidence in his path forward.
One of the narrative pleasures here (from previews and reviews) is that Patterson uses short chapters and quick shifts, yes, but also gives space for Cross’s earlier self to exist. These aren’t just flashbacks for thrills; they are emotional anchor points. We see Cross as newer at the job, still balancing family (Maria is alive in these sections, Cross as husband and father with new children), still learning, still vulnerable in ways the later Cross has not been.
That contrast—between younger Cross’s zeal, mistakes, pride, and uncertainty and older Cross’s confidence, scars, and regret—seems central. It feels reminiscent of entries like Criss Cross, which played with memory and legacy, but here the stakes are more directly tied to a villain who has haunted the beginning of the series.
There are risks with this kind of story. When an author revisits the first books or first villains, the weight of reader expectation is heavy. Some may feel Patterson is retreading old ground—after all, Soneji has been vanquished before.
The question is whether the new revelations feel fresh (they seem designed to) rather than just fanservice. Another risk is coherence: managing two timelines, balancing younger Cross’s missteps with current Cross’s detective work, revealing enough without spoiling too much. If Patterson pulls this off, the payoff will be strong: clarity, insight, emotional catharsis. If not, it might feel like unnecessary stretching of an old story.
In terms of how it fits in the arc of Cross books, Return of the Spider seems like it could serve as a pivot: reinforcing how Cross’s past shapes his present in more concrete ways. Many recent novels (like Must Die and House of Cross) have pushed Cross into external threats—political institutions, tech abuse, kidnapping, and conspiracies.
But this one pulls the lens back inward: the external threat (Spider’s influence) is still there, but the internal threat—of Cross doubting whether his early convictions, investigative choices, or judgements were perfect—takes more centre stage. That makes it feel like Patterson is asking both: what binds Alex Cross to his past, and what can he do now to correct what was wrong?
As for pacing and suspense, the indications are high. The hidden cabin, the old diaries, the clues of trophies, the possibility an innocent man was imprisoned—all of that gives strong hooks. Patterson knows how to deploy short cliffhanger chapters. The structure of rediscovering old files and retracing investigations lends itself to tension. It’s likely that the novel will alternate between “what young Alex saw” and “what older Alex missed”, which, when done well, gives a lot of suspense because you anticipate the moments of revelation and also dread the possible consequences of wrong moves.
Emotionally, this novel has the potential to be one of the more affecting recent Cross entries. For fans, there’s the chance to see Cross’s mistakes, regrets, maybe even shame. For new readers, there’s enough plot to grip you—revenge, mystery, wrong convictions, maybe betrayal—but also enough human stakes (family, conscience, legacy) to leave an aftertaste. I suspect the moments of Cross’s reflection—his guilt, his attempt to do right by victims and by the past—will carry more weight than in many of the more action-heavy Cross novels.
If I were to guess how it will compare with other recent titles: Return of the Spider is likely to outdo Deadly Cross and House of Cross in emotional resonance, because its central conflict isn’t just stopping a threat but reconciling with a past that Cross believed was resolved. It may not have quite the political scale of Target: Alex Cross or the technological menace of Must Die, but the nostalgia and the moral uncertainty may make it feel more grounded, more personal. It will appeal especially to those who’ve been following the series from early on and who care about continuity and Cross’s development.
Where it might lag is in novelty: if the revelations are predictable, or if the two timelines feel too disjointed, or if young Alex is portrayed with too much polish, then the narrative risk may undercut the emotional punch. But from the pre-release descriptions, Patterson is deliberately setting up missteps, regrets, forgotten clues and hidden consequences. That suggests he wants to push beyond nostalgia into something more introspective.
What stays with you in this kind of story is not just the solved puzzle but the weight of history—not just the villain’s, but the detective’s. Crosswalking those past paths, seeing what he missed, perhaps seeing what he shouldn't have taken for granted.
For long-time readers, that is satisfying because it completes arcs; for new readers, it adds depth (though some references will land better if you know the old books).
On balance, Return of the Spider seems like it could be one of the more memorable entries in the later half of the Alex Cross series—not because of bigger explosions necessarily, but because of its confrontation with origin and error. It promises to reaffirm why Cross has been compelling: not just the chase, but the moral cost of being the one who chases. Patterson seems to be saying: you can build a legacy, but you must also build it honestly, acknowledging what was overlooked and what was lost.'
From what I know, after finishing it, one might feel: haunted, satisfied, maybe unsettled—because some questions may be answered but others raised anew. And in Alex Cross’s case, sometimes that ongoing uncertainty is what gives his story its life.
Return of the Spider is shaping up as more than a thrill ride; it's a story about what it means to face your own past, when the past thought resolved comes crawling back. And in the Alex Cross saga—that mixture of fear, justice, regret, and empathy—that might be exactly what fans want next.
Apologia Pro Scripta Sua: My first brush with Alex Cross wasn’t through the printed page at all, but on the silver screen — Morgan Freeman’s gravitas in Along Came a Spider and Kiss the Girls drew me in. Years rolled by, and only in 2024 did I find myself pulled back into his world, this time through Cross, the American television series created by Ben Watkins. Streaming on Amazon Prime Video since November 14, 2024, it stars Aldis Hodge, Isaiah Mustafa, and Juanita Jennings, and reimagines James Patterson’s novels for a new generation. Here, Alex Cross stands not just as a forensic psychologist but also a D.C. Metro homicide detective, partnered with the stalwart John Sampson, hunting some of the nation’s most dangerous killers. Inevitably, I circled back to the source, plunging headlong into the books themselves—bingeing all the way to Return of the Spider.
From the moment I got wind of Return of the Spider, what stood out was how it positions itself not just as “another Cross novel” but as a reckoning with a returning old nemesis—and with Alex Cross’s own past choices. Patterson is revisiting one of the defining villains of the series, Gary Soneji (a.k.a. “the Spider”), and this time he’s digging into the gaps in Alex’s early detective work. Readers who’ve followed Cross’s arc for years will recognise a tone of reflection and, yes, unfinished business. It’s not just about catching a killer again; it’s about confronting whether justice was ever fully served in the first case, and whether Alex Cross might have made missteps that let something dangerous fester.
What makes Return of the Spider intriguing is its dual timeline and the way it seems to move between Cross as a seasoned detective and Cross as a younger man. There are echoes of Along Came a Spider (since Soneji was first introduced there), but this time Patterson appears to be asking, 'What might Alex have missed when he was young?' What were the consequences of those misses? The discovery of a hidden cabin full of trophies and diaries, a journal titled Profiles in Homicidal Genius, suggests that Soneji—or those who’ve taken up his legacy—left breadcrumbs that Alex didn’t follow. That setup promises both old-school thriller tension and the emotional complexity that comes with regret and unfinished business.
Comparing this to other recent entries like Alex Cross Must Die or The House of Cross, Return of the Spider seems to lean more on nostalgia and legacy while still trying to push the series forward. Murderous threats and moral compromise remain Patterson’s bread and butter, but here there’s more of a prequel vibe—flashbacks, revelations about Cross’s rookie years, seeing him as a young father and husband with Maria. We’re reminded that Cross has always carried responsibility and grief, but here we get a chance to see how those burdens started shaping him. The series has had arcs where Cross is tested by tech threats, political conspiracies, and family vulnerabilities; this one seems narrower in scope, more psychological, and more about origins and legacy than broad conspiracies (though “Spider’s evil influence spreading wider than he thought” indicates the danger is still large).
From what I've gathered, the tone may be darker in certain ways—not necessarily more gothic in action, but heavier in emotional weight. For long-time readers, the mere idea that Alex may have imprisoned the wrong man or overlooked something that let Soneji or his influence survive is effective because it shakes the foundation of what we assume about Cross’s infallibility. Earlier books showcased Cross’s intellect, empathy, and endurance; Return of the Spider promises a Cross who has to look back—at what he did right and what he may have done wrong—and find a way to correct or atone without losing confidence in his path forward.
One of the narrative pleasures here (from previews and reviews) is that Patterson uses short chapters and quick shifts, yes, but also gives space for Cross’s earlier self to exist. These aren’t just flashbacks for thrills; they are emotional anchor points. We see Cross as newer at the job, still balancing family (Maria is alive in these sections, Cross as husband and father with new children), still learning, still vulnerable in ways the later Cross has not been.
That contrast—between younger Cross’s zeal, mistakes, pride, and uncertainty and older Cross’s confidence, scars, and regret—seems central. It feels reminiscent of entries like Criss Cross, which played with memory and legacy, but here the stakes are more directly tied to a villain who has haunted the beginning of the series.
There are risks with this kind of story. When an author revisits the first books or first villains, the weight of reader expectation is heavy. Some may feel Patterson is retreading old ground—after all, Soneji has been vanquished before.
The question is whether the new revelations feel fresh (they seem designed to) rather than just fanservice. Another risk is coherence: managing two timelines, balancing younger Cross’s missteps with current Cross’s detective work, revealing enough without spoiling too much. If Patterson pulls this off, the payoff will be strong: clarity, insight, emotional catharsis. If not, it might feel like unnecessary stretching of an old story.
In terms of how it fits in the arc of Cross books, Return of the Spider seems like it could serve as a pivot: reinforcing how Cross’s past shapes his present in more concrete ways. Many recent novels (like Must Die and House of Cross) have pushed Cross into external threats—political institutions, tech abuse, kidnapping, and conspiracies.
But this one pulls the lens back inward: the external threat (Spider’s influence) is still there, but the internal threat—of Cross doubting whether his early convictions, investigative choices, or judgements were perfect—takes more centre stage. That makes it feel like Patterson is asking both: what binds Alex Cross to his past, and what can he do now to correct what was wrong?
As for pacing and suspense, the indications are high. The hidden cabin, the old diaries, the clues of trophies, the possibility an innocent man was imprisoned—all of that gives strong hooks. Patterson knows how to deploy short cliffhanger chapters. The structure of rediscovering old files and retracing investigations lends itself to tension. It’s likely that the novel will alternate between “what young Alex saw” and “what older Alex missed”, which, when done well, gives a lot of suspense because you anticipate the moments of revelation and also dread the possible consequences of wrong moves.
Emotionally, this novel has the potential to be one of the more affecting recent Cross entries. For fans, there’s the chance to see Cross’s mistakes, regrets, maybe even shame. For new readers, there’s enough plot to grip you—revenge, mystery, wrong convictions, maybe betrayal—but also enough human stakes (family, conscience, legacy) to leave an aftertaste. I suspect the moments of Cross’s reflection—his guilt, his attempt to do right by victims and by the past—will carry more weight than in many of the more action-heavy Cross novels.
If I were to guess how it will compare with other recent titles: Return of the Spider is likely to outdo Deadly Cross and House of Cross in emotional resonance, because its central conflict isn’t just stopping a threat but reconciling with a past that Cross believed was resolved. It may not have quite the political scale of Target: Alex Cross or the technological menace of Must Die, but the nostalgia and the moral uncertainty may make it feel more grounded, more personal. It will appeal especially to those who’ve been following the series from early on and who care about continuity and Cross’s development.
Where it might lag is in novelty: if the revelations are predictable, or if the two timelines feel too disjointed, or if young Alex is portrayed with too much polish, then the narrative risk may undercut the emotional punch. But from the pre-release descriptions, Patterson is deliberately setting up missteps, regrets, forgotten clues and hidden consequences. That suggests he wants to push beyond nostalgia into something more introspective.
What stays with you in this kind of story is not just the solved puzzle but the weight of history—not just the villain’s, but the detective’s. Crosswalking those past paths, seeing what he missed, perhaps seeing what he shouldn't have taken for granted.
For long-time readers, that is satisfying because it completes arcs; for new readers, it adds depth (though some references will land better if you know the old books).
On balance, Return of the Spider seems like it could be one of the more memorable entries in the later half of the Alex Cross series—not because of bigger explosions necessarily, but because of its confrontation with origin and error. It promises to reaffirm why Cross has been compelling: not just the chase, but the moral cost of being the one who chases. Patterson seems to be saying: you can build a legacy, but you must also build it honestly, acknowledging what was overlooked and what was lost.'
From what I know, after finishing it, one might feel: haunted, satisfied, maybe unsettled—because some questions may be answered but others raised anew. And in Alex Cross’s case, sometimes that ongoing uncertainty is what gives his story its life.
Return of the Spider is shaping up as more than a thrill ride; it's a story about what it means to face your own past, when the past thought resolved comes crawling back. And in the Alex Cross saga—that mixture of fear, justice, regret, and empathy—that might be exactly what fans want next.
November 7, 2025
Any loyal reader of James Patterson has read one or more books with Alex Cross and John Sampson as the main characters. And has probably admired their tenacity and insight in the criminal mind. These friends have caught many a criminal in the past and solved seemingly unsolvable mysteries.
In Return of the Spider, however, they are forced (after years of success stories) to eat humble pie when they are called out to investigate a hidden cabin in the woods. Here, they finally and irrevocably uncover the darkest secrets of their nemesis, Gary Soneji. To me, this book pulled together many loose ends from previous ones, but it also felt like a summary at times. So, as a Patterson fan, I enjoyed the book, but I wasn't wowed by it as much.
In Return of the Spider, however, they are forced (after years of success stories) to eat humble pie when they are called out to investigate a hidden cabin in the woods. Here, they finally and irrevocably uncover the darkest secrets of their nemesis, Gary Soneji. To me, this book pulled together many loose ends from previous ones, but it also felt like a summary at times. So, as a Patterson fan, I enjoyed the book, but I wasn't wowed by it as much.
November 3, 2025
As a huge Alex Cross fan (like first thrillers I loved, kind of fan) this was so weak. Clearly I’m the minority but this fell so flat and took me an age to read!
October 14, 2025
As an avid Alec Cross fan I was a little disappointed in this book. It felt rather like a filler, as though perhaps there is nowhere left for Cross to go. That being said I liked learning about the history of the Spider. Overall a 3* l did enjoy the book but I would have liked to have seen Cross at his best
November 18, 2025
Return of the Spider is the 34th book in the Alex Cross series by James Patterson.
What a treat to take Alex Cross back to the original days of him catching a spider. In this 34th installment of the Detective Alex Cross series, we are taken back in time. Cross was a rookie. Sampson was learning the job. And the infamous Gary Soneji entered the scene. Return of the Spider is the companion to Along Came the Spider, the debut novel that introduced our beloved Detective Cross.
Eighteen years later, police discover that Gary Soneji kept a murder book, detailing his evil transformation from substitute teacher to serial killer. Included are clues that imply missteps Cross may have taken in his earlier rookie days of a homicide detective. The story moves to eighteen years ago, with Soneji live and in the flesh committing murders while Sampson and Cross are trying to solve the murders as they hurriedly come in.
The real treat are the alternating chapters featuring Alex's first wife, Maria, and their early home life. Reading about her secret spaghetti sauce, her pregnant with an active baby sure to be an athlete and their young love. I always wanted to read more about Maria and Patterson delivers it here! What a great addition to the series filled with suspense, mystery, action and heartfelt scenes. And the ending is like the series has just begun...
Happy Early Pub Day, James Patterson! Return of the Spider will be available tomorrow, November 17.
Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie
What a treat to take Alex Cross back to the original days of him catching a spider. In this 34th installment of the Detective Alex Cross series, we are taken back in time. Cross was a rookie. Sampson was learning the job. And the infamous Gary Soneji entered the scene. Return of the Spider is the companion to Along Came the Spider, the debut novel that introduced our beloved Detective Cross.
Eighteen years later, police discover that Gary Soneji kept a murder book, detailing his evil transformation from substitute teacher to serial killer. Included are clues that imply missteps Cross may have taken in his earlier rookie days of a homicide detective. The story moves to eighteen years ago, with Soneji live and in the flesh committing murders while Sampson and Cross are trying to solve the murders as they hurriedly come in.
The real treat are the alternating chapters featuring Alex's first wife, Maria, and their early home life. Reading about her secret spaghetti sauce, her pregnant with an active baby sure to be an athlete and their young love. I always wanted to read more about Maria and Patterson delivers it here! What a great addition to the series filled with suspense, mystery, action and heartfelt scenes. And the ending is like the series has just begun...
Happy Early Pub Day, James Patterson! Return of the Spider will be available tomorrow, November 17.
Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie
December 2, 2025
⭐ My Review of Return of the Spider — James Patterson
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
Return of the Spider is not just a new installment in the Alex Cross series—it’s a return to the original wound, the early mistake, and the confrontation that should have happened long ago.
James Patterson proves once again that he understands suspense better than anyone: sharp pacing, tight plotting, and characters who feel larger than life.
Gary Soneji’s re-emergence isn’t simply the comeback of a terrifying villain—it’s a psychological battle between past and present, memory and regret, justice and human error.
Ehaab Elzerbawy
What I loved most is how Patterson reopens an old case with new depth, as if reminding readers that:
> “Even the greatest detectives carry the weight of the moments they couldn’t control.”
Alex Cross here is at his most compelling: mature, steady, yet internally torn in ways that add remarkable tension to every step he takes.
Soneji, on the other hand, is more chilling than ever—not just because of what he does, but because of how he thinks.
The narration is smooth, the rhythm relentless, and the dialogue sharp enough to keep the pages flying.
The ending is powerful, unexpected, and reframes the Cross–Soneji dynamic in a way I didn’t see coming.
In short:
A gripping, dark, psychologically charged thriller that absolutely earns its place in the legendary Alex Cross franchise.
Highly recommended for readers who enjoy:
✔ Psychological thrillers
✔ Smart cat-and-mouse investigations
✔ Serial-killer profiling
✔ Stories that reopen old scars in haunting ways
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
Return of the Spider is not just a new installment in the Alex Cross series—it’s a return to the original wound, the early mistake, and the confrontation that should have happened long ago.
James Patterson proves once again that he understands suspense better than anyone: sharp pacing, tight plotting, and characters who feel larger than life.
Gary Soneji’s re-emergence isn’t simply the comeback of a terrifying villain—it’s a psychological battle between past and present, memory and regret, justice and human error.
Ehaab Elzerbawy
What I loved most is how Patterson reopens an old case with new depth, as if reminding readers that:
> “Even the greatest detectives carry the weight of the moments they couldn’t control.”
Alex Cross here is at his most compelling: mature, steady, yet internally torn in ways that add remarkable tension to every step he takes.
Soneji, on the other hand, is more chilling than ever—not just because of what he does, but because of how he thinks.
The narration is smooth, the rhythm relentless, and the dialogue sharp enough to keep the pages flying.
The ending is powerful, unexpected, and reframes the Cross–Soneji dynamic in a way I didn’t see coming.
In short:
A gripping, dark, psychologically charged thriller that absolutely earns its place in the legendary Alex Cross franchise.
Highly recommended for readers who enjoy:
✔ Psychological thrillers
✔ Smart cat-and-mouse investigations
✔ Serial-killer profiling
✔ Stories that reopen old scars in haunting ways
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