Fiction

Vinca

(54,149 posts) Mon Apr 20, 2026, 03:49 PM 8 hrs ago

Has anyone read the Alex Cross series by James Patterson?

I tried to read one other James Patterson book - forget which one - and gave up after a couple of chapters because I thought it was boring. That was quite a while ago. Today I finished reading "Eruption" which was Michael Crichton's last book which was completed by James Patterson. It was pure Crichton and a real page turner, so I'm wonder if I should give James Patterson another chance.

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Has anyone read the Alex Cross series by James Patterson? (Original Post) Vinca 8 hrs ago OP

I enjoyed snowybirdie 8 hrs ago #1

One or two BlueWaveNeverEnd 8 hrs ago #2

Not my favorite author. I prefer Michael Connolly or Tony Hillerman. Ritabert 8 hrs ago #3

Michael Connolly is in my top 5. I haven't read Hillerman, maybe I should check him out. Vinca 7 hrs ago #6

Hillerman wrote about police work on the Navajo nation Ritabert 5 hrs ago #9

I read them. Great stories. OLDMDDEM 7 hrs ago #4

I've read a lot of James Patterson books over the decades CozyMystery 7 hrs ago #5

When I stumble upon a series, I like to read them in order, so I was thinking I'd find a copy of the first book Vinca 7 hrs ago #7

I was really into James Patterson several years doc03 6 hrs ago #8

His daughter Anne Hillerman has taken on the mantle and she's good. Ritabert 5 hrs ago #10

snowybirdie

(6,721 posts)

1. I enjoyed

Reply to Vinca (Original post)

Mon Apr 20, 2026, 03:58 PM

8 hrs ago

The series about women detectives. Starting with a number. Nice quick read 📚

BlueWaveNeverEnd

(14,536 posts)

2. One or two

Reply to Vinca (Original post)

Mon Apr 20, 2026, 04:09 PM

8 hrs ago

Ritabert

(2,504 posts)

3. Not my favorite author. I prefer Michael Connolly or Tony Hillerman.

Reply to Vinca (Original post)

Mon Apr 20, 2026, 04:32 PM

8 hrs ago

Vinca

(54,149 posts)

6. Michael Connolly is in my top 5. I haven't read Hillerman, maybe I should check him out.

Reply to Ritabert (Reply #3)

Mon Apr 20, 2026, 05:11 PM

7 hrs ago

Ritabert

(2,504 posts)

9. Hillerman wrote about police work on the Navajo nation

Reply to Vinca (Reply #6)

Mon Apr 20, 2026, 07:29 PM

5 hrs ago

Stories based in NM, AZ, UT. The cable series "Dark Winds" is based on his tales of Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee of the Navajo police force. I haven't watched them yet but Joe Leaphorn is played by Zahn McClarnon of "Longmire".

OLDMDDEM

(3,220 posts)

4. I read them. Great stories.

Reply to Vinca (Original post)

Mon Apr 20, 2026, 04:48 PM

7 hrs ago

CozyMystery

(739 posts)

5. I've read a lot of James Patterson books over the decades

Reply to Vinca (Original post)

Mon Apr 20, 2026, 05:02 PM

7 hrs ago

Series I like are:

Alex Cross
Women's Murder Club
Michael Bennett
NYPD Red
Harriet Blue
Bill Harney
2 Sisters Detective Agency
Doc Savage

I've read all the books that have been published in the above series. So far, so good. The last 4 on my list are actually my favorites. None of them have many books in the series, which I think is a shame. His oldest series have been going on too long to suit me. That doesn't stop me from reading them, though.

If you get his books from a library, give him another chance. Not all series appeal to everyone. I don't like the ones I don't read. One or two I'll give another chance when I'm in the mood.

Eruption is a book I haven't read. Now that you've recommended it, I will. Thanks.

Vinca

(54,149 posts)

7. When I stumble upon a series, I like to read them in order, so I was thinking I'd find a copy of the first book

Reply to CozyMystery (Reply #5)

Mon Apr 20, 2026, 05:13 PM

7 hrs ago

in the Alex Cross series and see how it goes. Believe it or not, I stumbled upon the "Eruption" book in a discount bin in a grocery store! I always loved Michael Crichton, so figured it was worth the small outlay of cash.

doc03

(39,117 posts)

8. I was really into James Patterson several years

Reply to Vinca (Original post)

Mon Apr 20, 2026, 05:58 PM

6 hrs ago

ago but anymore he always has co-writers. I just can't get into JP anymore. I read several Tony Hillerman's books but he passed in 2008.

Ritabert

(2,504 posts)

10. His daughter Anne Hillerman has taken on the mantle and she's good.

Reply to doc03 (Reply #8)

Mon Apr 20, 2026, 07:32 PM

5 hrs ago

Start with "Spiderwoman's Daughter" and then "Rock with Wings" set in the Monument Valley UT. Very good.

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