For several years, James Patterson has sent a seasonal greeting to readers in the form of a new Alex Cross thriller. CRISS CROSS is 2019’s installment and is special for a number of reasons. It’s the 25th book in the series, which is an impressive accomplishment for any author, and its publication date is shared with the debut of a new middle-grade series featuring Ali Cross, Alex’s precocious son with an off-the-charts IQ. Most notably, though, Patterson --- who never lets his considerable fan base down --- features what is possibly the most intricate plot of any of his novels thus far, with a stratospheric level of suspense from practically its first page to its last.

CRISS CROSS hardly begins sedately, its playful title notwithstanding. Cross and Washington, D.C. homicide detective John Sampson are in Virginia attending the execution of Michael “Mikey” Edgerton, a killer whose conviction Cross and Sampson were instrumental in obtaining. Edgerton goes to his reward insisting upon his innocence. His words echo in Cross’ ears when, within hours of the execution, he and Sampson are called to the scene of a copycat murder. A note is found, purportedly signed by “M,” who has been a nemesis of Cross for years. The message is “You messed up big time, Dr. Cross.” Cross is extremely perplexed, and it makes him wonder if there just might have been something to Edgerton’s protests that he was innocent.

"Readers will enjoy guessing M’s true identity, though I can safely predict that they almost certainly will be wrong. With Cross, they will be in excellent company."

M is just getting warmed up. He begins a series of murders across the country that bear resemblances to decades-old cases with connections to Cross and even to members of his family. He isn’t trying to hide his involvement in the new murders or anything other than his own identity. Cross, Sampson and Bree Stone --- the latter of whom is the Washington, D.C. Chief of the Metro Police and Cross’ wife --- are at loose ends, following twists and turns that have Cross pursuing leads that are by turns true and false and almost impossible to sort out.

Meanwhile, Cross’ daughter, Jannie, is on the cusp of making a life-determining decision that would be difficult even for an adult, while Ali is, unbeknownst to his family, on the brink of terrible danger as he becomes involved in a new interest. Cross is about to lose everything that is important to him, even as his spirit seems to deteriorate at the worst possible moment. He will have to come back a long way if he is to solve his most challenging case yet.

Patterson always gives his fans more than their money’s worth, and that is especially true of CRISS CROSS, which dips deeply into the Alex Cross case files --- literally --- as our fearless protagonist looks for clues and answers that he can apply to his deadly and dangerous present-day dilemma. Readers will enjoy guessing M’s true identity, though I can safely predict that they almost certainly will be wrong. With Cross, they will be in excellent company.