There is no need to sing the praises of James Patterson. If you are not aware of him or his reputation in the literary world, then you have been living under a rock for the past few decades. Patterson really came to fame with his Alex Cross series that began with clever nursery rhyme titles. Now, with the release of CROSS DOWN, it has evolved into something much more diverse and important.

Patterson and cowriter Brendan DuBois have penned a novel that is truly global in scope. Not only does it take the action far outside of Alex Cross’ D.C. territory, it gives primary narrative voice to Detective John Sampson, his loyal partner for many years. I love Cross, but it’s so interesting and refreshing to see through the eyes of Sampson and know exactly what he’s thinking.

"John Sampson is a standout character, and his taking the lead here is a thing of beauty. CROSS DOWN is non-stop action as only Patterson and DuBois can conceive, and it never fails to disappoint."

As the book opens, President Lucas Kent is meeting with General Wayne Grissom, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at the White House. What they discuss will have a direct impact on the safety of the country and may have far-reaching effects across the globe.

Violent attacks have been peppering the nation, and Kent and Grissom don’t know if foreign or domestic terrorists are to blame --- or a combination of both. Their fear is that there will be bigger and deadlier ones, culminating in an unprecedented attack on the nation’s capital. The President decides to assemble a top-secret task force committee, headed by Grissom. They are called to meet at a protected and private location, which includes the presence of local law enforcement courtesy of Cross and Sampson.

Unfortunately, there is no way to ensure that someone on the inside is not involved, so each committee member is in danger. Hence the novel’s title, which refers to an incident whereby a team of well-armed domestic terrorists attempt to take out Sampson as he meets with Cross in front of the police station. They fight back and take down some of the assailants, but Cross is hit in the shootout and rushed to the hospital in serious condition.

While Cross begins the ultimate fight of his life, surrounded by armed guards and family, Sampson vows to get vengeance for his fallen brother and colleague. With the assistance of an old friend, Mel, he is able to zero in on a mission he was on while fighting in the armed forces in Afghanistan. To get more clarity on the situation and learn if this in any way is connected to the terrorist attacks rocking his nation, he returns to Afghanistan with his old commander.

Sampson goes on a clandestine mission in which no cavalry will be called upon to bail him out should it all go sideways. These scenes, which are quite intense, are unlike anything I have seen in an Alex Cross novel before. Mind you, I loved the early Cross books that had him hunting various diabolical serial killers. But as a writer, Patterson is seasoned enough to know that his protagonist and the storylines need to grow with the length of the series. That is exactly what he has pulled off here, and the stakes could not be higher.

John Sampson is a standout character, and his taking the lead here is a thing of beauty. CROSS DOWN is non-stop action as only Patterson and DuBois can conceive, and it never fails to disappoint.