The juggernaut that is James Patterson has penned the 30th book in his blockbuster Alex Cross series. It seems like it was just yesterday that I was reading --- and loving --- the first installment, ALONG CAME A SPIDER. In this latest effort, Detective Alex Cross is involved in one of the most confounding cases of his career, and Patterson continues to show why he is nowhere near losing steam with this legendary character.

"Throughout TRIPLE CROSS, I longed for more insight into the mind of the Family Man only to realize that Patterson avoids this to keep the subterfuge going. The result is a baffling case with double and triple crosses thrown in for good measure."

In TRIPLE CROSS, we see through the eyes of one of the most diabolical and evil killers Patterson has ever envisioned. The Family Man takes home invasions to a disturbing new level by murdering every member of the family with a point-blank gunshot to the forehead. He confesses early on that children are the hardest, yet that does not prevent him from following through with his brutal massacres. This is especially frightening considering that there does not seem to be any pattern or way to predict where he will strike next. Cross and his old buddy, John Sampson, are investigating.

We also are presented with a subplot involving a battle between publishing houses for the next bestseller from arrogant author Thomas Tull. When his current publisher loses out on the bidding war, his former editor and lover, Suzanne Liu, is promptly fired by her boss. Tull has made a career of working with and bedding investigators involved in high-profile cases and then turning them into bestselling books. Now, while working with fellow author Lisa Moore, Tull is trailing Cross on the Family Man case and is quick to point out Cross’ mistakes and shortcomings.

Suzanne then contacts Cross and Sampson, informing them of her theory that Tull is the killer. They listen to her and, upon meeting with Tull, tend to agree with her suspicions. However, proving this will be another task altogether and not an easy one. Tull is amazingly intelligent, in addition to being self-absorbed, which makes him a slippery adversary.

In the midst of all this action, the attention shifts to Cross’ wife, Bree, a top investigator on a special assignment in New York City involving the fashion industry. Initially I found this storyline to be a distraction from the terrifying Family Man case. But Patterson, with his infinite gifts of superior plotting, finds a way to tie everything together in a crafty, clever manner.

Throughout TRIPLE CROSS, I longed for more insight into the mind of the Family Man only to realize that Patterson avoids this to keep the subterfuge going. The result is a baffling case with double and triple crosses thrown in for good measure. It will keep loyal readers happy and entertain newcomers to the point where hopefully they will seek out the previous 29 novels in what remains one of the best thriller series ever created.