Characters like Nanna Momma continue to inject much needed humour into the story, though there are times that I cannot help but dislike all the precocious and ‘gifted’ genes that Cross has somehow been able to find in his offspring. When writing alone, Patterson can concoct some great characters, which he has done here, though Alex Cross may be looking to hang up those cuffs and turn to something more psychiatric or counselling-based to appease those of us who know he cannot be a spring chicken. Timing is everything with this series, as the number of novels continues to climb, but it is only the patient and dedicated series fan who will not have tossed in the towel or f-bombed dear JP by now. I ranted previously about the muck that became the Alex Cross series with the novels and BookShots intermingling and keeping series fans leaping back and forth, worried that they had missed something. I have said it once and I will say it again, James Patterson can write well when it suits him, but he seems to use his name to sell books and not think of the readers who adore his series. A decent addition to the Alex Cross series, allowing fans to get some answers after a mess of poorly timed releases in Patterson’s attempt to pad his gold-lined pockets.

Meanwhile, a teenage girl hangs on by a thread, uncertain what awaits her and a killer with a strong dislike of certain hair colours continues a rampage that could dispel the myth that blondes have it better. However, there are those within the Cross clan that will stop at nothing to prove Alex innocent and there has to be something within the footage and the forensic evidence to shed light on this travesty of justice. With the trial set to open, Cross is confident that he will be able to tell the truth and go free, but previously uncovered videos of the event prove highly damning, to the point that Cross begins to doubt himself. Working under the radar, Cross learns more about the case and begins following up leads, much to the chagrin of his wife and Chief of Ds, Bree Stone. Cross becomes personally involved when a patient comes to him, seeking help to locate his daughter, whom he feels may still be alive. News hits the DC Police that blondes are being kidnapped, their photos eventually posted on the dark web, sometimes in apparent snuff films.

However, he has been able to stay out of jail for the time being and is serving a suspension, allowing Cross to open a temporary private counselling practice. Alex Cross is on trial for two counts of first degree murder, stemming from an apparent unjustified shooting of a number of Gary Soneji lookalikes (see BookShot ‘Cross Kill’, eventually labelled properly as Alex Cross 24.4).

After an apparent snafu with all the Alex Cross and BookShot releases to confuse many fans of the series, Patterson attempts to set things back on track with this much-anticipated novel.

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