Alex Cross is a detective with a doctorate and a soft side, a man with incredible physical ability that’s able to solve complex mysteries that baffle others.
Dealing with dark themes and intense subjects, the Alex Cross series features crime novels that won’t appeal to the fainthearted.
With that said, they are immensely popular. There are more than 30 books in the series, written over more than 30 years.
Some of the Alex Cross novels have also been adapted for the screen, including Along Came a Spider and Kiss the Girls.
The films haven’t performed as well as the books, but the fast pace of an Alex Cross plot means there are sure to be more on the way.
When a crime happens in Washington D.C., Alex Cross is the man you want on the trail of the perpetrator.
Incredibly smart and naturally gifted, Cross has a skill at untangling even the most difficult of mysteries, even if they happen on a global scale.
The Alex Cross books follow Cross as he finds himself caught up in numerous crimes. The books track both his work capturing criminals and his life with his family. The plots move fast and rarely carry on to the next book.
However, it’s worth reading the Alex Cross series in publishing order, to see the growth of Cross throughout (and to fall in love with our hero).
Alex Cross is also a black detective in an overwhelmingly white force.
Many of the books explore how he navigates an often hostile space, and how being African American affects his relationships with suspects, criminals, victims, and colleagues.
A word of warning for anyone about to start the Alex Cross novels: these are strictly for adults. The crimes are typically gruesome, and Patterson doesn’t shy away from describing them in immense detail.
There are numerous intimate scenes in many of the books, as well as some strong language.
Alex Cross Books In Order
The Alex Cross series follows the detective as he grows and ages. Although it isn’t necessary to read them in order, it helps you learn about the character.
The first in the series, Along Came a Spider launched Alex Cross into the public eye.
A homicide detective with a Ph.D., a penchant for classical music, and two children who are the apple of his eye, Cross was quickly established as a detective like no other.
In Along Came a Spider, Cross is called to investigate a series of kidnappings while struggling with his own messy love life.
Pros
An exciting first introduction to Alex Cross.
The case is complex and intriguing.
Cons
As the first book in the series, the characters need time to grow.
Alex Cross is needed to investigate the disappearance of Naomi, a beautiful medical student who happens to be his niece. And she’s just the latest in a line of related disappearances.
On the other side of the country, a similar string of disappearances is baffling the police. Could the crimes be connected? And how can Cross prevent more women from losing their lives to this deadly collaboration?
Pros
Constant twists and turns keep you guessing.
The short chapters are engaging.
Cons
The plot is smart but requires some leaps in logic.
In this line of work, it’s not unusual to make enemies. But Cross finds himself pursued by a particularly dangerous one when murderer Gary Soneji escapes prison with nothing left to live for.
But Cross is about to find out he isn’t the only brilliant detective being pursued by a killer. In Europe, Thomas Augustine Pierce is also a detective in the crosshairs.
A series of twisted murders lead Alex Cross to suspect British diplomat Geoffrey Shafer is a deadly opponent. But getting Shafer convicted is proving to be difficult.
Playing games within games both in and out of the court, can Shafer keep himself free? Or will Cross be able to prove his dangerous foe is a murderer?
Pros
The courtroom aspects add a new layer to the story.
Cross tackles some intriguing moral quandaries.
Cons
The ending is a little abrupt, teasing later books.
Alex Cross has seen a lot of bad things in his work as a homicide detective, but the two bodies in Golden Gate Park are the most horrifying yet.
They’re just the start of the deadly trail left by the Mastermind, a taunting threat who seems to delight in danger. Can Cross finally outsmart the Mastermind?
Working for the FBI offers Alex Cross access to the best resources, but it does come with its downsides.
When a dangerous organized crime boss, known only as the Wolf, is linked to a string of disappearances, Cross is frustrated by the slow response. Can one lone wolf catch another?
The death of his wife haunted Alex Cross for years but finding revenge had to be put on hold while he took care of his family.
And with the FBI behind him and a new practice as a psychologist moving Cross away from crime, it might be time to let go of the past. Until a series of crimes bring it all back to the surface…
Washington D.C. is in the grip of a string of gruesome murders. But this isn’t a villain that likes to lurk in the shadows, hoping to pass by unnoticed.
Instead, he’s determined to catch the attention of every cop on the East Coast. And that includes Alex Cross.
When Alex Cross’s niece is murdered, the investigation leads him into the underbelly of Washington D.C. Here, anything goes — providing you have the money and reputation.
Secrets are buried deep beneath Washington, and some people will do anything to keep them there.
Pros
Cross’s pain feels real because we know the character so well.
When corrupt politicians are picked off by a mysterious gunman, the case captures public interest.
Is this a crazed killer? Or a vigilante hero? But for Alex Cross, the murders are more than just an intriguing mystery — something about it feels personal. Can he find the killer before his family is put in danger?
Pros
The return of a much-missed character.
A simmering tension throughout.
Cons
You need to read the other Cross books to appreciate the story.
When the President’s children are abducted, it seems natural for Alex Cross, a renowned detective, to lead the investigation.
So why is someone trying to keep him away from the case? But when half the population of Washington D.C. comes under threat, there’s nothing that can stop Alex Cross from figuring it out.
Christmas should be a time for peace and goodwill, but for Alex Cross, the holiday season looks set to come with danger and disaster.
A Christmas Eve hostage situation is quickly growing out of control, and Cross has been called to help sort things out. Torn away from his own family, can he save another?
Pros
The Christmas scenes contrast with the crime nicely.
First, former nemesis Elijah Creem is released from jail. Second, a woman is found hanging from a window with her baby missing. Third, two more bodies turn up in quick succession.
With multiple cases and numerous deadends, can Cross stop the killings? Or has he overlooked some important details?
With his family missing and in danger, Alex Cross finds himself on the edge. To rescue his family, will he have to appeal to a madman? And if he does, what will that mean sacrificing?
When a family member is accused of murder, Alex Cross finds himself returning to his hometown in North Carolina.
But this is a place full of secrets, where everyone appears to be on the take, and ghosts aren’t quite as dead as they seem. Will Cross learn more than he bargained for?
Pros
Another intriguing piece to the Alex Cross puzzle.
Alex Cross has many different skills. It’s what has made him so good as a detective.
But when a former patient with a wealth of enemies is shot dead under mysterious circumstances, he’ll find every one of his talents stretched to their limits.
For years Alex Cross and his family have been stalked and threatened. No more.
When a vacation to the Montana wilderness ends with Cross and Sampson being hunted down like prey, it’s time for Cross to take a final stand against his long-time assailant.
Pros
A much-anticipated villain.
Lacking the police aspect, this is a different type of thrill.
Gary Soneji was killed years ago, and Alex Cross watched him die. But either Cross can’t believe his own eyes, or Soneji has managed to rise from the grave. It’s the only way Cross could have seen Soneji gun down his partner.
A mysterious caller is claiming that there are bombs set to explode throughout Washington D.C. The city panics, but is the threat credible? And what will Alex Cross have to risk to find out?
Pros
Surprisingly fun in places.
Keeps you guessing throughout.
Cons
Over too quickly.
Ali Cross Novellas In Order
Written for younger readers, the Ali Cross series is a fun but inessential addition to the Alex Cross novels.
Ali Cross has some pretty big shoes to fill if he wants to be like his dad. His father is Alex Cross, a doctor/detective/genius with a habit of solving complex crimes.
So, when Ali’s friend Gabe goes missing, Ali will do anything to save the day.
Ali Cross has always dreamed of being like his father, but he never fully grasped what it meant to be a detective. Until now, that is. Does he still want to solve crimes? Or is another path waiting for Ali?
Pros
Mixes light problems with serious issues.
Thought-provoking.
Cons
Lacks the crime-solving aspect you might expect.
Final Thoughts
The Alex Cross novels started as a series about a detective/doctor solving crimes committed by criminals with twisted motives and a penchant for the overblown. This is still at the heart of the novels.
It wouldn’t be an Alex Cross book if there wasn’t an unusual crime being committed somewhere!
But over the years, the Alex Cross novels have grown to be as much about family and relationships as they are about solving crimes.
Cross himself has gone through ups and downs in his relationships, losing partners and meeting new ones. His children have gone from emotional foils to important parts of the plot.
Past crimes continue to play on his mind, and previous victims influence his approach to detective work.
Because the growth of Alex Cross and his family are so heavily incorporated into the books, it helps to read the series in order.
If you want to start reading Alex Cross, brace yourself for a difficult and exciting read. Start with Along Came a Spider, and follow the book series to the end!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do You Need To Read The Alex Cross Books In Order?
You don’t need to read the Alex Cross books in order, but it helps to build a clear picture of the character.
Many of the books work as standalone plots, but some inform later additions to the series.
What Is The Best Alex Cross Book?
If you want to enter the world of Alex Cross, start with Along Came a Spider and Kiss the Girls. The first two books in the series, they’re strongly plotted with intriguing villains.
Hi, my name is Anna Davis and I have been working with books for five years now. I got a job at my local library, so I could be closer to all of the books! I created this website in the hopes of inspiring others to start reading again. Who knows, maybe you’ll find your new favorite book from my site!
