CRISS CROSS

4 stars out of 5

It's been a long time since I read an entire book in a single day, but as I think about it, I'm pretty sure the last time it happened it was a book in this long-running series featuring Washington, D.C., Metro Police detective and FBI behavioral specialist Dr. Alex Cross (this is the 27th). It is also my favorite series from the prolific James Patterson, and this one was a bit more special because some of the action takes place in northeastern Ohio not far from my home.

I've enjoyed reading about Alex, his elderly grandmother, Nana Mama, and his police partner, John Sampson, right from the start; admittedly, it took me a little longer to warm up to his second wife, Police Commissioner Bree, and even Alex's kids. But by now, they're like old friends. And happily, they all get plenty of face time in this book, although much of what happens is pretty scary  - one reason I didn't want to put it down (the other is that Patterson's usual short, bullet-like chapters make it extremely easy to keep going). The story begins as Alex and John are in Virginia to witness the execution of a murderer the two brought to justice. They're not too happy about the prospect, and the situation is made worse by accusations by the soon-to-die prisoner's mother (why she'd want to watch her son die in the electric chair is beyond me, but it gets across a point that will be important later in the story).

Worse, there's no rest for the wicked; the minute they get home, Bree calls them to a murder scene at which a note, ostensibly from the killer, tells Alex that the guy who's execution he just witnessed was wrongly convicted. The only clue? The simple signature of "M" - a moniker known to Alex for at least 12 years. Shortly thereafter, a former cop now in jail who's been telling Alex he was framed claims to have been visited by an old nemesis of Alex - a man whose death Alex witnessed four years earlier. Whoa - could it be that the man isn't really dead? Not possible, both Alex and John insist, trying to put that possibility out of their heads.

Other nasty acts happen and characters appear that may be tied to the mysterious "M," but all avenues of investigative exploration lead to dead ends (so to speak). Throughout, chunks of the book are devoted to Alex's recollections of situations from years past that involve current developments. And along the way, two of Alex's children - Jannie and Ali - find new interests that could lead to very successful futures. That is, until "M" turns his (or her) attention to Alex's family and turns their happy home world upside down. 

The ending doesn't resolve everything, alas, but it does provide fodder for upcoming books. And as usual, I'll be in line when the next one comes off the presses. Good job!

Criss Cross by James Patterson (Little, Brown and Co., November 2019); 401 pp.