Book Review Older-37th

Review—Mary, Mary

Mary, Mary written by James Patterson in November 2005. The book was published Little, Brown & Company.

Alex Cross is an FBI agent who is taking a break; he is on vacation with his family in Disney Land. Unbeknownst to him, there is a killer on a rampage and he is very close. While he is visiting California with his mother and children, the powers-that-be convince him that he needs to help solve the murders of some of Hollywood’s elite. In addition, the custody of his youngest child is in jeopardy; this only adds to the stress that Alex endures.

The killer is calling herself Mary. She is writing to a local journalist, documenting the feelings and actions of a deranged and violent killer. There have been very few identified female serial killers, but all evidence is pointing to this being the case in these deaths. Hollywood is scared and those on the A-list are the ones targeted. They want answers and the LAPD seems more than willing to believe this is the work of a woman. Alex is not so sure and as he steps into the case, he faces the evolution and acceleration of a killer that only improves with each murder. After joining the investigation and seeing his family home, he deals with the mother of his youngest child suing him for sole custody. In addition, he deals with the chance that he may see this child less and less and he is the heart of their family. Mary continues dealing death to the acting communities’ powerful players and Alex has to strive to focus regardless of family stressors.

This is only one of many novels by James Patterson and his Alex Cross series. Several of these books are popular movies and this one reads as if it could be next in line. In each book, the depth of Alex’s devotion to his family is detailed but in the current one, it reaches new levels. The possibility of loosing his child borders on crippling his ability to devote his attention to this case and shows added dimensions to this consummate detective. Action is plentiful and the drama points to many possible suspects. Enjoy.