The Alex Cross series, penned by the prolific author James Patterson, has captivated readers for decades with its thrilling blend of mystery, suspense, and compelling characters. Following the life and cases of Detective Alex Cross, these books have become a staple for fans of crime fiction. If you’re looking to dive into this gripping series or ensure you haven’t missed a single installment, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the Alex Cross books in order of publication.
Alex Cross Books in Publication Order
| Book Title | Year Published | Quick Summary | Amazon Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| Along Came a Spider | 1993 | Introducing Detective Alex Cross as he investigates the kidnapping of a congressman’s daughter, uncovering a web of deceit and a terrifyingly intelligent criminal. | Amazon.de | Amazon.com |
| Kiss the Girls | 1995 | Cross finds himself entangled in two horrifying cases: the abduction of women in North Carolina and a series of murders in Los Angeles, potentially linked by a pair of cunning killers. | Amazon.de | Amazon.com |
| Jack & Jill | 1996 | Washington D.C. is terrorized by a duo known as Jack and Jill, committing high-profile murders. Cross must unravel their motives and stop their deadly game before they strike again. | Amazon.de | Amazon.com |
| Cat & Mouse | 1997 | Two brilliant criminals, Gary Soneji and a new adversary, challenge Alex Cross in a deadly game of cat and mouse, pushing him to his limits both professionally and personally. | Amazon.de | Amazon.com |
| Pop Goes the Weasel | 1999 | A series of shocking murders in Georgetown, Washington D.C., lead Cross to a charismatic British diplomat with a dark secret and a taste for dangerous games. | Amazon.de | Amazon.com |
| Roses Are Red | 2000 | A criminal mastermind known only as “The Mastermind” orchestrates a series of bank robberies and taunts Cross, forcing him to confront his deepest fears and vulnerabilities. | Amazon.de | Amazon.com |
| Violets Are Blue | 2001 | Cross investigates a string of bizarre murders linked to vampires in San Francisco, while also dealing with personal turmoil and a dangerous attraction. | Amazon.de | Amazon.com |
| Four Blind Mice | 2002 | When his former partner is accused of murder, Cross delves into a military conspiracy involving a shadowy group known as “Four Blind Mice,” uncovering secrets that reach the highest levels of power. | Amazon.de | Amazon.com |
| The Big Bad Wolf | 2003 | Cross is drawn into an international case involving a ruthless Serbian gangster known as “The Wolf,” leading him on a dangerous chase across continents. | Amazon.de | Amazon.com |
| London Bridges | 2004 | Terrorists attack Washington D.C., destroying landmarks and threatening national security. Cross must race against time to stop them and uncover their devastating plan. | Amazon.de | Amazon.com |
| Mary, Mary | 2005 | A Hollywood actress is murdered, and the prime suspect is her obsessed fan. Cross navigates the world of celebrity and dark secrets to find the truth behind the crime. | Amazon.de | Amazon.com |
| Cross / Alex Cross | 2006 | Cross faces a personal vendetta as a criminal from his past seeks revenge, threatening his family and everything he holds dear. | Amazon.de | Amazon.com |
| Double Cross | 2007 | A series of murders targets Washington D.C.’s elite, and Cross must stop a killer who is meticulously planning each crime, leaving no room for error. | Amazon.de | Amazon.com |
| Cross Country | 2008 | Cross pursues a dangerous case involving a drug lord and a series of violent crimes that stretch from Washington D.C. to California, testing his limits and resolve. | Amazon.de | Amazon.com |
| I, Alex Cross | 2009 | When Cross is framed for a crime he didn’t commit, he must go on the run to clear his name and expose the powerful forces working against him. | Amazon.de | Amazon.com |
| Cross Fire | 2010 | Cross faces a cunning adversary who is targeting his loved ones, forcing him to make impossible choices and confront his deepest fears to protect his family. | Amazon.de | Amazon.com |
| Kill Alex Cross | 2011 | A dangerous assassin known as “The Butcher” is hired to eliminate Alex Cross, turning him into the hunted and forcing him to fight for his survival. | Amazon.de | Amazon.com |
| Cross My Heart | 2013 | Cross reflects on his past cases and relationships while facing a new, perplexing investigation that challenges his skills and intuition. | Amazon.de | Amazon.com |
| Alex Cross, Run | 2013 | Cross is on the hunt for a serial killer targeting families in Washington D.C., while also dealing with personal challenges and changes in his life. | Amazon.de | Amazon.com |
| Hope to Die | 2014 | Cross and his family are targeted by a dangerous criminal seeking revenge, forcing them into hiding and a desperate fight for survival. | Amazon.de | Amazon.com |
| Cross Justice | 2015 | Cross investigates a series of crimes that expose corruption and injustice within the legal system, leading him to question who he can trust. | Amazon.de | Amazon.com |
| Cross the Line | 2016 | When a family is brutally murdered, Cross uncovers a conspiracy involving dirty cops and dangerous criminals, blurring the lines between law and corruption. | Amazon.de | Amazon.com |
| The People vs. Alex Cross | 2017 | Cross finds himself on trial for murder, facing a determined prosecutor and a mountain of evidence against him. He must fight to prove his innocence and expose the real killer. | Amazon.de | Amazon.com |
| Target: Alex Cross | 2018 | A series of assassinations target prominent figures, and Cross must stop a highly skilled killer before they can strike again, uncovering a conspiracy with far-reaching implications. | Amazon.de | Amazon.com |
| Criss Cross | 2019 | Cross investigates two seemingly unrelated cases – a series of murders in D.C. and a kidnapping in his hometown – which soon intertwine in a dangerous and unexpected way. | Amazon.de | Amazon.com |
| Deadly Cross | 2020 | Cross is caught in a deadly game when a criminal mastermind orchestrates a series of elaborate crimes, pushing him to his limits and forcing him to confront his own mortality. | Amazon.de | Amazon.com |
| Fear No Evil | 2021 | A global conspiracy emerges, threatening millions, and Cross must team up with international agencies to stop a devastating attack and expose the forces behind it. | Amazon.de | Amazon.com |
| Triple Cross | 2022 | Three chilling cases converge, demanding Cross’s attention as he investigates a series of murders, a missing child, and a dangerous hostage situation, all connected in unexpected ways. | Amazon.de | Amazon.com |
| Cross Down | 2023 | Cross is targeted by a powerful and elusive enemy who is determined to destroy him, leading to a high-stakes confrontation where everything he holds dear is at risk. | Amazon.de | Amazon.com |
| Alex Cross Must Die / Cross Out | 2023 | In a shocking twist, Alex Cross is framed for murder and must go on the run to clear his name while evading capture and uncovering a sinister plot against him. | Amazon.de | Amazon.com |
| The House of Cross | 2024 | Cross confronts a dangerous adversary who is targeting his family, leading him back to his childhood home and forcing him to confront his past to protect his future. | Amazon.de | Amazon.com |
Bookshots: Alex Cross Books
These shorter, fast-paced stories offer quick thrills within the Alex Cross universe.
| Book Title | Year Published | Author | Amazon Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cross Justice | 2014 | James Patterson, Brent Gargan | Amazon.de | Amazon.com |
| Cross Kill | 2016 | James Patterson | Amazon.de | Amazon.com |
| Detective Cross | 2017 | James Patterson | Amazon.de | Amazon.com |
Alex Cross Miscellaneous Books
These books offer unique stories that are part of the Alex Cross world but may not strictly follow the main series narrative.
| Book Title | Year Published | Amazon Links |
|---|---|---|
| Alex Cross’s Trial | 2009 | Amazon.de | Amazon.com |
| Merry Christmas, Alex Cross | 2011 | Amazon.de | Amazon.com |
About James Patterson
James Patterson, born on March 22, 1947, is a highly acclaimed American author and producer recognized globally for his captivating fiction across various age groups. Raised in Newburgh, New York, Patterson’s journey into writing began at the age of 19. He holds a degree from Manhattan College and briefly pursued a graduate program at Vanderbilt University.
His career path led him to the advertising world in New York, where he eventually rose to become CEO of a North American advertising agency. However, his passion for writing persisted, culminating in his debut novel, The Thomas Berryman Number, in 1976, which despite initial rejections, earned critical acclaim and an Edgar Award.
Patterson’s literary success is staggering, with nearly 400 million copies of his books sold worldwide. He holds the Guinness World Record for the most number-one bestsellers on The New York Times list, a testament to his widespread appeal and consistent output.
Beyond his writing, Patterson is committed to promoting literacy and giving back. He has donated millions of books to students and contributed significantly to schools, libraries, and independent bookstores. His philanthropic efforts extend to higher education, with substantial donations and scholarships established at various universities. He also founded ReadKiddoRead.com, a website dedicated to fostering a love of reading in children.
While best known for his suspense and thriller novels, including the Alex Cross series, Patterson also writes for younger audiences, exemplified by series like Max Einstein. He is the first author to have simultaneously topped The New York Times bestseller lists for both adult and children’s books, showcasing his versatility and enduring popularity.
The Alex Cross series remains one of his most beloved creations, starting with Along Came a Spider in 1993. The character’s compelling cases and Patterson’s signature fast-paced storytelling have made this series a must-read for thriller enthusiasts. Several Alex Cross books have been adapted into films, further cementing the series’ place in popular culture.
If you’re ready to experience the thrilling world of Alex Cross, start with Along Came a Spider and follow the series in order to witness the evolution of this iconic character and his gripping investigations.
