A Book A Week

As we enter 2025, with a promising lineup of exciting new book releases on the horizon, I’m kicking off my reading year with a title from last year. Since high school, my mom has gifted me the latest installment in James Patterson's Alex Cross series each Christmas. It’s a beloved holiday tradition that I look forward to every year. Even though Patterson’s publisher generously provides me with an early ebook copy for review, I always wait until Christmas morning to unwrap the hardcover—it’s become part of the magic. This year was no different. As the decorations came down and the holiday haze faded, I started the new year with a familiar friend, diving into another thrilling adventure with The House of Cross.

The FBI is on edge as some of the nation’s most prominent legal minds are being systematically assassinated. Each murder takes place in a public setting, with the female assassin showing no hesitation in being caught on camera. Criminal psychologist Alex Cross, who has been consulting with the FBI for years, is called in to investigate. Partnering with his longtime friend Ned Mahoney, Alex begins piecing together the clues, but progress is slow. With the inauguration of a new president just weeks away and the interim FBI director desperate to secure her role permanently, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

While Alex focuses on unraveling this deadly conspiracy, his wife, Bree Stone, and best friend, John Sampson, are deep in an equally perilous investigation. The CEO of tech giant Paladin has reportedly died in a mysterious car crash in a remote location. But Bree and Sampson suspect the supposedly deceased CEO is none other than “M,” the elusive mastermind behind Maestro—a shadowy vigilante organization that has haunted the series’ recent installments.

Determined to uncover the truth, Bree and Sampson venture into treacherous terrain to investigate. If their suspicions are correct, Maestro's reign of terror may not be over, and they may be facing the deadliest threat yet. With two high-stakes cases unfolding simultaneously, Alex Cross and his team are about to be tested like never before.

There’s a certain comfort in diving into the next installment of a long-running series, and The House of Cross delivers everything I’ve come to expect from James Patterson. The plot is as gripping as ever, with relentless pacing that keeps you hooked from start to finish. But what really makes these books stand out is the chance to revisit characters I’ve grown to care about over the years.

Patterson has always had a knack for balancing edge-of-your-seat thrills with meaningful character development. This dual focus deepens our connection to the characters and raises the stakes of the dangers they face. The enigmatic “M” has been a shadowy presence in the Alex Cross series since 2019’s Criss Cross, so seeing this storyline finally reach its climax was satisfying.

Admittedly, the narrative leans into the over-the-top territory reminiscent of a James Bond adventure, but that’s part of the charm. I didn’t pick up this book for gritty realism—I wanted a pulse-pounding thrill ride, and Patterson delivered. The House of Cross was the perfect way to kick off a new year of reading.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2025, 1)