A Book A Week

It can be fun to look back on your past and see what things about you have changed. Beyond the obvious things (age, weight, career come to mind) I find it really fascinating to see how my taste in books has evolved. By reviewing and posting a review of every book I've read for the past eight years, I've got a pretty thorough record of how my reading habits have transformed. There are some trends that have remained strong. I can't help but get hooked into a solid mystery/thriller novel, for example. New trends, such as a newfound appreciation for a well-written memoir, have also emerged.

On the other hand, a change in taste has seen me turn away from the kinds of things I used to love to read. One noticeable casualty of this shift in preference has been the novels by James Patterson. In the past, I would treat each new Patterson novel as a "must-read" event.  His books have always been some of the most readable in terms of pacing, so I could turn to him as a reliable escape from my daily life. Whether it was the dwindling quality in Patterson's massive output, or simply an evolution of my personal taste in reading material, I now only routinely read his Alex Cross series. For years now, my mother has gifted me a copy of the latest Cross novel. In keeping with tradition, I've finally gotten around to reading Target: Alex Cross.

This one starts out with a plot that seemed like something more at home in a Vince Flynn novel than a Patterson one. A sniper has shot down a prominent U.S. Senator in the heart of D.C. Alex Cross is quickly thrust into the scene, and the evidence is alarming. It seems like the perpetrator is plotting to enact more violence against elected officials. A coup of sorts has begun and constitutional crisis is imminent. This goes far beyond the usual murder cases, the entire fate of the country is resting in Alex Cross solving this case. He must work quickly before he becomes the next target!

Here's the thing. The plot to Target: Alex Cross, like many James Patterson novels, is a bit ridiculous. That being said, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't completely glued to the pages of the book from start to finish. When Patterson novels work, they really work, and this one does just that. Looking back on my reviews for previous novels in the series (this is number 26), I usually comment on how the key piece to making the Cross story work is the investment we have to Alex and his surrounding family. Patterson strikes the perfect balance here between plot-driving action and developing the Cross family. Even if the story gets a little too unbelievable for my ever-evolving taste, I still had a good time with Target: Alex Cross. Bring on book 27, Mr. Patterson!

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads.
(2019, 32)