James Patterson is a prolific author who has written several popular book series, with our favorite being the Alex Cross series. The Alex Cross series is a long-running and thrilling set of crime novels that follows the adventures of the titular detective Alex Cross as he solves complex cases and brings criminals to justice. The series is known for its fast-paced action, thrilling plots, and well-written characters, making it a favorite among the crime fiction community.
The Alex Cross Series
James Patterson’s Alex Cross Series is a collection of 31 books, featuring the character of Alex Cross, a detective and forensic psychologist. The series has been published since 1992 and has become one of the most popular and successful book series in the world. The series has sold over 100 million copies worldwide and has been translated into over 40 languages.
The series follows the life and career of Alex Cross, a detective with the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C. Cross is known for his intelligence, deductive skills, and psychological insight. He often finds himself in dangerous situations as he tries to solve complex cases and bring criminals to justice.
James Patterson Alex Cross Series In Order: A Complete Guide
If you’re looking for James Patterson books in order, specifically the Alex Cross series, you’ve come to the right place. With such a long-running series, it’s important to know the order in which the books were published. While each book can be read as a standalone novel, reading them in order allows readers to follow the development of the characters and the overarching storylines that run throughout the series. With over 30 books (and counting!) in the Alex Cross series, it can be difficult to know where to start.
To solve that problem, we’ve compiled this comprehensive guide to James Patterson’s Alex Cross books in order of publication, which in this case should also be the reading order for this series. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the series or a newcomer looking to dive into the world of Alex Cross, this guide will help you navigate the series and get the most out of your reading experience.
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James Patterson Alex Cross Books In Order Of Publication
Along Came a Spider (Alex Cross #1)1992
Kiss the Girls (Alex Cross #2)1995
Jack & Jill (Alex Cross #3) 1996
Cat and Mouse (Alex Cross #4) 1997
Pop Goes the Weasel (Alex Cross #5) 1999
Roses Are Red (Alex Cross #6) 2000
Violets Are Blue (Alex Cross #7) 2001
Four Blind Mice (Alex Cross #8) 2002
The Big Bad Wolf (Alex Cross #9) 2003
London Bridges (Alex Cross #10) 2004
Mary, Mary (Alex Cross #11) 2005
Cross (Alex Cross #12) 2006
Double Cross (Alex Cross #13) 2007
Cross Country (Alex Cross #14) 2008
Alex Cross’s Trial (Alex Cross #15) 2009
I, Alex Cross (Alex Cross #16) 2009
Cross Fire (Alex Cross #17) 2010
Kill Alex Cross (Alex Cross #18) 2011
Merry Christmas, Alex Cross (Alex Cross #19) 2012
Alex Cross, Run (Alex Cross #20) 2013
Cross My Heart (Alex Cross #21) 2013
Hope to Die (Alex Cross #22) 2014
Cross Justice (Alex Cross #23) 2015
Cross The Line (Alex Cross #24) 2016
The People vs. Alex Cross (Alex Cross #25) 2017
Target: Alex Cross (Alex Cross #26) 2018
Criss Cross (Alex Cross #27) 2019
Deadly Cross (Alex Cross #28) 2020
Fear No Evil (Alex Cross #29) 2021
Triple Cross (Alex Cross #30) 2022
Cross Down (Alex Cross #31) 2023
Reading Order of Alex Cross Books
We recommend reading James Patterson‘s Alex Cross series in order of publication. While almost every Alex Cross book begins with a separate story from the other books, we advise that you to read the series in publication order to fully appreciate the character development and overarching storylines.
Publication Order of Alex Cross Bookshots
A reading format developed by Patterson himself, “Bookshots” are short, fast-paced novels that are designed to be read in one sitting, typically around 150 pages or less and cost less than $5.
Here’s the order of Alex Cross Bookshots:
Cross Kill (2016)
Detective Cross (2017)
Other Books by James Patterson
While the Alex Cross series is one of his most popular, Patterson has written many other books that are worth exploring. Here are his other notable series:
- Women’s Murder Club series: This long-running series follows a group of women in San Francisco who solve crimes together. The first book in the series is 1st to Die. The latest is 23rd Midnight, which was released in 2023.
- Michael Bennett series: This series, which has its 15th installment coming out in summer 2023, follows a detective in New York City who is also a single father. The first book in the series is Step on a Crack.
- NYPD Red series: This series follows two detectives in the NYPD who handle high-profile cases involving the rich and famous. The first book in the series is NYPD Red.
- Maximum Ride series: This young adult series follows a group of genetically enhanced children who can fly. The first book in the series is The Angel Experiment.
James Patterson Standalone Novels
In addition to these series, James Patterson has written many standalone novels, including The Beach House, The Midnight Club, and The Postcard Killers.
James Patterson Non-Fiction Books
Patterson has also written several non-fiction books, including The Murder of King Tut and Filthy Rich, which explores the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
James Patterson Kids Books
Patterson has a number of kids books. Here are some of our favorites:
James Patterson New Releases
Due to James Patterson’s prolific writing, he always has plenty of upcoming releases. In 2023, that’s no different. If you’re hungry for more of his books, keep track of James Patterson’s next book here.
Conclusion
James Patterson’s Alex Cross books are a must-read for fans of crime and thriller novels. With more than 30 books in the series, readers can follow Alex Cross’s journey as a detective, psychologist, and family man. The series has been praised for its fast-paced plots, well-developed characters, and unexpected twists.
