Cross Country (Alex Cross)

• This is the first James Patterson book I have ever read, and I really liked it. It is definitely a page turner with an exciting and thrilling and heart-wrenching conclusion.
  
  For the uninitiated, Alex Cross is an African American detective who is justly celebrated for his wisdom and intellect when it comes to solving crimes. But this time, it's personal. A brutal, Nigerian killer for hire named Tiger and his gang of violent teens have murdered and butchered Alex Cross' ex-girlfriend and her husband and kids. Alex travels around the Washington, DC area, and then to Nigeria, Sudan, and Sierra Leone and back looking for this guy.
  
  Along the way, Alex gets kidnapped and arrested and beaten and tortured and seems to be in way over his head. Lots of good people (and bad people) die.
  
  There is plenty of violence and action in this book, and even though the book is hard to put down, there were times I put it down because the bloodletting got to me on occasion.
  
  But I can see why people like James Patterson's books. This one was great.

• I have read a lot of James Patterson's books and I especially love the Detective Alex Cross stories. I am also very happy that this author was brave enough to write about the truth as to what is happening in Africa TODAY!! These atrocities are happening as we speak. There is nothing made up about the violence being done to African people.
  
  Mr. Patterson just gave us a taste of the REAL WORLD. People can bury their heads and say TOO MUCH VIOLENCE - try telling that to the poor African people that this is happening to. Why do you think the prime minister of Sudan is under a warrant for war crimes.
  
  The Nigerians are selling children in the sex business every day. Don't hang you heads and pretend this does not happen, it does and I commend Mr. Patterson for putting the truth in fiction form so that the people who really want truth can see what is happening and position themselves to help Africa. Shame on all of you for whining about too much violence. Try living in these peoples shoes, facing rape and murder and mutilation EVERY day and see how you would feel about anyone writing about it to help your poor existence. Keep up the good work Mr. Patterson. I am proud of you.

• I have read everything I can get my hands on by this author, and have yet to be disappointed. This latest Alex Cross novel did not let me down, either.
  
  The scenario Mr. Patterson paints in such vivid detail of Africa's mobs and gangs, left me feeling like I had been in Alex's shoes, not he. I've had this passion for Africa as long as I can remember, and this 'other view' of a country I have held with such love, left me shaken, to say the least.
  
  This book may be a work of fiction, however, Mr. Patterson wrote the truth about gang lords using children to carry out their nefarious deeds upon people who cannot defend themselves.
  
  If you are faint of heart, or do not like violence of any kind, this is not the book for you. However, if you want a clearer picture of what is really happening in Kenya for example, then this is a must read. I warn you though, it will leave you shaken to your core. It certainly removed my rose colored glasses!