Cross Justice
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 2015 |
| Founder | James Patterson |
| Products | Crime novel |
Cross Justice represents the 23rd installment in the Alex Cross collection authored by James Patterson.
Plot
Alex Cross journeys with his family from Washington, D.C. to Starksville, North Carolina, aiming to assist in exonerating his cousin Stefan Tate, a schoolteacher accused of murdering a student named Rashawn Turnbull. The community predominantly assumes Stefan’s guilt. Having not visited Starksville since his youth, Alex encounters a hostile atmosphere tied to his involvement in the case.
Simultaneously, Alex delves into the circumstances surrounding his father’s alleged suicide near Belle Glade, Florida, where he encounters a Palm Beach County sergeant who is revealed to be his estranged father, Jason. At the same time, Alex investigates Marvin Bell, a local entrepreneur connected to the Cross family history and suspected of orchestrating Jason’s supposed death.
The inquiry uncovers that Bell and Rashawn’s maternal grandparents were involved in distributing a highly addictive drug throughout the southern states for financial gain. Rashawn’s grandfather murdered him due to shame over his mixed-race background and framed Stefan, who had been probing the drug operation. The Starksville legal system is exposed as corrupt and becomes the subject of an FBI probe. Consequently, local judges are arrested by the FBI and all charges against Stefan are dismissed.
Reception
Cross Justice garnered favorable critiques from The Huffington Post and Book Reporter, highlighting its strong appeal to both dedicated followers and new readers. The Writer's Inkwell rated it three out of five stars, implying that it might be an appropriate moment to bring the Alex Cross saga to a close.