I, Alex Cross
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature |
| Founded | November 16, 2009 |
| Founder | James Patterson |
| Products | Hardcover, paperback, audiobook |
I, Alex Cross marks the sixteenth installment in the Alex Cross series authored by James Patterson. Published on November 16, 2009, in both hardcover and paperback editions, the book garnered favorable critiques and paved the way for five subsequent titles: Cross Fire, Kill Alex Cross, Merry Christmas, Alex Cross, Alex Cross, Run, and Cross My Heart.
Plot summary
Detective Alex Cross is abruptly summoned from a family birthday celebration when Caroline, the 24-year-old daughter of his deceased brother Blake, is discovered murdered in Virginia. Accompanied by his partner Briana Stone, Cross travels to Richmond, Virginia to probe into Caroline’s dismembered remains found inside a vehicle linked to organized crime.
Investigating Caroline’s nearby apartment, Cross uncovers her hidden involvement as an upscale escort. Further examination uncovers a pattern of disappearances and murders among young individuals connected to high-level prostitution. Caroline’s connections lead Cross to a secretive venue called Blacksmith Farms in Culpeper, Virginia, where she had encountered a masked figure known as Zeus.
Cross encounters resistance from federal entities including the United States Secret Service and the President of the United States, who seek to take over the investigation. Undeterred, Cross follows a tip from a former FBI contact that brings him to a farmer who had sheltered an escort wounded while fleeing after witnessing Zeus without his mask.
The injured escort identifies Zeus as Theodore Vance, spouse of President Maggie Vance. Theodore’s illicit conduct is shielded by loyal aides and Secret Service agents intent on protecting the administration’s image.
At an event held at the Kennedy Center, Cross confronts Theodore Vance. To avoid triggering a political scandal, Vance’s personal Secret Service agent Dan Cormorant kills him but is subsequently shot by other agents. This sequence of events preserves the reputation of the Vance administration by portraying Theodore’s death as an isolated occurrence.
The story ends with Cross proposing marriage to Bree while antagonist Kyle Craig contacts him, indicating forthcoming challenges but allowing a momentary pause after resolving the Zeus case.
Characters
- Alex Cross
- John Sampson
- Dan Cormorant
- Margaret Vance, President of the United States
- Theodore Vance, First Husband
- Walter Tillman, Vice President
- Gabriel Reese, Chief of Staff
- Ned Mahoney
- Tony Nicholson
- Eddie Tucci
- Johnny Tucci
- Bree Stone
- Nana Mama
- Damon, Janelle, Alex Jr. 'Ali'
- Kyle Craig (epilogue)
Release
The novel was made available in hardcover, paperback, and audiobook versions. Selected excerpts can be found on the official James Patterson website.
Sequels
Building on its popularity, this book led to five follow-up novels: Cross Fire, Kill Alex Cross, Merry Christmas, Alex Cross, Alex Cross, Run, and Save Alex Cross.
Film adaptation
In 2012, a revival of the Alex Cross movie franchise was proposed, with Tyler Perry cast in the role of Alex Cross, succeeding Morgan Freeman's previous depiction.