Kiss the Girls (novel)
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Founder | James Patterson |
| Products | Psychological thriller novel |
Kiss the Girls is a psychological thriller novel released in 1995 by American writer James Patterson. It marks the second installment featuring his lead character Alex Cross, an African-American psychologist and detective. The story was later adapted into a film bearing the same title in 1997.
Plot
In Boca Raton, Florida, during 1975, a future serial murderer known as Casanova commits his initial killings. Meanwhile, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, in 1981, another murderer dubbed The Gentleman Caller takes the lives of a young couple.
Several years later, Casanova abducts a woman deep in the forest. Detective Alex Cross returns to Washington, D.C., upon learning that his niece Naomi "Scootchie" Cross, a student at Duke University, has vanished. Accompanied by his partner Sampson, he travels to North Carolina to join forces with Durham detectives Nick Ruskin and Davey Sikes. The investigation expands to include the FBI and DEA as they probe the disappearances of eight to ten women across various states, all linked through contact with Casanova. Meanwhile, Casanova kidnaps Dr. Kate McTiernan to add her to his collection of extraordinary women.
In Los Angeles, journalist Beth Lieberman reports on The Gentleman Caller's crimes. FBI agent Kyle Craig encounters Lieberman as the killer demands that his letters be published. Casanova intends to kill McTiernan after she violates his rules; however, she escapes by swimming through a river. Cross uncovers a note from The Gentleman Caller referencing Naomi, indicating communication between the two killers across different regions.
After Lieberman falls victim to The Gentleman Caller’s murder, Cross and McTiernan head to Los Angeles alongside Craig. They identify Dr. William Rudolph as The Gentleman Caller but dismiss him as Casanova. Searching Rudolph’s apartment uncovers a photograph featuring Dr. Wick Sachs, who becomes a suspect for Casanova.
Cross and Sampson hypothesize that the victims are confined in an underground dwelling connected to the Underground Railroad. Sachs, a Duke professor previously suspected of murders, becomes central to their inquiry.
Rudolph and Casanova join forces to target Cross and assault McTiernan at her residence, leaving her injured. Although Sachs is arrested based on evidence found, Cross remains skeptical about his guilt after confronting him physically.
With assistance from an Underground Railroad historian’s map, Cross and Sampson discover the subterranean house where the kidnapped women are held. During an attack by the killers, Sampson sustains serious wounds; Cross injures one assailant before giving chase. In a final shootout, Cross kills Rudolph and frees the remaining captives, including Naomi.
Cross grows suspicious of Detective Sikes as Casanova after noticing odd conduct during surveillance but uncovers only an affair instead. While vacationing with McTiernan, Cross finds a dead FBI agent and is shocked when Casanova reveals himself as Ruskin, Sikes’ partner. McTiernan defends herself against Ruskin until Cross recovers and eliminates him.
Cross and McTiernan part amicably; back in Washington, Cross and Sampson prepare for their upcoming case.
Characters
- Dr. Alex Cross: An African-American forensic psychologist and detective known colloquially as "Doctor Detective." He balances his professional responsibilities with being a caring father to two children. His niece Naomi Cross becomes one of Casanova’s victims, motivating his involvement.
- Dr. Kate McTiernan: A young doctor abducted by Casanova for his "harem" who manages to escape using her martial arts expertise. After recuperating, she teams up with Cross in pursuit of her captor and develops a strong bond with him.
- Casanova: A serial killer operating in North Carolina who kidnaps and murders exceptional young women, imprisoning them in an underground "harem." He previously collaborated with The Gentleman Caller in their crimes.
- The Gentleman Caller: A ruthless serial killer notorious for mutilating victims and collecting trophies. After killing a young couple in the 1980s, he formed an unusual partnership with Casanova.
Film adaptation
The 1997 movie Kiss the Girls was based on the novel and directed by Gary Fleder. Morgan Freeman portrayed Alex Cross, while Cary Elwes played Nick Ruskin, and Ashley Judd appeared as Kate McTiernan. The film's script excluded numerous subplots and characters, such as Beth Lieberman and Cross's pursuit of Sikes.
Popular culture
During his murder trial, Brendan Dassey admitted that parts of his confession were fabricated after reading Kiss the Girls, although he was unable to remember the author's name.