James Patterson’s legendary Alex Cross series has been running since 1993, with 33 novels published to-date. We’ve put together a list of the 10 best Alex Cross books and provided a “no spoiler” teaser for each.
The list is based on the review ratings over at goodreads, a great resource where we spend a lot of time researching the love of our lives.. books!
We’ll update the list regularly, but here goes for now…
The 10 best Alex Cross books
1. Cross Down (2023) 4.43 avg rating
A string of military-style attacks are unfolding across the United States with deadly consequences.
Untraceable in origin, detectives Alex Cross and John Sampson are tasked with finding a link to the atrocities.
Cross Down is book 31 in the Alex Cross series
2. Triple Cross (2022) 4.39 avg rating
Striking under cover of darkness, a ruthless killer is targeting entire families.
No alarms are being triggered. No evidence is left behind.
Detective Alex Cross must hunt them down.
Triple Cross is book 30 in the Alex Cross series
3. Alex Cross Must Die (2023) 4.33 avg rating
When an American Airlines plane explodes in the sky, evidence proves it was taken down by a rare, stolen machine gun.
And there’s also a serial killer at large, preying on young men in what the press are reporting as the ‘Dead Hours’ murders.
Will this be too much for Detective Alex Cross?
Alex Cross Must Die is book 32 in the Alex Cross series
4. Deadly Cross (2020) 4.28 avg rating
A double homicide dominates the tabloid headlines, when an attractive socialite and high school principal are found murdered.
Alex Cross must use all of his skills and experience to track the perpetrator and bring them to justice.
Deadly Cross is book 28 in the Alex Cross series
5. Fear No Evil (2021) 4.28 avg rating
When Detective Alex Cross ventures deep into Montana’s rugged wilderness – it is he who becomes the prey.
And is one of his most feared adversaries behind it all?
Fear No Evil is book 29 in the Alex Cross series
6. Cross Justice (2015) 4.26 avg rating
Detective Alex Cross’s cousin Stefan has been accused of an inconceivable crime. But Cross doesn’t believe he is guilty.
In order to help, Alex Cross must return to his hometown of North Carolina for the first time in over three decades.
Cross Justice is book 23 in the Alex Cross series
7. Criss Cross (2019) 4.26 avg rating
Alex Cross is called to the scene of a copycat murder, just hours after a murderer he helped to convict is executed.
Rested on the corpse is a note signed ‘M’ which reads, ‘You messed up big time, Dr. Cross.’
Criss Cross is book 27 in the Alex Cross series
8. The People Vs. Alex Cross (2017) 4.23 avg rating
Detective Alex Cross has never been on the wrong side of the law.
But that all changes when he is charged with a cold-blooded killing.
The People Vs. Alex Cross is book 25 in the Alex Cross series
9. Hope to Die (2014) 4.21 avg rating
Alex Cross’s family have been taken hostage by an enemy from the past, who has threatened to kill them.
Cross must find a way to save them, before it’s too late.
Hope to Die is book 22 in the Alex Cross series
10. Along Came a Spider (1993) 4.13 avg rating
Detective Alex Cross is tasked with a perplexing case when two children are kidnapped from an elite private school in Washington DC.
The dangerous and psychopathic kidnapper is Gary Soneji, who had disguised himself as a teacher in the school.
Cross must work alongside Jezzie Flanigan of the Secret Service to solve what Soneji intends to be the crime of the century.
Along Came a Spider is book 1 in the Alex Cross series
So there you have it.. the top 10 best Alex Cross books, ordered by rating!
What’s really interesting, is that it’s the latter books in the series that are the most highly rated by readers. So it’s great to know that the books get even better as you read through them. This is a testament to both the longevity of James Patterson’s story-telling ability, and the character at the heart of these novels.
Have you read any of these books yet, and if so what did you think? Let us know in the comments below.
Perhaps you’re a lover of detective thrillers in general? Why not check out our best crime thriller book series article, where you’ll discover more great characters in this exciting and page-turning genre. Many of these protagonists; like Kay Scarpetta, Jack Reacher and Lincoln Rhyme have book series that stretch across similarly long time spans as James Patterson’s Alex Cross.