Rating: 
Summary: He huffed, he puffed, but he didn't blow me away
Review: "Big Bad Wolf" is James Patterson's latest Alex Cross novel. In it, Cross is still in training for his job at the FBI. He is taken off student status to consult on a rash of high profile kiddnappings, including a federal judges wife. He eventually figures out that the kiddnappings are being organized by a Russian mob don called the Wolf, because of his ruthlessness. But on the homefront, Cross has just as drastic problems. Christien, his former girlfriend, has returned to take custody of their son, Little Alex. I have a real soft spot for Patterson's novels. They are very fast paced (each chapter is only about three pages) with action that will leave you on the edge of your seat, and certainly this book is no exception. His villians are a mixed bag. They are usually so egomanical that they are very hard to relate too, but they are also so over the top psychotic that you don't want to, either. The Wolf is not as slick (I don't think) as some earlier villians (like Cassanova). Another problem is there are so many red hairings. You think this guy is Wolf, but he isn't; in fact at the end of the book, that isn't resolved at all. But Patterson dose that a lot; leave his books as an open cliffhanger. That gets on my nerves. I also thought the family problems were very distracting, I really could have done with out the custody case. But the kidnappings were pretty cool, and the idea of a whole network of perverts and psychos buying slaves from snatched soccer moms was truelly terrifying. It's a pretty uneven book, but I'll give it the benifit of the doubt.
Rating: 
Summary: TERRIBLE!
Review: What A Terrible Book!It started off very promising, but the style of two pages, new chapter, two pages, another chapter throughout the book is very annoying (313 pages - 119 Chapters In the Soft Copy Version). It appears that the author was very rushed, and completely lost track of what he was writing about half way through the book, tried for a big finish - and utterly disappoints - I am all for unexpected endings, but this one was purely wrong! Worst Read Of This Decade! Do Not Buy This Book!
Rating: 
Summary: Sex slaves
Review: When Alex Cross finally agrees to leave the Washington Police Department to join the FBI, he has to go through a probationary training course, despite his expertise in crime solving. He can see that the FBI is stuck in a rut of old training methods, working strictly by the book and that, in his opinion, they need much more hands on street experience. Around the US and even around the world, young blonde women are being kidnapped to order by a gang of Russian Mafiya types with plenty of money and the necessary muscle to purchase these women "to order", by degenerates who want them as sex slaves. The list increases to include youths who are used and murdered to satisfy the criminal lusts of these madmen. Alex uses his years of hands on experience to help secure the freedom of several of these women, using people with great knowledge of computer hacking to enter the chat rooms of these monsters, who include well known and respected businessmen.At the end of the story, and obviously presaging his next novel, James Patterson reintroduces Christine Johnson, Cross's former fiancee and mother of his baby son Alex, who applies for and is granted custody of the child.
Rating:
Summary: The Big Bad Wolf
Review: The beauty in the Alex Cross novels is that Mr. Patterson hands the reader a fast-paced, intriguing mystery with intelligence, yet keep Cross real with heart warming (and sometime heart breaking) episodes with his family. The Wolf is a clever opponent, although not quite as exciting as other villians Cross has come upon. Nana Mama is a brilliant character, strong, smart and funny. The children a deep sense of love. I am anxious to know how the custody storyline plays out. It is very well written. In my opinion, it makes this book worthy of reading.
Rating:
Summary: Guess Alex needed a new enemy....
Review: I have to say that this has to be the most disappointing Patterson novel I have read as of yet. It starts out good enough....but about halfway through....Patterson just seems to lose the whole story...and the reader along the way. I think part of the problem is that Patterson is simply having a hard time coming up with a new formidable foe for now-FBI-agent Cross. Of course, what Patterson comes up with (the Wolf...a Russian mafia boss) just isn't convincing. I think this comes from the fact that the guy is Russian....and Patterson just doesn't go into the Wolf's background and associates quite enough. Unlike the other Cross novels, the foreign-ness of the bad guy just takes away from the plot. As you are reading, you have to think about the adversary. Patterson is asking the reader to have a little bit of intellect as they are reading. Not to say that his readers are dumb....NOT AT ALL...it's just that most read Patterson for pleasure. No one expects to have to do research into a fictitious mob faction before they delve deeper into the plot. Overall, the book suffers because of this flaw. Plus, the side plot of Little Alex and Christine/her lawyers could have been more emphasized. I recommend reading some of Patterson's other Cross novels first....like THE BEACH HOUSE...KISS THE GIRLS...or ALONG CAME A SPIDER. They are much better than this one. If Patterson can't develop Cross' character better as an FBI agent, maybe he should send him back to the DC police department. I hope the next novel will be better. Plus, we need a decision on Alex's girlfriend: will it be Molly at the FBI or Jamilla??!?!?!? That is the only tantilizing cliffhanger in this novel. Otherwise, I will hope for things to be better in the future for Mr. Cross...and for Mr. Patterson to come out of his writer's block.
Rating: 
Summary: I like this writer a lot,
Review: The Big Bad Wolf, by James Patterson, is a fast-pace, action-packed, interesting story, that had me eagerly turning the pages.
Rating:
Summary: Best since Along Came a Spider
Review: I found the switch from police officer to FBI Agent interesting and the spotlight on Alex Cross being portrayed in a different light made it especially fascinating. I tried to be objective when it came to Alex losing custody of Little Alex but it was very heartbreaking. Hearing about Nana Mama and the kids is always a refreshing twist. I can't wait for the next book to come out. Thanks for many hours of entertainment.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable, but lacking in some areas!
Review: Welcome to the world of Alex Cross. He is a man that has a new job with the FBI that may very well be the most challenging and compromising of his career. Oddly enough, his family seems to be in some terrible danger. How can a man concentrate on a team of kidnappers that are picking up high standing people for a possible sell into slavery when the mother of his son wants to drag him into a custody dispute? Not to worry, Patterson takes this tale to new levels with fast paced action as he moves Cross through the entire scenario without getting bogged down in the small stuff. However, the mysterious Wolf is just a little too farfetched to carry on with. Former KGB men now need to turn to mobsters in an attempt to make a living. For me there were some loose ends on this angle that needed addressing. Hopefully we will not be strung out on this one, as the series is sure to continue. Recommended reading for those that enjoy the Alex Cross series.
Rating:
Summary: Good Action, little else...spoilers contained
Review: After this book, I'm of the mindset to not read anymore Patterson. This was my 4th Alex Cross book, after Roses are Red, Violets are Blue, and Cat and Mouse. I loved Cat and Mouse and Roses are Red, Violets are Blue was just OK. But this. THIS piece of garbage is horrible. Everything just falls into place for Alex. He's handed every clue/suspect on a silver platter. The fact that you don't really find out who the Wolf is, is really annoying. I'm tired of Patterson selling half a book for full-book price. Sell one book as two, make twice the money. Well, he won't be making any more of mine. At this point, I don't CARE who the Wolf is or who his FBI "mole" is. Most unbelievable part of the plot...when they catch "Sterling" and the Wolf drives by in his limo and shoots at the FBI and cops. The chapter ends, and you hear no more about anyone chasing the limo or even mentioning that they were shot at. My recommendation is save your time and money. If you want good investigation stories read Jeffery Deaver's Lincoln Rhyme books.
Rating:
Summary: Downhill
Review: I think that Patterson has finally hit bottom! It started with the Ladies club and now has ended with the Wolf. I guess you can't go on forever....
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