Reviews

The Big Bad Wolf by James Patterson

alex_duzan's review against another edition

dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

laurenjcarter28's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

summerseeds's review against another edition

3.0

All of the Alex Cross books have been the same. In short, they can all be summarized as follows:

We caught the killer! But wait, that's not the REAL killer! That guy over there is the killer, or IS he?!

It's not a surprise twist anymore. It's redundant.

Alex also straight up picks the worst women, and they all either die or royally screw him over. Dude, stop getting involved with people and take some personal time for you and your children.

This wasn't a bad book, I just feel like I have already read this same mystery several times before.

topdragon's review against another edition

3.0

Whenever I travel, I try to choose a book that I know I can read even while constantly being interrupted, jostled about, or otherwise distracted...and still grasp the plot, characters, deeper meaning, etc. James Patterson's Alex Cross books work for that purpose. I enjoy them on a basic level but I don't ever expect to be blown away by their level of quality.

In this one, we have a new serial murder puppet master character known as "The Wolf". Alex Cross has been recruited by the FBI but is still trying to find his feet as an agent. He comes with a good reputation from his days as a DC cop but finds he still has to prove himself with the feds. Mix in the drama of his personal family life and we have another reasonably good Alex Cross story, although similarities to previous novels make this one tip toward a formula production.

jadams89's review

challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

cwalter01's review against another edition

mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

Another good Alex Cross Novel

angelwolf45's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

5.0

lovestained's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

beckyyreadss's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I wanted to read this book because I have enjoyed this series so far. This book is a whole story with a beginning and an ending. However, there is a lot of reference to past villains and past characters in the first couple of books in the series. So, I would recommend reading them first. But this series is stressing me out so much. 

This book still follows Alex Cross, he is working his first case since joining the FBI and his colleagues are perplexed. Across the country, me and women are kidnapped in broad daylight and then they disappear completely. These people are not being for ransom, Alex realizes. They are being bought and sold. And it seems The Wolf is the master criminal behind this terrible trade and who is bringing a new reign of terror to organized crime. Even if he admires the FBI’s vast resources, Alex is impatient with the Bureau’s clumsiness and caution when it times to move. A lone wolf himself, he has to go out alone to track his new prey and try to rescue some of the victims while they are still alive. As the case boils over, Alex is in hot water at home, too. His ex- fiancée, Christine Johnson, comes back into his life and not for the reason Alex might have hoped. 

My favourite chapters are the ones where Alex defeats the bad guy and usually whilst he is kicking ass. I love how he takes them down and the fact that his emotional state is also depicted in those chapters – like he could die right now, and he is thinking if Jamilla is okay and if they are going to talk tonight or if the children are going to mad at home for coming home late. This book also ends with more questions that I would like answers to – especially around the Wolf and baby Alex. I love the different points of view throughout the book, it made the book interesting and getting to know the victims and the killers and why they picked those people.  

I missed Sampson in this book and the partnership between him and Alex especially with Sampson announces he is going to be a father. I also hate Christine, she can just like go back to Seattle and leave the Cross family alone. The only thing that I would say is a weakness for me personally is the short chapters. I just prefer bigger chapters. However, as always, it works well with this style of books and writing. 

I enjoyed this book and managed to finish it pretty quickly. I cannot wait to read the next book and see who Alex is hunting for next and if he manages to fix the FBI. I gave this book three stars because I miss Sampson and would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of Chris Carter and tv shows like Law and Order and Criminal Minds. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Slavery, and Violence

Moderate: Rape and Blood

cursingnurse's review against another edition

dark emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5