Alex Cross's TRIAL

By: James Patterson, Richard DiLallo

Narrated by: Dylan Baker

Length: 8 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

From his grandmother, Alex Cross has heard the story of his great uncle Abraham and his struggles for survival in the era of the Ku Klux Klan. Now, Alex passes the family tale along to his own children in a novel he's written - a novel called Trial.

As a lawyer in turn-of-the-century Washington, D.C., Ben Corbett represents the toughest cases. Fighting against oppression and racism, he risks his family and his life in the process. When President Roosevelt asks Ben to return to his home town to investigate rumors of the resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan there, he cannot refuse.

When he arrives in Eudora, Mississippi, Ben meets the wise Abraham Cross and his beautiful daughter, Moody. Ben enlists their help, and the two Crosses introduce him to the hidden side of the idyllic Southern town. Lynchings have become commonplace and residents of the town's black quarter live in constant fear. Ben aims to break the reign of terror - but the truth of who is really behind it could break his heart.

Written in the fearless voice of Detective Alex Cross, Alex Cross's Trial is a gripping story of murder, love, and, above all, bravery.

Solve another case with Alex Cross.

©2009 James Patterson (P)2009 Hachette

Wow!

This one kept me on my toes! I would highly recommend this to everyone. A must listen

"You did fine, Ben!"

Moving! The range of emotions made it very hard to put this book down.

Maybe a better read for Northerners than for Southerners.

enlightening and frightening

I listened to this book with dread in my gut. I knew the outcome; I knew of the tremendous bigottry in the old south; I knew things would get ugly, but I just couldn't put it down. I kept hoping something would be different, that the ending would change. It didn't. But, there was hope in the ending words of Abraham Cross.

Even living in the 21st Century, we still have ignorance and bigottry in our lives, but it has changed in the last 50 years and continues to slowly change with every little step. My kids can't believe that things like this happened in their country, in their parent's lifetime. Having Grandparents from the deep south, I know it was not that long ago when such hatred and violence was considered justified.

The only reason I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars is that I would have liked a little more insight into the back-stories and motivations of the surrounding characters especially LJ and Elizabeth. Also, I would have liked more closure on certain main characters at the ending: LJ, Elizabeth, Ben's father, Moody, and Luis- the lawyer from Jackson.

loved it

the way the story was it was wonderful the person was able to capture everything and I was able to just close my eyes and I feel like was there.

A Sad Reminder

A sad reminder of the racism that was and is still prevalent in America today, especially in the South. Makes you wonder just how stupid and ignorant people were and are. A must read so as not to forget how horrible injustice can be.

Missed Alex, but liked it.

I grew up in the South and I have seen 'wrong doings', but I really was disturbed by what was going on in the book. I had to fast-forward through a few graphic details of hangings. I was disappointed that AC was not the subject, but it was a well written prequal to how the Cross family came to be. Obviously, NanaMamma would have been influenced by the happenings of that time and shows in other books why she is so family orientated.

It was a nice change, but really would like a great AC book like Wolf! Mr. Patterson, we need a new movie, and it can't be made with out Morgan Freeman!

Read it and Weep!

If you could sum up Alex Cross's TRIAL in three words, what would they be?

Horrors of Hate!

Any additional comments?

I was born in the early 50's and came of age in the late 60's. I remember the Civil Rights Movement from the perspective of the front page of a mid-western daily newspaper. Some how in history class - we never got past WW2 and our understanding of carpetbaggers and tarring and feathering came mostly from Wagon Train reruns. - All Woefully inadequate.

This book was the first real window into racism for me. I grew up sheltered from racism - and never imagined the depth of hate. I was shocked and horrified. I read several of Harriet Beecher Stowe's books years ago and understood how awful slavery was - but I thought it had been fixed by the Civil War. I am so sorry.

A great book !

What a great story!!!! Oh my goodness you could hear ever gavel beat and feel every bodily injury as the sweat rolled down your back.
The singing in the background added a flavor all it's own.
The ending expected but still surprising.Listen to this when you have time to devote as it will be a "Just one more listen then I"ll stop"

Alex Cross's Trial

This was an incredible book involving black history. It was moving and exciting right down to the last minute. A great read!

I enjoyed it.

I knew going into this book from reading the summaries that this was not a typical Alex Cross book. I thought it was really good...and different. The same detective stories get kind of monotonous. I liked the change. Who buys a book without reading the summary of it. They are very clear to point out that the story is about Abraham Cross.