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Merry Christmas, Alex Cross  By  cover art

Merry Christmas, Alex Cross

By: James Patterson
Narrated by: Michael Boatman, Stephen Kunken, Cristin Milioti
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Publisher's summary

It's Christmas Eve and Detective Alex Cross has been called out to catch someone who's robbing his church's poor box. That mission behind him, Alex returns home to celebrate with Bree, Nana, and his children. The tree decorating is barely underway before his phone rings again - a horrific hostage situation is quickly spiraling out of control. Away from his own family on the most precious of days, Alex calls upon every ounce of his training, creativity, and daring to save another family. Alex risks everything - and he may not make it back alive on this most sacred of family days.

Alex Cross is a hero for our time, and never more so than in this story of family, action, and the deepest moral choices. Merry Christmas, Alex Cross will be a holiday classic for years to come.

©2012 James Patterson (P)2012 Hachette Audio

Featured Article: The Best James Patterson Audiobooks and Series, According to Fans


James Patterson is one of the most prolific contemporary American writers working today—from children's and YA books to thrillers, mysteries, and even romance, it's hard to keep up with such a massive number of best sellers. Whether you’re just discovering James Patterson or you’re an avid, longtime fan of his wide-ranging work, you can't go wrong with any of these excellent listens. Here are a few different entry points into his impressive catalog.

What listeners say about Merry Christmas, Alex Cross

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Yawn!

What did you like best about Merry Christmas, Alex Cross? What did you like least?

I am a fan of the Alex Cross series but this one was a disappointment. The book was much shorter than most of the Alex Cross books, and the lack of character development obvious. And rather than being left with a warm holiday feeling, my main emotion was annoyance at the annoying whining grandmother and wife who couldn't accept that a police officer might be subject to being called out on a Holiday. It was totally unbelievable that Bree would go to a hostage situation and ask that Alex go home.

What could James Patterson have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Put some effort into it. A side story about the new foster child might have added to my interest.

Could you see Merry Christmas, Alex Cross being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

NEVER

Any additional comments?

Why was this 6 hour book broken into two parts? Come on Audible, we don't need to "make the download faster" with a story this short.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

AleX Cross at Xmas is the Bomb!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a fast paced thriller.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Merry Christmas, Alex Cross?

My most memorable part of the story is where Alex is in pursuit of a female villain who has a phobia of dogs. I will say no more. Wouldn't want to ruin it for anyone.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Ambivalent about the book

This book did not keep me up nights wanting to finish.

A friend got me hooked on the “Women’s Murder Club” series and James Patterson but I had not read any of the Alex Cross series until this book and I am very ambivalent about it.

As I read the book I kept thinking “Get Real”. This guy, Cross, is THE only cop in the city that can do any police work and on top of that has to do the job of the FBI and all in one night? First he has to solve a robbery, then he has to defuse a hostage situation, and to top the day off he works on a terrorism case involving a terrorist named Hala Al Dossari who he has apparently been involved with in the past. This terrorist situation has this superhero saving the world. All of this is in a very short book and in one night. PLEASE>>>

Although it is fast-paced and has some great twists with Hala’s disguises and the poison it was a huge disappointment because no part of it was in any way believable.

It is three loosely connected short stories and then the book abruptly ends.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Did Patterson need more money?

What would have made Merry Christmas, Alex Cross better?

I love the Alex Cross series, but this one did not meet standards. I felt that it was rushed from beginning to end.

Would you listen to another book narrated by the narrators?

Yes

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

It was a quick read with the usual good narration.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Two short stories welded into a book

OK. Better than recent Patterson offerings. Expect a little diversion and this delivers. But not really a book. Two, totally unconnected plot ideas brought together by the Cross character.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Alex Cross Fabulous as Always!

Where does Merry Christmas, Alex Cross rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I love all the Alex Cross books. I don't know if I like one better than another.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Alex goes into the house with the hostage taker.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

quick insightful read

Narrators were excellent. Fastest audible book ever! Love Alex Cross novels . I will be ready for any other is his new novels.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

boring ... not worth the time

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Alex is running out of original ideas; this is 2 mini worthless unrelated stories combined into 1 book. Really no excitement; no thrill; no ride to go on ... I was very disappointed.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

No Family time for Cross

If you could sum up Merry Christmas, Alex Cross in three words, what would they be?

Intense, Sad & quick

What did you like best about this story?

the speed and nanna mama

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

They bring a nice pace to the story.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes you can!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

any thing but politics

Where does Merry Christmas, Alex Cross rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I like any thing James Patterson writes

If you’ve listened to books by James Patterson before, how does this one compare?

good but there have been some better

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favorite?

all were good

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

time of year sad (Christmas)

Any additional comments?

I will probably not read hard covers or paper backs ,i am all for audidible !!!!

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