Cross My Heart

By: James Patterson

Narrated by: Michael Boatman, Tom Wopat

Length: 9 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's Summary

James Patterson raises the stakes to their highest level, ever - when Alex Cross becomes the obsession of a genius of menace set on proving that he is the greatest mind in the history of crime.

Detective Alex Cross is a family man at heart - nothing matters more to him than his children, his grandmother, and his wife, Bree. His love of his family is his anchor, and gives him the strength to confront evil in his work. One man knows this deeply, and uses Alex's strength as a weapon against him in the most unsettling and unexpected novel of James Patterson's career.

When the ones Cross loves are in danger, he will do anything to protect them. If he does anything to protect them, they will die.

©2013 James Patterson (P)2013 Hachette Audio

Critic Reviews

“Michael Boatman gives a first-rate narration in this latest installment in the Alex Cross series. A second narrator, Tom Wopat, artfully portrays the homicidal maniac who plans to destroy Alex by destroying his family. Boatman captures the tension in the plot and keeps the listener engaged with the action. His portrayal of a bereaved Alex Cross - voice trembling with despair - will have listeners spellbound. And his total command of the story is like a zip line to Alex's hell. Though the symphony of terror isn't over at the conclusion of the audiobook, fans of Michael Boatman will revel in his delivery of this captivating thriller.” (AudioFile Magazine)

"[Patterson's] books don't pussyfoot around when it comes to the villains. These are bad, bad people... [I, Alex Cross] is political, with a lot of intrigue in high places." (Al Roker, The Today Show)

Ending Catastrophe

I just spent almost 10 hours listening to a book with the MOST AWFUL ending. James Patterson does not need to leave you wanting more. Any of his faithful readers would read the next Alex Cross book even with the unresolved ending of this book. I felt robbed! So if you have a spare 10 hours to devote to this book, listen to it now. If your time is more valuable, wait till the next book comes out and listen to it them.

25 of 26 people found this review helpful

Warning! Book 1 of 2.

Would you try another book from James Patterson and/or Michael Boatman and Tom Wopat ?

I'm so annoyed at the ending and the stupid author's explanation that I may not.

Has Cross My Heart turned you off from other books in this genre?

No. Hoping to find a new author to spend money on.

Which character – as performed by Michael Boatman and Tom Wopat – was your favorite?

The one that finished the story. Oh...wait...that one didn't exists.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment! I get one vacation a year to hibernate and read a good book. This book has no ending. Cheap trick Mr. Patterson.

Any additional comments?

I would have been so much happier with the story if it had been labeled "Book 1 of 2" because then after 10 hours I won't be so shocked at the lack of resolution. I would have rather spent my rare vacation time listening to a story that wrapped it up. Feeling a bit cheated! In fact, his author's note at the end made it even worse. He might as well have just ended it with "Alex woke up and realized it was all a dream and ate some pie with Nana Mama".

21 of 22 people found this review helpful

Cheap Trick - Shame on Mr. Patterson

Would you try another book from James Patterson and/or Michael Boatman and Tom Wopat ?

After this, I will not purchse another James Patterson book.

Would you ever listen to anything by James Patterson again?

Nope.

What aspect of Michael Boatman and Tom Wopat ’s performance would you have changed?

The performance wasn't the issue; the narrators did a fine job.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

The story was a little weak and cliched, but the ending was beyond disappointing. Shades of "Gone Girl", but not as well written. I just didn't expect such a cheap trick from a well-established writer. It would have been totally different if it had been advertised as "Part I".

Any additional comments?

I would much rather have had the entire story in one novel. Since it wasn't clearly a "...to be continued" story, I feel cheated enough not to purchase Part II - if there ever is one. Looks like a cheap ploy to sell more books.

22 of 24 people found this review helpful

Worst Story EVER!

Would you try another book from James Patterson and/or Michael Boatman and Tom Wopat ?

I liked the narrators. I may never buy another James Patterson book. The ending made me feel cheated.

Would you ever listen to anything by James Patterson again?

No, I will not listen to James Patterson again. The end of this book was awful. As the author's note indicated, everyone goes through tragedy and disappointment. Mr. Patterson wasted nine hours of my life only to end his book on that note. The ending was a huge disappointment. I felt ripped off at the end.

Do you think Cross My Heart needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Of course it needs a follow- up, the book didn't have an ending.

Any additional comments?

Don't waste your money on this Alex cross novel.

24 of 27 people found this review helpful

Cross My Heart, I'm THROUGH with Patterson

The minute I finished this book I got right on the computer to write a review. I would give it a 0 if I could. I was furious.

I've been disappointed in Patterson for a long time...not that I believe he writes everything he puts his name on....he's just raking in money on reputation, not caring about his fans. I've threatened to quit reading him for some time, but this is the last penny he gets of mine. The book was actually kind of boring to me, simply because it's the same old Alex Cross story with different names for the villains. They all seem to be able to bug his house, track his every move, and his family's, and he never catches on. No family could live with all the drama the Cross family does, they'd be insane. But I kept right on to get the ending....oh, what? There is no ending. He just walks into the blue with his ENTIRE family still held captive. And then Patterson tries to tell us that this sort of disappointment is good for us? Well, I hope the disappointment of decreased sales are good for him. I think he's blown it this time.

The narrators were as good as usual, can't blame them for the lousy story....except that I would be ashamed to narrate it myself.

11 of 12 people found this review helpful

Weakest cross book to date

Would you try another book from James Patterson and/or Michael Boatman and Tom Wopat ?

Very disappointing. Many many flaws and only half a book. Stay tuned for part two. Such a cheap trip author tries to explain why he wrote in two parts. I don't buy it

What was most disappointing about James Patterson’s story?

Alex cross makes a number of rookie errors. Seemed like novice detective rather than world class sleuth. Detracts from whole series

Could you see Cross My Heart being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

I wouldn't watch on cable

Any additional comments?

So disgusted. Done with the cross series

14 of 16 people found this review helpful

Disjointed, disappointing, confusing

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

Someone that doesn't care if the story is wrapped up at the end.

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

There were several mysteries going on at the same time, which were entertaining, but then the story stops with his family with no resolution. Who edited this book and didn't notice a. the young actress that married the lawyer said she kept the wedding quiet because her mom would want a big wedding and later said her parents were dead, b. How did they get a tractor in the basement.

Have you listened to any of Michael Boatman and Tom Wopat ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I don't know, the performance was very good.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment. I want to know how things end, this is confusing and not finished.

Any additional comments?

I've always loved JP's books but this was flat.

8 of 9 people found this review helpful

Horrible

What would have made Cross My Heart better?

Better story line. Goes on and on about family. Very thin story line. Cookie cutter book.

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

Diverse story

How could the performance have been better?

Speaker was good

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

It ended without and ending. Now wait an buy toe follow up book.

Any additional comments?

Time to develop better storyline and not cookie cutter books. Alex Cross in over and done.

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

Shame on you Mr. Patterson, don't destroy Alex

What would have made Cross My Heart better?

There is NO ending, only a promise to write one more book. Mr. Patterson all but destroys his beloved character by taking away his family at Easter.

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

Write the whole story and stop thinking about the next book.

What aspect of Michael Boatman and Tom Wopat ’s performance would you have changed?

Very good readers

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Cross My Heart?

Most of the story

Any additional comments?

I have read all of the Alex Cross series and this is the first book that I feel as if I have been cheated. Mr. Patterson takes away Alec's family and the book ends abruptly with the reader wondering if Alex's family is dead or alive. There is no mystery here only sad writing and an attempt to almost destroy Alex Cross. Why do this Mr. Patterson?

13 of 16 people found this review helpful

Are You Kidding Me!

Would you try another book from James Patterson and/or Michael Boatman and Tom Wopat ?

Yes, but I would probably read the ending before buying. I would never have bought this book if I had known that it would ended the way that it did.

Has Cross My Heart turned you off from other books in this genre?

I like Alex Cross, but in the "Cross my Heart", Alex Cross character is being treated like a rookie, which is very disappointing. I have notice that the writing for Alex Cross series are becoming amateurish and unbelievable.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

I didn't have a problem with the narration.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

This book sparked disappointment because I felt that it was incomplete.

Any additional comments?

I feel that no Author should ever write a book with a ending like this. This is not a weekly television series, where you wait until the next week to see what happens. I spent nine hours listening to this book to have no ending. Are you kidding me!

10 of 13 people found this review helpful