Merry Christmas, Alex Cross

By: James Patterson

Narrated by: Michael Boatman, Stephen Kunken, Cristin Milioti

Length: 6 hrs and 6 mins

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

My first Alex Cross and I loved it

What did you love best about Merry Christmas, Alex Cross?

4 stories in one book, 3 police actions and the family story all at Christmas time made for a very good story.

What other book might you compare Merry Christmas, Alex Cross to and why?

Not sure I can, I think this one stands alone.

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

3 wonderful story tellers and a great job at there craft.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I think the story of the Family and how close they want and try to be and how Alex has to suffer to help others while his family hurts is very powerful as you see it unfold.

Any additional comments?

This was my first Alex cross and James Patterson's book and now I am going to read or listen to every single one. Great writing, great story telling and a true master of his craft.

Good listen.

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

Probably not. It was a good listen because I like the character Alex Cross,
but it's not one of the best Alex Cross stories.

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

The narrator brings the characters to life by using different speech patterns for each.
Very good reader.

Really enjoyed it

Was a nice listen just the right amount of Christmas and suspense. I happened to be listening to it a few days before Christmas but it would be a good read anytime of year.

Good listening

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

Yes, was very easy to follow. I listen while driving and was able to stop and start and not loose interest in the book. I like the short chapters.

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

Loved the cute parts with Nanna Mamma. I was reading it at Christmas time. Liked the family parts

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

Alex and Nanna Mamma

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The entire house hostage part. How anyone could turn on his entire family

Any additional comments?

Good listening. Enjoyed the ending.

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.

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.

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!

usual attention keeper!

Would you consider the audio edition of Merry Christmas, Alex Cross to be better than the print version?

Don't know didn't read print version

What did you like best about this story?

reader and Alex himself

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

expression, keeping my attention with emotion

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

yes but didn't have time

Any additional comments?

keep more books on Alex Cross coming!

Great, but nothing unexpected happened

Would you consider the audio edition of Merry Christmas, Alex Cross to be better than the print version?

Don't have time for print version, so I don't know

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

No, not really. There was nothing unexpected in this one. Would like to see something totally outside the box.

Which scene was your favorite?

Didn't have a favorite.

Cross stays busy for Christmas

Narration was excellent. I had trouble keeping the terrorists' names straight. It was a pretty quick paced read throughout. I enjoyed the interaction with the family and can identify with trying to balance work and family, though not nearly to this extent. It was difficult for me to follow the action packed ending. I listened to the last couple chapters a few times to try and follow what all was going on.