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Quick answer: If you love Alex Cross, read Jeffery Deaver's The Bone Collector, Michael Connelly's The Black Echo, Thomas Harris's Red Dragon and Tess Gerritsen's The Surgeon. All mix fast chapters, clever killers and detectives with personal stakes.
James Patterson's Alex Cross is a Washington, D.C. detective and psychologist who hunts killers while raising his family. The series is known for short chapters, quick pacing and cat-and-mouse plots. The books below offer similar fast detective thrillers and serial killer stories, many with long-running heroes.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Along Came a Spider | James Patterson | Adult | the first Cross novel |
| Kiss the Girls | James Patterson | Adult | Cross fans |
| The Bone Collector | Jeffery Deaver | Adult | forensic puzzles |
| The Black Echo | Michael Connelly | Adult | police procedurals |
| Tell No One | Harlan Coben | Adult | twisty standalones |
| Killing Floor | Lee Child | Adult | lone hero thrillers |
| Rules of Prey | John Sandford | Adult | cat-and-mouse |
| The Surgeon | Tess Gerritsen | Adult | medical thrillers |
| Blindsighted | Karin Slaughter | Adult | grim small-town crime |
| Deja Dead | Kathy Reichs | Adult | forensic science |
| Red Dragon | Thomas Harris | Adult | classic profilers |
| The Silence of the Lambs | Thomas Harris | Adult | iconic thrillers |
| Postmortem | Patricia Cornwell | Adult | medical examiners |
| Absolute Power | David Baldacci | Adult | political thrillers |
| 1st to Die | James Patterson | Adult | more Patterson |
1. Along Came a Spider by James Patterson
The first Alex Cross novel follows the detective as he hunts a kidnapper who has taken two children. Short, fast and a good start if you have not read it.
Best for: the first Cross novel.
2. Kiss the Girls by James Patterson
Cross investigates a killer who collects women, and his niece is among the missing. One of Patterson's best-known thrillers.
Best for: Cross fans.
3. The Bone Collector by Jeffery Deaver
A paralyzed forensic expert, Lincoln Rhyme, directs a young officer through a killer's puzzle clues. Clever and tense.
Best for: forensic puzzles.
4. The Black Echo by Michael Connelly
Harry Bosch investigates a body in a Los Angeles drainpipe and ties it to his Vietnam past. The start of a long, much-loved series.
Best for: police procedurals.
5. Tell No One by Harlan Coben
A doctor receives an email from his wife eight years after she was murdered. Twisty and emotional.
Best for: twisty standalones.
6. Killing Floor by Lee Child
Jack Reacher arrives in a small town and is arrested for murder. The start of a hugely popular series.
Best for: lone hero thrillers.
7. Rules of Prey by John Sandford
A Minneapolis detective hunts a serial killer who leaves notes. The first Lucas Davenport novel.
Best for: cat-and-mouse.
8. The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen
Detective Jane Rizzoli and Dr. Maura Isles hunt a killer who targets women. Gripping, with strong female leads.
Best for: medical thrillers.
9. Blindsighted by Karin Slaughter
A pediatrician, a detective and a medical examiner in a small Georgia town face a murderer. Gritty and grim.
Best for: grim small-town crime.
10. Deja Dead by Kathy Reichs
Forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan investigates dismembered bodies in Montreal. Written by a real forensic anthropologist.
Best for: forensic science.
11. Red Dragon by Thomas Harris
An FBI profiler consults Hannibal Lecter to catch a killer. The book that introduced Lecter.
Best for: classic profilers.
12. The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris
Clarice Starling seeks Lecter's help to find a killer. A dark, influential thriller.
Best for: iconic thrillers.
13. Postmortem by Patricia Cornwell
Medical examiner Kay Scarpetta investigates a series of murders in Richmond. A forensic thriller that began a series.
Best for: medical examiners.
14. Absolute Power by David Baldacci
A burglar witnesses a crime in a mansion involving the President. Fast and political.
Best for: political thrillers.
15. 1st to Die by James Patterson
Four women, including a detective, a reporter, a medical examiner and a prosecutor, track a killer targeting newlyweds. The first Women's Murder Club book.
Best for: more Patterson.
How to Choose
For more James Patterson, begin with Along Came a Spider, Kiss the Girls or 1st to Die. For forensic and puzzle plots, pick The Bone Collector, Deja Dead or Postmortem. For serial killers and profilers, choose Red Dragon, The Silence of the Lambs or Rules of Prey. For fast twists, Tell No One and Absolute Power are best. These books contain violence and disturbing crimes. Because these books are fast, you can read two or three in a weekend. Audiobooks are popular with commuters, and many series have long-running narrators. If you like medical or forensic detail, pair Postmortem and Deja Dead; if you prefer legal and political plots, add Absolute Power.
Related: Printable List of Alex Cross Books in Order · Alex Kava Printable Book List
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Alex Cross?
A Washington, D.C. detective and forensic psychologist created by James Patterson.
What is the first Alex Cross book?
Along Came a Spider, published in 1993.
Do I have to read the series in order?
No, though reading in order helps with the characters.
Are the books very graphic?
They contain violence, but the chapters are short and move fast.
Is there a movie or TV show?
Yes, films were made of Along Came a Spider and Kiss the Girls.
What authors are similar to James Patterson?
Lee Child, Harlan Coben and Michael Connelly.
Is Alex Cross a series I can start anywhere?
The books follow a loose timeline, but most plots stand alone, so you can start with any title.
How many Alex Cross books are there?
More than thirty novels have been published.
Which Patterson series is best after Alex Cross?
The Women's Murder Club series is a popular next step.
Are there Patterson books for younger readers?
Yes. He also writes middle-grade and young adult series, such as Middle School and Maximum Ride, if you want something for a teen.