Kiss the Girls

Like the first book in this series, Kiss the Girls is a fast-paced read that kept me from putting it down. It has some gruesome details of murders and rape and isn't a story for everyone. I liked the connection to the Underground Railroad which was ironic since I'm also reading The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead. I liked the ending of this story too although, I won't go into that.

Alex Cross learned that his niece is missing. She was away at College in North Carolina and had been missing for 4 days before the police had contacted her family. The local police wouldn't give them any information so Alix decided to go in person. It was like stepping backward through time where a black man gets no respect. Once he was there he found that there were several girls missing from Duke University and they were all beautiful, educated women. Alex starts his own investigation hoping to find his niece alive. The story gets intense very fast when they get a lead in LA and they find out they may be dealing with more than one serial killer.

Back to Basics: Revisiting Kiss the Girls with Alex Cross

Having read up to book 15 of the Women’s Murder Club series, I decided to revisit James Patterson’s Kiss the Girls—a reread I didn’t remember well. It’s definitely more intense than I expected, with a gripping story that pulled me in all over again. Confession time: I read Along Came a Spider years ago and loved it, but somehow never got further in the series. When a buddy read opportunity came along, I thought it was the perfect chance to dive back into Alex Cross’s world. The added bonus? I’ve been enjoying the Prime adaptation, which inspired me even more.

Alex Cross is such a compelling lead—intelligent, tough, and driven by both personal tragedy and a passion for justice. His dedication to his two young kids, alongside the guidance of his strong-willed grandmother, adds a heartfelt layer to this otherwise dark story.

In Kiss the Girls, Cross is faced with a chilling challenge: tracking two sadistic killers, one operating in Los Angeles and the other in Durham, North Carolina. Known as Casanova and the Gentleman Caller, these predators seem to be working together in a disturbing partnership. The case becomes personal when Cross’s niece is abducted, forcing him into a high-stakes pursuit. Along the way, he forms a bond with a remarkable medical intern—a black-belt martial artist whose courage and intelligence shine throughout. Friendship, in its healthiest and most toxic forms, weaves its way through the narrative, adding emotional depth to the relentless action.

I won’t lie—this book is intense. The violence is graphic and the suspense is unrelenting, so it’s not for the faint of heart. That said, Patterson’s pacing and plotting are excellent, and the twists kept me guessing. The reveal of Casanova’s identity was a complete shock, even on a reread, which speaks to just how well this story holds up.

If you can handle the darker elements, Kiss the Girls is a first-rate thriller. It delivers vibrant characters, heart-pounding action, and emotional stakes that linger long after the final page. I’m looking forward to reading more of the Alex Cross series in 2025. For me, this was a solid 3.5 stars—a gripping read, though the graphic violence might be a bit much for some. Still, it’s a thrilling ride I’d recommend to fans of high-octane crime dramas.