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Cover of The People vs. Alex Cross by James PattersonThe People vs. Alex Cross
Modern · Fiction, Mystery, Thriller

The People vs. Alex Cross

by James Patterson
2017 · 432 pages · Fiction
61.7Must-Read
Score Modern
Lifetime bestseller
≈ 11 hours to read · about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day

What it's about

Alex Cross is suspended and awaiting trial for murder, branded a trigger-happy cop. To feel useful, he opens a counseling office in his basement. When his former partner, John Sampson, asks for help with a case, Cross jumps at it, even though it could cost him what's left of his career.

Why it's worth reading

It spent 2 weeks at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list.

You'll love it if you liked

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Good to know

It's part of the long Alex Cross series.

By the numbers

61.7Must-Read Score
  • Readers34 out of 100 · counts 42%
  • Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
  • Bestseller40 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
  • Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%

Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.

Where it ranks

Why it made the list

Bestseller
#1 New York Times bestseller (2 weeks at #1)

Reads as

Gripping

How we rank

Already read it? Upload your Goodreads or StoryGraph history and get the 50 best books you haven't read, tuned to your taste.Get my 50

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Explore the best-of lists

All 36 best-of lists →
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Quick answers

Is The People vs. Alex Cross worth reading?

Yes. It spent 2 weeks at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. It ranks #2,218 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 61.7 (the best book we found scores 99).

What is The People vs. Alex Cross about?

Alex Cross is suspended and awaiting trial for murder, branded a trigger-happy cop. To feel useful, he opens a counseling office in his basement. When his former partner, John Sampson, asks for help with a case, Cross jumps at it, even though it could cost him what's left of his career.

How long does it take to read The People vs. Alex Cross?

About 11 hours (432 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.

What should I read after The People vs. Alex Cross?

If you liked it, try Kill Alex Cross by James Patterson, Cross Justice by James Patterson or Hope to Die by James Patterson.