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Alex Cross
The Alex Cross series by James Patterson has 35 known books (35 published) and is best read in publication order, starting with Along Came a Spider (1993). The latest book with a fully recorded publication date is Cross and Sampson. The next announced book, The Family Cross, is due 19 October 2026.
- Books
- 35 known books (34 novels + 1 companion)
- Published
- 35
- First published
- 1993
- Status
- ongoing
- Shelved under
- Thriller
- Last checked
Start here: Along Came a Spider (1993) — then read straight through in publication order.
Reading order
The date order of published books and any announced future entries — the default way to read the series.
- Book 1:
Along Came a Spider
"Along Came a Spider" (1993, 448 pages) launched the Alex Cross series, introducing the Washington, D.C. homicide detective and forensic psychologist -- a widowed father raising his family with grandmother Nana Mama -- and his first great villain, Gary Soneji. Its 2025 companion, "Return of the Spider," ties directly back to it, so it's still the natural starting point more than thirty books later.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Along Came a Spider - Book 2:
Kiss the Girls
"Kiss the Girls" (1995-01-11, 464 pages) is book second in James Patterson's Alex Cross series, following "Along Came a Spider" -- like the rest of the series, it drops the D.C. homicide detective and forensic psychologist into another theatrical case, told in Patterson's trademark ultra-short chapters with cliffhangers built for one-more-chapter reading.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Kiss the Girls - Book 3:
Jack & Jill
Published in 1996-08-01 at 432 pages, "Jack & Jill" is the third Alex Cross novel, continuing the series' formula of alternating viewpoints -- letting readers inside the killer's head alongside Cross's own investigation -- and Cross's steady balancing act between his cases and his family life with Nana Mama in Southeast D.C.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Jack & Jill - Book 4:
Cat and Mouse
"Cat and Mouse" (1997-11-01) runs 468 pages as the fourth entry in the Alex Cross series, part of a run that began in 1993 and has sold on the order of 100 million copies, making Cross one of the best-selling fictional detectives ever.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Cat and Mouse - Book 5:
Pop Goes the Weasel
In "Pop Goes the Weasel" (1999-08-01, 418 pages), Patterson's D.C. detective Alex Cross -- partnered as ever with his oldest friend John Sampson -- takes on another case in the series' fast-paced, short-chapter style, arriving after "Cat and Mouse" as book fifth.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Pop Goes the Weasel - Book 6:
Roses Are Red
"Roses Are Red" appeared in 2000-11-01 at 409 pages, the sixth Alex Cross novel. Patterson writes each entry to stand alone with built-in recaps, so new readers can join here even as the book continues Cross's long arc between the D.C. Metropolitan Police, the FBI, and his family.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Roses Are Red - Book 7:
Violets Are Blue
"Violets Are Blue" (2001-11-01, 393 pages) is book seventh in James Patterson's Alex Cross series, following "Roses Are Red" -- like the rest of the series, it drops the D.C. homicide detective and forensic psychologist into another theatrical case, told in Patterson's trademark ultra-short chapters with cliffhangers built for one-more-chapter reading.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Violets Are Blue - Book 8:
Four Blind Mice
Published in 2002-11-18 at 404 pages, "Four Blind Mice" is the eighth Alex Cross novel, continuing the series' formula of alternating viewpoints -- letting readers inside the killer's head alongside Cross's own investigation -- and Cross's steady balancing act between his cases and his family life with Nana Mama in Southeast D.C.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Four Blind Mice - Book 9:
The Big Bad Wolf
"The Big Bad Wolf" (2003-11-17) runs 393 pages as the ninth entry in the Alex Cross series, part of a run that began in 1993 and has sold on the order of 100 million copies, making Cross one of the best-selling fictional detectives ever.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Big Bad Wolf - Book 10:
London Bridges
In "London Bridges" (2004-11-08, 391 pages), Patterson's D.C. detective Alex Cross -- partnered as ever with his oldest friend John Sampson -- takes on another case in the series' fast-paced, short-chapter style, arriving after "The Big Bad Wolf" as book tenth.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of London Bridges - Book 11:
Mary, Mary
"Mary, Mary" appeared in 2005-11-14 at 416 pages, the eleventh Alex Cross novel. Patterson writes each entry to stand alone with built-in recaps, so new readers can join here even as the book continues Cross's long arc between the D.C. Metropolitan Police, the FBI, and his family.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Mary, Mary - Book 12:
Cross
"Cross" (2006-11-13, 400 pages) is book twelfth in James Patterson's Alex Cross series, following "Mary, Mary" -- like the rest of the series, it drops the D.C. homicide detective and forensic psychologist into another theatrical case, told in Patterson's trademark ultra-short chapters with cliffhangers built for one-more-chapter reading.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Cross - Book 13:
Double Cross
Published in 2007-11-13 at 428 pages, "Double Cross" is the thirteenth Alex Cross novel, continuing the series' formula of alternating viewpoints -- letting readers inside the killer's head alongside Cross's own investigation -- and Cross's steady balancing act between his cases and his family life with Nana Mama in Southeast D.C.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Double Cross - Book 14:
Cross Country
"Cross Country" (2008-11-17) runs 388 pages as the fourteenth entry in the Alex Cross series, part of a run that began in 1993 and has sold on the order of 100 million copies, making Cross one of the best-selling fictional detectives ever.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Cross Country - Book 15:
Alex Cross's Trial
"Alex Cross's Trial" (2009, 408 pages) is a historical companion piece within the series, centered on Cross's ancestors rather than the modern-day detective himself -- one of only two entries (alongside "Cross Down") that Patterson fans typically treat as an optional side dish rather than core reading.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Alex Cross's Trial - Book 16:
I, Alex Cross
In "I, Alex Cross" (2009-11-16, 374 pages), Patterson's D.C. detective Alex Cross -- partnered as ever with his oldest friend John Sampson -- takes on another case in the series' fast-paced, short-chapter style, arriving after "Alex Cross's Trial" as book sixteenth.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of I, Alex Cross - Book 17:
Cross Fire
"Cross Fire" appeared in 2010-11-15 at 351 pages, the seventeenth Alex Cross novel. Patterson writes each entry to stand alone with built-in recaps, so new readers can join here even as the book continues Cross's long arc between the D.C. Metropolitan Police, the FBI, and his family.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Cross Fire - Book 18:
Kill Alex Cross
"Kill Alex Cross" (2011-11-14, 384 pages) is book eighteenth in James Patterson's Alex Cross series, following "Cross Fire" -- like the rest of the series, it drops the D.C. homicide detective and forensic psychologist into another theatrical case, told in Patterson's trademark ultra-short chapters with cliffhangers built for one-more-chapter reading.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Kill Alex Cross - Book 19:
Merry Christmas, Alex Cross
Published in 2012-11-12 at 352 pages, "Merry Christmas, Alex Cross" is the nineteenth Alex Cross novel, continuing the series' formula of alternating viewpoints -- letting readers inside the killer's head alongside Cross's own investigation -- and Cross's steady balancing act between his cases and his family life with Nana Mama in Southeast D.C.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Merry Christmas, Alex Cross - Book 20:
Alex Cross, Run
"Alex Cross, Run" (2013-02-18) runs 407 pages as the twentieth entry in the Alex Cross series, part of a run that began in 1993 and has sold on the order of 100 million copies, making Cross one of the best-selling fictional detectives ever.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Alex Cross, Run - Book 21:
Cross My Heart
In "Cross My Heart" (2013-11-25, 432 pages), Patterson's D.C. detective Alex Cross -- partnered as ever with his oldest friend John Sampson -- takes on another case in the series' fast-paced, short-chapter style, arriving after "Alex Cross, Run" as book twenty-first.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Cross My Heart - Book 22:
Hope to Die
"Hope to Die" appeared in 2014-11-24 at 400 pages, the twenty-second Alex Cross novel. Patterson writes each entry to stand alone with built-in recaps, so new readers can join here even as the book continues Cross's long arc between the D.C. Metropolitan Police, the FBI, and his family.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Hope to Die - Book 23:
Cross Justice
"Cross Justice" (2015-11-23, 445 pages) is book twenty-third in James Patterson's Alex Cross series, following "Hope to Die" -- like the rest of the series, it drops the D.C. homicide detective and forensic psychologist into another theatrical case, told in Patterson's trademark ultra-short chapters with cliffhangers built for one-more-chapter reading.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Cross Justice - Book 24:
Cross the Line
Published in 2016-11-21 at 400 pages, "Cross the Line" is the twenty-fourth Alex Cross novel, continuing the series' formula of alternating viewpoints -- letting readers inside the killer's head alongside Cross's own investigation -- and Cross's steady balancing act between his cases and his family life with Nana Mama in Southeast D.C.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Cross the Line - Book 25:
The People vs. Alex Cross
"The People vs. Alex Cross" (2017-11-20) runs 432 pages as the twenty-fifth entry in the Alex Cross series, part of a run that began in 1993 and has sold on the order of 100 million copies, making Cross one of the best-selling fictional detectives ever.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The People vs. Alex Cross - Book 26:
Target: Alex Cross
In "Target: Alex Cross" (2018-11-19, 432 pages), Patterson's D.C. detective Alex Cross -- partnered as ever with his oldest friend John Sampson -- takes on another case in the series' fast-paced, short-chapter style, arriving after "The People vs. Alex Cross" as book twenty-sixth.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Target: Alex Cross - Book 27:
Criss Cross
"Criss Cross" appeared in 2019-11-25 at 400 pages, the twenty-seventh Alex Cross novel. Patterson writes each entry to stand alone with built-in recaps, so new readers can join here even as the book continues Cross's long arc between the D.C. Metropolitan Police, the FBI, and his family.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Criss Cross - Book 28:
Deadly Cross
"Deadly Cross" (2020-11-23, 408 pages) is book twenty-eighth in James Patterson's Alex Cross series, following "Criss Cross" -- like the rest of the series, it drops the D.C. homicide detective and forensic psychologist into another theatrical case, told in Patterson's trademark ultra-short chapters with cliffhangers built for one-more-chapter reading.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Deadly Cross - Book 29:
Fear No Evil
Published in 2021-11-15 at 400 pages, "Fear No Evil" is the twenty-ninth Alex Cross novel, continuing the series' formula of alternating viewpoints -- letting readers inside the killer's head alongside Cross's own investigation -- and Cross's steady balancing act between his cases and his family life with Nana Mama in Southeast D.C.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Fear No Evil - Book 30:
Triple Cross
"Triple Cross" (2022-11-21) runs 416 pages as the thirtieth entry in the Alex Cross series, part of a run that began in 1993 and has sold on the order of 100 million copies, making Cross one of the best-selling fictional detectives ever.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Triple Cross - Book 31:
Cross Down
"Cross Down" (2023, 496 pages) is told mostly from the perspective of Cross's oldest friend and partner John Sampson rather than Cross himself, making it -- alongside the historical "Alex Cross's Trial" -- one of the series' two entries usually treated as optional rather than essential reading.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Cross Down - Book 32:
Alex Cross Must Die
In "Alex Cross Must Die" (2023-11-06, 400 pages), Patterson's D.C. detective Alex Cross -- partnered as ever with his oldest friend John Sampson -- takes on another case in the series' fast-paced, short-chapter style, arriving after "Cross Down" as book thirty-second.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Alex Cross Must Die - Book 33:
The House of Cross
"The House of Cross" appeared in 2024-11-25 at 416 pages, the thirty-third Alex Cross novel. Patterson writes each entry to stand alone with built-in recaps, so new readers can join here even as the book continues Cross's long arc between the D.C. Metropolitan Police, the FBI, and his family.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The House of Cross - Book 34:
Return of the Spider
"Return of the Spider" (2025, 408 pages) is a direct companion to the 1993 series opener "Along Came a Spider," bringing back the legacy of Cross's first great villain, Gary Soneji, decades into the detective's career -- making publication order more rewarding than usual for readers who want the connection to land.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Return of the Spider - Book 35:
Cross and Sampson
"Cross and Sampson" (2026, 368 pages), credited to James Patterson and Brian Sitts, is the newest Alex Cross novel, following "Return of the Spider" and continuing the series' three-decade run of pairing Cross with his oldest friend and partner John Sampson against another theatrical case.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Cross and Sampson
About the Alex Cross series
Dr. Alex Cross is a Washington, D.C. homicide detective and forensic psychologist — a widowed father raising his family in Southeast D.C. with the help of his indomitable grandmother, Nana Mama. That home life is the series' anchor, because everything else in Cross's world is chaos: James Patterson has spent three decades throwing history's most theatrical serial killers and criminal masterminds at him, from Gary Soneji in Along Came a Spider to Kyle Craig, the Mastermind, whose vendetta spans many books.
The formula is pure Patterson: ultra-short chapters, alternating viewpoints that let you inside the killer's head, and cliffhangers engineered for one-more-chapter reading. But the series endures because Cross himself is more than a thriller engine — he is a thoughtful, wounded, deeply moral man whose cases keep colliding with his family, his faith and his city. Over more than thirty novels Cross moves between the D.C. Metropolitan Police and the FBI, partners with his oldest friend John Sampson, loses and finds love, and watches his children — especially young Ali — grow into the family business of asking dangerous questions.
Begun in 1993, the series has sold on the order of 100 million copies, making Cross one of the best-selling fictional detectives ever. It has been filmed three times (with Morgan Freeman and Tyler Perry as Cross) and is now the Prime Video series Cross starring Aldis Hodge. New entries still arrive nearly every November.
Frequently asked questions
How many Alex Cross books are there?
There are 35 books in the Alex Cross series as of Cross and Sampson (February 2026), counting the companion novel Alex Cross's Trial. The next entry, The Family Cross, is scheduled for October 19, 2026.
What order should I read the Alex Cross books in?
Publication order, beginning with Along Came a Spider (1993). Story chronology matches publication order, and recurring villains like Gary Soneji and Kyle Craig make sequence reading more satisfying.
Do I need to read Alex Cross in order?
No — each novel is a self-contained case with built-in recaps. But Return of the Spider (2025) lands much harder if you have read Along Came a Spider first.
Is Alex Cross still being written?
Yes. Patterson publishes a new Cross novel almost every November; the series is ongoing, and it now feeds the Prime Video series Cross.
What is the first Alex Cross book?
Along Came a Spider (1993), in which Cross hunts kidnapper Gary Soneji. Kiss the Girls (1995) is the second.
If you like the Alex Cross series
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