Cat & Mouse (Alex Cross) [Mass Market Paperback]

James Patterson (Author)

Book Description

Series: Alex Cross | Publication Date: November 1, 1998

Alex Cross is back-and so is a raging and suicidal Gary Soneji. Out of prison and dying from the AIDS virus he contracted there, he will get revenge on Cross before he dies. In addition, we are introduced to a new pair of rivals whose paths cross that of Alex and Soneji. Thomas Augustine Pierce has been chasing his demon, Mr. Smith, since the savage murder of his fiancee. Mr. Smith is a unique monster, with actions toward his victims so insane-so unimaginable-that he is thought of as "not of the earth." Pierce, known in the business as St. Augustine because of his track record for catching killers and his invaluable status to the FBI and Interpol, may even be better than Cross.When things heat up and Alex is in a near-death coma following an attack in his own home, Pierce goes to Washington to help with the investigation. But just as he begins to piece together the mystery of how Gary Soneji could have mortally wounded Cross after he was believed to be dead, he is summoned to Paris with a postcard from Mr. Smith inviting him to a very special killing.The body count is high, the tension the highest, and the two killers on the loose are watching every move their pursuers make. Who is the cat, and who is the mouse? What and where is the final trap? And who survives?

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Alex Cross, the Porsche-driving doctor-detective-profiler-psychologist and single father of two must save his own life as well as the lives of his lover and family in a deadly game of Cat and Mouse. Cross meets up again with his old nemesis Gary Soneji, the ruthless, bloodthirsty megalomaniac from Along Came a Spider. Apparently, Soneji isn't too happy with Cross for putting him away and keeping him out of the violent crime loop for five years, so he's back with a bone to pick and a couple of fish to fry--or innocent bystanders to shoot, stab, or bludgeon. Soneji goes on a commuter killing spree in hopes of luring Cross down a bloody trail that ends at the good detective's own home. Cross is hot on the case and hot for Christine Johnson, his children's babe-a-licious principal who happens to be the widow of George Johnson, one of Soneji's victims. Never mind the coincidence; is Christine a bad-luck charm? Is there another killer? If so, is she or he in cahoots with Soneji? Once again, Patterson delivers a fast-paced, action-packed thriller that's sure to keep the pages flying. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Fans of Patterson's Alex Cross series will be delighted with this latest installment. Reappearing is Christine Johnson, seen in an earlier Cross novel, Jack & Jill (LJ 8/96) and the principal at his children's school, and Cross has fallen in love with her. Gary Soneji, the creepy kidnapper and murderer from another Cross book, has broken out of jail and embarked on a new killing spree, again taunting Cross that he can't stop him. And one of his intended targets is Cross and his family. If that isn't enough, there's a new serial killer whose murders are so inhuman that the news media are suggesting that he's an alien from another planet. All story lines connect in this thriller, whose driving plot will distract you from thinking about its implausibilities and keep you turning pages to the last, when you'll find yourself impatiently awaiting the arrival of the next Cross novel. Recommended for public libraries.?Charles Michaud, Turner Free Lib., Randolph, Mass.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Vision; Re-Issue, 2007 edition (November 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446606189
• ISBN-13: 978-0446606189
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1 x 6.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (345 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #24,941 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #16 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Mystery & Thrillers > Authors, A-Z > ( P ) > Patterson, James
  • #16 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Mystery & Thrillers > Thrillers > Psychological & Suspense
  • #19 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Mystery & Thrillers > Police Procedurals

More About the Author

From my publisher:

James Patterson...


* James Patterson holds the New York Times bestsellers list record with 63 New York Times bestselling titles.

* JP has sold more than 220 million books worldwide. And considering pass-along and libraries, it's safe to say many more people than that have read a Patterson!

* In 2010, JP was named by kids everywhere the Children's Book Councils' Children's Choice Book Awards "Author of the Year" in 2010. More than 15,000 kid and teen readers voted for JP in a category he shared with Suzanne Collins, Carl Hiaasen, Jeff Kinney, and Rick Riordan. His Witch and Wizard series saw the biggest launch of a series for young readers ever, surpassing sales of first installments of Twilight, Diary of A Wimpy Kid, and Percy Jackson & The Olympians.

* JP has grossed over 3 billion dollars in worldwide sales. This is larger than the worldwide theatrical gross of Avatar, the highest grossing film of all time.

* JP has had 43 New York Times hardcover #1 bestselling novels, also a publishing industry record.

* Last year, JP has sold more books than John Grisham, Dan Brown, Tom Clancy, and Stephen King combined (source: Nielsen BookScan).

* JP properties are gaining wide interest amongst film and TV producers. JP's award-winning series for young readers, Maximum Ride, is currently with Avi Arad (Spiderman, Iron Man) and Universal Pictures. Lloyd Levin (Green Zone, Watchmen) is attached to produce a feature film adaptation of JP's newest young readers series, Witch and Wizard, and James Patterson Entertainment is set to produce the next Alex Cross film, I, Alex Cross which will feature Idris Elba (The Wire, The Losers) as Alex Cross. And, a television adaptation of JP's 2007 love story Sundays At Tiffanys aired in December 2010 starring Alyssa Milano and Eric Winter.

* JP's books are licensed in 43 countries worldwide, and are in print and actively sold in 100 countries.

* According to a 2010 Bowker Sisters in Crime Survey, JP is the favorite mystery writer amongst readers under 50...AND over 50! Survey respondents comprised American men, women and teens who bought at least one mystery fiction title in 2009 and/or 2010.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Alex Cross has met his match!, January 18, 2000

By 

Bradley J. Weingart (Tampa, Florida United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cat & Mouse (Alex Cross) (Mass Market Paperback)

Alex Cross, James Patterson's returning character, is truly one today's greatest, most well developed 'hero' found in print! In Cat and Mouse, Cross's fourth book, the reader is sent on a roller coaster ride of plot twists all written in an almost groundbreaking 'change of perspective' style. Live the unfolding mystery through Alex Cross's eyes and others around him as they interact with one another in an attempt to stop the returning villian from Patterson's previous book Along Came a Spider-Gary Soneji. Or is it someone else? In this book Patterson has topped himself once again concerning the 'fleshing out' of his star Alex Cross. The interaction between the detective and those around him such as his children, mother and love interest creates a spellbinding atmosphere that is rarely achieved in today's 'suspense' books. But therein is only one of the author's strengths, the storyline is presented in a unique and captivating way, with a seemingly unbelievable twist occurring halfway through instead of at the end. Lastly, don't be misled by my harping on the merits of this book's character interaction. Its greatest asset is the mystery villian, and Alex Cross's attempts at identifying him/her. *Previous book alert* I suggest you read the first three Alex Cross books in this order:Along Came a Spider,Kiss the Girls, and Jack and Jill. (at the very least Along..) before reading Cat and Mouse.

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best James Patterson novels around., December 17, 1999

By 

LaShaun A. Williams - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cat & Mouse (Alex Cross) (Mass Market Paperback)

Cat & Mouse was the story of Alex Cross, an African-American police officer who was working on a case of two serial killers. One was Gary Soneji--the antagonist from Patterson's previous thriller Along Came a Spider--who was hellbent on taking revenge on Cross, family included. The other was Mr. Smith, a serial killer with split personalities who performed "autopsies" on his victims while they were still alive.

This book has a good balance of scenes between Cross' personal life (his loving grandmother, his huge best friend Samson, his two beautiful children, and their teacher whom he is falling in love with) and business life.

The book is very easy to follow and goes by at a very quick pace. The characters were realistic along with the plot.

The thing that I liked most about the book was the way Patterson told the story. I actually found myself feeling sorry for the bad guys as well as the good, which usually never happens.

I would recommend this book to anyone but be sure not to make the same mistake I made. I started the book late at night before I went to bed at about 11 o'clock. It was so good that I continued to read until three in the morning, which left me sleepy and irritable the next day at work. If you are going to read this book, be sure to start it when you have at least two hours of spare time.

P.S. Please read my other reviews.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional thriller, December 21, 2000

By 

Glenn McLeod - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cat & Mouse (Alex Cross) (Mass Market Paperback)

Cat and Mouse by James Patterson Warner Books, 1997

A former nemisis of Alex Cross, Gary Soneji, has escaped from jail and is intent on building his reputation as the best (worst?) serial killer in the world and to add Alex Cross to his growing list of victims. Shooting people like fish in a barrel in Washington and New York train stations brings Alex in close contact with this vicious psychopath whose final words seems to indicate that Cross and his family are doomed.

Meanwhile in Europe another serial killer nick named "Mr. Smith" is dispatching victims at and incredible rate and he too would like to end the career of Alex Cross. As Alex becomes involved in this case he must figure out the tantalizing clues left by the killer before he too becomes a victim of the brilliant "Mr. Smith".

A real page turner filled with incredible tension softened somewhat and made human by Alex's growing love for the beautiful Christine Johnson. For thriller readers a real must.