Product Description

Now the Mastermind is in prison, Alex Cross is ready to leave the Washington Police Force. And, finally, Alex has met a woman, Jamilla Hughes. With Nana and the kids, he is talking about the future. Until John Sampson arrives and begs him to take on one last case – his best friend has been accused of a horrific triple murder. Three women were knifed at an Army base. His fingerprints and DNA have been found – but Sampson's friend swears he has been framed, and that Alex is his only hope... Uncovering evidence of a series of suspicious murder convictions, Alex and Sampson are determined to infiltrate the closed world of the military. But what is the army trying to hide? And do the mysterious symbols daubed on the homes of the accused mean that there are more sinister forces at work?

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #8659 in Books
• Published on: 2003-09-15
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 416 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
There's absolutely no denying the fact that it's impossible to put down a Patterson thriller once it's been picked up--and Four Blind Mice is no exception. And it's not just the cliff-hanging chapters: Patterson is a stylist of real distinction, and in Alex Cross he has created one of the most memorable (and durable) protagonists in the genre (no mean achievement, given Patterson's avoidance of the usual clichés: recovering alcoholic cop, endless conflict with superiors, etc.).

Having fought a bloody battle with a criminal mastermind, the weary Alex has decided to leave the Washington Police Force. Another factor in his decision is a new romance: his life has changed since he met the seductive Jamilla Hughes. But (readers won't be surprised to hear) Alex is persuaded by John Sampson to take on one final case: his closest friend has been indicted for a grisly double murder. Fingerprints and DNA evidence link the suspect with two women who have been savagely knifed at an army base, but Alex comes to believe that he's looking at a frame-up. And as the resourceful detective cuts through a swathe of intrigue to uncover both a complex plot and a malign opponent, he finds himself in quite as much danger as in any of his confrontations with super-intelligent serial killers. Those familiar with previous Patterson novels as will know exactly what to expect here. If there is less time than usual spent on developing Alex's personality, that's because Patterson is more than ever putting his skills at the service of an extremely fast-moving narrative. Four Blind Mice will keep Patterson admirers more than happy. --Barry Forshaw

About the Author
James Patterson is one of the best-known and biggest-selling writers of all time. He is the author of some of the most popular series of the past decade: the Women's Murder Club, the Alex Cross novels and Maximum Ride, and he has written many other number one bestsellers including romance novels and stand-alone thrillers. He has won an Edgar Award, the mystery world's highest honour. He lives in Florida with his wife and son.

Customer Reviews

Good
Mr Patterson here has written a very good book. Alex Cross being the strongest of the characters he has created, I expected good things from this book, and I was not disappointed. A criticism that I have is that in some places the story doesn't seem to move, and in other parts it skips to fast. Regardless of this the story is easy to follow. There are a lot of charcaters in the plot so it can be quite difficult to remain 100% certain as to whom each character is. My own personal favourite detail of this book is the characater growth of Sampson. Before he has only been a side character with not too much of the emotional weight put upon him, but here we see more from his side. Impressed with the book, and the extra glow that is given here to other novels of his, such as 'Along Came A Spider' is that there are twists, and old characters thrown in from the past. A very good read.

Is it the end?!
What am i going to do when the Alex Cross series finishes?!
James Patterson excels himself again.
Cleverly written and quick paced 'Four Blind Mice' gives you everything you expect from an Alex Cross story.
I like the fact that Sampson is more involved with this. For years he has supposed to have been Alex's partner and finally now he is acting like one!

I would have loved to give it 5 stars but have given it four as im not too sure where James Patterson is going with this book. Its Alex Cross through and through but its as if he has started all over again with this one. It does tie up a few loose ends but to me it has left a lot extremely wide open. Maybe its not the last! Come on JP give us more of the amazing stuff you write!

Lost the Plot
When I first started reading James Patterson I was gripped with hsi early work such as Along came a Spider and Kiss the Girls, but over the last few years his work has slowy become worse and worse.

Although 4 Blind Mice is better than his last few books, I still feel that Patterson has become lazy in his writing. Every book he has written concerning Alex Cross has has an excellent plot and premise behind it, its just that Patterson seems to be rushing the book along and not delving deep enough into the plot.

My problem with this book and the last few Alex Cross novels is not that Patterson has run out of ideas, like most crime writers sometimes do, just that he isn't taking enough time and care with the actual telling of the story, something I hope he will rectify.