SeriesStack

Alex Cross Adventures Books in Order

by James PattersonMystery, Thriller & Suspense

35 books so far (book 36 is due October 19, 2026) and 2 novellas. They run from Along Came a Spider (1993) to Cross and Sampson (2026). Rated 4.5 across 83,906 listener reviews.

Next Alex Cross Adventures book

The Family Cross

Book 36 · out October 19, 2026 · preorder now

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Reading order

  1. Along Came a Spider

    Book 1 1993 4.5 (8.6k)

    Discover the classic thriller that launched the bestselling detective series from the world's most popular storyteller. Alex Cross is in a race against time after two private-school children are kidnapped by their teacher—a man looking to…

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  2. Kiss the Girls

    Book 2 2018 4.6 (2.9k)

    In this electrifying thriller from the world’s most popular storyteller, Alex Cross is on his most terrifying murder case yet as a he must take down not one, but two serial killers working together in a twisted cross-country criminal…

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  3. Jack & Jill

    Book 3 1714 4.6 (2.5k)

    In this #1 New York Times bestseller from the world’s most popular storyteller, join Alex Cross in a heart-stopping thrill ride as he pieces together the clues of two gruesome murders—before it’s too late.

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  4. Cat & Mouse

    Book 4 1997 4.4 (2.1k)

    In this #1 New York Times bestseller from the world’s most popular storyteller, two killers-one operating in America, one in Europe, believe Alex Cross is the only worthy opponent in the deadly game each has planned.

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  5. Pop Goes the Weasel

    Book 5 1999 4.5 (2.2k)

    In this heart-pounding thriller from the world’s most popular storyteller, Detective Alex Cross and his beloved fiancé find themselves tangled in a complex murder investigation—threatening not only public safety, but their chance at…

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  6. Roses Are Red

    Book 6 1752 4.5 (2.6k)

    In this #1 New York Times bestseller from the world’s most popular storyteller, Alex Cross is in a race against time as a series of crimes stuns Washington, DC—and he faces down his most brilliant enemy yet.

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  7. Violets Are Blue

    Book 7 2001 4.5 (2.3k)

    Detective Alex Cross must confront his most terrifying nemesis ever—and his own deepest fears—in this electrifying thriller from the world's #1 bestselling writer. Alex Cross has investigated macabre crime scenes.

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  8. Four Blind Mice

    Book 8 2002 4.4 (1.9k)

    In this #1 New York Times bestseller from the world’s most popular storyteller, Detectives Alex Cross and John Sampson go deep behind military lines to confront a team of assassins known as the Four Blind Mice.

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  9. The Big Bad Wolf

    Book 9 2001 4.3 (2k)

    Cross. Now streaming on Prime Video. In this thrilling novel from a New York Times bestselling author, Alex Cross battles the most ruthless and powerful killer he has ever encountered: a predator known only as the Wolf.

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  10. London Bridges

    Book 10 2004 4.2 (2k)

    Cross. Now streaming on Prime Video. In broad desert daylight, a mysterious platoon of soldiers evacuates the entire population of Sunrise Valley, Nevada.

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  11. Mary, Mary

    Book 11 1857 4.2 (3k)

    Cross. Now streaming on Prime Video. FBI agent Alex Cross is on vacation with his family at Disneyland when he gets a call from the Director. A well-known actress was shot outside her home in Beverly Hills.

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  12. Cross

    Book 12 1684 4.3 (2.9k)

    Cross. Now streaming on Prime Video. The pinnacle of all Alex Cross thrillers is now available as a value-priced audiobook! Alex Cross was a rising star in the Washington, DC, Police Department when an unknown shooter gunned down his wife,…

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  13. Double Cross

    Book 13 2000 4.4 (2.2k)

    Cross. Now streaming on Prime Video. Alex Cross faces two crazed killers in this chilling, suspenseful blockbuster from James Patterson, "the man who can't miss" (Time).

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  14. Cross Country

    Book 14 2008 4.2 (1.9k)

    Cross. Now streaming on Prime Video. When the home of Alex Cross's oldest friend, Ellie Cox, is turned into the worst murder scene Alex has ever seen, the destruction leads him to believe that he's chasing a horrible new breed of killer.

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  15. Alex Cross's TRIAL

    Book 15 2009 4.2 (1.7k)

    The year is 1906, and America is segregated. Hatred and discrimination plague the streets, the classroom, and the courts. But in WashingtonD.C., Ben Corbett, a smart and courageous lawyer, makes it his mission to confront injustice at…

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  16. I, Alex Cross

    Book 16 2002 4.3 (2.7k)

    Cross. Now streaming on Prime Video. You can't run Detective Alex Cross is pulled out of a family celebration and given the awful news that a beloved relative has been found brutally murdered.

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  17. Cross Fire

    Book 17 1998 4.4 (2.1k)

    Cross. Now streaming on Prime Video. From #1 New York Times bestselling author James Patterson, Alex Cross encounters his most explosive case ever as a D. C.

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  18. Kill Alex Cross

    Book 18 2011 4.4 (2.4k)

    Cross. Now streaming on Prime Video. The President's son and daughter are abducted, and Detective Alex Cross is one of the first on the scene.

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  19. Merry Christmas, Alex Cross

    Book 19 2011 4.4 (1.8k)

    It's Christmas Eve and Detective Alex Cross has been called out to catch someone who's robbing his church's poor box. That mission behind him, Alex returns home to celebrate with Bree, Nana, and his children.

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  20. Alex Cross, Run

    Book 20 2012 4.4 (2.4k)

    Cross. Now streaming on Prime Video. If Alex Cross stops running, he will die . . . three serial killers are on the loose, and they want revenge.

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  21. Cross My Heart

    Book 21 2013 4.4 (1.9k)

    Cross. Now streaming on Prime Video. James Patterson raises the stakes to their highest level, ever-when Alex Cross becomes the obsession of a genius of menace set on proving that he is the greatest mind in the history of crime.

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  22. Hope to Die

    Book 22 2014 4.4 (2.6k)

    Cross. Now streaming on Prime Video. Detective Alex Cross is being stalked by a psychotic genius, forced to play the deadliest game of his career.

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  23. Cross Justice

    Book 23 2013 4.5 (3.3k)

    Cross. Now streaming on Prime Video. The toughest cases hit closest to home. Alex Cross left his hometown, and some awful family tragedies, for a better life with Nana Mama in Washington, DC. He hasn't looked back.

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  24. Cross Kill

    Novella 23.5 2016 4.0 (9)

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  25. Cross the Line

    Book 24 2016 4.4 (2.4k)

    Cross. Now streaming on Prime Video. In all of Alex Cross's years with Homicide, Washington, DC, has never been more dangerous.

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  26. Detective Cross

    Novella 24.5 2017 4.6 (730)

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  27. The People vs. Alex Cross

    Book 25 2017 4.6 (3.3k)

    Cross. Now streaming on Prime Video. The charges: explosive Alex Cross has never been on the wrong side of the law-until now.

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  28. Target: Alex Cross

    Book 26 2018 4.6 (2.9k)

    Cross. Now streaming on Prime Video. When a ring of six elite assassins strikes D. C., Alex Cross teams up with the Secret Service and the FBI to take down a dangerous threat that could destroy America.

    Kindle Paperback Audiobook

  29. Criss Cross

    Book 27 2019 4.6 (2.2k)

    Cross. Now streaming on Prime Video. When a mysterious serial killer known as "M" launches a deranged "investigation", Alex Cross and his partner must unearth long-forgotten secrets to survive -- or risk getting buried themselves.

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  30. Deadly Cross

    Book 28 2020 4.6 (3k)

    Cross. Now streaming on Prime Video. The murder of a glamorous DC socialite becomes Alex Cross’s deadliest case since Along Came a Spider.

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  31. Fear No Evil

    Book 29 2021 4.5 (2.6k)

    Cross. Now streaming on Prime Video. Caught in a web of assassins, Alex Cross enters the final battle with the all-knowing genius who has stalked him and his family for years. Dr.

    Kindle Paperback Audiobook

  32. Triple Cross

    Book 30 2022 4.6 (2.5k)

    Cross. Now streaming on Prime Video. James Patterson's #1 bestselling hero Detective Alex Cross hunts down a serial killer who targets entire families—and who will next be coming for the Crosses.

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  33. Cross Down

    Book 31 2023 4.7 (1.2k)

    In this #1 New York Times bestseller, Alex Cross is gravely injured and only his partner and friend John Sampson can keep him safe . . . and get justice. For the first time, John Sampson is on his own.

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  34. Alex Cross Must Die

    Book 32 2023 4.6 (854)

    In this thrilling novel from a #1 New York Times bestselling author, detective Alex Cross is in the sights of the Dead Hours Killer, a serial murderer on a ruthless mission.

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  35. The House of Cross

    Book 33 2024 4.7 (882)

    Cross on Amazon Prime debuted at #1 in over 100 countries worldwide. Now read the latest action-packed Alex Cross thriller.

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  36. Return of the Spider

    Book 34 2025 4.4 (766)

    Instant New York Times Bestseller! Return of the Spider is the stunning companion novel to Along Came a Spider, the New York Times bestselling classic thriller from the world's #1 bestselling author, James Patterson.

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  37. Cross and Sampson

    Book 35 2026 4.6 (919)

    In this instant New York Times bestselling thriller from the world’s most popular storyteller, detective partners Alex Cross and John Sampson are called to separate locations to investigate a pair of serious crimes.

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  38. The Family Cross

    Book 36 Out October 19, 2026

    Alex Cross investigates a series of baffling murders while balancing a family crisis that threatens to upend his entire world in this thriller from the world's #1 bestselling author, James Patterson.

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Adapted for screen

  • Cross TV series · Prime Video · 2024– · 2 seasons

About this reading order

Books are listed in the series' own numbering, which for Alex Cross Adventures is also the best order to read them in. Novellas and short stories sit between the novels they follow, numbered the way the publisher numbers them (23.5 comes after book 23). They are optional — you can skip them without missing the main story. Years are first publication where we could confirm it, and otherwise the first audiobook release.

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