Along Came a Spider

By: James Patterson

Narrated by: Taye Diggs

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 commit the crime of the century.

The inspiration for the Prime Video show, Cross.

Alex Cross is a homicide detective with a Ph.D. in psychology. He works and lives in Southeast D.C. and looks like Muhammad Ali in his prime. He's a tough guy from a tough part of town who wears Harris Tweed jackets and likes to relax by banging out Gershwin tunes on his baby grand piano. But he also has two adorable kids of his own, and they are his own special vulnerabilities.

Jezzie Flanagan is the first woman ever to hold the highly sensitive job as supervisor of the Secret Service in Washington. Blond, mysterious, seductive, she's got an outer shell that's as tough as it is beautiful. She rides her black BMW motorcycle at speeds of no less than 100 mph. What is she running from? What is her secret?

Alex Cross and Jezzie Flanagan are about to have a forbidden love affair-at the worst possible time for both of them. Because Gary Soneji, who wants to commit the "crime of the century," is playing at the top of his game. Soneji has outsmarted the FBI, the Secret Service, and the police. Who will be his next victim?

Gary Soneji is every parent's worst nightmare. He has become Alex Cross's nightmare. And now, reader, he's about to become yours.

Critic reviews

"Patterson's storytelling talent is in top form in this grisly escapist yarn."—Library Journal

"Brilliantly terrifying! So exciting that I had to stay up all night to finish it! Packed with white-knuckle twists."—Daily Mail

"An incredibly suspenseful read with a one-of-a-kind villain who is as terrifying as he is intriguing. One of the best thrillers of the year."—Clive Cussler

"Terror and suspense that grab the reader and won't let go. Just try running away from this one."—Ed McBain

Good Read

Good book, enjoyed the story. It was suspenseful and easy to follow. The narration left a little to be desired.

need more

Can't wait to read the other installments to the series. The performance was a little slow in the beginning but once the story was unfolding I can tell that the narrator was getting more Interested in the story and the narrating also was getting better.

Great story but

The story itself was great. Well written. It kept me guessing. Taye Diggs was okay as the narrator for a single character but rubbish at any more than that. He actually made following the story difficult at times as all voices sounded the same

Love love love!

Halfway through Book 1, I had to have book 2. James Patterson is definitely one of my favorite writers.

non-stop action

Wanted to listen straight through. No good time to stop. Loved it! Can't wait to start book two.