Crawled into my head (Along Came a Spider - James Patterson)

Name: NikkiH

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Product:	Along Came a Spider - James Patterson
Date:	27/05/05 (209 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Gripping

Disadvantages: I wish I had not seen the film

One of my friends recommended James Patterson, and after reading a rather disappointing Patricia Cornwell novel, I was keen for something more gripping, and she assured me that this book was just what I needed. Since being introduced to this book, Patterson's name has become more familiar.

Many authors have their signature characters, with Cornwell it is Kay Scarpetta, and with Patterson, we have Alex Cross. This is the first of Patterson’s books which features Cross, and we are given a brief history of how he got to where he is. Exactly where he is you discover is a widowed father of two, weighed down emotionally, living with his grandmother, and making a living as a detective/psychologist. He is struggling to move on with his life after his wife Maria was murdered in a drive by shooting, so focuses all of his energies on solving crime.

I do not want to give away too much of the plot as it would spoil the experience of reading the book as there are many twists and turns when you think the story is close to wrapping up. Basically, it is about a man who dreams of being world famous for all of the wrong reasons, and is not scared to go to extreme lengths to get the fame and notoriety he desires. Cross starts to investigate a murder, and his investigations link him to a new case with new twists and a possible new love interest, and before long the characters become intertwined for a number of reasons, and you have to read to the book to find out how it all pans out.

The experience of reading this book took me through a series of emotions, including sadness, frustration, annoyance and in some ways a slight fear of what was to come. The descriptive nature of Patterson’s writing lacks a little in his character development, however when describing scenes and happenings he is a master. He gives you subtle hints which take you in a certain direction, only to take you somewhere totally different, and it is gripping stuff.

The characters are believeable, and that is what made me root for them, even the ones that I should have despised, I found myself pitying them. It is just under 450 pages long, and not once did I not eagerly turn the page wanting to absorb myself in the story even more. Patterson does not include unnecessary words to describe people and places, and this gives the book a good flow. The book was published initially in 1993, but it feels very modern and up to date, with plotlines, that could be and at this moment actually are current news stories somewhere in the world, and this only supports the credibility of the characters and the various plotlines.

Sometimes I wish there was a law against making films out of books. Granted there are many excellent screen adaptations of some fine books, but there are also some really dire efforts. Morgan Freeman starred in the film version of this book, and it was ok, but it has given me a firm visual picture of the main character and try as I might, throughout this book I saw his face whenever I was reading which spoilt the experience a little. Also, for anyone who has seen the film but not read the book, there are many differences between the two, and I would have to say the differences make the book a much better option, especially as the limited time available for the film leaves it with many unanswered questions and gaping holes in the plot.

I have not read anymore in the series of books yet, but I intend to as I am sure they will all be as impressive and enjoyable as this one.

Summary: Fame is the name of this game, but death may be the price for the innocent victims