Released in 1997, Cat and Mouse is the fourth book in the Alex Cross series written by James Patterson. This case revolves around the Washington DC Detective once again pitting his wits against old adversary Gary Soneji, who he first encountered back in the first release 'Along Came a Spider'. The events of that book have weighed heavy of Soneji and he has returned to wreak havoc, not just on Cross, but on the things he holds most dear - his family.

At the same time, brilliant FBI Agent Thomas Pierce is struggling to catch the sick and twisted serial killer Mr Smith. Currently in London, Smith takes great pleasure in goading his purseur who is always one step behind.

As the two cases become entwined, Cross and Pierce find themselves working together to stop two of the most diabolical criminal minds they have encountered from continuing their bloody trail of destruction acroos America and Europe. The trail will test them both to their very limits and leave one of them changed forever.

I first picked this book up in 1997, soon after the release of the film adaptation of 'Kiss the Girls'. I love a good mystery thriller and this book certainly ticks all the boxes. With twists aplenty, the book rattles along at a lightening pace. The writing is punchy, little time is taken to give prolonged descriptions of people and places, instead Patterson gives a sketch. It is left up to readers to fill in the blanks of the charicatures of these people we have met so many times in so many other fictional worlds.

This book and those in the Cross series definitely fulfill all the requirements of summer holiday reading. Easy to get into, extremely enjoyable and then eminently forgettable. For me, the most enjoyable fact was that having seen the movie starring Morgan Freeman, I was able to visualize him in this story. As I mentioned earlier this was the first of the Cross series I picked up and have continued to read through and enjoy the series, but this being the first and with an ending that will blow you away, still ranks as my favourite.