Cross Country is the latest of James Patterson's novels to feature the former FBI agent turned criminal psychologist Alex Cross who has helped make James Patterson a household name. Of late, the crime thriller author has been turning out the books thick and fast, and with a few more to come out within the next few months, one may worry about the increased pace of the releases having an adverse effect on the quality.

However, this latest Alex Cross book doesn't disappoint. Fans of the Alex Cross books will be satisfied with the result, as Cross encounters a new breed of killer, one who would happily order the slaughter of a family and then continue killing in escalatory fashion. Cross tracks the killer to Africa, where he heads to catch him and bring him to justice at all costs.

Patterson does a clever thing in taking Alex Cross to Africa. Moving him around the world a bit ensures that the plot varies enough to keep his readers interested in the books as opposed to finding them just the same as the last one. There is an element of repetition, which is inevitable with any long running book character, but Patterson's quick paced plot and short chapters, which leave no room for long and descriptive passages, mean that the action flows fast and is entertaining.

The one thing you can be assured of with a Patterson novel is good action, and this tale is full of intense non stop action throughout. The foreign location for Cross adds another dimension, despite the fact that the basics of a plot do suggest we are on familiar ground with Cross.

I recommend reading this one. It isn't the best Alex Cross novel he has written, but it is very good and a nice change of scenery. Cross Country is currently available from amazon.co.uk for £6.99.