Alex Cross Books in Order
James Patterson's long-running thriller series following Alex Cross, a forensic psychologist and detective who hunts serial killers and terrorists across Washington, D.C., and beyond. Beginning with Along Came a Spider (1993), the books blend procedural suspense with Cross's evolving family life.
Publication order
In the order the books were originally released.
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Buy on Amazon1993 · James Patterson
A missing little girl named Maggie Rose and the brutal murder of a family of three in the Washington, D.C. projects are part of a series of crimes…
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Buy on Amazon1995 · James Patterson
In 1995, James Patterson published a novel that follows Alex Cross as he investigates a series of murders. A reporter in Los Angeles is killed while…
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Buy on Amazon1996 · James Patterson
In the middle of the night, a controversial U.S. senator is found murdered in his Georgetown apartment. The only clue is a mysterious rhyme signed…
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Buy on Amazon1997 · James Patterson
Alex Cross returns in a new novel by James Patterson, where he faces the dangerous and suicidal Gary Soneji, who is dying from AIDS and seeks…
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Buy on Amazon1999 · James Patterson
A 1999 novel by James Patterson. Detective Alex Cross is in love, but a series of chilling murders in Washington, D.C. threatens his happiness. His…
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Buy on Amazon2000 · James Patterson
Detective Alex Cross investigates a series of bank robberies in Washington, D.C., where the criminals, known as the Mastermind, issue exacting…
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Buy on Amazon2001 · James Patterson
A 2001 novel by James Patterson in which D.C. Detective Alex Cross investigates the gruesome murders of two joggers in San Francisco's Golden Gate…
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Buy on Amazon2002 · James Patterson
Detective Alex Cross is preparing to resign from the Washington, D.C., Police Force when his partner, John Sampson, brings him a case he cannot…
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Buy on Amazon2003 · James Patterson
Alex Cross's first case with the FBI involves the kidnapping of beautiful women, who are being sold as slaves. A criminal known as The Wolf is behind…
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Buy on Amazon2004 · James Patterson
In broad desert daylight, a mysterious platoon of soldiers evacuates the entire population of Sunrise Valley, Nevada, before a huge bomb detonates a…
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Buy on Amazon2005 · James Patterson
FBI Agent Alex Cross is on vacation with his family in Disneyland when he receives a call from the Director about a well-known actress who was shot…
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Buy on Amazon2006 · James Patterson
Alex Cross was a rising star in the Washington, DC, Police Department when his wife, Maria, was shot and killed by an unknown shooter. The case…
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Buy on Amazon2007 · James Patterson
Just when Alex Cross's life is beginning to settle, he is pulled back into the world of crime to face a criminal mastermind unlike any he has…
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Buy on Amazon2008 · James Patterson
Cross Country is a novel by James Patterson in which Alex Cross investigates the brutal murder scene at the home of his oldest friend, Ellie Cox. The…
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Buy on Amazon2009 · James Patterson
Alex Cross's Trial is the 15th novel in the Alex Cross series. Alex Cross writes a novel called Trial, retelling his great uncle Abraham's struggles…
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Buy on Amazon2009 · James Patterson
The novel involves three powerful groups: the CIA, the Cosa Nostra, and the local government. They hire Damian and Carrie Rose, two psychopathic…
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Buy on Amazon2010 · James Patterson
Detective Alex Cross and Bree's wedding plans are put on hold when Alex is called to investigate the assassination of a corrupt congressman and a…
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Buy on Amazon2011 · James Patterson
A novel by James Patterson. The President's son and daughter are abducted, and Detective Alex Cross is among the first on the scene, but someone…
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Buy on Amazon2012 · James Patterson
It's Christmas Eve, and Detective Alex Cross is pulled away from his family to deal with a dangerous hostage situation that is becoming increasingly…
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Buy on Amazon2013 · James Patterson
Detective Alex Cross busts a lavish party thrown by plastic surgeon Elijah Creem, who is now willing to do anything to avoid jail. Meanwhile three…
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Buy on Amazon2013 · James Patterson
Cross My Heart is the 21st novel in the Alex Cross series by James Patterson. It follows Detective Alex Cross as he considers a life outside the…
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Buy on Amazon2014 · James Patterson
Detective Alex Cross is being hunted by a dangerous and intelligent criminal. His family, including his wife Bree, his grandmother Nana Mama, and his…
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Buy on Amazon2015 · James Patterson
Alex Cross returns to his North Carolina roots when his cousin is accused of a shocking crime, and the case soon entangles him in long-buried family…
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Buy on Amazon2016 · James Patterson
When a prominent Washington D.C. police official is murdered, Alex Cross is called in to investigate. His work is repeatedly disrupted by a vigilante…
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Buy on Amazon2016 · James Patterson
In this short story, Alex Cross witnesses a brazen murder and finds himself drawn into a cat-and-mouse pursuit with a brutal hit man. The brief,…
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Buy on Amazon2018 · James Patterson
The murder of a Supreme Court nominee throws Washington into turmoil, and Alex Cross joins a high-stakes investigation amid intense political…
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Buy on Amazon2017 · James Patterson
In this short story, Alex Cross is called in when a threat targets a major public event in Washington, racing to identify the danger before it can be…
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Buy on Amazon2017 · James Patterson
Alex Cross, a respected detective, is charged with killing followers of his enemy Gary Soneji. He claims it was self-defense, but the public and jury…
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2018 · James Patterson
Target: Alex Cross is a 2018 book by James Patterson. It is book 26 of the series Alex Cross.
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Buy on Amazon2019 · James Patterson
In a Virginia penitentiary, Alex Cross and his partner, John Sampson, observe the execution of a killer they helped convict. Later, they are called…
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Buy on Amazon2020 · James Patterson
Deadly Cross is a 2020 book by James Patterson. It is book 28 of the series Alex Cross. Catalog genres: Literary Fiction, Mystery & Detective,…
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2021 · James Patterson
Fear No Evil is a 2021 book by James Patterson. It is book 29 of the series Alex Cross.
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Buy on Amazon2022 · James Patterson
Triple Cross is a 2022 book by James Patterson. It is book 30 of the series Alex Cross.
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2023 · James Patterson
Alex Cross Must Die is a 2023 book by James Patterson. It is book 32 of the series Alex Cross. Catalog genres: Thriller & Suspense, Literary Fiction,…
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Buy on Amazon2023 · James Patterson
Cross Down is a 2023 book by James Patterson. It is book 31 of the series Alex Cross. Catalog genres: Literary Fiction. The listed edition runs 496…
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2024 · James Patterson
Alex Cross investigates a string of killings tied to a powerful and untouchable figure, drawing him into a confrontation with influence that reaches…
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Buy on Amazon2025 · James Patterson
Detective Alex Cross faces his most dangerous nemesis yet when a ghostly killer emerges from his past, targeting the people closest to him with…
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Companion & related books
Short-story collections and companion titles in this series.
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Buy on Amazon1999 · Clive Cussler
A stranded Antarctic whaler discovers an old shipwreck with its frozen crew protecting a valuable treasure. A group of anthropologists is trapped…
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Frequently asked questions
What order should I read the Alex Cross books in?
Publication order — Widely recommended by readers and reference sites such as BookSeriesInOrder, which note Cross's character and family arc are best followed in release order; the author published them in this sequence. Start with “Along Came a Spider.”
How many books are in the Alex Cross series?
We list 38 books by James Patterson , published between 1993–2025.
Where can I buy the Alex Cross books?
Each title above links to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Reading order compiled from author/publisher guidance and verified bibliographic data. Spotted an error? We continuously correct the catalog.