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
Washington, D.C. homicide detective and psychologist Alex Cross is pulled onto a high-profile case when a schoolteacher with a dark secret abducts…
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Buy on Amazon1995 · James Patterson
Alex Cross travels to North Carolina after his niece vanishes, drawn into the hunt for a predator who calls himself Casanova and keeps young women…
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Buy on Amazon1996 · James Patterson
Two killers terrorize Washington at once: a poetry-leaving assassin named Jack and Jill targeting national celebrities, and a separate murderer…
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Buy on Amazon1997 · James Patterson
Alex Cross's old nemesis Gary Soneji resurfaces, bent on revenge, while in Europe a brilliant detective hunts a sadistic killer known as Mr. Smith.…
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Buy on Amazon1999 · James Patterson
A wealthy, sociopathic intelligence officer indulges in a deadly role-playing game and becomes the elusive killer dubbed the Weasel. As bodies pile…
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Buy on Amazon2000 · James Patterson
A meticulous mastermind orchestrates a string of escalating, perfectly planned bank robberies that turn violent, signing his work under the name the…
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Buy on Amazon2001 · James Patterson
A pair of killers stage ritualistic murders styled after vampire lore, draining their victims of blood across the country. Alex Cross joins the hunt…
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Buy on Amazon2002 · James Patterson
When an old Army friend is convicted of murders he swears he didn't commit, Alex Cross digs into a military conspiracy and uncovers a trio of trained…
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Buy on Amazon2003 · James Patterson
Now an FBI agent, Alex Cross investigates a series of abductions tied to a ruthless Russian crime boss known as the Wolf, who runs a brutal…
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Buy on Amazon2004 · James Patterson
The Wolf returns with a global campaign of terror, threatening to destroy major cities unless his enormous demands are met. Alex Cross is thrust into…
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Buy on Amazon2005 · James Patterson
A killer dubbed Mary Smith murders Hollywood celebrities and emails taunting messages to a reporter, drawing Alex Cross to Los Angeles. As Cross…
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Buy on Amazon2006 · James Patterson
Alex Cross reopens the unsolved murder that shattered his life years earlier, hunting the brutal killer known as the Butcher who once worked as a mob…
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Buy on Amazon2007 · James Patterson
Two monstrous criminals join forces against Alex Cross: a theatrical killer staging elaborate public murders in Washington, and Cross's incarcerated…
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Buy on Amazon2008 · James Patterson
When a family close to Alex Cross is slaughtered, the trail leads to a Nigerian warlord and a vast trafficking network. Cross follows the case all…
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Buy on Amazon1999 · Clive Cussler
An ancient catastrophe and a chilling prophecy resurface when mysterious artifacts and a hidden chamber point to a long-vanished civilization. Dirk…
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Buy on Amazon2009 · James Patterson
In this historical story framed as written by Cross's ancestor, a young lawyer leaves Washington for his Mississippi hometown to defend Black…
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Buy on Amazon2009 · James Patterson
When his niece is found murdered and other young people connected to Washington's elite vanish, Alex Cross uncovers a trail leading to a secretive,…
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Buy on Amazon2010 · James Patterson
As Alex Cross prepares for his wedding, a pair of skilled snipers begin assassinating corrupt public figures across Washington, earning grudging…
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2011 · James Patterson
The president's two children are kidnapped, triggering a massive, high-pressure investigation that lands squarely on Alex Cross. As the nation…
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2012 · James Patterson
On Christmas Eve, Alex Cross is called away from his family to defuse a hostage crisis, while simultaneously two soldiers plot a devastating attack…
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Buy on Amazon2013 · James Patterson
Several disturbing cases erupt across Washington at once, and Alex Cross becomes the personal target of a vengeful enemy determined to ruin his life…
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Buy on Amazon2013 · James Patterson
Alex Cross's old foe Kyle Craig returns, this time studying Cross's every move in a deadly campaign of psychological warfare. Determined to outdo…
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Buy on Amazon2014 · James Patterson
Reeling from a devastating blow to his family, Alex Cross is taunted by a cunning mastermind who seems to know his every weakness. Cross is forced…
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2015 · 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
A string of vigilante-style killings targets Washington's criminals, dividing public opinion and pitting Alex Cross against shooters who believe they…
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Buy on Amazon2017 · James Patterson
Alex Cross stands trial accused of a brutal shooting, fighting to clear his name while a disturbing new case unfolds outside the courtroom. With his…
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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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2019 · James Patterson
A killer who signs his crimes with the letter M taunts Alex Cross and seems to anticipate his every step, forcing Cross into a personal duel of wits.…
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2020 · James Patterson
The murder of a politician's young wife at a school reunion draws Alex Cross and Detective Sampson into a case tangled with politics and old secrets.…
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2021 · James Patterson
Alex Cross and John Sampson are ambushed during a wilderness hunting trip, and the attack ties into a powerful drug network and a shadowy mastermind.…
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Buy on Amazon2022 · James Patterson
Alex Cross and Sampson are pulled into the orbit of a self-proclaimed perfect detective who claims to have solved a notorious series of murders. As…
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2023 · James Patterson
With Alex Cross sidelined, John Sampson takes the lead against a wave of coordinated terror attacks linked to a mastermind from a previous case.…
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2023 · James Patterson
Alex Cross hunts a sniper terrorizing Washington while reopening a haunting case from early in his career that has never let go of him. Past and…
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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 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 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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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 35 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.