If you’re a fan of suspenseful crime novels, you’ll want to read the Alex Cross books in order. The Alex Cross books are a collection of thriller novels written by American author James Patterson.
The Alex Cross series revolves around protagonist, Alex Cross, a detective and forensic psychologist based in Washington, D.C.
As they are in a series, it is beneficial to read the Alex Cross books in order to fully understand the background and plot.
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Complete List of Alex Cross Books in Order

Original Alex Cross Series in Order
- Along Came a Spider (1992)
- Kiss the Girls (1995)
- Jack & Jill (1996)
- Cat & Mouse (1997)
- Pop Goes the Weasel (1999)
- Roses Are Red (2000)
- Violets Are Blue (2001)
- Four Blind Mice (2002)
- The Big Bad Wolf (2003)
- London Bridges (2004)
- Mary, Mary (2005)
- Cross / Alex Cross (2006)
- Double Cross (2007)
- Cross Country (2008)
- Alex Cross’s Trial (2009)
- I, Alex Cross (2009)
- Cross Fire (2010)
- Kill Alex Cross (2011)
- Merry Christmas Alex Cross
- Alex Cross, Run (2013)
- Cross My Heart (2013)
- Hope to Die (2014)
- Cross Justice (2015)
- Cross the Line (2016)
- The People vs. Alex Cross (2017)
- Target (2018)
- Criss Cross (2019)
- Deadly Cross (2020)
- Fear No Evil (2021)
- Triple Cross (2022)
- Cross Down (2023)
- Alex Cross Must Die/Cross Out (2023)
- The House of Cross (2024)
Alex Cross BookShots
What are the Alex Cross Books?
The Alex Cross books are a series of novels by bestselling author James Patterson.
Alex Cross is an expert in forensic psychology and finds himself immersed in a variety of complex cases, including serial killers, kidnappings, and other high-profile crimes. Each book presents a different case that challenges his skills and puts him in dangerous situations. Following the Alex Cross books in order allows you to fully experience the evolution of the character.
James Patterson has captivated fans of crime thrillers since 1976 when he published his debut novel, The Thomas Berryman Number. His books have consistently compelled readers to consider them a must-read in the genre.
James Patterson won the Edgar Award, which recognises excellence in mystery writing, for his novel Along Came a Spider, the first book in the Alex Cross series.
The success of the Alex Cross novels has not only resulted in widespread acclaim but has also inspired a film series. Both Morgan Freeman and Tyler Perry have taken on the role of Alex Cross in these cinematic adaptations.
Are there any Alex Cross related books?
It’s not just adults that can enjoy James Patterson’s Alex Cross series. The Ali Cross books series are aimed at children aged 9-12 and focuses on Alex’s son, Ali, who is keen to follow in his father’s footsteps as a detective.
If you enjoy James Patterson books you may also be interested in his Women’s Murder Club series.
How Many Alex Cross Books Are There?
There are 33 novels in Alex Cross book series at the time of writing. This includes the spin off Cross Down, co-written with Brendan Dubois and the latest book in the series, The House of Cross, due for release in 2024.
Printable Checklist

Summary
This is the complete list of the Alex Cross books in order. I’ll keep this list updated if any new books are released.
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