
When Detective Alex Cross discovers his relative's brutal murder, he plunges into Washington D.C.'s deadliest circles. This acclaimed Patterson thriller - adapted for Amazon Prime's "Cross" series - reveals how far the powerful will go to protect their darkest secrets.
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Detective Alex Cross's birthday celebration should have been perfect-surrounded by his children Damon, Jannie, and Ali; his grandmother Nana; his partner Bree; and his best friend Sampson with family. The intimate gathering featured gifts, playful teasing, and a special surprise involving Caribbean vacation tickets. But when the phone rings, Alex's world collapses. His niece Caroline has been murdered-not just killed, but destroyed. Her body underwent "morselization," likely using a wood chipper, leaving only a sealed bag of human remains. The drive back to Washington feels endless. At home, Alex notices his untouched birthday cake and airline tickets-symbols of joy now rendered meaningless. Unable to sleep, he's haunted by questions: Why Caroline? Why such brutality? Around four-thirty, Bree stops him from getting up, reminding him he's not alone. "I'm going to do anything it takes for you and this whole family to get through this," she promises, giving Alex his first moment of warmth since receiving the terrible news. What makes this tragedy uniquely devastating is how it transforms Alex's role-he's no longer just a detective pursuing justice, but a grieving family member seeking answers. The case isn't abstract; it's deeply personal, blurring the line between professional duty and family obligation in ways that will test every aspect of his being.
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