Cross - Is it better to read his books in order? Showing 1-28 of 28 (2024)

I read Jack & Jill recently & then borrowed this book from my brother-in-law. I was looking on the James Patterson website & saw the order...are they better read in the order written or does it matter?
thanks

message 2: by Sue (last edited Aug 25, 2016 09:11PM) (new)

like so many series, if you start from the beginning you have insight into many references in later works that you wouldn't pick up on otherwise.

THe books are much better to read in order. It is ok to read them out of order but you will then know what happens, because they continue many storie in other books.

message 4: by Sue (new)

I agree, you get to really know the characters if you read them in order

You should read them in order. It can help with past events when he refers to them in his newer books.

What is the order of the Cross series? I could look it up, but if someone already knows ...

I have read some of the Cross series out of order and some in order. I like it better in order because then you know more about the characters and what has happened in the past. I would also like to know the order of the Cross series or where to go and look.

The order of the series is: (1) Along Came a Spider, (2) Kiss the Girls, (3) Jack & Jill, (4) Cat & Mouse, (5) Pop Goes the Weasel, (6) Roses Are Red, (7) Violets Are Blue, (8) Four Blind Mice, (9) The Big Bad Wolf, (10) London Bridges, (11) Mary, Mary, (12) Cross, (13) Double Cross.

I started with Jack & Jill when I picked it up at the airport, but then went back and read the rest in order. Definitely better that way ... you appreciate the development of continuing characters and understand references to past cases and even the occasional reappearance of a villain from the past.

I think it is better to read them in order. I had not done much reading and was just picking up a book here and there so missed a few and I refuse to go back. I just finished Cross and will be starting Double Cross within the week and plan to keep up with the order of them.

I started reading them out of order until I realised there was an order- I found it all made much more sense when I started reading them in order.

My opinion is to always read a series in order. When you read in order it makes a lot more sense of each book. If you read out of order you are not going to get the full meaning of certain parts of what you are reading. The James Patterson, Alex Cross Series is one of my favorites, you definetely want to read this series in order.

They make more sense if you read his stories in order. I found out the hard way when I first started to read his books.

I agree with everyone. In order is the best way to go with his this series. Some of the villians make appearances more than once. I started with "Kiss the Girls" and immediately got hooked on james patterson. I went and bought all the books available and read them in order.

You definately need to read these in order as you will have no clue about the history some characters have

I feel you can read the Cross books in order, it definitely helps, but Patterson always gives a good back story too. So don't stress if you have read some out of sequence.

message 16: by Marie (new)

You really need to read the Alex Cross series in order

You really should read the Alex Cross books in order as the background of some of the characters is easier to follow that way.
The same thing goes for his Womens Murder Club book series.

I read Cross first by accident, but I loved it so much I went out and bought the first one. By now I've read the first,second and I bought the third a couple of days ago. I don't think it's imperative to read them in order as the only thing I didn't understand while reading Cross was the youngest child. So I feel you can read them in any order but I personally prefer reading books in the order they were written.

It helps to read them in order as several of them reference several characters and family members and reading them in order helps you know and understand how they all relate to the newest story

you should definitely read them in order-i believe there are currently 18 alex cross novels and you can find the order on the author's web site. if you don't want to read all 18- the first 4 are the best in the series. i've read all of the alex cross books except for the newest one- and i still haven't tired of the series.

In my opinion you should try and not read any series of books out of order. However, if you are just picking up a book to try the author for the first time, than it doesn't matter as much.
As far as the Alex Cross series, the last couple of books I have read (book 15 and 16) have not been to good. The earlier books were decent as Rachel stated. I am not sure I would recommend any of the later books in this series.

I read them in order and think that was the best way, as you know all the charachters as they are mentioned.

I didn't read them in order because I picked up one of his books one day and after loving it realized I wanted to read them all. I didn't have any problem following the story lines. I only read the books with Alex Cross as the main character.
I picked up Witch & Wizard, put it back down.

Yes, I think you should read them in order.

Definatley!!!!

Well, I think it does not matter what order it is read in as long as you are able to follow a particular story line you should be okay. In Jamaica we can't really follow the books in order because of the availability of some books.

Yes, I think you should read them in order. But James Patterson always tells some part of what happen in the other book for you understand what is going .

it doesn't really matter he explains everything in pretty much every book in the series

Yes. its better to read ALL series in order. if i find book 6 and 8 at the used bookstore i put them on the shelf until i can find/buy 1 thru 5 and 7. thats the only way i can read and not be lost.