2004 Year in Review

Patterson's The Big Bad Wolf

For all you readers who want an action-packed, page-turning mystery, James Patterson's The Big Bad Wolf is a great choice. Many of you have read his series of books featuring Alex Cross and his friend Sampson, both of whom are police detectives in Washington, D.C. Again, this book also includes Alex's family: three children and his grandmother, all of whom live together. Christine Johnson, ex-fiancé, returns to Washington, D. C.; however, her return is hurtful to the family.

The Big Bad Wolf with Alex in training with the FBI, having left the police department. The FBI receives a case of kidnapping, but the kidnappers never ask for ransom. Nor are their victims ever heard from again. Both men and woman all over the United States begin disappearing completely and these kidnappings are happening in broad daylight! Thus, the FBI, Alex, and the reader are slowly introduced to a new player: a shadowy figure whose identity is illusive. A new terror is brought to organized crime as Alex begins to uncover these multiple kidnappings: the victims are being sold as slaves.

Alex grows impatient with the FBI even though he admires their vast resources. A lone wolf himself, Alex goes it alone with the help of Sampson to track "the Wolf" and, hopefully, rescue the victims while still alive. Help is given by a kidnapped woman who escapes and provides information. But "the Wolf" is very cagey and intelligent and does not let his guard down. Of course, Alex also runs into trouble with the FBI as he "bucks the system."

I enjoyed the book. It is an easy read and kept me interested. "Things do not goes as planned" in this book; thus, the page-turner. Plus, it has a great ending! If you haven't read any James Patterson, this is a good book to start. Maybe you will become a fan as many others have.

Keep Reading..............................

by Anne Frame, Guest Columnist
February 3, 2004