Review of Alex Cross's Trial by James Patterson & Richard DiLallo

Alex Cross’s Trial by James Patterson & Richard DiLallo
Historical Fiction, 416 pages
Little, Brown and Company

Review copy courtesy of Hachette Book Group
Book released: August 2009

On the back cover, the blurb states”: “Alex Cross tells the irresistible story – passed down through the generations – of an ancestor’s courageous fight for freedom.”

Actually, the only time we are introduced to Alex, and his true voice, is in the preface. In it, he prepares the reader by telling them they are about to read an account of a man his family knew, a brave man, who was part of a trial, and not just the literal kind, that affected all those who knew him.

As the story unfolds, learn about Ben Corbett in a way that we quickly forget that this is a book within a book.

Ben’s voice is strong, and it is through his eyes we see a Mississippi in a time when racial tensions still ran strong, and at times, was a deadly affair.

Corbett, a lawyer in the early 1900’s, takes on cases for the right reasons, but somehow ends up on the wrong side of the judgments, and his family, as he continually champions against racism; not a popular cause at the time.

There is a resurgence of violence in the South, the Klan becoming active and more dangerous than ever before. Corbett is called upon to return to his home town to investigate and find a way to curtail, if not cease, the Klan’s activities.

I’ve seemingly given you the whole plot, but there is more to the story than a plotline.

For me, the characters have to be as strong, if not stronger, and here is where these writers excel. I must admit, I am unfamiliar with both. Yes, you read that right. This is the first James Patterson I’ve read. DiLallo, is an even greater unknown, but obviously works well with Patterson in developing a cohesive, coherent, and well-paced story with characters that become people you care and cheer for.

My only issues are with the style and the ending, which I feel was a bit curt and forced.

Many Patterson fans will what I speak of regarding the style: Short, as in sometimes paragraph length chapters. As a reader accustomed to literary fiction where chapters sweep you up, take you for a ride, setting you down to catch your bearings before continuing, reading Patterson is like being on a train which likes to travel at breakneck speeds but makes frequent – very frequent – stops.

For some a momentum builder, for me – not so much. It took a while to get used to, and I did manage to enjoy the read regardless of the style. I would definitely choose this author when selecting reads for a trip or commute.

This is also my introduction to Dectective Alex Cross, although as stated above, it isn’t much of one. That’s okay as this book is not about Alex. I have to say though, that after reading this, I do like the character and any other Patterson book I do get, will be one from the series he has written with Detective Cross as the lead.

It’s great to have options and a variety when choosing a book or author to read. I can’t say this one will be ever be a favorite, however I’m happy to add him for author’s to watch and bear in mind when I’m looking for something different than what I’m used to.

Usually, I put a short blurb/bio about the author here. However, Patterson’s career and prolificity is such that I simply don’t have the space! So here are some links to follow if you would like to read more. The last two links are literacy projects Patterson supports. I urge you to visit them if you have not done so already.