Books On Board
series Reading Order

Alex Cross Books in Order

36 Books
3 Reading orders
1992 – 2017 Published
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Reading order

Where to Start with Alex Cross

For the absolute best reading experience, you should read the Alex Cross series in publication order. While each novel features a standalone main case, the overarching plot relies heavily on Cross’s personal life. Over the course of the series, you will watch his children grow up, see relationships evolve, face family tragedies, and follow the long-term arcs of recurrent villains like the Mastermind and the Wolf. Starting at the beginning ensures you do not spoil these major life events.

Your journey begins with Along Came a Spider, where Cross matches wits with the brilliant and terrifying kidnapper Gary Soneji.

The Core Series in Publication Order

  • Along Came a Spider (1993)
  • 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)
  • I, Alex Cross (2009)
  • Cross Fire (2010)
  • Kill Alex Cross (2011)
  • 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: Alex Cross (2018)
  • Criss Cross (2019)
  • Deadly Cross (2020)
  • Fear No Evil (2021)
  • Triple Cross (2022)
  • Cross Down (2023)
  • Alex Cross Must Die (2023)
  • The House of Cross (2024)
  • Return of the Spider (2025)
  • The Family Cross (Upcoming, scheduled for October 2026)

Chronological Caveats and Miscellaneous Tales

While publication order is the standard path, a few titles break the mold:

  • Alex Cross's Trial (2009): Co-authored with Richard DiLallo, this is a historical novel written in-universe by Alex Cross. It tells the story of his ancestor, Ben Corbett, in the early 20th century. You can read it as a standalone at any point, though it is usually grouped near its publication spot.
  • Merry Christmas, Alex Cross (2012): A festive entry that blends a holiday setting with the classic, high-stakes detective work the series is famous for.

The BookShots Novellas

Patterson introduced "BookShots" in 2016—short, fast-paced novellas under 150 pages designed to be finished in one sitting. For Alex Cross, these include:

  • Action (2014): A short story frequently grouped with these releases, though published prior to the official BookShots line launch.
  • Cross Kill (2016): A rapid-fire thriller where Cross faces a ghost from his past.
  • Detective Cross (2017): Cross and Bree Stone hunt a bomber targeting the nation's capital.

The Young Adult Spin-Off: Ali Cross

If you or a younger reader want to explore the next generation, Patterson launched a spin-off focused on Alex's son, Ali Cross. Ali is a bright kid determined to follow in his father's footsteps. These middle-grade mystery novels should be read in this sequence:

  1. Ali Cross (2019)
  2. Like Father, Like Son (2021)
  3. Ali Cross: The Secret Detective (2022)

Frequently Asked

QDo I need to read the Alex Cross books in order?

Yes, you should. While the primary crime investigations wrap up in each book, the personal life, family dynamics, and romantic relationships of Alex Cross evolve continuously. Reading them out of order will lead to major character spoilers.

QWhat is the first Alex Cross book?

The first book in the series is Along Came a Spider, published in 1993. It introduces Alex Cross, his family, and his first major nemesis, Gary Soneji.

QWho is Ali Cross and how does his series fit in?

Ali Cross is Alex Cross's son. He stars in his own young adult/middle-grade spin-off series starting with Ali Cross (2019). It can be read alongside the main series once Ali is introduced as a character.

QAre the Alex Cross BookShots essential to the main story?

No. The BookShots (Cross Kill and Detective Cross) are quick, fast-paced novellas. While they feature Cross, they are optional reads and do not disrupt the main novels' narrative arc.

QWhat is the latest Alex Cross book?

The most recent release is Return of the Spider (November 2025), with the next installment, The Family Cross, scheduled for release in October 2026.

QWhere does Alex Cross's Trial fit into the reading order?

Since Alex Cross's Trial is a historical novel set in the early 1900s about Cross's ancestor, it can be read at any time as a standalone, though most readers tackle it in its publication slot after Cross Country.