FBI agent Alex Cross is on vacation at Disneyland with his children and Nana Mama. He is looking forward to getting away and spending some time with his family. Much to his dismay, James Truscott turns up at Disneyland also. James is an investigative journalist who decided to follow Alex around and report on the murder cases he was working on.

The vacation doesn't last too long. Alex received a call from the director. An actress has been shot outside her home in Beverly Hills. Alex is summoned to Los Angeles to investigate the murder. Shortly thereafter, the editor for the Los Angeles Times received an e-mail, which gave detailed descriptions of the murder. Mary Smith signed the e-mail.

This was only the beginning. More murders start to occur. The newspaper receives more e-mails from Mary Smith. Others are starting to wonder if they are next on Mary Smith's list. Alex has his work cut out for him.

Who is the serial killer? Is it really a woman? Is it a man? Is it an actor?

Alex Cross fans will be happy to see him back - boy is he ever! James Patterson is a master storyteller and he does not let the reader down with his latest book. The book is written in the typical James Patterson style - short chapters and an exciting plot. This is a scary, thrilling murder mystery that will keep the reader guessing right to the end with many twists and turns. It's hard to believe James Patterson could top the last Alex Cross book but this one has to be the best of the series. This is a must read for mystery book fans.

REVIEWED BY NANCY EATON