If you’re an Alex Cross fan, you already know the feeling. You finish one, and you immediately want to know what comes next.
I came to the series through the Kiss the Girls film back in 1997 and I’ve been hooked ever since. Close to thirty years later I’m still working my way through the books. It’s my favourite series and Alex Cross is one of my favourite literary characters.
Here’s the full list in order.
TL;DR: There are 34 Alex Cross books. The series starts with Along Came a Spider (1993). Read them in order. The most recent main entry is The House of Cross (2024).
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All Alex Cross Books in 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 (2006)
Double Cross (2007)
Cross Country (2008)
Alex Cross’s Trial (2009)
I, Alex Cross (2010)
Cross Fire (2011)
Kill Alex Cross (2011)
Merry Christmas, Alex Cross (2012)
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 (2024)
The House of Cross (2024)
Return of the Spider (2025)
Where to Start
Along Came a Spider. In order from there.
This is a series where the sequence matters. Cross’s personal life builds across the books. People come and go. Things happen that stay with him. Skip around, and you’ll lose the thread of what makes the character worth following.
Start at the beginning. It holds up.
A Few Worth Calling Out
Cat & Mouse and Pop Goes the Weasel are two of the best in the series. If you’re a few books in and wondering whether the quality holds, those two will answer the question.
Around books 19 through 26, things slow down a bit. Still readable, but some feel thinner than others. Don’t quit there.
Criss Cross is where the series finds its footing again. Push through to book 27, and it pulls you back in.
About the Two Most Recent Books
The House of Cross (2024) is where the main series currently sits. That’s where you’re headed.
Return of the Spider (2025) is a prequel companion to book one, not a continuation. Worth reading, but save it for after you’ve finished the main run.
FAQ
How many Alex Cross books are there?
34 as of 2025. The House of Cross (2024) is the latest main series entry.
Do you need to read Alex Cross books in order?
Yes. Cross’s personal life builds across the whole series. Worth reading in sequence.
What’s the first Alex Cross book?
Along Came a Spider (1993).
Is the Amazon Prime show based on the books?
Loosely. The show uses the character but isn’t a direct adaptation. The books have more depth.
Which Alex Cross books are the best?
Along Came a Spider, Kiss the Girls, Cat & Mouse, and Pop Goes the Weasel. Criss Cross is where the series picks back up after a quieter middle stretch.
Looking for more James Patterson? Here’s the full James Patterson Books in Order list.
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