Part of Alex Cross, book 19
First published 2012
Detective Alex Cross responds to a theft at his church on Christmas Eve. Someone has been stealing from the collection box meant for the poor. Cross handles the case quickly and heads home to join Bree, Nana, and his children for their holiday celebration. They start decorating the Christmas tree together when his phone interrupts the family time. A hostage situation has erupted across the city and is getting worse by the hour. Cross must leave his loved ones on Christmas Eve to save another family in danger. He draws on all his experience and takes enormous risks to resolve the crisis. The detective may not survive to return home for Christmas. Cross faces his most difficult choices while torn between duty and family on the holiday that matters most to them all.
Genres: suspense, mystery, crime, thriller, detective, action
Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, suspenseful
Tropes: duty-vs-family, found-family
Setting: Church, City
Period: Christmas Eve
323 pages · Hardcover · Little, Brown and Company