Looking for the best James Patterson books?
You’re in the right place!
What is considered the best James Patterson book?
This is a very subjective question, but we’ve listed what we think the best James Patterson books are below.
01
Along Came A Spider
This is the first book in the bestselling Alex Cross series. Detective Alex Cross is called in when two children from a prestigious school are abducted by their teacher, a man with a chilling double life. But as he races to uncover the kidnapper’s motives, he’s drawn into a twisted web of deceit, media manipulation, and psychological warfare that tests his instincts and resilience.
02
Kiss the Girls
Another book from the Alex Cross series; Kiss the Girls follows Alex as he hunts two serial killers operating on opposite sides of the country – one who abducts women and another who kills them. As the case unfolds, a brave escapee offers a chilling window into the horrors both killers inflict.
03
1st to Die
This thriller kicks off the Women’s Murder Club series. Four women – an inspector, a reporter, a medical examiner, and a prosecutor – form an unofficial crime-solving team. Their first case? Find a killer targeting newlyweds in San Francisco.
04
Run, Rose Run
A young country singer on the rise hides a dangerous past she’s desperate to escape. As her fame grows in Nashville, so does the risk that her secrets (and the people she’s running from) will catch up with her. James co-wrote this thriller with Dolly Parton.
05
Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas
Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas is a serious departure from James’ usual thriller/crime books. The romance book follows Katie, a woman who receives a diary written by her boyfriend’s late wife. It’s an emotional but beautiful read.
What James Patterson novel should I read first?
There are quite a few standalone James Patterson books, like Run, Rose, Run and Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas.
So, if you’re only wanting to dip a toe into the James Patterson pool, go for one of those.
However, if you’re happy to start a series, the Alex Cross series should be read in the following order:
- Along Came a Spider
- Kiss the Girls
- Jack & Jill
- Cat & Mouse
- Pop Goes the Weasel
- Roses Are Red
- Violets Are Blue
- Four Blind Mice
- The Big Bad Wolf
- London Bridges
- Mary, Mary
- Cross
- Double Cross
- Cross Country
- Alex Cross’s Trial
- I, Alex Cross
- Cross Fire
- Kill Alex Cross
- Merry Christmas, Alex Cross
- Alex Cross, Run
- Cross My Heart
- Hope to Die
- Cross Justice
- Cross the Line
- The People vs. Alex Cross
- Target: Alex Cross
- Criss Cross
- Deadly Cross
- Fear No Evil
- Triple Cross
- Cross Down
- Alex Cross Must Die
- The House of Cross
And the Women’s Murder Club series should be read in the following order:
- 1st to Die
- 2nd Chance
- 3rd Degree
- 4th of July
- The 5th Horseman
- The 6th Target
- 7th Heaven
- The 8th Confession
- The 9th Judgment
- 10th Anniversary
- 11th Hour
- 12th of Never
- Unlucky 13
- 14th Deadly Sin
- 15th Affair
- The Trial (novella)
- 16th Seduction
- The Medical Examiner (novella)
- The 17th Suspect
- The 18th Abduction
- The 19th Christmas
- The 20th Victim
- 21st Birthday
- 22 Seconds
- 23rd Midnight
- 23½ Lies (novella)
- The 24th Hour
- 25 Alive
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