Return of the Spider: An Alex Cross Thriller

James Patterson

Nov 2025 · Sold by Little, Brown

About this ebook

An instant New York Times bestseller!

Return of the Spider is the stunning companion novel to Along Came a Spider, the New York Times bestselling classic thriller from the world’s most popular storyteller.

Enter the thrilling world of the #1 bestselling detective series that inspired the Prime Video show, Cross.

Along Came a Spider introduced Detective Alex Cross to readers around the globe and delivered an unsurpassed rivalry: Cross—named the “human superhero” by The New York Times—versus Gary Soneji, who the Lexington-Herald Leader called the “most deliciously wicked character since Hannibal Lecter”. But that wasn’t their first meeting ...

Police discover that Soneji kept a murder book, Profiles in Homicidal Genius, detailing his transformation from substitute teacher to hardened serial killer—including clues that imply missteps that Alex Cross may have made a rookie homicide detective.

Now, Alex must retrace the steps of that long-ago investigation and face ... the Return of the Spider.

“Patterson knows how to sell thrills and suspense.” —People, on Along Came a Spider

Ratings and reviews

I hope I can save someone else from buying this book. I have been a loyal fan of James Patterson for many years. This book is frustrating. I only received 236 out of 414 pages. I deleted and redownloaded it several times. It doesn't make sense to release a prequel when we all know that his wife died. She is pregnant with their second child in this one. I wish I had never bought it. It's sad and I don't want to finish it.

what a waste of time! this book did NOTHING to further the Alex Cross story. If Patterson cannot come up with anything NEW for Cross then maybe it's time to retire the character.

This book has some surprise twists in it and is completely absorbing. Almost a prequel to the other Alex Cross books, this novel gives background information about Alex’s nemesis, Gary Soneji, and also fills in some holes about Alex and his marriage to Maria. I enjoyed the breathtaking suspense and the escalating tension as well as the relatable characters. All opinions expressed are my own.

About the author

James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.