Alex Cross’s TRIAL
Series: Alex Cross, Bk 15
Genre: Mystery/Suspense, Historical Fiction
ISBN: 978-0316070621
315 pages
My Rating: 4 Stars
Separated by timeFrom his grandmother, Alex Cross has heard the story of his great uncle Abraham and his struggles for survival in the era of the Ku Klux Klan. Now, Alex passes the family tale along to his own children in a novel he’s written–a novel called Trial.
Connected by blood
As a lawyer in turn-of-the-century Washington D.C., Ben Corbett represents the toughest cases. Fighting against oppression and racism, he risks his family and his life in the process. When President Roosevelt asks Ben to return to his home town to investigate rumors of the resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan there, he cannot refuse.
United by bravery
When he arrives in Eudora, Mississippi, Ben meets the wise Abraham Cross and his beautiful granddaughter, Moody. Ben enlists their help, and the two Crosses introduce him to the hidden side of the idyllic Southern town. Lynchings have become commonplace and residents of the town’s black quarter live in constant fear. Ben aims to break the reign of terror–but the truth of who is really behind it could break his heart. Written in the fearless voice of Detective Alex Cross, Alex Cross’s Trial is a gripping story of murder, love, and, above all, bravery.
This book is not your typical Patterson novel. If you look at my book information above, I actually partially noted this book as Historical Fiction. It takes place in the early 1900s in Mississippi during the time of heightened racial tensions. A note to Alex Cross fans – this is not an Alex Cross novel! He is mentioned in the first two pages of the book and never again! The book is told in his “voice”, but he is not a character in the story. Even though Alex’s presence is lacking in the story, I still really enjoyed this book, despite the serious nature of the subject matter.
Theodore Roosevelt, President of the U.S. in 1906, summons young attorney, Ben Corbett to the White House. “Teddy” instructs Ben to take a trip back to his hometown in Eudora, Mississippi, and investigate rumors that the Ku Klux Klan has resurfaced. Ben connects with Abraham Cross and his granddaughter, Moody, and they are taken on an intense and deadly journey through southern race relations.
This is a very difficult book to read. It is not the typical Patterson book that I can sit and read in one day. I needed more time with this one; to sit and absorb every word; to try and grasp all the events that were happening. The subject matter is tough; the lynching scenes are gruesome and stomach-turning; the treatment of members of the black community in Eudora is downright appalling. Even those characters, like Ben, who advocate for equal rights and treatment, are treated inhumanely. It’s a harsh look at history and it’s a book I won’t soon forget.
Giveaway:
Interested in reading this book? Valerie from Hachette Book Group has kindly given me 3 copies of this book to give away to some lucky readers of my blog! It’s very easy to enter! Just enter your name and e-mail address below and you are done! The contest is powered by contestmachine.com, which is an awesome (and easy) way to run contests!!
The contest is open to USA and Canada residents only. No PO Boxes, please!
The contest will end on April 20, 2010!
Good Luck!
Awesome! I love James Patterson and do really want to read this!
Sounds like a great novel!!! And I'd love to read it!!!
I've been wanting to read this! I'm glad to hear it is good.
That looks interesting. I have read his Maximum Ride series so to say the least this one looks different!
It's been a while since I read a James Patterson book. Mostly because I was getting a little tired of Alex Cross and his women problems. This might just be the book that will open the door again to Patterson's writing for me. Thanks for highlighting it!
This book is on my wish list.
Love this author; and hope to read this one.
Jackie