Book Review: Pop Goes the Weasel

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Pop Goes the Weasel     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
James Patterson
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Thriller   Police Procedural
Series: Alex Cross # 5
Little, Brown; 1999; $26.95; 423 pp.

British diplomat Geoffrey Shafer loves to play the game of Four Horseman with three other contestants residing in other parts of the globe. At night, Geoffrey, a former MI-6 agent, drives a battered cab in the slums of Washington DC, looking for victims because the game he excels in is murder. His deserved moniker is Death as the name of the best player.

Washington DC homicide detective Alex Cross struggles to capture the “Jane Doe” serial killer even as his superior assigns the case to another officer. Alex’s new love is kidnapped to force the relentless cop off the case. However, the dangerous Geoffrey murders the cop just before Alex arrests him. In the trial, the charming Geoffrey persuades the jury that Alex framed him. Geoffrey appears most likely to remain the grandmaster of murder who continues to outplay his homicidal rivals and defeat the cop trying to checkmate him in a game of CAT AND MOUSE.

POP GOES THE WEASEL is an exciting serial killer thriller that will please fans of the genre. The return of Alex Cross provides a counterpoint to amoral sociopath Geoffrey Shafer. While Alex tries to do “good” things for his family and community, Geoffrey needs to destroy people. The fast-paced story line is filled with action, but a bit cartoon-like since Geoffrey seems more like an animated unstoppable killing machine. James Patterson’s latest Cross tale will provide much enjoyment to his myriad of fans.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner

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