Four Blind Mice by James Patterson

Detective Alex Cross is on his way to resign from the Washington, D.C., Police Force when his partner shows up at his door with a case he can't refuse. One of John Sampson's oldest friends, from their days together in Vietnam, has been arrested for murder. Worse yet, he is subject to the iron hand of the United States Army. The evidence against him is strong enough to send him to the gas chamber.Sampson is certain his friend has been framed, and Alex's investigation turns up evidence overlooked-or concealed-by the military authorities. Drawing on their years of street training and an almost telepathic mutual trust, Cross and Sampson go deep behind military lines to confront the most terrifying-and deadly-killers they have ever encountered. Behind these three highly skilled killing machines there appears to be an even more threatening controller. Discovering the identity of this lethal genius will prove to be Cross's most terrifying challenge ever.On his visits home, Alex must confront another, more harrowing mystery: what's the matter with Nana Mama? As he explores the possibility of a new relationship with a woman who offers him new hope, Alex must also confront the fact that his beloved grandmother is only human.

After putting his latest nemesis in prison, Alex Cross is ready to resign from the Washington Police Force and perhaps, at long last, pursue a possible love interest. [return][return]Before that could happen, John Sampson turns up at the house with a plea for help. His friend and mentor, Sergeant Ellis Cooper from the army base camp, is standing trial for the savage murder of three young military wives.[return][return]Everyone who knew Cooper couldn t believe it, but the evidence is stacked firmly against him. Cooper is found guilty and executed before Alex and Sampson could do anything about it.[return][return]The duo did find cases where several Vietnam veterans were tried and executed for crimes that seem completely out of their character. It would appear that Cooper was only the tip of the iceberg. They also found strange irregularities, like a witness who was left out of the trial altogether. Clearly, the army is trying to cover something up, perhaps something that happened years ago in Vietnam.[return][return]While Alex and Sampson scurry around like good Washington detectives, the POV swivels to the real killers. There are three of them, all Nam vets and severely cracked in the head as only brilliant serial killers can be. It gave us some background on them while hinting on the fourth blind mice who is ordering all these executions .[return][return]James Patterson is the master of action flick novels. Once might accuse him of penning something that can easily make the transition to big screen, and I have to admit that I see Morgan Freeman as Alex Cross whenever I read a Cross novel. He s obviously not serious high-browed literature, but if a book has you sitting up till the wee hours of the morning, then the author probably accomplished what he set out to do. [return][return]But there is such thing as too much of a good thing. While the plot ran its course with the usual Patterson trademark, I found myself more interested in his personal life. There the efficient and irrepressible Nana, the three lovable kids, and what s this? A love interest? Folks who have followed the series would know what heartbreak that caused the last time, and are just waiting for something to go wrong before the end of the book.[return][return]But does it? I guess I ll leave that to you to find out.[return]return

Another great read, my heart was in my mouth for a minute or two when Nana Mama was sick and Sampson got shot, fortunately it all ended well, including Sampson finding love!