Alex Cross
A Washington, D.C. detective and psychologist faces serial killers, personal danger and cases that increasingly affect his family.
Start with Along Came a Spider and continue in publication order. Alex Cross's Trial is included where it was published, but is an optional historical companion rather than a mainline case.
Related reading guides
Best Book to Start With
Start with Along Came a Spider.
If You Watched the TV or Film Adaptation
Alex Cross has been adapted into several films starring Morgan Freeman (Kiss the Girls, Along Came a Spider) and Tyler Perry (Alex Cross), as well as an upcoming Amazon Prime series.
Reading Order Notes
Publication Order: The Alex Cross series is best read in publication order to follow Cross's career, his family dynamics, and the recurring villains that taunt him across multiple books.
Chronological Order: Chronological order and publication order are largely identical, with a few flashbacks.
Reading Orders
Books in Series
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the first Alex Cross book?
Along Came a Spider is the first Alex Cross novel and the recommended starting point.
Can I skip Alex Cross's Trial?
Yes. It is an optional, co-written historical companion; return to I, Alex Cross to continue the present-day mainline.
