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  • Along Came a Spider

  • Written by: James Patterson
  • Narrated by: Taye Diggs
  • Length: 11 hrs and 1 min
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (272 ratings)

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Along Came a Spider cover art

Along Came a Spider

Written by: James Patterson
Narrated by: Taye Diggs
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Publisher's Summary

Discover the classic thriller that launched the number-one detective series of the past 25 years, now one of PBS's "100 Great American Reads".

Alex Cross is a homicide detective with a PhD in psychology. He works and lives in the ghettos of D. C. and looks like Muhammad Ali in his prime. He's a tough guy from a tough part of town who wears Harris Tweed jackets and likes to relax by banging out Gershwin tunes on his baby grand piano. But he also has two adorable kids of his own, and they are his own special vulnerabilities.

Jezzie Flanagan is the first woman ever to hold the highly sensitive job as supervisor of the Secret Service in Washington. Blond, mysterious, and seductive, she's got an outer shell that's as tough as it is beautiful. She rides her black BMW motorcycle at speeds of no less than 100 mph. What is she running from? What is her secret?

Alex Cross and Jezzie Flanagan are about to have a forbidden love affair - at the worst possible time for both of them. Because Gary Soneji, who wants to commit the "crime of the century," is playing at the top of his game. Soneji has outsmarted the FBI, the Secret Service, and the police. Who will be his next victim?

Gary Soneji is every parent's worst nightmare. He has become Alex Cross's nightmare. And now, listener, he's about to become yours.

©1993, 2018 James Patterson (P)2018 Hachette Audio

What the critics say

"Patterson's storytelling talent is in top form in this grisly escapist yarn." (Library Journal)

"Brilliantly terrifying! So exciting that I had to stay up all night to finish it! Packed with white-knuckle twists." (Daily Mail)

"An incredibly suspenseful read with a one-of-a-kind villain who is as terrifying as he is intriguing." (Clive Cussler)

What listeners say about Along Came a Spider

Average Customer Ratings
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Along came a spider

Great story enjoyed it a lot love this author. He keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

a great read for my first one by this author

my first book from this author. I will be getting more. my wife has read a lot of his books I think he's fantastic

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Taye Diggs was great as the narrator.

I read the book 20 years ago, but listening to Diggs read it to me was so much better!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Good story... terrible narrative

The narrator was incredibly flat and disinteresting to listen to. Perhaps better suited to text books on accounting or statistics.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Wow

Such a great performance and story. one of the very best I've come across in some time!

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Narration was tough to listen get excited about

I'm sure the story is well written but it was the Narration that didn't work.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Tough book to hear

This book has a good plot line but is tough to hear. it is a gruesome story and I skipped over several chapters. I will take a break from Jim Patterson books.

The narrator does sound like a robot. However you get used to it and possibly with the number of characters, acting it out would be confusing.

The kidnapping of children is not an easy listen. Skip it if you have kids.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

good

nice one .. interesting and must listen best way to listen to good music. .

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Robotic narration did not do the book justice

The storyline is interesting and engaging, which was the thing that stopped me from quiting on this book. the narrator sounded like a robot. All the characters have the exact same voice and none of their personalities came through at all. At times I was confused who is talking, or whether something is the narrative, a character's inner thoughts or speech.
if you can find this book narrated by someone else, I'd stay away from this version.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Which one was the spider?

I've read a lot of his books and this one definitely doesn't disappoint...give it a try it is a great book written by a very gifted writer that will keep you on the edge of your seat and has a very surprising ending !!!

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3 people found this helpful