Alex Cross book 1 · 1993
Along Came a Spider
Gary Soneji, a maths teacher at an elite Washington school, kidnaps two children from wealthy families, and Detective Alex Cross is drawn into the case.
Spoiler-free summary written for The Recurring Cast.
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Book facts
- Author
- James Patterson
- Series
- Alex Cross, book 1 of 36
- Published
- 1993
- Setting
- Set in Washington, D.C.
- Characters charted
- 8
- Chart confidence
- Medium
Along Came a Spider on screen
- Along Came a Spider (2001, film, Cinema). Morgan Freeman returns as Cross, who is drawn into the kidnapping of a senator’s daughter.
Who is in Along Came a Spider
8 recurring or key characters from James Patterson’s chart. Introduces Alex Cross, John Sampson, Nana Mama, Damon Cross and 4 more.
Lead 1
- Alex CrossFirst appearanceWashington DC detective and forensic psychologist
Major 3
- John SampsonFirst appearanceAlex’s oldest friend and police partner
- Gary SonejiFirst appearanceKidnapper and killerKidnaps two children
- Kyle CraigFirst appearanceFBI agent and friend who turns out to be the Mastermind
Minor and cameo 4
- Nana MamaFirst appearanceRegina Cross, the grandmother who raised Alex
- Damon CrossFirst appearanceAlex’s elder son
- Jannie CrossFirst appearanceAlex’s daughter
- Maria CrossFirst appearanceAlex’s first wife, killed before the series beginsHer unsolved murder haunts Alex
Also featuring these characters
Other James Patterson books that share the most characters with Along Came a Spider.
- Cat & Mouse1997 · Alex Cross · 6 shared charactersBuy on Amazon
- Roses Are Red2000 · Alex Cross · 6 shared charactersBuy on Amazon
- Violets Are Blue2001 · Alex Cross · 6 shared charactersBuy on Amazon
- Cross2006 · Alex Cross · 6 shared charactersBuy on Amazon