This article is for the novel Along Came a Spider. For the film of the same title, see Along Came a Spider (film). This article is for the film Along Came a Spider. ...

For other people named James Patterson, see James Patterson (disambiguation) James B. Patterson (born March 22, 1947) is an award-winning American author. ... In political geography and international politics, a country is a political division of a geographical entity, a sovereign territory, most commonly associated with the notions of state or nation and government. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... Alex Cross is a notable fictional character in a series of books by novelist James Patterson. ... Mystery fiction is a distinct subgenre of detective fiction that entails the occurrence of an unknown event which requires the protagonist to make known (or solve). ... A publisher is a person or entity which engages in the act of publishing. ... Little, Brown and Company is a publishing house established by Charles Coffin Little and his partner, James Brown. ... Year 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar). ... A hardcover (or hardback or hardbound) book is bound with rigid protective covers (typically of cardboard covered with cloth or heavy paper) and a stitched spine. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article may require cleanup. ... ISBN-13 represented as EAN-13 bar code (in this case ISBN 978-3-16-148410-0) The International Standard Book Number, ISBN, is a unique[1] commercial book identifier barcode. ... This article is for the novel Kiss the Girls. ...

Plot

Along Came A Spider is the first book in a series written by James Patterson featuring detective, psychologist Alex Cross For other people named James Patterson, see James Patterson (disambiguation) James B. Patterson (born March 22, 1947) is an award-winning American author. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... A psychologist is a scientist and/or clinician who studies psychology, the systematic investigation of the human mind, including behavior and cognition. ... Alex Cross is a notable fictional character in a series of books by novelist James Patterson. ...

The book begins with the kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby by a 12 year old boy near Princeton, New Jersey in March 1932. Lindbergh may refer to: Charles August Lindbergh (1859–1924), U.S. Congressman. ... Nassau Street, Princetons main street. ...

Then it moves to present time, in a theme that will run through all the books, of Alex Cross playing his piano from his Washington DC home. The phone rings and it's his partner JOHN SAMPSON, who informs him that there is another murder at Langley Terrace. Alex Cross, the Deputy Chief of Detectives, is an African-American Washington D.C. homicide investigator and forensic psychologist who also has a doctorate of Psychology from Johns Hopkins University. Cross is investigating the brutal murders of 2 prostitutes (Mother & Daughter) as well as an infant 3 year old boy. The women were slashed with a razor, their pubic hair shaved off and their breasts cut off. Alex Cross is a notable fictional character in a series of books by novelist James Patterson. ... A short grand piano, with the top up. ... Flag Seal Nickname: DC, The District Motto: Justitia Omnibus (Justice for All) Location Location of Washington, D.C., with regard to the surrounding states of Maryland and Virginia. ... Aerial photo (looking NW) of the Washington Monument and the White House in Washington, DC. Washington, D.C., officially the District of Columbia (also known as D.C.; Washington; the Nations Capital; the District; and, historically, the Federal City) is the capital city and administrative district of the United... Psychology (from Greek: ψυχή, psukhē, spirit, soul; and λόγος, logos, knowledge) is both an academic and applied discipline involving the scientific study of mental processes and behavior. ... The Johns Hopkins University, founded in 1876, is a private institution of higher learning located in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. ... Prostitution is the sale of sexual services (typically manual stimulation, oral sex, sexual intercourse, or anal sex) for cash or other kind of return, generally indiscriminately with many persons. ... Collection of Modern Safety Razors - Gillette Fusion Power, Gillette M3Power, Mach3 Turbo Champion, Schick Quattro Chrome, Schick Quattro Power, Gillette Mach3, Gillette Sensor, Schick Xtreme3, Schick Xtreme SubZero, and Schick Xtreme3 Disposables A razor is an edge tool primarily used in shaving. ... ...

At Washington Day School, an exclusive school for the rich and privileged with tuition at $12,000, GARY SONEJI, the math teacher, interrupts the class of Ms. Vivian Kim. He tells Megan (Maggie) Rose Dunne and Michael (Shrimpie) Goldberg that the Secret Service has received a threatening call and for security reasons the children must be relocated. Goldberg is the son of the US Secretary of Treasury. Both kids normally ride together after school, so Soneji says he will take them to the drop off point for the Secret Service. Once inside his mini van he takes a small canister with chloroform. Once they are asleep, he drives off with the kids. Incorrect shortening of Mathematics. ... “Instructor” redirects here. ... Because of both the secrecy of secret services and the controversial nature of the issues involved, there is some difficulty in separating the definitions of secret service, secret police, intelligence agency etc. ... R-phrases , , , S-phrases , Flash point Non-flammable U.S. Permissible exposure limit (PEL) 50 ppm (240 mg/m3) (OSHA) Supplementary data page Structure and properties n, εr, etc. ...

Alex is trying to understand this twisted and complicated criminal act of the murdered prostitutes when he is pulled off the case by his boss, Chief Pittman, to investigate the kidnapping. Cross is upset and feels that this move was racially motivated and that no one cares about dead black prostitutes.

Reluctantly, Alex and John go to Washington Day and meet Chief Pittman there. The place is full of FBI and Secret Service Agents. Alex and Chief Pittman do not get along. Their problems started over an article at the Washington Post about Alex Cross. The two argue but Pittman reveals the Mayor asked for Cross. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is a federal criminal investigative, intelligence agency, and the primary investigative arm of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ). ... Because of both the secrecy of secret services and the controversial nature of the issues involved, there is some difficulty in separating the definitions of secret service, secret police, intelligence agency etc. ... ... A mayor (from the Latin māior, meaning larger, greater) is the modern title of the highest ranking municipal officer. ...

Jezzie Flannigan arrives on her motorcycle. She is the secret service supervisor. She had been on vacation. She arrives and yells at her 2 agents assigned to protect those 2 children, Charlie Chakely and Mike Devine. She then goes to see Mr. Goldberg who is with the Mayor, FBI Agent Roger Graham, Cross and Sampson. By now everyone knows Soneji took the children. Mayor Munroe meets with Cross later and explains to Alex why he wants him on the case and nothing Alex can say will change his mind.

That night, Soneji's van parks next to an old farmhouse, where he buries the children alive in special coffins he made for them. Soneji feels real proud of himself. Inside the house Soneji watches the television and loves to see himself. He becomes upset with what he perceives as disrespect from FBI Agent Roger Graham, as he was interviewed. Gary then goes to the bathroom and removes the brown, balding wig, then the thick mustache, and finally the contact lenses. An open coffin A coffin is a box used for the display and burial or cremation of a dead human body. ... Baldness (formally alopecia) is the state of lacking hair where it usually would grow, especially on the head. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... A moustache (sometimes spelled mustache in the United States) is an outgrowth of hair above the upper lip. ... A soft contact lens A contact lens (also known as contact, for short) is a corrective or cosmetic lens placed on the cornea of the eye atop the iris. ...

Later that night, FBI Special Agent Roger Graham arrives at his home when a reporter starts asking him questions. The reporter is Soneji, who takes out a knife and stabs Graham. Soneji did not like the spotlight being on Graham.

Later that night Cross, Sampson and the FBI search through Soneji's apartment, discovering Soneji's obsession with kidnappings. They also discover a note taped to a mirror with the phrase "I want to be somebody!" A mirror, reflecting a vase. ...

Hours later Cross and Pittman get into an altercation, and then Soneji contacts the FBI, telling them he killed Roger Graham.

The investigation leads the team to discover that also Soneji lied about his resume and identity period. Cross meets with Maggie’s parents. They also want him involved. A few months have passed and the body of Michael Goldberg was discovered around Christmas time.

A few days later the Dunnes’ receive a telegram from what they believe is Soneji asking for $10 million. It came from Miami. Cross, Sampson, and the FBI head down to Florida to investigate. It is in Florida that Flannigan and Cross start becoming involved. This article is about the city in Florida. ... Official language(s) English Capital Tallahassee Largest city Jacksonville Largest metro area Miami Area  Ranked 22nd  - Total 65,795[1] sq mi (170,304[1] km²)  - Width 361 miles (582 km)  - Length 447 miles (721 km)  - % water 17. ...

At the same that the team is in Florida, Soneji is at a toll booth in Maryland. Soneji is disappointed in the manhunt. Official language(s) None (English, de facto) Capital Annapolis Largest city Baltimore Area  Ranked 42nd  - Total 12,407 sq mi (32,133 km²)  - Width 90 miles (145 km)  - Length 249 miles (400 km)  - % water 21  - Latitude 37° 53′ N to 39° 43′ N  - Longitude 75° 03′ W to 79° 29...

In Miami a message arrives. $10 million to be delivered to Walt Disney World in Orlando. Dr. Cross is to deliver the ransom. Cross wonders how Soneji knows about him or that he was even involved. Cinderella Castle, at the center of the Magic Kingdom, is Walt Disney World Resorts most recognizable icon Introduction Owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company, the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, USA is home to four theme parks, two water parks, several resort hotels and golf courses... Nickname: Location in Orange County and the state of Florida. ...

Once inside Disney, Alex is approached by a man with a hat and jacket who said he would take him to see Maggie. Once outside, the FBI surrounded them. He threatens to have Maggie killed unless they let him go. The man takes Alex with him to the airport. Disney may refer to: The Walt Disney Company and its divisions, including Walt Disney Pictures. ...

They board a small airplane. The Man, who is also the pilot, takes off and lands the plane on a small island. Cross does not know where they were. The pilot then waits for night to fall, and then takes off. He heads to North Carolina, lands, takes the money and leavees Alex there. Maggie was never delivered. The FBI shows up soon after. Official language(s) English Capital Raleigh Largest city Charlotte Area  Ranked 28th  - Total 53,865 sq mi (139,509 km²)  - Width 150 miles (240 km)  - Length 560[1] miles (901 km)  - % water 9. ...

Cross is removed from the case and sent back to work the prostitutes' deaths.

On the farmhouse where Soneji kept the children, two police officers find the empty graves where Maggie and Michael were once held.

Later Gary returns to his real home, in Wilmington, Delaware where it’s revealed he’s married and has a daughter. We also learn that his real last name is Murphy, not Soneji and he was abused by his stepmother and her children. : Chemical Capital of the World , Corporate Capital of the World , Credit Card Capital of the World : A Place to Be Somebody United States Delaware New Castle 17. ...

Cross and Sampson return to Washington DC, as they are no longer wanted on the case. They are to work the murder of the dead prostitutes. Here we learn Alex volunteers at St. Anthony’s Soup Kitchen three days a week.

By now, it’s been about 6 month since the kidnapping.

Back in Wilmington, Gary begins to solidify his plans to kill his family.

Jezzie visits Alex, to let him know she was sorry he has taken the blame for the ransom gone bad.

In Washington DC, Soneji, dressed as a public utility employee, murders Vivian Kim, the teacher from Washington Day, in hopes of sending a message.

Cross & Sampson are sent to the scene, Ms. Kim has had her breast cut off and pubic hairs shaved, just like the other murders. They also find Maggie’s shoe on the scene. Cross now knows Soneji is also the murderer he was looking for.

Cross & Sampson are walking the neighborhood where the hookers were murdered. They come across Ms. Scott, an elderly lady who recalls a man driving around the neighborhood several times. Ms. Scott also remembers that same man going door to door selling heating systems. Ms. Scott recalled the company was Atlantic Heating out of Wilmington. Cross & Sampson are going to Wilmington.

In Wilmington, the Murphy’s are having a picnic for their daughter. Outside are the FBI with Cross & Sampson are on a stakeout. They all decide to move in and rush the house. When they go in, Soneji is nowhere to be found. Soneji managed to escape when he went to get pizza at the door from a delivery boy.

Cross and the FBI set up shop at a local hotel, this is where Alex & Jezzie become involved.

A day later Gary walks into a McDonald’s and holds the people inside hostage. When the FBI hears that the man holding the McDonald’s is Soneji, they rush to the scene. A trooper takes a shot at Soneji, but Alex saves Soneji. as Cross believes Soneji knows where Maggie is. Soneji promises Alex he will regret saving his life. McDonalds Corporation (NYSE: MCD) is the worlds largest chain of fast-food restaurants. ...

The trial lasts about 11 months (January when Soneji was captured & November when his verdict was read.) Alex Cross is brought back to the case when Soneji asks for him. During this time Cross hypnotizes Soneji several times, speaking with both Murphy and Soneji, getting inside Soneji's/Murphy's head and gets him to tell him of all his terrible little secrets. Murphy was a tender man, Soneji a sadistic, evil monster. After Soneji is convicted and put into prison, Cross and Jezzie fell in love. Despite the defenses best effort at an insanity plea Soneji was found guilty. In law, a verdict indicates the judgment of a case before a court of law. ... Flogging demonstration at Folsom Street Fair 2004. ... For other uses, see Evil (disambiguation). ... ‹ The template below (Expand) is being considered for deletion. ... In legal terminology, a plea is simply an answer to a claim made by someone in a civil or criminal case under common law using the adversary system. ...

After the verdict, Jezzie meets her lover (not Cross) at lake house.

Cross returns to work, questions a woman about Soneji, where she tells Cross that someone had been following Soneji. Someone knew about the kidnapping. Cross wonders about Mike Devine and Charley Chakely.

Cross meets with Soneji, who confirms he may have been followed, Soneji didn’t make the connection until he recognized the man at his trial. Mike Devine.

Cross meets with the FBI, they also had their suspicions and were running an investigation. The FBI believes Mike Devine and Charley Chakely took the ransom money. They believe the pilot from Florida, who has since been found dead, was a drug runner hired by Mike Devine and Charley Chakely. The FBI has no proof Mike Devine and Charley Chakely did this but still keep them under surveillance. Then they drop a bomb on Alex. Jezzie was involved with Mike Devine for years and they are lovers. They also believe Jezzie was in it from the start. Cross begins to connect the pieces. The FBI was right. This article includes a list of works cited or a list of external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ...

Jezzie and Devine meet. They plan to wait it out.

Cross, Sampson and the FBI begin to plan on getting Jezzie and the guys.

Soneji escapes from prison with the help of a guard that he eventually kills.

Alex takes Jezzie Flannigan on a Caribbean getaway. “West Indian” redirects here. ...

In Washington DC, Soneji, dresses as a FedEx employee and visits Mike Devine. He tortures Devine to find out that the money was still in DC. Upon retrieving the money Soneji returns and kills Devine. FedEx (NYSE: FDX), whose full corporate name is FedEx Corporation, is a cargo airline, printing, and courier company offering overnight courier, ground, heavy freight, document copying and logistics services. ...

Alex finally confronts Jezzie and tells her he knows what she did. Since they were both wearing bathing suits, Alex showed her he wasn’t wearing a wire and demanded to know how and why. She explains that Secretary Goldberg was threatened by a Colombian cartel and demanded protection for his family. Devine and Chakely noticed Soneji making passes at the Goldberg house. Since then they followed Soneji everywhere, including the Maryland Farm. It was Jezzie’s idea for the ransom, and they removed Maggie after the Goldberg boy had died. Cross demands to know where Maggie is, while, at a distance, Sampson is holding a long distance microphone revealed himself, and with him is the FBI. A cartel is a group of formally independent producers whose goal is to increase their collective profits by means of price fixing, limiting supply, or other restrictive practices. ... Official language(s) None (English, de facto) Capital Annapolis Largest city Baltimore Area  Ranked 42nd  - Total 12,407 sq mi (32,133 km²)  - Width 90 miles (145 km)  - Length 249 miles (400 km)  - % water 21  - Latitude 37° 53′ N to 39° 43′ N  - Longitude 75° 03′ W to 79° 29... Farms, East of Gorgan, Iran. ...

It has been 2 years since the kidnapping. Maggie was held by people in Uyuni Bolivia, South America. Uyuni is a village near the Andes Mountains.Maggie is finally rescued. South America South America is a continent crossed by the equator, with most of its area in the Southern Hemisphere. ... See also architecture with non-sequential dynamic execution scheduling (ANDES). ...

Soneji attacks Alex in his home. He planned to kill Nanna and the kids. After a fight, Soneji manages to escape momentarily, but is trapped near the White House. He is holding hostages again, 2 children. Soneji was about to shoot Cross, but Cross is saved by Sampson, who manages to shoot Soneji instead. Gary was wounded…but alive. For other uses, see White House (disambiguation). ...

Epilogue -- Jezzie Flannigan is executed by lethal injection. Six weeks earlier Charlie Chakely had been executed. Soneji was still alive. Due to his mental state he would be held at a mental institution. Soneji leaves Cross a letter. At the end, Cross plays the piano and heads to St. Anthony’s.

Notes

• The adventures of Dr. Alex Cross continue in Kiss The Girls.
• This book also introduces FBI Agent Kyle Craig, who becomes an important character in later Cross novels. Craig plays a very small role in the book and only appears in a few chapters.
• The book introduces all of Cross's supporting characters like Nana, his grandmother, John Sampson, his partner, Janelle and Damon, his children.
• Cross severely dislikes his boss, Chief Pittman.
• It reveals Cross' wife, Maria, was murdered in a drive by shooting but her murder was never solved.
• Alex has been best friends with John Sampson since childhood.
• Alex volunteers at St. Andrews soup kitchen where he is known as the Peanut Butter Man.
• The book takes place over a 2 year period.