Cat and Mouse Patterson, James

Alex Cross hunts a serial killer who's hunting him. A psychopath who calls himself Mr. Smith is murdering women across Europe in methodical, chilling fashion — and he's writing letters to Cross, the one detective he considers worthy. When the killer moves his game to Washington D.C., Cross is pulled into a cat-and-mouse chase that turns brutally personal. Patterson delivers one of his sharpest Alex Cross novels: rapid-fire chapters, genuine menace, and a villain who's disturbingly intelligent. The psychology here is darker than usual, the stakes higher. If you like your thrillers propulsive and unapologetically tense, this is classic Patterson operating at full throttle. Perfect for fans of Michael Connelly or anyone who needs a book that won't let them put it down at bedtime.