A nursery rhyme becomes a murder script in Washington, D.C.
Who drives the story
D.C. homicide detective and psychologist, pulled between a child killer in Southeast and a presidential plot at the White House. He loses his girlfriend Christine to the killer he is hunting and still makes the tackle that saves the President's life.
A former special forces soldier and Sara Rosen's lover who murders children near schools named for civil rights leaders and taunts Cross by letter. He dies in an Anacostia warehouse, shot by Sampson.
A former CIA operative whose husband was killed in a covert operation run by President Byrnes; she masterminds the plot and attacks the President herself. She dies at the White House, shot by Secret Service agents.
Cross's partner, a towering, steady presence on both investigations. He drives Cross home when he breaks down and arrives at the warehouse just in time to kill Hawkins.
Cross's grandmother, the anchor of the Fifth Street household, holding the family together as the case bleeds toward their door. She holds Cross as he grieves Christine.
The President targeted by Jack and Jill, who dismisses the threat as a crank even as the letters escalate. He survives a knife attack and a press-conference assassination attempt, saved by Cross.
Also in the story
A schoolteacher and Cross's girlfriend who fears for her safety after the child murders surface. Jack kills her in the school library, leaving a note mocking Cross.
Secret Service agent who briefs Cross on the White House threat and draws him into the protection detail.
How they are connected
Alex CrossPresident Thomas Byrnes
He loses his girlfriend Christine to the killer he is hunting and still makes the tackle that saves the President's life.
He loses his girlfriend Christine to the killer he is hunting and still makes the tackle that saves the President's life.
Jack / Kevin HawkinsAlex Cross
A former special forces soldier and Sara Rosen's lover who murders children near schools named for civil rights leaders and taunts Cross by letter.
Jack / Kevin HawkinsJill / Sara Rosen
A former special forces soldier and Sara Rosen's lover who murders children near schools named for civil rights leaders and taunts Cross by letter.
Jack / Kevin HawkinsJohn Sampson
He dies in an Anacostia warehouse, shot by Sampson.
Jill / Sara RosenPresident Thomas Byrnes
A former CIA operative whose husband was killed in a covert operation run by President Byrnes; she masterminds the plot and attacks the President herself.
Cross's partner, a towering, steady presence on both investigations.
Cross's grandmother, the anchor of the Fifth Street household, holding the family together as the case bleeds toward their door.
She holds Cross as he grieves Christine.
President Thomas ByrnesJack / Kevin Hawkins
The President targeted by Jack and Jill, who dismisses the threat as a crank even as the letters escalate.
Christine JohnsonJack / Kevin Hawkins
Jack kills her in the school library, leaving a note mocking Cross.
Secret Service agent who briefs Cross on the White House threat and draws him into the protection detail.
Go deeper
The perversion of innocence · Two cities, one detective · Grief as the price of the job · Revenge dressed as spectacle
Themes explainedThe full story act by act, the ending explained and a quick quiz.
Open the summary