Alex Cross's Trial - James Patterson & Richard Dilallo

The latest in the Alex Cross series by James Patterson, Alex Cross's Trial isn't actually about Alex. Instead it is a book within a book - a novel that Alex pens about his great uncle Abraham Cross.

Ben Corbett served with Teddy Roosevelt in the war. He is asked by the president to return to his hometown to secretly investigate reports of rampant racism and injustice. Roosevelt tells him to connect with Abraham Cross in the black quarter of Eudora, Mississippi.

What follows is a disturbing and appalling story of discrimination and corruption. Some listeners may find the descriptions of violence unsettling. Ben's attempts at justice seem to be thwarted at every turn as the presiding judge in town is his estranged father. Much of this tale has it's origins in history. What's discouraging is that some of the scenarios used are not at all in the the past, but still operating in the present.

I listened to this in audio format. The opening preface is read by Shawn Andrew as Alex. Gospel music is used effectively as background. Dylan Baker is the main reader and his voice is perfectly suited to portray Ben. His folksy, down home voice captures Ben's initial innocence and his later, his determination and purpose. His cadence and inflection somewhat reminded me of Garrison Keillor.

Patterson features short cliffhanging chapters in his books. In audio, I find I can't stop until I've listened to the entire disc!