''Alex Cross's Trial'' is the 15th novel in

James Patterson James Brendan Patterson (born March 22, 1947) is an American author. Among his works are the '' Alex Cross'', '' Michael Bennett'', '' Women's Murder Club'', '' Maximum Ride'', '' Daniel X'', '' NYPD Red'', '' Witch & Wizard'', '' Private'' and ...

's ''Alex Cross'' series. It follows ''Cross Country'' in the series, and comes before his novel ''

I, Alex Cross ''I, Alex Cross'' is the 16th novel in the Alex Cross series by James Patterson. It was released in hardcover and paperback on November 16, 2009, to positive reviews and positive reception. It is preceded by '' Alex Cross's Trial''. Its success ...

''. It is written by Patterson and Richard DiLallo, and its premise is that it is a book written by Alex Cross.

Plot

From his grandmother, Nana Mama,

Alex Cross ''Alex Cross'' is a crime, mystery, and thriller novel series written by James Patterson. The protagonist of the series is Alex Cross, an African-American Metropolitan Police Department detective and father who counters threats to his fami ...

has been told the story of his great-uncle Abraham and his struggle throughout the era of the

Ku Klux Klan The Ku Klux Klan (), commonly shortened to KKK or Klan, is an American Protestant-led Christian terrorism, Christian extremist, white supremacist, Right-wing terrorism, far-right hate group. It was founded in 1865 during Reconstruction era, ...

. Alex then recounts this tale to his children through his novel called ''Trial''. A

lawyer A lawyer is a person who is qualified to offer advice about the law, draft legal documents, or represent individuals in legal matters. The exact nature of a lawyer's work varies depending on the legal jurisdiction and the legal system, as w ...

at the turn of the century, a man named Ben Corbett, represents the toughest cases. Many of his cases are opposing

racism Racism is the belief that groups of humans possess different behavioral traits corresponding to inherited attributes and can be divided based on the superiority of one Race (human categorization), race or ethnicity over another. It may also me ...

and

oppression Oppression is malicious or unjust treatment of, or exercise of power over, a group of individuals, often in the form of governmental authority. Oppression may be overt or covert, depending on how it is practiced. No universally accepted model ...

, and because of the cases he's fighting for, he risks the life of his wife and children. When President Roosevelt asks Ben personally to go to his hometown to investigate upon rumors of the Ku Klux Klan's resurgence, he cannot refuse. Upon entering Eudora, Mississippi, Corbett meets Abraham Cross and his enchanting granddaughter Moody. He enlists their help and the two Crosses introduce Corbett to the other side of the idyllic southern town. Lynchings have become commonplace in the town, and the black residents of the town live in constant fear. Ben aims to break the reign of terror, but finding out who is behind it all may break his heart.

References

{{Reflist Alex Cross (novel series) 2009 American novels Little, Brown and Company books