There is only one problem with James Patterson’s bestseller “Pop Goes the Weasel” – you cannot turn the pages fast enough.

“Pop Goes the Weasel” is a stunning tale of a twisted fantasy game becoming a sick, real-life killing spree. The storyline features Patterson’s signature character Detective Alex Cross. This is the fifth novel that chronicles the cases of this character.

Cross is a top criminal profiler. He has tracked down some of the country’s most diabolical criminals. He is a self-proclaimed “Dragon Slayer.”

Criminals have had an affect on his life for many years. His first wife was killed in a drive-by shooting, his relatives have been kidnapped, and many people have tried to end his life. These hardships and trials are what fuel him to be the best cop he can be.

Geoffrey Shafer is a British intelligence officer. He has been in the army and was a spy for MI6. He has three wonderful kids and a beautiful wife. He seems to have it all, except he hates his life.

Shafer has filled his days with a strange Internet role-playing game called “The Four Horsemen.” His role in the game is the rider of the pale horse, better known as Death. The object of the game is to come up with sick fantasies and share them with the other players – War, Famine, and Conqueror. However, it becomes more than a game to Shafer – he really has become Death.

Suddenly, in the southeastern part of Washington D.C., many dead girls bodies begin to appear. The girls had been raped and mutilated. No identification is ever found on the bodies so they are designated Jane Does.

Alex Cross takes it upon himself to investigate the “Jane Doe” murders. He realizes he is up against a formidable opponent, but does not know that the killings are all part of a sick game.

Alex Cross suffers a major setback when the police chief tells him to leave the cases alone. Chief Pittman does not care about a few Jane Does, especially since they are from the poor side of town.

Cross disobeys orders, which gets him and his friends in trouble. Pittman suspends the officers that aide Cross. He then orders Cross to work another case.

Instead of doing what Pittman orders him to do, Alex Cross takes a vacation with his family and fianc‚.

The nightmare really begins when Shafer abducts someone close to Cross. Alex Cross now becomes an unwilling player in The Four Horsemen’s world. Only one person can be the ultimate winner. Alex Cross is the Dragon Slayer, but Geoffrey Shafer has never lost. The players are set for mortal combat, and the winner may still end up losing it all.

James Patterson’s work is a joy to read. He organizes his books in a reader-friendly manner. The novel is divided into five large parts, much like a five-act Shakespearian play. Within each part are many short chapters. This design gives the feeling of quick reading. One can read a chapter in five minutes or less.

Patterson’s use of words is marvelous. The reader can experience the raw emotions and is allowed to see everything. The identity of the murderer is known, yet with so many unanswered questions, the book is impossible to put down.

Patterson is one of the few authors today that is consistent in his writing. Any book by James Patterson is a winner and is worth reading. Every book he writes hits the nation’s bestseller list, almost always at No. 1. Hang on for the thrill ride of a lifetime.