2026 Book Review #28:Return of the Spider

 

This has been my all-time favorite mystery series since the author's first Alex Cross book came out called Along Came a Spider in 1993. In fact, only one other fictional detective/psychologist beats the Cross novels, and that's Kay Scarpetta created by the author Patricia Cornwell in 1990.   Both series are ones I've read in order and currently I am up to date with the Cross series.  If you like murder mysteries/thrillers, I highly recommend both  series. This is Book 34 in the Alex Cross series. 

STORY SUMMARY

 Gary Soneji, the "spider" was a substitute teacher who became a hardened serial killer. And Alex Cross is the one to bring him down. However, in this latest book, Alex and Sampson discover that they made many mistakes back in their rookie homicide detective days.  

Now, Alex is retracing his steps from that long-ago investigation and is facing the "return of the spider".   

The police have discovered a murder book titled Profiles in Homicidal Genius that Soneji wrote in.  It details his transformation from a business employee, husband to Missy and daddy to Roni, a little girl (persona Gary Murphy) and substitute teacher and serial killer (persona Gary Soneji aka the spider).  

What went wrong at the beginning of those murders for Alex and John Sampson?  And how are they going to fix what turned out to be a huge mistake? 

MY THOUGHTS

This is a brilliant look at the start of Alex Cross's career and the whole background of Gary Soneji. I found it fascinating that the Gary character studied the real life serial killers Son of Sam, Zodiac Killer, Boston Strangler, etc.  

However, the book was a bit slower to me in the middle than most of the author's Cross novels.  Or maybe because it's summer and I've been so busy leading hikes, swimming in mountain lakes, and spending time with friends and husband, that my reading this month  has slowed down. 

The book overall is excellent and really explains alot about Soneji's background. 

I found it interesting that towards the end the author is alluding to the fact that Nana Mama might live to be 100 (she is one strong 90+ woman!) and that Alex is considering what I assume is thoughts of retirement. 

Either way....this is a great book and look-back at the very first novel that started it all. 

In my opinion, this book is appropriate for ages 17 and older (due to mature content).

On a scale of 1=10, with 10 being the highest, I rate this an 8. 

End of August Faves

 

How is it the end of August already?  

It's been an active one and the Autumn months are fast approaching and those will also be even busier. 

For now, let's pause and join Susanne and gang in sharing FIVE of our FAVE blessings from the past week. Head to her blog to learn more or to link up. 

 

FIVE FAVES

Tirrell Pond in the Blue Mountain Wild Forest area
north-central Adirondack Mountains
22 August

• SATURDAY SOULSTEPS HIKE: I had 4 people originally going on the Saturday SoulSteps hike but it ended up being just Evelyn and my self. One guy injured his ankle so since he wasn't going, my husband wasn't going. Evelyn and I drove the 2.5 hours to get to the trailhead by 9:15 AM and after schlepping over a lot of blowdown and climbing over fallen trees, we arrived to this beautiful remote pond which is 3.6 miles in from the trailhead. All together we hiked 7.2 miles and had a sweet time of catching up, eating lunch in the quiet wilderness, and enjoying wading in the pond. The weather was just perfect.  I'm thankful I  got to hike this trail again and now that I've hiked in there for the 3rd time, I can be done with it. It's a gorgeous destination but the trail is becoming pretty unmaintained. I'm thankful we had a wonderful day in the mountains. 

• SUNDAY DINNER: I'm super thankful Dave offered to cook his famous Rice n Beans dinner after church on Sunday. We had invited our youngest daughter but she was prepping her apartment to have all of her windows and doors replaced, so it was just the two of us. Dave made a delicious dinner and I did the clean up.  I'm thankful for a husband who likes to take a turn to cook. 

Joan and I 

• BRUNCH and CONVERSATION: On Tuesday I had my friend Joan over for brunch and to play a song for her that I had written (well, it was inspired by God because trust me...I am NOT a composer!).  Because it involved this spiritual journey she was walking through with me, I had been wanting to sing/play it for her as she was a big part of the process. We ended up talking for a couple of hours and it was a sweet time of fellowship.  I'm thankful I could host this friend who means the world to me. 

On the summit of Balm of Gilead Mt
l-r: Joan, me, Karen, Jill
This is my tribe. 

• SOULSTEPS MID-WEEK HIKE:  Wednesday was a perfect late summer day.  It was glorious in the mountains!  The temp was about 70-72 for most of the hike. The sun was out in full force until late afternoon when it became a bit cloudy with the sun in and out. The air was wonderful. The whole hike went so well. There were 6 of us altogether.  The above pic was taken by 2 non-members who were just leaving the summit and offered to take our group photo.  Our other member (Beth) wasn't yet on the summit with her teen daughter, So she missed the  group photo and we were so busy eating lunch and enjoying the summit, we never did get another group pic  done.   I'm so thankful we all brought our bathing suits, towels, etc to linger down at 13th Lake and do some swimming. I'm thankful also that we just had one of the best hikes of the summer. Round trip miles is only 3.6 miles but the summit of Balm of Gildead Mt is just beautiful. We were in the Siamese Pond Wilderness Area of the central Adirondacks. The mountain stands at 2450.  It's a bit steep towards the last half mile. I'm so thankful, also, that my new hiking boots did well and my feet weren't sore at all! Here are some photos from the hike:

Beth and her 15 yr old daughter A

Joan and I trekking down from the summit
photo compliments of Karen T 

On the lower part of summit: Balm of Gilead Mt
with 13th lake below us and some of the mountains
in the Siamese Pond Wilderness Area/Central ADK

me in up to my neck and Joan standing
13th Lake in the Siamese Pond Wilderness Area 
Wed 26 August
the air turned  chilly due to the sun going behind the clouds
this is about 3 pm 
photo compliments of Karen T

I loved relaxing with everyone on the beach.
We of course had no chairs with us so we spread out the towels
and just sat in the sun because it came back out around 3:30
After changing back into regular clothes, we decided to go grab hot coffee (me)
and ice cream for everyone else. I was cold as I was the only one who went all the way in. 
Thankfully I had a long sleeved tee to wear with my clean shorts. 
it was a perfect mountain day and we were all home by dinnertime. 

• HOT COFFEE: I'm thankful for a good cup of hot coffee each morning. I set up the Ninja the night before to start brewing at 5:45 as Dave is downstairs by 6. I  tend to come down anywhere between 6:15-6:45 now that I'm retired, and that first mug of steaming hot coffee is one of the things I'm  thankful for every single day. This is the blend we've been enjoying all week.  After my first mug of coffee, I get a 2nd one to drink while reading my devotionals/Bible and then with my third one, I eat some breakfast. Super thankful for all the blends our fave companies offer. 

That's it for my fave blessings.

Dave and I have a date day tomorrow and we are getting the kayaks in one of the state park lakes for the first time all summer. We both  finally have a free weekend other than popping in to a goodbye party after church for a very old friend from our former church who is moving to Florida. She kept in touch with us after she left the former church as well and we will miss her! 

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. 

Restored My Soul

 

I didn't want to go today. (Wed 26 Aug) 

I woke up feeling out of sorts. Feeling so very thirsty for the Living Water. 

Physically, I felt great.

Emotionally and spiritually speaking? I felt empty with longing to be filled up. 

How  does one live fully surrendered to the point where these empty feelings are no longer?

 Is it normal to have those feelings where you feel empty, needing to be filled? Even after a "Spiritual high" ? I know it's not lack of faith. What was this?? 

I almost texted the group saying I wasn't going to go but that they should still go.  I wasn't the driver so I figured they could just go themselves. 

I texted my friend J who also was the driver for the day asking if we could listen to worship music on the way to the mountains. Told her I was having a rough morning. She replied she was sorry I wasn't joyful at the moment.  I had to tell her it wasn't that I wasn't feeling joyful. It was hard to explain but that I was feeling like I needed to drink of the Living Water...needed to be filled up. In true J fashion she sent a beautiful photo of Jesus knocking on a door and  reminded me Jesus wants to come in and is the Living Water. (of course I know this!) 

I read Psalm 42 which is just beautiful when you take the time to internalize the metaphors in it. 

And this verse popped out, which to me, is just as important as the first 2, in recognizing why I was feeling "out of sorts". 

"Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God"  (Psalm 42:11) 

I was putting my hope into the day.....into the things He created vs He Himself. 

I had been looking forward to getting on that small mountain summit, since I haven't stood on a summit since late June. The hikes I have completed have been wonderful and the weather has cooperated, but they were all far into the woods, to beautiful marshes or ponds or lakes, and I was craving time on a summit. So I was putting my hope into "the perfect day": weather, mountain top experience, being with experienced hikers who don't need guidance in following a trail, all of them sisters in Christ and whom I consider good friends. My tribe. 

But my hope? It needs to be in God.  I listened to this song 3 times while getting ready for the day: 

My heart's desire? To hike mountains. But my true desire? God/Jesus. To know Him intimately...more than I ever have.....to walk daily with Him...to really know He is my Strength and Shield. My protector. My Father. And to fully trust as I fully surrender to fully live. 

Have I often worshipped His creation more than Him? If I'm honest, yes.

So I gave the day to Him. I asked Him to meet me on that mountain top and to simply be with Him. 

And guess what? 

Just like God, He gave me some alone time on the trail as I was fairly goal oriented in keeping a fast pace for a good cardio workout. Although I could glimpse my friends behind me at times, and hear them, I felt alone with Him like I had been craving. He is so good to us! 

When we submit to His ways and focus on His plan for the day, He has this way of giving us our hearts' desires. 

On that mountain summit, we all sat a bit apart. I was at one of the highest points and my heart was content. I was quietly thanking Him, not just for the beauty of the Siamese Pond Wilderness area and the amazing lake below us......

but thanking Him that I get to do this......

........and thanking Him for these friends......

..........and thanking Him for HIM. For His Mercy, His Grace, His Patience, His Everlasting Love.   Love broke through to me again on that mountain top. 

And when I was reflecting on the name of the mountain: Balm of Gilead

I realized.....

........my soul felt restored. 

..........my mind felt at peace. 

It's more than being in the mountains which are so restorative physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

I know the next few months will be hard. I've been told this by my counselor as well as my pastor's wife. Emotional and spiritual healing is a process. But when I remember to place all of my Hope in God and fix my eyes on Him...and drink of that Living Water (Jesus!) daily...............I will be able to walk through these days. When I let go of my independent spirit and my pride and allow friends to speak into my life, I will have the "safe" feeling I have longed for. God has recently shown me who are the safe people in my life. 

Do I tell my story to just anyone? No. Do I even share all of the details? Only when He leads. But fear is replaced by peace because......

It's God......He restores the soul. 

WEEK-END WRAP UP

 

Tirrell Pond
in the Blue Mountain Wild Forest Area
north-central Adirondack Mountains

It's been a good weekend of some rest and relaxation, the 18th SoulSteps Hike for 2026, and time at church and talking with good friends. Also getting stuff done around the house and yard. 

 I'm here to share my weekend wrap up. 

FRIDAY EVENING:  Dave and I decided to have a late dinner of just left overs.  We had 3 different meals in the fridge that really needed to be eaten before today.  So it was a "help yourself" kind of evening and then we  just relaxed with books and went to bed early. I had to get up at 5:15 to drive 2 hours and 20 minutes to lead a hike that 3 people had signed up for. 

SATURDAY:  Dave opted out of the hike as our other friend Dave had an ankle injury so had to cancel.  My Dave has hiked the trail with me before so he stayed home to do some errands and mow and trim the yards. I headed out with the other woman who had signed up.  She arrive at my home around 7:15 and we were off to the Blue Mountain Lake area of the north-central Adiondack Mountains. Our destination was Tirrell Pond (pictured above) in the Blue Mt Wild Forest Area. I hiked Blue Mt (Elevation 3750') which is 67th highest mt in the ADK/NYS tied with Wakely Mt.  My husband and daughers and I climbed it in the summer of 2006.  It's spectacular and on the trail to the Pond you have a glimpse of the side of it. I've also hiked up Wakely which was a tough climb involving rock scrambles but so worth it. It's a "one and done" for me though.  Blue is one I'd like to attempt again.   

Anyways, we started hiking at about 9:45 AM and were at the pond by noon.  It was wonderful.  Here are some fave pics from the day: 

The easy part of the trail 

Hard part of trail....this incline went on and on
and all of these rocks were loose with branches poking up
Just so much devastation from a spring storm 

a gorgeous view of Tirrell Mt and the left side of Tirrell Pond
and this beach was where we  sat and had lunch
We even waded in the water up to our thighs (me) 
or knees (Evelyn)...the water was heavenly
The air was only 74 but the water felt so good

Evelyn and I (She was making me laugh so hard about something)
Evelyn is our oldest daughter's future mother in law
and although Courtney and Tyler aren't officially engaged, it sure seems
that they are heading in that direction..........!!

After the hike, which we wrapped up at 7.2 miles RT and at 3 pm,  we changed our  footwear, got in the car, stopped at a local mini mart to grab cold iced teas and headed over to 13th Lake as I will be swimming here after a hike on Wednesday I'm leading and I wanted to see exactly where the beach is. I've been to 13th Lake 3 other times but at none of those times was I able to find the beach.  We had luck!  We found the beach, saw 6 loons which of course didn't come out well on our pictures, and then drove home to arrive around 6 pm. 

Dave was in the shower when I got home, after having spent the afternoon doing all the yardwork, moving the grill and chairs by himself and also running around town on errands.  He just wanted leftover sloppy joes (I had them with vegan "beef" on Thursday) so we had those plus cucumber salad and tortilla chips/salsa.  That was dinner and it was nice to use up the leftovers. He fell asleep early and I spent the night uploading pics to my laptop from my camera, pushing some onto facebook (I don't use the app on my phone any longer) and then my laptop needed an update so while that was happening, I did some reading in a good fiction book I'm enjoying. 

SUNDAY:  Dave had to work production this morning at both services and I had an interview to conduct at 10:30 for a potential member of the hiking group.   After a breakfast of avocado on toast and coffee, I got ready for the interview.  Meeting Addie was a delight. She is my youngest daughter's age, studying to be an OT and is super excited to learn about hiking. She has limited experience so I filled her in on where to go to buy moisture wicking hiking clothing and boots (LLBean, REI, Sierra are the 3 best options in our area). The interview went really well...she filled out all the paper work correctly and I was able to contact our Spiritual Formations Director and get her added into the church center app.   Then I sat with my friend Maggie and her husband Bill for the 11 AM service since Dave was working backstage.  The worship was very powerful today as was Pastor Rex's message.  

Sunday dinner was around 2 pm and we made Rice and Beans.  I love Dave's recipe so he did the bulk of the cooking.  Since my Sabbath rest was yesterday (Saturday), I decided to clean the bathrooms, do a load of laundry, get caught up on emails and answered a bunch of texts. I also had to run over to my oldest daughter's apartment to pick something up that her friend Nathaniel had bought for me from his trip to Ikea.  Nate and Courtney have been bff's since their first year at Gordon College and thankfully he and Tyler get along great.   

When I got home, I finished up some hiking group paperwork I needed to do, practiced some piano, and did some general tidying up around the house. 

Dave took a nap and then did his gaming after reading a bit.  He had a real Sabbath today. 

Tonight  I will read until I'm sleepy enough to go to bed. 

It's been a great weekend!!