Cross shouldn’t be solely Prime Video’s newest addition to its secure of “Dad TV” (learn: pulpy motion/army TV and film reveals), but it surely additionally takes a distinct method from its contemporaries like Reacher or Jack Ryan. That method is to forego adapting any of the Alex Cross novels written by James Patterson, and as an alternative inform a totally unique story. Surprisingly, this works, with Cross Season 1 discovering Alex Cross (Aldis Hodge) on the path of a serial killer whereas additionally coming to phrases along with his spouse’s dying.

Since Prime renewed Cross for a second season, creator Ben Watkins now has the prospect to craft a narrative that adapts the occasions of an Alex Cross novel. And there is truly one ebook that would function the right adaptation: Roses Are Pink. Not solely is that this one of many main turning factors within the Alex Cross saga, however Season 1 of Cross truly laid the groundwork for it to be tailored.

What Is James Pattrson’s ‘Roses Are Pink’ About?

Roses Are Pink pits Alex Cross in opposition to a mysterious determine generally known as the “Mastermind,” who’s been conducting a sequence of financial institution robberies throughout the US. The Mastermind earned his title as a result of his crimes are meticulously deliberate right down to the best particulars. When his males enter a financial institution, they demand that the workers and prospects observe their instructions, and if they do not, the robbers gun them down. Cross finally ends up becoming a member of forces with the FBI, but it surely is not the one main improvement in Roses Are Pink; his love life can be a significant focus, as he has romantic rigidity with FBI agent Betsy Cavalierre.

‘Roses Are Pink’ Introduces Alex Cross’ Archnemesis

Ultimately, Roses Are Pink ends on a significant cliffhanger as Cross and Cavalierre study that the Mastermind is not who they thought he was. An epilogue reveals that Mastermind is Kyle Craig, an FBI agent who appeared in earlier novels to seek the advice of with Cross on circumstances. Secretly, Craig had additionally met among the serial killers that Cross would put away and kill alongside them; he even struck a private blow in opposition to Cross by killing Cavalierre.

Cross ultimately discovers Craig’s identification because the Mastermind in Roses Are Pink‘s follow-up, Violets Are Blue, and sends him to jail. Craig continues to seem in novels each time Cross wants assist with a case; this ends when Craig lastly escapes from jail within the novel Double Cross. Different novels would have him threatening Cross, even getting cosmetic surgery to resemble one other FBI agent in order that he might stalk and kill Cross. Craig’s obsessive nature, alongside along with his private connection to Cross, makes him a formidable antagonist.

‘Cross’ Season 1 Laid the Tracks for a ‘Roses Are Pink’ Adaptation

The groundwork for Cross to adapt Roses Are Pink was laid in its Season 1 finale after Cross captures serial killer Ed Ramsey (Ryan Eggold). All through the season, he is been helped by FBI agent Kayla Craig (Alona Tal), however issues flip sinister in a post-credits scene when Kayla approaches Bobby Trey (Johnny Ray Gill), Ramsey’s confederate, and presents him cash and immunity if he provides her details about Ramsey’s victims; followers of the Alex Cross novels will even decide up on her doubtlessly being a gender-flipped model of Kyle Craig. Ben Watkins advised Leisure Weekly that he meant so as to add layers to Kayla’s character with the post-credits tag, making viewers query her.

“I additionally needed to plant a seed that will make you query the totally different ranges of Kayla Craig, who has simply been nothing however useful your entire time. Typically [she’s] somewhat comedian reduction, somewhat sarcastic humor, generally somewhat romantic chemistry, however principally simply somebody who’s been serving to. So I needed to make you query her somewhat bit.”

If Cross Season 2 does adapt Roses Are Pink, it might shift issues to a complete new degree — particularly if Kayla seems to be as lethal as her ebook counterpart. Cross even launched a complete new wrinkle as Kayla is romantically inquisitive about Cross’s companion, John Sampson (Isaiah Mustafa). If Sampson will get concerned within the back-and-forth between Cross and the Mastermind, it will present a brand new twist whereas staying true to the core of Roses Are Pink.

In the end, Roses Are Pink could be the right story for Cross Season 2 to adapt as a consequence of its private stakes and the way in which Season 1 units the stage for the novel’s occasions. Contemplating that this is without doubt one of the few Alex Cross novels that hasn’t been tailored into movie or tv, Watkins has a chance to face out from the pack.

Season 1 of Cross is accessible to stream on Prime Video within the U.S.