Thriller · Crime
Along Came a Spider
A Washington, D.C. detective who is also a psychologist is drawn into the case of two children snatched from an exclusive school. The kidnapper is careful, clever and appears to enjoy the game.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 1993
- Pace
- Fast
- Length
- Medium
- Pages
- 516
- Format
- Book 1 of 37 in Alex Cross
Read this if you like very short chapters and a quick, twisty chase between a cop and a villain.
Skip this if you want slow, well-drawn characters or to avoid stories about kidnapped children.
The feel
Content warnings
Also reported by Hardcover readers:
Quick answers about Along Came a Spider
- What is Along Came a Spider about?
- A Washington, D.C. detective who is also a psychologist is drawn into the case of two children snatched from an exclusive school. The kidnapper is careful, clever and appears to enjoy the game.
- Who should read Along Came a Spider?
- Read it if you like very short chapters and a quick, twisty chase between a cop and a villain. Skip it if you want slow, well-drawn characters or to avoid stories about kidnapped children.
- How long and how fast is Along Came a Spider?
- It is a fast-paced, medium read of about 516 pages, first published in 1993.
- Does Along Came a Spider have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Kidnapping, Violence, Death.
- Can I borrow Along Came a Spider for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Along Came a Spider; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after Along Came a Spider?
- Readers who liked it often move on to The Bone Collector, The Silence of the Lambs.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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