What do you think?
Rate this book
Repairman Jack #8
Crisscross
Repairman Jack is back! An anonymous mercenary, with no last name and no social security number, Jack has thrilled a veritable army of readers ever since his bestselling debut in The Tomb. Jack can fix any problem, supernatural or otherwise, for a price. Now, in his latest gripping adventure, he takes on two cases at once.
The first involves a nun being blackmailed by someone who has photos of her she doesn't want made public. What's in those photos, she won't say, but with her meager savings just about exhausted, she hires Jack to help her.
The second seems straightforward enough, as an elderly woman hires Jack to find her missing son. But to locate his quarry, Jack must infiltrate the inner reaches of the Dormentalist Church, a secretive, globe-spanning cult whose members include some of the biggest and most powerful names in entertainment, sports, and politics. Ruthless in its pursuit of critics and enemies, the Church hides a sinister agenda known only to its ruling elite.
But Jack can be ruthless, too, going to darker lengths than ever before as he crisscrosses the two fix-it jobs to settle the deadliest of scores!
The first involves a nun being blackmailed by someone who has photos of her she doesn't want made public. What's in those photos, she won't say, but with her meager savings just about exhausted, she hires Jack to help her.
The second seems straightforward enough, as an elderly woman hires Jack to find her missing son. But to locate his quarry, Jack must infiltrate the inner reaches of the Dormentalist Church, a secretive, globe-spanning cult whose members include some of the biggest and most powerful names in entertainment, sports, and politics. Ruthless in its pursuit of critics and enemies, the Church hides a sinister agenda known only to its ruling elite.
But Jack can be ruthless, too, going to darker lengths than ever before as he crisscrosses the two fix-it jobs to settle the deadliest of scores!
500 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 2004
45 people are currently reading
926 people want to read
About the author
F. Paul Wilson
395Ìýbooks1,938ÌýfollowersFrancis Paul Wilson is an author, born in Jersey City, New Jersey. He writes novels and short stories primarily in the science fiction and horror genres. His debut novel was Healer (1976). Wilson is also a part-time practicing family physician. He made his first sales in 1970 to Analog and continued to write science fiction throughout the seventies. In 1981 he ventured into the horror genre with the international bestseller, The Keep, and helped define the field throughout the rest of the decade. In the 1990s he became a true genre hopper, moving from science fiction to horror to medical thrillers and branching into interactive scripting for Disney Interactive and other multimedia companies. He, along with Matthew J. Costello, created and scripted FTL Newsfeed which ran daily on the Sci-Fi Channel from 1992-1996.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
December 29, 2020
This takes place a few months after Jack returned from Florida and bonding with his dad. Jack takes up a couple fixes that should be pretty easy-- one for a nun who is being blackmailed and one a missing person case. Jack does not usually take missing person cases, but figures he will make an exception for the nice old lady who asks. It seems her son has joined a cult (church) and has stopped calling her; she just wants to know if he is ok and for Jack to pass on a message to call her. Well, if you have been reading this series, you know things are never quite so simple!
The nun's fix is more of a sideline in this compared to finding the son in the cult. The cult is really something-- Wilson really did his homework here! Jack decides he has to infiltrate the cult to find the missing son and that is were things get really interesting...
This installment is pretty brutal at times, and Wilson builds the suspense quite nicely throughout. If you like urban fantasy with a supernatural bent, you really should check this series out. 4 strong stars!
The nun's fix is more of a sideline in this compared to finding the son in the cult. The cult is really something-- Wilson really did his homework here! Jack decides he has to infiltrate the cult to find the missing son and that is were things get really interesting...
This installment is pretty brutal at times, and Wilson builds the suspense quite nicely throughout. If you like urban fantasy with a supernatural bent, you really should check this series out. 4 strong stars!
December 19, 2023
I really wish this app would stop crashing on me. I had a review that just disappeared. Is it the ‘Other�? Seriously I can’t believe how many people died in this novel!! I am reeling over all the people that Jack couldn’t save. I really enjoy how most of this novel seemed like it was in the regular world until all of a sudden the ‘Other� takes over and we realize everything was being manipulated by the supernatural. Adore this series!! But really this cult!!! Yuck!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 13, 2010
This one might as well have been called "Jack vs. the Church of Scientology", for as much as Dormentalism isn't Scientology, indeed Scientology is mentioned more than once as a separate entity in Jack's universe, the various charges and character of L. Ron Hubbard's religion seems very similar to the Dormentalists. I am sure this is not accidental.
This was another fun ride for Jack fans, though Jack's being jerked around by a woman with a dog is starting to get old. Jack can't seem to connect these women to an "Earth Mother" as much as they seem to have nature powers and always claim to be everyone's mother. For a smart guy, Jack is kinda dumb about all this, and the small Gia-may-be-having-pregnancy-issues subplot seemed merely tacked on to remind readers she's still there. Maybe there's a payoff for this in a future novel, but there doesn't seem to be in this one.
That said, Jack took down a bad guy or three in a fantastic way, advanced the whole "Adversary" plot, and made for a good capper. I am sure the fact the Big Bad had the ending he did would indicate the man may be back in the future, but I'll just have to wait and see for whenever I get around to the next one.
This was another fun ride for Jack fans, though Jack's being jerked around by a woman with a dog is starting to get old. Jack can't seem to connect these women to an "Earth Mother" as much as they seem to have nature powers and always claim to be everyone's mother. For a smart guy, Jack is kinda dumb about all this, and the small Gia-may-be-having-pregnancy-issues subplot seemed merely tacked on to remind readers she's still there. Maybe there's a payoff for this in a future novel, but there doesn't seem to be in this one.
That said, Jack took down a bad guy or three in a fantastic way, advanced the whole "Adversary" plot, and made for a good capper. I am sure the fact the Big Bad had the ending he did would indicate the man may be back in the future, but I'll just have to wait and see for whenever I get around to the next one.
January 24, 2013
Have those New Year’s Resolutions being thrown aside? Bathing suits given you heart palpitations? Well my loyal readers, I have found the solution and it is Miraculous! All the sugar and sweets you desire without guilt or regret. What is it you say? Why it’s name is F. Paul Wilson! In one day I found an author that delivers a thrill ride packed with more delicious corruption and gratifying pleasure than any indulgence to date. Here is a guilty pleasure without the shame.
With no knowledge of the previous books in the Repairmen series, I can honestly tell you that I had no trouble reading this latest addition. In fact, after reading it, I actually hunted down the illustrious Igor for pleas of more. The plot starts out wickedly simple and ordinary only to twist and continuously re-shape; submerging you into Jack’s world while keeping you unaware about just how far you’ve come. The outline is where the familiar territory ends and the ingenuity begins. The subplots, there are many, interweave delicately and connect with a subtle but intense impact. The pace in the book is dead on. There is no speed up, it starts out with a bang and maintains momentum through out the story.
The atmosphere is filled with a sense of nail biting apprehension. Wilson definitely pulls off a state of urgency and malevolence, infusing you into a state of tension and fear. The author’s style of writing is tight and candid, without even a smidge of overly complicated unnecessary Big Words.
Without a doubt, the characters are what truly scored a touchdown for me. Jack is just like any ordinary guy, flaws and all. The champion in this collection, you not only begin to know him, but also eventually begin to rally for him not only to win, but also to prevail. The secondary characters are detailed with the same voracity and dedication as the central player. You will find no skimping here, nor any over-the-top embellishments. What you are given is a cast of characters that you could find anywhere, even your local tavern.
My rating? Are you certifiable? I give this book a 24 karat 5 . With an entanglement of violence, retribution and the supernatural, Wilson strikes gold! Go out and buy it new, NOW.
-As reviewed for Horror-Web.com
With no knowledge of the previous books in the Repairmen series, I can honestly tell you that I had no trouble reading this latest addition. In fact, after reading it, I actually hunted down the illustrious Igor for pleas of more. The plot starts out wickedly simple and ordinary only to twist and continuously re-shape; submerging you into Jack’s world while keeping you unaware about just how far you’ve come. The outline is where the familiar territory ends and the ingenuity begins. The subplots, there are many, interweave delicately and connect with a subtle but intense impact. The pace in the book is dead on. There is no speed up, it starts out with a bang and maintains momentum through out the story.
The atmosphere is filled with a sense of nail biting apprehension. Wilson definitely pulls off a state of urgency and malevolence, infusing you into a state of tension and fear. The author’s style of writing is tight and candid, without even a smidge of overly complicated unnecessary Big Words.
Without a doubt, the characters are what truly scored a touchdown for me. Jack is just like any ordinary guy, flaws and all. The champion in this collection, you not only begin to know him, but also eventually begin to rally for him not only to win, but also to prevail. The secondary characters are detailed with the same voracity and dedication as the central player. You will find no skimping here, nor any over-the-top embellishments. What you are given is a cast of characters that you could find anywhere, even your local tavern.
My rating? Are you certifiable? I give this book a 24 karat 5 . With an entanglement of violence, retribution and the supernatural, Wilson strikes gold! Go out and buy it new, NOW.
-As reviewed for Horror-Web.com
March 8, 2013
The next (for me) in the Repairman Jack series. I've noted before that this series seemed to start a bit slowly and almost of a different genre. With a touch of horror and some action we get an urban fantasy that's a little different from most others. I've grown to like it.
I'm about to review another F.Paul Wilson novel after this one, and it's getting a lower rating. It's of another and a companion series to this one. If there's a flaw to Mr. Wilson's books it is that he tends to spin his stories out from too many points of view and lets them wander a bit too much.
While that is present in this book it's handled well and doesn't "mess up" the story. It follows well and stays coherent. Jack manages to be a little frustrating at times (as is his wont) and the characters he interacts with do some stupid things, though those things are "in character" and exactly what "humans" would do.
The background story continues to grow and now has actually become the main story though Jack continues to miss that . This one contains it's share of pathos and loss. The Gia storyline continues to bug me, even though I think I can see where it's going.
Good book, good series. I can recommend it. This is in a field that's getting sort of glutted a pretty unique series that manages to be an urban fantasy genre bender.
I'm about to review another F.Paul Wilson novel after this one, and it's getting a lower rating. It's of another and a companion series to this one. If there's a flaw to Mr. Wilson's books it is that he tends to spin his stories out from too many points of view and lets them wander a bit too much.
While that is present in this book it's handled well and doesn't "mess up" the story. It follows well and stays coherent. Jack manages to be a little frustrating at times (as is his wont) and the characters he interacts with do some stupid things, though those things are "in character" and exactly what "humans" would do.
The background story continues to grow and now has actually become the main story though Jack continues to miss that . This one contains it's share of pathos and loss. The Gia storyline continues to bug me, even though I think I can see where it's going.
Good book, good series. I can recommend it. This is in a field that's getting sort of glutted a pretty unique series that manages to be an urban fantasy genre bender.
February 25, 2015
Another good book in the Repairman Jack series. I like how each book builds upon the last, and can't wait to read the next one!
December 6, 2015
4 Stars
Crisscross, Repairman Jack #8 is another fantastic installment. F. Paul Wilson had created a special series led by a main character in Jack that always walks the line between good and bad. The Repairman Jack series has developed into one of my favorite series out there and I can never seem to get enough. Wilson does an amazing job at making each book work as a standalone while at the same time never neglecting the overall story arc. We the reader now not only know that each book and story will have a deeper connection, we expect it.
Jack is one of my favorite heroes/anti-hero.
The blending of a blistering fast paced action thriller with a tiny, albeit meaningful supernatural twist, this series is my cup of tea.
Crisscross is a story that centers on a religious cult or religion that has many similarities with Scientology. I loved the way Jack made his way into the Dormentalist Church. I also thoroughly enjoyed the well thought out and explained structure and hierarchy of the church. Of course the underlying connection to the Otherness makes this one awesome.
I can't wait for more.
Crisscross, Repairman Jack #8 is another fantastic installment. F. Paul Wilson had created a special series led by a main character in Jack that always walks the line between good and bad. The Repairman Jack series has developed into one of my favorite series out there and I can never seem to get enough. Wilson does an amazing job at making each book work as a standalone while at the same time never neglecting the overall story arc. We the reader now not only know that each book and story will have a deeper connection, we expect it.
Jack is one of my favorite heroes/anti-hero.
The blending of a blistering fast paced action thriller with a tiny, albeit meaningful supernatural twist, this series is my cup of tea.
Crisscross is a story that centers on a religious cult or religion that has many similarities with Scientology. I loved the way Jack made his way into the Dormentalist Church. I also thoroughly enjoyed the well thought out and explained structure and hierarchy of the church. Of course the underlying connection to the Otherness makes this one awesome.
I can't wait for more.
March 28, 2017
F. Paul Wilson published The Tomb in the 1980s, and seemed to fade from the public consciousness, and he went on to finish The Adversary Cycle.
Years later, Wilson experienced a crazy surge of productivity leading to one Repairman Jack book after another.
the books themselves are interesting and exciting, and don't require elements of the supernatural to reel you in ( in fact the biggest drawback for me is how they are all dedicated to the adversary/supernatural plot).
At the same time it is also clear that Wilson carefully planned out every step of the process, allowing references to carry over, keeping the internal plot strong and connected, building slowly from book to book.
I genuinely enjoy the series and think it is a good blend of Harry Dresden and Lucas Davenport. The books have a lot to offer fans of many genres.
Years later, Wilson experienced a crazy surge of productivity leading to one Repairman Jack book after another.
the books themselves are interesting and exciting, and don't require elements of the supernatural to reel you in ( in fact the biggest drawback for me is how they are all dedicated to the adversary/supernatural plot).
At the same time it is also clear that Wilson carefully planned out every step of the process, allowing references to carry over, keeping the internal plot strong and connected, building slowly from book to book.
I genuinely enjoy the series and think it is a good blend of Harry Dresden and Lucas Davenport. The books have a lot to offer fans of many genres.
June 10, 2009
Another great entry in the Repairman Jack series. It's amazing how Mr. Wilson can keep this series fresh and interesting. This one started out a bit slow for me. I wasn't very interested in the workings of the Dormentalist church (although it bears a resemblance to Scientology) or their endless acronyms. Once the novel started to build up steam though, I could hardly put it down. This story is a lot meaner than some of the previous books in the series, with some really visceral moments. An overall great read - I can't wait to start the next one!
March 27, 2014
Oh, repairman jack..... He's so macho! I struggle to understand his relationship to women, but he's very lady-friendly for an action star, so I let the wanna-be-strong-but-fail-every-time ladies get a pass this time, but this book really brought that element of RJ to light. I guess the first one did too, Gia seemed insufferable, but will wait to read more before I really judge.
September 1, 2016
Holy shit. This just might be the best Repairman Jack story so far.
May 3, 2022
The Repairman is asked by a woman to find her son, who's been absorbed into a multi-national church, which she thinks is a cult. Jack, soon to be a father, finds that, as usual in his job, things are not as they seem to be.
He also splits his time trying to help a nun who's being blackmailed by a scuzz bucket he is already familiar with.
Good story that has as it's center the Other.
He also splits his time trying to help a nun who's being blackmailed by a scuzz bucket he is already familiar with.
Good story that has as it's center the Other.
November 5, 2015
These get darker and darker. I'm still loving them though. In "Crisscross" Jack takes on the "totaly not Scientology" church of Dormentalism and a seedy blackmailer he's dealt with before. One of these fixes is brought to him by an old woman with dog, so as I'm sure you'll have guessed there's more to it than it first appears.
January 12, 2017
A very mixed bag for me.
Probably the best written, most tightly paced RJ novel Wilson has come out with since Conspiracies, there's a lot to praise about this book. On the other hand, since it mostly spends its time cleaning up some plot threads from previous novels OR setting up stuff yet to come (there's one chapter with Gia specifically where she ALMOST gets run over, and that chapter seems to serve ABSOLUTELY NO PURPOSE, so I'm assuming it's some sort of setup?), this book falls fairly flat as its own story, in my opinion. Even the fix-it stories (Jack gets involved with thinly veiled Scientology, and Jack has to get a blackmailer to stop blackmailing without letting him know a person did any tampering) really only seem there in order to get Jack to a specific point both physically and emotionally by the end of the book.
Still, overall, great fun. I can't believe I've read eight of these books and I'm only halfway through the series. Jack better start fighting some demons soon, man, that's all I'm saying.
Probably the best written, most tightly paced RJ novel Wilson has come out with since Conspiracies, there's a lot to praise about this book. On the other hand, since it mostly spends its time cleaning up some plot threads from previous novels OR setting up stuff yet to come (there's one chapter with Gia specifically where she ALMOST gets run over, and that chapter seems to serve ABSOLUTELY NO PURPOSE, so I'm assuming it's some sort of setup?), this book falls fairly flat as its own story, in my opinion. Even the fix-it stories (Jack gets involved with thinly veiled Scientology, and Jack has to get a blackmailer to stop blackmailing without letting him know a person did any tampering) really only seem there in order to get Jack to a specific point both physically and emotionally by the end of the book.
Still, overall, great fun. I can't believe I've read eight of these books and I'm only halfway through the series. Jack better start fighting some demons soon, man, that's all I'm saying.
March 8, 2023
Solid urban action/fantasy, basically real life with supernatural action behind the scenes. Rather than an exceptional being, the protagonist is a normal human - albeit tougher and smarter than most. Revisited fifteen years or so after my first reading, and it holds up well.
This has motivated me to go back and read through Wilson’s Secret History of the World (of which Repairman Jack is a subset), in order starting with Demonsong. Twenty or so novels, and a bunch of other material. This page has details: . I will probably skip over the Repairman Jack prequels, but one never knows�
This has motivated me to go back and read through Wilson’s Secret History of the World (of which Repairman Jack is a subset), in order starting with Demonsong. Twenty or so novels, and a bunch of other material. This page has details: . I will probably skip over the Repairman Jack prequels, but one never knows�
August 6, 2018
A page turner. Jack's two fixes, one involving the blackmailing of a nun and the other to find a son who is involved in a cult organization turns into a multitude of twists, turns, murder, mayhem and controlled chaos, if that is possible
A very good read especially if you love the thrill of the hunt to right the wrong by any means neccesary and obtain justice.
A very good read especially if you love the thrill of the hunt to right the wrong by any means neccesary and obtain justice.
July 31, 2024
Dull....
This is the third (and will be my final) read in the Repairman Jack series. The story had some good elements, but it moved slowly and was quite boring in spots. Jack has little to no personality, and so I could not connect with the story. It felt like a machine or a robot going through motions. By the middle of the book,I just wanted it to be over.
This is the third (and will be my final) read in the Repairman Jack series. The story had some good elements, but it moved slowly and was quite boring in spots. Jack has little to no personality, and so I could not connect with the story. It felt like a machine or a robot going through motions. By the middle of the book,I just wanted it to be over.
May 9, 2017
I read this years ago, but I still remember it so clearly. Jack was working for two different clients at once, Jamie and a nun who was being blackmailed. The end was so shocking, I've never forgotten it. Jack's always smarter than the bad guys, but even he can make mistakes.
December 8, 2020
Love this book so much. I've had the whole Repairman Jack series for years, but this book is the one I keep going back to. Read it a few times, and I never get tired of it. Crisscross is a beautiful blend of horror and action, and will for sure leave your fictional bloodlust sated.
August 22, 2022
This has probably been my favorite book of the series. The character continues to do his thing, but the consequences escalate. Stranger forces are still at work regardless of what Jack wants, and it may not be a happy ending.
March 23, 2024
Repairman Jack continues to find situations, including the supernatural variety (which he'd prefer to avoid). However, this was one of the sadder Repairman Jack stories as the people he was "helping" did not fare so well.
[Iowa mention]
[Iowa mention]
January 2, 2018
More insanity with Repairman Jack. This time a couple of his fixes don't go as planned so he has to mix them up in order to get some payback.
July 21, 2017
Anything in this series is a treat.
February 24, 2018
It's a coming together. Thanks FPW.
April 21, 2018
Repairma_Jack A Best Read
This Repairman Jack. is my eighth read in this series and I am looking forward to the next book ,Infantry,
I can't wait to start it
This Repairman Jack. is my eighth read in this series and I am looking forward to the next book ,Infantry,
I can't wait to start it
January 25, 2019
After 8 books the formula should be stale and boring. Author still keeps you on edge and has surprises.
April 29, 2019
these books are getting better and better
June 1, 2019
Another excellent read in this series.
Want to read
July 19, 2020elibrary
September 28, 2020
It's all coming together now.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.