Its Christmas Eve in Washington DC, Detective Alex Cross is at home with his family decorating the tree and enjoying a Cross family tradition, a big bowl of egg nog, when he received a phone call that causes the festivities to be put on hold. As an expert in hostage situations, Alex has been called in to try and save a potential massacre.
But with Fowler crazed and irrational, will Alex be albe to save the lives of these hostages, as well as coming out alive himself? At the same time, international terrorist Hala al Dossari has been planning a devastating attack to strike at the heart of the Western world on the most important day of the year - Christmas Day.