Kiss the Girls

Naomi, Cross's niece and a Duke student, vanishes in North Carolina. She's one of several women taken by Casanova, who keeps them in an underground harem. In Los Angeles, another killer, the Gentleman Caller, murders and taunts the press. The two are working together. Dr. Kate McTiernan escapes by leaping into a river, and the drug used on her points to a doctor. The trail leads to Dr. William Rudolph, the Gentleman Caller. Cross and Sampson find the hideout, free the women, Naomi among them, and Cross kills Rudolph. Later, on vacation with Kate, Cross learns that Casanova is Detective Nick Ruskin. Kate fights him off and Cross kills him.

1. ChangeThe missing reporter

   In the book, the Gentleman Caller kills reporter Beth Lieberman, and her files point to William Rudolph. The film cuts her, along with the killer's letters printed in the Los Angeles Times.

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2. ChangeThe Sikes red herring

   In the book, Cross suspects Detective Davey Sikes and tails him, only to find he's seeing a mistress. That thread isn't in the film.

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3. ChangeSampson gets hurt

   During the rescue, both killers attack Cross and Sampson, and Sampson is badly wounded. The film spares him that.

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4. ChangeA different final showdown

   In the book, the Ruskin showdown happens while Cross and Kate are on vacation, after he finds a dead FBI agent, and the two go their separate ways. In the film, Ruskin attacks Kate at home, and the last shot comes with the milk carton trick.

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