Rating: 
Summary: Searching for originality
Review: Let me start off by saying that this is my fourth book in the Alex Cross series; "Along Came a Spider" was excellent, "Kiss the Girls" was much the same. I found "Roses are Red" to be a very entertaining continuation of the type and style of book that "Along Came a Spider" was--that is, a psychological story involving an intelligent, unpredictable enemy. However, unlike Patterson's first two Alex Cross books, "Roses are Red" was written with the intention of creating a cliffhanger ending, most likely to drive sales of his latest work, "Violets are Blue".After reading "Roses are Red", I immediately picked up "Violets are Blue", expecting an immediate continuation of the predecessor's story. Instead, what I go was 300 pages of a poorly written, highly erratic story that desperately tried to stretch the length of the book out past the realm of a long essay. In fact, Patterson doesn't focus on the main story line until 3/4 of the way through the book. And, what's worse, the first 3/4 of the book deals with a laughable plot involving a cult of vampire-like killers, terrorizing unknown prey. Give me a break! If I expected or wanted horror/cult-related stories, I'd buy a Stephen King or Clive Barker novel. Obviously, fiction readers expect a certain level of the impossible; but we also appreciate well-written, highly realistic stories. "Violets are Blue" fails both these expectations. So, my advice to any first-time Patterson readers or would-be Alex Cross fans: read "Along Came a Spider" and "Kiss the Girls". If you're still curious, pick up a copy of "Roses are Red", knowing that you'll be left hanging. But should you opt to read the [supposed] conclusion, "Violets are Blue", don't expect much. The book doesn't read as fast as Patterson's others, nor is it as satisfying. Without knowing what "Four Blind Mice" will be like, the next Alex Cross novel, I can only hope that Patterson realizes he needs a major story change; he's been trying to emulate his best, most original works and failing miserably.
Rating: 
Summary: Suspense which left me catching my breath at every turn
Review: This was one of the most disturbing books I have ever listened to. I truly enjoyed it and I found myself more often then not poised at the edge of my seat trying to catch my breath. The book was well crafted and full of schocking scenes that it caused my heart to beat twice as fast. Every time William and Michael struck, I would begin to breathe faster. they have got to be the worst psychos Patterson has invented yet. one has to wonder what Patterson was thinking while writing this book. The sex scenes were quite arousing until of course it turned into horror but I love that combination. Why does Patterson make his psychos so sexy yet so deadly at the same time. Look at past novels and you'll see what I mean. Lets face it, on a fantasy note, wouldn't you like to spend some time with Michael and William? The thing that was most distressing about this book was the amount of evil directed at Alex Cross. Not only did he have to solve the vampire killings but he had to deal at the same time with the Mastermind from Roses are red. i didn't find the conclusion to that rushed; I think it ended quyite nicely. I really do not understand why this book has gotten such a low overall rating. Could it be that patterson has dared to expose our most darkest desires and has made us uncomfortable? The fact is, these sub cultures really do exist and while I would not join such a group do provide an alternative view point. I really felt for Alex Cross this time; a character who at times I think is a bit too smug for my taste. He truly was at his wits end in this one and I would not blame him if he retired. I hope he does not, I hope there will be another Alex Cross novel just as dark and [seductive] and deadly as Violets are. Come on Mr. patterson visit that dark room in your mind and treat us to another terror filled ride. Highly recommended. The audiobook version especially for its full of suspense building music and two readers really bring the story to life. Buy it folks and prepared to be shocked. I now have all seven novels on audio and I think I will go back and listen to them all over again; but not back to back; my heart would not be able to take it.
Rating: 
Summary: Plot IncludesTwo Mystery
Review: VIOLETS ARE BLUE By James Patterson 1/15/02
Two Mystery Stories For One
I have been enjoying books by James Patterson ever since I came across them a few years ago. I have a fondness for the characters Alex Cross, his friends and his family. Alex Cross is a detective with the police force in Washington, DC who is used as a liaison with the FBI and other police forces in the USA. He has solved many difficult murders and has quite a reputation. Alex looses a good friend, a female FBI agent who was murdered in Virginia by the Mastermind who then called him on his mobile phone at the scene of the crime to challenge him. Before he can grasp the whole story; a friend, Kyle Craig, FBI, requests his help to help with another murder on the other side of the USA. This murder was similar to another one that Alex had investigated in DC earlier and that was still open. This book switches very early to a case about a sect of live vampires, and again Alex has been called from Washington D. C. to the west coast to help the San Francisco police with a case of two weird murders there. Alex hopes that he will get a rest from the Mastermind, but of course he doesn't. The Mastermind is right with him wherever he goes. The murders on the west coast had similar aspects to one in DC. The victims in San Francisco and the one in DC had been gnawed on and were hung upside down with apparently a lot of blood drained out of their bodies. The novel has two mysteries interwoven, the Mastermind and the vampires. While Alex is working on the serial murders by the vampires the Mastermind is constantly harassing him with phone call and the threat of additional murders of his family and friends-two of which he carried out. Although this story had a lot of murders in several States and plenty of suspense, it was not as good as a few of his first books or I'm getting jaded, one or the other. Even though, in the end he solves both of the mysteries, crossing the USA several times in the process. The story has a lot of impact with the super vampires and the Mastermind. I like his short chapters and good writing. I think it's worth four stars.
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