Rating: 
Summary: Better than his other recent efforts, but.....
Review: Still not quite at the level of his earlier books. I remember reading "Kiss the Girls," "Jack and Jill," and "Along Came a Spider" and thinking to myself that I had finally found the murder/mystery writer I had long searched for. And for the most part, Patterson's novels never disappointed. However, with the change of time came a change in Patterson's ability to write an excellent story. His plots became a little more unrealistic; his villains have become even more "cartoonish" and "super-villainish"; and his ability to write English prose has deteriorated severely.The plot of this book is intriguing; far superior to those detailed in both "Roses are Red" and "Violets are Blue." In short, Cross's partner, John Sampson, faces a personal crisis: his old army superior is on trial for murder. In typical Patterson style, he is, of course, innocent. Sampson knows this and enlists (no army pun intended) the aide of Cross to help solve this travesty. The deeper they dig into this frame up, they bigger the conspiracy they uncover. Many more murders bearing striking similarity to that of their current case are found (big surprise!). It is learned that this string of murders goes all the way back to Vietnam...Like always, you get a fast-paced book and numerous chapters from the killer's perspective. Okay, that sounds all well and good, however, the execution of the book just isn't quite there. There are no vampires, and for that, all Alex Cross fans are grateful. However, am I the only one, or do other people think that Patterson's novels are turning into caricatures of earlier ones? Let me expound upon this. Tis chapters are getting shorter; I can't even begin to tell you all the chapters that are less than two pages. When it's all said and done, I think that Patterson would be lucky to squeeze 200 actual pages out of this book (especially when you factor in the fact that his chapters start very low on pages, there are numerous blank pages, and the words are spaced out quite a bit!). His sentences are getting shorter, and every other sentence is written in italics. The books are, as a result, getting choppier; Patterson needs to learn that italics, short sentences, and short chapters don't necessarily make for more suspenseful books. These criminals were, like all the others, the worst ever to grace the earth. Alex has fallen in love with yet another woman...what is that, one per book? All in all, "Four Blind Mice" is a page-turner. It's a much better effort than his last three or so books. If you're an Alex Cross fan, I'd say that I do recommend it (it's a two hour read, so if you dislike it, it won't take too much time!). However, I feel that Patterson is now following the exact same pattern for every book he writes. He's taking a lot of shortcuts to artificially create suspense. Numerous authors can create suspense without having 113 chapters that last 1-3 pages and have italics permeate each page. He's always had the ability to write well from the criminal's perspective, however, his criminals have become too unbelievable. I know I'm not alone when I say that I hope Patterson rediscovers his roots and what made him such a talented writer. Hopefully, Cross's major change in the book will bring a fresh and new (which, ironically, means going back to what Patterson used to do) flavor back to this floundering series.
Rating: 
Summary: Typical Patterson -- Fast-Paced, Lots of Action
Review: If you're looking to read a book that has literary merit forget Four Blind Mice. However, if you're looking for a very-fast paced plot that will keep you turning the pages non-stop and provides edge-of-your seat action and suspense, you could do a lot worse than reading Patterson's latest Alex Cross thriller. If you've read any/many of Patterson's previous books, you're familiar with what to expect in Four Blind Mice in regards to writing style, character development, etc. I enjoyed this book a lot and it made for great escape reading on my recent business trip. It made my three hour flight seem like only minutes had gone by. Also, Patterson has provided more depth to the character of John Sampson in this book than in all of his previous books combined, which I found enjoyable. All in all, Four Blind Mice is very entertaining and is a book I think you'll enjoy.
Rating: 
Summary: Alex has been double-Crossed
Review: This book is to literature as hamburger helper is to filet mignon, full of filler and NO MEAT! The characters, even Cross, Sampson, Nana and the kids, are ultra-shallow, the plot is trite and highly implausible, and the body count unbelievable...but it sure looks like a screenplay, complete with very short chapters that relate directly to camera shot set-ups. Guess Mr. Patterson is trying to avoid those greedy middlemen, the screenwriters. For those of us who served in the military, and in VietNam, this book is just goofy. I simply cannot accept that the Army would sit passively by when 60 of their members per year are murdered, when even the most cursory examination of the facts would clearly tie several of them to the same modus operandi. I also got very confused about who had jurisdiction in all of these cases: the Army CID, the local civilian authorites, etc. It was even more confusing when Cross and Sampson were accosted by MP's while searching the off-post civilian home of Sampson's friend. I suppose it's a case of "Jurisdiction be damned, let's just sell the story!" I sincerely hope that Mr. Patterson gets back on track soon; he set some high standards with the earlier Cross books. If you MUST read this book, and for continuity purposes many will, DON'T BUY THE HARDBACK! Save your money and either hit the library or wait for the paperback: it'll be along VERY soon.
Rating:
Summary: Servicable
Review: This was a good book to read one hour each night before going to bed. Its interesting, but not so interesting that you stay up to late and lose any sleep. It is broken up into fifty-something chapters, some of which are only 2 pages long (again, easy to put down). This book does not require much of a commitment from the reader in the way of interest or intellect, but is a "servicable" murder "thriller". It is never boring, just not too exciting. Of the Alex Cross novels this is the weakest, but still worth reading. Definately one to borrow from the library.
Rating:
Summary: Writing in his sleep?
Review: I thought this was a very "unthrilling" thriller and I am a James Patterson FANATIC. He did seem to repeat himself a lot (mostly regarding flying after 9/11) and I couldn't really get thrilled about any of the story lines. I mean, by the middle of the book, you know who the killers are and he just fills in with Sampson's love life (which, don't get me wrong, I'd love to get to know more about Sampson, but this was even kinda boring) and Alex's rendevous with his west coast girlfriend. I'm looking forward to the Jester and hope he can revitalize his writing with this new direction. I also enjoyed the Women's Murder Club series and hopes he gets #3 out soon.
Rating:
Summary: Four Blind Mice, One Burnt-Out Writer
Review: James Patterson has gone on too long with Alex, John, Nana and the whole pack of paper-thin characters. This book was boring and predictable. To make matters worse, the writing was incredibly sloppy. Alex and John are racing against a deadline to prove the innocence of a friend of John's, who was recently found guilty of murder and is to be executed. Why are they racing? Appeals in capital punishment cases drag on for years. John has a love interest in this book, a woman who lives in Mantoloking, NJ. The woman's son attends 'Monmouth High' (I assume this is Monmouth Regional High School). Mantoloking is in Ocean County, not Monmouth, and students do not go to Monmouth High. Don't try to fool a Jersey girl!
Rating:
Summary: Good, but not as Good
Review: I've read every single Alex Cross novel and this by far is not the best one. In fact, it's the least. Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy the book, but his others were far better. I did enjoy getting to know Sampson a lot better in this. In the others, he seem to have been left without a personal life. Here you get to know what makes Sampson click. The story line is a little too military for me. Patterson has a way of filling his novels with the suspense you crave for. Knowing who the killers are in the beginning is great, but not knowing who is behind the scene until the end is outstanding. I hope this is not the last we read of Alex. I don't think I could ever get tired of reading about him, Nana Mama, the kids, Sampson and Jamilla. I hope he has finally met the woman that he deserves. Keep writing, Patterson, don't retire Alex just yet.
Rating:
Summary: Not his best attempt.
Review: James patterson has been writing so much that i tyhink he has forgotten what gt him here. His latest Alex Cross book is as fast paced as always, but he skips some of the little details that make the characters interesting and makes the plot flow. Hopefully this is the end of the Cross thrillers and James Patterson can find something fresh. Alex Cross is getting old (literally and figuratively). If you are a huge Cross fan you will read it, but if you are just starting out, dont bother. There are better cross novels and fresher charactersin other patterson books (ie. Murder club ladies - 1st To Die and 2nd Chance). In the end I say pass....
Rating: 
Summary: Imagine his surprise...
Review: Imagine James Patterson's surprise when he finished "Four Blind Mice" and discovered that he had only around 200 pages. Not good! No one is going to pay 27 bucks for 200 pages. Not to panic! First thing is to break the book into 115 chapters without regard to break in subject matter, thought or scene. That'll add a lot of pages with all that white at the end of the chapter and the beginning of the next. For example: "Why don't we take a walk on the beach, " she suggested. End of chapter 49. Beginning of chapter 50. The sand felt warm and good against his bare feet...." Oops, that didn't do it, added lot of pages, but not enough. Add several non-related chapters of Alex Cross' girl friend flying from the West Coast to the East Coast for some gratuitous sexual encounters. Then add a few chapters of his buddy Sampson bedding a witness in the investigations. If one can put up with a lot of extra page turning and chapter breaks that generally ruin the flow of the novel and speed read through the rather ridiculous sex scenes, Patterson is good enough to keep one somewhat entertained on a plane ride from say, Boston to St. Louis. If you're going all the way to LA, better bring another book. Oh, the story is about Vietnam vets who are killing for hire and setting up other vets to take the fall...for no apparent reason. In Alex Cross' world, people are tried, convicted and executed with alacrity not even seen in Texas. Of course, quick executions are key to the story line.
Rating:
Summary: Blind or Unkind?
Review: Four Blind Mice is yet another example of Patterson's work with the detective we are familiar with -- Alex Cross. In this "nursery rhyme named novel" we are faced with many questions: are the three blind mice going to be the last case that Alex solves - due to resignation -- or are the three blind mice going to create the end for Alex? Who are they and what do they want? Why do they carry memories and hold onto their identity from Vietnam?
And then there is Alex's family -- "Nana" is aging, and he wants to be around for Nana's elder years....then there is "Jamilla", Alex's interest....and, of course, his children.
This novel may be about blind mice, but it sure gives readers a clearer picture of Alex's personal life. It also opens our eyes to the destruction that comes from war. And as for Alex he is told- "his continuing journey is interesting...You want to make things right...Your country has produced so many killers...I don't know why this happens in such a civilized country. A place with so many blessings."
The crimes committed in this novel were a bit graphic for my taste, butI won't spoil anything for readers. I will say one thing, though: Even if this novel was not Patterson's best, it makes us count our blessings regarding work, love, family, and the people who put effort into protecting the innocent-- like "Alex", and of course "Sampson," Alex's sidekick and friend.
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