Rating: 
Summary: Average thriller, over the top plot complete with holes
Review: I gave When the Wind Blows a horrible review and had only read one other book by Patterson, which was a terrorist thriller of average quality, when I decided to bite the bullet and try this one out.
Obviously some people really like his style and stories, so I figured this one, made into a movie, couldn't be THAT bad. I wasn't too disappointed, in fact, since I expected it to stink, I was actually a bit impressed.
If you're into chick written mystery thrillers, then this one will probably appeal to you. I tend to enjoy more meaty offerings, Caleb Carr's great historical murder thrillers come to mind and Scott Turow's mysteries (lawyer based). These types of books really get into the characters and don't rely so much on the "hyper" plot with out of the world, head line grabbing stories.
This book makes the same mistakes that I found in the decent thriller Absolute Power, in which stuff happens that really could never happen. I understand that is one of the points of certain types of fiction "Blockbuster" fiction, if you will, but it doesn't have to be so over the top.
In any case, this one's a fairly quick read, and not a total let down, as for those that give this book the kind of glowing "best novel ever" type reviews, well, I don't believe those people have read much fiction.
The cover of the paperback copy I read of this title had a glowing endorsement by Nelson DeMille, who is a superb writer, I'd recommend all his books before going to this series, but if you're a quick reader with lots of time, I'm going to give this an okay recommendation.
Rating: 
Summary: The grass is too green
Review: When I read a book and I keep reading and I get nothing of the main story I say that the writer is green dyeing the grass, since I already know that the grass is green with out dyeing it, I think that I don't have to read words that doesn't say anything, for example:
The Jezzie-Alex's affair could be written in five lines at the beginning of the book and five more at the end so you can understand why she was a bad agent. The book has chapters and chapters of this affair.
What happened with Alex's family is part of the book, but whatever they going to have for breakfast every morning, who cares?
The trial is boring and it repeats everything you already know.
... And as the Energizer rabbit I can keep going and going...
Rating:
Summary: pretty bad
Review: This book is completely uninspired. Huge swaths of pages are almost unreadable. This is fiction at its worst, pressing every button to garner the highest thrill quota. Patterson does do a little better with his following novels `Kiss the Girls,' and 'Jack and Jill,' and this is his first novel I presume from over ten years ago, but it pales in comparison to some other better works. Try Jim Thomson, Edward Bunker, or `Silence of the Lambs' (Which Patterson sadly rips off left and right here).
This book leaves a disgusting film over the reader's cerebral cortex. Its only saving grace is an interesting twisting plot line that really packs a well thought out wallop.
Read the two in the series that I recommended and stay away from the rest of Patterson's toxic waste land.
Rating: 
Summary: Suspense, drama, danger -- all wrapped in a good story.
Review: Another great book by James Patterson. The story and characters were complex and the situation plausible. How well do we know the people in our lives -- particularly the ones who are involved with our children is the crux of the story, and that is thought provoking -- as it should be. Highly recommended. 5 stars.
Rating:
Summary: Alex Cross won't be forgotten
Review: I read this book a few years back, and recently saw the movie. I'm such a fan of Patterson's, I wanted to include my review. In the first of the Alex Cross series, this story is a race against time to find a kidnapped girl of a famous actress. Cross is called in to help, and in only the way he can, he finds his way to the end of this suspenseful ride. Not only will you enjoy the writing which propells the suspense and mystery, but you'll also enjoy the character development. It leaves you wanting more of Alex Cross, one of my most favorite detectives of all time! I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading thrillers. I'll warn you though, like me, after you read this book, you'll be off to the store or library to pick up many more books by James Patterson.
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