Rating:  Summary: Just keeps getting better. Review: James Patterson continues to amaze me with his ability to weave storylines. Now Alex Cross must deal with a pair of killers calling themselves Jack and Jill who are murdering high powered politicians while at the same time find a killer who is murdering children in Alex's own neighborhood. Throughout all this, he must continuously guard his own children, lest they be next. High praise for James Patterson.
Rating:  Summary: This book is killer! Review: This was my second James Patterson book (1st was "Kiss the Girls") and I am hooked. It took me only 1 and 1/2 days to read the 466 page book. I couldn't put it down!Detective Alex Cross is back and he is stuck between two investigations: someone is killng high profile celebrities in Washington DC and someone is killing young children in the streets of Cross' neighborhood. Are these crimes connected somehow? How does Cross choose between the loyalty to his community and his civic duty to the President of the United States? With two different plots and many twists and turns and suspects to choose from, "Jack and Jill" is sure to please anyone who loves to dive into psychological thrillers. I also recommend Thomas Harris' Hannibal Lector series: Red Dragon, Silence of the Lambs, and Hannibal (to be read in that order!)
Rating:  Summary: Another excellent Alex Cross story! Review: Ok, I have to admit that this was not like 'Kiss the Girls' or 'Along Came a Spider' but it was definately an excellent book with one of my fav characters - Det Alex Cross. I can't get over how brilliantly JP can write - esp through the eyes of his characters who happen to be African-American men, battered wives etc - he always seems to know exactly how to portray them, sometimes I think he must have ghost writers! Anyway, 'Jack & Jill' is basically about a couple that are going around the streets of NY and killing famous women and men, for reasons the reader is not sure about and neither is the NYPD, therefore making the profiling very difficult. Along side these very gruesome murders are the murders of young children and Alex Cross and co and trying to figure out if they are connected or not, if so, why. Luckily for the reader, you get into the lives of the killers, so YOU know who-dun-it but you just have to wait for Alex to catch up! As per usual, JP gives the reader great twists and turns throughout the story which keeps you on your toes but luckily, with the short chapters, you want to keep reading just one more... I highly recommend 'Jack & Jill' for an explosive thriller - it will keep you up all night!
Rating:  Summary: I'm hooked on Patterson!! Review: I am not one for writing down all the details of the book but will always give my honest opinion. The pages just kept on turning. Once I got started I could not put it down. He brings all of his charcters to life. Never a dull moment. If you like short and faced paced chapters this book is for you. This is now my third book and counting.
Rating:  Summary: Cartoonish and Shallow Review: I read this book when I was stranded at a friend's house with nothing to read and was astounded to learn that the author of this series is regarded as a good writer. I suppose if you like shallow, cliche-ridden characters, a villain who is about as complex as Beetle Bailey, and a plot that simply takes the place of any real content in the novel, then this seems like a hell of a lot of fun. If you want more, then I suggest that you skip Jack and Jill completely. It's too irritating even to be a relaxing bit of fluff.
Rating:  Summary: Not the BEST Alex Cross story out there, but still good Review: After having hopelessly addicted myself to the trials and tribulations of Alex Cross when I picked up a copy of 'Kiss The Girls' I felt it my duty to pick up 'Jack & Jill'. I find Pattersons writing style to be quite different than most authors out there (Every other chapter written in 1st person) and although I had my reservations at first, I have come over to be a loyal supporter of Pattersons way of writing. With that said, is 'Jack & Jill' his best novel? Nope. 'Course I am consistently surprised at the negative comments on particular reviews here on Amazon at books that I have not just enjoyed, but downright LOVED. Now I wouldn't go so far as to say I loved this book, but I AM a bit confused at some of the not-so-kind reviews...I feel (and still do) that Patterson really knows how to pace his novels, and I for one do not judge his books based entirely upon previous books he has written. With EVERY author they hit home runs, and then a few singles now and then, and were it not for the home runs, they would be considered above-avereage writers. In Pattersons case, I believe him to be one of the best in the crime/thriller genre. He writes in tiny segments that are all primed to 'get-to-the-point' without wasting time and unncessary words and descriptions. Miniature chapters that are in and of themselves small mysteries, and some with ENORMOUS cliff-hangers. Patterson paces his books like a gigantic literary drag race. His stories do not just start and build up speed, nosiree--they are catapulted into action which NEVER LETS UP until the last page. All in all I liked 'Jack & Jill' very much, and if you are a fan of Alex Cross I believe you will find this one another great 'whodunnit' with a satisfying conclusion.
Rating:  Summary: What is all the hype about???? Review: I find this not even being better written than the other mystery/thrillers I read. I can't find a better way to describe this than to say, "poorly written". When compared to both Jonathan and Faye Kellerman (who can write like nobody's business), I fail to understand why Mr. Patterson is making money. I mean, the phrases, the cliches, the characters...talk about poor development. "Nana Mama"?! Get real. And Alex Cross is still whining for Kate McTiernan in this book? Move on, dude. I read Kiss the Girls, and I really was in no rush to read another Patterson book, but I saw this one in the library (thank GOD I didn't pay for it) and said, well he keeps churning out these books, surely he has something interesting to write about. Nope! Alex's meetings with the President...boring, the chases through the streets of DC...boring, his new love interest...boring. The villans...boring! I mean, I could go on and on. How does this guy solve crimes? Why is he so acclaimed? He's not doing anything mind blowing or even remotely interesting or spectacular. I don't see how he's so smart, and figures out things that no one else can. He just seems to be taking up space to me, with his annoying thoughts and perspective. And I swear, as I read this, all I could hear was Morgan Freeman's voice (since he portrayed Detective Cross in the Kiss the Girls movie. I love him, by the way). No lie. But that's my own issue, I know. I've become a fan of numerous authors after reading just one of their novels (Cornwell, both Kellermans', etc), but after two tries with Patterson, sorry, but I fail to see what the big deal is. I just read this thing to keep from staring at everyone on the subway. Good grief.
Rating:  Summary: MADNESS TIMES TWO Review: James Patterson continues to amaze me. Having recently began reading his material, I am enthralled with his story telling. Jack and Jill is a masterpiece thriller worthy of every suspense fan's attention. Not one, but two storylines will leave you flipping from chapter to chapter in no time. Someone is visciously mudering young black children in the neighborhood of detective Alex Cross. There are no leads but Alex is determined to find the killer. At the same time a pair of stalker-serial killers known as Jack and Jill are preying on the powerful and famous in Washington D.C. When it becomes apparent that the killers have their sights set on the president, Cross is aked to help. He becomes determined to not only find Jack and Jill but to find the child murderer on whatever spare time he can afford. Cross is burning the candle at both ends and he doesnt have much time to save the president and capture the killers. Both plots progress at a fast pace. Cross' determination and excellent detective work shine and he in time finds the killers, but is he too late. As with ALONG CAME A SPIDER Patterson keeps you guessing until the very end and there is no shortage of surprises. Both of the story lines could have a been books unto themselves. The fact that Patterson weaves them into a single novel is a testament to his craft. A stunning ending clinches JACK AND JILL as a five star thriller. The ending will keep you guessing which is nice for a change. Patterson seems to realize that a real thriller, like real life, doesnt have an ending with no loose strings. This book will keep you wanting more James Patterson and More of his heroe Alex Cross.
Rating:  Summary: A classic murder mystery Review: James Patterson's novel Jack and Jill is a suspenseful novel which makes you never want to put it down. Alex Cross is a detective is a detective that a reader won't forget. This was my first Patterson experience. I later went on to read Cat & Mouse, Hide & Seek, Kiss the Girls, Black Friday and others but this is my favorite Patterson novel. The villians were believable. A great novel.
Rating:  Summary: This book should have had half of it cut out. Review: This book should have been two seperate novels, or they should have cut out the part about the Jack and Jill killers and just had Alex hunt the child murderer. The child killer is by far and away the most interesting plot in this book, whereas the actual Jack and Jill story is a mesh of too many plot twists, poorly thought-up characters, and too many forays into unbelievability. And probably the worst part about it (don't read on if you don't want the book somewhat spoiled) is that Alex really doesn't influence the Jack and Jill killer-plotline that much. But if you can muddle through the Jack and Jill parts, the hunt for the child killer is VERY entertaining, and in fact the killer is one of the most interesting/believable villians that I've seen in a novel in quite some time.
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