Cat & Mouse

Rating:
Summary: First and last Patterson I'll read.
Review: Wow--two serial killers for the price of one! But this "doubling" technique diminishes both stories. I was surprised to learn Patterson has several books to his credit. For much of the first half it seemed the author was saying "Golly gee! I'm a writer!" The characters have no real distinguishing features--none stand out. I felt uninvolved, distanced from all of them. It read like a movie script--one quick scene after another. Lost interest several times. Skipped many of the "sensitive" (boring) scenes. The ending of both killers were anti-climactic cop-outs. This should have been stronger considering the subject matter. I'm disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: A psycho-thriller mystery that is one of the best ever!
Review: Patterson continues the saga of Alex Cross and his arch-rival Soneji with some real twists that keep the reader enthralled. The action was so real it was like watching a movie and just as satisfying. If you have never read a Patterson novel, this is one you should definitely read, but I suggest that you start with "Jack and Jill" so all the plot twists and character developments will make more sense. The cover tells the story! Enjoy!

Rating:
Summary: Another Great Book From Patterson
Review: Another great book from James Patterson. I enjoyed it as much as Kiss The Girls, Along Came A Spider & Jack & Jill. If you're a Patterson fan you won't be dissapointed, moves fast (love those 2 page chapters!)...read this one in 5-6 nights. Can't wait for the next one!

Rating:
Summary: Great beginning, poor ending
Review: James Patterson starts his book well. He has a lot of suspense and a lot of action, but the end leaves something to be desired. He lets the book go; it's as if he just got tired of writing and ended it quick. He really should have spent more time on the ending. He rushed it.

Rating:
Summary: The car trip got longer -- not shorter.
Review: Interesting plot that had gore to keep you interested. Took way to long too cover the plot. Wanted the tape to finish a couple tapes prior to the completion. Had a fatal flaw because the cops knew of someone who existed that only the criminal knew about - it was the last "straw." Maybe it was covered in the book.

Rating:
Summary: Great Read!
Review: I am a major James Patterson fan, and I loved this book. It has a few surprises, and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Definitley a Must Read for any James Patterson fan.

Rating:
Summary: One of the worst books I've ever read.
Review: I used to like James Patterson. In the past few years, however, his books have become increasingly tedious, predictable, and boring. This one is the worst. Its badly written (I don't think he has any sentences longer than about 10 words, and he certainly doesn't have any chapters longer than 3 pages) I only bothered to finish this book because I had paid full price for it -- which compounded my mistake; I not only wasted my money, I wasted my time.

Rating:
Summary: Relentlessly suspenseful !
Review: This novel, in my mind, proves that Mr. Patterson is a master of his craft. My 2 previous experiences w/ James Patterson are Along Came a Spider (which, so sue me, I found somewhat slow) and the excellent Hide & Seek. Cat & Mouse is so exciting and scary that this reader stayed up way past his bedtime. Also, I read Dean Koontz's new novel, Fear Nothing, immediately after reading this one . . . and Cat & Mouse was definitely the superior of the two. My only complaint is that the explanation for why Mr. Smith committed his vicious crimes is never really fleshed out. However, human psycholgy is extremely complex, as Mr. Patterson probably realizes, so Patterson decided it would be a bit contrived to completely explain away Mr. Smith's behavior. And because his psychology isn't explained, Patterson's creation of the Mr. Smith character leaves the reader with some food for thought.

Rating:
Summary: Strong start and then a limp to the finish line.
Review: James Patterson usually writes fast paced novels that thrill you to the end. After Gary Soneji dies in Cat and Mouse, this book takes a nose dive. The second half of the book was a great disappointment. The identity of Mr. Smith is obvious from the beginning and the character is very uninteresting. Dr. Cross' insights into Mr. Smith's psyche and his so-called solving of the mass murders are ludicrous. For added drama, Dr. Cross and his family are viciously beaten (ho hum), but I never believed that any member of the family was seriously injured. Only a half-hearted effort is made to keep you in suspence. The end of the book was simply stupid. Perhaps if James Patterson made every chapter longer than a page and half, he would have done more character and plot development. Patterson can do, and has done, much better.

Rating:
Summary: The best Alex Cross novel yet
Review: Though the Mr. Smith plot line is hard to follow in the begining, it's pourpose is crystal clear at the end. So stick with it. The last chapters cliffhanger will have you lining up at the book stores to buy the next one. Or just buy it here. hahaha.