Rating: 
Summary: Tiresome and predictable
Review: After several books, Alex Cross, becomes increasingly tiresome, predictable, and preachy. Neither the aforementioned Cross, nor author Patterson, seems to have grown or matured in this series.Skip this one.
Rating:
Summary: Very disappointing.
Review: Patterson's last couple of books have definitely not been up to the standards he set at the beginning of his Alex Cross series. At the end of his last book, Roses Are Red, Patterson reveals who The Mastermind is, thus leaving us hanging only in the area of how long it will take Cross to figure it out in Violets are Blue. Throughout Violets are Blue, there is never any indication that Cross even has an inkling as to who The Mastermind is--no little suspicions, clues, or niggling feelings leading up to his mind-boggling realization that it is none other than his close and trusted friends of many years. The fact that Cross never even suspected the man, and then suddenly figures out who it is totally ruins any credibility that the storyline might have maintained leftover from Roses are Red. Couple this with the main storyline that people are being murdered by vampires and wild cats and you've got yourself a disappointing read, espcially if you have followed Patterson from his first Cross book all the way through--somewhere along the way he detoured. Let's hope he finds his way back to the quality of books we know he is capable of writing.
Rating: 
Summary: SAVE YOUR MONEY
Review: Been a fan for a long time, but I think this was the end for me. I cannot believe how bad this novel was. NO plot, characterizations were non-existant and what a waste of my lovely birthday and Christmas gift certificates. Will not purchase any more of his books, will wait and check them out of the library if I am curious about the next one.
Rating: 
Summary: OH MY GOD
Review: This book was amazing. I have not read any books since high school and started reading Roses are Red and finished with Violets are Blue last week. It was awesome. I never knew what was going to happen next.
Rating:
Summary: I want a refund
Review: Given the other reviews, this is somewhat redundant; but, felt compelled to add my name to the list. Disappointing is an understatement. I have been a Patterson reader for years - not sure if I will continue. I appreciate that authors can't always create a "top five" - but, please don't insult your loyal readers by publishing work you know to be inferior.
Rating: 
Summary: Not His Best But Still Good
Review: Not quite up to par with his earlier works but still very exciting, entertaining with some great villians. If you want a
quick read this book will deliver. Better reads are MURDER DOESN'T FIGURE, TELL NO ONE and Patterson's earlier works.
Rating:
Summary: I haven't felt this cheated since "Hannibal".
Review: As a long time James Patterson fan, (I read "Virgin" the FIRST time it came around) I finished "Violets Are Blue" angrily and with a sense of having been betrayed by the author. In "Roses Are Red", Patterson ruined a perfectly good read when he inexcusably switched to writing his hero, Alex Cross, in the first person (the conceit of the man thinking he can write in the voice of a streetwise, black, Washington D.C. police officer, smacks of unrepentant hubris,) then ended the novel revealing Mastermind's true identity. In "Violets are Blue", Patterson, again writing Alex Cross in the first-person, wastes three-quarters of "Violets" on an absurdly-thin, gratuitously violent Vampire sub-plot which pre-supposes his readers have FORGOTTEN Mastermind's identity. He THEN spends the last quarter of the novel "re-revealing" the Mastermind's identity with subsequent results. What was he thinking? Not since Thomas Harris pandered to the studios by re-inventing Claris Starling for "Hannibal", have I experienced an author so cavalier about his characters or disrespectful of his readers. Shame on you James Patterson!
Rating: 
Summary: Creepy & Intense
Review: "Violets Are Blue" is a good read. Alex Cross, ace detective and psychologist, must track down modern-day vampires while simaltaneously battling a serial killer called, 'Mastermind'. The concept is creepy. The mood is intense. The action flies by in short spurts of about three pages per chapter. The highlight is the first person perspective of Alex Cross. You sense his frustration, fear, competitiveness, anger and guilt. James Patterson wove a very complex and rich character. There is some disappointment. The vampire murders actually become monotonous. Sure, Patterson finds some creative methods of dealing with each victim, but the reader loses the intitial terror and dread as the bodies pile up. Also, 'Mastermind' is too similar to Gary Sonji, a serial killer from 'Along Came A Spider' who re-appeared in a later book. The deja vu is a lapse in creativity. We don't that kind of hook to buy the next book. With those two exceptions -- "Violets Are Blue" is a good thriller. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Time to move on
Review: I've read all of the Alex Cross books, and I should have stoped after the last one. The cliff hanger left at the end of the last book is ended here in Violets are blue, but it contrived and very very disappointing. I feel cheated. It seems the book was pushed out to hit the Christmas book buying season. I'll be very leary about buying another James Patterson novel.
Rating:
Summary: What were you thinking,Mr Patterson?
Review: I've been a big fan of Patterson's and have read all his books. I like mystery thrillers and his are right up there at the top of my lists. That's why I was so appalled at the grossness of his latest book. I tried to persevere but didn't get very far. The scene in the funeral home was the final straw! I put it down and don't know if I'll ever pick it up again. At this point I don't even care who the Mastermind is!
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