Violets Are Blue

Rating:
Summary: Another Spellbinder
Review: Alex Cross does it again! The author did let readers know the identity of Mastermind at the end of Roses are Red, but that did not stop me from finishing this book instead of doing my household chores. Bring on more Alex Cross - I will read him anytime.

Rating:
Summary: Surprised that I was so disappointed
Review: I have read a great deal of Patterson's books and have always been more than satisfied. It didn't even seem like I was reading Patterson when I was reading this book. I met Mr. Patterson at a book signing in Scottsdale, AZ and found him to be a delightful, interesting man and I will continue to purchase his books even though I was completely dissatisfied with his lastest effort.

Rating:
Summary: what has happened to James Patterson
Review: I have read all of James Patterson's books, and I am so very very disappointed in Violets are Blue. The book was disgusting and a tremendous piece of garbage. I only read it because I had bought and paid for it. It is my opinion that he will sell many copies of this book because of name recognition only. Please don't waste your money unless you are hung up on many murders replete with horrible details. When he writes his next book, I will have to go to a book store to read more of a description of his book. This one is the worst I have ever read.

Rating:
Summary: BLUE MOONS
Review: While I agree that is not the best of the Alex Cross series, I Dont feel it is "the worst book of 2001!" What makes this novel a difficult read for Cross fans is that we found out the identity of the Mastermind in "Roses Are Red," so that suspense is missing in this novel. (Also, what happened to Geoffrey Shafer? He hasn't resurfaced yet?).
However, Patterson's style is still engrossing, and I like the short chapters. It makes it easy to read when you have other things to do.

The vampire killings are a little gory and the resolution is a little "forced," but it still maintained my interest.
I think Alex's continuous failures in love is getting too unbelievable. I like Alex, but he falls in love with any woman he meets. Jamilla Hughes seems like a nice woman, but her characterization isn't fully fleshed out, and doesn't seem to be the right person for Cross. They're too much alike.
And what about Christine Johnson? Is that who he's falling in love with at the end of the book?
The finale to this book doesn't give us a real exciting sequel possibility. He says he's going to resign and that he's fallen in love. So, if Patterson's planning on finishing the series, I would be sad, but if he feels it's necessary, I have certainly enjoyed the series! And his "First to Die" sequel is coming soon. Thank you, James, for giving us such pleasure in the Alex Cross series!

Rating:
Summary: Disappointment
Review: James Patterson has gotten lazy in his writing. Both Roses are Red and Violets are Blue were disappointments. This latest disappointment will ensure that Patterson does not get any more of my money.

Rating:
Summary: Free Alex Cross!
Review: I am a big fan of Jmes Patterson and I love the Alex Cross novels. But sadly, I must say that Patterson has lost his way and Alex is adrift. This book was a major disappointment. The story line was totally implausible and the "Mastermind" story line was absurd and humorous. Trying to top the antagonists of the past may have caused Mr. Patterson to go so far over the top that his readers are unable to clear the hurdle. Traveling all over the country, chasing each grisly murder, with no rhyme or reason was just as an unrewarding for the reader as it was perplexing for the "Detectives" attmpting to solve the murders. All the old characters (Sampson, Nana Mama, Christine, the kids, and others) are mentioned, but you don't feel them, you can't see them, the characters have no substance or depth. They have become caricatures. They no longer feel real. Yes, the book moves at a fast pace as events explode one after another, but this is a novel. Let the screenwriters pen the screenplay Mr. Patterson. Next time write us another great Alex Cross Novel. This was an Alex Cross hatchet job.

Rating:
Summary: SUSPENSEFUL GAME OF CAT AND MOUSE!
Review: A fantastic book! I completely disagree with many of the negative reviews of this book; this works because we DO know who The Mastermind is. It's a game of cat and mouse. If we were not aware of his identity then this tension would be lost.

When I read the ending of Roses Are Red, I wondered how a sequel could possibly work. But Patterson has demonstrated the breadth of his storytelling ability once again. The sub plots are also engrossing. So, my advice is to read Roses Are Red first, including the last page. Then get set for a rollercoaster of torment in Violets Are Blue.

Rating:
Summary: A Weak Effort, Almost Ludicrous
Review: This is perhaps the worst of the Patterson books,
and that's saying something!! The writing is
simplistic, the two young villains are totally
unbelievable, as is the Mastermind. There is also
far too much hand wringing on the part of Alex Cross.

I thought that the identity of the Mastermind was
revealed in an earlier book, Roses Are Red and sure
enough, it was.

Patterson has got to spend more time on writing, vs.
promotion.

Rating:
Summary: The reader may be a bit blue too - wishing for more.
Review: This is a difficult book to classify as one can tell by the disparity of the reviews you can find here. One thing is for sure, there is no shortage of opinion. Whether or not you enjoy this book may well depend if one likes Patterson's style of very short chapters and not very much background on his characters. In this book, Patterson feels compelled at least twice to go back through each of Alex Cross's book appearances to try and tie one aspect of the mystery together, i.e. who is The Mastermind. Once would have been enough, believe me.

There are two mysteries in this book. The identity of the aforementioned Mastermind and the identity of the vampire slayers who have been killing people at an alarming rate and in a horrifying fashion.

Because of his writing style, one never really gets an understanding of the whole vampire issue and the interweaving of The Mastermind throughout is as much annoying as it is interesting.

It is an easy book to read, but at the end one feels like the effect that is often described to a Chinese dinner. All that food and you are hungry an hour later.

Rating:
Summary: HORRIBLE
Review: This book was the worst one yet. Normallly I like Patterson's books. They are a nice diversion from every day life...but this one was BAD! The vampire story with the brothers is not interesting and Patterson keeps trying to build suspense about who the Mastermind is...even though he already revealed the answer in Roses are Red. Whatever.....Patterson should take more time and make the books a little less predictable.