Rating: 
Summary: To: James P: Cross Was Off Form And So Were You
Review: I have devoured all the Alex Cross books, so, even though this book was OK in absolute terms, it was a terrible dissapointment coming from Patterson. Perhaps the fact that the novel lacked suspense was inevitable given that Patterson gave away the mastermind's identity at the end of Roses. That said, however, even apart from that there just wasn't nearly the same level of suspense as in the other Cross books. I actually could hav lived with Alex ending after Roses, but this book was so average that he better write another, because such a great character deserves to go out on a much higher note than this. Maybe Jamilla can become part of the club in the other Patterson series and then Alex can work with them to solve the next serial killings in SF.
Rating: 
Summary: liked it but...
Review: I am a fan of Patterson's but this book seemed to follow a predictable pattern with the eventual showdown at the end being somewhat of a let down. I love Alex Cross, he is a great character but there seemed to be something missing in this chapter of his life.
The book is a good ride just not as great as I'd hoped it would be.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Patterson Novel
Review: I really enjoyed this book, even more so than Roses are Red. I think you really have to be an Alex Cross fan to appreciate it, but still, Patterson's got his craft perfected, and the book is enjoyable, readable, and a verifiable page-turner.I know some people have said this book doesn't compare well to Patterson's others, but I disagree. I think he takes the series forward in a direction it should go. If you like these sort of novels, I highly recommend:
Soft Case, by John Misak Everybody Dies, by Lawrence Block
Rating:
Summary: OK, I'm interested again.
Review: I have been so up and down on Patterson's novels.
One star - 5 star. This was a fairly good one. Alex
Cross returns...and a cult of vampires whets my thirst.
Do these people really exist in all of the cities he proclaims?
Maybe they do. Patterson seems to have researched the vampire
existance throughout the country. I finished the book in 2 days, so I guess it must have been an interesting read. I'm still not sure about my rating. I've read so many types of other fiction
lately, that I'm doubtful of my own review. I do love Alex and his family, his friends, and his co-workers. His character "The Mastermind" made me read back into the novel to see if he cheated with his clues. I, of course, will read the next. That's because Patterson has me hooked.
Rating:
Summary: Alex Cross fans will definately enjoy
Review: Violets are Blue was definately a great read. I completed the book in one day! Yes, one day! I could not put it down. James Patterson picks up Violets are Blue immediately after the ending of Roses are Red, unlike some of the other books that have time gaps between them. I found that very refreshing and it made it easier to keep the pace up. Alex Cross is still facing many ghosts in Violets are Blue, the Mastermind is still continuing to terrorize him on a daily basis. Although he remains in the background for the majority of the book, that battle comes full scale in a tremendous way. Alex Cross really meets his match when his good ole' pal Kyle Craig gets him involved in one of the toughest case he has ever had to deal with. Do you believe in Vampires? Well, Alex Cross gets his dose in the underworld while trying to figure out this case. There were some surprise characters that made a special appearance in the book, such as Kate McTiernan. I really enjoyed the book.
Rating: 
Summary: Violets that need watering!
Review: This story was a huge letdown! Although, I'll admit, this started out to be a page-turner. Which was fast-paced, gory, gruesome, and very intriguing. Just the way I like em, so I thought. But, it didn't seem to want to slowdown, it kept right on going and going, leaving the ending rushed and lacking drama. The story completely dies. No suspense, what so ever, not a typical Patterson novel. And, furthermore, to make things worse, in an effort to pick it back up, which, should've been another story altogether, we discover who's the Mastermind. And, that also is a disappointment.
Rating:
Summary: Exciting read!
Review: I love the new Alex Cross book, so much so that I've finished it in one sitting! The sheer number of chapters - 116 - did not put me off at all, because the chapters are short and to the point, and you can feel the excitement - almost like watching the movie. (I will not go into plot details, for obvious reasons!). The only slightly negative comment I might have is that the scene where Alex finally figures out who Mastermind is (and we've known since Roses are Red) a bit lukewarm and an anticlimax.
Rating:
Summary: Inferior follow-up to Roses Are Red
Review: Violets Are Blue is not a horrible book by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, I'd consider it good had it been written by anyone other than the modern master of suspense, James Patterson. I found Roses Are Red to be one of the best books in the Cross series, and was really anticipating the release of Violets Are Blue, and ended up rather disappointed. The ending is quite anti-climactic for those who have read Roses are Red. The whole vampire plot sounds good when you read it on the jacket, but turns out to make this a weak entry in a great series. The ending is anything but thrilling, making the reader miss the quality writing exhibited in Kiss the Girls. Hopefully, Patterson is not falling into the trap of sacrificing quality for quantity. With any luck, the next novel will find Alex Cross back in top form.
Rating:
Summary: Good bu not great
Review: The case is difficult enough for Washington DC police detective Alex Cross because the alleged victim was a good friend. The case turns frightening for Alex when the brilliant but amoral criminal the Mastermind threatens Alex's children. Alex immediately leaves the crime scene to return home, but the Mastermind reminds the cop you can run, but you can't hide.
Even while he panics over the safety of his children, FBI Agent Kyle Craig calls Alex while he dines with a special date. Someone killed two military joggers in Golden Gate Park in which bite marks are all over the victims, much of their blood was drained, and they were left hanging upside down from a tree. The case reads identical to one that they failed to solve in DC fourteen months ago so Alex immediately flies to San Francisco. Joined by SFPD Jamilla Hughes, Alex begins to find clues that take the duo into a deadly role-playing underground. However, his children are irate that his work comes first especially with the Mastermind stalking them like a tiger after its quarry.
The "vampire" slayings make for a clever police procedural that takes the audience on a unique tour of the Bay area as well as other areas of the country. The Mastermind subplot seems to interfere with the other tale though it enables the audience to observe a depressed and panicked Alex using work to escape his plight. In his latest Cross thriller, VIOLETS ARE BLUE, James Patterson keenly blends his hero's personal and professional lives as each aspect clash leaving the audience with another complete tale. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: Vampires?
Review: I am a big fan of James Patterson. That said, this novel was disappointing. The greatness of his stories is that there is something believable about them. However, the entire vampire thing in this book was dumb. The Mastermind, and the Kyle Craig twist from Roses are Red (a much better book) was essentially destroyed by this book. Would recommend his earlier work. Or something else entirely. An easy read...but not a good one. Unfulfilling.
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