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Summary: James Patterson is loosing his edge with Alex Cross
Review: Most of Alex Cross stories are engaging and thoughtprovoking. But I cannot say the same for this one. The vampire trend lead nowhere and was more of blood than of substance. His new series with 3 friends seem to be more engaging and fulfilling. He had earlier erred by unmasking the Matermind in Roses are Red. Maybe it is time to retire Alex Cross. Alex Cross has lost his edge. Predictability is not where one wants one's favorite thriller author to go. But Alex Cross seems to be going there. It is time to infuse new blood into your writing.
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Summary: Welcome Back Mr. Patterson!!!!!!
Review: Yes!! I am a HUGE HUGE fan of James Patterson's work, and I found Roses are Red, to be EXTREMLEY AWFUL! So, I was weary of the sequel. But, like always, I ran out the day it was released and picked up my own copy. Boy was I suprised!! This one is deffinatley a winner! The story is usually quick-paced and I found the idea of vampire killers intriuging! So Bravo Mr. Patterson! Please keep giving us Alex Cross! PS: I'm all set for 2nd Chance!
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Summary: OK, slight disappointment from Roses are Red
Review: After reading Roses and Red, I did what I rarely do, preorder a hardbound fiction book. Violets are Blue, Patterson's latest, takes our beloved Alex Cross to investigate macabre killings on both sides of the country. The antagonist of the last novel, the Mastermind, takes a backseat in the first 2/3 of the book, other than intermittent cell phone rantings. When the eventual confrontation takes place, in some respects, it feels like an exhaustive afterthought. Minor SPOILER**: Eventually Alex Cross does figure out who the Mastermind is, however you wish he would have spent more time explaining to us how he finally figured it out.
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Summary: disappointed
Review: I have read all of James Patterson's books, and was anxiously awaiting his latest. I was very disappointed in the vampire story and found a lot of the sexual scenes unnecessary for such a talented writer. In the previous book, I already knew the identity of the Mastermind, so it was no big surprise in the this book when it was revealed. I hope he continues on with the Alex Cross stories, but I also hope he returns to his writing of old and not the style in this book.
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Summary: Patterson is still on top!!!!!!!
Review: I was getting very bored with Alex Cross, and the number of Alex Cross books James Patterson was putting out. I was glad he came out with Suzannes Diary for Nickholas and 1st to Die. I was reading about Mr.Patterson last night, and I read that he said that after 2 books going back to Alex Cross is going to be fun, and that he has great ideas about this book.Anyways, I have read it, in 2 days, and it is the 2nd best book of his I have read (When the Wind Blows is first). This book was very creepy, and very intence, and I enjoyed every page I read. James Patterson is still on top...............
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Summary: Pretty good, but not his best...
Review: As usual, I tore through this one in three sittings over two days. I enjoyed the story lines but felt that they could have been developed to a greater degree. Maybe I felt that the book was too short. After waiting a year, I guess I wanted more. The one thing that always pops up to bug me is the constant name dropping, wondering what Pitt & Aniston look like in bed, or mentioning OJ right after a reference to Brentwood CA. Other than that I enjoyed it, but not as much as a few of his prior offerings...
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Summary: Another CAN'T PUT IT DOWN blockbuster
Review: Vampires, the un-dead. Is it possible that they exist, and are living among us? This question has never crossed Alex Cross' mind, until now. When the bodies of two joggers are found brutally murdered, with evidence proving this to be some sort of bizarre ritual Alex must answer the question of who believes enough about vampires to commit such a horrific crime. As Alex's case takes shape, the body count rises, and further probing into the crime brings him to a series a crimes committed eleven years earlier. Can the new murders be connected to the old ones? Why have the killers been so careful in the past, but now have become sloppy and close to being caught? Alex must answer these questions if he is to stop the reign of terror of the vampire killers. Alex, and FBI agent Jamilla Hughes must probe into the twisted lifestyle of those believing they are vampires, and entering into their world will take the pair on a nightmare ride of secret clubs, role players, and the fine line between what is real and what is not. At the same time he is investigating the vampire murders, Alex, is being stalked by The Mastermind, a killer who, while taunting Cross, has set forth a game where only one will emerge alive, and if destroying Cross means destroying those he loves, he will do it. In a shocking conclusion, Cross will come face to face with the evil known as The Mastermind, and he will discover the awful secret behind him. 'Violets Are Blue' is a MUST READ thriller that readers will devour in one sitting. Once again Alex Cross must confront evil in a novel that races along at breakneck speed, with plot twists that will shock and fascinate as all the pieces of the puzzle fall into place. There is no better author than James Patterson in the thriller genre. His novels are always expertly plotted, fast-paced, shocking reads that can't be put down once they are started. Alex Cross is one of the best characters to emerge from a thriller series, and 'Violets Are Blue' is the proof he will be around for along time because James Patterson is at no shortage of coming up with original plots. A MUST read that will be a blockbuster best-seller! Nick Gonnella
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Summary: What has happened to James Patterson?
Review: Violets are Blue is pathetic. The vampire killings, which take up a good chunk of the book, are repulsive and not very interesting. The previous book, Roses are Red, revealed the true identity of the Mastermind, but reading this, you would think his identity was a surprise. Patterson goes out of his way to overwrite scenes involving the Mastermind to not reveal his identity until the last 60 pages. I have to admit, the last 60 pages are terrific, because the vampire story is over and the confrontation between Alex and the Mastermind finally takes center stage. The mind games are the reason I read Patterson, and why his best books like Jack and Jill work so well. When Alex finally realizes that the Mastermind is someone he knows, the scene is so poorly written, you would think that he stubbed his toe. I think his reaction should be more than "disappointment." Overall, I would say this is slightly better than Roses are Red, but the two books could have easily been combined. I hope the next Alex Cross gets back to what makes the series great.
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Summary: The Best of Alex Cross series
Review: I've owned the international paperback version (I've bought it at the local bookstore here two weeks ago), but I still want to have the hardcover for my private collection (I'm a fans of James Patterson's novel) ....
A long awaited sequel of "Roses Are Red", and it's the best book from Alex Cross series, I love it very much ..... especially the "Alex Cross vs Mastermind" parts ....... very very fantastic!
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Summary: Not the Best of Alex Cross, but Certainly a Great Read
Review: I've read all the Alex Cross novels, and while this one is not his best (I'd have to go with Kiss the Girls), it is certainly not the worst and is absolutely worth reading. Patterson is one of the most easily readable authors in this genre. His simplistic writing style, called basic by some, is what I believe to be his greatest strength. In fact, I often wish his books were a bit longer, as they only take around four hours to read.
My biggest issue with this novel is the way it draws on previous works. I found myself thinking at times that I would have enjoyed it more had I not read the previous novels and did not know who the Mastermind was. However, I also thought that the references to the other characters that I had already read about made for very interesting material. I suppose the only solution here would have been for him to not reveal the identity of the Mastermind at the end of Roses are Red, but I imagine that he was unsure of the plot for Violets are Blue. Aside from the somewhat predictable decision Cross makes at the very end, I found Violets are Blue to be a fine novel that was well written and difficult to put down.
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