Rating: 
Summary: Heart Burn
Review: Among the three reviews I had read, James Patterson is considered a talented writer. Using a style not often seen within long novels. Patterson uses small chapters barely seven pages long at the most. Designed to keep the reader reading without being bogged down by a never-ending chapter. These shorter chapters also afford Patterson the freedom to change time lapses and scenes often, without confusing the audience.Unfortunately in my opinion that was about the only clever decision Patterson made in writing this novel. ... I found that the book could in fact be consumed very quickly. Actually the book had only taken a day to "consumer". And like most fast food it left me with heartburn. While reading, the audience discovers more about the "vampire brothers" then they do about Cross's character. Even though the majority of the story follows Cross around as he discovers more murder scenes, goes on a bad date and tries to make amends with his children for being a workaholic.
Rating: 
Summary: Awful... just awful.
Review: I am pleased to say that the paperback version of this novel was purchased for me for Christmas, so it was not MY $$$ which is now lining James Patterson's pockets. However--for those of you who have read the book--when you are reading about the murders and the carelessness of the murderers (who must be leaving DNA everywhere) and how wide-open the crime scenes are... don't you kind of picture the techs from CSI coming in there and solving these murders in a matter of seconds? I sure did. There is a major murder at the Bellagio in Las Vegas and NO ONE thinks to check the security tapes in the hotel??? That is sheer laziness on the behalf of the writer. Real cops/FBI folks must just cringe at the methodology their print counterparts use in this novel. A DC-area cop is allowed to fly all over the United States and take the lead on FBI raids? Ummmm... what? It just didn't feel real to me for one moment. Oh and the "surprise ending" (which will only be a surprise if you consider the last 398 pages an "ending") was born out of utter laziness. I was hoping against hope that Patterson had one final, coherent trick up his sleeve. But the cupboard, it would seem, was bare. Patterson is making a quick buck off these 140-page manuscripts which are formatted so they turn into 110-chapter, 400-page "novels". Hey: I used the same trick when writing papers in college. What's Patterson's excuse? From reading the reviews on this novel, it sure sounds like a lot of people are where I was with Patterson a few years ago. I think it was "Cradle Will Fall" or something and after I read it, I said to myself: "I will never buy another James Patterson book". Having read his latest, I am more confident than ever that I can stick to my resolution. You should all do the same.
Rating: 
Summary: Nasty But Good
Review: Alex Cross is back and in this novel he is taking on vampires. I know it sounds crazy but it yet again Patterson has produced another book that is very hard to put down. Cross as usual has many things going on. First is to stop the killings that are taking place in America. He is also have women problems, nothing out of the ordinary, in which he does not want another partner to meet their end at the hands of his rival, the Mastermind. Even though this book gets kind of vulgar in some spots it is hard to put it down and that is one theme that occurs throughout all of James Patterson's works.
Rating:
Summary: Trite and mundane
Review: This is the first of this author's works that I've read, and I have mixed feelings about it. On the one hand, I'm glad I didn't spend any money buying the book, but on the other, I'm sorry someone wasted THEIR money to get it for me as a present. Almost every aspect of the story, from the plot to character development was sub-par. The "mystery" wasn't mysterious. The detective/psychologist protagonist spent most of the time showing up at one crime scene after another wondering what was happening and why, and doing practically nothing that even the average person would have done to solve the crimes or to protect himself and his family from a deranged killer. He unwittingly escapes death twice only by the grace of the killer deciding to wait about doing him in, and in their last encounter, by winning a fistfight in which the true mystery is why the villain apparently stops fighting after having the upper hand from the start. Even that's no real puzzler; can't sell more in a series if you kill off the hero... Even the title of the book is the trite use of a well known verse that has absolutely no connection to the story...
Rating:
Summary: One book too many
Review: James Patterson is an excellent writer, but sometimes, you have to know when to tell your publisher you don't have any great ideas to continue a popular series. This book features two intertwined stories - each competing to see which could be the most preposterous. First, we have the silly tale of a sub-culture of modern "vampires", who are killing at an alarming rate, sometimes with the help of a tiger that only they can command. This story alone made this a pretty sick book. Finally, Patterson attempts to bring some closure to some of the earlier Alex Cross books by disposing of the "Mastermind", who really killed many of the victims wrongly attributed to other mass murderers in the previous books. The identity of the "Mastermind" was very dissappointing, and even laughable. Forgive me, but I couldn't take this book seriously. Please Mr Patterson, do not tarnish your reputation by continuing to pump out unimaginative trash.
Rating: 
Summary: Bland Page-turner
Review: J. Patterson will never cease to amaze me with his writing and chapter structure. Every book that I have read from him has been a page-turner, no matter if the story lacked or not. In this case, it was on the lacking side for an Alex Cross novel. It has been said that Patterson sailed into uncharted waters with 'Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas', and that he had no business doing so(they wrong, it is a very good book and heavily recommended by me), but it was this book where he strayed. I think the limited research into vampires and the 'Goth' sub-culture was a bad beginning to this book. The parts spent on the 'Vampire' aspect of the book really took away from the 'Mastermind' part of the storyline that really should have taken precedence. For such a big blow delivered at the end of Roses are Red, the follow up was very minimal and over shadowed by the bland vampire plot. Definitely not one of his best, but it is not a total loss. It does setup an interesting start to the next book, which after a short break from Patterson, I will hopefully enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Book Review- Violets are Blue
Review: One of the top fiction writers of today and the true master of suspense is James Patterson. At twenty-seven years of age his debut novel, The Thomas Berryman Number, won the Edgar Award for the best first mystery novel. This novel was followed by a string of national bestsellers that include seven books with the main character in each being detective/psychologist Alex Cross- beginning with Along Came a Spider, to the more current novels Roses are Red and its sequel Violets are Blue. Violets are Blue is Patterson's latest #1 best selling novel to hit stores in the paperback edition.
Violets are Blue continues the mystery featuring Cross' nemesis, The Mastermind, a psychotic genius who has been on a killing spree for many years, but add ann unexpected twist to the novel- a second mystery. Mystery two is revealed when two joggers turn up dead in San Francisco and soon after people are turning up in various cities just like the two killed in San Francisco. The victims are found hanging upside down, bitten, and drained of their blood. The second part of the thriller revolves around vampires. The vampire angle is intertwined throughout the book with the Mastermind angle. Cross chases the vampire killers all across the United States. Alex is assisted in the gruesome investigation by SFPD detective Jamilla Hughes and FBI investigator Kyle Craig. As usual Alex Cross is just one step behind the murderers, arriving at one horrific murder scene after another.
As one mystery (the vampire angle) climaxes and is close to being solved, the other angle heats up. The Mastermind stalks and taunts Alex by continuously threatening his life and the lives of the people he loves. The identity of the Mastermind is revealed and the roles are reversed. Alex Cross becomes the hunter and sets out to capture the monstrous killer.
All of Patterson's novels have been fast-paced with a high energy level from beginning to end, making his books hard to put down. What makes Patterson unique, and the reason he is one of my favorite authors, is his writing style. His short chapters make the reader feel like the book isn't so intimidatingly long. The reading seems easy and therefore the reader wants to continue on without interruption. I also like how Patterson's style changes from chapter to chapter. Some chapters are written in first person point of view where Patterson tells the story through Alex's eyes. In other chapters he writes a third person narrative of the killers.
Violets are Blue is written in the same tradition and writing style, making it a great book to read. The book was full of suspense and had a strong impact. The only downfall to this novel was that it was too predictable, other than that I thought the novel was excellent. James Patterson once again proves, he is one of the best suspense-thriller novelists of today.
Rating:
Summary: What a waste...
Review: Devon Review on Violets Are Blue
"If you hunt for the vampire, the vampire will hunt for you," is an excellent quote for a horrible novel. Violets Are Blue, written by James Patterson, is a mystery/suspense novel about Alex Cross; he is a homicide detective for the FBI and has problems keeping a relationship lasting because every woman he comes into contact with meets a horrific death by the Mastermind. Alex spends most of his time trying to find these so-called "vampires", William and Michael Alexander, whom "The Sire" Peter Westin led. The novel is weak, unappealing, inappropriate for most audiences, and unoriginal. The strong sexuality, gore, drug use, and the suggestive language prove this theory.
While Patterson's strong use of detail added to the story, it also took away from the appealing aspect. At some points, too much gore and blood is described. This gory detail along with the descriptions of their sexual pleasures overwhelms the reader and takes away from the immediate plot. "They are hard," and "their penises pulsed..." isn't the type of material I want to read and no sort of warning is printed in the entire book to warn people of this indecent writing. I was astonished to read such filth only found in romance novels. I didn't realize the American society had dropped to such low measures as to feel this book to be a best seller.
The gore and drug-use promotes the wrong way for people to find entertainment. I don't wish to read, "We're going to hang you and drink every last drop. The most amazing thing-you're going to enjoy it when you die. It's ecstasy, Jamilla." I was not happy with the "vampires" talking about using cocaine and how not using it makes the experience better.
The language of the book starts to become offensive and aggravating because I don't wish to read words that I would never say. The words are usually used in the most intense parts of the book when the main character is in the middle of a fight or arguing heavily with someone. The words take away because they make me stop reading and wonder why that word was necessary.
Most readers enjoyed reading the book, but I was not satisfied reading any part of the book. I do not consider this book to be a best seller and strongly recommend not reading it. Don't succumb to the low standards of the modern man and support such tasteless writing.
Rating:
Summary: Violets Are Blue
Review: Probably one of the most "gruesome" of Patterson's books but still hard to put down. Can't wait to see what happens with Alex Cross next. I recommend all of Patterson's books in the Alex Cross series. They keep you on the edge of your seat until the last page.
Rating: 
Summary: Violets are Blue.
Review: In the beginning, I was dissapointed. For a few pages I thought it was a Horror story, not the typical Alex Cross type. But I
soon figured that it was not, and couldn't put it down, This
book ties up a lot of the previous characters' actions also. I loved this book, and since have ordered all the Alex Cross series from Amazon, to re-read them in order. I am not however, looking forward to his new novel, The Jester, since it takes place in Midevil times.
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