| Fans of James Patterson's resourceful cop Alex Cross will be relieved to find that he's back on familiar territory with Violets Are Blue--and, more importantly, that this is one of the best Alex Cross thrillers yet. The malign criminal genius of Roses Are Red is fixing to give Alex a hard time once again. The FBI joins Patterson's dogged cop in a particularly unsettling investigation: two San Francisco joggers have been viciously murdered and are found suspended by their feet, with all the blood drained from their corpses. And when further brutal deaths follow in California and on the East Coast, Alex is forced to contemplate the bizarre possibility of modern-day vampires, although his instincts point him to one of the many sinister religious cults that flourish on the West Coast. Aided by Jamilla Hughes, a streetwise young woman detective from San Francisco, Alex finds that he has to crack not one but two impenetrable mysteries to stop further bloodletting. Patterson fans expect the extremely concise, page-turning chapters (116 of them here!), along with a reluctance to dawdle over details of his hero's personal life, and both characteristics are firmly back in place. If you can resist reading this one in just a few sittings, you deserve some kind of a thriller reader's medal. --Barry Forshaw, Amazon.co.uk |
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Patterson is still on top!!!!!!!
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| Review Date: November 22, 2001 |
| Reviewer: Chris, Memphis, TN USA |
| 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............... |
Alex Cross Vs. Mastermind! Who will win? Read and Find out!
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| Review Date: December 5, 2001 |
| Reviewer: Rodney Powell, Macon,Georgia |
Once again James Patterson and his unforgettable detective hero, Dr. Alex Cross plunge us into another chilling descent into twisted criminal minds.Cross once again must battle his nemesis, evil genius known as mastermind who taunts our hero with threats to kill him and his family.Cross must also balance this with his newest case: a pair of young killers who think of themselves as vampires and actually drink the blood of their victims as they brutally murder them!Cross with the aid of beautiful det. Jamila Hughes must hunt down these two maniacs as the leave a trail of bloodless bodies around the country and who think of themselves as unstoppable.Patterson is most adept when he juggles the narratives of Dr. Cross and how is trying to put his life back together after the breakup with Christina and the terror he feels when he thinks mastermind may harm his children or the burnout he has from years of catching vicious killers.Cross is great hero because unlike other detectives he isn't cold cynic but passionate cop who uses his brains and heart in his case.We also getting chilling insight on why the mastermind hates Cross and why is obsessed in killing him and showing Cross he is smarter than him. The storyline of the two vampire killers is also memorable as Patterson goes into the minds of these so-called vampires as they seduce,stalk and murder their prey and their terrifying bloodlust that drives them to commmit these awful crimes.This novel also gives us a glimpse of fetish of vampirism and the misguided young people who inhabit underground where people actually believe they are vampires! This gripping thriller leads to heartstopping final confronation between Cross and Mastermind! A unforgettable masterpiece of psychological terror and suspense that makes me believe in the realm of thrillers the true mastermind is James Patterson! |
A Thriller That Keeps A Reader On The Edge Of Their Seat
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| Review Date: March 4, 2002 |
| Reviewer: Michael Rubin, Austin, TX |
| Once again, James Patterson didn't let me down in Violets Are Blue! He continues to keep my attention on what is going on with Alex Cross and the Mastermind. The chapters are short - 3 pages on average. I warn you in advance that once you start reading this, you may have a tough time putting it down, it's that good, which is the reason I give this book 5 stars. James Patterson does a fine job again. |
Exciting read!
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| Review Date: November 26, 2001 |
| Reviewer: Tania, Europe |
| 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. |
SUSPENSEFUL GAME OF CAT AND MOUSE!
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| Review Date: January 1, 2002 |
| Reviewer: , |
| 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. |
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