Rating: 
Summary: Really angry at the ending!
Review: While I've enjoyed so many of James Patterson's books, "Roses Are Red" made me feel cheated when I finished it. If a book is going to be in the form of a "serial" where it continues from volume to volume, there should be a warning on the cover! Most of us expect a book to have an ENDING and not just a "CONTINUED NEXT SEQUEL!" The novel was exciting and in James Patterson's usual wonderful style, but I'm not going to buy the next one because I'll be afraid to be left hanging again!Aileen Leavitt
Rating: 
Summary: HERE WE HAVE.....ANOTHER DISASTER!
Review: I simply cannot believe it....James Patterson, a legendary author, and once again, another disaster. I looked forward with eager anticipation to this book for so long. Patterson has written such superb thrillers, but I just cannot fathom where his mind is at or what has happened to his writing skills recently. As if writing airy-fairy flights of fantasy, such as "When the Wind Blows" or the pathetic, "Cradle and All," are not enough, he is all but sabotaging his Alex Cross novels. The strong characters of Alex and Christine are here, and a great plot, but that's about it. The ending....please, I do not even want to go there. Perhaps, Mr Patterson is in need of a hiatus? Or, is he just writing, regardless of content, to give his readers what they want - a new book, even if it is a half-rate one at that? I sincerely hope he thoroughly thinks the next book through from from start to finish, and does not allow the computer keys to, once again, move faster than the thoughts travelling through his head. We love your Alex Cross novels, but this one just doesn't cut it.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I always look forward to the new James Patterson...this was a pure disappointment. Mr. Patterson gives the appearance that he was behind in his deadline and just had to get something out.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I started reading Patterson several years ago with "Along Came a Spider" and I have bought each new Cross novel with anticipation. With each Cross novel after "ACaS", Patterson becomes more disappointing. This novel is a quick read, for sure, but not because of suspense - it is because of the length of each "chapter". There is no build up of tension, the Cross children have become ridiculous characters (this book dedicates too much time to them) and the ending, although a surprise, made me laugh out loud. I want to be shocked at the end of my thrill novels, not humored. This may be my last Cross novel.
Rating:
Summary: Fan? NOT
Review: Let me first admit that I have not been a James Patterson fan in the past and don't know Alex Cross from previous novels. That said, I was looking forward to becoming a fan as I am an avid fan of the genre. Bolstered by the best seller status and psychological cop thriller format I purchased this book with high hopes. Oh, how I wished I had read reader reviews before spending my money. I will surely do so in the future. I felt that the character development in the book was sloppy. No one became real to me. The reference to Christine's previous nemisis was insufficiently developed as a red herring clue. It was simply dropped into the story for the readers of Pop Goes the Weasel leaving new readers wondering what was going on. The previous nemisis should either have been developed as a legitimate red herring or eliminated in favor of real clues that could contribute to the story. I have never encountered such a poorly constructed mystery and been presented such an implausible ending from such an accomplished author. On the bright side, the action was fast and the story gripping until the disappointing ending. It felt like the author had reached his word count and then just ended the story with a manufactured surprise ending. Like one previous reviewer, this novel's ending angered me and I feel it is in insult to the intelligence of Patterson's readers. I doubt that I will ever buy another James Patterson.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointment
Review: After waiting anxiously for the release, I was so disappointed with this book. I really disliked the short chapter layout, and short sentence structure. Not the usual Patterson writing. The storyline was vague and it didn't seem like Cross contributed anything to finding the killer. I'm not waiting anxiously for the next one.
Rating:
Summary: Not the Old Patterson
Review: I have been an avid fan of James Patterson for years and have read, or rather, listened, to most of his books. After reading POP GOES THE WEASEL I couldn't wait to read his next book. Thinking that CRADLE AND ALL was the natural title for its sequel I was quite disapointed to find out that the book totally deviated away from Alex Cross and his normal thrillers. Then I was elated to find that Alex was back in ROSES ARE RED and couldn't wait to get my hands on it. I hate to say this but this book reads like one written by an amateurist James Patterson. The plot is not intense, the language school like and the suspence weaker then the punch line of a poorly told joke. Also, the person reading this version left much to be desired in the way of entertainment. So often it is the reader that makes the book, but this edition leaves much to be desired in both the reader and content. Sorry, Mr. Patterson, but you left an ardent admirer down with this one!
Rating: 
Summary: Roses Are Red
Review: This was an awesome book. It took me only about 12 hours to read, because it kept me totally hooked until the last page (what an unbelievable ending!) You really have to read previous Patterson books to understand the characters.... Overall, an awesome read!
Rating:
Summary: GREAT ENDING
Review: Great ending, would have never guessed the MASTERMIND. Not as much action as some of his other Cross novels, but still worth it. The ending gets 3.5 stars. A sequel is a 9.999999 out of 10 possibility.
Rating: 
Summary: It's not THAT bad
Review: OK, James Patterson has some explaining to do. Like the identity of the Mastermind. I didn't expect that one. But the story was fine nonetheless. For those who complain about the personal stuff, like Alex's relationship with Christine or his daughter's illneess, I think this makes the character of Alex Cross more real, more human. Everyone has issues to deal with and those issues often enter into our professional lives. Even Alex Cross has a life outside of the word of forensic psycholgy and the DC police. I am looking forward to finding out how the Mastermind evolved from what he was originally. Hopefully the next Alex Cross book will tell us.
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