Rating: 
Summary: Not worth the time to read
Review: This is the first James Patterson book I have read so I can not compare it to his others and I am reluctant to read any of them at this point. I didn't mind the short chapters, but all of the chapters on his personal life seemed like filler to me. I kept waiting for something significant to happen there and nothing ever materialized. And the ending, I will not give it away but it is ridiculous. I like books that I can at least find a motivation for the crime but this book totally lacks one. I gave my copy to the library because I didn't want to give it to anyone I know after wasting my time reading it.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Read, Disappointing Ending
Review: James, James, James.....as usual, I enjoyed Roses...but was quite disappointed with the ending.....although some where in the beginning of the book you did give a subtle hint as to who the murderer could be....When is the sequel due out?
Rating:
Summary: Cross needs to retire
Review: A very disappointing book. I found myself skipping through the secondary story of Cross' personal life. The main story was contrived. After finishing, I found myself re-reading uple of sections to try and find a link between the ending(s). I think this is the last Corss book I will purchase.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Addition
Review: This book was an excellent addition to the Alex Cross series. Cross is back better than ever to confuse and amaze us. With each book we grow closer to the Cross family, but this book is the one that will you hook you forever, leaving you always anticipating the next move.
Rating: 
Summary: Counting Coup
Review: It's obvious from reading the reviews that there are strong opinions, favorable and not, about "Roses Are Red". I don't know that I can help prospective readers other than to say,"the ending is everything". I must admit there were times early in the reading of this story about the Mastermind, a brilliant psychopath who baffles Alex Cross, that I wanted to shelve the book. Bank robberies and the subsequent murders of the robbers' and bank employees' families engineered by a pathological genius and written at a breakness pace managed to hold my interest long enough until my desire to find out who the Mastermind was took over.Am I glad I kept reading? Just let me say, "the Epilogue knocked the breath out of me!". Don't peek! (and the reviewers who gave away the ending in their reviews out to be ashamed of themselves). Just keep reading and I think you'll be as pleasantly surprised as I.
Rating:
Summary: Even Patterson Can Strikeout
Review: Being a huge James Patterson fan I was very excited about getting "Roses are Red". Instead I got a different look at the world of Alex Cross. Sure he is a hard luck guy, but Patterson takes this way too far in this novel. Don't get me wrong I like Alex Cross, but all the heartache he has is getting just too unbelievable. "Roses are Red" center around bank robberies in the D.C. area. Each plan is laid out and must be followed to a tee, or people will die. Patterson get involved when the FBI believes that the have a serial killer/bank robber. The killer is called the "Mastermind" and Cross and gang go through the usual thrills in hot pursuit. Three other side stories involve a lost love, a new love and an ill child for Cross. In total this book was a jumble. Storylines bouncing back and forth and no ending to most of them. The worst part is the ending when the "Mastermind" identity is revealed. Cross really kicks the reader in the gut with this surprise. This poor performance won't make me stop reading, but I hope this is not the ending of the Cross series.
Rating:
Summary: Nothing different
Review: Roses are Red is a good edition to the Alex Cross series. If you have read the other books in this series then chances are you will like this book. If you haven't, then don't start with this one. Roses are Red has a slower pace and less suspense than the other Cross books but it still keeps you interested. Patterson once again comes out with a surprising ending but Roses are Red just doesn't have the punch like Pop goes the Weasel and Kiss the Girls did. You definitely felt for the characters but there was something missing in the style of writing and dialogue. Overall, Roses are Red is a good read and is a good edition to the Cross series but I would have to say this is probably the least suspenseful and unimaginative plots of the series. And if you are looking forward to a sequel, which it needs, your going to have to wait because Patterson is coming out with a new series centered on women. Sounds interesting. 4 Stars
Rating:
Summary: Too much of a good thing.
Review: I think James Patterson needs to change tactics just a little bit. In almost every book we have had at least two killers (usually working together), and Alex being pulled in every direction trying to hold life, family, and job together. This book begins with the appearance of a previous killer and adds a new one called the Mastermind. For some reason, this book did not hold the fascination for me that the others did. Also add in the fact that Alex's fiancee has decided that she needs to move away from Washington to get away from everything. The surprising twist is that we do find out at the end of this book who the Mastermind is. I think Patterson needs to take the storyline in a new direction, but all in all it was still a good read.
Rating:
Summary: Not his best but still very good
Review: I've read all of James Patterson's books and agree with the other reviews that this isn't one of his best, but still an extremely good read. I finished this book in three days and enjoyed every chapter. It isn't as good as Along Came a Spider but still worth reading. Can't wait for his next book.
Rating:
Summary: Another Great one from Patterson
Review: This is another great novel from James Patterson. This just like all the rest of Patterson's is an action-packed novel, but there is little character development or background on the characters. This novel involves a criminal who calls himself the Mastermind. He conducts many bank robberies which seems to lead to no point. Of course detective Alex Cross gets brought into the case. This novel's altogheter is good excpet it leaves you hanging for his next novel coming out this spring.
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