Roses Are Red Abridged

Rating:
Summary: Still missing it
Review: Well, first of all, this one is MUCH better than "Pop Goes the Weasel". The ending of "Pop" was so contrived and far-fetched that it was pathetic. This one has a good ending, but I hate cliff-hangers. The Mastermind performs a final act of brutality (killing off one of the main characters in the process) and then he's revealed - and the revelation is mind-blowing. It won't mean much to you if this is your first Alex Cross novel, so read some of the others first, and then come back and read this. I have to give Mr. Patterson credit for one of the better plot twists of the past few years. Still, you feel robbed when you finish this because it doesn't actually end - the bad guy gets away. Hopefully the Mastermind will meet with a much more exciting end than Gary Soneji did in "Cat and Mouse". He's one of the more exciting villians Patterson has come up with. All in all, a good book, but I'd advise waiting until the next Cross novel comes out so you can find a satisfying end to the story.

Rating:
Summary: Wrong Guy was the Right Ending
Review: I am amazed to read reviews from readers who are so blatantly rude and obviously uneducated!! 'Roses are Red' is a thrilling masterpiece, yet another exciting installment in the Cross series. With short swift chapters and a no-nonsense attitude to writing, Patterson produces intriguing characters, twisted plots and interesting relationships. We always see two, sometimes three, sides of Alex Cross. The professional, the romantic and the Family Man, which make his characters and the woven, carefully plotted storylines all the more believable and immersing. To read 'Roses are Red' is truly a Patterson experience. The way he writes, and uses his words to create his characters is refreshing and unique. The twisted ending is a suprise, and leaves you hanging on a cliff edge, wating to fall or to be rescued. Patterson intrigues you with no babbling, no nonsense settings and nor does he over develop scenes and give detalied clothing descriptions. Rather, he focuses on the actions, and the feelings, and this is how James Patterson suspends reality in the mind of the reader - and takes them to the intriguing and frighteningly real world of Alex Cross.

Rating:
Summary: COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN!!
Review: I have read nearly all of Patterson's books and was eagerly awaiting the release of his next. I bought this book the day after Christmas and could not put it down. It is one of his best! The character developement is intricate, the plot is fast paced and thrilling and the story line incredible with a surprise ending if you have read his other Cross series. I love Patterson so much I have my mother and mother-in-law hooked and my husband wondering what could be so interesting I don't hear him talk. I explained it's like the superbowl times 100. I can't wait for the next one!!

Rating:
Summary: Not for the serious fiction reader
Review: There's a killer loose in the vicinity of Washington DC who's the 'Mastermind' behind multiple bank robberies. DC Homicide Detective Alex Cross and his partner John Sampson accompanied with FBI Agent Betsey Cavalierre have been assigned to the case. Due to the gruesome crimes (including bank employee families) the pressure is on to find the killer(s) and fast. As the agents appear to be closing in on "The Mastermind", as he calls himself, his cleverly orchestrated red herrings send the agents down dead ends. The book has a great beginning that grips the reader but Patterson's style of writing in the first person begins to wear on you with all the "I's". Additionally the short chapters are annoying and don't flow well for fast readers. The transitions in the story don't always advance the plot and consequently seem pointless. Perhaps some of the subplots (Cross' daughters illness for example) are to be exploited in future books, however they seemed pointless and added little to the story line. I don't mind endings that leave you with the impression that a sequel is likely, however I don't like endings that make you wonder if the last 20 pages have been torn from the book. I had my reservations about purchasing this book due to the mixed reviews, however I was assured by the person at the book store that the book was "Great". Next time I'm going to believe the people who post their comments on this website...their track record is much better than the "experts" at the book store.

Rating:
Summary: Roses Are Red Not Patterson's Best
Review: I have just recently begun to read James Patterson's Alex Cross stories and loved "Pop Goes The Weasel". I couldn't wait to read "Roses Are Red". Shortly into the second chapter I realized this book would not be worth my anticipation. Fast paced is an appropriate term here, the writing is rather sketchy, the chapters short, the characters and plot underdeveloped. Mr. Patterson wasted no time in getting this book to his readers, perhaps more time spent on it's content would have been appropriate.

Rating:
Summary: Typical Patterson.....AWESOME
Review: I'm an avid fan of Patterson's work. I'd go to say he's even my favorite author. But this book was excellant. I read it in one day. All I have to say is the ending was by far his best ending of any of the books I have read by him. I would reccomend it just because of the ending. Read it, you will become an instant Alex Cross fan..

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I usually love James Patterson's novels with Alex Cross in the lead. I listened to the abridged book on tape, and enjoyed it while I listened. But I didn't like the ending at all. It feels like it needed several more chapters. Nothing in the book even hinted at the real "mastermind" or gave a clue to the real killer, and to end it with the revelation of the killer and nothing else, seems like a cheap way out. I expect more of Patterson. Perhaps he's just setting us up for the next Alex Cross case, but finish one at a time, please. Very disappointing ending for an interesting case/novel.

Rating:
Summary: Fast paced and intricate plotting
Review: This Patterson is one of his better books. This thriller is fast paced and the plotting is intricate. The characters are deeper in Roses are Red, although Patterson continues his style with short sentences, paragraphs and chapters which speed up the pace. In this book, Cross is on the trail of a killer-crazy bankrobber who employs special techniques of terror, just right for Cross to get involved. This novel is a thrillride; I certainly enjoyed it. Another fast-paced thriller that was recommended to me, and after reading it, now I highly recommend it as I thought it was a mind blowing novel, is the intelligent action thriller THE CONSULTANT by Alec Donzi.

Rating:
Summary: A Great, Fast-Paced Read
Review: I just got the book for Christmas and finished it in less then two days. I found the storylines to jump a little but it just made you think more on who was doing this. I couldn't believe some of the action in the book. After finishing the book I am waiting for the next one.

Rating:
Summary: OUTSTANDING WORK OF ART
Review: This book was incredible! The best Patterson has ever written! This definetly has the same style he used in Hide n Seek. Very fast read. The chapters are short, quick punches that deliver a powerhouse to your brain. It leaves you stunned and breathless. You can't put it down until your done and then your upset because you went through it so fast. The ending was spectacular. I was stunned by the ending. I can't wait for his next book.