Rating: 
Summary: Could have been better
Review: Just finished the new James Patterson and was a little disappointed. Not one of his better novels but still a good read. The plot was a bit predictable. I figured out who the "Mastermind" was half way through. Could have done with a few more twists, he spent to much time writing about Christine who had nothing to do with the plot.
Rating: 
Summary: Boring, predictable effort from an overrated writer
Review: Roses Are Red is the third of James Patterson's nursery rhyme novels featuring Detective Alex Cross that I have read. And I can assure everyone that I will not be purchasing another. I didn't find his previous efforts very impressive, and this latest offering is simply dismal.His protagonist is bland, and his villians are always lifeless caricatures of evil whose motivations to murder are preposterous. The crimes themselves are never very interesting, and there are no compelling details of forensics or police work to be found. Even the sub-plots in this latest novel concerning Alex's failing romance with Christine and an illness being suffered by his daughter are movie-of-the-week retreads with no emotional depth. And what's with having over 125 Chapters in a 300 page novel? It's an annoying way to constantly interrupt a reader's concentration and remind him that he is reading a mediocre novel. If you subtract all the blank space on the pages, you'll notice that Patterson is pawning off 240 to 250 pages as a lengthier novel. My final criticism would be the first person narration. Patterson chooses to write from the perspective of a black homicide detective in Washington, D.C., yet race and social issues never enter the narrative. It's nothing but a gimmick that furthers none of his novels. I could care less if Cross is black, white or purple given the fact that he's just so boring. If you are a true lover of crime fiction, try the works of Michael Connelly, Dennis Lehane, Ridley Pearson and Steve Hamilton. These gentlemen are four of the best in the business, combining compelling plot lines with genuine literary talent.
Rating: 
Summary: A Good, Exciting Read!
Review: I like Alex Cross books and this one is one of the better ones that James Patterson has written. The ending is sure to keep readers waiting for the next one as it even surprised me. I read this book on a 10 hour plane flight and completed it so it is a fast read. Here I had planned on sleeping on the flight and ended up not sleeping a wink because I couldn't keep my head out of this book!
Rating: 
Summary: Patterson back in top form
Review: After the disappointing "Cradle and All" Patterson is back in the vein of his sensational bestsellers "Along came a Spider", "Kiss the Girls" or "Cat and Mouse". This may be his best novel with his most evil villain yet. The Mastermind even tops Gary Soneji, Casanova or the Weasel. The end will simply blow you out of your shoes.
Rating:
Summary: a return to form-almost!
Review: ROSES ARE RED IS A RETURN TO FORM ALMOST! FOR JAMES PATTERSON,AFTER THE LAST COUPLE OF ALEX CROSS NOVELS WHICH LEFT ME A LITTLE FLAT AND WONDERING IF THE SERIES HAD GONE OFF THE BOIL ALONG COMES THIS STORY WHICH WAS AN ABSOLUTE PAGE TURNER WHICH SUDDENLY GROUND YO A HALT 50 PAGES FROM THE END WHEN WE GO INTO A PROTRACTED ENDING SEQUENCE WHICH LEFT ME THINKING WILL WE EVER FIND OUT WHO THE EVIL MASTERMIND REALLY IS FINALLY WE GET THERE WHEN THE IDENTITY IS REVEALED ON ALMOST THE LAST PAGE WHICH GAVE ME A REAL SHOCK I BETCHA YOU WONT FIGURE OUT WHO IT IS ,ANYWAY HERES HOPING FO A 100% RETURN TO FORM IN THE NEXT BOOK THE ONLY DOWNSIDE BEING WILL JAMES PATTERSON RUN OUT OF STORIES OR NURSERY RHYMES FIRST.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic!
Review: One of his best Alex Cross novels so far, a brilliant, fast read, can't wait for the follow-up!
Rating:
Summary: Roses are red
Review: Wow This is a blockbuster and you will be in for quite some suprises even during the last lines
Rating:
Summary: Good, but not Pattersons best
Review: The plot in the latest Alex Cross novel revolves around the "Mastermind", the leader of a group of bank robbers that like to murder the bank employees as well as their families. Alex joins up with FBI agent Betsey Cavalierre in the hunt for the Mastermind as the crime spree escalates. The closer they get to catching him, the more bold he becomes, proving himself to be quite a twisted character. To add to Crosses problems, his daughter falls victim to a mysterious illness, and his girlfriend is leaving him. As always Cross is a likeable central character, and the plot is fast paced, helped along by quick moving chapters. However there are some dull moments, and at times it is somewhat unbelievable. There is also some cheap manipulation in trying to mislead the reader as to the identity of the mastermind. The actual identity of the Mastermind will come as a shock to most readers, however I am not sure if I really bought it. Overall it is a very easy, and mostly interesting read, but Patterson is capable of something much better.
Rating:
Summary: One of Patterson's best
Review: I prefer Patterson's earlier work to his latest. Rose Are Red is one of his better novels. Roses are Red" is about a detective named Alex Cross, who is well acknowledged by the FBI and is known for his god and detected work. Alex Cross always solves his cases with no problems. When a spree of bank robberies occur in Washington DC , Alex is put on with one lead, a man that goes by the name of the Mastermind. The Mastermind hires bank robbers to kill employee's of the bank if the schedule is not followed for the robberies. After these killers have done the dirty work for the Mastermind and has gathered the stolen money, the Mastermind poisons his workers with Chianti and pizza. To make the case even more twisted, the mastermind sexually violates dead females whom he has killed after their bodies are twisted and mutated. While Alex Cress helps to find this creep, he has a crisis at home with his family. Alex has a lot of weight on his shoulders and the case is getting tougher. But that is just what the Mastermind wants, as he plans his last attempt, which must be perfect. Alex starts to crack down on the case and finds a suspect, could it be him? The mastermind? Good guess Alex but, not good enough. The Mastermind has made it tough. Can Alex solve this case in time? The book " Roses are Red" is like a speeding train, with no breaks. It keeps going and going and finishes with a crashing ending. It hits you in the part of the mind you never know you had. If you like a book that you literally cannot put down, " Roses are Red" is an excellent choice by many, and is one of my favorites from James Patterson.
Rating:
Summary: Alex Cross at it again
Review: For some reason I never get tired of Alex Cross and the incredible situations and antics that Patterson dishes out. Perhaps it's his ability to pull us into the story, head first, or perhaps it's his knack for writing believable situations and characters. For which ever reason, I never fail to enjoy his books, especially the "Cross" ones. Of the three books I've recently read (Da Vinci Code, Bark of the Dogwood, and this one), "Roses" is by far my favorite. The other two are great also, but the Alex Cross series really does it for me.
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