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: Fantastic..... until the cursed ending!!
Review: Roses are Red, Patterson's latest in the Alex Cross series, is typical nail-biting suspense. Great characters, great thrills, great mystery...... until the end! For those who have never read an Alex Cross novel, I would imagine the ending to be a kick in the teeth because it leaves so much open and unresolved. But for those who are Cross fans be prepared for the most outlandish and completely unexpected thing that could ever happen. As an aspiring writer myself, I found the shocking ending too overboard and implausible that I was angry and disturbed for hours after finishing the book. On top of the fact that Alex Cross has to suffer another horrifying tragedy ( which he has had many) the ending leaves you hanging in such a way that your emotions are completely fried. Normally, I applaud this. But in this case, Patterson simply went too far. The killer's true identity is, to put it mildly, ludicrous. To go any further would reveal the identity, and despite the fact that I would love to save Cross fans some heartache, I do think people should read the novel just to get that angered feeling. Because it will make you appreciate a plausible and satisfying surprise ending. Once again.. kudos to Patterson for the plot. It IS good. But the ending.... good grief.
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.
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.
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