Fairly good execution, not a great idea

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	• Violets Are Blue James Patterson, 2001 - 400 pages average customer review:based on 330 reviews view larger image
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Fairly good execution, not a great idea

First let me begin by saying I listened to the audiobook version of this novel, as I have most every "Cross" novel. They provide an entertaining enough distraction from life. It included a "very special introduction" from the author. Wow! James Patterson actually taking some time to possibly give some insight into how he created the character, or what his writing process is, or...or just him patting himself on the back. Yes, this is indeed what he took two minutes out of his writing schedule for. He literally began by saying he's been called an author that people tend to read too much of. They seemingly are so enthralled by the story they sit in their driveways or in the parking lot of the office not wanting to get out of the car. He then went on to talk about how he went to dinner with friends and met Clint Eastwood, who told him he "needed a hit movie..bad!". So basically he insinuated that ol' Clint needs him to write him a hit movie. What?! I wanted to (and would have had I not been at work myself) scream out loud, "You pompous ***!" I couldn't believe he was being so self-serving.

A very humble writer once said that a good writer can never hope to be a great writer. There are very few great writers, such as Shakespeare. This humble writer put himself in the good writer category, knowing he could never hope to achieve that level of penmanship. This humble writer is considered by many to be one of the greatest writer's of our time. His name is Stephen King. While you may be a competent writer Mr. Patterson, you sir, are absolutely no Shakespeare. You are not a Stephen King for that matter.

As for this book, it's a typical Patterson "Cross" novel. It employs psychopathic killers who tend to be over the top, and this one is basically two stories in one. The main focus of the story involves two (in the beginning) serial killers who commit vampire style killings, biting their victims, then draining the blood and hanging them upside down. This for the most part is the most unbelievable antagonists Patterson has come up with yet. However, he does end up executing the story well enough to keep the reader involved. I've read most of the "Alex Cross" novels, mostly because they provide enough entertainment that I'm distracted from the real world for a while.

The backstory is of a man called "the Mastermind". He calls Cross at all hours of the day and night, usually while he's in the middle of solving this particular murder. Cross ends up on a cross country trek hunting down the two killers and trying to figure out exactly how they operate. It leads him to San Francisco where he reteams with Jamilla Hughes, and of course sexual chemistry abounds. Although I have to commend Mr. Patterson for choosing this time not to have Cross end up in the bedroom of a hotel describing almost every intricate sexual detail. Between that and the following pillow talk, I begin to wonder if I'm reading a crime novel or an erotic novel written for women. It's not only uncomfortable, it's just in my opinion, unnecessary.

Of course there is the family time, and for the most part, those scenes are written in order to give us a break from the tension that the main story is supposed to provide us with. These are written in a way that seems forced and the dialogue is so sappy sweet you can't help but laugh. Unfortunately, it's not because the jokes are funny. Dialogue is meant to sound real, not like a gimmick that Mr. Patterson would use in a commercial back when he was in marketing. Unfortunately, most of the scenes play out so quickly there isn't any real tension to be found. While the author is adept at moving at a quick pace, whenever "the mastermind" calls to taunt Cross, threatening his family, the situation is resolved so quickly you never feel the gut-wrenching fear that Cross should feel. By the time you get 3/4 through the novel, you don't believe for a second that his family is in any real danger.

The vampire part of the story ends up in a very anti-climactic showdown that plays out a little too conveniently when he reveals the plot twist. And the most tense filled moment of this particular part has Alex facing down a tiger.

When we finally do find Cross figuring out who the mastermind is, we can't help but see a huge plot hole big enough to drive a semi through. He's been taunting him with phone calls for weeks, yet he can't recognize his voice on the phone. The showdown between the two plays out just as expected, a little more tension filled than the rest of the book, however more unbelievable than the vampire story. I find it a little hard to believe you can interrogate a suspect with an icepick buried in your chest!

Overall, it's worth a read or listen, but just don't expect to be enthralled enough to sit in the car not wanting to get out. The shame of it is that I wouldn't be shocked if Cross started shamelessly promoting himself and name-dropping the same way that Mr. Patterson does. At times it seems that Cross is not only a doppelganger of Mr. Patterson, he has his same arrogant traits. It's usual "Cross" antics, and unfortunately that's part of the problem. You pretty much know how it will all turn out. At this point you know he's not in any real danger. You just wish that Mr. Patterson might change up the game a little and have him do something original. Have Cross and Samson open up a private detective agency. At least then the hard-boiled over the top cop dialogue might be more believable...or at least easier to swallow.

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Truly Wonderful!

Truly Wonderful!
This is no exception to Patterson's great list of novels. He is outstanding, and this book is excellent. Couldn't put it down!! S.L. Chessor author of My Tongue Fell Out & Poodlums Boogeymen and Booglers.
Poodlums, Boogeymen and Booglers: A Poetry CollectionMy Tongue Fell Out

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Great!

I love Paterson! This whole series is great! Keeps you hooked from start to finnish. I have not been disappointed yet with Paterson...

Violets Are..........Purple!!!

I usually try to make it my business not to read any books relating to either werewolfs or vampires. As a matter of fact, I stopped reading Patricia Cornwall's Kay Scarpetta series for this exact reason....the werewolfs had invaded the pages. Since I like to read all of my series "in order", Violets Are Blue was the next one up at bat in the Alex Cross series. Little did I know that it would have the "dreaded" vampires as the main characters.

This book had two stories going on at the same time....the vampire invasion and the return of "The Mastermind". One thing Patterson is definitely good at is bringing you up-to-date with what's happened in his past books so you're not totally lost when you're reading his current offering. I appreciated all of his reminders of how much The Mastermind had taken over Alex Cross' life with all of his threats and purported killings of people close to Alex. Another thing Patterson is great at is writing short chapters. I read this book while on the beach in Mexico and it's just the type of book to bring on vacation because it goes quickly. I finished it in two days and was able to give it to a friend who was with me who also finished it on that same trip.

Now, getting back to the vampires. As much as I dislike reading about them, I did find it quite fascinating but scary at the same time. Just to think that something like this could possibly exist (please tell me it doesn't) is enough to keep me from reading another vampire book in my lifetime. But in usual Alex Cross fashion, the vampires didn't stand a chance against our hero. The Mastermind, however, was another story. I do have a problem with how this part of the story panned out and it's something many authors do that really bothers me. I can't elaborate because I'd give it away but it's a cop out I don't appreciate. Wow, did I just use a pun there? I actually didn't mean to but if the shoe fits, wear it.

Next up....Four Blind Mice. I know there's really only three blind mice. I can just imagine who this fourth mouse is going to be.

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Vampires

Vampires are not my cup of tea, however it didn't keep me from reading the book. I cannot believe that I kept turning the pages. There are two horrible murders in Washington. The bodies' blood was drained. California had some similar murders. Fearless Alex must look into secret clubs and the like. If this is not enough Mastermind a killer from the past is stalking Alex. What secret does he unfold? I would not read this one again. By Ruth Thompson author of "The Bluegrass Dream" and "Natchez Above The River"

Writing as a Small BusinessQualifying Laps: A Brewster County NovelSins of the Fathers: A Brewster County NovelTravelersThe Bluegrass Dream: A Wilderness Adventure of Early SettlersNatchez Above The River: A Family's Survival In The Civil War

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Two joggers are found murdered in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, and the killings are bizarrely reminiscent of a Washington, D.C. case that Alex Cross has been unable to solve. He is called to San Francisco, and then learns of similar murders in eight cities from Las Vegas to Charleston. Together with a female San Francisco detective, Cross plunges into a menacing world where posing explodes into bloodlust and frenzy, even as he is being stalked by a terrifying criminal who calls himself the Mastermind.

James Patterson is at his most shocking and suspenseful best in a novel that will stun and satisfy his vast audience.

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