Violets Are Blue

Author - James Patterson ... [Goo?] [Posters]

This Hardcover Book was reviewed on 16-Oct-2008.

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1) Hardcover Book Violets Are Blue by . The Alex Cross novel before this one, Roses Are Red (Alex Cross), ended on a major cliffhanger, and I had high expectations for the follow-up. Roses Are Red ended with the revelation of the identity of arch-criminal mastermind and with a final horrific crime that left long-time detective Cross shaken to the core and primed for vengeance. But unfortunately, this follow-up really isn´t a direct sequel. It follows two separate storylines - one is the hunt for the still-at-large Mastermind (whose identity, I should point out, was revealed to the Reader but not to Cross or the other characters) who continues to taunt Cross from afar; this story is the smaller of the two main plots though. Occupying the lion´s share of the book is a tale about a decades-long series of ritual killings involving either vampires or people who think they´re vampires. The idea of introducing a potentially supernatural antagonist into an established series of detective novels is actually a good one; unfortunately, while it didn´t fall flat on its face it doesn´t turn out to be an especially Good vampire story either.

The sections of the story that deal with the Cross/Mastermind vendetta are better - especially as the Mastermind begins to threaten all those close to Cross - but don´t entirely deliver on the potential from Roses´s cliffhanger. Violets Are Blue opens up on the same scene Roses Are Red ended on, and right off the bat seems to be setting the stage for something diifferent, less intense, than those last pages of Roses indicated we´d be getting. The sections of the book focusing on this plot line are still the better part of the novel, but its not what it could have been, and the finale came off anti-climatic. The two threads - the Mastermind and the vampires (whether they turn out to be real or just vampirically-inclined killers is something that doesn´t get resolved until later in the book) - do eventually tie in, but I was left with the idea that they should have each had a novel to themselves.

As for the pluses - the book is well written, parts of the Mastermind sections do deliver on their potential (and show perhaps what the book could have been like if the vampires had been left for another novel, and the vendetta angle had been allowed to grow), and perhaps most importantly, Patterson excels at writing his core characters - Cross, his family, the other law enforcement agents he works with. It´s enough to lift the book up a ways, and it´s certainly readable, but it´s not on par with either Roses Are Red or with the better vampire novels out there, like The Historian.

Bottom line though, still a good book - I may have liked it more if my expectations going in weren´t so high - and one that Cross fans should give a try.¤

2) Hardcover Book Violets Are Blue by . 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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3) Hardcover Book Violets Are Blue by . 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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4) Hardcover Book Violets Are Blue by . 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.
¤

5) Hardcover Book Violets Are Blue by . 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¤

6) Hardcover Book Violets Are Blue by . 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.¤

7) Hardcover Book Violets Are Blue by . Fans of James Patterson´s resourceful cop Alex Cross will be relieved to find that he´s back on familiar territory with Violets Are Blue--and, more importantly, that this is one of the best Alex Cross thrillers yet.

The malign criminal genius of Roses Are Red is fixing to give Alex a hard time once again. The FBI joins Patterson´s dogged cop in a particularly unsettling investigation: two San Francisco joggers have been viciously murdered and are found suspended by their feet, with all the blood drained from their corpses. And when further brutal deaths follow in California and on the East Coast, Alex is forced to contemplate the bizarre possibility of modern-day vampires, although his instincts point him to one of the many sinister religious cults that flourish on the West Coast. Aided by Jamilla Hughes, a streetwise young woman detective from San Francisco, Alex finds that he has to crack not one but two impenetrable mysteries to stop further bloodletting.

Patterson fans expect the extremely concise, page-turning chapters (116 of them here!), along with a reluctance to dawdle over details of his hero´s personal life, and both characteristics are firmly back in place. If you can resist reading this one in just a few sittings, you deserve some kind of a thriller reader´s medal. --Barry Forshaw, Amazon.co.uk¤

Page Updated: Robert N. Goolsby, 13-Nov-2008, , 010-890-150-34B-35B-7CB-8

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