I am really enjoying the series at the moment.

However, as the books progress and become more developed, I am hoping that the conversations will also evolve.

The style of communication that Alex Cross employs is a bit "grotesque" and seems to be overly trying to project a "macho" image.

This aspect is starting to wear a bit thin on me.

If this kind of communication style persists for much longer, I'm afraid that I will likely have to give up on the series altogether.

I would much prefer to see more nuanced and natural conversations that add depth and authenticity to the characters and the story.

Hopefully, the author will take note and make the necessary adjustments in future installments.

The vampire thing was truly strange. It had elements that were both captivating and a bit eerie.

At first, I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading about it. But as I delved deeper into the story, I found myself completely hooked.

The author did an excellent job of creating a vivid and mysterious world filled with these blood-sucking creatures.

The characters were well-developed, and their interactions added an extra layer of complexity to the plot.

Overall, it was another excellent read. It kept me on the edge of my seat, eagerly turning the pages to see what would happen next.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good supernatural thriller. It's definitely one that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it.

The original text seems to be a bit unclear. However, I will try to rewrite and expand it based on what I understand.

[Abbandonato a pagina 100] could potentially mean "abandoned on page 100". Here is a possible expansion:

It was as if time had stood still on page 100. The words seemed to fade away, leaving only a sense of abandonment. The story that had once captivated the reader now lay dormant, forgotten. The pages that followed remained unturned, as if afraid to face the unknown that lay beyond. But perhaps, within that abandonment, there was a hidden opportunity. A chance to rewrite the narrative, to breathe new life into the words. Maybe, just maybe, page 100 was not the end, but a new beginning.

Please let me know if this is not what you were looking for, or if you can provide more context or clarify the original text.

After spending years working in a bookstore and constantly making jokes about this particular author and the seemingly absurd frequency of his book releases, which I戏称 as "Every other Tuesday", I eventually felt a certain sense of obligation to actually give one of his books a try at some point.

So, on a rather slow work day, when there wasn't much else to do, I picked up a copy of one of his books that a co-worker had left lying around in the office. To my great disappointment, it truly was every bit as bad as I had initially suspected. The dialogues were completely ridiculous, lacking any semblance of authenticity. The characters seemed to be straight out of a cartoon, with their unrealistic behaviors and personalities. And the situations that were supposed to build suspense and keep the reader on the edge of their seat were instead just vulgar and incredibly tedious.

In conclusion, I would highly recommend avoiding this author's books at all costs. Save your time and money for something that is actually worth reading.

This book reads like a Thanksgiving supper.

What an appropriate simile and book for this time of year. I say this because the author lays a table of different elements that combine to make a well-rounded and delicious literary meal.

Alex Cross travels across the country on the trail of vampires. If the murders occurring in major cities from coast to coast are not the works of a traditional (Bram Stoker) vampire than they are first rate imitations. Bodies of men and women hung and bloodless become a repetitive scene and after further investigation the trail leads back many years.

The Mastermind, Alex’s nemesis, is still stalking Alex and his family. Little intrigues and personal dramas add side dishes to fill the table with mundane life while the bad guys do their best to disrupt the day.

If I am to be completely honest, this isn’t one of his best books. At times I had trouble following the flow and it didn’t grip me as tightly as many of his other works. Even the best ball players don’t always hit home runs and occasionally strike out. I’m not suggesting that this book is a strikeout but it is only a single or double base hit.

If you’ve never read James Patterson this is a good story to start with while keeping in mind that it will only get better. If you are already a fan you will accept this as an anomaly and go happily on to the next one.

It is easily readable.

Now, with a plot that is taken from a 2001 Star report on Vampire: The Masquerade, with a subplot that simply exists to fill the (excessively small) chapters and a police mystery that is solved almost by itself (after all, Cross only knows because he chats with his new partner).

As for the subplot with the brain that continues from the previous one - it's just something extra at the end to fill the book.

Overall, the story seems to lack a certain depth and originality. The main plot, although based on an interesting concept, feels a bit thin and underdeveloped. The subplots, on the other hand, don't really add much to the overall narrative and seem more like filler material.

Perhaps with a bit more work on the plot and character development, this could have been a more engaging and enjoyable read. However, as it stands, it is a rather average effort that may not satisfy the more discerning reader.

3.25 stars?? Disturbing.

This rating of 3.25 stars is rather disturbing. It makes one wonder what exactly led to such a score. Was it due to subpar performance, a lack of quality in the product or service?

Maybe there were some significant flaws or issues that couldn't be ignored. It could also be that the expectations of the reviewer were not met.

Whatever the reason, this rating serves as a red flag. It indicates that there is room for improvement and that something needs to be done to address the concerns that led to this disturbing score.

It could be a wake-up call for the provider to take a closer look at their offering and make the necessary changes to enhance the overall experience and satisfaction of their customers.

Otherwise, they may continue to receive such less-than-ideal ratings, which could have a negative impact on their reputation and business.

I always relish reading an Alex Cross book.

I have a great affection for his family and the manner in which he endeavors to be a good father to them. It provides an excellent backdrop for the remainder of the action.

And, of course, there is an abundance of action. Finally, Alex is zeroing in on his archenemy, the Mastermind. I felt that the author made it a bit too evident who the culprit was as I managed to guess quite early on. Nevertheless, Alex didn't realize until the last chapter, which still rendered the whole thing extremely exciting and not a little nerve-wracking.

This is a quintessential James Patterson book, characterized by short chapters, non-stop action, numerous murders, and some truly despicable villains. He can always be depended on for an effortless and enjoyable read!

It seems to me like each book in this series gets more violent and graphic.

"Violets Are Blue" is essentially one long bloody crime scene. It's just a tad too much, even for this die-hard fan of dark thrillers.

While I did enjoy seeing some of my favorite characters, especially Alex's family, I can't truthfully say that the plot line and the delivery of this story were particularly entertaining.

In fact, I was able to figure out where the story was headed in regards to the identity of the MasterMind very early on. All the clues were right there in plain sight. It seemed as if Alex should have been able to solve the mystery much earlier than he did.

I guess I'll just have to say that this isn't my favorite installment in the series. But, as always, we'll have to wait and see what the next book brings. Maybe it will redeem the series and bring back the excitement and intrigue that I've come to expect.

4 stars.

This is yet another highly enjoyable book in the Alex Cross series. The story unfolds with its typical blend of mystery, suspense, and action.

Alex Cross, the beloved detective, once again finds himself in the midst of a complex and dangerous case. The author has done a great job of creating a vivid and engaging world, filled with interesting characters and unexpected twists.

The plot is fast-paced and keeps the reader on the edge of their seat from beginning to end. There are moments of intense drama and heart-pounding excitement that make it difficult to put the book down.

Overall, this is a great addition to the Alex Cross series and a must-read for fans of the genre. It offers a thrilling and entertaining reading experience that will leave you eagerly anticipating the next installment.

My Rating
3 stars

Blurb
D.C. Detective Alex Cross has witnessed numerous crime scenes throughout his career. However, even he is shocked by the gruesome murders of two joggers in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. These killings bear a resemblance to the work of savage beasts rather than humans. The local police are horrified, and even the FBI is left baffled. When Cross is called in to handle the case, the carnage escalates, leaving a trail of bodies across America and leading him to cities like Savannah, Las Vegas, New Orleans, and Los Angeles. As he pursues the case, his nemesis, the merciless criminal known as the Mastermind, stalks him, taunts him, and once again, poses a threat to everything he holds dear.

My Opinion
James Patterson presents the supernatural world in a somewhat sensible light. It's a great thriller, but the plot didn't quite work for me. There was too much effort put into keeping the reader guessing about the identity of the ultimate villain. I wasn't a fan of the vampire aspect in this book, but I did enjoy the end when the true identity of the Mastermind is revealed. It's advisable to read the Alex Cross novels in order as I've noticed that there are spoilers in the later novels, which lessened the tension in this one. Nevertheless, it's a typical Patterson read - fast-paced, suspenseful, and filled with plenty of murders!

Quotes
A friend of mine once defined love as finding someone you can talk to late into the night.

“Human existence must be a kind of error. It is bad today and every day it will get worse, until the worst of all happens.”

Rules made you predictable, less of an individual. Rules made you less free, less authentic, less yourself.

Charles Manson’s words came to mind: Total paranoia is just total awareness.

A man tells his psychiatrist that everybody hates him. The psychiatrist says he’s being ridiculous — everybody hasn’t met him yet.

the three C’s that some men are so fond of: compete, criticize, control.”

“I especially recommend Carol Page’s Bloodlust: Conversations with Real Vampires.”

“A real vampire,” he told me, “is a person born with an extraordinary gift. He, or she, has the capacity to absorb, channel, transform, and manipulate pranic energy — which is the life force. Serious vampires are usually very spiritual.

The bodies of men and women are being discovered all across the United States, exhibiting clear signs of attack by both animal and human teeth. As it transpires, a pair of brothers, who incidentally happen to be vampires, are accountable for these gruesome attacks. Renowned by the FBI for his unparalleled ability to profile killers better than almost anyone else, Dr. Alex Cross is enlisted to conduct an investigation. He soon finds himself terrorized beyond anything he has ever endured in his life.

His inquiry leads him to San Francisco, where he encounters a homicide detective named Jamilla Hughes. In his characteristic Cross manner, he develops attractions for her. While the suspense is as palpable in this novel as it is in any other Patterson book, the story does take on a rather freaky tone. For one to be able to complete this book, one must believe that there are indeed individuals who consider themselves vampires. Even though I do hold that belief, it was still somewhat strange to read.

The most engaging aspects of this book pertain to Cross's ongoing pursuit of the so-called Mastermind, who persists in stalking him and menacing his well-being. Other than that, well... This is likely my least favored installment of the Alex Cross series.