These books might just be more enjoyable to read rather than to listen to. Perhaps in the time that has elapsed between when I read the last one and now, I have somehow lost my affection for James Patterson. However, this particular book simply didn't truly engage me. It's strange how our tastes can change over time. Maybe it's because I've matured or my reading preferences have shifted. But for whatever reason, this book failed to capture my interest and hold my attention. I found myself easily distracted while trying to get through it. It's a bit disappointing, really, as I had once been a big fan of Patterson's work. But sometimes, even the authors we love can disappoint us.

An extremely interesting concept lies within this "ordinary" thriller. We have vampires, namely scones and Edmund Herondale, placed in a modern context. Accompanying them are two badass yet evil brothers. I must admit, I found the idea of their blond ponytails rather amusing. This was yet another instance where I delved into a book from a mystery/thriller series that I had never read before, but this time it was intentional. Fortunately, it wasn't hard to familiarize myself with the world of the book. I was able to quickly immerse myself in the story and follow the plot. I'm quite certain that I'll be reading more Alex Cross in the future. The combination of vampires, badass characters, and a modern setting makes for an exciting and engaging read. I can't wait to see what other adventures await in this series.

Of all Alex Cross's books, this particular one is my least favorite.

This doesn't imply that it was a bad book per se. It simply means that when compared to the previous six novels, it didn't quite measure up under close examination.

The story was essential, yet it seemed rather odd to combine the Vampires and Mastermind plotlines within the same book. It felt somewhat disjointed, and by the end, I was left with a sense of disappointment. It seemed as though there was so much more potential for certain characters and their story arcs, but it didn't fully materialize.

On a positive note, it was enjoyable to catch a glimpse of some past victims. However, I wished there had been more of that. Instead, the novel had a shorter, more rushed feel to it.

Overall, despite my reservations about this particular installment, I still have a deep love for the character of Alex Cross and I'm eagerly anticipating the arrival of book 8. I'm hopeful that it will bring back the excitement and depth that I've come to expect from this series.

3.5 stars.

Of all the books within the Alex Cross series, this particular one presented the greatest challenge for me to engage with initially. For an unknown reason, during approximately the first half of the book, I simply wasn't "connecting" with it. I found myself repeatedly putting it aside and delving into other reading materials in the interim. Fortunately, I resisted the urge to abandon it completely, as the second half of the book was truly outstanding. It was so captivating that I remained awake until 1 am last night in order to complete it!!

Nevertheless, it won't quite reach the 4-star rating in my eyes due to its sluggish start. The slow build-up in the beginning somewhat dampened my overall enthusiasm. However, the strong finish managed to salvage the experience to a significant extent, leaving me with a sense of satisfaction despite the initial struggle.

Overall, it's a book that had its ups and downs, but in the end, it was worth persevering through.

Another Alex Cross book that truly goes above and beyond expectations. In this thrilling installment, a terrifying incident occurs as a couple is brutally killed by a tiger while they are out running on a peaceful trail. The horror doesn't stop there as the mysterious Mastermind makes a comeback, once again harassing Alex Cross. To add to the mystery and dread, a body is discovered with every single drop of its blood drained. The question that now looms large is: Are there vampires roaming around the country? This captivating story will keep you on the edge of your seat as you turn the pages to find out the truth. Will Alex Cross be able to solve the case and stop the mayhem? Read this book to embark on a heart-pounding adventure and discover the answers.

I have a great fondness for detective Alex Cross. His adventures always manage to draw me in and keep me coming back for more. This particular story was quite interesting as it helped to neatly tie up all of the first seven novels in the Alex Cross series. It provided a sense of closure and continuity that was very satisfying.

However, I have to admit that I wasn't a huge fan of the vampire aspect in this novel. It seemed a bit out of place and didn't quite fit in with the established storyline of Alex Cross. The idea of vampires in a series that had previously focused on more realistic crime-solving and psychological thrillers felt a bit forced.

Despite this minor drawback, I still enjoyed the novel overall. The characters were as engaging as ever, and the plot was full of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. I'm looking forward to seeing what the future holds for Alex Cross and his adventures.

The book preceding this one concluded with a Cliffhanger.

This is rather unusual for Patterson, as he typically resolves the case within the same book. However, in this instance, he chose to continue the pursuit in a second novel.

Fortunately, I had the sequel readily available (half of my books are in Germany, and the other half in Austria, so they're not always immediately accessible to me).

New main characters are introduced for this new case. There are two vampire-like siblings and two guys who reminded me of "Siegfried & Roy." I'm certain Patterson drew his inspiration for them from Las Vegas.

In addition to dealing with this new case, he still has to apprehend the killer from "Roses are Red."

Alex has a lot on his plate, but at least it keeps him from dwelling too much on his personal life problems.

Overall, this new installment promises to be an exciting and action-packed read, with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader on the edge of their seat.

This time, Alex is investigating a murder case that is said to be committed by a 'Vampire'. And at the same time, the annoying phone calls from the 'Mastermind' still continue.

Alex seems to be always busy falling in love in every book, which makes me a bit annoyed. Even when he is busy solving all the murder problems, there is still time for him to fall in love. It's as if love is an inescapable part of his life.

SH feels a little disturbed. He feels that the 'Vampire' murder case is solved too easily and suddenly. Then it directly jumps into the story of the Mastermind.

As a child who is close to his father, SH can feel the sadness of Jannie and Damon when their father fails to fulfill his promise because of work demands. At such a young age, the attention from Alex is of course very important, especially since he is a single father. There is no other caregiver who can replace him, not even Nana.

Alex is truly a remarkable character. He never seems to get old, maintaining an air of agelessness that is both captivating and mysterious. If we were to discount Sherlock, who is also an iconic figure, then Alex could easily be considered the original badass.

His charm lies not only in his appearance but also in his actions and demeanor. He exudes confidence and a sense of fearlessness that is truly inspiring. Whether it's facing dangerous situations or simply going about his daily life, Alex does it with a style and grace that is all his own.

People are drawn to him like moths to a flame, unable to resist his allure. He has a way of making those around him feel safe and protected, yet at the same time, he can be unpredictable and dangerous. Alex is a force to be reckoned with, and his presence always leaves a lasting impression.

Overall, Alex is a character who embodies the essence of what it means to be a badass. He is someone who lives life on his own terms, unafraid to take risks and follow his own path. And despite his flaws and imperfections, he remains a beloved and iconic figure, one who will continue to inspire generations to come.

The Mastermind and the vampires is a thrilling story that has me completely hooked.

The action-packed scenes and short chapters make it impossible to put down. I find myself constantly turning the pages, eager to see what happens next.

Although there are some unbelievable aspects to the books, I try not to dwell on them and simply enjoy the ride.

The author has done an excellent job of creating a world full of danger and excitement, and I can't wait to see where the story takes me next.

The ending of the book was a real saving grace. It tied up all the loose ends and left me feeling satisfied.

Overall, I would highly recommend The Mastermind and the vampires to anyone who loves a good adventure.

This one was a little hard for me to read.

The main case was that people were being brutally killed by a group of so-called "vampires" who would suck their blood directly from the body!

Oh my, it's really not my cup of tea! But still, I pushed through it with great perseverance.

The secondary plot (which in my opinion should have been the main one) was Alex's desperate attempt to find MASTERMIND who had appeared in the last few books.

I guess that's exactly why we should read these books in order!

The ending, to my great surprise, was completely unexpected!!!

Now, I find myself unable to wait any longer to read the next one in this thrilling series!!!

I'm eager to see what new adventures and mysteries await Alex and how the story will unfold further.

It's like a cliffhanger that keeps pulling me in and making me anticipate the next installment with bated breath.

I just hope the next book will be as exciting and engaging as this one, if not more.

This latest installment in the series is truly a cut above the two previous books.

The story is more engaging, the characters are more developed, and the plot is full of twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat.

It's clear that the author has put a lot of effort into improving and evolving the series with each new release.

I have become completely hooked and I will definitely be continuing with this series.

I can't wait to see what adventures and surprises the next book has in store for me.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good read.

It's a must-read for fans of the genre and a great introduction for those who are new to it.