This series just keeps on getting better and better. It takes the reader on a thrilling journey filled with countless twists and turns. Just when you think you have a handle on what's going on, you're in for a rude awakening. Think again! The ending is a total shocker that will leave you gasping for breath. Patterson's use of staccato chapters really helps to move the story along at a brisk pace. And there are some interesting developments on the home front for Alex. Some of them are good, while others are not so good.

However, there is one thing that really bugs me. I hate it when there are discrepancies or inaccuracies in a story. It just comes off as lazy on the part of the author. So, I was a little annoyed when the story stated that Hayfield, Virginia was 80 miles southwest of Washington, DC, almost to West Virginia. In fact, Hayfield is actually 80 miles northwest of DC. But enough of my griping.

There are some really great quotes in this book that are worth remembering. For example, "I suspect that waiting in hospitals is as close as we get to being in hell before our time, or at least in purgatory." And here's another one: "Here's a nice image for a life in balance...You're juggling these four balls that you've named work, family, friends, spirit. Now, work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it bounces back. The other balls - they're made of glass." These quotes really add depth and meaning to the story.

I really enjoyed this shocker thriller. It had me on the edge of my seat throughout.

However, I have to be completely honest here. The way the police or FBI conduct their work in this story seems rather naive. It doesn't meet the standard that I usually expect from such investigations.

In a typical crime thriller, I would anticipate more sophisticated and intelligent police work. But in this case, it felt like they were making rather obvious mistakes and not using the kind of strategies and techniques that I would assume professionals in their field would employ.

Despite this, the overall story was still engaging and kept my interest. I just wish the portrayal of the police/FBI work had been more realistic and up to par with what I believe it should be.

Nonetheless, I would still recommend this thriller to others who enjoy a good shock and a fast-paced story, even if the police work aspect left something to be desired.

All I can say is Wow.

This book is truly a page-turner that keeps you guessing right up to the very last sentence. Just when you think you have it all figured out, there is a very huge twist that comes out of nowhere, right when you least expect it.

The ending is so thought-provoking that it makes me wonder if there is more to the story. Could there be a sequel in the works? It definitely makes me eager to read more of the Alex Cross series.

This book is a masterpiece and a well-deserved 5 stars. It has everything a good mystery novel should have - an engaging plot, interesting characters, and plenty of suspense. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good thriller.

I can't wait to see what the author has in store for us next in the Alex Cross series.

Wow, what a crazy ending!

Alex Cross, the renowned detective, is engaged in a fierce battle against a diabolical villain known as The Mastermind. This devious criminal has orchestrated a series of bank robberies with a cruel twist. He takes the families of the bank employees as hostages, leaving them in a terrifying situation. The rules are simple yet heartless: if everyone obeys his commands, they will be safe; otherwise, they will face a gruesome death. There is no room for mercy or forgiveness in The Mastermind's twisted game.

I found the mystery in "Roses are Red" truly captivating. However, I couldn't help but wish that the authors had delved deeper into the history of The Mastermind. Understanding his motives and background could have added an extra layer of depth to the story. Maybe they will explore this in the next novel?

On the other hand, I have to admit that I'm not a fan of reading about Alex Cross's personal life. It just doesn't interest me. Some of the situations he finds himself in seem rather unrealistic, such as investigating a major crime while his daughter is fighting for her life in the hospital. And don't even get me started on his complicated love life!

Nevertheless, I'm still excited to pick up the next novel in the series and see what new challenges and surprises The Mastermind has in store for Alex Cross. I'm eager to find out if he can finally outwit this elusive criminal and bring an end to his reign of terror.

I am currently engaged in reading the Alex Cross series in a sequential manner.

So far, my assessment is that "Roses are Red" stands out as the best among those I have read.

Right from the very first chapter, one gets irresistibly drawn into the story.

This particular book is an easy read, which is a great advantage.

However, what makes it truly captivating are the numerous twists and turns that are cleverly incorporated throughout the narrative.

These unexpected developments keep the reader on the edge of their seat, constantly eager to discover what will happen next.

It is this combination of an accessible writing style and a thrilling plot that makes "Roses are Red" such a remarkable installment in the Alex Cross series.

I am excitedly looking forward to delving into the remaining books in the series to see if they can match the excellence of this one.

This latest installment in the series is an improvement over the last one. However, I still find myself not as enamored with this particular series as I am with some of the author's other works.

Despite this, I am determined to continue reading the series. I have a glimmer of hope that the future stories will hold more appeal for me. Maybe there will be new plot twists, more developed characters, or a deeper exploration of the themes that will capture my interest and make me fall in love with the series.

Overall, it's a decent read. It has its moments of entertainment and keeps me engaged enough to want to see what happens next. But it doesn't quite reach the level of excellence that some of the author's other series have achieved. I'll be eagerly awaiting the next book, hoping that it will be the one that finally wins me over completely.

This book is centered around a man named Alex Cross, who works as a homicide detective. Recently, he managed to save his beloved from a mass murderer known as Weasel. In the story, Alex Cross stumbles upon a new case where a so-called "Mastermind" is robbing banks and mercilessly killing all the hostages. As he delves deeper into the investigation, he unfortunately breaks up with his beloved, leaving him in a state of depression.

One of Alex Cross's main external conflicts is his determination to track down the Mastermind and ensure he is behind bars. On the other hand, one of his internal conflicts is his struggle to find a new love.

I found a connection within the book. When Alex Cross discovers the existence of the Mastermind, it reminds me of the harsh reality that every day in the world, people are falling victim to robberies, killings, and various other atrocities. I firmly believe that people need to wake up and realize that taking someone's life will have far-reaching consequences for them in the long term.

I would rate this book 4 stars. It is an excellent read that combines elements of romance, drama, and action. However, I didn't always feel fully engaged. At times, the book seemed a bit dull, while in other parts, it was truly amazing. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has a passion for books about homicide detectives.

A solid addition to the Alex Cross Series, this is the first of a two-parter.

Cross's nemesis, who refers to himself as The Mastermind, initially makes you wait for him to choke on his title. However, as the story progresses, you realize that it is not hubris and the title is well-deserved.

What sets this book apart in the Cross Series is that there is only one main storyline, which is a rarity. This helps in keeping everything focused and allows the author to delve deeper into the characters and the plot. The book succeeds in doing the little things right and staying on point, which makes it a great read.

Overall, this is a must-read for fans of the Alex Cross Series and anyone who enjoys a good thriller.

Love Alex Cross,

He was truly and deeply in love with the stunning Betsey. His anticipation for their romance was palpable, like a thrilling adventure waiting to unfold. Every moment with her felt like a precious gift, and he couldn't wait to see where their relationship would lead.

Moreover, he was extremely glad that AJ had come to stay. AJ brought a new kind of energy and excitement to his life. Having AJ around made him feel a sense of warmth and companionship. It was as if a missing piece of the puzzle had been found.

Alex Cross's heart was filled with a mix of love, anticipation, and joy. He was eager to embrace whatever the future held for him, Betsey, and AJ.

I have to say that I didn't have the same level of enthusiasm for this book as I did for the first three books in this series.

Moreover, it truly annoyed me whenever he referred to his son as "The Boy." It just didn't sit right with me.

Oh, and let's not forget that constantly whining about how much you love and miss someone while simultaneously being on the lookout for the next woman to share your bed doesn't seem very genuine.

I really, really hope that Alex starts to show a different side of himself and stops coming across as such a grade A ass. Otherwise, I seriously doubt that I'll be picking up many more books in this series. I'm crossing my fingers that the author will give us a more likable and redeemable character in the future installments.

A couple of friends have been recommending Patterson to me for ages.

So, when I saw this book and its sequel - Violets are Blue - together in a charity shop, I picked up the pair. Patterson writes in short, punchy chapters and with vivid detail.

As a result, I flew through the book, being pulled forward by the fast pace. However, it was an entirely unsatisfying experience.

The writing is incredibly formulaic. There's a detective battling personal problems - check. He's the only man who can solve the case - check. And there are increasing complications in his life - check.

Turning the last page and being confronted with the twist and cliffhanger ending, I found I had absolutely no interest in the characters or how things turned out.

Consequently, both books went right back to the charity shop. Perhaps this isn't representative of Patterson's work, but given the rate he churns them out, I suspect it is.

This experience has left me with no interest in investigating his books further.

Amazing! This story truly keeps you guessing from start to finish. The plot is so full of twists and turns that you never know what's going to happen next. It's like a thrilling adventure that takes you on a wild ride. The characters are well-developed and engaging, making you really care about what happens to them. I found myself completely immersed in the story, unable to put it down. And now that I've finished this one, I can't wait to read the next one. I'm sure it's going to be just as amazing as this one. I highly recommend this story to anyone who loves a good mystery or thriller. It's definitely worth reading!