I'm a die-hard fan of this entire series.

From the very beginning, it has captured my heart and imagination.

This latest book in the series is no exception.

It has once again exceeded my expectations and left me completely satisfied.

The story is engaging, the characters are well-developed, and the plot is full of twists and turns that keep me on the edge of my seat.

I love how the author has continued to build on the world and mythology established in the previous books, while also introducing new elements and ideas.

Each page is filled with excitement and anticipation, making it impossible for me to put the book down.

This book is a must-read for any fan of the series or anyone who loves a good adventure story.

I can't wait to see what the author has in store for us next!

I have always believed that the early novels of James Patterson are better than the recent ones. I believed this because he didn't have collaborators, especially in the Alex Cross series. At first, I thought his solo works were more original and engaging. However, after reading more of his recent books, I have come to the conclusion that they are all very bad.

The stories seem rushed and lack the depth and complexity that his earlier works had. The characters are not as well-developed, and the plots often feel predictable. It's as if he is more interested in churning out books quickly rather than taking the time to craft a truly great story.

Perhaps he has become too reliant on his collaborators, or maybe he has simply lost his touch. Whatever the reason, it's a shame because I used to be a big fan of his work. I hope that he will take a step back and重新evaluate his approach to writing, so that he can once again produce the kind of novels that made him famous in the first place.

I have a deep affection for Alex Cross and John Sampson.

It was truly a pleasure to explore more about their upbringing.

The story provided some extremely interesting details regarding our participation in Viet Nam.

It added a new layer of depth and context to their characters and their experiences.

Learning about their pasts made me understand them better and appreciate their friendship even more.

The way the author delved into their childhoods and the events that shaped them was captivating.

It also gave me a greater awareness of the historical backdrop of the Viet Nam War and how it affected the lives of many.

I look forward to reading more about Alex and John and seeing how their stories continue to unfold.

I must admit that I'm finding James Patterson books a bit too similar for my taste. While I do appreciate the short chapters, which make the reading process quite smooth and quick, it often feels as if there isn't a great deal of depth or substance to the stories. They seem more like light and easy reads, perhaps suitable for a holiday when you just want something to pass the time without having to engage in overly complex plots or deep character development. It's a bit of a disappointment, really, as I had expected more from such a well-known and prolific author. However, I guess they do serve their purpose as simple entertainment.

Good Alex Cross book.

However, it is a hard read though.

The perpetrators in this book are truly horrifying and arrogant.

The story commences with a man on death row, who is charged with the murder of three women.

He firmly swears that he didn't commit the crimes and it is only a few days before he is scheduled to be put to death.

Alex Cross takes on the case and faces a long and arduous road in his quest to find the real killers.

Surprisingly, he receives help from someone that one wouldn't expect.

This unexpected ally provides crucial assistance and insights that help Alex in his investigation.

The plot thickens as Alex delves deeper into the case, uncovering more secrets and surprises along the way.

Will he be able to prove the man's innocence and catch the real murderers before it's too late?

Readers are left on the edge of their seats, eagerly turning the pages to find out.

It's been dubbed the 'Bluelady Murders', and the Army finds itself right in the middle of this mystery. Decorated Sergeant Ellis Cooper has been convicted of the crime and is now languishing on death row.

Who does he turn to in his hour of need to plead his innocence? None other than his old Army buddy John Sampson. And their last hope is Alex Cross, who is on the verge of handing in his notice as a homicide detective to join the FBI.

In fact, Sampson manages to catch Alex just in time. When a friend calls upon you to help catch the real culprits, it's in the very essence of friendship to comply.

Three Blind Mice are engaged in a deadly game, hunting for their next victim. But who is pulling the strings from above and why isn't the Army intervening to protect their former servicemen from unjustly taking the blame?

It all traces back to a grisly mission from the Vietnam War, and it's all about revenge.

After the slight disappointment that was Violets are Blue, Four Blind Mice is a remarkable return to form. This book has everything one could expect from an Alex Cross novel: non-stop action, a perplexing mystery to untangle, an abundance of suspense, and even a touch of romance. And to top it off, Sampson finally gets some action in the romance department, and it's truly heartwarming.

Nana Mama steals the show this time. Despite being a feisty 82-year-old, her body is starting to show signs of wear and tear. The harsh reality that his grandmother won't be around forever really hits home for Alex, making him reevaluate his work-life balance. He has been sacrificing precious family time due to 'The Job' over the years, and this needs to change pronto.

Oh, and there's a comeback of Kyle 'The Mastermind' Craig, up to his old tricks again. This guy is truly terrifying, but not as much as a confronting execution scene that gave me the creeps. It reminded me of the one in The Green Mile, where I still have to cover my eyes to this day!

4.75

It was okay.

Definitely, it had an eerie creepy feel throughout the entire narrative.

However, I am just not a huge Alex Cross fan as much as I wish I could be.

The story, on the other hand, was decent.

It had its moments that kept me engaged to some extent.

The plot had enough twists and turns to make it interesting.

But perhaps it didn't fully capture my heart and imagination like I expected it to.

Maybe it was because I had high hopes for this particular installment or maybe it was just my personal taste.

Nevertheless, it was still a story that I could enjoy to a certain degree.

Despite not being a die-hard Alex Cross fan, I can appreciate the effort that went into creating this story.

And who knows, maybe in the future, I will become more of a fan as I explore more of the Alex Cross series.

I truly adore the short chapters of Patterson's books.

They have this magical quality that makes it incredibly easy to say "Just one more."

You pick up the book, read one chapter, and before you even realize it, you find yourself completely immersed and saying that phrase again.

And then, suddenly, before you know it, you're done with the entire novel!

It's like a reading adventure that just flies by.

The short chapters keep you engaged and eager to see what happens next.

They don't overwhelm you with a huge chunk of text, but rather offer bite-sized portions that are easy to digest.

This makes Patterson's books perfect for those times when you only have a short amount of time to read, but still want to get lost in a great story.

Whether you're on a commute, taking a break at work, or just relaxing at home, you can always pick up one of Patterson's books and enjoy the quick and satisfying reading experience.

My time with Alex Cross might be drawing to a close. The previous novel, Violets are Blue, was truly one of the worst pieces I've ever had the misfortune to read. This one, while marginally better, still doesn't have much to recommend it.

Don't read this review if you don't want all the 'plot points' to be spoiled.

Here are several reasons why this book isn't worthy of your time.

The plot is extremely convoluted. Apparently, a former Vietnamese soldier named Luu came to the US after the war and established a gang. He ultimately kills a number of people and is sentenced to death row at a federal prison just down the hall from the mastermind Kyle Craig. How convenient. Anyway, this Luu somehow devises an elaborate scheme where he pays millions of dollars to three former army ranger assassins to frame former army war criminals for murder, with the intention of having them executed on death row.

It makes perfect sense, doesn't it? The hired killers are flawless. They even manage to kill a state trooper, and yet no one seems to notice that he's missing, despite the fact that they found a dead prostitute on his route. No big deal, troopers go missing all the time, right?

A particularly nice (or rather, awful) plot point is the fact that Cross and Sampson are investigating the framing of Sampson's old army buddy (a best friend we haven't heard a peep about until the 8th book in the series). While conducting their investigation, they never inform anyone of their suspicions when they think they've identified the assassins. No problem, three assassins who have just framed half a dozen people with perfect murders are no match for two DC detectives who are 600 miles from home and completely on their own.

Sure.

As I'm writing this, I've come to realize that this is a book that can be "hate-read" for entertainment. Read it while waiting for the implausible leaps in logic, the terrible coincidences, just waiting for your opportunity to shout at the page things like
"WHY DOES CROSS STILL LIVE IN THE GHETTO?"
"WHY DOES SAMPSON THINK HE CAN RUN INTO THE LINE OF FIRE WITHOUT GETTING HIT?"
"Why does Cross think confronting the mastermind all alone without telling anyone? Does he want to be hogtied and thrown in a trunk?"

Warning: There are some spoilers within this review. However, I'm simply too lazy to type out the whole formula to hide certain details. Read at your own risk, and I apologize!

In Four Blind Mice, Cross is engaged in a battle against a trio of killers. Additionally, with the Mastermind behind bars, Alex is contemplating retirement from the Washington Police Force. Of course, it's evident that Alex isn't truly going to retire. He might leave the force, but I suspect he'll accept another job offer. After all, there are numerous books in this series. If I were reading these books when they were first released, well, I probably still wouldn't believe that Alex would never work again.

This book indeed has several good twists and turns. It begins with Alex not working, but then his friend Sampson asks him to assist with a case. Sadly, things don't unfold as planned throughout the entire process. Moreover, there are issues at home with Nana, and I would have been extremely sad if something tragic had occurred to her. Fortunately, everything turns out fine in the end.

It also features a really nice happy ending for someone. However, there's a hint of a potential love triangle in the next book. Maybe? I'm not at all in favor of that happening because Alex and his "relationships" are becoming rather tiresome. I simply want to read about his job and his pursuit of the murderers. But if he ever has a love interest that I can fall in love with, perhaps I could get on board. So far, that hasn't happened yet.

I'm eagerly anticipating reading the next book!

Another good Alex Cross Story!

This latest installment in the Alex Cross series is a real page-turner. The story is filled with the usual twists and turns that fans of the series have come to expect. Alex Cross is once again faced with a difficult case that challenges his skills and his wits. The characters are well-developed and the plot is engaging from start to finish. The author does a great job of creating a sense of tension and suspense that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. Whether you're a long-time fan of the Alex Cross series or a newcomer, this book is definitely worth checking out. You won't be disappointed!

So, if you're looking for a good mystery to sink your teeth into, look no further than this latest Alex Cross story. It's a great read that will keep you entertained for hours on end.

This is truly an outstanding book that encompasses all the elements you could desire.

It features drama that will keep you on the edge of your seat, tension that builds with each passing page, a touch of romance to warm your heart, and cold-blooded killers that add an element of danger and excitement.

Moreover, there is an air of mystery that pervades the story, making it impossible to put down.

If you are new to this series, it is highly recommended that you start with book one.

This will allow you to fully immerse yourself in the world created by the author and follow the development of the characters and the plot from the very beginning.

You will not be disappointed with this captivating and engaging read.