In FOUR BLIND MICE, Patterson starts with an interesting premise of an investigation into a group of Vietnam vets being framed for murder. However, he manages to turn it into a complete and utter waste of time.

Nowhere in this novel does a scene truly stand out. Everything feels artificial and unconvincing. The romance, family drama, and dialog are so cheesy that they are almost unbearable. Even the mystery-solving aspect is dreadfully boring. The only progress in the case comes from Cross looking through old army files and conducting searches on Lexus-Nexus. The evidence he gathers is mostly circumstantial, yet that doesn't prevent Dr. Cross from charging ahead full steam.

Most of the novel's supposed suspense stems from the main characters' stupidity. Samson exposes himself in the middle of a gunfight. Cross, for no apparent reason, visits a bad guy's house just to tell him that the game is up. He conveniently reveals that the evidence hasn't been submitted yet and is then somehow shocked when the situation quickly turns sour. Fortunately, help always shows up just in the nick of time when Dr. Cross is about to meet his doom.

There is also an abundance of unnecessary melodrama scattered throughout the book. Nana Mama gets sick but recovers easily. Damien's friend overdoses, but the incident is never mentioned again. Cross and Sampson have a drunken fistfight, but their friendship is back to normal the very next day.

There are numerous other flaws in this book, but I am not willing to put in more effort to analyze it than Patterson did in writing it.

Another good Alex Cross thriller!

Although, to be honest, I would have liked it even better if it didn't contain the three gratuitous and overly-detailed descriptions of human mating rituals. These descriptions seemed out of place and rather unnecessary in what is supposed to be a thrilling mystery novel. If I had wanted to read about such things, I could have easily picked up a Harlequin romance instead. The story itself was engaging and full of twists and turns, keeping me on the edge of my seat. But those few scenes really took away from the overall enjoyment for me. I hope that in future installments of the Alex Cross series, the author will focus more on the mystery and less on these rather gratuitous elements.

It's not an extremely interesting book.

The perpetrators are not particularly outstanding.

There is a complex plot intertwined with the history from Vietnam.

The story seems to lack that certain spark that would truly engage the reader.

The characters could have been developed more deeply to make them more relatable and interesting.

The historical aspect, while potentially fascinating, is not presented in a way that makes it come alive.

Overall, it's a book that has some elements that could have been great, but unfortunately, they don't quite come together to create a truly captivating read.

Perhaps with some revisions and a more focused approach, it could have been a better book.

As it stands, it's a bit of a disappointment for those looking for a thrilling and engaging story.

This is an excellent mystery / thriller / Krimi that truly captivated me.

Despite its numerous short chapters, which made it inviting for a quick read in-between other activities, I could barely put it down.

With a total of 115 chapters spread over just 387 pages, the book maintains a fast-paced and engaging narrative.

The author has masterfully crafted a story that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, constantly guessing and eager to uncover the next clue.

Each chapter presents a new twist or turn, adding to the overall mystery and excitement.

The short chapters also make it easy to pick up and put down the book without losing the thread of the story.

Overall, this is a must-read for fans of mystery, thriller, and Krimi genres.

I'm steadily crashing through the Alex Cross novels.

It has been 20 years since I last read them, and I'm not quite sure where I stopped. Oh well, it doesn't really matter.

I'm thoroughly enjoying them all over again. The author has a remarkable ability to maintain the thrills and suspense throughout each story.

He often ends a book on a cliffhanger, which usually drives readers crazy with anticipation. But for me, it's not a problem at all.

I can simply pick up the next book in the series and continue the exciting journey.

So far, I'm loving every single one of these novels. They have rekindled my love for mystery and thriller genres, and I can't wait to see what adventures lie ahead for Alex Cross.

I highly recommend these books to anyone who enjoys a good page-turner.

Four Blind Mice (Alex Cross #8), James Patterson


Four Blind Mice is the eighth installment in the thrilling series featuring Washington, D.C. homicide detective and forensic psychologist Alex Cross, penned by the renowned James Patterson.

The story centers around Washington D.C. Metro Police homicide detectives Alex Cross and John Sampson. As they delve into the wrongful conviction and execution of US Army Sergeant Ellis Cooper, their investigation uncovers a disturbing pattern. A series of Army personnel have been wrongfully convicted and executed for murdering countless civilians. In each case, the murderer had a distinct modus operandi - painting the corpse.

During the course of their investigation, Cross and Sampson discover that three Army Rangers, known as "The Three Blind Mice" (Thomas Starkey, Brownley Harris, and Warren Griffin), had committed similar crimes during the Vietnam War. They had carried out unauthorized killings of unarmed villagers and painted the bodies red, white, and blue.

Cross and Sampson manage to track down the killers, but a violent gunfight ensues, resulting in the deaths of all three. However, they soon realize that the mastermind behind the murders is General Mark Hutchinson, the Commandant of West Point. Hutchinson had been ordering The Three Blind Mice to frame Army personnel who had committed atrocities in Vietnam.

Another victim, Colonel Handler, had discovered the plot and was killed to protect Hutchinson's candidacy for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Hutchinson captures Cross, but before he can carry out the murder, he is killed by members of a Vietnamese street gang in retaliation for his actions during the Vietnam War.

This gripping novel takes readers on a wild ride through the seedy underbelly of the military and the criminal justice system, as Cross and Sampson race against time to solve the case and bring the true culprits to justice.

Published in 2008, "Four Blind Mice" is a must-read for fans of the Alex Cross series and anyone who enjoys a thrilling mystery with complex characters and a twisting plot.

So, if you're looking for a page-turner that will keep you on the edge of your seat, pick up a copy of "Four Blind Mice" today and experience the excitement for yourself!

A great Alex Cross story that keeps you on the edge of your seat (like always) and perfectly leads into his FBI career!

This particular tale is a thrilling adventure that will have you completely engrossed from start to finish. The author masterfully weaves a web of mystery and intrigue, making it impossible to put the book down. As you follow Alex Cross on his latest case, you'll find yourself constantly guessing and second-guessing, never quite sure what's going to happen next. The story is filled with twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat, your heart pounding with anticipation. And as the plot unfolds, you'll see how it all ties in perfectly with Alex's transition into his FBI career. It's a seamless and exciting journey that any fan of the series is sure to love.

A great book that delves deep into the relationship between Alex and his partner or best friend, John. As they embark on the journey to solve the murder of John's Vietnam army buddy, their bond is put to the test. The story unfolds with thrilling twists and turns, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat from start to finish. It's truly a page turner that will have you hooked from the very beginning.

The relationship between Alex and John is complex and multi-faceted. They have a history together that adds depth and authenticity to their interactions. As they work together to solve the mystery, they must overcome their differences and rely on each other's strengths. The author does a wonderful job of描绘 their evolving relationship and the emotional turmoil they experience along the way.

The murder mystery itself is also well-crafted. The clues are carefully laid out, and the reader is kept guessing until the very end. The setting of the Vietnam War adds an extra layer of intrigue and complexity to the story. Overall, this is a great book that combines a compelling mystery with a touching exploration of friendship and loyalty.

This movie is truly very entertaining.

It is filled with a great deal of gritty action that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

The stunts and fight scenes are executed with such precision and intensity that it feels as if you are right there in the middle of the chaos.

Not only that, but the element of suspense is also masterfully woven into the plot.

You are constantly guessing what will happen next, and the movie does an excellent job of keeping you guessing until the very end.

Whether you are a fan of action movies or just looking for a good time at the movies, this one is definitely worth checking out.

It will leave you thoroughly entertained and satisfied.

So this was truly a great read!

Alex and Sampson (sigh… I just love him) are endeavoring to assist their buddy Eric, who has recently been convicted of murder. Sampson firmly believes that Eric couldn't have committed the act he was charged with, and they manage to uncover some leads. Eventually, these leads direct them to the prison where Kyle is being held. I didn't think it was him; it just wasn't in his style. Nevertheless, Alex interrogates Kyle, and of course, Kyle seizes this opportunity to threaten Alex. To think they used to be friends...lol.

There are three ex-military men who are actually responsible for the killings. They have been hired by Tran to eliminate all those who covered up the killing of his family. Get this…

The Three Blind Mice are actually the ones who killed his family! Of course, Alex almost meets his end in the end, but he does manage to pull through. I am a bit frustrated that he spent all that time preparing to retire only to immediately go back and rejoin the FBI. I mean, seriously, dude, don't you want to watch your children grow up? Because as things stand right now, they'll all be grown before you see them.

Also… Alex goes through women like underwear. Jamilla didn't make it… sheesh.

So and so. The conflict in the story indeed keeps the readers on their toes, making them stay alert throughout. However, it has to be said that the fight scenes are not exactly the cream of the crop. There are simply too many killings, which might seem a bit excessive at times.

Alex, the protagonist, shows more than just carelessness when he decides to go alone to confront Hutchinson&co. This decision puts him in a rather precarious situation and makes the readers worry about his safety.

On a more positive note, the secondary characters, such as Nana or Billie, are well-developed and manage to arouse sympathy in the readers. Their stories add depth and complexity to the overall narrative, and as a result, the mark for this work increases from three to four stars. It's these secondary characters that make the readers invest more emotionally in the story and keep them engaged until the very end.

Back into Alex Cross's world, I did truly enjoy this one, and I can clearly see why it has a high average rating.

However, for some inexplicable reason, I have found that I don't gel with 'army' plot lines. Nevertheless, I thought the main plot/concept was really exceptionally well done. The reveals and the underworld behind the murders in this book were both disturbing and, unfortunately, highly realistic.

Alex's home life seemed a little messy in this installment. It felt as if things were happening just for the sake of it, but I did manage to spot a little foreshadowing within the book. I do firmly believe that this is a book in the series where, if you haven't read at least the two preceding this one, it will have less of an impact.

I really liked delving deeper and learning more about Sampson. I feel like his character is finally beginning to show a little growth, rather than just being a big friendly giant who can kick ass when the need arises. There were, however, moments of repetition in this one, which I didn't feel was necessary for a fairly short thriller. A plethora of horrible subjects were also tackled in this book, so be forewarned.

The ending, in my opinion, was a little rushed and unfinished. I don't think we have seen the last of a certain group of people though - especially considering the next title, The Big Bad Wolf. I am very much looking forward to the next installment in the series as they are always quick and enjoyable reads for me.