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Violets Are Blue  By  cover art

Violets Are Blue

By: James Patterson
Narrated by: Daniel Whitner, Kevin O'Rourke
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Publisher's summary

Detective Alex Cross has never believed in vampires. But when two joggers are found slain in a manner that suggests a macabre ritual, he has to reconsider. Someone believes in vampires enough to have committed a series of bizarre murders that appear to be the work of one. Local police are horrified, and even the FBI is baffled.

Cross takes on the case and plunges into a netherworld of secret clubs and role-players, a world full of poseurs and playactors - and someone demented enough to have crossed the line from dark ritual to real blood. At the same time, a lethal super-criminal from Cross' past - known as the Mastermind - is stalking him, taunting him, and threatening everything he holds dear. Cross has never been closer to defeat, or in greater danger. In a shocking conclusion, Alex Cross must survive a deadly confrontation - only to discover at last the awful secret of the Mastermind.

©2001 James Patterson, All Rights Reserved (P)2001 Time Warner AudioBooks

Critic reviews

"As exciting as anything Patterson has written." (Publishers Weekly)
"One of the best Alex Cross thrillers yet." (Amazon.com)
"Patterson is first-rate." (AudioFile)

Featured Article: The Best James Patterson Audiobooks and Series, According to Fans


James Patterson is one of the most prolific contemporary American writers working today—from children's and YA books to thrillers, mysteries, and even romance, it's hard to keep up with such a massive number of best sellers. Whether you’re just discovering James Patterson or you’re an avid, longtime fan of his wide-ranging work, you can't go wrong with any of these excellent listens. Here are a few different entry points into his impressive catalog.

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What listeners say about Violets Are Blue

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    1,409
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  • 3 Stars
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  • 2 Stars
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Performance
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Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    1,149
  • 4 Stars
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  • 3 Stars
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  • 2 Stars
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Narration a Disappointment

Admittedly I've not read/listened to the Alex Cross books in chronological order. That being said by the time I started listening to Violets are Blue Alex Cross had become embodied by Peter J Fernandez. Violets is a sequel to Roses are Red narrated by Peter. To go from Roses to Violets is a disappointment. The person voicing Alex Cross while having a dramatic voice, reads much too quickly for Alex. Alex does nothing quickly he's a thinker and doesn't give away much. This narrator seems to be in a hurry to get the story over with. The story is the culmination of the Alex Cross/Kyle Craig story line begun in Roses are Red, it would have been served the story best to keep the same narrator.

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14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

Not a favorite....

Out of all of the Alex Cross series, I found this one a disappointment. But, admittedly I'm not sure if it was simply the content which I did not find appealing.

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

Overrated by the Author

Paterson spent several minutes at the beginning of this audio book tell us how good the book is. Clearly he did not listen to it.

It is bloody for the sake of being bloody. It has ?Police Activities? that make no sense, such as, exhuming a body to look at it, then doing nothing else with it. The protagonist is utterly unbelievable, though the crimes are only partially so.

All in all it is not a book to bother with.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Acceptable

It is a fast paced story with the famous Alex Cross. The plot is far fetched but most people could be suspended in disbelief for a few hours - especially when the book moves fast.

The narration is excellent. Clear and dramatic pronounciations.

Overall, it is not great, but not bad either. It is not the best Alex Cross story, but it is an "acceptable" listen.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Strange Story

Even though the subject matter is about vampires, or those who would present themselves as vampires, this story had me glued to my earphones until I got to the end. "Real" characters and excellent dynamic tension. I definitely recommend it to fantasy/horror and murder mystery fans. Personally, I'll be listening to it again for pure entertainment value!

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

One of Patterson's best, and creepiest

Great quality audiobook, cover and audio sample made me nervous compared to the quality of Roses are Red, but it's a great aduiobook. Also this book is literally insanely creepy!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Satisfying conclusion

What a great story and end to this story line. Can't wait to start the next one.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Excellent! !!

I've thoroughly enjoyed the books in this series. and this was was just as good. I was a little hesitant to get it based on the reviews but glad I did.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great Book

What made the experience of listening to Violets Are Blue the most enjoyable?

I love herring the same voices reading the story.

What did you like best about this story?

Loved the story very much. I enjoy James Pattetson series.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Stupid

Second Patterson book and I am not getting all the excitement. If lame egregious unrealistic plot holes and incompetency is your thing than by all means listen to this.

I had to shut it down halfway through and return it.

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1 person found this helpful