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Roses Are Red  By  cover art

Roses Are Red

By: James Patterson
Narrated by: Peter Jay Fernandez
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Publisher's summary

A brilliant criminal known only as the Mastermind orchestrates a series of bank robberies that are notable for their very precise demands - and their explosive violence when the demands are not met exactly. Detective Alex Cross takes on the case and recognizes that a particular kind of criminal mind is at work. But before he gets near identifying a suspect, the Mastermind pulls off the most outrageous kidnapping scheme in U.S. history - and walks away with the largest ransom ever paid.

But money is not enough. Alex Cross' investigation has gotten under the Mastermind's skin, and he makes it his personal goal to take revenge on Cross' entire team, one person at a time - before coming after Cross himself.

Amid all this, Cross' relationship with his girlfriend Christine is falling apart because of her fears about his work, and his beloved daughter Jannie is hospitalized with unexplained seizures. The pressure rises on every front, until an explosive, shocking climax in which the Mastermind escalates his crimes to an unprecedented level, and Alex Cross risks everything to stop him in time.

©2000 by James Patterson, All Rights Reserved (P)2000 Time Warner AudioBooks, A Division of Time Warner Trade Publishing

Critic reviews

"While there's nothing subtle in this novel, every blatant element is packaged for maximum effect: roses may be red, but Patterson's newest is green all the way." ( Publishers Weekly)
"Alex Cross, Patterson's detective hero, is back in a thriller that is guaranteed to hold his many fans spellbound...Patterson keeps the pages turning all the way up to the jaw-dropping conclusion." ( Booklist)
"Patterson knows where our deepest fears are buried... There's no stopping his imagination." ( New York Times Book Review)

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.

What listeners say about Roses Are Red

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Another great Alex Cross story

loved it!! Have to find the next book to see how they catch the master mind!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Exciting Thriller and drama!

I thoroughly enjoyed the story. It had so many twist and turns, it kept me listening and guessing. Shocking ending.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

An amazing Patterson

This is an awesome Patterson - like all his books that he wrote alone. Lots of twists.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent Book-Spoiler Alert

This book was well written and very good. I was so shocked to who the mastermind was I really thought Betsy was involved.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I love the Alex Cross series.

You will enjoy this story just as much as the others. Highly recommend to those who like mystery thrillers.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

A different perspective

I am a newer fan of the Alex Cross stories. It's quite possible that this influenced my opinion of this book. I thought it to be a decent suspense story, and I enjoyed the twists. Its companion "Violets are Blue" follows perfectly by picking up where this book leaves off. I happened to listen to them consecutively and thought them to be exciting enough that I'm now going back to listen to some of the other Alex Cross stories. I can't say for sure what the "best" Alex Cross saga is, but I wouldn't count this one out.

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What a TWIST!

The Cross series has been so easy to follow until now I felt like this one was a bit all over the place. Also I sounds like the narrator changes! He should get credited!

That said I’m sad Cross is still struggling with life balance & the decision to stay a detective he has dealt with so much loss & I was disappointed that there was more in this storyline.

The end though was something i didn’t see coming & I have to say WELL DONE Patterson. I have enjoyed the book’s storyline tying each book together as well!

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Good story, less than perfect narration.

I loved this book, especially the very surprising, and shocking twist at the very very end. I was put off, however, by a flaw in the narration. There are numerous spots where, for a sentence, maybe two, it is obviously a different narrator from Mr. Fernandez. You can tell that it wasn't that Mr. Fernandez decided to redo a sentence he flubbed, but that the audio book publisher had to fill in these spots and did so with someone who is most definitely not Mr. Fernandez. Otherwise, it is a very good book all around.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

I did not like the ending. I am disappointed!!!

I do not like cliffhangers! However I would recommend the book to others. Finish the storyline.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Is there no end?

This book ends in full reveal with the case wide open!!! Please tell me the case continues in the next book!!!!

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